May 6 2012

Fun Embroidered Tree Frog

My first try and mutli-color thread machine embroidery – yes, today! I totally understand the machine and its prompts. So watch out! Once I get the correct type of stablizer figured out, it’s smooth sailing and will be SO much fun. But here’s what went into the shop today……..

The inside of the portfolio – nope, there’s no frog there! Just fun fabrics and I adore this color combo. (click on the pic for the Etsy shop)

Ah, ain’t he cute?

My sister turned me on to this website for machine embroidery. Their designs are TO DIE FOR! I only get three free ones per week, but I have 4 designs just sitting in my cart waiting for a paycheck so I can purchase them: a magnolia, two types of roses, some flip flops and some tulips. They’re fine just sitting there – that way I know where they are at.

Take a look over at their site: Embroidery Designs – there is a TON over there and you could lost in space just looking at it all.

Thank you, Donna, for putting this site in my email box. You’ve helped me put my machine to the work it was designed to do. YIPPEEEE!

Apr 27 2012

Holy HAT, Batman!

A cute little friend of mine who now lives in Orlando requested something from me on Facebook. Yep, a hat. But I said to her, “Are you sure? You live in Florida!” She assured me that she really wanted a hat like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle ones that I crocheted earlier, only BATMAN style! OK, so I went on a hunt to find a pattern and came across a little shop on Etsy that sells the most unique and fun hat patterns ever. Check out her store on Etsy, it’s called Cute Patterns World. Her prices are so reasonable, you can afford to buy 2 or 3, or even her great bundle packs.

So here’s the supplies for the Batman hat going out to hot Florida.

Batman Hat Supplies

Of course, I bought the Red Heart and Lion Brand yarns at Joann’s as I have a loyalty thing with them now. And yes, I printed the pattern out on blue paper as that’s the color my loving husband brought home for me. I think he just didn’t read the label. But it works, and now we can start in with some crocheting.

Feel like making a funky themed hat? PLEASE go check out this woman’s shop on Etsy and just see all the fun patterns she has available.

Thanks for stopping by and check out some of the other things that are getting worked on over here at The TygerLily. Get inspired and get creative!

Apr 1 2012

Olives, Purples, and Aqua, OH MY!

It’s been a great Sunday! Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and fresh asparagus for lunch and sewing all afternoon. Does it really get any better? All the laundry even got completed – THAT’s a miracle!

Just wanted to share two things that were whipped up this afternoon from that marvelous fabric I found yesterday at the Cosmic Cow. True to form, I cut two out and sewed them in Henry Ford fashion. At least that’s what Bill calls it when two or more like items are getting done at one time. LOVE love LOVE the colors of these two iPad clutches…. Take a look!

Purple and Green fabrics with a little jewelry bling secured to the flap.

Had to throw in one more shot of it with Leslie Nielson in the background. Pretty handsome guy, wasn't he!

Clutch opened out showing the silicone skin that uses magnets to stay put. Pretty ingenious if I say so myself.

A little olive with splashes of aqua on this iPad clutch. This is a Michael Miller cotton, and his stuff is FANTASTIC!

And a shot of this one opened up, just like the last one.

Can you tell I love Netflix? And Murder She Wrote? Had to watch an episode of ‘Bones‘ first, but decided Sunday needed to be a little more simple. Yes, when it all comes right down to it, I’m pretty spoiled when I sew.

Who knows when I’ll get these listed on Etsy, so if anyone of you reading this would like one, drop me a line or a comment.

Mar 17 2012

Craft Tote Finale

Finally, the craft tote and ditty bag are completed and ready to list in the store. That’s my least favorite part because I never know what to say about it really. But thought I’d throw this photo up of the complete set!

Going into the Etsy store today.

This will make my 3rd listing today, but it’s time to get sewing again. There’s some wonderful fabrics that I found that will get worked up into this same design – yep, with ALL THOSE POCKETS!

Jan 16 2012

Professional Duo Complete from Repurposed Ladies Jacket

The recycling and redesigning the women’s tapestry jacket was rather difficult, if I were to tell the truth. Even though things look one way in your head, accomplishing that goal can be a whole different chore. But the jacket has now been completely disassembled and reassembled into two useful items. Here is the tapestry jacket’s photo history…….

Sleeves cut away from jacket and splayed for cutting (in previous post)

The completed iPad cover made completely from the sleeves of jacket (in previous post)

Jacket body formed into a tote - items to complete are only laying on body. Handles, magnetic closure, black belting....

Professional tote/iPad cover set - not sure how to set this up to photograph decent.

