Anodyne Design » Sewing

Back to Work

Shannon — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:19:51 +0000

I’m working on a project tonight. It’s been awhile since I’ve made anything. I’ve been spending time working on other projects for a little while, like painting furniture and reading books. Oh, and cleaning my office. The disorganized state of my space really made me feel like I couldn’t make anything. Now it’s in pretty good order, and I feel free to create again. So tonight, I’m working on a stack of… well, I’ll show you when I finish them.

Oh, I also spent a bunch of time last week taking photos and updating the shop. I’ll be stocking new items in there this weekend, too.

Not a snap to be found…

Shannon — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 02:12:51 +0000

When I went to get out my snaps to finish off this pretty stack of card wallets, I discovered I only had 3 heavy duty snaps left. And they’re apparently not so heavy duty anyway. The first one I installed broke off the first time I tried to pull it open. Anybody got a good heavy duty snap recommendation?

Update: Nevermind. My heavy duty snaps are just poor excuses for snaps. I tried with some simpler pearl snaps, and every wallet is now finished, and plenty sturdy. First dibs at tomorrow’s farmer’s market. Second dibs on the website probably on Sunday.

A Peek at Patchwork

Shannon — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:43:58 +0000

In my ongoing quest to use up scraps, I’ve started making scrappy wristlets. This one is entirely made of scrap cotton and linen left over from other projects, embellished with a bit of bright blue embroidery. This satisfies two objectives: 1) use up scraps, and 2) stock up on environmentally-conscious goodies in time for the Earth Day Festival. Of course, if you can’t wait until Earth Day, you can find this one at the Underground Spring Fling Fine Art Fair next Sunday.

A Growing Parliament of Owls

Shannon — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:29:22 +0000

When does a parliament become an army?

My parliament of tiny owls continues to grow! I love these little guys, and making them has almost become addictive. I’ll be listing them on Etsy once I get some decent sun to photograph them in. Until then, you can expected to see them at the Fancy Schmancy Fall Festival down on the Peoria Riverfront this Saturday morning. And if you aren’t in the area (or even if you are!), you can enter to win one on my Facebook fan page. All you need to do is 1) be a fan and 2) write me a little haiku about anything you like. On Saturday, October 17th, I’ll choose two winners, one random and one who writes my favorite haiku, and each one will receive a tiny owl! I hope you’ll play along. Haikus are so easy and fun. (If you aren’t familiar with haikus, they are short, 3 line poems. They don’t need to rhyme. All they need to do is be structured so that the first and last lines each have 5 syllables and the second line has 7.) Good luck!

Vintage Sheets

Shannon — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:39:06 +0000

A pretty pile of thrifted sheets.

So maybe I’m a bit of a follower. I’ve been seeing projects involving vintage sheets pop up around the Internet. Oh, Fransson’s! Vintage Sheet Swap (flickr pool) and Rec Room Pillows, the Vintage Sheet flickr pool, this great wrap skirt at Supafine, Cluck Cluck Sew’s vintage sheet quilt, and lots of cool projects on Craftster. I got it in my head that I needed to jump on this bandwagon. So last weekend I cleaned out the linen sections at both Goodwill and the Salvation Army and came home with this pretty pile. I think these sheets want to begin a new life of service as reusable grocery bags, don’t you?

It Wasn’t On The List

Shannon — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:23:47 +0000

Of course, as soon as I share my Crafty To Do List with you, I go off and make something that wasn’t on the list. When SciFi Man saw, he said “What about the quilt? This project wasn’t on your list.” To which I brilliantly replied, “How do you know about my list?” I guess he keeps tabs on my blog more than I realized. That’s sweet.

So, true to form, I wrote a list and promptly deviated from it. I followed My Spare Time’s very nice tutorial for making a simple baby blanket. The tutorial was easy to follow, although I think my mitered corners still need a bit of perfecting. Good thing these blankets are quick to put together, so I’ll be able to practice my corners. And until they’re perfect, I get to keep the spoils for myself, which is awesome, because I love how this first blankie turned out.

Baby Blanket

The top is a now-unavailable Tracy Porter print in dusky pink with brown branches and flowers. It’s paired with a soft green apple fleece that I had laying around from another unfinished project, and bound with satin blanket binding in cream. So pretty! Yoda, always my blanket model, helped me out with a photo shoot:

The Only Baby in This House...

"Be sure you get my handsome profile..."

Group Photo

Shannon — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:48:59 +0000

I made another stack of wallets. There’s something so satisfying to me to see a stack of matching items together. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but it makes me happy. So of course I needed to photograph the stack.

A fresh stack of card wallets.

Doesn’t the group just look so nice? I’m also loving the different colors of cowgirl snaps I used on the wallets. It’s so nice to have options now, instead of just the plain pearl and silver for everything.

Just FYI: I’m listing these wallets in my Etsy shop, in case one strikes your fancy.

Fabric Cover for a Mini Journal

Shannon — Sun, 24 May 2009 16:56:35 +0000

I spent my Saturday working on making fabric journal covers. I went through 4 covers before I found the perfect measurements. Who would have guessed it would be so hard? Then I had to decide if the journal needed some sort of a closure, and if so, what sort? A button, a strap, elastic, nothing? After consulting with SciFi man and my very crafty mom (to whom I owe probably all the credit for any of my own craftiness) it was decided that an elastic strap was the way to go. I’m glad I listened to them, because the strap does make the whole thing look more finished. And you know how much I like things to look finished. Behold…

I especially like that I made this for a tiny 4″x6″ notebook. It’s very portable, which I think increases the likelihood that it will actually be remembered and used. I think it’s even small enough to fit into one of my wristlets. Awesome.

Action Shot:

A New Bag

Shannon — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 22:41:41 +0000

I made myself a new tote today. It’s a fairly simple design, with three pockets across the front. SciFi man tells me I ought to put a zippered pocket inside, too. That’s probably a good idea, and one I’ll try in the next draft. But for now, I’m happy with this little bag. What do you think?

And while we’re at it, here’s a gratuitous picture of a kitty soaking up the afternoon sun. Aww.

Another Prototype

Shannon — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:08:57 +0000

Another prototype. A few more minor changes, and I think this new wallet should be ready to go!