Juicy Bits

72: originality

I think about originality a lot.  It’s not my strong suit.  I’ve always considered myself very creative and I love to make beautiful things, but coming up with a completely new innovative idea is not my gift.  I’m more of a design maven.  I research to death and gather so much inspiration and then turn that all into my own art.

Sadly, this can make me feel like a fake.  I have a really tough time calling myself an artist.  (I’ve settled on designer for now).  I wish I could sit down with a blank canvas and just paint…it would make me feel so much more “real”. 

Recently I read this

On Knot Sew Crafty’s blog.

I thought to myself “God, yes!”.

I always feel it’s a fine line between inspiration and theft.  I’m constantly evaluating my stuff to determine if it’s different enough to call my own.  There are two reasons for this.  1. I really do respect artists.  There are so many talented people out there making wonderful stuff and I’d never want to diminish their work.  2.  I’m afraid someone will call me out, pointing out what a fake I am and how I can’t do my own work.  The second is something I definitely need to work on.

But where do you draw the line?  When I’m in doubt at all I give credit to someone else.  For example those marker rolls I made.  I gave credit to the Pink Chalk pattern, which in this case I feel was deserved.  But the reality is, I own the book with the pattern, but I barely followed it.  I did use rainbow fabrics, but I’m sure she’s not the first one to do that.  And I had seen a ton of other crayon and pencil rolls before, all made different ways.  It was simple idea which is all over the place, but I took it and then used the materials, dimensions, and sewing method that fit for me.  Does that make it mine?

Dunno….

And here’s a quilt I’m just starting.  I’m very excited to be sewing for no reason but the pleasure of it again.  (Don't you love Theo's little addition to my layout?) 

It’s completely my own pattern.  I didn’t look at any directions or color suggestion before starting.  But I don’t live in a vacuum.  I have seen the stacked coin pattern from Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts and this isn’t all that different.  And it does look a lot like the Volumes fabric from Anna Maria Horner’s Drawing Room. 

In this case I’m confident that those sources are merely inspiration and I’m not copying them, but it’s not always so clear cut.  Where do YOU draw the line?  Or do you even care?  If you’re doing your creating just for yourself and not for sale, does it even matter at all?

JT

71: just a little ditty about a bag

I make this little sack pack a few years back now.  Sometime not long after the Flea Market Fancy fabrics first came out and I fell in love.

I can't for the life of me find the pattern.  I thought it was either from Indigo Junction or an older Amy Butler pattern, but it doesn't seem to be either.  Anyway, it's a pretty basic drawstring style backpack.

I actually made this for a shoe bag for my dance shoes.  (Did you know I ballroom and latin dance?)  Most dancers use the ugly bags that come with the shoes when you buy them.  Just not acceptable to me.  :)

This bag comfortably fits two pairs of shoes and all my misc. junk.  And I'm happy to say it's back in use.  My husband and I started back at lesson for the first time since Theo was born. 

JT

70: frank lloyd did it wright

(photo: norjam8)

I have a passion for all things Mission, Prairie, and Arts and Crafts style.  I think it’s all about the angles.  I love straight lines and perfect right angles.    I can’t help it, it’s the engineer in me. 

(photo: philip.sour)

So naturally I love Frank Lloyd Wright as a designer.  He was just brilliant.  Sadly I’ve never actually visited any of his houses, but it’s on my “to do” list.  Or better yet, I’d love to own one.  :)

(photo: yoshie231)

In reality, though, I like a more modern take on that style.  Sometimes I feel it can be too dark and heavy.  So the improvements I’ve done in my own home are a mix of modern and mission.  Well, it’s also got a ton of basic traditional stuff, because that’s how it was when I got it.

Anyway, when we bought the house we knew the kitchen was going to be completely overhauled.  I was just not OK with the pinkish pickled oak cabinets and purple (yes, you read that right) countertops.  It was very 80s even thought the house was built in the early 90s.  So we redid the kitchen before we even moved in.  Someday soon (4 years later) it will be done.  I swear.  And then I’ll show it all to you cause it rocks.

But there are two FLW projects I wanted to share.  The first are my new stained glass cabinet doors.  There were floral glass doors there before which weren’t terrible, just not my style.  It’s been an adventure to get these made.  They’re a total knock-off of a window in FLW's Ennis House.  I figured it was semi-OK to rip him off because I just did them for myself and didn’t profit in any way from them.  

I’ve had trouble getting the “artisit” who made them deliver an acceptable job.  I always end up in that “if you want something done right, do it yourself” spot.  But I just couldn’t bear the idea of leaning another time-consuming art to make these.  So I paid someone.  Way too much in my opinion.  But they do look pretty gorgeous. 

One thing I did actually make myself is the backsplash in my kitchen…particularly this inset above the stove.  Also a FLW window design (I can't remember which one).  I actually cut all those little pieces of tile on my very own wet saw.  Not the most fun I’ve ever had, but I totally love the outcome.

If you happen to be curious about my kitchen cabinets, they’re custom.  My favorite wood is maple so we did a natural maple cabinet in a shaker style.  My uncle made all the door fronts and veneered over the older cabinets to match.

I’ve always wanted to make a FLW quilt.  I actually have a book with patterns for them.  But so far it hasn’t happened.  Someday it will look great over my fireplace, I think.

JT

69: on a roll

These are the last of the homemade holiday gifts:  marker rolls.

 

They’re essentially the pencil roll pattern by Pink Chalk Studio from the book Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts.  I didn’t really follow the pattern and used different measurements and materials, but it’s the same basic idea.

I actually made 4 of them, but only got photos of the 3.  I think paired with a nice coloring book or activity book, they make a great gift.

