Sister Christmas Pillow!

For Christmas in my familia (first of all, there are a ton of us, so) each "kid" or couple is assigned another kid or couple to give a present to. It rotates each year. This year I had my single sister Carlyn. So I got to spoil her with the WHOLE $40 budget ;) I wanted to do something more special than a gift card so I decided to make something she could use, and enjoy, and would be one of a kind and made by her lil sis. I asked her for inspiration and got a lot of questions answered about her taste, and ultimately decided upon a pillowcase for her. Here are my original ideas:

The geometric concept turned into making letters for her name. The ones that aren't colored in are supposed to be the letter "c" for "C"arlyn of course. "W"s for Wutkee. Perfect!

Oh man, I'm so glad I didn't pick the design on the top right! I have to admit that this project ended up to be a bit of a headache. Matching seams... not the easiest! And I didn't even succeed totally, but I'm pretty satisfied.

Here she is as a little (mis-measured) sapling:

This is the fabric for the back. Yes, I know it makes for a busy busy pillowcase, but at least you can't see both sides at the same time. Unless that's your super power or something.

(WHYYYYYYYYYYYY DOES BLOGGER ROTATE PHOTOS UPON UPLOAD AND NOT LET YOU FIX THEM!??!?)

Here is the pillowcase finished! I didn't really think out every aspect the best, so the end of it is just a little double folded hem instead of how a pillowcase is traditionally finished, with a really wide hem.

And here we are together, with a pillow inside so you can see it in "action" :)

I mailed the it to Carlyn, along with a gift card to Nordstrom, a little pack of Hello Kitty tissues, and some awesome stationary from a shop on Etsy.com.

I think she likes it.

OG Idea and Scarf # 2

I had this big idea once upon a time. It was this:

I came up with the design because I'd bought a cute infinity scarf with stripes of silver sequins along the entire length, but the problem was when it was twisted and hanging from my neck- at least 50% of what someone would see is the ugly back side with a bunch of clear plastic thread. So that design I made there was the solution. The idea: no matter how much it twisted, what you see will be intentional and attractive. And depending on the fabric combination, it could make it wacky, pretty, or subtle.

But.

The closest thing that design has begotten to date is this, which you might remember:

(Pardon the ugly Bon Jovi-esque hair.)

You might notice the flatter grey sheen on the opposite side of the more metallic gold. I only ended up using one fabric, but still employing my idea. I haven't found 2 compatible fabrics that I like enough together, to really execute this thing.

BUT!

With this beautiful fabric I bought, I ended up with a new design. This is just one looooooong scarf (two ends, not a circle/infinity scarf)- I tie a little knot at the end, twist it once, and VOILA!

Don't forget to give me credit when you make one of your own ;)

Christmas Apron for Sister!

Christmas was coming up, and my sister Jenalyn gave me a strange (but welcome) proposition. She wanted me to fill her stocking for her shopping-challenged husband who "didn't know what to get her" and she'd pay me back. Well I've been wanting/meaning to make her an apron for ages- so I went for it! I had an idea of the aesthetic she was going for, but then my other sister helped me stalk her Pinterest and I knew that RUFFLES was the answer. So for the low low price of supplies only- Jenalyn got a custom-made ruffled apron!



I designed and made this!


I like the little details like this- contrasting neck strap thing just 'cuz.


Even though there was really no other way to do it- people I showed this too were delighted by the fact that the cute main fabric was hiding under the ruffles. It keeps it cute in case Jenalyn is jumping around while baking ;)


Ruffles in high def.


Double-sided ties make for a fun bow!


Jenalyn in the finished product!