I'm feeling sick today: worn out, sore throat, stuffy/snotty nose, feverish face, nauseous belly. Ick. But I did manage to post this new tutorial on the Reprodepot Blog explaining how easy it is to make throw pillows! Go see for yourself and get to sewing!
This is Victor. He is a twin of Jack. I think he is lovely.
Custom Order / Bird No. 34 / Completed November 2009
And my Wedding Birds won! I can't even explain how excited I am to see them on The Storque and MarthaStewartWeddings.com! There were so many amazing submissions, I am speechless... Thank you Martha Stewart and Etsy for this awesome opportunity!
In case anyone is wondering, I am currently accepting orders for custom wedding birds for 2010 - just email me at ashleyannabrown@gmail.com. Check out all the birds I have previously made to get an idea of what I could do for you here. I'd love to work with you to create something special!
Hi everyone! Just wanted to pop in to let you know I just completed a new tutorial over on the Reprodepot blog. I made some placemats for Thanksgiving! I really love them! It's nice to get to put together a tutorial, and walk away with something awesome that I can use over and over again! Check it out here.
Hello everyone! Happy Halloween! This morning I got right into the Christmas spirit and started a new collection of Limited Edition Fern Animals: PINE NEEDLE PALS! They are made with this fabulous vintage cotton that, obviously, I think looks like pine needles! I think it's perfect for the holidays! These will be limited to only ten wearing a wool scarf and just six wearing a hooded suit! They will each come with a small tag stating their number in the edition, date of creation, and my signature. Get one while you still can! I am actually going to save one for myself this time! (I never got a Golden Lion and I'm still regretting that move!)
Oh yes, I have a shop up on Paper N Stitch again (I was in an exhibition last fall). Go check it out here! (There may be a special deal in it for you if you visit! Hint hint...)
Hope you have a wonderful Halloween full of spooks and candy! Now, on to Thanksgiving! (I love this time of the year!)
Djerba and I spent far too much time putting this tutorial together, but we created some Halloween goodie bags and paper lanterns that you can make up yourself, using my construction directions and Djerba's awesome downloadable patterns. Check it out on the Reprodepot Blog!
I also just stumbled upon this cool idea for reusing security envelopes to create sandwich or cupcake toppers! You'll never just toss out those envelopes again! Created by Mer Mag - check out her blog, she's got lots of get ideas! Found via Re-Nest.
Have fun creating these last minute party details! And have a Happy Halloween!
I feel like I have been slightly unfocused lately when it comes to creating - unable to stick to one thing, instead making lots of very different things! Here are some new projects I have been working on:
Back to quilting and making patchwork items. I've got lots of ideas for new little pouches and I'm really excited about venturing into this territory. I used to make bags and pouches all the time, many years ago. I made my first bag when I was sixteen. It was an over the shoulder book bag, made from sparkly purple velvet. So not something I would use now! Ha!
I starting making bags again in college, just a few months before Fern Animals came along, scouring the flea market for unique vintage fabrics. I didn't know about Etsy then, so I ended up with too many bags to keep to myself, and not enough friends to give them away to, and abandoned the whole bag making thing for a long while. I'm still not interested in making bags again - there are plenty of other people out there making far better bags than I ever made (like this amazing person! Or this one!) but I like the idea of making little carry-alls to tuck inside a bag! I typically carry around a basic tote bag everyday (my Julia Pott Etsy tote actually). It doesn't have any pockets and little things get lost at the bottom all the time - a pretty little patchwork pouch will be so helpful! Maybe you've been needing one too?
I also started this quilt a few days ago. When the nights start getting chilly again, I always want to make quilts! I've been planning out a couple I want to make for my family, but I've been thinking about trying to make some to list in my shop as well. I already have so many on my bed, and really don't need anymore for myself. Though I have to say, I am feeling quite attached to this one, and have considered keeping it! I think it would be nice to offer it up for others though. I want everyone to be able to snuggle up this winter in a cozy handmade quilt. Really, there's nothing better on cold nights, sipping tea or hot chocolate and watching christmas specials on tv, or maybe sitting on the floor with a quilt over your lap, listening to Bing Crosby and cutting out paper snowflakes... Oh, how I can't wait for that first snow fall! (Apparently many New Englanders already experienced this - but it skipped right over Northampton!)
Continuing with my wintry inspirations... I completed this deer tonight, and I am in love with his snowy white antlers! (Am I allowed to be in love with something I made? I hope so - it happens all the time!) I only wish this little one was quicker to make so I could crank out a whole slew of them! Oh well, they'll just have to come along very slowly, one by one.
I think that's everything I have to show you right now, though I have lots more ideas and a couple other things in the works, but it's too soon to show any pictures of those right now! I hope you're all enjoying this beautiful fall weather! Everything is so orange and yellow here, it's incredible.
Good night!
Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't been so good at updating my blog... I'm going to try to get back into it! I have lots of projects in the works that I'm super excited about. Hopefully tomorrow I can take some photos to give you all a little sneak peek!
For now you can go check out the latest tutorial I posted over on the Reprodepot blog. It's for a little carry case made from fabrics I printed out myself from Djerba's books (they're so good!). Go check it out!
Custom Wedding Birds / Completed October 2009 / with names and wedding date embroidery
