Urban Doodles & Kayaking

Jocelyn and I on the Potomac River

 Yesterday was Mother's Day and I was fortunate enough to be able to go kayaking with my daughter, Jocelyn. We quickly packed up and headed to launch the kayaks in nearby Algonkian Park. Jocelyn received her kayak as a birthday gift last month and her birthday wish was that I doodle a 'tattoo' on the side of it to make it even more special. I just love when my children like my work.

Kayak Tattoo

Here is a close-up of the results. She loves it which is the best. In fact, while launching the boats and preparing to take a quick photo for the blog, we met two lovely young girls, one of which asked if she could help with the photos. She turned out to be quite the photographer and snapped five photos before we even had a chance to worry about how we looked. Anyway I finally got it across to her that I was actually there to take a photo of the tattoo. She stopped and then came closer to look, immediately asking me for a card so that she too could have her kayak tattooed. You never know who you are going to meet. Stay tuned another business might be on the horizon.

Sailor Knot Bracelet

I have been working with T shirts for a number of years now, with my first book on the subject released in 2007. In the book I not only cut apart, stencilled, painted and then sewed back together T shirts for adults and children, I created some simple jewelry designs with the leftovers. It got me thinking and since it is now 2012 (time flies) it is time to update some of the jewelry concepts.

I have since been dyeing T shirts, cutting them into strips and creating all kinds of jewelry pieces. It is so much fun as you never quite know what you are going to get until you are finished. Here is a very basic design I did with the idea that it would be fun one for a girl scout troop or frankly any group of girls to get together and try. It is basic braiding and then a wrapping technique with a pony bead slide closure. Simply put it is bright, fun and inexpensive.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this simple design - it opens the door to so many other possibilities that I find it hard to 'stay the line' so to speak with my other deadlines. Oh well, I guess that is price one pays for being creative.

Thanks for stopping by,

Lorine

Sew Much Comfort - Veteran's Day Sewing Workshop

It was sew simple to convince three members from my local American Sewing Guild to accompany me to a Veteran's Day Sewing Workshop held in nearby Fairfax, Virginia. Seen here are Barb H., Ruth L., and Barbara D. That's me wearing a yellow ribbon.

Our wonderful, Sew Much Comfort instructor and coordinator Lynne T. She was very patient with us as she explained in great detail every step of the process to adapt simple boxer shorts to fit over the bulky medical equipment necessary for the proper healing of broken or missing limbs.

We were all very intent in doing it right so concentration was a must. I think Lynne thought we were good students. Quality is a must and adhering to the proper way - The Sew Much Comfort Way - if you will, was very important.

Here is the entire group of ladies, with me in the middle once again. Oops not the entire group- we are missing one lady - she acted at our quality control person and took the photo. She inspected each pair before they received a label and were ready for delivery to Walter Reed Hospital.

Velcro was generous to donate three boxes of their wonderful product, which is used in each clothing item. As you can imagine we used a lot of Velcro throughout the day. Thanks Velcro - it really made a difference.

We were also helped by Westcott, who donated three pairs of scissors for the event. Having a sharp pair of scissors handy is a must whenever you are sewing and Westcott makes great scissors. Thanks Westcott.

Playing with Dolls

It is so funny how things come about. I was with good friend Eileen Hull last week and she mentioned the upcoming 'suitcase' project for the Fresh Vintage bloghop. I had participated the previous week and was not planning on going another round of hopping but since my new book, Love to Dress Up 18" Dolls, was just released and would be the perfect fit for the suitcase, I thought it was a wonderful fit. I decided to dress my doll in the Outdoor Explorer outfit which went perfectly with some Monarch butterfly fabric I already owned in my stash.

Here is how I created my suitcase so full of butterflies, that some seem to be escaping.

Fuse Steam a Seam 2 to the back of your chosen fabric.

Remove paper backing from the fusible web and cover a piece of matboard with the fabric.

Create the magic sandwich: cutting board-die-fabric covered matboard-cutting board. Slide the entire sandwich through the Sizzix machine.

I colored the edges and inside of my suitcase using my Mepxy markers.

I added brads to the corners and a 'lock' shaped brad to the front of the suitcase.

Using the project photo as a guide, create your suitcase.

Use leftovers to create a mini luggage tag, adding some embroidery thread as the hanging loop.

Cut out two Butterflies, once again a great die provided to us by Eileen and Sizzix.

Create wire coils and attach them to the back of the butterflies, attaching the opposite end inside the suitcase using foam tape.

What fun!

Be sure to click on the Hop Forward button on the Fresh Vintage logo at the side of my blog page. Thanks for stopping by.

Making a living playing with dolls!

