Stitch Rabbit

What's Going On...

 

Secret Strips Project.

 

Sleepy Striped Babies.

 

Fancy Felted Birthday Flowers.

 

Five Year Old Flower Child.

 

Spring Projects on the Sticks.

 

There's a lot going on around here, and despite the rainy, rainy weather, it's a whole lot of spring projects bursting with color.

What's going on around you? What spring projects do you have on the go?

 

*  *  *

And finally... the winner of this May's Sew Mama Sew Giveaway prize is:

Commenter Number 14, Jill!

Thanks again to Sew Mama Sew and all the peeps who participated - such a great way to find new blogs and crafty ladies in the crafty world!

 

 

Last Day For A Giveaway!

Just want to say thank you to all the peeps who came and said hello and entered the Sew MAma Sew Giveaway prize that I have offered. I got a bit of a chance to peek at some of the other participants and found some great new blogs to keep up on.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) I will be closing the comments down after dinner and randomly picking the winner. Good luck and thanks again to all who stopped by!

Will be back to regular posting on Thursday, with a peek at some of the projects I've been working on this week. Also keep your eye out for three great little tutorials coming up, one for the knitters, one for the sewing crowd and one for those who stick with their trusty glue gun to get the job done.

Welcome To Giveaway Day!

** Comments are now closed. Check back tomorrow for the winner of the Cowl Girl Cowl! Thank you everyone who commented to win! **

 

Hi all! Welcome back to Giveaway Day with Sew Mama Sew! If you have never been here before then welcome! Stitch Rabbit is the blog of one busy mama with two kids whom I love most of the time but do  not allow me enough time to sew. I make a lot of crafty stuff, post often and write about my kids, sewing projects (that I complete), knitting (that is I rarely complete - I like to call it " the slow knitting movement". I love the humour in motherhood. I also usually blog after a glass of wine or two so it gets a little silly around here, but I haven't really embarrassed myself yet. There's still time. I would love to see you come back, so add me on BlogLovin' or subscribe to my blog!

For this springs giveaway day I am offering a fabric cowl fastened with two snaps, affectionately called the Cowl Girl. Just leave your comment with an email address and I will be randomly picking one person to win!  You can also check out my tutorial for the Cowl Girl to learn how to make your own! Good Luck and make sure to check the Sew Mama Sew website for the HUGE list of other giveaway participants!

 

Pattern Remix is My Steez.

 Over at Me Sew Crazy they are starting the Pattern Remix Series today. All this week and next, and maybe even the next?? there will be guest bloggers showing off their switching up the pattern skills. I'm a major pattern remix kinda gal. Whether it's a short cut I see that will work well, or an entire makeover on a certain design aspect of the pattern itself, there is always something to be changed, your own unique spin.

There is a Pattern Remix Flickr Group that I have thrown some pattern remix photos into of my own favorite remix. I though I'd share it with you.

Let's start with the book. I've written about it before and done some great projects in it, like the adorable smock. I've made about four. The book is called Carefree Clothes for Girls by Junko Okawa and it's awesome.

If you order it, it won't come with the beautiful swirly pink scribble, I had mine custom done by my baby boy. He's great, isn't he?

I took two patterns from the book, the skirt and the bodice of one of the dresses and I sewed em' together as one to make Frankie her most beautiful dress ever, the dress she wore to our wedding. I opted out on the hook and eye skirt closure and went for grommets laced with several types of ribbon. This became the mid-section of the dress. I layered the skirt with vintage slips, some material from my own wedding dress and some tulle. I gathered and ripped the top layer to make it a little messy. I tried the bodice quilted like the book, but didn't like it for the dress so I used the pattern to create two bodices, one a solid rose color and the other a lace layered on top.

The finished dress:

 

 

May Giveaway Day with Sew Mama Sew!

Giveaway Day with Sew Mama Sew is right around the corner on May 23rd. For those of you who don't know what Giveaway Day is you can read all about it here. It's amazing the amount of people who participate, making and giving away their handcrafted items, as well as the amount of people who come stop by and peek into the lives of little bloggers like me.

Last Giveaway Day I participated and made one of my cozy cowls as my giveaway prize. Remember these cozy guys? (Picture not of me, I do not have such great skin, full lips or time to stand in front of cool red walls. Instead I hired a nice pretty lady. Thanks Thena.)

