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!

Mar 4 2012

Roots Design Nook/iPad/Clutch Prototype Complete

After taking over a month off from blogging, and basically two months off from crafting anything to completion, here we go.

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen some knitted ‘swatches’ that were to hopefully turn into iPad covers or something along that order. So yesterday I forced myself to go to the sewing machine and try and complete at least one of them. I should never have picked my favorite swatch to start out with on a prototype, but there are days I don’t think all that straight. So I picked up my ‘roots’ piece and found a great cotton fabric for the lining in my stash. Measured a gazillion times on how the Timtex lining should be cut and took off with it. I learned MANY lessons on trying to make this TOO sturdy and cushy for holding electronics. OK, I’ll back off on the next one.

Folded with Timtex lining inserted and magnet placed. Actual knitted piece was made using a bulky acrylic yarn in a splendid mossy color.

A poor photo of the other side of previous picture. Shows the back and flap that will be shaped by Timtex.

One of my favorite fabrics EVER - happy to have enough left in my stash for this prototype. Iron-on fleece has been applied for cushion.

Peak of flap, on the inside and attached to knitted swatch.

Completed showing other side of magnetic snap on flap. One fatal flaw that cannot be fixed - placement of that darned snap - it's 1/2" off and totally is disgusting to me. The stitching around the flap is off, too, and ripping would have been a nightmare, so it stays.

Sometimes, me being a perfectionist when it comes to my products, it’s hard to get past all the flaws I see and continue on. I must have been thinking this thing was going to go through WWIII on the battlefield the way it’s constructed. There isn’t an iPad or Nook out there that needs this kind of protection. It’s overkill. So now that the lessons have been learned, the red, purple and gray swatches can be constructed with more ease…. let’s hope.

I have a project coming up next that is ready to cut out of black and white print fabric with red accents. It will be a special gift to someone who more than deserves it – she knows who she is……. and I’ve decided to blog the process of the unique design bag she’s going to receive. Plus, Bill keeps asking me if I’ve started this project yet – so I know he is as anxious as I am to see it completed. So keep tuned in – I’ll try and do better at keeping the blog rolling, and not just throw stuff up on Facebook.

Happy crafting and may you all have a blessed rest of the weekend and relaxing Sunday!

Jan 29 2012

Lots of Half Finished Work But Getting Organized

So January isn’t over yet, which means there was still time to get regrouped for 2012. Did a bit of knitting, not much sewing. The sewing area was a disaster area – who was it that threw that bomb in there? So yesterday was moving “the room” day and getting some things organized and either thrown away, ready for eBay, or set aside to finish. You’d be amazed at how much I threw out. Many of you saw on Facebook how my new end of the family room looks so I can watch the TV that has more than basic cable on it.

This photo has four (4) projects that are knitted and ready for finishing into product. I’m really LOVING the really large “swatches” of cabling. But the deep purple piece on the left is going to hopefully be a stable in the store. It will end up being an iPad envelope sleeve when it’s complete.

purple, blue/yellow, turquoise, green fleck

The turquoise and green fleck has fabrics matched up to them already to get sewing on. When you ask? Not sure – but keep watching. Still not sure where to put all the interfacing types – it just seems the bed has always made a great spot for them! LOL

Interfacings........ ugh

One of the nightstands is still piled high with coordinating fabrics – each with a purpose. But where to put them? I sure don’t have a clue!

Plethera of Fabrics

One of our cedar chests has come to rest in the spare bedroom jammed full of the beautiful yarns I’ve collected. Someday, someday….

Cedar Chest FULL of Special Yarns

During all the organization of the ‘new’ area, I came across a lot of patterns for baby, toddler and kids clothing that I had every good intention of using. So those have been divided up and once done here, I’m off to eBay to get them all listed and outta here! The spare bedroom closet is jammed packed with crafting things, half of which need to fly out the door also. But another day for all that.

And then there’s always the ironing pile……… Ha! Happy Sunday everyone – and happy crafting. Keep those ideas rolling.

