Quick Pick, Quick Pic

Quick photo of my recent hair donation and my new haircut.  Since I grew out my hair in memory of my grandmothers, I wanted my hair to go to adult women with cancer-related hair loss.  I started growing out my hair when my Abuelita died in October of 2010.  I'm so happy I could do something in her name that will benefit others.

Me + my hair ready to donate

I'll be sending along my chunk-o-hair to Beautiful Lengths which makes free wigs for women with cancer. 

And, both my grandmothers were the ones that inspired me to sew, crochet, and craft,  so without further ado, let's spread the love of all things crafts!

The winner of the crochet book was comment #7 from AA.  AA, if you're reading this blog entry, contact me with your mailing address at adriprints (at) yahoo (dot) com!  Congratulations, AA, and thank you to all who entered!

Giveaway: Crochet Book

This week, I will give away Crochet Bouquet by Suzann Thompson.  Click on the image to see the book on Amazon.com.

This giveaway is open to anyone with a valid mailing address ready to receive a book!  In order to win, follow these 3 steps any time between now and April 27, 2012...


1 - sign up to follow the blog (ignore if you already follow it).

2 - leave a comment answering the following question: How did you start crocheting?

3 - Be sure to include your e-mail address in the comment so I can contact you if you win.

That's it!  Good luck, and thank you for reading!

Giveaway Winner: Knitting Book

The winner of this past week's giveaway is Sheila of Sheila O'Keefe Designs! 

 

Thank you all for participating! Sheila, you will be receiving Stefanie Japel's book "Fitted Knits." I will be contacting you via e-mail.

Look out for another giveaway this upcoming week.  This time, the giveaway will be a book on crochet flowers!

Illustration: Of Spaniards, Shipwrecks, and Sheep

Twist Collective's Spring Issue is out and so is my latest illustration!  These two illustrations accompany Daryl Brower's retelling of the Gran Grifon shipwreck off the coast of Fair Isle.  Here they are...

Both illustrations were done with india ink on watercolor paper.  I used both brush and pen to try an capture some of the wood-engraving look that was typical of the times.

To read the entire story click here, and to enjoy Twist Collective's Spring 2012 Issue from the beginning, click here.

And, don't forget to enter the knitting book giveaway if you haven't already!

Giveaway: Knitting Book

Hi Constant Readers,

After 150+ posts, I realized I haven't ever done a real giveaway!  So, having purchased an excess of books in the recent months, I decided to share a few with you.

This week, I will give away fitted knits by Stefanie Japel.  Click on the image to see the book on Amazon.com.

This giveaway is open to anyone with a valid mailing address ready to receive a book!  In order to win, follow these 3 steps any time between now and April 20, 2012...


1 - sign up to follow the blog (ignore if you already follow it).

2 - leave a comment answering the following question: What is your favorite thing to knit?

3 - Be sure to include your e-mail address in the comment so I can contact you if you win.

That's it!  Good luck, and thank you for reading!

Illustration: Just for Fun

February and March were really busy illustration months for me, but I still can't share most of the illustrations because they're yet to be published.  So, in the meantime, here's what I can share...


Firstly, here is a banner that I put together for the Stitch 'n Bitch Amsterdam de Pijp group's blog.

 

And secondly, here's a fun illustration I worked on after doing several serious pen and ink commissions.  I was left with the urge to illustrate in ink and here's the result!  I have no idea where these creatures came from.  Maybe I've been watching Adventure Time too much?

Block of the Month: April

April's quilting blocks have been the most challenging to date.  This month via Craftsy's free course, Amy Gibson walks you through English paper piecing and it's quite a process!

First, you cut out your shape based on the templates provided.  These quilting blocks featured a series of hexagons in three different sizes.  For the paper backing, I used scrap chipboard from cereal boxes and some cheesy postcards.  Then, using the chipboard hexagons,  the fabric scraps are cut down to match the shape adding a healthy 1/4" seam allowance.

hexagons w/basting and paper still inside them

Then you baste the fabric by sewing through both the fabric and the paper.  The pieces are then arranged and sewn together if needed.  I took Amy's advice and starched them before pressing.  Once they were cool and dry, the basting stitches and paper is removed and the pieces are appliqued to the block.

 I used a top-stitch to attach them to the base block.  I was a bit disappointed in my brown cotton.  It's a bit thin, but hopefully the rest of the blocks will make up for it.  If not, I may sew it atop another square of scrap cotton.

These were a really portable project which was nice.  It's the first time I take my sewing project over to the S'nB group.  Overall, challenging and educational blocks!

Starlet Suit Jacket: Plaid Wool

Originally posted on the Sew Weekly,  April 5, 2012

The Facts
Fabric: 100% Wool, acetate lining, gabardine leftovers for piping
Pattern: Gertie’s Starlet Suit Jacket from Craftsy
Year: 2012, vintage-inspired
Notions: 4 vintage buttons, hair canvas, interfacing, piping cord
Time to Complete: 3 weeks
First worn: this past weekend
Wear again? Yes!  I lurf it.
Total Price: ~37EUR
Price Breakdown: 17 EUR wool (end of bolt), 7 EUR acetate from the Bombshell Dress, 8 EUR interfacing, scrap cotton used for pocket bags, 2 EUR piping cord, 3 EUR for small amount of hair canvas.

piping and welt pockets

blue acetate lining

One of my sewing resolutions for 2012 was to make a jacket with a lining.  I was really intimidated by the very thought of this last year.  But, I guess I must have gained some confidence somewhere in the in-between because I decided I could tackle matching plaids, DIY piping, an acetate lining, bound buttonholes, and a welt pocket.  Oh, and some hand tailoring too; the upper collar is interfaced out of hair-canvas with pad-stitching. The first step was overcoming the fear of cutting into this fabric.  It was the end remains of a bolt of beautiful wool plaid with a really soft hand.   At the fabric store, I grabbed the bolt and bought it, but I fretted over what to make with it…

Then came Gertie of Blog for Better Sewing fame.  She makes everything look attainable.  Her Starlet Suit Jacket pattern and course came out in February, and that was it.  Starstruck and sold.  I proceeded step by step through the course and completed the jacket in fairly good time for this challenge.  I’m still marveling at how her bound buttonholes came out so smooth!  There’s something so polished about them when they’re done right.  It was my first time making bound buttonholes, and I think I might have overworked the fabric because I can’t steam the wrinkles out. So, now I’m on the hunt for spray starch, and having never owned such a thing, I look at my sewing space in amazement… invisible ink pens, hair canvas, a real iron, and now spray starch!  But, I’m also wearing a dandy new wool jacket with pretty soft blue lining!

collar + my hammy