Allyson Hill

How Can I Get Me An...

Oompa Loompa?  I could use one of those little guys around here.  I could pay him in fabric scraps.  That would be great!  But really, sorry for that little unannounced break.  I seem to do that too often.  I've had a lot going on so thankfully there'll be plenty to share in the upcoming weeks.  To start, finally, a utility tote for ME.  Made out of thrifted vintage upholstery fabric:

I finally made some new wallets for the shop, I can't believe it's been over a year since I last made one:

Even though Valentine's Day has come and gone, I can still show you my bunting because afterall, it's still hanging in my kitchen doorways:

One part I'm excited about are the eyelets in the corners for easy hanging:

And finally, simply a nice photo with warm textures.  I promise to be back very soon because I have more more more to share!

Vintage Fashion Girls

Vintage patterns are amazing!  Just when I think I've found my favorite, another comes along to blow me away.  I've been turning them into magnets and pairing them with coordinating button magnets.  It's so fun to search for eensy retro prints.  I like to think she has another dress in this fabric a purse lining in that fabric and so on until her house it fully visualized and she even has an occupation.  Oooh I've got a big box of them to explore and create:

Production Line Love

Really, I shouldn't be blogging right now.  I have a craft fair on Saturday and I'm totally unprepared. 

But I'm finding myself struck by the beauty of the production line process.

So I had to stop and take some photos of it all, soaked by the warm sun.

And perhaps someone out there will understand this strange love. 

Patiently toiling through each step of the production line until finally comes the moment when you ooh and aah with each flip.  Really, it is an exhausting process isn't it?  So worth it though.

Cleo Magazine

Did you know you could be in a magazine and not even know it?

Yes you can and it happened to me!  I had no idea until a customer mentioned that she read about my bags in a magazine called Cleo.  She kindly e-mailed me this photo and is trying to get a hard copy for me.  Cleo is an Australian, New Zealand, Malaysian and Singaporean women's magazine.  My product appeared in the Malaysian edition.  The print is hard to read so here's what it says:

"Keep your car clean the chic way with a cute car litter bag from Allyson Hill at www.etsy.com.  The bag measures 8 x 12 inches and has an opening that stays open for easy disposal of rubbish.  Get yours at http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=5892562 for about RM60 each."

Exciting, huh?  Ok, so I can't stop making these Drop Sacs: 

Some more Snap Wallets that are waiting to be added to the shop:

Oh, and let's not forget about my new place.  I've been moving a bit everyday and hope to have my first night there on Friday.  I was at a loss for the living room color scheme until I found this at a garage sale last weekend (only $3.00 BTW):

Of course it makes total sense now, I love canary yellow!  I'm starting to collect yellow fabrics for a throw blanket or pillows.  This is all I have so far, I need more!

 

Ok, I'm Back!

Thanks for all your e-mails while I was taking my little break!  I'm back now, I promise.  Though perhaps only a post a week or maybe more when I'm spiked with coffee and feel really chatty.  To ease back in, I'm just going to share some new products today and a mystery door.  Ok there's no mystery, I'm moving soon!  I'm most excited about my new studio space which will no longer be in a window-less cellar but a sunroom!  Now I will reap the benefits of my early morning work schedule by actually seeing the sunrise and hearing the birds begin their day.  I can barely wait.  Thanks again for sticking around during my time away and for your sweet e-mails wondering if I'm ok - I assure you I'm wonderful!

 

 

More Vintage Fabric from eBay

Here's the fabrics from eBay that I did splurge on:

 

I also sewed up two more wristlets made with vintage hankies, some snap wallets and two new litter bags if you want to take a look!  Happy Day to you!

New Goods

New to the shop, a petite coin purse made with a vintage hankie.  This hankie was too small to make into a wristlet, so I stitched this up.  I love hunting for unique hankies, though they can be expensive!

Above, another wristlet also in the shop.  Delicate and summery!  Below is a wristlet that was in my shop, but has sold already.  It's a vintage fabric, Eames Era?  I'm not sure, maybe you know?  I have more fabric to make a couple more of these!

 

On another note, if you are looking for some art projects to do with your kids, art teacher Laura from All Dressed In Blue posted a link to some great lesson plans.  These ideas are a little different from your ordinary kid's crafts, take a look if you need some inspiration.       

Riverstone Screenprint

I was so excited to be able to purchase the second-to-last piece of this screenprinted fabric by Kirin and Co from Melbourne.  Here's her blog.  Lara Cameron professionally screenprints her fabrics by herself.  This was my first handmade piece of screenprinted fabric and I wasn't sure how it would look and feel in person.  I was so thrilled to find that it is very, very soft and the paint is not stiff at all.  She printed it onto 100% cotton drill, so I'm sure that helps to keep it soft too.  I got it in the mail yesterday and cut into it that very night after Micah went to bed.  I knew I couldn't let it sit and get more valuable by the minute!  So here's what I made:

It's a wristlet with a nice padded handle.  You can see more pictures in my shop.   

My weekend Hope-To's are to spray paint, finish vintage PJ pants and make a new skirt.  Hope you all make something fun this weekend too! 

New Goodies

Here are some new goodies I whipped up, Jumbo Dot - Zip Pouches.  Though the only thing Jumbo about them is the dot.  I created them with feminine products in mind, but they also work great for other dodads you need to keep gathered in your purse.  They are made with chocolate brown silk and the dots are raw cotton fabric with pinked edges.  A little fraying will occur, but I think they are fun and unexpected.  They remind me of yummy tacos!  I have four more of them coming out with a raw muslin instead of silk, but who knows when I'll finish them? 

I have so much to do and the time flies by so quick.  I wish I were more disciplined with my time.  But nooo, I end up breaking rules, procrastinating, following a whim.  Well I guess those things aren't that bad, it's just frustrating when I get back to the studio and my mind is bursting with creative ideas and my studio time ends in a snap.  That reminds me of a movie I saw this weekend, Meet the Robinsons.  I resisted going to see it because I figured it would be full of bathroom humor like so many kids movies rely on nowadays.  I was satisfied to find tears in my eyes at the end of the movie and of course looking over at my sister there were tears in hers too.  We are such saps!  Both of us secretly wiping our tears away and trying to hide them from Micah.  Well, it inspired me.  Oh and it inspired me in 3-D too!  Good clean fun, I recommend it.      

Cocoa Bear #1

I just fulfilled a life-long fantasy.  I have always been fascinated by the intricate doll houses, miniatures, barbie clothes and such.  Reminds me of story-book characters coming to life.  Showing Micah was the best part, he loved it.  But the way his heart sank when I told him it was for sale was soooo sad.  I promised one for him so now there will only be 5 bears.  Of course I am happy about that because I get to make all sorts of boyish outfits for his bear!  Hmmm do I dare make a matching outfit for him too?  I think he might like it...and I'd better do it before he gets too big.

The rest of the bears all look the same, but their accessories will be different.  I have yet to make all the accessories, they will come in my spare-spare time!  Here's what Cocoa Bear #1 comes with: