If it isn't already too obvious- I'm a fabric lover...some may call me a hoarder but I prefer collector or connoisseur. I have a closet full of beautiful fabric. Among the many, many, MANY large scale linen prints, I have silks, velvets...even maybe a leather or two. Believe me, I've collected more than my fair share of fabrics. I am seriously concerned that someday my piles and piles will end up in the apartment below us...ok, maybe not...but that gives you an idea of how much fabric I actually have saved up over the last few years.
So what do you do with so much fabric, you ask? Well, besides a handful of hot pads, woven rugs, and bags, I've really enjoyed sewing pillows! As I've mentioned before, I'm a self taught sewer so I jump on anything that helps me improve. I've made monogram pillows for my sisters and my sis 'n law (who also added a few more pillows to her collection a couple Christmas' ago). I've whipped up a set for my Aunt. I've made a ba-zillion (ok...more like 15-20) different pillows for our living room and bedroom over the past few years. They are a simple way to spice up a room. Its always exciting to pull the bins out of the good 'ol craft closet and build a color palette. It helps remind me why I push myself every evening and weekend...it makes me feel creative and alive!
Most recently, my mother in law, Leslye, asked me to sew some pillows for her. She and her husband, Don, visited last November and we spent some time digging through the piles of pattern and color.
She brought a few photos of pottery she has on display in her living room and away we went...pawing through the piles of fabrics and here is how everything came together....
Spicy, bold, summery colors...a mouthwatering salsa and guacamole color palette! (am I making you hungry?!) I love this classic but fresh combo. We mixed prints, velvet, dots, stripes, embroideries...a little bit of everything but it came together beautifully!
The pillows I've made in the past have had an envelope closure in the back so the pillow can easily slip in and out. I made Leslye's pillows two sided so she can mix and match until her heart is content!
Side 1 on the left and Side 2 on the left:
And of course a few a group shots for good measure:
Wow...It has been 20 days since my last post! I thought I was getting waaaaayy better at this. Where did February go? And while your trying to figure that one out...where did the last year go? Or the last FIVE for that matter?! I'm starting to realize that it's true...time does speed up the older we get.
As March begins and yet another birthday approaches, I've started to look inward again. I'm really seeing a pattern...I really do this every year. Where was I last year at this time? What was I doing? What have I done to better myself? my craft? my life? Am I happier? stronger? I know you ask these questions too...maybe it's year round, or January 1st, or (like me) around your birthday...but I sure, or at least I hope I'm not alone. Overall, I can honestly say, I am happier...especially compared to that creative dry spell I wrote about this time last year. We moved into a new place about a year ago, Erik and I have tried new things (like outdoorsy things!), and we have some fun and exciting plans for the future. It is a fun time in our lives and I'm looking forward to the next year...my last year as a twenty-something. It has to be good, right?!
While looking back over this past year, I'm finding there is still one thing that I need to work on. It is the one hurdle that I just can't seem to muster up the courage to jump...I need to focus more energy on making this handmade business happen. It's something that I've dreamed about and chased around for years. I've sold things through Etsy to family, friends, and a few people I don't know but I know it can be more. I know it can be something. I know I need to do this to feel complete. Yep, I mean in a Jerry McGuire "You complete me" sort of way. I need to catch up with this creative, blown up dream and grab onto it before it's out of reach.
But it's soooo intimidating.
I know there's something in your life too...that thing that you have always wanted to do, that thing you have always wanted to learn, that place you've always wanted to visit or move to, that career you've always envisioned or that non-profit you've always wanted to start. It's that thing that you know, deep deep deep in your heart, that would make your life whole, happy, complete. I'm not talking Roomba Vacuums or a healthy chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, people...I'm talking about your passion.
So now that I have you thinking about that passion of yours...are you following it? are you living it? If you are...you are my personal HERO. But I'm sure most of you are like me...you work hard during the day, you're tired at night, you have a laundry list (and laundry for that matter) of things to do in the evenings and on days off. If and when you have time to find and follow that distant dream, it feels so far away. Sometimes, so far away that you can't see it...maybe you forgot what it even looks like! It seems like a lot of effort, a lot of sacrifice, a lot of work to catch up to it and actually make it happen...and what if it doesn't work out? What if you fail?!