Jan 2 2012

MySupadupa.com

For those who are looking for a new way to get your items out on the web to sell, check out MySupadupa.com! I signed up for a storefront quite awhile ago and did not have time until today to get it set up. And I actually have three (3) items up and listed. Check it out, see if it possibly would fit YOUR needs!

The TygerLily on MySupadupa.com

Knitted journal cover on MySupadupa.com

Jan 2 2012

Just For Fun And I Didn’t Break the Bank!

With a new year comes new challenges and projects – is there any other way? Didn’t think so. Of course there’s always going to be the hand knitted handbags happening around here, but the sewing room needed something a little different going on. I have had an idea or three rolling around my head for a long time and yesterday, out of the blue, came an opportunity to stock up on items that can be upcycled in to new, useful and fun things to offer.

Those of you who follow me on Facebook probably saw all my excitement over thrift store finds yesterday. Yes, I purchased 7, yes SEVEN men’s suit coats. Bill was honestly intrigued by the idea mulling around in my head, but had to try on each suit coat, just to make sure HE couldn’t use them! Bill and I are both short people, and finding a coat that doesn’t have arms down to our knees is always a challenge. Hence, none of them fit him, all were too long. But for TygerLily and Journal Junction, it was a relief! Suiting fabrics are beautiful and professional. It is just a perfect fit for the organizational side of our creations.

We challenged ourselves to come up with a professional type combo item, such as a matched set of something. I found a perfect women’s tapestry jacket to upcycle for this project. So Bill could wrap his own mind around how it would work with only a small women’s jacket, I showed him how to get more bang for our buck and started cutting it apart – just to show how much fabric is really IN a jacket! You’d be surprised!!!

So before I go off and start getting some stuff done (like laundry), I wanted to share the photo of all the goodies purchased at two of our local thrift stores yesterday. For the price of a movie for two and a large popcorn, this is what we ended up with…..

Future Handbags, Totes, iPad covers and Journal covers.......

There are hundreds of key chain rings in that little bag and under that is a box of FIVE vintage broaches that I found, which got polished up last night. The stores obviously wanted to clear their racks, and I was more than happy to help them out. I did sneak one summer sweater out of the group and put it aside for myself to actually wear. tee hee

It’s time to write up an application to a crafting throwdown and enjoy one more cup of joe. May you all have a wickedly fantastic day, and please keep checking in now that we’re back up and in the swing.

Blessings, my friends.

Nov 27 2011

CRS Palm Holder

I was enjoying a little conversation with my sister the other day over on Facebook, and she requested a special little mini portfolio that would accommodate her Palm Tungsten and a pad of paper. Yes, we are sisters obviously. Neither of us can give up the feel of paper and pen. So this is what I came up for her with some of the left over fabric from the large size iPad portfolio I had completed earlier. Excuse the photos, I was in a hurry as there is a lot to do today.

Pink Poppy CRS Portfolio

CRS Mini Port Magnet Closure

CRS Mini Port Open - Showing Velcro ready for her to attach to her Palm

You may ask what the CRS in the name means. As my sister couldn’t remember either while I was teasing her, it only made the name more appropriate. “Can’t Remember Sh**” Palm holder, because we need to write down with pen what we need to put in our electronic organizers! It’s perfect and I totally understand what she means. I’m the same way. So hopefully this will be something a little fun and bright for her to use.

Accomplished some projects yesterday, two of which I forgot to photograph before bagging up. Those two were winter ear warmers for my son-in-law’s aunt to give as gifts. So that was two down. Then there was a request for a baby pixie hat in my FB inbox from a co-worker who had moved on and had a baby. This is what got made from the photo she sent me of what she wanted….

Yellow Baby Pixie Hat

I couldn’t find anything round to display this on without having to scrub an old hamster exercise ball. tee hee So the chair just has to do it. This was a really fun project and trying to figure out how to get a pixie point on top was fun! Even got out the old knitting encyclopedia to make sure I was doing the right thing. Success!! So that’s ready to ship out to her tomorrow.

