obi-wan wears chuck taylors
(a friend at today's class party.)
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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(a friend at today's class party.)
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
just photos from me for the rest of the week. xo.
The car organizer. I love mine! When I posted about them, several of you asked for a tutorial, and these might be a great holiday gift. So sneak into your sister's minivan and take a few measurements. Or make one for your husband's car to hold those Manly-Man Necessities like his tape measure and small tool kit. Hey, wait- I have both of those in my car too...
The things you'll need: medium weight fabric, coordinating thread, a sewing machine, a piece of 3/4" elastic about 30 inches long, and a messy car. Keep in mind, to make them like I did, your headrests need to be removable. If yours aren't, you'll have to get creative with the tops. When I say medium weight, I mean something thicker than say quilters cotton (so it hangs nicely) but thinner than denim (you'll be sewing through multiple layers.) I used a gray twill so it would blend in with the car upholstery, but you could always use something bright to jazz up the back seat or use contrasting fabric or patchwork for the pockets.
Now some of these steps sound confusing, but they're not. It's difficult to explain turning and hemming fabric in words when I can't just stand next to you and show you what I'm talking about. If you get confused, email me. I'll try to help. Also you can click on the photos to examine them closely.
Step 1: Remove the headrest and measure the back of the seat. Be sure to include the amount of fabric for the top edge, the part that gets sandwiched under the headrest. My measurements were: 27" tall x 18" wide.
Step 2: Draw out your organizer and plan your pockets. This drawing shows MY finished measurements. Play with these to fit the items you typically carry around in the car. Since these are for my kids, I was sure to include 10" pocket on the bottom row to accommodate a standard coloring book and skinnier pockets on the top for colored pencils.
Step 3: Cut out your pieces. Add 1 inch to the your measurements of your large "base" fabric to allow for hemming. Add 1" to the height and 2" to the width of the top pocket and 1.5" to the height and 2" to the width of the bottom pocket for hemming. The three pieces I cut were: base- 28" x 19", top pocket- 8 " x 20", bottom pocket- 10.5" x 20".
Step 4: Work with your base fabric first. Turn all edges 1/4" under and press, turn again, press and hem all the way around.
Step 5: Top pocket- Turn under 1/4 " (twice), press, and stitch the top edge of the top pocket piece. Turn the bottom edge of your top pocket under 1/2 " once and press. (This raw edge will be hidden inside your pocket.) Pin your top pocket into place on your base fabric. Turn the sides 1/2" around to the back (twice) and pin into place. Top stitch along bottom of pocket and along the sides.
Top stitch down the middle of the pocket at predetermined intervals to form the smaller pockets.
Step 6: Bottom pocket- Turn under 1/4" (twice), press, and hem the top edge of the bottom pocket piece. Pin bottom pocket into place on base fabric. Turn the sides AND bottom edges 1/2" (twice) towards the back, pinning as you go. Top stitch down sides and bottom of pocket. Top stitch down the middle of the pocket to form smaller pockets.
You're almost done!
Step 7: Hang your organizer in place and by feeling through the fabric, pin or draw where your large button holes will go. The head rest will slip through these button holes. Sew your button holes. If you've never sewn a button hole, look here for tips.
Apparently, I didn't do such a hot job on my button holes. After washing, they're unraveling. No mind, though. They're hidden by the headrest when it's in the car.
Step 8: Hang your organizer in place and attach the head rest. Pull it down tight, wrap the elastic around the base of the seat and pin in place. Remove the headrest, slip the organizer back off the seat, sew and trim the elastic.
Optional Step 9: Add any desired extras, like this little loop to hold DVD headphones for long car trips.
Woo hoo- NOW you're done! Hang, de-clutter, and hit the road, baby.
I always say Fall when speaking, but when I write I use Autumn. It's much more romantic.
Things that have pleased me in the last week:
The trees are turning for real now.
We had some good rain and now it's cool and crisp.
Soup season has begun.
I dug out some gloves for my morning walk.
I'm craving cinnamon in everything.
Autumn-y photos make me happy:
disappearing
a walk
friday
A few inspirational projects:
This vest. The entire outfit really. But in my size.
Lauren's in-progress Post-It Note quilt. Such perfect colors.
Not particularly Autumnal but worth visiting:
Rachel's new Etsy Shop. I hope she adds some of these soon. Eeeek!
Big plans for an Autumn day (with no school):
Sweet rolls and hot coffee.
Mail a package or two.
A little hike with cameras. Mine and his.
Snooping around a book store.
I'm putting together a requested tutorial for Monday. Then the rest of the week it'll just be photographs. I'm in need of a little break to make some art.
Have a great weekend!
I am over the moon with the response to my shop! You have all been so sweet and encouraging. Thank you. And double thank you to those of you who purchased something. You sure know how to make a girl feel good. Your packages will ship today- Enjoy!
If there's anything left that you're interested in, you better go snatch it up. I'm planning on pulling the remaining items off this Friday. Everything has been spoken for by family, that is, IF it doesn't sell online. Of course I'd rather it all sells, so go for it! : )
I'm scheduling the next update for Wednesday, November 7th. I want to have some more paintings and other ready-to-ship items to offer, but I'm also going to include the custom baby dolls for "pre-order". I'll explain when the time comes.
