Allyson Hill

Winner of Cutest Pet Contest

I promise this is not turning into a dog blog...I just have to share the adorable news - Flip won the cutest pet contest at my son's school : ) 

Back to regular crafting updates later this week, I'm making some progress on one of my WIP's (works in progress) that I can't wait to share!

 

Flowers and Frida

Begonias, so far, are the only flower I can seem to keep alive.  Thankfully I think they are beautiful.  They remind me of this Botanica fabric by Alexander Henry:

 

which also reminds me of Frida Kahlo and her inspirational style:

(photo below by Nickolas Muray)

and this book that I must get my hands on:

(Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress - Frida's Wardrobe - Fashion from the Museo Frida Kahlo - Amazon.com)

A Mother's Day "Hike"

We had it all planned out, Mom and I.  We were going to go on a lovely Mother's Day hike down a trail we had never ventured.  Until.  Until we realized that the hike was oh-so-near a very large antique barn.  Change of plans!  The boys let us have our way without a peep or complaint. 

So now Mom and I have decided that "Let's go for a hike" really means "Let's go antiquing".  What a wonderful memory and what a wonderful Mother I have! 

New Updated Auto Trash (car litter bag) Design!

I made some wonderful updates to my Auto Trash bags before Christmas that I never got around to sharing here on the blog. (by the way, I stopped calling them "car litter bags" because SO many people were reading it wrong and thought it said "cat litter bags" ha!  I would get funny emails saying things like-I really like your bags, but I don't understand why you would want to hang cat litter over your stick shift.  Isn't that hilarious?!)

Anyway, I never got around to sharing the new design!

 

I am really happy with the addition of the flexible plastic liner (made with post consumer recycled plastic) for many reasons.  First, it gives the bag more stability.  Second, it helps protect the outer fabric case from getting soiled.  Third, it has decreased my manual labor.  Fourth, it's made in the USA.  I'm sure I can think of many more reasons to love it...let me know what you think!      

Coppertone Restyle

 

 

 

  basic old tee + knit yardage

Simple How-To : Trim the top to desired length - the best way to do this is to try the tee on and pin where you want it to end in the front and then in the back.  Also, decide if you need to take it in at the sides if you want a fitted look.  Take it off and cut, adding in seam allowance.  I use one piece for the skirted bottom section, just gather it a bit in the center and then sew all the way around the edges, stopping at center back.  Try it on and figure out where to sew the back seam.  *I like to use a dress form for that part.  Sew down the back.  Try it back on and decide how long you want it to be in the front and the back.  Cut and hem.  Use the leftover tee bottom as a belt.  I sewed right sides together and made a tube, flipping it to hide the seams.  I secured the belt in 4 places, center back, center front and side seams.  That way I'm not always fidgeting with it to get it to lay properly.  So Comfy! 

 

Spring Fever

This is such a relaxing way to welcome the new season.  A simple grapevine wreath can be re-decorated as often as you want, saving the tid bits to build a lovely collection.  I have a plastic container that I look forward to filling with fake flowers, berries, birds, etc with each passing season.

Unfortunately, I may have hung this wreath too soon, we are supposed to get a "noreaster" in time for April Fool's Day - no joking though.

Faux Patchwork and Lace

 

 

Patchwork and Lace fabric by Anna Griffin (from her Carolina Collection).  One thing I enjoy about collecting fabric is picking out patterns for people with different tastes than me.  This is something I can get confused about - do I only make products in patterns that I would choose or do I include fabrics that I wouldn't choose, but that are lovely and that I know somebody else would want.  I choose the latter. 

This weekend I made this custom tote (center photo) for my sister-in-law.  I don't make these very often because they are very time consuming - it took me 7 straight hours to complete it.  exhausting!  It's kinda sad to see the stores stocked with mass produced purses selling for so low.  I know that a lot of time went into those purses, though the price tag would suggest the opposite.  I know that often a lot of corners are cut in making those purses quickly and efficiently, and a lot of special machinery is available in the factories to enable the workers to pump out bags quicker.  Hey, I wouldn't mind owning some of those special machines myself. 

I am so thankful for my customers who are willing to pay a little extra to own my products.  I am taking steps to try selling on Amazon, a decision that is very nerve-racking to me.  I am not sure if the people on Amazon will understand the artisan-made nature of my products and I am afraid to get negative feedback.  But, can't let fear stop me - we'll see how it goes!

(tote bag is not available for sale, auto trash is available for sale here)       

Double Digits

requests:  grandma's chocolate cake and an electric guitar

Happy Birthday Micah!

This Weekend

I am hooked on rollerblading and I never thought I would be! 

I went to visit my sister and her family a couple weekends ago and they are all "rollerbladers" so we gave it a try (I was very reluctant and almost didn't do it).  I'm so glad I did because I immediately realized that this is a great activity for Micah and I to take up together.

I like to skate in quiet neighborhoods where I don't know anybody who lives there : )

Traded-In

Well, I traded in my Consew 199RB-1A industrial zig-zag for this refurbished Juki LU 563 walking foot machine.

For me, buying an industrial sewing machine is like feeling around in the dark to find my way through a secretive world for which I definitely do not get a GPS signal. 

I'm starting to understand though. 

I no longer need the zig-zag function and since I really don't have room for more than one industrial machine I figure a walking foot is the one to have.  And I love it.  So much more than my Consew for these reasons:

1.  I love the chomping noise it makes.

OK, so that is not something you would find in the Juki pamphlet feature list.  But this is my pamphlet so I'm putting it in.  It does.  Makes a very comforting chomping noise that is.  It reminds me of the ticket monster at Chuck-E-Cheese if you know what I mean.

   

2.   It can handle lumps and bumps.

The walking foot is like a mowing your lawn with a tractor verses a push mower.  It can sew over those thick seams with reliable ease. 

The Consew was more for flat sewing and would be a great machine to keep for lighter work, in fact I was very tempted to keep it for just that.  For now, I just use my home-strength sewing machine for light work. 

3.  Made in Japan.

That's all I need to say.  I was fooled by Consew, it is not made in Japan.  Unless you buy an older refurbished one I think.  This is the case for many new industrial machines though.

4.  No bobbin case. 

I'm not sure if there is a pro/con to having a bobbin case vs. drop-in style, but it is easier and more convenient in my opinion.

So that's all really.  The most important for me is that it opens up the horizon for following through on some of my design ideas because I now have a machine that can handle them.  Now I just wish industrial machines could easily convert to free arm like the home machines, that would be perfect!