Cartwheels In My Mind

Cath Kidston.

Living in England has blossomed into a bright flower of new world experiences on every level... including fashion/crafts/home decor/handbags/fabrics/ accessories/baby ideas/florally things. For those of you that just said Caaawho-da-whada need this post more than anyone. Cath Kidston has EVERYTHING I just mentioned in the above sentence. I discovered Cath not long after I made my way across the pond. Her products are the bee's knees. In other words, the macaroni to my cheese... the chocolate to my brownie... the glue to my craft... 

 Isn't she darling?!? I like to think that we would be friends in real life. Describing Cath Kidston to the people who don't live in England would be like saying she's the Vera Bradley of the UK but WAY more awesome...  and even though I don't really care for Vera, that's the only way I can think to describe her {no offense... sorry for all of you that love her! Don't judge me}. 

OKay, GET ON WITH IT ALREADY...Are you ready to see a preview of her products? Get your credit cards out and ready...

Fabrics... Can I just say: O.M.G!!! You will love them too. Promise. Just look at a few of these samples. I want all of them. 

And who can forget all the other awesome accessories that I can manage talking myself into why I NEED each and every one of them. 

Are you drooling all over your monitor yet?!? Just wait until you go into the actual store.. CATH YOU ARE THE CUTEST! Currently, on my wish list is... really expensive cute towels and an iphone case. Did I mention that the case has a London scene on it?!?! Um... yes please.

Random Fact about e: I hate waking up early... Seriously. Earliest i wake up on a weekday is 10. 

Shout Outs:

American Cath: HERE

British Cath: HERE

Anatomy Of A Room :: A Vintage Nursery 02, Feedsack Pillow.

Happy Monday, my friends! I want to start off this post by apologizing...while sick last week I added some posts to the site from bed and apparently either forgot how to save them correctly or forgot the date. Either way, they didn't get posted...so I'm bringing them to you now! Better late than never, right? :)

Not too long ago, my friend Amy (Covey) sent me this old feed-sack in the mail, and as soon as I saw it I was super inspired and had lots of ideas for it.

(Here's a photo of an identical one that I found for sale on Etsy by seller tracytreasures13.)

I originally thought I'd use it in my kitchen since the side that's shown above has red and navy in it, but recently when I was cleaning out my art studio, it fell on the side that has only the black letters...and immediately I thought of adding lots of fun colorful flowers to it and making it into a pillow for Gracie's room. I just feel like the sack has that vintage feel that I'm going for, and the cream and black background with colorful accents are my favorite color combination.

The first thing that i did to design the pillow was to cut off a few little yo-yos from the huge quilt that is the main focal point of the room (you can see a bit of it here in the photo above)...that way it matched exactly. But then I added a few of my own fabric flowers with coordinating fabrics to add a little dimension since the yo-yos are so flat. To attach them, I just hand-stitched them directly onto the feedsack with a little bit of thin felt lining the inside of the sack to keep it from tearing. 

Then, to make the sack into a pillow, I took the original flat feedsack and filled it with quilt batting...packing it in tight enough that it has a pillow-like texture. I didn't worry too much about it being the most comfortable pillow in our home since it will be used for decorative purposes only, but I did want it to function correctly. 

Even though it's not perfect, it's perfect for the feel of that room. And that's the most important thing, right? And I sort of love that it's the only one of it's kind. 

What are YOU working on this week?

 

Handmade gift : headbands

  
 

The countdown is on and you still need a few stocking stuffers or a simple gift?  We've gotcha covered.

Here is a rockin' little idea that will just take a few minutes of creativity but will be a great handmade gift.  All you need are some stretch elastic headbands, ribbon, felt scraps, a hot glue gun and some flowers.  I got my headbands at Target.  The ribbon & flowers I had in my scrapbooking supply stash that often doesn't get used for scrapbooking.  So this project was a perfect way to use up some of those supplies.  Some of the ribbon is from Hobby Lobby and the rose ribbon is from American Crafts.  Flowers are from Prima, often found in the scrapbooking section of most craft stores.