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving with our oldest daughter and her family. Hopefully her kids will give us many ideas for Christmas gifts. Since it’s a ‘handmade’ Christmas this year, it could be tough, but we’re going to sure try.

Nov 13 2011

Happy Baby Time & Goodbyes

It has not been a very productive weekend, but that’s okay. Sometimes we have to sit back, and let the world roll along. This was a weekend to celebrate the comings and goings in our life.

Today there was a baby shower for a special couple who are expecting their 2nd girl in December. I do believe the mommy fought this idea of a shower saying that no one should have a shower for the 2nd. Well, I say why not? It’s a baby, it’s a celebration of life, and it’s a great excuse to be social and meet people. I am blessed to work along side the new daddy every day at work. A wonderful couple whose faith is in the Lord, and have one TON of fun each and every day. Bill and I chose to celebrate them with this today:

Sewn Diaper Bag before stuffing it.....

Bag with 'stuffage' included.....

Full and ready for gift bagging.

What a celebration of life – it makes every minute of sewing nothing but pure joy. And even though one never knows if the mommies and daddies are going to like what you give, this bag was more selfish than that even. This made ME feel good, no matter what. This came from my heart, and from the talent the good Lord entrusted to me. And that’s where the blessings are.

And then the baby that really started the TygerLily name and line is going out our door tomorrow to a new home. Someone purchased our cherished baby this weekend. So here it is, ready to meet Mr. Postman and meet the new owner.

Ready to box up....

So it’s now sealed, tissue paper bunched up in the belly of the bag and ziplocked into a plastic bag so no rain, snow or sleet could ever get to it. Bahbye to my baby that got me published. I will never EVER forget you.

One last thing to top off the weekend. A blogging friend’s daughter is starting to show flair and passion for design with yarn and fabric. So I packaged up as much yarn as I could SIT on and smuch up, sealed it and let her know that there would be yarn coming her daughter’s way from me. After the fact, she sent me a message to write a story of where I learned my craft, about the passion involved, etc. to her daughter. WHAT? I sweated over this for a little bit, but then sat down and without knowing it, wrote a very cathartic letter slash novel and printed it off. I don’t mail anything out without reading it to my husband. Whether the letter is what mom really wanted or not, when I read it back outloud it was quite hard for me to read and found myself choking up. THAT is what my passion is about, and she will be privy to the reasons why. Not many people know, and really, not many people care. But I was given the opportunity to share why and what TygerLily is really all about with a young person. I am truly grateful.

Thank you for checking in – it’s been slow around here with production, but one day, you just watch out what might come flying out at you!

Nov 6 2011

Coming Clean & A Peek at FB GiveAway Prize

Not a lot of creativity happening this past week due to some sort of vertigo issue which totally threw me (us) for a loop. It certainly impedes the creativity process with production, but it didn’t stop my brain from working and designing. With getting one extra hour last night due to Daylight Savings Time coming to an end, true to form I was up at five, which was now really four. No sleep for me, my brain was already in the Creation Room working on things. But coffee must come first along with catching up on all the creativity going on over in a group on Facebook that I’d been invited to join a week ago.

The Artisan Group is well worth wandering over to Facebook to check out. “Like” their fan page and you’ll get to see all the wonderful and GLORIOUS items this group of talented artists have done. Many posts direct you to where you can purchase unique gifts. I plan to do the majority of our Christmas shopping with this group. SO unique.

So anyway, now that I’m able to walk a straight line and my ears aren’t buzzing like a beehive, it’s time to come clean. Try to start anew. Be accountable.

My creative space is a disaster. Even though I know where everything is in this mess, it could still use some help with see-through bins, totes and open baskets. At this point, someone could actually get lost in there and not know how to get out! Thank goodness there is a double bed in there to take the load. I have a glorious walk-in closet in this room, but the lighting needs to be fixed, so things just get hauled out and not put back – because I can’t SEE! :) Where’s the maintenance dude? Yeah, that guy that rummaged through this area a week ago looking for glue and came out asking if I had enough purse handles stashed away. (To which I said, “I sure hope so!”)