If you would have asked me a few years back if I could possibly make a living writing books about doll clothes, I would have laughed. Yes; it is true that I was one of those children who created clothing for my one doll out of old socks, old clothes, even fashioning a costume made out of leaves and sticks one time but paying bills while playing with fabric and dolls. No way..... It just goes to show that if you can think to imagine it - you can make it happen. Of course designing clothes for dolls is not the only item I work on at a time but my new book brings the total to seven pattern packs and three books on doll clothes. You can imagine I have quite the collection of clothes at this point and with no grandchildren or small children in my life at this moment I am quite the hit with my friend's children. My last Christmas party involved bringing out a box of dolls and a wide variety of clothes and the three youngsters attending the party were totally involved in dressing and undressing the dolls. What a life!

Boutique Slippers by Lorine Mason

Here is my latest example of all things possible. As a little girl with a sister a couple of years younger living on a farm we had to improvise our craft supplies. Trust me there was no Michaels or AC Moore down the road and frankly there was no extra money for purchasing fun supplies anyway. This did not stop the creativity in our household. We used things from the yard, recycled items (before recycling was popular) and flour and water for glue. I like to think of myself as a child-like version of MacGyver of the crafting world. Anyway, the point is that we made shoes from cardboard and bailer twine. We carefully traced the outline of our feet onto the cardboard, cut them out and then strung up a version of a farmer flip flop. We decorated them and then proceeded to have a fashion show, laughing ourselves silly each time we had to stop to re-string our footwear. What a memory!

CHA Canadian Designer Challenge

Bird in the Wind by Lorine Mason

Be Inspired is a Canadian Designer Look & Learn event scheduled to be held at the CHA show in Chicago, July 18th, 2011. A total of eight Canadian designers were asked to create a mixed media piece using supplies provided by; DecoArt, Harmonie, Canvas Corp, and last but certainly not least Tsukineko. While each designer was supplied with the same wonderful mix of products the finished projects will showcase the individual designers look and style. Designers will be on hand to discuss their creations with Retailers from around the world at a Look and Learn event at the show. Looking to encourage retailers to recognise Canadian designers and manufacturers, each attendee at the event will not only receive instructions for each project on a CD but an inspiration kit filled with products valued at over $150. Let us inspire you .... to inspire sales.
Pre-registration to attend the CHA Summer Conference and Trade Show is necessary. For additional details go to http://www.chashow.org/
I hope to see you there.

Sew far Sew good,

Lorine

Canvas Hairband

I made this cute hairband the other day as I am in dire need of a haircut and wanted to look like I knew what I was doing with my hair until I could get into see Corey and let him do his magic. Here's how I made it:

Supplies:

Scraps of canvas duck cloth

Scraps of felt

12" length of black 1/8" elastic

Fusible web - I love Steam a Seam2

Puffy Velvet fabric marker by Marvy Uchida in black

Piece of scrap paper to make your pattern

Sewing machine and basic sewing supplies

Getting started:

Wrap a tape measure around your head and measure appx two inches behind your ears. I got 20 inches but I think I have a fairly large head.

Fold your paper in quarters and set it on the table with the center fold on your top right. Using the measurement you came up with previously and measuring out from the center fold of the paper, place a mark at the measurement 1/2 inch down from the top edge. I used 10 inches.

Measure down 1 inch from the top right corner and place a mark. Starting at the fold, draw a curved line to meet the mark on the paper.

Cut along the drawn lines and open up the paper for a full size pattern. Make any adjustments you desire to the pattern. Create your own fun pattern.....

Press fusible web to the back of a piece of canvas duck slightly larger than your pattern. Trace the pattern onto the canvas and cut out using decorative edge scissors.

Remove the paper backing from the fusible web and press the canvas cut out to a slightly larger piece of felt being sure the felt extends 1/2 inch beyond each end of the canvas. Cut out leaving a slight border of felt extending past the canvas except at each end where you should leave 1/2 inch.

Top stitch the two layers together using black thread. (optional)

Now the ART: Use stencils, stamps or your imagination and a pencil to sketch, draw or stamps an image on your hairband. Trace over the lines using the Puffy Velvet fabric marker. Follow the manufacturer's direction to heat the paint once it is dry and watch the magic.

Turn over each of the 1/2 inch ends of felt to the cover the raw edge of the canvas and top stitch close to the cut edge creating a channel for the elastic.

Thread the elastic through both channels on the hairband leaving the ends free. Try the hairband on for fit, pulling the elastic to a comfortable yet snug fit. Stitch elastic ends together and slide the stitched end in behind on channels.

Viola - you have a one of kind hairband....

Butterflies and Spring

I completed my final project from the classes I took at Quilt Market in Hampton Roads, Va this spring. This is quite the accomplishment for me as I have started a lot of projects that remain unfinished in my sewing room. The first class piece was the Daylily I created for my parents a couple of posts back. I am happy to report they have received the piece and it is hanging on their wall at home. When it first arrived in Winnipeg, my sister pinned it to the curtain in my Mother's hospital room and told her that it was not going home until she did. I am happy to report that she did take the quilt home. She is however back in the hospital again. Perhaps that is why I finished this piece come to think of it - maybe I wanted to hang it in my hallway to remind me of the healing power of a quilt. Mom - get well and I will see you soon. Love Lorine

Early Parent's Day gift

I attended a couple of classes recently while down at the Hampton Roads quiltfest and decided this week that I refuse to have yet another unfinished project hanging around my studio staring me down every time I walk through the doors.