 

They’re so happy and colorful…I’d love to have one in my purse to pull out whenever the mood to doodle strikes me!

JT

68: busy little beans

This one’s for the moms out there.  Unless you’re child-free but really into playing with beans.  :)

 Have you tried this?

Basically it’s an indoor sandbox, except easier to clean up. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not EASY to clean up…there are beans all over the kitchen.  But, it is so good for hours of entertainment.  It amazes me how long they’ll keep busy just pouring and dumping etc.

I’m not exaggerating.  Aurora literally filled the front of her dress with beans and then dumped it out again for an entire hour straight…

This is the first time we’ve taken them out with Theo.  I don’t recommend using them with really little kids.   Or for that matter, if your child is prone to eating everything, dumping stuff all over the place, or sticking things in various orifices, stay away.

If not, enjoy!

JT

67: twas a few days after christmas

I was finally able to get the kids to sit for some portraits.

Well, mostly sit anyway... with a bit of running away.

From these shots you'd think they were super-cooperative.  In reality there was some bribery, much pleading, and a whole lot of blurry pictures.  God, I love digital.  Back in the day I would have gone through so much film.

    

It actually was a pretty nice day...not overly cold.  So we moved it outside for a few minutes.  Until Theo fell on his face.  Ugh.

As I mentioned previously, the dress is altered from a pattern.  Theo's vest was made without a pattern from an example and the tie was made from this tutorial by Ottobre Design except a little smaller.

       

Aurora was very pleased with the twirl-a-bility of the dress.  She looked at me quite seriously and with reverence said "Thank you, mom, for making me this beautiful dress.  I love it."

My...   heart...   just...   melted.

Makes it all worth it.  :)

JT

66: santa mouse and his merry wife

OK folks, I'm dying of the cuteness here.  

Generally I think I'm unsuccessful at the yard sale/thrift store thing because I'm SO picky about the aesthetic value of every little thing.  I can rarely see something and appreciate it for it's funky retro vibe alone.  It must be "pretty" to look at.  Does that make sense?  So, a cool vase that helps make someone else's home look overall amazing, I wouldn't buy cause I don't LOVE it by itself.  Which means if I want to fill my house with fun stuff that I love, it's going to take me forever to do it!

But I digress, because I do indeed think these little guys are amazing!  I went to an antique shop with a rare hour to look around and I mostly wanted vintage Christmas decorations.  These were the only two I came up with, but I know they'll make me smile every year.

Also for christmas I got these darling little elves.  If you remember, I mentioned I was wanting to start a collection.  Now I have.

Oh, and thanx so much for the help on the glitter houses.  There were some good suggestions.  I particularly liked littleglitterhouses.com for useful information.  If you're interested in more, I'll leave you to look back at the comments, since just about everyone left their info there.

And after the kids holiday portraits, I promise to stop posting about Christmas.  I know it's enough already.  :)

JT

65: putzing around

Ok, so I've always loved these little glitter cardboards houses (I've just learned they're referred to as putz houses or villages...).  Vintage or just "vintage look", it doesn't matter to me.  But it seems to be difficult to find vintage ones in good condition.

So now my new plan is to make some.  Does anyone know a good site for tutorials or patterns?  I'm not overly concerned with patterns since I can easily make up my own, but I would like good pointers on the method.  If I'm gonna spend the time, they'd better last years and years!  (the picture is from BHG which has some instructions...)

Also if you know of tutorials for cute felt ornaments, you should clue me in, cause for the last few days I've been scheming about making all kinds of cute decorations for Christmas next year.  But making them NOW.  In my mind, next year I'll have this whole awesome themed tree to show you plus lots of fun tutorials.  

Well, it sounds a lot more believable in my mind, I swear.

Have I told you how I'm all about planning?  But not always so great with the follow through... Well, maybe come Christmastime next year I'll describe what I had in mind.  You can all use your imaginations and agree I'm a genius.  :)

JT

P.S.  Where can I buy cute little wreaths and deer and snowmen for the front yard?

64: seeing red (and orange)

My sister requested red and orange pillows for her new apartment.  Those were the only parameters, so lots of freedom!

I was really only going to make her two, but I couldn't help myself.  They were quick and fun to make.

Of course I found my stash was seriously lacking in the red department so it was another reason to fabric shop...

I didn't make the crazy all red shag pillow.  Its from Crate and Barrel (now only $12.95!).  I kinda want to buy her the matching rug.  It's very cool.

Now her living room should be very cheerful..

Oh, and I shot these pictures (with virtually no light) with my brand spanking new tripod!  My most amazing Christmas present.  It's crazy how much difference a good tool can make.  I was using this really crappy tripod that came free with a lens or something that did not work at all.  It got stuck and slid all over the place and generally sucked.  The new one rocks!  I didn't even do a ton of research as usual (I left it up to my husband and he did great!).  If anyone cares it's a Sunpak 757B...

JT

63: simple slices scarf

I did precious little sewing gifts for Christmas this year in an effort to keep my sanity.  I succeeded in creating the simplest Christmas to date and still made a few pretty things.  Yay me!

These pictures are of the scarf I made for my sister.  It's done from the pattern in Denise Schmidt's Quilts book.  I feel like I'm always telling you how I don't use patterns much, and then using a pattern.  :)  Well, anyway I did and it was very easy.  Three hours start to finish.

The front is mixed textures of wool suiting with little slices of cotton prints. I used an organic cotton jersey for the lining which is oh so soft without causing a major lint problem on the front.  The only thing I would have done different would be to make it longer, but I didn't have enough of the lining to do that...

  

I hope she enjoys it and keeps warm over in Ireland.

JT