Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Today : :

Today I plan to continue work on those new bags for the kids! This is as far as I got yesterday -- a pretty start!

Patchworking

Before I abandoned all my sewing plan to have lunch with this guy!

My lunch date! #fezz's #diner

I took this photo with my phone, you can probably tell?! I have to say, after experiencing Instagram this last week, I understand why so many of the blogs I read joke about only blogging their Instagram photos! It's a lot of fun over there if you haven't joined, you can find me here

In other news, it was only a couple days ago that I finally re-listed my Birthday Crowns in my Etsy shop. Our bout with the flu had delayed my plans a little. The advice you all gave me, when I was feeling over-whelmed, was priceless! I thank you so much for that! I decided to raise my prices just a little for now, and will continue to adjust if and when it's necessary. Pricing handmade items will always be the trickiest part of this for me. So many things factor in that make it difficult. It really makes me wish there was a mandatory formula all makers had to follow. Wouldn't that be nice?

This recent Mermaid Crown was really fun!

Mermaid Details

And reminded me so much of the Paper Doll Pillows I started making back in October of 2010! These were some of the very first project ideas I had for sewing with felt. An idea that definitely deserves a revisit. Haila has this first one that I ever made and still loves it!

paper doll pillow from Oct 10'

After finishing up the last of the tutorials I was scheduled to make with my House Pillow from last week, and this past weekend of celebrating the last of any major events around here for awhile, I feel like it marked the end of what was a busy, busy few months for me! I have so many projects that I'm excited to finally have the time to finish and several more that I'm excited to begin!

How about you, what are you working on these days? I would love to see what you're up to, if you leave me a link to visit!!

Happy sewing!    Maureen

27 comments:

  1. Working on a giant flower basket wall hanging for an online contest at Quilting Gallery.com :)

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  2. cute stuff. I'm working on a quilt with "atlantis" fabric, will make it into a pattern to sell on etsy/craftsy etc :-)

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  3. Need to finish binding several quilts, I just learned to use this new Janome machine. I love the house pillow, it will be great for the girls when they are older. Looking for a Beach bag Tote for myself. I need to get ready for Vacation !

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  4. these bags are going to be wonderful. And that reminds me to get moving and make my kids cross body bags for the summer,too. Love your pillow, adorable sweet.

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  5. I'd cancel my plans for a good lunch with a smiling handsome guy, too! ;)

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  6. I love the patchwork bags. And that mermaid is adorable! Clever use of metallic thread on her tail. :) As for me, I don't have a link right now, but I'm supposed to be working on my do good stitches blocks, cutting charms for a swap, and throwing together a last minute baby quilt for a shower this weekend. Just gotta find that motivation...

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  7. I'm working on a Snowball quilt ~ Penny from Sew Take a Hike is doing a sew along, I'm about 100 blocks of 300 and something. Why oh why do I start these things? I know, cause they are so cute! There are more things but this is the one that I think about the most ~ and I'm knitting a pair of really lacy socks!
    Love all your projects ~ the bags are looking good!

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  8. How are you coming along with your applique art quilt? I can't wait to see it finished! eliz.i@sympatico.ca

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  9. I am wrkingon alot of things that are just now starting to bloom into something. What I am not sure but I am going to make it work! I wuld be honored if you stop by @ http://intheboondocks.blogspot.com/. If you have suggestions I would love to hear them!

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  10. Your mermaid is so cute! I'm working on my granddaughter's graduation quilt -- 30 days to go!

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  11. Hi from Australia,
    seeing your paper doll pillow for the first time made me tell you what i'm working on! I specialise in cloth books (quiet books) and am making one that has a dress up doll in it with clothes! you can see it here: www.facebook.com/babeeblocks
    I enjoyed reading your views on pricing and what to do when your so busy as i can relate - i am booked for the year woth book orders and its just to much! i've put my prices up as well but maybe they need to go up more?? not sure - i know though that it means that i don't have much freely creating time at all which i don't like... i have a totally new system of doing orders next year which will hopefully mean i have alot more control and less pressure with my orders... just have to wait until then to put it into place.... its very hard working out your pricing but also just a balance between those custom type orders and having time to make something thats totally 'me/you' also and keeping the passion alive.
    I love reading your blog even though i've only recently discovered it!
    Rachel x

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  12. Glad you've got your crowns worked out, love the start on the bags :o)

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  13. I love the paper doll pillow I think this would be cute for boys too with maybe a knight doll or ninja

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    1. One of my readers did do a Spiderman version that was super cute! Here is the sketch she sent me! http://www.flickr.com/photos/adigallegos/8136449815/

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  14. Cute paper doll pillow - lots of ways to go with that design!

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  15. Hi! I just found your blog when I pinned the darling paper doll pillow on Pinterest. What a great idea! I absolutely loved paper dolls growing up. I love to sew and knit as well, and I look forward to coming back here often to see other things you're doing!

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  16. Kathy (Cotton Cellar) just sent me the link to your blog, so I had to pop over and say hello. I recognize that diner...my husband and I always eat there when we get over in that direction!

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  17. Those bags are indeed off to a pretty start! The mermaid and paper doll are so very cute - there is a lot of detail in each, so raising your prices is totally justified. Your detailed sewing is beautiful!

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  18. Hello from Perth, Western Australia ... I really love your Paper Doll Pillow idea, it's too cute for words :)
    I've been making a flag for the "To Boston With Love" collaboration - you can see it at www.sewgiving.blogspot.com.au

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  19. Maureen
    All your felt creations are lovely. Is there any place you have shared tips on how to sew felt etc. I have never used felt but would love to learn.

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  20. I remember that pillow! Your felt projects are just the cutest!

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  21. adorable mermaid crown AND pillow! i'm all about the kid's clothes this week, just trying to clear some longtime "need to makes" out of my head. it's a good week to do that! :)

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  22. Lovely designs as alwasy - really inspired by your dress up doll pillow. I've not got a sewing machine at the moment so a bit limited in what I can do - probably best as baby's due in 2 weeks so lots to do!

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  23. I'm hand quilting a whole cloth quilt for my daughter's wedding--looks she will get it a couple of weeks late, but quilts are like babies, arriving when ready. So now I'm aiming for their first night in their new apartment at the end of May. In the meantime, today I am altering a lot of her knit shirts, from boxy to fitted, and I am going to start filling tulle circles with ecofetti. Must go quilt, etc!

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