Ashley's Prints with Love

Ashley Heffington was in a car crash on Dec. 31st with her mother. Ashley was only 9 years old. The car was sitting at a red light and another car slammed into the back of them. Ashley took the grunt of the crash and serious brain injuries. Sadly she passed away on Jan. 12th.

To honor Ashley's life her family has set up the Ashley's Prints with Love. A friend of the family makes and sell thumb print charms(http://www.designsbyjanessa.com/) .Soon after Ashley arrived at the ICU Children's Hospital in San Diego her Aunt Z brought in the "compound" to take an impression of Ashley's thumb print. With this print the friend then made Ashley's mother, father, little brother, and grandmother a charm so after Ashley passed they could wear it close to their hearts.

So they wanted to do this for the other family's that have to go through losing their child in ICU her in San Diego. How you can help got to http://www.loveashley.etsy.com/ and shop shop shop!!! It is that easy. Pass this along to everyone you know.

DIY: Cute Fabric Wall File

My sewing nook was getting so messy and cluttered. I needed something to put on the walls to put patterns, books, etc.. in, so I made these cute fabric wall files. All of the fabric I used was left over from other projects!! I love them so much I wanted to share how to make them.


Supplies:

6 Strips of Thick Fabric(Linen is a good choice) 25 1/2 in. x 4 1/2in.

4 Strips of Fabric (I used a thin linen) 25 1/2in. x 4 1/2 in.

Fusible Fleece 25 1/2 in. x 23 in.

1 pack large(wide) double fold bias tape

1 pack regular double fold bias tape

thread

iron

sewing machine

All seams are 1/4 inch.

Step 1: Sew all 6 strips of the base fabric together length wise (25 1/2in sides). Once they are all sewn together iron the seams open. Ironing the seam gives the product a clean finished look.

Step 2: Sew together 2 of the other 4 strips length wise and then repeat with the last 2 strips. I chose a coordinating color for these strips. Iron the seams down. Know you have three pieces: 1 large piece that is your base fabric for your wall file, 2 strips that is in a coordinating color for your wall file pockets.

Step 3: Take your 2 pocket pieces and you regular size bias tape. If you notice the bias tape is called a double fold. You slide the bias tape over the raw edge of the fabric going length wise and sew. You will only need to do this to one side of each pocket piece.

Step 4: Take your 1 large piece of base fabric and your 2 pocket pieces. Place the base piece right side up on the table. Count down 3 seams. Now place 1 of the pocket pieces right side down onto the base piece of fabric. When placing the pocket piece make sure to lay the side with the bias tape toward the bottom. Sew this pocket piece onto the base piece.

Step 5: Take the last pocket piece and place it right side up even with the bottom half of the base piece. Sew to base piece. Now you have all pieces attached. Flip the first pocket you have sewn up and iron. Make sure the bottom pocket is facing up.

Step 6: Take the piece of fabric and fold it in half and just press with your hand. This will put a crease down the middle of the fabric. You will then open it back up and sew a straight line down the middle following the crease. Now you have made your 4 pockets for your wall file.

Step 7: Take your wall file and you fusible fleece. Place the fusible fleece with the rough side(fusible side) up. Then place you wall file right side up on top. Iron the fleece to the back of your wall file. Make sure the wall file is fused well to the fleece. If there is any extra fleece hanging off just cut it off.

Step 8: Take your large(wide) bias tape and sew it around the entire wall file. Making sure the pockets are flat when sewing the bias tape on. When you are at your last corner fold in your bias tape so it will have a clean look when sewn.

Step 9: Take your grommets. You will want to place your first grommet 2 inches in from the top left side. The package should explain how to adhere them to the fabric. Place another 2 inches from top right. Then find the middle of your wall file and place one 2 inches from the middle on either side. You should have 4 grommets in all at the top of your wall file.

Step 10: Hang and your done!! Hope you like it! Send me a link to your pictures. I would love to see your creations!!

Lilac

If you are looking for a cute accessory to your outfit this is the scarf you need to get. I found this at Boutique-a-holic Handknits on Etsy.

"Casual or formal – Depending of your clothing, the scarf can be used as casual or formal. You can use it as everyday wear,or put it over a nice formal dress. " She also can make this scarf in other colors if you her to. I asked Nevita a few questions to get to know her better.

How did you get started?

I live in Bulgaria, it's a small country in south-eastern Europe where only a small number of people know that there is such amazing place like etsy.com. Last year, a friend of mine was searching for online stores for good Christmas sales. She told me about this place. When I started searching in etsy stores, I got lost in so rich choice of handmade items. I always wanted to open a store and sell my hand knitted scarves and baby clothing. However, my full-time job, and pregnancy didn't bring enough confidence in this picture. When my beautiful baby daughter came to the world, she brought new hope and faith in myself. I found knitting section and crochet section and I was happily surprised that someone is selling so many handmade creations. At that time the idea that etsy.com is an easy way to create and maintain shop came into play. With etsy, I figured, I wouldn't have to care about renting and maintaining a physical shop, and at the same time I'd have flexible working hours. Now I stay at home as mother, enjoy spending time with my baby daughter, my knitting, and promoting my shop via interesting online tools.My etsy shop is http://www.nevita.etsy.com/



What is your favorite creative thing to do?

I learned to knit and make gobelin tapestry, when I was a child. I went to my grandparent's home, during school offs. My grandmother thought me different handmade techniques, such as knit, crochet, sewing and others. During the years, I was paying more attention to knitting and gobelin tapestry, and found I enjoyed it a lot. It became my hobby, and after my daughter's birth I decided I was determined to share the products of my passion with people around the world.Fir example this gray capelet is one of my favorite projectshttp://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34763879



How long have you been doing this?

