Happy Bursts of Color

Isn't it fun when kids bring artwork home from school? Suddenly an empty space on the wall or refrigerator has a happy burst of color on it.

I've decided to revert back to my childhood and post my own "artwork" around the house. It makes me happy to see my embroidery fill an awkward hole between photographs...

Or liven up my little kitchen!

Both projects were done on premade canvas frames found in the dollar section at Michaels. I just stitched my design right on to them, and then I had my very own happy bursts of color around my house.

ORANGE you jealous of my retro mod dress??

I missed sewing on my day off last week... kind of.  I missed sewing, but to be honest, I was content with where I was and what I was doing. I was at Alki Beach, 5 minutes from our house (I still can't believe how blessed I am to live in the area that I do) watching Georgia play while thinking of what I'd sew on the next cloudy day.

I've been in the mood for the color ORANGE lately. Such a vibrant, happy, summery color. I ventured to West Seattle Fabric Company a couple of weeks ago and found this retro-looking, mod fabric that I had to have:

I knew that it would be perfect for the vintage 1960's dress pattern I've been wanting to use. And since Saturday turned cool and cloudy, I spent the day making a new dress!  Here is how it turned out...

Teacup Pincushion

I love the daintiness and sweetness of a teacup. Unfortunately, I don't drink much hot tea-- I do drink massive amounts of coffee out of behemoth coffee mugs, but nope-- no tea.  I once saw on a craft blog how you could make a pincushion out of a teacup, so I thought I'd try it. So easy, and so cute!

Step one-- find a pretty little teacup. I found mine at Value Village for 99 cents.

Step two-- trace a circle a bit bigger than the rim of the cup out of a scrap of fabric.  I found this scrap of vintage fabric with a tea-themed print-- how perfect!

Step three-- sew a running stitch around the perimeter of the circle of fabric. Pull the thread to cinch the material, and then stuff with polyfill or whatever type of filling you'd like. Hot glue the stuffed fabric to the inside of the teacup and there you have it-- an adorable, unique pincushion!