The class involved the large daylily you see on the above wallhanging. We used a lot of fusible web and some wonderful batiks which I had brought from home. Participants in the class had the choice of a number of flowers - I chose the daylily as it reminded me of tiger lilies from back home. We used to see them not only in gardens but in the ditches as we travelled along the Trans Canada Highway on the odd vacation we took as children. My father's favourite flower is the tiger lily.
During the class most of us were able to cut out out flowers and place them on the fabrics and few of us quicker ones even managed a few stitches - I believe I got the stamens done. And then class was over and we were take our creations home and finish them with some wonderful instructions given to us by our teacher.

The class was a month or so ago and I of course had done nothing except pile it on top of a number of other projects I have not finished. I however have had a nagging worry about my parents who are aging of course as lets face it what is the alternative, and who are dealing with continual medical problems, could use a 'quilted' hug from their far away daughter.

My hope is that they will hang my creation on their front door and reach out and touch the lily knowing that not too long ago I touched it in exactly the same place.

I am off to mail my hug today - please wish for its speedy delivery.

Sew far sew good,

Lorine

Suburban Doodles

I have a new love - it is Suburban Doodles - directly related to Urban Doodles which I debuted at CHA. While Urban Doodles is my canvas accessory line complete with edgy doodle art, Suburban Doodles is a line of art that I have been working on everyday since returning from CHA. I start with images and then let the pen and paper lead me to the art. My hope is to transfer this new-found art to my sewing machine in the near future. While I am not Irish I appreciate a holiday like anyone else so here is my English/German/Canadian/American version of a shamrock......

FaveCrafts Blog Radio

Here's Izzy, my daughter Kimbrely's dog. You remember the dog who is going to make me famous for the dog food grocery tote. It is so funny what people remember.
I was a guest on Pat Sloan's FaveCrafts BlogRadio program today. I talked about my recycled sewing projects. Yes - that included the dog food bag as well as the coasters I posted a photo of on my last blog. It was a complete hoot - lots of fun. My only worry is that the listeners were not as entertained as I was during the show. We'll see if I am asked back I guess. Anyway I promised Pat as well as my readers on the Sewing Savvy e-newsletter I would post more recycled sewing projects so I better get busy. If you have a few minutes listen to the show. I am the first guest - don't be alarmed by the advertisement when you first hit the play button - I guess they have to pay the bills somehow - it only takes a moment and then Pat is heard introducing me. Remember I am a novice at this so please be kind.

http://www.favecraftsradio.com

Sew far Sew good,
Lorine

I recently returned from the Hampton Roads Quiltfest in Hampton, VA. It was a blast and I was able to take off my teaching hat and put on my student hat for awhile. I signed up for Marjan

Kluepfel's classes on Friday and Saturday. I will post photos as soon as I finish up the projects. Check out Margan's website for a sneak peek at http://www.marjankluepfel.com/

I am hard at work on my next book of 18" doll clothes and must say it is so much fun. I was able to locate the most beautiful fat quarters of fabric for the projects. I completed two outfits yesterday and must now force myself to ignore the pile of fabrics sitting on my design table to focus on writing up the instructions. I certaining do not want to leave that to the end as it is by far the least interesting part of writing a book.

Check this out. On Wednesday I will be a guest of Pat Sloan's FaveCraft's live radio show. We will be discussing my interest in incorporating items from my recycling box into my sewing projects. The photo of the soda can coasters above will be one of our topics. I would love to have you tune in.

favecrafts Radio - Showtime 3:00 est Wednesday March 2

Blogtalk Radio http://www.favecraftsradio.com.

Sew far sew good for now,

Lorine

Triple Play Blog Hop - The final project - this time anyway!

Christmas is around the corner and I am running to get there. I apoligise for missing the last two hops but my excuse is bound to bring oohs and awhs from most of you as well as perhaps as Oh you poor baby!. I was on a cruise with my hubby and frankly blog hopping is too expensive from a cruise ship and I am not together enough to have worked all the projects our before hand. OK enough - this project was no brainer as we are hosting a party this weekend and I love to have goodies to send home with my guests after the party comes to a close.

Eileen's treat topper die was perfect to top off my chocolate dipped pretzel creations. Loving all things fabric I, of course covered the die cuts in fabric using a fusible web (luckily I have access to Eileen's dies as she lives so close). I then used ink to add a shadow to the ends of the die cut as well as to cover the white mat board edges. Next I ran a sloppy line of hot glue around the outside edes and spinkled lots of sugary glitter. I did it a second time in some spaces. No trouble at all and I am sure my guests will be pleased.

Happy Christmas everyone,

Lorine