These photographs are from a pumpkin carving party we attended Saturday night. I didn't carve one- we just helped J carve his. But after seeing how serious everyone was, I'm already scheming for next year. (Have I ever mentioned that Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday? Well, it is.)
Have a great (spooky) week!
Hello!
My little Shop Mayfly is open. I'm nervous and excited and relieved that it's finally time. Like I said yesterday, I hoped there would be more to offer, but my days have suddenly filled with mural jobs, and I just haven't had much time in the studio. But I feel like this amount of work may just be the nice quiet start that I need to dip my toes into the vast ocean of Etsy sales. I'll let you know here when I'm going to add more items.
There are several Simple Bird paintings, included the one that started it all. The response you all gave me about that silly little cardinal made me believe that I might actually have the nerve to sell some artwork. Thank you for that. It only feels right to let her finally go. I have some ideas brewing for new paintings of birds, slightly more daring and conceptual. Slightly. I'll show you soon.
There are a few Artist Totes too. They are roomy and long-handled and the front pockets are designed to hold a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" sketchbook perfectly. I've been wanting to make myself one of these for ages, and I thought they just might appeal to other artsy folks like yourselves. One good quality, hardcover sketchbook is included, but they would also hold one of your own favorite notebooks. One of these, perhaps. I LOVE these bags. I'll be making more soon!
So thank you for stopping by and if you decide to purchase something- THANK YOU in advance. I wish I could say I'm off to relax now, but I have a few more very busy days ahead.
Bye, friends! Have a wonderful weekend.
Simple Bird paintings waiting to be photographed.
Hello, friends. Tomorrow is the Shop Mayfly opening day! It's not going to be quite the quantity of goods I had hoped, but I think it will do. There will be a few painted and sewn items. I'm shooting for 1:00 pm (CST) to have it all up and ready. I've never loaded items to Etsy before; bear with me if it is a little bumpy this first time.
So please come by and visit- you'll recognize me. I'll be the girl sitting all fidgety on the couch with a big nervous smile, quite possibly drinking a glass of wine at an inappropriately early time of day.
someone walked down the stairs and yelled at her daddy, "You don't look at me!"
that same someone was angry because she really wanted cereal not waffles. NO! CEREAL!
someone else calmly tried to explain we were out of cereal without losing his cool.
that same someone tried to toast waffles only to find that the toaster is dead.
a third someone had a meltdown because he never has to get dressed before he eats. Never.
that same someone slumps over his oatmeal because he didn't get to stir in the brown sugar himself.
a fourth someone, who last night boiled a chicken carcass, carrots, onion and celery for hours, woke up to a pot of spoiled, cold broth forgotten on the stove top.
that same someone banged around the pots as she poured the valuable broth down the sink.
What to do now? Sigh. Hug the two that have to leave. Promise to shake, shake, shake homemade butter with the boy as soon as he gets home. Snuggle the girl on the porch and wave goodbye. Cancel walking plans. Stay in the jammies. Hang out at home to paint all day (me) and make messes (her). And make Stephanie's granola. Seriously- the smell alone can heal the worst day.
which, by the way, couldn't have been written more perfectly.
And today is Blog Action Day- the topic is the environment. I hold this topic close to my heart and in the forefront of my mind.
So here's a little nugget from me: I honestly believe the single most important thing we can do (especially as Americans) is to consider returning to a simpler, less materialistic lifestyle. Please, please, please- even you, my sweet crafty friends- before you make any single purchase, stop for a moment. Think about WHAT exactly you are buying, WHERE it came from, HOW it was made and is packaged, HOW FAR it came to get to you, and for Pete's sake, IF you really even need it at all...
You may be surprised how often you put something back.
I know, I know. Some fairly preachy words from a girl who is about to open an online shop! But as we say, Buy Handmade. It really does make a difference.
Love to all- now go hug a tree.
Another peek at the playhouse I've been working on.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. All that remains is the yellow and white checkered floor.
It is just as simple and bittersweet and incredible as I suspected it would be. The only thing I dislike about the library is saying goodbye to the books I've fallen for.
This weekend marks the official start of Autumn for our family. It was our annual trip to Applefest and Red Barn Farm in Weston, MO:
How about some photos this week while I try to wrap up all these projects?
Have a great Monday!
Oh, Internet. No, we're not breaking up. I just have been too busy to hang out. What's so important that I've neglected you so? Well. Let's see...
Painting the inside of a playhouse. Here's a peek. I've been there every free minute for a few weeks. Good things these clients live close. I have a feeling photos aren't going to do this little room justice. It might just end up pretty darn cute.
Redesigning this website. You like? (please say yes. please say yes.) I used to work for that company way back when. Now I maintain their website.
Reading this book. I'm hosting book club next week. The book is GREAT, and I do love my book club ladies.
Starting to get ready for my shop opening. The canvases are just about stretched. Time to gesso.
And the usual suspects: kids, toys, messes, meals with family, appointments, Cub Scout meetings, soccer practice, playing outside. Life.
I'd have to say, Internet, it feels healthy to take this little break from each other. I've needed it. I'll be back. I promise. I just need a little space.
{You know I still love you.}
no school today.
starting with krispy kremes.
I promised even though I know they're evil.
cleaning the kitchen.
doing laundry.
baking bread.
organizinging the studio
with windows wide open.
stretching canvas.
listening to Andrew Bird
and the screen door slam a hundred times today.
Happy October!
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