Empties

I like to save odds and ends that may some day be useful in a project. For instance, I hold onto empty spools of thread. They are stringable, stackable and rollable. They can be glued or painted, used alone or in groups.
Today my empty spool collection is housed in the fabric baskets I made for a Shared Space fundraiser. On June 26th, the arts and crafts cooperative on Main Street in Urbana is having sale to benefit the operation. Each person currently selling in the store has been asked to make a $10 item for that day. These fabric key, whatnot (and thread spool) baskets are mine.

Check It Out

In the continuing quest to cover every item in my purse with fabric, I made a navy linen checkbook cover. The accent fabric on the outside is repeated inside. The same construction concepts could apply to notebook covers or photo album covers. I'll play with the possibilities when the mood strikes.
Right now I'm anticipating the arrival of the mail. I expect a shipment of zippers in a variety of blues, turquoise and yellows, so I'm sure I'll revert to project that employ a zipper for awhile.

Aaaa-choo!

In the continuing quest to organize my purse with as many hand-made fabric items as possible, I sought out a cute tissue holder pattern. This one uses three different fabrics, so allows for some playing with color and pattern on the way to a cover for tissues. Squared corners give the packet a tailored look and feel. I'll take this basket of completed tissue cozies to my upcoming dates at Urbana's Market at the Square to see if anyone else finds them of interest. Meanwhile, anyone in my family with a birthday coming up now knows what hand-made do-dad will supplement their present.

Get Organized--Start Small

I have been playing with making various sizes and types of baskets out of fabric. I'm puzzling over dimensions, potential handle construction, and types of stabilizers along with the most appealing combinations of fabric. This pint-sized basket is good for stashing keys, a wallet, pocket electronics, and the like. I think making several of them in complimentary sizes and snuggling them in a drawer would make a delightful way to organize. But, could you really enjoy the fabric if the bins were partially hidden in a drawer?
Workable dimensions for a file basket or mail tray are next on my mind.

Purse Tree

Who cares what the neighbors think? It was a beautiful afternoon and I had just finished a messenger bag to add to a small stash I plan to take the the Farmer's Market in June. The thought struck me to hang my purses in the tree outside my sewing room window and take a picture of them all together. I think they look appealing in a tree.

Upcycling

A is a knitter and wants to organize her on-going projects in yarn bags. She asked me to take a shirt she no longer wears, but still likes, and use it for the outer fabric on the project. I stabilized the fabric, lined the bag, added a draw string and clear vinyl bottom to mimic a commercially-available yarn bag, and the result is a pint-sized, specialized duffel bag for crafts.

Kapow!!!!

I am thrilled with a new wall of red cabinets for my sewing supplies. Unnecessary and excessive, they are also fabulous. Sure, M and I had a conversation in the store about how even red cabinets could always be used elsewhere in our house someday; the truth is I have acquired the 40-plus-year-old's version of a musical jewelry box with a tiny ballerina who spins when you open the lid. I have stashed my fabric treasures inside my new cabinets where I will enjoy them even on days when I don't sew.

Recycled Favors

R just turned 10, and the theme of his party was Lego. Proving that I really do need that drawer (maybe there are 2) dedicated to interesting cardboard boxes I plan to make into something someday, I recycled various Lego boxes into notebook covers for party favors. The pages inside are the blank backs of flyers sent home from school. Boys, now you have a place to write your secret Lego messages!

Prime Supplier

I have a good memory for fabric. While I can go to the grocery store with a list in my hand and still come home without items I meant to buy, I don't have trouble thinking of one special scrap of fabric purchased 10 years ago and folded amongst probably hundreds of other pieces. I seem to have a reaction to fabric I like (and buy) that helps me connect to what it looks like, even if I don't know what I'll make with it yet.
All the fabric in this photo is by one designer, Amy Butler. She is wildly popular among folks who buy fabric, and seems to have a style that marks something as her design even without seeing her logo on the selvage. Today I finally googled her. I learned she lives in the Midwest, has a very clean workspace and collects vintage fabric. You might think someone who invents the colors and patterns on her own many lines of textiles wouldn't need to buy other people's old fabric, but I know for a fact she can afford it. Money from me alone can keep her in craft supplies to a pretty comfortable standard.

Zinnia Collection

I wasn't sure I would find convincing use for this zinnia print fabric. I like the colors and the shapes of the repeating flower heads, but the white background makes the fabric less appealing for a project that will see use and show dirt. Now that I've made a few things out of the print, I really like it. Even though it's a large print, the small key chain is still graphic. Several colors of zipper will work with it; several types of beads coordinate as well. I ordered just a little more of this fabric, so now I'm sure not to run out.

Tuesday through Saturday, 11 to 5

Those are the hours of a new artists' co-op on Main Street in downtown Urbana where I have a sampling of my pouches. The brainchild of my friend M, Shared Space has its "grand opening" today. Besides a collection of my pouches, including knitting needle pouches, clutch purses and key chains, Shared Space has tempting jewelry, hand-made cards, photography and the like. But I should sell some things there before I become a customer, right?

Fabric Basket

I'm covering floor cushions for my friend J and the project has generated a long strip of leftover chartreuse zebra print fabric. Poking around online, I found a pattern for making a stabilized fabric basket. My version has webbing for handles and is lined in canvas. I altered the pattern's dimensions to make a basket suitable for books or toys or DVDs. I also beefed up the stabilizer so the basket has plenty of heft and won't wilt when loaded with items. I'm thinking of pawning this pro-type off on my friend, and then making a set for my family room. If I have to shelter Wii games in my house, they could at least be stored in fabric baskets.