Allyson Hill

Summer = Linen

Earthy Girl meets Modern Chic!  I enjoyed making this new design, the Ring Tote.  I really wish I could keep this one for myself!

Eco Travel Lid

New Tutorial!  (in the left-hand column)

Forget plastic wrap and foil.  Here is an alternative that is much more attractive!  This Eco Travel Lid is perfect for short-term food storage, especially while traveling to a picnic or party.  This is not intended for long-term storage since it will not create an air-tight seal. 

In the tutorial I have explained how to make a bowl cover, but this could be easily adapted for other containers as well (9x13, platter, etc).  Very fun, fast and eco-friendly...give it a try!

Health Magazine - May 2010

I was contacted in March by Health Magazine, stating that they would like to mention my bag in their upcoming May issue.  Of course I said yes and asked them how they heard of me.  They said one of the editors found my products while researching for the article (and was instantly smitten :)

Thank you Health Magazine! 

Web Design

I have had noooo crafty projects to share lately because I have been glued to the computer screen - trying to figure out web design!  With expected behavior from a crafty person, I am determined to save money and do it myself.

I needed a vector graphic program, so I purchased the very affordable Xara Xtreme.  For the web design, I'm using Site Spinner V2 (free trial version) and will be trying out Site Spinner Pro next (allows you to create mobile-friendly pages).  I'm using Yahoo as my host.  I have no idea what I am doing, but hey-I'm doing it!.  Check it out, but keep in mind that it's a work in progress:

www.themodmobile.com (the same) www.allysonhill.com

Sketch Bag

I went to the Norman Rockwell Museum recently and was reminded of my pre-baby days when I used to carry a sketchbook with me at.all.times.  Now that I no longer need to carry wet wipes and diapers, a bag like this could be considered practical.

 

The bag pivots at the center allowing it to hug your hip...hey, exactly where a baby used to sit!  Maybe that's why I find this bag so comforting.

This pen slip is a quick and easy project - took less than 30 minutes to solve the perpetual case of the lost pen.  Maybe I should call it "Case Solved".  Ha!

It feels good to get all artsy-fartsy again.

Thrifted Fabric

 

So, yeah, I went thrifting the other day.  But, I made myself promise that if I bought more fabric I would at least put some of it to immediate use.  No planning or overthinking, just go with it and be spontaneous.  Here's what I came up with:

 

 

 

A wristlet made of vinyl and some sort of satiny striped fabric.  I used Peltex 70 to give the satiny fabric some stability.  I think this will help get me through these last days of winter...  

Handmade Hankies

 

On a quest to think green, I'm trying to make small changes.  Wendy has put it so nicely, right here, to try to focus on making one change at a time - or even one change a year if that's all you can do.  So right now I'm working on the tissue issue.  I realize that for some of you this thought is absurd considering the number of humans you have living (running around)  in your household.  Here's where you can think small and just replace tissues in one room of the house.  Explain to the kids why and introduce the concept to them, they might enjoy it!  It might be one of those memories they hold with them for a while.  Like my memory of dad who always carried a clean white hankie in his back pocket.  I always felt so loved when he passed his hankie to me in that quiet church pew.  Then handing it back to him and watching him put it back into his pocket without making a yucky face.  Wow, my dad's cool with that - he really loves me!  But really, that is always the dilemma, what to do with the hanky afterward.  I figure if I'm going to be successful in making this change, I need to have a designated spot for dirty hankies:

   

*Step-by-Step Tutorial available at the left*  You'll need to print out the template for the circular base here:

Download Tissue Bin base

Another option and a great opportunity to display some of your stored away bowls, whether vintage or new:

 

You can print out these labels onto sticker paper or cardstock and then glue & laminate them (laminating is optional, but recommended if using these in the bathroom because the ink will run with the moisture from the shower.  If you don't have a laminator, you can use white glue to create a protective coat)  

Download Clean Dirty