American Crafts has this great rosette ribbon that's pretty sheer.  So lovely!  Simply handstitch the ribbon onto a handband, tacking it on here and there, for a super simple & fast headband.

 

For these next several headbands , I used Prima Flowers and some felt.  I cut out two felt circles that would fit the back of each flower.  One circle is hot glued onto the headband.  The other circle is hot glued to the back of the flower.  Then I just hot glue the circles together, sandwiching the headband in the middle to create a good solid base.  I have a photo of the back of the flower below.

 
 I used the same method here on these Prima Flowers.  Just a felt sandwich with the headband glued inside and the flower glued on top!

 

These headbands with the ribbon and beads were a bit more time intensive but still only took about 15 minutes each.  That tells you how fast and easy the others were!  First I cut a felt circle about the size that I wanted to flower to be.  Then I applied hot glue a little at a time, starting on the outside of the felt circle, glueing the ribbon a little at a time in a spiral shape toward the inside of the felt circle to create the flower.  I used a toothpick to help me glue the edges of the ribbon easily without burning my fingers.  There's no real science to this.  It's just glue as you go and it'll turn out just perfect in its own way!  Then you can hot glue beads in the middle or handstitch a few sequins if you'd like.

 

And there ya go.  A little preview of the felt sandwich on the back of the flowers.

Seriously so simple, I'm telling ya!  Fast and easy and a great way to create a few last minute handmade & thoughtful gifts to share! 

Enjoy!
Merry Christmas!

Digital frames from Andie Smith Designs. 

diy ruffle scarf

 
You know we all do it.  We wait until the last minute and end up having to go out and buy a gift because we waited too long to make the handmade gift we really wanted to give to that special friend or family member. 

Yep. Been there. Done that. 

But I'm here to tell ya, this is a simple and oh-so-fabulous gift that you can make in just a short time that is as good - oh wait, even BETTER - than any store bought purchase.  It's lovely, comfy and HANDMADE!!!!  Oh and did I mention inexpensive?!  You could seriously make a ton of these for just a few dollars. 

All it takes is a t-shirt - used or new, thrifted or straight from your closet - scissors, and some thread. 

"Whoohooo!!  Bring it on, " you say?!

I hear ya!

Let me tell ya though.  I rarely make anything - projects, recipes, etc. - and follow certain directions.  I just kind of jump in and go with it.  So that's how my instructions will be posted.  They may not be total perfection but they'll get the job done.

First things first.  Grab a t-shirt.  One that's too small, too big, in your giveaway pile or one you've picked up at the thrift store.  But choose one in a great color you'd love to wear around your neck.

Now you'll cut a few strips off the bottom of the t-shirt.  I cut two 6" strips out of the bottom of this shirt so I ended up with two loops of t-shirt.  Then I cut one side of each loop to make two long strips of t-shirt fabric.  Now you'll sew the two strips together at the ends to make one super long strip of fabric.

Once I had my strip ready to go, I folded the strip into thirds to get an idea of where I wanted to sew the stitching.  Then I placed a piece of masking tape on the sewing machine as my guide to help me keep my stitching straight.  Because see...this was the first time I've sewn since my 7th grade Home Ec. Class. Wow!!  I needed every little bit of help I could get.  I sewed two seams down the fabric, using a basting stitch.  I'm sure there are a million and one different ways to do this easier but this is what worked for me.  I set the stitch length long and the tension low.  I think maybe if I'd had it on a higher tension, it would've gathered and ruffled more on its own.  But this is my story and I'm sticking to it.
 

Once I had my basting stitch finished on each 1/3 section, I pulled the thread gently to gather and create the ruffles.  This was probably the most time consuming part of the project but easy, nonetheless.
 

When I had it gathered just the way I liked it, I went back over the seams with a straight stitch to hold the ruffles in place. And TA-DA... 
 

