(Don’t miss the free PDF at the bottom of this post!)
The newest free sewing pattern and tutorial for Superbuzzy is finally here! About a month ago, I made the trek to the Superbuzzy warehouse, and Kelly and I had a great time picking out all of the supplies for this project. This time, we worked up a trio of felt ice cream projects that serve double duty: The ice cream cookie sandwich is a gift card holder. The “Tasty Treat” ice cream carton is a gift box, and the waffle cone has a small loop so it can be tied to a gift as a present topper.
If you’ve been wanting to make some cute felt food, but were intimidated by directions in Japanese, this may be the perfect gateway project. An added bonus? This is the first of the everkelly-superbuzzy tutorials that doesn’t require a sewing machine (although a few of the steps can be sped up by machine if you’re in a hurry). As for me, I enjoyed relaxing with a hand sewing project and a good movie in between trips to the freezer for some real ice cream.
We’d love to see your photos if you make some felt ice cream of your own! As always, feel free to contact me with any questions. I really hope you enjoy this one! Looking for our other free projects? So far, we’ve made eco bags, place mats, and a zakka lunch kit.
Also, I just want to give one more shout out to the opportunities to contribute to the relief efforts in Japan. Yesterday, I mentioned that Superbuzzy and Knitting Fever Inc. are matching donations (so your $5 donation can turn into $20 for the American Red Cross Japan relief fund). Kelly covered some more donation opportunities in her latest newsletter, and I wanted to share them here as well. There is an opportunity to purchase sleeping bags for $6 from Exxel Outdoors which will be shipped to the tsunami and earthquake victims through Missions Unlimited. Missions Unlimited is preparing several cargo planes full of supplies, and they are accepting donations (see here for a list of needed items).
Missions Unlimited requests that, rather than donating one of several different types of items, that donations be quantities of 1 item (i.e., 10 jars of baby food, instead of 1 jar of baby food and 1 roll of toilet paper). If you are in the Ventura, CA area, Kelly can accept your donations at the warehouse. If you are not in Ventura, please send donations to:
superbuzzy Japan Relief
c/o Missions Unlimited
251 21st Street East
Jasper, AL 35502
Thanks!
Filed under Fabric & Sewing, I Made This, Tutorials & Downloads.
Tagged with DIY, felt food, free download, free sewing pattern, gift box, gift card holder, ice cream, superbuzzy, tutorial.
This week has been full of ups and downs, and I’m taking a few moments to jot down a few things I am grateful for this week. On Fridays I always try to record the week’s accomplishments, but I’m now adding a list of things I’m thankful for. At the top of this week’s list are friends and the energy of new projects and ideas.
Kelly sent me home with a huge pile of supplies for our next project. I am planning to clean up in here a bit today and take a few moments to arrange my materials so that first thing on Monday, I can walk into the studio and feel excited about digging in.
Also, It’s really hard to hang out in a giant warehouse of cute stuff without bringing home at least one souvenir.
My birthday is around the corner, so I decided to snatch up this Alice in Wonderland cross-stitch pattern by Gera (see above). I asked Kelly for help in finding a good cross-stitch fabric, and she showed me her favorite linen. I’m really excited to use it for cross-stitch (so much nicer than what I’ve used in the past). I got home and started digging through my embroidery floss and discovered that I am missing some Cheshire-cat purples. There are few things that make me happier than picking up a handful of embroidery floss (so many possibilities for $.33 a skein!). It’s like purchasing your very own rainbow.
I am still working on ruffles and other props for my photo shoot. We’ve had every imaginable delay including bad weather, cantankerous ruffles, and unexpected weekend commitments, but I’m hoping that we’ll be able to shoot something on Sunday. In the meantime, I can’t stop making props (just so we have options, you know). Yesterday’s contribution was a metallic star banner. We’ll see if it makes the cut!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Filed under Friends & Family, Inspiration.
Tagged with Alice in Wonderland, cross-stitch, Gera, linen, star shaped banner, superbuzzy.
By Kelly
February 11, 2011
[I promise I did not take this photo while driving.]
