HUGs

Tshirt Blanket

2011-01-04T14:51:00.000-08:00

One day a while back I realized that I had a lot of souvenir t-shirts that I did not want to throw away and decided to make a blanket out of them. My first blanket ended up being huge.

And then I didn't stop buying t-shirts so I created a second. This one a much more manageable size that is my throw blanket.

The front and back are the front and back of the tshirts, because I didn't want to lose the graphics.

So, a few months back my girlfriend asked if I could make one for her son. He has tons of tshirts from all his sports and she thought it would be a great idea for his room.

The other day I decided to get to work on it since the holidays were over and I had gotten a new sewing machine for Christmas. I pulled out all the tshirts to see what size I could make the rectangles, since there was a variety of sizes. Then I created a pattern out of paper to eaily cut all the tshirts front and back and ended up with a pile of tshirt rectangles.

Once the rectangles were all cut I started playing with the order I wanted them to be in.

Once I was happy with the order of the tshirts I started pinning and sewing, pinning and sewing. I forgot how much I enjoyed making these blankets and the new sewing machine made things even easier with it's automatic cutting of the threads! I made sure to be very careful with all the corners so they would line up and then I had the front and back done. I laid down the two halves right sides together and then added the lining on top. Then more pinning and sewing. Then it was the moment of truth; I flipped it inside right and it looked great. The next step was sewing the opening closed.

In order to keep the lining together I did a few stitches in some corners and then TADA!

Some of the tshirts had button detailing at the neck line and I thought that would be a neat detail to keep.

I had a few thsirts left over so I thought I could make a little something extra...

... a pillow case. I hope he enjoys it! I know they are the most comfy blankets I have ever had.

More Handmade Philly Artists and Crafters

2010-12-28T15:23:00.000-08:00

As promised here are some more great artists and crafters that I am proud to support.

Jeanne Lombardo is a close friend and artist. We met years ago while working together and she is the one who turned me onto Handmade Philly. Jeanne and I sometimes get together for our own art days and just bounce ideas off eachother. Jeanne has a great sense of color and she is so whimsical. She has some of her pieces available at Square Peg Artery & Salvage. Find Jeanne's blog, Intuition Funktional Art.
A Stitch in Design is Nicole's baby. She and I have sewing in common and she inspired me to want my own embroidery machine. She makes beautiful quilts and I am lucky to own one. Check out her blog.
Check out Lilith's Apothecary. She creates natural, herbal, and at least partially organic bath, body, and beverage tea products. Check out her blog!
We Bit Trendy is all about handcrafted items for mothers and babies. Shop their Etsy shop here.

Helping out my Handmade Philly friends.

2010-12-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

Handmade Philly is working to get the word out about all our artists. So wanted to give a shout out to some and share their blogs with you.
Allison Ostertag, captain of our Etsy team, is a wonderful artist who shares the photography passion with me. Check out her blog here. She also has a shop on Etsy.
I have known Bonnie MacAllister for years, through our involvent in the WCA and now she is a member of Handmade Philly! She is a great artist and a really active participant in the Philly art world. Check her out. Bonnie also has an etsy page.
Mary Jo Rosania is a girl after my own heart a photographer who loves to sew too! Check out her amazing site here and look through her eyes.
Handmade Philly also has their share of jewelry artists including d'Olivia. Check out her jewelry available on Etsy.

Fall Leaves

2010-11-08T17:43:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist photographing this fall season. I recently moved into a new home that has basically been plopped down into the middle of the woods. The past few weeks it has been snowing leaves all day long. Sometimes when I let the dog out I would sit down on my back porch and listen to the leaves falling to the ground. It has been a very magical time for me this year so I decided to photograph it this time. I hope I can inspire someone else to go out there and photograph the fall.

Don't forget, when you use an SLR you can use the manual setting to throw focus one way or another. The effect can be very dramatic.

Here's hoping you have a great fall. Go out and enjoy it. Find the path and enjoy!

Heidi
HUGs
phillyart.net/heidi

My Studio Shoot

2010-08-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

Mozzie and Me in the Studio

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being photographed by Bernadette Dye in my studio for her environmental portraiture project for her MFA thesis. I enjoyed the experience and the images that were the result are terrific! Mozzie, my dog, even got in on the act. Bernadette will be posting other artists and their spaces on her blog. Check her out! Below are some of my favorites from the shoot.

