Sew Sew Showoff!: Paris Themed Pillowcases

Every person has a dream vacation spot. For some reason, I've always had this strange fascination with Australia and plan on making my way down under some day. My BFF's dream spot is Paris. She's always talking about it and even plans on learning some French so she won't feel like a complete goober when she takes her leap over the Big Pond.  So, as her birthday approached, I actually put some thought into her gift and decided to make her some Paris themed pillowcases.  I even came up with a cheesy line about Paris, pillowcases and dreams but thankfully I kept that one to myself. :-)  

They turned out even better than I imagined! I purchased the Paris Fun fabric from HisandHersFabrics on Etsy and the polka dot fabric from Joann Fabrics.  And a special thank you to the lady who helped me decide that the polka dots were the best option for the border. I swear, Joann's has the nicest people shopping there!

My BFF loved her pillowcases and plans on taking them with her when she finally dons her beret and sets off on her journey. Maybe I can get her to take pictures of the pillowcases at different Paris landmarks like school kids do with stuffed toys? Ha! Probably not, but I can dream, can't I?

Keep It Funky!

Tammi

Sew Sew Random!: Crazy Photoshop

Courtesy of Everett Hiller

During my random browsing of the wonderful World Wide Interweb, I came across this website, Twisted Sifter, which seems to be a blog about damn near everything and whose objective is to: educate, entertain and inspire each and every day. And let me tell you, I was definitely entertained as I read/looked at their post about this super awesome graphic designer named Everett Hiller who photoshops celebs into his holiday party pics. 

Ok, I will be the first to admit, I am not a Photoshop expert. Honestly, all I know how to do is crop pictures in that mothersucker so needless to say, I'm easily fooled by photoshopped pictures. But seriously, this guy is amazing, 'cause I really thought Barack was chillin' in somebody's kitchen! And doesn't Ryan Gosling (looking super dorky, by the way) look like he's really there?! 

Check out all Everett's holiday pics here: http://imgur.com/a/s6dgU/all#52  You won't be disappointed.

Keep It Funky!

Tammi

Tammi Tries It! - Onesie Dress

For baby Kinley

This is the year of the baby. Actually, the last couple of years have been the years of the baby. Must be something in the water 'cause I think about 85% of my girlfriends have either had babies in the last year or are knocked up at this moment in time. All this to say, I've made quite a few baby items in the last few months.

So I was so excited when I found this Onesie dress tutorial because one of my good friends just had a beautiful, round headed baby girl named Kinley. Stephanie over at Barefoot In The Kitchen put together a super easy tutorial. Not only was it really simple but it was super quick, too! I whipped up two in like an hour!

She's a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll!

My only issue was the ruffle bottom. I've only tried ruffles once or twice and they ended up looking a hot ass mess.  And I know practice makes perfect but I just don't have the patience to try to perfect the ruffle. Whenever a pattern calls for one, I change it to the easy peasy pleat. Which is what I did for this tutorial and it still turned out super cute!  And Kin-Kin wears them so well. How can you not love that little face?!

She's trying to hypnotize you with her eyes!

Keep It Funky!

Tammi

Sew Sew Showoff!: Bachelorette Party Wet Bags

Vegas bound, baby!

I'm posting this for no other reason then to say: "Lookie what I made!" :-) A bride-to-be wanted some fun bridesmaids gifts for her bachelorette party and ordered 18 wet bags in funky fresh fabric. Hope they have an awesome time in Vegas!

Keep It Funky!

Tammi

Tammi Tries It! - Reversible Jumbo Tote

Courtesy of  Craft Passion

I am a complete and utter tutorial junkie. I've got a million bookmarked on my computer and a million more printed out and organized in binders. So, one day after coming home from the grocery store and shoving more plastic/paper bags underneath my already junky sink (see below), I decided no more!

I'd bookmarked this awesome tutorial for a reversible tote bag over at Craft Passion and obviously it was time I made some. Joanne of Craft Passion found some really cool fabric at Ikea so I decided to give their fabric section a try.  

And I'm so glad I did. I came across this Ullabella fabric of four colorful women sun bathing and immediately fell in love! And for only $4.99 a yard, it was a steal.  I had a couple of snafus (which is par for the course with me) but my seam ripper is my BFF and I finished up my tote just in time to go grocery shopping. All the cashiers at Trader Joe's loved my bag. And why wouldn't they? My shopping tote is amazeballs!  

Keep It Funky!

Tammi

Pillowcases For A Cause

Courtesy of Dana Made It

Who knew a simple pillowcase could bring so much joy? There are dozens and dozens of organizations that use pillowcases to give back to the community. My favorite so far is ConKerr Cancer, founded by Cindy Kerr, who began making pillowcases to cheer up her son and brighten up his hospital room when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2002.  He loved it so much, she began making pillowcases for the other kids in the Oncology Unit and ConKerr Cancer was born.

After I discovered ConKerr Cancer last year, I couldn't wait to use my fledgling sewing skills to create some funky pillowcases! They make the process incredibly simple, too. You can download the easy peasy pillowcase tutorial here or use the one that I followed at Dana Made It.  Once you're done, find a Regional Coordinator or local drop off site near you and send those suckers off to brighten up some kid's day!

"What if I can't sew?" you're wondering. Well, if you want to get involved, you can donate. Your money or your time.  Every little bit helps.  And you better believe I'll be revving up my sewing machine to make some more pillowcases real soon!

Keep It Funky!

Tammi

Funky Find Friday! - Carolyn Crump

If this week's post on Thread Sketching/Free Hand Embroidery were an ice cream sundae, then today's Funky Find would be the cherry on top! I came across this talented lady last year and I couldn't believe what she can do with a needle and thread. 

Carolyn Crump 

Her name is Carolyn Crump and she's a fiber artist (one of my new favorite terms) who lives in Houston, Texas.  She goes a step further from Thread Sketching to actual Thread Painting which as you can see is amazing and takes some serious talent.  She uses quilts as her canvas of choice.  These are two of my favorite pieces.  And yes, these are quilts!

Red Scarf Soliloquy by Carolyn Crump

African Attitude by Carolyn Crump

Carolyn also creates abstract artwork and sculptures. Check out her awesomeness here.

If you know of something wild and wacky that you think would be perfect for Funky Find Friday, shoot me an e-mail at sewsewfunky@gmail.com

Keep It Funky!

Tammi