Today, I’m taking a short drive to visit the Superbuzzy headquarters. Kelly and I are working on some new projects together, and it was the perfect excuse to get out of the house and go on an inspiration trip.
I love driving. Not in heavy traffic, of course. But on a pleasant afternoon, I am always inspired by the scenery. I think most of my favorite ideas have come to me while driving. This is not always convenient of course, since you can’t always pull over and capture your ideas on paper. However, when my husband is the one behind the wheel, I am always snapping photos trying to remember that perfect shade of green or the beautiful shape of a curved path.
I’ll be back tomorrow with tales from my trip. Hope you find a dose of inspiration wherever you are headed today – whether on the road or in your “virtual travels” across the web.
Filed under Inspiration, Travels Near & Far.
Tagged with inspiration trip, superbuzzy.
By Kelly
February 9, 2011
[Don't miss the free download at the bottom of this post!]
I am so excited to share this project with you! I think of it as a little holiday gift from Superbuzzy Kelly and myself. This is a free pattern for a square-bottom nylon eco bag that folds up into a pouch + a lined cotton version, too. We’ve had this one in the works for awhile, but it was really important to us that we do this project right.
Ever since we saw that first teaser image of the Echino fabrics in nylon, we knew that the fabric was practically begging to be made into reusable grocery store bags. Now, I”ll be totally honest with you. The thought of sewing with nylon made me really nervous at first, but I’m happy to report that it’s not as scary as you might think. In fact, we included some tips and tricks in the pattern to get you started. A teflon walking foot and the right needle/thread combination (70/10 sharp + polyester) really do help. The fabric sews up so beautifully that I definitely think it’s worth the little bit of extra care.
I know some of you may still be paralyzed with fear over the nylon, so there are also instructions for a lined cotton bag that’s reversible. Kelly selected a really cute trio of prints in a mid-weight cotton that has a nice heft to it. Both bags include flat fell seams and reinforced handles so they will stand up to repeated use.
The nylon bag folds up into an elasticized pocket on the front when not in use.
I love giving gifts like these – pretty, practical things that you can give to anyone – neighbors, teachers, and friends. As an added bonus, you can use the bag as gift wrap too so you can participate in the Green Grocery Bag Challenge.
Happy Holidays! XOXO, Kelly
(P.S. – I’d like to give a very special thank you to my friends at the Sewing Arts Center who shared some great tips and suggestions with me to make this bag possible.)
Filed under Fabric & Sewing, Holidays, I Made This, Tutorials & Downloads.
Tagged with DIY, Echnio nylon, free download, green grocery bag challenge, grocery bag tutorial, nylon eco bag, nylon sewing tips, reversible cotton bag, square bottom bag, superbuzzy, tutorial.
By Kelly
December 8, 2010
[Don't miss the free PDF instructions at the bottom of this post!]
Today, I’m really excited to share with you the latest project from the superbuzzy + everkelly collaboration. This time, we came up with a cute applique placemat — just in time for Halloween crafting. Kelly has a new Accu-Quilt die cutter in the shop, so she pre-punched the cats out of yummy wool felt, and I satin stitched them onto the placemats. (If you want to try this project at home, Kelly will punch out a cat for you, too.)
The instructions (below) include a cat template in case you’d like to use felt already in your stash. There are also detailed instructions for creating and attaching your own bias tape.
I had been daydreaming about these cute Halloween Matryoshka fabrics, so I was really happy to be sewing with them. Mixing and matching the fabrics is half the fun of projects like this, so I would love to stitch up a few more in different fabric/color combinations.
This was a great project to get in the October mood. I only wish I could have invited you all over to share in the Halloween candy and cupcakes. ;-)
Click here to download the Halloween Placemat Tutorial (PDF)!
Hope you have a very safe and happy Halloween!
Filed under Fabric & Sewing, Holidays, I Made This, Tutorials & Downloads.
Tagged with cat, felt applique, free sewing pattern, halloween placemat, Japanese fabric, superbuzzy, tutorial.
By Kelly
October 11, 2010