I've heard that 'C' students are most likely to become successful entrepreneurs because they are comfortable with taking risks. I always thought I was a risk taker...I take that back- I liked the idea of being a risk taker. I've tried to be that person...but eventually my stereotypical first born personality traits kick in. I need a plan, I need structure, I need to know that I will succeed, and most importantly, I need to know I will be the best...to put it plainly- I was an 'A' student. I'm pretty sure there was a moment(s) in my middle school and high school career when I cried because I got a 'B', let alone a 'C'.
I guess, busy schedules, fear of failing and fear of the unknown aside...we have to just do it. It may take some time, it may take that last little bit of energy we have left in the evenings...but we have to just make it happen even if it's scary and intimidating. It might be easier for some of us than others but as my wonderful friend Betsy told me, "You survived the high dive even though it took you 45 minutes to jump off."
And with this...I leave you with a pep talk from Kid President.
Earlier this year, Erik and I made the big move to a new apartment. When I say big move, I mean really big...a whole two blocks away from our old place. Our old apartment had lots of charm- old wood floors, glass knobs, tiny hexagon tile in the bathroom, to name a few things. It was a typical pre-war apartment building. It was cute, full of character, and the perfect first place for us in the city. Eventually, though, the issues that come with living in an older building (like a leaking ceiling/roof, for one) outweighed the charm.
If you know me well, you know that I love old things. I LOVE vintage clothing (check back soon to see what I found to wear to Erik's work Christmas party this year!!!), old furniture, dishes, buildings...anything that has a story and a past. Even the house I grew up in is closing in on 150 years old. Needless to say, moving from a place that had such history to a place that was still being updated the day we moved in was a little out of character for me. We decided that we loved our neighborhood too much to leave so we took the tiny leap and moved a couple blocks down, into a newly renovated apartment.
It was a fresh start...and a very blank slate.
Choosing the color palette was more difficult than I thought it would be. Since the first time I laid eyes on the red and blue flamestitch (bottom right), I loved it. I was so certain that it would be the perfect inspiration for our new living room. While I dug through my 'collection' of fabrics searching for reds and blues, another palette started to surface. It was softer, lighter, more subtle, more Northwest...what was happening to me?! I love bright colors...I AM bright colors! Why was I being pulled to this neutral palette? I knew Erik would love it...especially because we had pillows with fuchsia, orange, and even flowers in our last place. I couldn't decide so I took the issue to the people who I knew would not hold back their opinions...my facebook friends!
Right or Left?!?! There was no clear winner! I had to make a decision and just for kicks I chose.....
The Neutrals!!
And here is the before...the blank, bland, cream, living room. AND our new, comfortable, gray Kravet sofa!
We organized the books (a perfect backdrop for any space!)...
I slaved away on my little sewing machine...not really...but it took a few week nights and a Saturday afternoon to finish up the pillows. Here are three of my favorites...
And a couple close ups...
One of my favorite movies and a gift from my Papa Garrett...my Casablanca poster is finally on display after so many years.
And after a few months, a little shopping, collecting, sewing, and picture hanging...here is our lovely living room, the space where we hang out, read, eat, and live.
I've learned something very important through this move and this 'make-over' of our living room. No matter where we live, whether its an old house full of stories, an apartment with lots of history, a simple, clean, renovated place or somewhere in between...it's what WE bring to the space that makes it a home (but a few new throw pillows won't hurt).
To switch things up a bit, I'm throwing in a little 'how to' as part of this week's Photo Friday!
I need (and when I say need... I mean NEED) to have a creative outlet or I start to go stir crazy. Just ask Erik! If I'm not working on something or at least coming up with a list of things to work on, I start to have one of those, 'oh my god what am i doing with my life' moments...when I have something to keep these crafting hands busy, I'm at complete peace with the world. I'm learning, as I mentioned in my last post, that things seem to go in waves, we have ups, downs and somewhere-in-betweens. What do I do to keep sane during the slower times? I get out my old magazines and rediscover my style!
When I was in college, I had the opportunity to visit a few furniture factories, fabric mills, and textile design studios in North Carolina. It was an amazing experience but one woman stuck out to me. She was a color specialist at one of the design studios (ummm...officially my dream job). Her job was to research color trends and come up with colors and color combos for the fabric and trimming collections her studio produced. One way she researched color was by taking a stack of the newest magazines and cutting out everything she found visually interesting. Even if it was the background color of an ad, she would cut it out. She then took the pile of magazine clippings and sorted them into smaller piles. There wasn't really any trick or method to sorting them, she just thought the colors and images looked good together...the 'just beacuase' method- my favorite reason for choosing colors for my own work.