For May I'm decidingly not going to knit, I'm going to sew. But what to sew? What to sew? What would you like to see as a Giveaway Day prize from me? Any thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Craft Fair Time!

Same as last year in the winter, I would like to spread the word about Vancouver's local craft fair scene. Spring craft fairs are popping up just like tulips and daffodils, and here is a list of  a few of my must-go-to's. Support local, handmade and totally awesome stuff!

 

                                           Sunday, May 8th, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

                    Royal Canadian Legion 2205 Commercial Drive (@ E.6th Ave), Vancouver

                                                  MORE INFO AT GOT CRAFT?

                                                   MORE INFO AT I HEART CRAFTS

                                                    MORE INFO AT MAKERFAIRE

                                                   

                                   

Spring On The Knitting Sticks

While I'm working on a few spring knitting projects myself, the end results seem to be a ways away still. Those lighter nights are keeping me from the rocking chair and outside instead. Still, I may have to speed things up if I ever want to get to these two fabulous spring projects:

 

Easy Blanket over at Pickles

With big needles and big yarn this is an easy coupla nights and you've got something to curl up under on those still chilly mornings.

 

Striped Cotton Cowl over at The Purl Bee

Bring the winter cowl into spring with lighter colors and a cotton for light and easy.

 

And for the sewers, here's a great tutorial for some beautiful pillows from Noodlehead.

 

http://www.bloglovin.com/m/1490519/202877692/a/0/aHR0cCUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5ub29kbGUtaGVhZC5jb20lMkYyMDExJTJGMDQlMkZjb21meS1zZXdzLXN1bmJ1cnN0LXBpbGxvdy10dXRvcmlhbC5odG1s

Around The Crafty Web

I miss my sewing machine.

It's been really, really busy around here. Between a new dog, spring digging, planting seeds and cleaning up after a muddy, muddy family (it's REALLY muddy here right now) I haven't had time to sit, to think, to sew, to breathe. Not that I'm complaining. It's freakin spring.

Though I have nothing in the likes of "Ooooh, look what I made" I do have some lovely ideas that have caught my eye in the wee hours of blog loving on Blog Lovin'.

 

Dish Clothes From Pickles

I know, you're thinking "How many times is this lady gonna blog about cute dish clothes?" but I can't help myself - how fancy and rad are these?

 

Bloomers by Kathy at While Tangerine Dreams sells these adorable bloomers AND you can also make them for yourself by signing up for her rad looking Backwoods Mama Spring Sew Camp!

 

Amazing! I'm going to make these with the kids tomorrow. Great masks from Kellie at Ricebabies. The How-To is over at Whip Up

 

Spring Is Stirring - Let's Get Busy!!

I thought I'd share with you a few Spring projects that have caught my eye...I am renewed and refreshed by the sunshine, the seedlings and the dirt under my fingernails. Let's get busy!

 

Sparrow's Nest at Purl Bee

 

Dress From a Men's Shirt Tutorial at Cubic Dreams

 

DIY Spring Fringe Garland at Sunshine and Carousels

 

Beach/Park/Market Bag Tutorial at Thimble

 

Ruffle Shower Curtain Tutorial by A Little Lovely - seen at Sew Mama Sew

 

Braid Scarf Tutorial over at Pickles

 

 

Blushing, A Little!

 

I can't hardly believe my luck! My Gathered Rainbow Chevy pillow was chosen as one of the Top Twenty pillows in the Sew Mama Sew Pillow Contest. I feel a little like I won the lottery.

To see my pillow and vote for it - and see all the other beautiful pillows that made the Top Twenty just click on the button below:

 

Finding Inspiration While Resting My Weary Little Head

Whoa. That was a brutal couple of days. The flu sucks, for anyone. And when you live in the close quarters of a family of four, the flu sucks for everyone. The kids - the poor kids - are still in it. I thought we had turned a corner until tonight, it seems this will be another long, long night. I guess that is why I'm procrastinating turning in, and instead sitting at this keyboard...

The good thing about being sick is the time though. Being too weak to even knit (dramatic maybe, but true - and horrifying!) I spent a lot of time the past few days dreaming up varieties of the pillows I want to make for the Sew Mama Sew Pillow Month contests. I've been scouring the internet for inspiration, though I had a strong feeling from the start of what I was going to go for.

Sew Mama Sew linked us to some great inspiration on the Pillow Talk Flicker set - enjoy! Be inspired and perhaps make a pillow of you own this month! We could all use a little fluffy softness this time of year!