I am new at etsy, but I am knitting for about 10 or more years.



What is something most people may not know about you?

I like the Human Resources area and I am finishing my masters degree in Human Resources management. I enjoy interacting with people.I love to travel and regularly organize small trips through my country.

Blue Glass and Metal Birds

I am on a bird steak at this point. I just can't get enough of them. The beautiful necklace is from lilacpop shop on Etsy. Janna is very talented in many different creative ways. She says "LILACPOP gifts - where art, fashion, and function come together! "

"Each piece of jewelry that I make is not only one-of-a-kind but also very thought out. I try to achieve just the right amount of balance with materials, colors, and textures to make the best possible piece of jewelry that I would also wear myself! "

I asked Janna a few questions to get to know her better.

How did you get started?

I went to art school and got my BFA in Photography from the University of Michigan and while there I took so many different kinds of art classes. I really enjoyed painting, mixed media, and especially life drawing besides photography. I've always wanted to combine different mediums. Doing things the "normal" way never works for me! I had been making jewelry for friends and family and had just taken up knitting and crocheting (self-taught) when a friend of mine told me I should try selling it all. That's when I discovered etsy. I'd been selling clothing on ebay and was pretty experienced as a seller so it was very easy to transition over to etsy and much more fun to actually sell the stuff I was creating too.

What is your favorite creative thing to do?

I think my favorite thing to do is manipulate photos. I like to cross process them, mess with the color, and make them into something else. I really like to photograph things that most people would find ugly and make it appealing again. I think there is beauty in everything- you just have to look hard enough.

How long have you been doing this?

I have been selling on etsy for a little over a year now. As far as creating I have been doing it my entire life. I can remember making things when I was little and bringing them to my mom (also an artist) and loving her reactions to them. The funny thing is my 8 year old daughter does the same thing now!

What is something most people may not know about you?

Something most people might not know about me....I had some odd jobs while I was in college. I worked in the Biostatistics Department at U of M. I was the crazy funky art student walking around all the normal people! And I worked at a state park in Michigan for many summers. That was a great job. I had so much fun and met my husband there too.

Going Places

I just love the Wee Three Birds Crib Quilt from The Bobbins Nest shop on Etsy. If you like quilts, but you want one that look more modern than this is the place for you. Elisa has found a way to make these quilts pop and look unique.

She does all of the designs and her studio is smoke and pet free. She also uses only the highest quality of materials. I asked Elisa a few questions to get to know her better.

How did you get started?

I got started sewing and quilting when I was very young.

What is your favorite creative thing to do?

I have always loved creating new things for people. I love making people happy with things that I have put a lot of time into.

How long have you been doing this?

My mother was very supportive of this habit (something I have to work on with my clone daughter). Quilting as a profession came naturally when we needed "a little extra". I have a degree in Horticulture but found this to be a perfect fit with a growing family (I can still do laundry, make dinner, drive kids around while in the middle of working on a project).

What is something most people may not know about you?

I am a sucker for any "How To" book I can get my hands on, no matter I might never attempt deep sea fishing with my own home-made pole. I love clean sheets, and quiet time.

Handmade Vintage

This shop is just too cute not to take a look. Brown's Country Originals has such a unique feel to their pieces. I love to find cute one of a kind items for the seasons. If you are like me then this is the place to find that piece.


I asked Mike and Donna a few questions to get to know them better.


How did you get started?

We are a husband and wife artist team. I work with wood, chalkware, clay and papier mache. My wife works with dried, fresh and artificial flowers and hypertufa. These creative passions led us in 2008 to start Brown’s Country Originals. The name came from our one of kind work, living in the country and our last name.Besides the paper mache and chalkware we have a line of garden items my wife makes country/primitive hypertufa birdbaths, flower planters and flower pots. Hypertufa is a lite weight concrete. I make country/primitive wooden potting benches, planter and garden stakes.

What is your favorite creative thing to do?

Paper mache because it allows me to my creative powers.

How long have you been doing this?

about 20 years

What is something most people may not know about you?

I love to spend time with my wife and son fishing and camping.

Love Notes

I just love these note cards from ViveLaFranceDesign on Etsy. All of her cards are handmade of course and so unique. I am always looking for some cute thank you cards and such.

She makes all kinds of cards and they also come in box sets as well. I like to get cards and give them as a pick me up for friends of mine. I asked Kara a few question to get to know her better.

How did you get started?

I have painted since I was a young girl and was equally interested in crafty things. I decided on a career in Graphic Design which allowed me to be creative, but didn't take away from my painting. I only worked for 3 years out of college due to a rare disease and although most of my time was spent lying down, I would muster up the energy to paint for a while each day. When my condition became worse and I didn't paint, I felt lost. As I finally started to get my health under control, I would make Christmas cards for family and friends, sell small watercolor paintings at local craft fairs and start a painting. I found etsy a year ago but didn't have the energy to commit until this past June when I finally felt ready.

What is your favorite creative thing to do?

I truly love painting. I get lost in color. Slowly watching the painting emerge off of the blank canvas. It's my meditation.I also love making cards. I love paper and creating a feeling with color. Never over doing it-- keeping it simple.I think my paintings are complex and expressive and my cards are simple, bold and elegant.

How long have you been doing this?

I have been painting since I was 7. My art teacher at school called my parents to tell them she thought I had real talent. After that, I started going to private lessons. I think I've always made cards. I would make them for my mom and leave them under her pillow. She still has many of them.

What is something most people may not know about you?

Finally feeling better has led me to find Pilates. It's the best thing ever. It has allowed me to become fit after years of pain and stillness.