This would be a fun project for anyone, though, not just the crazy, color-obsessed weaving lady...Maybe you're trying to put together some new outfits for work? Or trying to decide what color to paint your bedroom? Anyone who is trying to discover (or rediscover) their style should try this out. And who doesn't have a stack of magazines?
My fancy flowery sketchbook, a big stack of old magazines, tape and scissors
Cut out everything you love....EVERYTHING!
My big pile of every image I thought was interesting...yeah, I started tearing out pages. Maybe I LOVED too many things.
Sort into smaller piles...HINT: DO NOT THINK TOO MUCH...just go with your gut and what you think looks good together. I tend to go more by color but you be the judge! I try to let it just happen...
Glue or tape the smaller piles in your sketchbook and VOILA!
This one of my finished pages that turned into a lemon, lime, pink, and red color combo.
An ode to the celedon/aqua/'spa-qua' (spa + aqua) --this one's for my work mates.
Indigo and Red
I go through this little process every once in a while and it has been really interesting to look back through the pages I did months (or years!) ago. You should try it...Even though the colors and images change, you will start to see a common theme or 'look'. That common thread is YOU! It's your style...embrace it! :)
We have now been in our new place for exactly 6 months and I FINALLY have my new little craft corner up and running. I've been busy for the past few weeks weaving my evenings away to fill up the good 'ol Savannah's Sunshine Shop for the holidays. I know what you're thinking...it's only the beginning of September!!! In the world of handmade goods, I'm learning that September might be a little late to start stock piling my Etsy shop for those Christmas shoppers. I sat down a few weeks ago and mapped out a plan for the next couple months (and years...but that's a long story for another day!!) and I'm determined to be ready this year.
The first thing on to do list...set up shop!
The all important list of goals and some color inspiration...pretty pictures are a must have in this corner!
This is a warping board but when I'm not using it to measure out yarn, it displays
the scarves and rugs that are next in line
My big orange bucket of supplies and books
And here it is....my little corner...where the magic happens.
Number two on the to do list...start weaving!!! Check back soon to see some in progress photos!
My co-worker/"desk mate"/friend is expecting her first child at the end of September and I will be attending her baby shower this Saturday. What better excuse to make something?! I've been feeling much more creative lately but all I've done is made a long list of things I want to do. I guess I just needed a project with a deadline! I know she has a lot of family and friends who will probably buy her the must-haves so I decided to break out the ol' bag pattern that I mastered last Christmas to make her a diaper bag (or maybe travel bag because its so BIG!).
I pulled together a somewhat neutral palette with taupes, grays, black, white, and a pop of yellow-
This bag has quite a few peices...I always like the way they look just piled up, waiting to be sewn together-
And....drum roll please.....the finished product! I always have an idea of how I want it to look but it is always fun to see it come to life-
Front
Back
The bottom matches the handles...so happy with this part!
Detail of the button
Lining and inside pockets
The side pockets are lined with a yellow and cream stripe...hard to see in the photo but the peice above the stripe is a linen with a subtle metalic thread woven through it...a nice little suprise when the sunlight hits it!
Congrats to Erica and husband Matt...I hope baby Ben likes his bag! :)
Hopefully, this kicks starts the long list of projects I want to do! Stay tuned for more. I'm finally starting our living room pillows...thank you for my wonderful facebook friends who shared their opinions with me-check back soon to see which palette I picked!
The goods news is, I can feel the craftiness coming back! I haven't started any new projects yet but I will soon. To make sure I'm ready when the creativity starts flowing, I decided to organize my fabric and supplies. We moved into our new apartment at the end of February and I called 'dibs' on part of the front closet.
I sorted my fabrics into 'printed' and 'woven'. The woven fabrics are in a big bin (just waiting to be made into new pillows!) and the prints are organized by color and stacked on the upper shelves. If you can believe it, I went through my fabric before our move and took four to five bags back to our showroom to be donated. What I still have is the fabric I just couldn't live without...
And here is one more photo. This shows MY side of the closet...poor Erik!
Hopefully, this fresh start will inspire me to get back to weaving, sewing, and crafting. In the meantime, stay tuned! I have some fun photos from my amazing weekend in LA with my wonderful friend/bride-to-be, Tina and her awesome friend/maid of honor Anastasia.
