Author Archives: Phyllis

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New Patchwork & Quilt Art on iPhone Cases!

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I upgraded to the new iPhone 4S and wanted to create my own case! Since I’m headed to the International Quilt Market in Houston this week, I wanted something “quilty”.  So I used patachwork quilt art that I created to design my iPhone case. While I was at it, I created several more quilt iPhone cases along with several other items including the mug below for my Zazzle store. The bottom iphone case shown in black comes in several color choices of background colors.

iPhone 4/4S case created with patchwork quilt art

iPhone 4/4s case created with Patchwork Quilt ArtiPhone 4/4s case created with black patchwork quilt blocks

I bought the top case.  It was the first one I designed and I ordered it immediately afterwards so I will get it in time for Quilt Market. I can’t wait to get it so that my iphone is not “naked” any more and is protected with bright colors. I will be creating more quilt inspired products so please check back.

I hope you have a bright and cheery color filled day!

Phyllis

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Organization Tips for Sewing and Craft Rooms and Repurposing Thrift Finds!

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I love comments you readers post to my blog or email me. Today, I want to feature one of my readers, Dee Fox of Cedar City, UT who had a prior business of helping people organize their homes. She posted a comment on my recent blog post on spray painting my filing cabinets for my studio redecorating.  I emailed her and she mentioned that she loved finding unique thrift items to refinish for her sewing room and  how she had it organized. I asked if she would mind sharing some of her finds and tips with you.

Dee lucked up when she found two filing cabinets in a thrift store for $7 each. What a find!! She immediately spray painted them and added another salvage of an old lid from a fish tank.  The result – a new desk. (Tip from Dee, light a vanilla candle to lesson the temporary smell of spray paint. I just love the smell of vanilla!)  I also love the rack with blue holders for markers and the button jars that she placed on the desk. Dee also keeps a dish of cat food handy for her cats, Fancy and Coco Bear.

Dee Fox painted filing cabinets

Dee found this small cabinet in her father-in-law’s garage and spray painted it blue. His loss, her gain! Its the perfect size for storing her fat quarters.

Old cabinet used to store fat quarters

She found this old cabinet for $40 at a yard sale.  Again, Dee painted it using a cheery red and uses it to store more sewing supplies.

Red storage cabinet for sewing supplies

Dee’s favorite organizing tip for craft or sewing areas is to group like things together. She keeps everything she needs at arm’s reach for her sewing area as well as her cutting table and other areas. Keeping scissors, rotary cutters, rulers and other needed items close by prevents needless interruptions for trips to locate them as well as prevents time lost while searching for them.  A great example of keeping like things together is Dee’s stablizer holder that she sewed to hang close by.

Stabilizer holder made by Dee Fox

You can see from this photo that Dee is well organized and well stocked with her sewing supplies. I doubt she has to stop in the middle of a project and run to the store. You can also see that she makes great use of plastic containers and carts, which are ideal for storing craft and sewing supplies.

Dee Fox's organized sewing room

Dee also recommends that you make your space happy!  Doing so will make you want to spend more time in it.  I love this happy and decorative setting below where she uses little pots to hold fat quarters and a colorful lamp made with terra cotta pots.

Pots to hold fat quarters and lamp made with flower pots

When starting a project, Dee gathers everything for that project and keeps them togehter in a clear container.  She says the way she stays on track is to make lists for everything she needs to do.  She got away from making lists temporarily then realized she was not getting anything done. Being able to mark things off of a list also gives you a feeling of accomplishment.  Another tip is to always straighten your studio or work space at the end of the day so you don’t have to face a mess the next day.

Dee also shows that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great craft or sewing space or room. Repurposing old furniture or belongings, found or thrift store items is inexpensive as well as giving them a new life and giving you some unique items.

I love repainting things and am delighted at seeing Dee’s repainted treasures. Paint is inexpensive yet gives you such dynamic results and a quick makeover as well as create a mood. So keep your eyes peeled and imagine what something would look like with a make-over.

Thanks, Dee, for allowing me to feature your amazing and very well organized studio!  I love seeing studios and yours is a real treat!

Phyllis

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Free Quilt Pattern Designed with Mary Engelbreit Fabrics

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“A Friend is a Gift” is the basis of Mary Engelbreit’s newest fabric collection for Quilting Treasures in their VIP Exclusive fabric line.  I designed this quilt and instructions for Quilting Treasures for their website. The quilt is designed around a central panel of “A Friend is a Gift to Give Yourself” tea party. Applique teapots are stitched in top and bottom borders to go with the tea party theme. The quilt size is 51″ x 57″, a perfect size for a wall hanging or to use for a throw with the cool weather arrives. (I’m down south, so the cool weather is not here yet.) To find this pattern, scroll down the selection of free quilt patterns. You may also be tempted to try some of the numerous other free patterns as there is large selection.

Mary Engelbreit Free Quilt Pattern from Quilting Treasures

I designed another quilt pattern based on Mary’s Sleeping Beauty fabrics that is also available for a free download from VIP Exclusive. Read about it in my prior blog post. With this great selection of patterns, you should be busy quilting!

