Tag Archives: crafts

Oct12

Fall’n For Flowers

Posted on 12 October, 2010 by Nicole

I love flowers but they don’t really love me back. Ya see, I have terrible allergies. So I admire from afar. I’ve been making the super cute flower pillows of late, new for fall and to appease my flower fix. A little daisy, a little sunflowery, very flowery.

pink flower eco felt pillow

burgundy flower eco felt pillow

Big news on the Richmond Craft Mafia front. RCM now has a local spot to shop at the Crossroads Art Center. Very cool. If you are in Richmond, VA stop on by! Also Richmond Craft Mafia’s Handmade Holiday is in the works. The date is set (12/12/10) and applications are being accepted (deadline: 10/20/10). For more information and to apply visit: http://www.richmondhandmadeholiday.com/

Richmond Craft Mafia's Handmade Holiday

Feb1

Go Go Gadget, Ruffler!

Posted on 1 February, 2010 by Nicole

Go Go Gadget, Ruffler!

I’m a big fan of gadgets – cooking, office, craft/sewing, etc. Especially sewing gadgets. I have my eye on the bias tape maker as I write this. I just haven’t convinced myself I need it…yet.

I finally ordered a ruffler sewing foot. I’ve been thinking about a couple of designs that would require a bunch of small pleats. I already do some things that have a couple of pleats or a little bit of gather, but if you plan on doing lots this will help loads. Ruffling/pleating isn’t hard to do but time consuming and taxing on patience. Your fingers will thank you.

Test shots:

ruffler foot2

ruffler foot

Jan15

3rd annual Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap!

Posted on 15 January, 2010 by Nicole

3rd annual Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap!

Do the folks at the art supply store know you by name? Do you have supplies for a project but can’t remember for what project. (thats me!) If so it may be time to admit your addiction, and we can help…

Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap

Join us for the 3rd annual Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap!

The Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap is an opportunity for artists and crafters of all types to get together in a fun, social environment and trade craft supplies.

This event is also a benefit to support Art 180 – a Richmond based non-profit organization that creates and provides art-related programs to young people living in challenging circumstances, encouraging personal and community change through self-expression. In addition, we will be supporting other local non-profits that utilize art/craft in their programs.

For details check out http://www.rvacraftswap.com

Oct3

Sewing Night

Posted on 3 October, 2009 by Nicole

Sewing Night

Just recently good friends Ono, Erin, Dawn, Kelly and I got together for an old fashion sewing night. The cause of the night was to work on bags for the upcoming “Its in the Bag”, Handbag Silent and Live Auction for LINC.

sewing night (photo by Kelly McCants, modernjune.com)

Here is my bag contribution for the LINC auction:

Ginkgo Leaf clutch for LINC auction

As you can see I’ve been experimenting with doing some new things and with eco felt.

Be sure to pencil in November 5th for the auction to see lots of one of kind handbags created by the local Richmond’s artist community along with some internationally recognized designers. A fun night for all and for a good cause!

Sep1

Hey Mr. Postman!

Posted on 1 September, 2009 by Nicole

Hey Mr. Postman!

I love getting good stuff in the mail. As a kid, my mother signed me up to some contest/freebie newsletter that listed all the contests, freebies and cheapies that companies sent out as marketing promos. Pencils, sugar free gum (back when it was new) stickers, hats etc. All you had to do was send a postcard or a SASE. So easy a kid could do it and boy did I! I got free stuff and learned how to send letters and she got me practicing writing. Win-Win!

Recent mail goodies I’ve ordered and won are:

monthly planner

This awesome August to August Monthly planner is from An Artful Agenda. 5% of all sales goes to art education in public schools. Organization and a good cause, another win-win!
And I was one of a lucky few that won a free swatch from Fabric on Demand via twitter.

Fabric on Demand swatch

I uploaded a sketch I had and voila! I haven’t decided on what to make with it yet.

One of the things on the to-do list is to come up with some more designs to get printed.

Jul16

Edna Does Not Approve

Posted on 16 July, 2009 by Nicole

Edna Does Not Approve

Edna does not approve of clutter.

Of clutter! I’ve been doing a studio clean up and de-stash again. Its hard to let go people, let me tell ya! The clean up happens at least twice a year. Mainly right after the Christmas push and then after the sewing frenzy to get stock up for the Spring craftshows. What’s left are designs unfinished, those that needed more design fixes or total craft fails. And some are just a mere idea mentally assigned to a yard of fabric. Its getting so I have supplies and UFO’s (UnFinishedObjects) from a couple of years back.

People, I’m cluttered. I have a slight dread sometimes going into the studio. Not Niecy Nash and the Clean House crew type clutter (love that show!) but for the small-ish space I have, its just not good to have as much as I have! I’m running out of cubby holes and I’m ready to streamline! For an example on how bad it is, in addition of the fabric I have squirreled accumulated, I ran across a small collection of beaded fringe.

I have no idea why I have it and don’t have a design in mind for them. Must of been one heck of deal, cause I have about 5+ yards of a assortment of dangly fringe. The de-stash has begun, I’m listing on etsy!