Seriously, if I can do this, YOU TOTALLY CAN!!!!!

Now I'm going to dig through every giveaway bag of shirts and dig around in my closet for some more fun fabrics to repurpose!  Can you image doing this with an old sweater?!  Whoohoo!!  Next project, HERE I COME!

Happy gifting!

 
Frames from Kitschy Digitals.

25 Days of Christmas: Katie Company Inc.

Hi there! I am Katie McAllister, a 26 year old, living, working and playing in the Deep South. I am not sure what word best describes me, but I’d say enthusiastic would probably be best suiting. I get my love for art from my mother, who too had such enthusiasm for all things crafty. I dabble in everything, from screen-printing to sewing. Having a graphic design background you can pretty much bet that I love fonts, great packaging and of course, the color wheel.

 Welcome to the wonderful world of Katie Company! I started Katie Company in 2009 to spread the love of creating pretty things. This one-woman show is run by yours truly with occasional help from my lil’ sister, Mary Keeley, who moonlights as a photographer.

 Katie Company is made up of a few of smaller “enterprises” as I like to call them:

 There are the Etsy Shops:

Katie Company Inc (www.etsy.com/shop/katiecompanyinc)  - a collection of handmade jewelry and accessories

Katie Company Prints (www.etsy.com/shop/katiecompanyprints) – graphic and modern prints with a slight vintage flare for your home

 Then there is the blog (www.katiecompanyinc.blogspot.com) where I spill my guts about trying to live a creative life. It also documents things that inspire my creativity and me as well as letting me showcase some of my creations.

 Come over and see me!

 I am excited to introduce my new collection of mixed media cross-stitch jewelry! I have been working on these for about a month now and am finally ready for them to go out into the world!

  With Christmas around the corner and cross-stitch on my mind I whipped up some pretty little gift tags for you to print off ( for free, yes, free!) and use for your very own!!!! Bring a little handmade to you Christmas packages this year!

 Fun Fact: Mexican food is my best friend. We talk about everything and it doesn’t judge me or tell me to get over myself. Seriously, we are BFFs. Katie + Mexican food = 4 EVA

 

Thanks Katie for your fun interview and AMAZING freebie gift tags! You're welcome back anytime! 

Art Shoppe Interview: REVolution.

Revlie is one of the craftiest person I know. It always amazes me how she finds the time to create all that she does. She has such a wonderful personality, sense of humor and a no-nonsense attitude. She has a heart of gold and a wonderful friend.

On top of being a mom/wife, artist and full-time business owner, Revlie finds time to create lushes mini albums and tutorials, that you can find in her etsy shop, REVolution. They are filled with loads of techinques, textures & ideas you will love. When you go to her blog, Life Is Good, you will be amazingly inspired by her crafty goodness. I always look foward to seeing what she has up her sleeves next! She is quite the innovator!!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Revlie Schuit
35 years (36 on October 7 :D)
live with hub Arjan and our 2 muppets: Sanne (7, girl) and Ruben (3, boy).
Netherlands
company owner
chocolate
Vichy handcream
imac
colors
handmade stuff
scrapbooking
sewing
crochet
running
tulips
i should go to bed more early than i do now
i bite nails when i'm nervous or anxious
i laugh too loud and i'm extremely clumbsy
that about sums it all up ...

Describe your business.
I write online tutorials for mini albums and sell those tutorials and sometimes kits to go with it on Etsy. You can, of course, design the mini  you like, but if you need a little get-go you can use my step-by-step instructions. I’m working on tutorials for crochet and sew projects also.

What made you decide to open an art business?
I heard a lot of friends and scrapbook friends say they loved my mini albums but did not know how to make them themselves. So I thought,  step-by-step instructions with LOADS of pictures was what we missed. If you are a beginner you can easily create the mini albums, and if you are a pro already you can simply skip some steps you know how to do already. Also, if you just need some inspiration it’s perfect to use my tutorials and give them your own twist. Love that!

