Back on My Sweets - Teensy Tiny Notebooks

I haven't posted recently due to the fact that I've been busy.  Super busy.  If you haven't heard because you live under a rock, or have been mourning the loss of Steve Jobs, or even trying to find a new bank because BOofA intends on sucking your money away slowly but surely, then I don't blame you for not knowing.  

For the past couple of months I've been collaborating with other artists, collecting recipes, artwork, and trying to keep my sanity while putting together a super yummy illustrated recipe book called Back on My Sweets!  100% of the proceeds will benefit the homeless residents of an amazing organization called Back on My Feet.

My fellow Bomf'er volunteer, Josylnn Lee and I have been putting together a fundraising event this Saturday at Lir from 3-6.  There will be raffle prizes, items up for auction, and copies of Back on My Sweets for your viewing and purchasing pleasure.  

So I thought, Andi n Stitch has got to get in on this!  I just finished up 4 designs for 30 something little notebooks (about the size of a business card) to toss in your bag, jot down a note, or to pass along...

Here are the designs:

 And here are the books in action:

 If you can't make it and want to support the cause, then donate to Joslynn's Active Giving Page or buy a Back on My Sweets book!

Happy Creating!  

XX 'n Hugs

-Andi

Bow Tie - DIY

I'm going to make this short and sweet so as not make you think I enjoy making and then adorning my 'lil nugget in a bow tie.  And yes, his nickname is 'lil nugget, or dude, or just Max.  Just depends on the day.  Check 'em out.  He's a handsome fella if I do say so myself...

Click here for the super easy to do Bow Tie Tutorial.  And of course I got my fabric from Gather Here in Central Square, love that place...  It's always so hard to leave!

Does anyone want to throw a party so Max can wear a fancy bowtie and hit on all the lady pups...   "Are your legs tired, because you've been running through my mind all day!"

Happy Creating...

XX 'n hugs
-Andi

  

PBR Art Show

Hey Beer lovers!  I'll be at the PBR Art show this Wed!  Come check out my PBR Beer Bread illustrated recipe.  Lots of other local artists, especially this guy, will be there presenting their work too!  WEEEEEE!  I hope the PBR Beer goggles will be out in full affect!    

Here are the details

Wednesday September 21st 2011
8PM - 11PM
the North Star - 222 Friend St. North End


and most importantly.....FREE ADMISSION!

Happy Creating....

XX n' hugs
-Andi

Tie Flowers

I love a challenge.  Seriously.  Oh!! she shouts, I have all these extra ugly ties laying around, oh what do I do with them!  Why make Tie Flowers of course!  And to think, I've lived all these years without wearing a Tie Flower!  Oh what a shame.  I can't wait to hear all the compliments tomorrow!  

Click here to see what inspired me

XX 'n Hugs

Andi

Happy Creating

Pink Orange Reversible Napkins

Depsite the rain, the sun did peak out for a little bit today and I managed to shoot some good photos of these reversible napkins I whipped out the other day.  Check out my etsy shop for more details and to purchase.  Someone's gotta keep that pretty face of yours clean!

XX 'n hugs

-Andi

Happy Creating..

 

Polaroid This

Yup.  I'm old school.  I've got still got my Polaroid Camera...  Wouldn't give it up, not even for a S'More.  I'm giving myself a project this year, to shoot triptychs in polaroid film.  Nabbed some awesome film at Impossible Project.  This set is during lunch on Newbury St a week ago.    

This set is from the Charles River, fall of 2010, in Watertown.  See if you can find Max, little bugger snuck in at the last second.  

I'm waiting for someone to offer me to take their picture for a buck, so I can tell 'em My Artistic Talents require $3 per photo.

XX 'n Hugs

-Andi

Happy Creating.....

MacBook Padded Case

I've been dying to go to Gather Here for some fabric for a padded case for my MacBook that I've been trying to make for about 3 weeks, but never got around to it.  They have a wide selection of inspiring prints that you would drool over (nothing you'd find at JoAnn's I assure you).  I had a multitude of choices of what I wanted but this fabric from the Henry Alexander Ghastlies Collection really spoke to me.  It's like The Last Supper, meets Edward Gorey, meets knitting, oh and there are some kids there and an old guy with a spectacle.....

I had this button on hand for a while and never knew what to do with it.  I also grabbed some cotton cord I had on hand and 1/2" thick foam for the insides.  Don't want my mac to get all bruised, someone might call Apple Protective Services on me.  HAHAHAHHA

and here's the finished project!  Yippeee for me!

And of course, I added my own label in there for good measure.

For more inspiring DIY Macbook/Laptop cases/sleeves, click HERE
XX 'n Hugs
-Andi

Happy Creating...

