Friday's Feature - Happy Cloud Creations

It's gray and rainy here in the midwest.  Nothing better than a looksy into a colorful, handmade Etsy shop to lift the spirits!  Today's feature is sure to chase the winter blues away!  

Say hello to Andrea from Happy Cloud Creations!

Andrea lives in Washington with her husband and son.  She loves buying fabric, so right away, I knew I was going to like her.  ;)  She specializes in baby and children's items, but she has a few surprises tucked into her shop as well.

I am drawn to bright, cheerful colors, and this quilt quickly caught my eye.  You can see why Happy Cloud Creations is so happy!

Of course, Andrea's quilts are beautiful all on their own.  But, she takes the extra step to make them even more special.  Each quilt comes all wrapped up with a ribbon ready to give!  Love that!

Being a Mommy herself, Andrea knows that one can never have too many bibs or burp cloths.  She's got you covered in that respect, and she does it with style!

Happy Cloud Creations even creates handmade items for your home.  You'll find gorgeous pillows, quilted potholders, and knitted dish cloths.  Did I say knitted???  Yes, I sure did!  Andrea is a multi-talented stitcher!

To top it all off, Andrea offers a customized option in which she will work with her customer to create a one-of-a-kind baby quilt with fabrics of their choosing.  There is simply nothing better than a handmade, unique gift to give to a new Mom and her baby.

I hope you take a minute to stop by Andrea's Facebook page and the Happy Cloud Creations shop on Etsy.  Tell her Jenn at The Little Shop of Stitches sent you!

Happy Stitching, everyone!

"Quilts" at City Hall

Flabbergasted.  Amazed.  Astounded.  Stunned.  Thunderstruck.

Yes, I am using the thesaurus feature in Microsoft Word.  But, I have an excellent reason.

A blog post from Jenean Morrison was shared with me, and now I share it with you.  She writes about a professor from Memphis, Tennessee.  Said professor apparently ran across some 700 street signs that the city was set to recycle.  Oh, by the way, this is an ART professor.  What's an artist to do with 700 street signs?  

He created a public showpiece of "quilts" that were installed outside City Hall.  The pictures are, well...amazing, astounding, stunning...you get the idea.  Click here to see for yourself.  Come back to Stitched Stories and leave a comment with your reaction! 

What adjectives would you use?

Friday's Feature - Pamela Quilts

It's Friday, the end of the week, and here in Ohio, we are finally getting a little taste of winter.  Time to sit back and enjoy the works of yet another talented Etsian.  The Little Shop of Stitches is pleased to introduce Pamela Quilts.

Pamela lives in Oregon, and has been quilting for more than 20 years.  I think the best way to describe her is to say that Pamela is the kind of quilter I'd like to be when I grow up!  She works in a local quilt shop, teaches, and does both hand and machine quilting.  For two years, she has served as a quilt show judge.  She designs and sells her own patterns.  One of her quilt designs won an international contest, which then led to that pattern being featured in a book titled Jelly Roll Inspirations.  She sells her finished quilts in her Etsy shop to make room for more creativity in her sewing studio.

In a word -- WOW!

Look at these photos.  They simply speak for themselves.

She has several of her original patterns available in her Etsy shop.  This is one of my favorites.  It is a wall hanging organizer that uses pre-printed panels.

Last, but definitely not least, Pamela writes about her quilt-y adventures on her blog.  Take a minute to check her out at www.pamelaquilts.blogspot.com.  You will not be disappointed.

Happy Stitching, everyone!

SUPER Fabric Riddle Answer

Earlier this week, I posted a picture challenge for you.  Designed to stretch the synapses in your brain, as well as your quilt-y knowledge, this one definitely allowed for creative thinking.  (Click here if you missed the challenge.)

These were the photos of the fabric challenge:

I even included three clues:

Clue #1 - These are all various fabrics from my stash.  

Clue #2 - They turned into two easy-sew projects, although they are not quilts.

Clue #3 - The finished projects were birthday gifts for two SUPER girls who turned 3 and 5.

 

I heard from several readers, some through the comments, some through email.  The most popular guesses were pillow cases and pajamas.  Great guesses!

 

The answer is....Super Girl Capes!!!

 

Super Girls need capes, right?  I cannot take the credit for the creativity behind this project.  My best friend (Hi, Chris!) found a great tutorial on How Does She?  Fantastic directions!

 

Now, just like with cooking, I don't always follow the directions when I sew.  (The jury is still out as to whether or not that is a good thing!)  I changed my capes just a bit from the blog instructions. 