When did you start doing art?
mmm. I guess since my childhood, but since my kids were born (Sanne in 2003) I’m more into it ‘professionally”.

Where does your inspiration come from?
Mostly from everyday stuff and my kids. Love homemade magazines and “live mindful” magazines (all dutch :D)

What are your long term career goals?
I also own a business for Secretarial Services (Artifex Support) since 2000. So 10 years already now. Arjan & I run that together and to be quite honest, I’ve been there, seen that and done that, I feel I need to run a creative business more fulltime than I do now. So, my long term goal is to take a step back from my Secretarial Service business and invest more time in my creative business. Now it’s just a matter of lack of time. With 2 young kids (Ruben goes to school in 6 months from now, that’ll give me more time), 1 very, very hectic company and starting 1 creative company I’ve got my hands full :D

What kind of music do you enjoy listening to while you create?
All sorts of. Jason Mraz (spell that ok?) is my favorite. And Amy McDonald, of course the Black Eyed Peas, and some Dutch Artists (Alain Clark, Ilse DeLange, Jan Smit, Nick&Simon).

What and/or who are your influences?
Mostly every day life for scrapbooking, for crochet & sewing and my kids. I love to ‘solve problems’ (make something out of fabric or crochet something they think they need to buy in store, haha). I love to visit some blogs from great artists like Kal Barteski, Elsie Flannigan and some sewing masters :D

Do you have a motto you live by?
Life is good! Even if it sucks sometimes, it’s still good. And of course, “weather you think you CAN’T or CAN do it, you are right :D),

Where do you see yourself & your business in the next 5 years? mmmm, I like to take smaller steps, but I’m sure in 5 years I’ll be running my creative business fulltime and can be there for the kids when they are not in school. So for them, I’ll be a stay at home mommy, I would love to only work during school hours.

Any tips and tricks to other artists/business owners?
Just GO for it. If you love what you do, success WILL come. I know I can reach my goals if I set my mind to it. Proof for me is my company Artifex Support I run now. 10 years ago I simply quit my well payed job and started it from home. People told me I was CRAZY. Insane! I wouldn’t make it. Of course, I proved them wrong. ha. Don’t let other people hold you down from YOUR dreams and plans.

Describe your creative process...
During the day I’ve got a lot of ideas I jot down in my idea book or any paper that’s nearby. In the evening, when the kids are asleep, I go to my creative room (scrap, sew, crochet) and start making what I had in mind, or go on with what I was already creating. It’s like I’ve got so many ideas, my head would explode if I don’t write them down. There’s just too little time to make them all.

Advice you would like to share for someone looking into starting their own art business?
Stick to your own ideas and plans. Don’t let other people give their opinion on your work. Believe in yourself. Don’t be shy. You need to be a little outgoing and straight forward to reach your goals. Advertise, advertise, advertise!! Get your name out there. You can place banners on blog(s) that doesn’t have to be expensive. Try to get an interview with crafting magazines or other magazines. In Holland, it works like: you send something you sell to the editors of the magazine trying to get them to publish it. Keep positive. It takes time to set up & run a business.

Can you cartwheel? If so, we'd love to see a photo!
:) haha. See, I’m like extremely clumsy. So, if I could even TRY to do a cartwheel, I’m certain I’ll break a bone you didn’t know you have in your body. So, I'll just leave you with that mental image...

When you're looking for inspiration be sure to check out Revlie's blog, Life Is Good. You can also find more of her artwork at on a regular basis at these fun scrapbook inspiration & challenge blogs...One Little Word & Color Conspiracy.

Revlie has generously offered two lucky readers a chance to win the Embrace My Life tutorial from her REVolution shop. All you have to do is leave a comment to this post and two winners will be randomly chosen. You have until Sunday at evening. So good luck! :)

Thanks so much Revlie for sharing your creative world with us and wishing you tons of success!

Cheers :)