Water Color - Thread and Sissors

So I've been taking an art class through Brookline Adult Ed with Mer (a dear friend of mine who has yet to follow my blog, but we won't take that to heart).  Anywho, the still lifes were near and dear to me, Sissors and Thread.  Oh if my teacher only knew my close bond with these unseemingly normal objects. Thankfully I didn't eat them as I do every other week with our still lifes (Last week was M&M's, how could I not resist!!).  So I thought I would share my artwork from tonights class....  Enjoy!

XX 'n Hugs

~Andi

Zentangling again. Oh dear

I'm at it again.  This time I'm Zentangling for a bunch of 7 yr olds soon to be 8.  Couldn't help myself.  Check out these cute signature notebooks I just whipped up for their birthdays.  I'm pretty sure there's a study out there that says Zentangling will solve world peace, it's the only explanation as to why I'm 'tangling after midnight.  And YUP, I just said 'tangling.  
Enjoy!

Zentangle Notebooks - aprx 4" x 5.5", with 14 pgs.  Doodled with fine black marker and pencil on 140lbs cold press cream watercolor paper.  Book pages are white standard weight paper.  Sewn together with black book binding thread and tied on the inside signature.

XX 'n Hugs

-Andi

Happy Creating.

Mon Petit Jardin - Accordion Book

I've been creating a bunch of small (3.5"x4") vegetable watercolor drawings and felt the need to photo copy and make an accordion book.  Here are the results.  I don't know about you, but I'm craving some beet salad, or grilled asparagus??  

XX' n Hugs
-Andi

Happy Creating!

Fabric Zentangles

So Meredith and I are taking an art class together and we've discovered the art of Zentangling!  If you don't know what it is, prepare to be addicted!  I've heard it called Yoga for the Mind, it's very relaxing and looks great too!  I've applied this to fabric, check out the results...

I doodled with my sewing machine and coordinating thread

Please don't drink and sew!

Hey all!  No, I wasn't at a rager last night, I was at a sewing party!  I just got back from a Global Etsy Craft Party.  Ok, not literally because that would be insane!  But last night I had a ton of fun thanks to Gather Here in Cambridge (central square) for supplying the cool fabric, thread, needles, food, and more importantly BOOZE!  And thanks to my fellow sewing neighbor, her beer somehow ended up all over my lap!  I think they need to put a disclaimer on alcohol now, Please do not drink while making cutesie birds for an Etsy Party as may end up on neighbor's clothing.  HAHAHAH

The theme of the party was birds, and Spool Sewing supplied one of the bird patterns.  Check out the inspiration for the party here.    

XX 'n O
    Andi

Bunting - DIY

I love bunting, you love bunting, we all love bunting! But maybe after this I don't love bunting so much, LOL!  I just finished making some beautiful vintage decorations for a friends wedding.  Here's what went down:

First, gather your supplies:

Vintage fabric in coordinating colors
Triangle template cut out of cardstock/heavy paper
Pins
Binding or fabric to make binding
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Matching thread
Knitting needle
Iron and Ironing Board

and of course,

Patience, Patience, Patience!

Step one!  Make your triangle template, I did mine about a 6.5 inch equilateral triangle (remember Geometry Class). 

This is the part where you had better love triangles.

Step two!  Cut out all your triangles from your vintage fabric and sew them together (right side fabric together), leaving the top end open.  I sewed in about a 1/4 inch.  This makes it easier to turn the fabric once your done.  


Step three!  Turn those triangles!  Use the knitting needle to push out the pointy end, being ever so careful not to poke through the fabric (like I did on occasion!)

Step four!  Iron Iron Iron.  Press those triangles down with your iron.  If you put the iron on the steam setting you can also get a nice facial, LOL!  I have the best pores now!  

Step five!  Now it's time to add the binding.  You can either use a store bought binding or create your own.  I personally like to make my own, just because I enjoy making myself work a little bit harder (I'm the best slave driver boss I know!)  
           

Step five and a half!  Making your own binding!  So to create your own, and if you don't want a seam, you'll have to make sure you buy enough yardage.  I of course bought fabric that wasn't long enough and so my binding has a seam, but I don't mind it too much.  My finished binding is 1/2 inch, so to create that cut a long strip (however long you would like it) 2 inches wide by 9 feet long.  My finished bunting is 9 feet (5 feet where the triangle bunting are and 2 feet at each end for the tails).  Lay the fabric wrong side up on your ironing board.  Then fold the fabric in half, press with the iron.  Fold the edges in, press, fold for the last time, and really press with the iron!  You can make the grunting noise if you really want to! 

Binding How To!

Step 6!  Now take your triangles and pin them in your binding and sew away!  I used a straight stitch, but you can use a zig zag if you would like!  I sewed about a 1/4inch seam allowance leaving about 3/4 inch in between each triangle with a 2 feet tail at each end.  There are a total of 10 triangles on each strip of bunting.  

Step 7!  Throw yourself a party and decorate away!   

 
 

 

Auction For Life - Link

Click Auction For Life to place a bid by making a comment under the photo of the product you want to win.  This is such a great cause!!  New items are being added!!  The Auction ends tomorrow.