Light Photography

2010-07-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

Photography comes from the Greek φῶς (photos) "light" and γραφή (graphé) “drawing,” together they mean “drawing with light.” So what better project could there be than photographing light. This was an early assignment during my photography classes at Antonelli Institute. Since that time I have, at different times, been inspired to use light in unique ways or just to photograph the light and shadows light creates.

In everyday life you see light everywhere. The light streaming in from a window onto a couch or light streaming in through blinds onto a wall will make you run for your camera anytime.

Then there are those times when you create the photo. The photo below was created for rhythm and repetition but also shows light and shadow quite well.

Go outside your door and you can find a million examples of light to inspire you to pick up a camera. I was visiting my mother in Florida and I could not resist the palm tree, since we don’t have these up here in Jersey. One shows the light and shadow on top of the palm frond, which creates a harsher light and shadow, and the other is photographing the light coming through the palm frond creating softer light.

Another way to photograph with light is to use the light in the subject. Back in the day when you used film I did a series of photographs of store front windows at night. I shot with 1600 ISO film, with 50mm lens and shot at 1/60 of a second. Then shot the lighted subjects. An example of this is below; it was taken on South Street one night after full dark. Not only did the photo capture the lit lamp but also picked up neon lighting from across the street.

Creating a portrait of a child is always something amazing. Tricking the camera and the viewer is also fun. Using light coming in from a large sliding glass door (the best light I have ever used) I took the photo below. The photo was created by laying my niece down in front of the door on a green carpet and not going with the recommended exposure time. Leaving the lens open longer than recommended changed the color of the background to make it black.

In the end, just have fun with the camera and try out different settings and places. In this day of digital it is a lot easier to try new things and just play. You no longer have to buy the film or pay for the processing. But as I was taught don’t erase anything from your camera until you have seen it enlarged! You never know what you might have until you see it bigger.
Go out and shoot some light and don’t forget to have fun with it.

I Love Collages

2010-06-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

I have come to realize that I lovc creating collages. I think it started with my obsession with fashion and my collecting of any fashion image I liked. Instead of throwing away the magazines, I would cut out all the images I liked. I started putting them into photo albums, then one day I decided I wanted to create my hope chest. I decoupaged the entire chest, inside and out, with fashion images.

Then in photography school my Composition teacher gave us a couple of choices for our final project. I chose picture in picture, but one of the other options was to photograph a scene in parts. Then collage all the idividual photos to create one image. A few years later I decided to try this on my own and created Shattered Eden.

Then one day I tried a bit more organized collage with My Backyard.

I have created one other collage, that does not include photos of any kind. My brother got married and my wedding gift was the mirror I created below (I didn't have the mirror when I photographed the piece). I cut squares out of soda cans and nailed each to the wood base. This past weekend I started working on new mirrors like this one, just different sizes. You have to be careful cutting tin cans! Very Sharp!

Just recently, a project was brought up in Handmade Philly. We did an art swap and the person who I got used the word bucolic as their inspirational word. I had been thinking about creating another collage photo but a little smaller. For this one, I found a spot that I thought was perfect. Once I had taken all the photos, I printed them, but instead of 4 x 6, they are all 2" wide.

From this project I had quite a few extra images so I went back to the organized collage and created 2 more collages.

I also went back to my original concept and created the Fashion Mirror. I've created the one below and am working on a second smaller one.

My New Spring Bag!

2010-05-13T18:04:00.000-07:00

After a few missteps, I finally finished my spring bag! As seen in my previous posts, my most recent try ended up being a tote. In fact I have started using it as a sewing tote, when I need to carry my sewing materials. It has already become a great use to me!

Anyway, back to the new bag. I drew a bag out in my little notebook, made a pattern from the drawing and tweeked my designs a bit and the bag was born. I love the brown and blue combination (although this blue is a little on the green side, but I loved the pattern). The tweek of the bag came when I was out shopping with my Gram. I was looking at a bag and I loved the big pocket on the front, so I decided to go that route. I'm very happy that I went that direction. Added the cute little brown bow and Voila, SPRING BAG! I also added two inside pockets inside because you can never have enough pockets.

The bag is finished, now I have another one to make for a friend. I also have one more small project to finish for my nephew/godson. Soon I will post a blog on all the baby gifts I made. I have twin nephews and a neice all being baptized in the next two weeks.

Can't wait to see what I start to work on next.