 

I used cotton instead of felt or fleece.  Each set of fabrics had a very slight metallic thread running through it.  A girl's gotta have some bling!  ;)

 

I made my capes reversible, with a different print on each side.  And, of course, I HAD to include a Super Initial Badge on the front for each Super Girl!  I just drew the shapes and letters directly on the fabric and added some fusible web to the back.  

 

POOF!  Ready to save the world!

 

Have you made any fun kid projects lately?

Fabric Picture Riddle

A few weeks ago, we had a Picture Riddle here on Stitched Stories.  (If you missed it, click here.)  You know those picture riddles in puzzle books and on video games that show you a super close-up shot of something?  Then, you are supposed to exercise your neurons and figure out what the "bigger picture" is.  

I had a pile of started, yet unfinished, quilt blocks laying on my ironing board.   This is what it looked like:

I posted a challenge to my oh-so-smart readers to try and figure out what they were destined to become.  No foolin' you!  This is the finished snowball quilt:

Let's try it again!  I will even give you a few clues.  Here are your photos:

Clue #1 - These are all various fabrics from my stash.  

Clue #2 - They turned into two easy-sew projects, although they are not quilts.

Clue #3 - The finished projects were birthday gifts for two SUPER girls who turned 3 and 5.

Can you guess???  Leave a comment on the blog!  The answer to the riddle will be revealed later this week.  Such fun!

Friday's Feature - Petunias

TGIF!  Time to kick back and meet another extremely talented Etsian.  Say hello to Kelly from Petunias!

Kelly is from Michigan and has been sewing most of her life.  She specializes in handmade baby items that are fresh, fun and modern.  After having four kids of her own, she certainly knows what Mommies need most!  (Besides a good night's sleep, that is!)  How in the world does she still have time to sew these adorable baby items???  That is truly a mystery to me.  She does give credit to her mom, Dawn, who helps her a great deal.  Aren't Moms great?  ;)

My favorite part of browsing through the Petunias shop are the photos.  Just look at this happy, happy baby!  Oh, yeah, and the beautiful owl quilt!  

This is one of the most unique gift items I have seen in a long time.  Not only is it super soft (made of minky and satin), but it is personalized with the baby's name and birth info.  Kelly calls them her Little Fluffies.  Just look at this little guy in the suitcase!  Too cute!

Here is where Kelly's Mommy Authority comes in.  The outside of her Icky Bag is made of two different designer fabrics (one on the front and one on the back).  On the inside, in her words, "the entire bag is lined with waterproof barrier fabric (ProCare) to keep wet and icky inside!"  Where was this when my boy was little??  What a fantastic idea!  Almost makes me want another one...almost...but not quite!

Her shop offers snack bags, pillows, clothing and so much more!  If there is a little one, or a new Mommy in your life, be sure to check out Petunias on Etsy or on her Facebook page.  One more photo...must share!  Too cute for words!

Happy Stitching and Happy Friday, everyone!

Thank you!! Cub Scout Survival

Sooooo many readers responded to my cry for help!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Last week, I asked for advice on how to teach a dozen squirmy, first-grade Cub Scouts how to sew on a button.  (If you missed my desperation, click here. As I look back, it is a bit humorous!)

I decided to combine all of your fantastic suggestions left in the comments and sent directly to my email.  First, we read the most wonderful storybook called The Button Box by Margarette S. Reid.

If you've never read this book, it is perfect for first graders.  The main character is a young boy.  That was important to me to start off with these boys.  He likes to go through his Grandma's special container of buttons.  They talk about the differences in shape and size, how buttons used to be made, the different materials, etc.  The boys seemed to really enjoy the story.  

When I announced they were going to sew on some buttons, they were so excited!!  And, I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised.  I was prepared for someone to say -- out loud -- that sewing was for girls, and had my response all ready.  Not ONE of them grumbled or complained!  So proud!  

Their project was to sew two GINORMOUS buttons onto a felt car shape.  (I pre-cut these before the meeting.)  I had pre-threaded, pre-knotted tapestry needles ready with perle cotton thread.  I demonstrated, and with their parents assistance, they were all successful!  Here is the "zample" my boy made at home.

And, here he is at the meeting, watching the others.  (Easily distracted!)

Once their buttons were sewn on, they used markers to decorate.  We finished the evening with another story.  (Once a teacher, always a teacher!)  This one I found at our local library, and was new to me.  It is by Catherine Ann Cullen.  

The Magical, Mystical, Marvelous Coat!  Try to say that five times fast!  The main character weaves a story about the different buttons on her coat, and she ends up giving them all away.  And, as the title suggests, they find their way back to her.  Very cute.

Again, thank you for answering my cry for help!  I survived the Cub Scouts!  I am invincible!!!