Please BID!  

Pretty n Plaid

Auction For Life!! 

Plaid, Plaid, Plaid.  I love Plaid.  And so here's a little plaid I'm sharing with you.  I just finished this beauty of a quilt and draw string bag for an online auction to be held on 3/21 to help raise money for Liviana and Giovanni Price.

 

  

Their story touched my heart.  Go grab your tissues before you continue reading.  I think I've gone through a couple already just writing this post, and I don't tear up easily. 

The Price family is fighting to save Giovanni's one year old life in a clinical trial in Milan, Italy, but for their 3 year old daughter, Liviana, it is too late. The family is in much need of donations. Jennifer Morais will be holding an auction March 21st and she's asking ALL of you to donate items to be auctioned off!! ALL proceeds from the donation will go straight to the Price Family to pay the medical expenses as well as the expenses they left behind back home in order to fight for their sons life! The donations can be ANYTHING!!!! Anything you can!! Toys, clothes, gift certificates, items you no longer need.... or if you're a business owner, an item from your shop of gift certificate! Pleeease email Jennifer at info@JMPNY.com with a photo of what you can donate and she will place it in the auction. If you'd like to make your own cash donations, feel free to visit the site. Thank you guys for your continued support of these gorgeous babies! 

Right now they have 40+ items for the auction, retailing over $1,100!  I hope that with your support they are able to raise lots of money.

Here is some more information

Jennifer is an amazing photographer based out of NY, check out her blog and friend her on facebook for discounts and giveaways!

To make a donation or to read more about Liviana and Giovanni's Journey,  click here. 

Thanks all for reading on and feel free to pass this along to anyone who would be interested.

-Andi

Princess Loves her new Knitted Cowl Scarf!!

Even though Lady Town is a cluttered mess, my knitting book was exactly where it was supposed to be, on the book shelf!

Phew, I can breathe!  Princess loves her new Cowl Scarf.  I'm always nervous when I handcraft a present for any of my deserving friends/relatives because I tend to choose colors I like (of course not on purpose!!).  Maybe deep inside I just think, hey if they don't like it, I'll wear it.  So having this knowledge of wisdom only furthers my decision paralysis while standing in front of the cubes of yarn at Windsor Button.  Decision Paralysis is when you have too many options and you just can't pick one so you become frozen and do nothing, or in my case panic and start talking to yourself.  It's the worst, but it's probably hysterical to watch someone going through it.  I can only imagine what I look like, panic stricken, sweat dripping, muttering to myself...She might like this one, oh but I love this one, wait I didn't see this color.  And it's only YARN!  But alas she likes it and was such a great model!  Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure..

 and here's a closeup shot!

Here's a quick instructional guide so you can make your own.

Materials:
2 skeins of Plymouth Yarn Encore Colorspun 75% Acrylic 25% Wool.  FYI, the more Acrylic in the yarn the softer and easier to wash.  The color I used was 7714.

Size 8 knitting needles (I prefer the wooden bamboo one's)
large sewing needle
Scissors

Directions for the Double Moss Stitch (reversible) Pattern:
Cast on multiples of 4 stitches plus 2 so your piece will measure roughly 15-16" wide.
Row 1 - Knit 2, Pearl 2.  Repeat.  Knit the last 2 stitches
Row 2 - Pearl 2, Knit 2.  Repeat.  Pearl the last 2 stitches
Row 3 - As row 1 
Row 4 - As row 2

Repeat these 4 rows until your finished piece measures anywhere between 24-28" long.  Then Cast Off.  Take your needle and sew the shorter sides together with an overcast stitch.  If the tail of yarn from your project is long enough, use it to sew your piece together. 

Well, I'm off to finish my own cowl.  I hate to say it, but I hope the weather stays cool long enough for me to complete and wear!!

Also, check out my knitting treasury on Etsy, whether you want something finished or need yarn for a new project.  
 

Cowl Scarf

I just finished my first Cowl Scarf for a bday present for a special princess that I know.  I can't post any pic's yet because it's a surprise but once I do, you all can enjoy.  I was so addicted that now I've moved on to making one for myself.  It's so easy for a basic expert knitter like myself.  I say basic expert because I've really only mastered the art of knit and pearl, anything beyond that and I've got to enlist the help of anyone over the age of 55 that's nearing retirement and have large amounts of grandchildren.

And of course I can't find my knitting pattern book to help choose a new and exciting pattern.  Who knows, maybe I'll figure out how to finally slip stitch!  So I'm stuck doing the same pattern I used for Princess's cowl scarf.  I think it's a sign that I gotta start organizing Lady Town, aka the craft room.  Or at least finish my organizational projects, like that peg board I just bought and the DIY instructions to make a bulletin board ironically tacked to my currently filled bulletin board!

Stay tuned for finished photo's of the Cowl Scarf!, and directions!!