The Bag and the Coasters- No More Creative Block!

2010-04-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

So I have been away for a while. I had a foot injury and then total creative block! I finally was able to work through it and got back into project mode. First, I had this bag I wanted to make. It was originally supposed to be my new spring bag, instead it became a tote. I haven't done any studying on bag construction so I wasn't really sure how the different fabrics would work. I ended up using fusing that was just a little too stiff and Voila: Tote. Oh well, still very cute and my laptop fits in it if I ever need to carry it around. Guess I will have to go by a spring bag and learn a bit more about construction for the fall.

I also finished these great coasters today. I made them from wine corks! I'm very excited about these because they are my mother's Mother's Day present. (All the wine corks came from her collection, she doesn't know I have them. She gave them to sister-in-law.) I think these are a perfect gift, so I am sure they will show up elsewhere when I need a great present.

So now it is on to other gifts... I have two nephews and a niece who are all getting baptized in the next three weeks, so lots of gift making. I'm excited about getting back to crafting!

My Favorite Shirt Redo

2010-02-02T16:43:00.000-08:00

So I already did this project, but a certain foster puppy decided to eat my first hoodie. Thank god she didn't eat any of the important parts. The designs are taken from one of my favorite shirts by Custo Barcelona. Unfortunately, the shirt has outlived its wearability, but I just couldn't send it on its way. I found this shirt on my first trip to Seattle to visit my aunt and family. It was the only one and it was on sale! I am a Scorpio and I love them and I couldn't pass it up.

So the first time I did this project, my mom bought me a hoodie for my birthday and I cut all the patterned parts of the shirt and hand embroidered it onto the hoodie. Then a few days later I came home to see that Pepper Penny had jumped up and pulled it off our dresser (she also scratched the dresser!) I cried, I yelled and then I looked and saw none of the design was really damaged. Then I thought about all the time I put into it and cried again!

The search was on for a new hoodie. I walked in Marshall's one day and saw this fantastic sweatshirt! Great buttons at the neck (you can't see them in the photo, but they are way cool), and nice, wide hood and just in general a stylin looking sweatshirt by Miss Sixty. Then I saw the size, XS! I'm not an extra small!!!! But I tried it on any way... and it really wasn't that bad, a little tight in the arms so I added the gray stripe from cuff to waist. I liked it even more.

Then once again, I embroidered all the pieces onto the hoodie. There are some flowers sewn onto the hood, collar and arm. Then of course the fabulous scorpians. Now I can't wait to wear it!

I Love Rhinestones!

2010-01-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

Ok so I have done some work this week on some projects, but this one has a special place in my heart. I love to work with rhinestones! How can you not love the pretty, shiny, little things? I am heading over to a friends house today and she just recently moved in so I figured I would bring something with me (hopefully she doesn't read this before I get over there!).

This started off as a project my mom and I came up with. We both use regular clothespins to keep our snack bags closed. My friend saw these and started making fun of them so my mom and I came up with the Designer Chip Clips. I have been using mine for months and they always put a smile on my face. All those rhinestones. My mom has a set in Florida and my friend who made fun of me also has a set.

So obviously, my love of rhinestones is not limited to clothespins. I have also added them to one of my favorite items, martini glasses. The hot pink martini glass is a favorite of mine. (I collect them and have a large selection to choose from, but the pink is always among the first to be picked.) Then there is also the champagne glass! Everyone should drink champagne. It's not just for special occassions! Although, two sets of the champagne glasses are for just that. I have created to sets of wedding champagne flutes. Each set is has a blue and a pink glass. The bottoms are painted irredescent pink and blue and each has mostly clear rhinestones with some pink and blue rhinestones, so one for the hubby and one for the wifey!

I also created a couple of champagne flutes for my girlies when they come over. It just makes you feel glamourous, drinking out of these shiney, pretty glasses. Hope you enjoy and if you like shiney things and are interested in anything let me know, I can always make more!

Sister's Diaper Bag Christmas Present

2010-01-05T18:13:00.000-08:00

Well now that the holidays are over I finally have time to catch my breath. Today was the first day I worked on a project since Christmas! But I did want to post the major, big project I did was my sister's diaper bag. She is going to have a baby girl in February so I thought it would be a great present.