My sis-in-law, Julie, is in town this weekend and then next week Erik and I are finally going to have a weekend get-away to Vancouver, B.C. Many adventures and posts to come! :)
I've recently realized that this time of year does not inspire me. Looking back over the last couple years, I've noticed a growing trend of the late winter/early spring blues. Maybe it coincides with our move to the Pacific Northwest, where the warm sunshine doesn't make its debut until July. Or maybe its around this time when New Year's Resolutions have lost their steam and that half marathon you promised yourself you would run in June is approaching much faster than you thought it would...On top of the weather and the running (or lack of), it is my birthday at the end of the month...the big 2-8. The older I get, the more I find myself questioning everything I did or didn't do during the previous year. Does this happen to anyone else? I remember going through a similar phase last year and the year before. I always break free, usually more energized and motivated, but right now I'm in the thick of self-doubt.
I know I'm only going to be 28 and to a lot of family, friends, and co-workers, that sounds silly. I'm still in my twenties, Erik and I are still young, healthy, we are kid-free, we live in the city and we just moved into a great place...I appreciate all of these things and they are NOT what I'm questioning. I spend much of March dwelling on my creative endeavors. With another year flying by, I start to over analyze...did I do enough with my Etsy shop, did I work hard enough on my weaving and sewing, did I promote my work enough, did I work on my print design enough, did I learn enough, did I read enough....its a whirlwind of questions and right now, the answer to all of them is 'No, I could have done more.'
When I look back and not forward, I get stuck in some sort of creative slump. Usually, I can't get things finished fast enough because I have the next project or idea in mind. I had a nice cycle going...when I had something to work on, I had something to blog about. Right now, though, I'm not inspired or motivated and I'm feeling overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time. Its funny that with all this Northwest rain, I'm having such a creative drought!
I'll push through it though...I have too. I'm not sure how much more of my complaining Erik and my Mom can handle! Bear with me, I'll have more projects to share soon.
For now, I'm going to take an extra dose of Vitamin D and jump on a treadmill.
Whether its part of a color combo or all by its lonesome, green has been the #1 requested color at the good ol' Savannah Sunshine Shop. I hadn't noticed the trend until just recently. From rugs to scarves to pillows...green has popped up over and over again. Why green though? I'm still trying to figure this one out.
I work in a place filled with the latest, greatest, trendiest colors...I'm over saturated with the colors that are popular and those that are sooo in right now. I've seen the blue and brown combo (a million times), the 'spaqua' (spa + aqua = spaqua), the gray and yellow, the purples, and now the bright orange (or as the Pantone crowd calls it, 'Tangerine Tango'). I know my situation is a little unusual because I'm around these all day, everyday. Color trends, though, are splashed all over magazine covers, in ads, in every clothing store out there. When it comes to color, there are sooooooooo many options....so why green?
Here are a few examples:
My first special request I ever took through my Etsy shop was for a set of braided oval rugs for a nursery. Her colors were blue and green. Soft, sweet, blues and greens...
A little while later, an old friend ordered three 'treasure boxes' for her nieces. One of which (you guessed it!) was a fun, playful green, complete with a fabric flower...
The next custom order was for my Aunt Lorinda. She wanted three scarves, one for each of her daughters (my cousins) for Christmas. We discussed color palettes for each girl, one of which, we decided, would have a Spring color combo. Light greens, light pinks, and cream...
Last fall, I was talking to my sister-in-law, Julie, when she asked me to make a few pillows for her. She said she would order them from me but I decided (without telling her) that they would be perfect Christmas gifts instead. Her apartment was decorated with bright fun greens, with black and white. She described such a fresh, clean color palette. She completed the look with her green plants and black outdoor furniture (but perfect indoors too!)...
You might remember these from my homemade Christmas post!
Just days (maybe even hours?) after posting about my homemade Christmas gifts, I had a message from my Aunt Terry. She saw the pillows I made for my sis-n-law, Julie, and said she had to have a set for herself!
So why green?
In a world where everything moves extremely fast and is always changing, everything and everyone are connected, and so many colors, patterns, fabrics, aps, ads, you name it, are thrown in front of us...maybe we tend to fall back on what we know. Maybe we find comfort in the soft greens of Spring and the green of the grass we used to play and run around in on warm summer days. You remember those days, right?! I'm having flashbacks of chasing fireflies with my sisters. If we were lucky, we caught them. We held them tightly in our little hands, only releasing our grasp enough to peek in and watch their backsides glow that bright yellow-green.
The color green represents growth, nature, the outdoors...life. Why green? Why NOT green...
I think I may have talked myself into a new favorite color. :)