And since I've had plenty of time to search for inspiration of all kinds I think I'll show you a few of the other great mades I've found on whilst searchin Bloglovin'...two days of bed will find you plenty of "I wanna make that!"

Sherbert Pips Quilt by Red Pepper Quilts (I need to get my hands on some of that fabric!)

Possibly the coolest embroidery hoop idea I've ever seen by Lisa at GoodKnits

More amazing Echino blocks from Oh Fransson! Can't wait to see this quilt!!

 

Three cheers to healthy children, healthy mums and dads and a plentiful few days of pillow sewing!

 

 

A Goup of Lovelies

Here's to a great weekend of new bedtimes and happy children and creative moments and love.       Love, love love- all the time.

Posting a few of my favorite lovelies around the blog world this week. Click on the picture to take you to the link!

 

Hearts by Dottie Angel. Love her photos!

 

Adorable sweater and turban by Pickles. Makes me want another baby. Now.

 

Crocheted Hearts found via Blair at Wise Craft

 

Felted Hot Pads Tutorial over at The Purl Bee

Follow Me!! (Wherever I May Go) On BlogLovin'

Elsie at A Beautiful Mess turned me onto a great blog subscription website called BlogLovin'.

For those of you who don't know much about blog subscription websites here's the deal:

So you have some favorite blogs you like to read, on the daily (like mine, ahem.) But it's really annoying and time-consuming to go to each site separately or find them in your bookmarks, and then discover that they haven't even written in four days (baaaad blogger, baaaad) Well with BlogLovin' you simply - and I mean SIMPLY type in the URL of the blog you want to follow and it's added to your list, which then acts as a newsfeed giving you all the updates, to all the blogs you read, in ONE PLACE. Amazing.

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Giveaway Winner Announced!

Once again, thank you to everyone who participated in Giveaway Day, hosted by Sew Mama Sew, and especially a huge thank you to everyone who visited me, took the time to poke around my blog and leave such lovely comments. To answer a few questions that popped up often:

 

I do not have an Etsy shop. I wish I had an Etsy shop. It's on my list, I'd really like to soon, but for now I mostly make to keep or make to give to the lovelies in my life! This may change so check back!

I DO however, sell those cozy cowls...I make them and sell them locally in Vancouver BC. If you are from somewhere else in the world and want one I can do that to! Email me! Thanks for liking them so much!

The photos of Thena in the cowls were taken by a friend and wonderful photographer, Seann Murphey.

I sew on a vintage Pfaff, it was my mama's and I love it entirely. I know I'm far behind in the sewing machine world (no computerized machines here) and I do drool over them..but the Pfaff is my first love. I think I'll be with it until it breaks my heart and goes off to college. I also have a Baby Lock serger on the side, fast and dangerous.

 

Now without further ado, the winner of the Stitch Rabbit Giveaway Day is Sadie Fox Metter! Congratulations Sadie! Thank you everyone for entering to win, and come back and see me soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

So Much Gratitude.

 

*if you are looking for my Giveaway Day post, simply scroll down to the post below or click here. You still have until 5:00pm (pacific time) December 17th to leave your comment for a chance to win!*

 

I am so completely overwhelmed by the blog love I have received in the past day. I don't normally receive such high volume traffic and it thrills me that there are new eyes and new friends seeing me, reading my posts and posting such lovely comments themselves. Thank you - THANK YOU for all the kind words...you really know how to make a girl blush. I've also had the chance to browse those massive giveaway lists on Sew Mama Sew and have seen some beautiful blogs I may have never had the chance to discover otherwise. It really gives your inspiration some fire to see what other people are doing with their crafty selves.

I got to be a productive little rabbit today with the finishing of the many projects I've had strewn about the house...oh the holidays. I got some knitted lovelies off the needles and got to run some fabric through the sewing machine.

I even managed to get a little bit more done on Frankie's Sleepover Pals tonight...they've been a long time coming, partly because they look so cute peeking out of the basket they've been sitting in.

 

With most of my projects in their finishing stages, I came across this really cool stencil I thrifted awhile back and thought "Why not? Why not start a new project? How about a gift! A gift with a deadline!"

I want to use it for something for my little man, Charlie but I'm having trouble deciding on what...I don't really want to do clothes because he's one and a half and he doesn't care...so I thought I could construct some sort of toy that I could use the stencil with...any suggestions?