TygerLily will be happy to accept any and all donations of see-through totes, baskets and lightbulbs you may want to hand over. LOL

Totally Disgusting - Doesn't it about make you want to scream, "What would your mother think of this??? GET IT CLEANED UP ALREADY!". Yeah, that's what I was thinking, too.

Overflow of things into the family room....... ugh

And Even A Work Area Upstairs (while the chef cooks)

All of it stares me in the face, constantly reminding me there are orders to fill, and wonderful handbags, gifts and sewn items that need to get done. I never seem to find time to clean or clear off – there’s always something going on. Which brings up a discussion my husband and his boss had a few weeks ago on a sales trip where they were discussing ‘wives’ and ‘maids’. His boss has a cleaning lady come twice a month. My dear heart said that sounded pretty good since his wife (get this) is a designer and there’s yarn and stuff ALL over the house! He called me a designer! It was a great boost to know that now Team TygerLily was a reality. Our August turn around in goals was getting worked on, and hard. I had more time to clean when we had 3 little ones in the house! :) But times change, and obviously so have we.

* On a side note – this weekend marks one year since my husband’s assault. His attacker has been charged and is now behind bars. He will be out of jail though years before the medical bills he caused will be paid off. BUT, he is somewhere where he cannot do this to another innocent person. In that we are grateful. One must ALWAYS find the good through the bad. As someone wise once said, “Will you be bitter, or BETTER?”

Bill will be taking the camera on his outing with his brothers today, so there may not be updates on projects completed. They are going hunting and he thought that if he proves unsafe for the hunting part because of his vision, he can sure capture some moments with the camera. Good thinking!

I’ve been a little ‘wordy’ today, but it’s been so long since I’ve written anything longer than just a word or two on a sticky note. With the Facebook Fan Page for TygerLily giveaway happening, I wanted to give you a little tease of what the prize could be. We are at 90 fans this morning and feel incredibly blessed by that number coming on already. So hopefully sometime this month someone could be the owner of this………..

SNEAK PEEK!!! What could it be???

That’s all you’re getting. :) The first prize I worked up just wasn’t hitting that home run for me, but this one makes me smile when I look at it. It’s all about having passion about what you do and create, and this one draws that part out of me – so it will get shared with someone. Could it be you? Get over to Facebook and check TygerLily out. :)

The “Blue Skies” bag is getting renamed to have the word, or a variation of, DAYDREAM in it. Sounds more appropriate for its cabling.

Enough rambling. It’s time to have another cup of joe and praise the Lord for another day!

Oct 29 2011

Houndstooth Professional (with some bling)

In every effort to get things that have been started, completed, this was the first on my list this morning. Ms. Houndstooth is complete and ready to photo at some point for the shop. These are pics of the handle process, of which you all need to remind me NEVER TO DO AGAIN! I think I have bruising on my ribs from turning those doggone things. :) Anyhow, here ya go…..

The WORST job I ever had to do.....

Securing handles with German glue and casing.

To this gem that sparkled on the deck for us this morning……

Business Glam!

The sequin rosette was the absolute perfect accent after struggling trying to decide if it should be a bow, a knot, or even detachable. The bow looked hideous, but that’s just my opinion. It went in the trash and I salvaged part of it and added the rosette. And yes, these babies are drying with that awesome German glue that never gives up.

Let me know what ya think, and thanks for stopping by! And remember to ‘like’ TygerLily over on Facebook. We are striving for those 100 fans and really want to reward someone with a gift.

Happy Saturday and onward we go to the next project that’s incomplete, and git-r-dun. :)

Oct 29 2011

Giveaway on Facebook

Tygerlily has built a Fan Page over on Facebook! If you would like to have your name put into a drawing for a give away when we reach 100 fans, just click the Facebook badge over on the left side of the blog. Then YOU will be entered! Not telling what the prize will be yet, that’s a surprise.

So get on over there and become a FAN! And then get some creating done yourself and show if off over on TygerLily’s fan page. We’d love to see what all you’ve been doing with your crafting.