It all started late one night when I couldn't sleep. So it was about 2 am and I was watching Project Runway and just started sketching bags. I started with some handbags and then moved onto my sister's diaper bag. I thought it would look really cool with quilting (wow, was that some work!) In the end I was super excited about how the bag turned out, but have to say I probably won't do one with quilting again. It didn't fit into my sewing machine at times so I had to hand sew some layers.

My favorite is the inside lining. But you shouldn't look at it for too long because I know I was getting headaches as I worked with it.

The bag also has three outside pockets, one large pocket on the front and two on the side that you can fit bottles into.

Hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think!

Magazine Baskets

2009-12-11T17:37:00.000-08:00

So my grandma saw a basket I made for my dad's girlfriend last year and decided she wanted to give some for gifts. It started with "Can you make me 4?" and I said sure no problem. They aren't that hard to make. Then a little bit later she asked if I could make 2 more. Ok sure, though by now I am bored with making them. So I finished those yesterday and then I call her and say that my husband and I will make it up there so she will have them before Christmas. I also had to drop off my Christmas present from her and one for my husband so she is able to wrap them. (I help her with her shopping so I always make sure I get what I want. :) ) So during the call she asks if I can make one more!!!!!! I of course, say yes and then get my butt in gear to work on the last one. Not only do I have to be able to get it done but they also have to be sealed which takes a couple of hours with each coat and I have to do inside and out. So, finally, today at about 4 pm I finished the last basket and started coating it.

So here are the last three. I think I may be done making these for now. 7 is definitely enough.

Now I can get to work on my other presents and of course yesterday I came up with a few more that I have to get done. Hopefully, I will be able to get everything done before Christmas.

Christmas Pillow

2009-12-07T16:09:00.000-08:00

I had a great weekend this weekend, but no project work. :( But I did go to a craft show, Crafty Balboa, in Philly on Saturday with my friend. We had a good time and got our goodie bags since we were the first in line! You never know, with traffic, how long it is going to take you, so I was there almost an hour early! Oh well, good time to catch up with my friend. Picked up a few fun things and some great ideas for more projects, including a mobile made of stuffed birds. So excited and when I looked for a bird pattern, I found the exact pattern. But, of course, that project will have to wait until after Christmas! Then I went to another friend's house for girls' night. We all had a great time and then went to see New Moon Sunday morning.

Finally, Sunday night I settled down to check out my emails and found this great blog that had a tutorial for a pointsettia pillow. I thought it would be a perfect present for my grandmom, so I ran to the fabric store and picked up the materials. It was pretty easy and I think it looks great. Thanks Centsational Girl for the great idea!

So tonight I have to work on the magazine baskets I promised my grandmother I would get done for her. I have to have them done before the weekend because I have to get them to her before Christmas. Then I have two more bags and a bowl to get done before the big holiday.

Sailing Pillows

2009-12-01T18:23:00.000-08:00

So I finally got back on track and feeling better. Yesterday, I was temporarily sidelined by a migraine so I wasn't able to do much, but today I hit the ground running.

My husband had a project for me this time, a thank you present for someone who is into sailing. So we decided on a throw pillow. I wanted to do embroidery on the pillow but couldn't find a pattern to use. I ended up finding a stencil for painting and just drew it on the fabric. Then as I was working on that one, I realized it would also be a great Christmas present for someone. So I made two.

They have a sailboat on the front and an anchor on the back.
They were fun to make and I enjoy embroidery because it's something I can do in front of the tv. I have found it a little tougher lately because I need glasses for up close work. I am hoping to get them this week so maybe that will cut back on the headaches.

Next up, I have to finish a pocketbook for a friend and then work on two projects that were created by my foster dobie, Pepper Penny. She loves to eat my clothes and the other day she got a hold of a favorite tshirt so I am repurposing that. And yesterday she escaped from her crate and ate my hoodie that I had just created from an old Custo Barcelona shirt. It took so long to do the first time, now I have to redo. Gotta love the puppies.

My First Blog

2009-11-29T11:21:00.000-08:00

Today I finally started my blog. I'm excited to share all the projects I have been working on. I have been very busy since Christmas is around the corner. Right now I am working on purses for some of my family, a diaper bag for my sister and some pillows for presents. I think there are probably a few others that I forget at the moment. I'm always looking for something new to try and love to work on all kinds of crafts!

The next computer project is getting my store up and on line. So I have to take photos of all my items and see what I can sell. So for now I gotta run and let the dogs in because they are barking like crazy. I'm going to go work on my pillow that I am embroidering.