Complete tote from tapestry jacket showing off its true color outdoors.

I lined it with a gray embroidered satin lining and couldn’t resist to put a final little touch to its closure – a silver leaf. As soon as that went on, it truly had my name on it. Not sure what will happen with this yet as Bill thinks I should be the one to enjoy this one. He’s one of my biggest supporters, but if this could sell and make a couple of bucks, then that’s what we have to do.

Thank you for stopping by and giving this a final look over! One day it may make it into the Etsy store, but until then I’ll enjoy looking at it and thinking of ways to improve on the upcycling and repurposing of the great thrift store finds we have in our possession. Yep, there is a whole tote full of beautiful sweaters, jackets and suit coats to re-fashion.

Happy Monday and happy crafting everyone!

Nov 24 2011

iPads and Pink Poppies

Success! Old School iPad Portfolio is complete and ready for a new owner. This fabric was perfect for the project and hope the design is accepted over on Etsy. Take a peek:

Portfolio - Closed

Open with black skin upside down - showing HUGE velcro

Another shot of that HUGE velcro!!

Think the olive color with that bright pink pop of color is fantastic. Can’t remember the designer of this fabric off the top of my head, but can we say WOW!!!

Yes, today is Thanksgiving and I am truly grateful for so many MANY blessings.

Nov 14 2011

Personalized Art Books

Totally blessed by having a few hours to finish up some special orders and get them out the door. Here are two little sketch books with covers, all personalized and ready to hit the road to their new owners.

Emma's Sketch Book Cover

Hannah's Sketch Book Cover

I will most definitely make more of these for whoever wants to order personalized sketch book covers. These do not have the colored pencils included as the buyer wanted to purchase her own. Awesome! I didn’t mind that one bit.

Now I’m off to my real job, and then ironing and playing with yarn when I get home form there.

Oct 30 2011

Geometry Lesson & Repurposing

With running the JournalJunction on Etsy, there are days that I need to get my geometry skills honed up and used. So I decided to run with abandon on a project that’s been sitting on the ‘fun’ side of things for months. If you remember back a bit, one of the doctor’s I work for was letting go of some of her little girl’s clothing. And I’ve been hoarding those treasured items for long enough. First item out to repurpose was a darling little knit shirt with incredible embroidery on the front. It is listed over at the Journal Junction if you want more photos.

Base Cutting and Placement of Pocket made from Embroidered Girl's Shirt

Complete and listed - with a very precious photo I keep by my computer.

It was a good morning to be thankful for all God has blessed us with – in so MANY ways. As much as we wish Lily would be here and celebrating her 5th birthday soon, we know she is somewhere far greater…. and that she’s sitting with Jesus or throwing a ball or two around with her uncle. Yeah, have to think of all the good stuff. :)

Blessings to your Sunday! Say “I Love You” – often.

Oct 29 2011

Double Diamond Prairie Cable Bag – SIXTH in Series

The gray cable ‘wine koozie’ is now completed. It came out somewhat smaller than anticipated, but it’s a good size and I’m happy with how it came out. It is listed over on Etsy (which I did first for a change). Check it out, leave me some feedback. I love to hear from each and every one of you!

Front of Double Diamond showing black shadow felting

Inside of bag - showing off its argyle innards

Cherry Blossom bag is all that’s left to line – but I feel the need to knit something horrible. Do I pick up the ice blue, the orange, or WHAT??? It’ll be a surprise.

Thanks for checking in over here – we love having you. :)

Oct 23 2011

Personalized School Planner Cover

Skyline of where I live.... Lincoln, NE

Another challenge came down the pike over a week ago from a shopper over on Etsy. I let her pick the main fabric she liked and when the shipment of fabric came in on Friday, it was time to get down and dirty. Geometry skills put in place. Oh, yeah, I didn’t take geometry. Well, let’s put it this way, I had a ruler and my rotary cutter at the ready. Yep, that’s it. Measure, cut. Measure, cut. Measure,cut, sew……….. and here’s the finished entry for her approval.

Special Challenge School Planner Cover

Open Cover with an assortment of pockets tucked away.

Not sure if she will like this or not, but I’m sure keeping my fingers crossed. With me still in the learning phase of using the embroidery module on the new sewing machine, everything personalized takes a lot more time – and THINKING! HA!

So here is this morning’s update. Now it’s time to meet co-workers for the Breast Cancer Making Strides Walk here in Lincoln, NE. It’s a beautiful day and a great cause.

Thanks for stopping by and now GO DO SOMETHING CREATIVE!!! :)