Phyllis

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A Coat of Paint can do Wonders for the Studio Furnishings

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When I get the urge to redecorate or rearrange things, nothing can stop me.  When I start focusing on a room, the ideas just hit me and I have to do something. My husband hates it when I’m siting quietly and my eyes and head are in a constant state of turning and looking (not quite like in The Exorcist because my head doesn’t turn all the way around). It usually means something is going to change

Since I spend most of my time in my studio, I tend to frequently move things around, repaint the walls and so on.  OK, I’m really tired of putty colored filing cabinets.  They are so blah!  So after hitting the stores looking for a good color, I decided on just the right shade of light aqua by Rustoleum, my favorite color.  I couldn’t wait to get home to start spraying this beautiful color on this 2-drawer filing cabinet  which is outside drying.  The color in the photo is more intense and darker than the aqua actually is because its in the late day shadows but take my word for it, it’s great! I have a couple more cabinets to finish and am excited at the way this one turned out. But I have to space myself and get some work done in between painting them.

Phyllis Dobbs painting filing cabinet turquoise

Go ahead and make some changes in your space. Even the smallest changes can make a difference.

Phyllis

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Classes and More from The Creative Connection

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This has been a busy week, unwinding and getting back in the flow after attending the amazing Creative Connection Event held in St. Paul. Days 2 and 3 were devoted to classes, various panels, and other speakers and panels at breakfast and lunch.  (My prior blog post detailed the first day with exciting BlogHer panel discussions.) I chose to take 4 classes on these 2 days although there were several panel sessions I would have loved to attend.

Its always fun to have some arts and crafts play time and to work in different techniques than I’m used to.  There were many  classes to choose from but I chose to take all 4 of Traci Bautista’s classes with different focuses of art journaling.

There are so many surfaces you can journal on and, as shown by Traci, fabric is one of the surfaces that can be used.

Traci Bautista showing art journaling on fabric

Our table early during first class with our basic journal pages in process.

Art journaling class with Traci Bautista

Karen Embry and Brenda Pinnick are very intent on their journal pages.

Karen Embry and Brenda Pinnick in art journaling classIn another of Traci’s classes, she is explaining different page techniques and the binding of journals.

Traci Bautista talking about putting a journal togetherOur table in another class – lots more more product and lots of swapping between tables.

Art journaling class with paints and pens

A journal page I was working on during one of the classes.

Phyllis Dobbs art Journal page

Art journaling can get messy so its best to cover up both surfaces and clothes.  Its amazing that I didn’t get any paint on the shirt I brought to protect my clothes. If I had been in my studio, I would have had paint in my hair, on my face and all the way to my feet.  But it was impossible to keep my hands clean!

Phyllis Dobbs' hands covered with paint

On Friday evening, the event had a cocktail party with book signing by the authors in attendance.  I didn’t pass up a chance to have my picture taken with several of the authors.

Jo Packham, although the same height as me, is a giant.  She is not only the editor for Where Women Create and Where Women Cook, she is the co-founder of The Creative Connection Event. I know TCC event took a tremendous amount of planning, but Jo pulled it off to perfection.

Jo Packham and Phyllis Dobbs

Holly Becker is the author of the popular decorating blog Decor8 and her book Decorate is an international best seller. Holly is a tremendous speaker and was the dinner keynote speaker Thursday night along with Christina Ferrare.

Holly Becker and Phyllis Dobbs

Kelly Rae Roberts, author of Taking Flight, was also part of a very informative breakfast panel of speakers.

Kelly Rae Roberts and Phyllis Dobbs

And I love this group photo at Crafty Chica’s (Kathy Cano-Murillo) signing, left to right – Eileen Hull, myself, Ann Butler, Kathy – Crafty Chica, Karen Embry, and Brenda Pinnick.

Crafty Chica at author signing at The Creative Connection

I remain inspired from this event and am already looking forward to next year’s. If you are thinking of attending, you won’t be disappointed!

Have a inspiring day!

Phyllis

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Back from The Creative Connection Event – Inspired and Amazed!

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Back from The Creative Connection event held in St. Paul last week, I returned home inspired and amazed (plus exhausted!). Not wanting to miss a minute of it, I attended everything from early morning until late at night and then met friends to talk even later (meeting in our PJ’s with a glass of wine in hand). Everyone I spoke with was just as thrilled with the events. Women attended from all 50 states plus 6 countries. I talked with a talented artist from Slovakia and a woman from Melbourne Australia. Both visited the US just to attend TCC.

After checking in, I was delighted to see the view from my window of  the Mississippi River across the street. I meant to walk over to it, but there wasn’t a spare minute to leave the hotel.

Mississippi River view from my hotel in St. Paul

The 3 days of the event were filled with panels, speakers, classes, and social activities.  I have so much to write about, I am going to present my coverage in two parts – BlogHer with technology and then the creative part with classes and much more.

The first day of TCC was sponsored by BlogHer Handmade and was focused on technology for blogging and social media. I learned so much from the panels. I thought I had already learned a ton from past conferences/seminars that I have attended, but so much more was presented by BlogHer panels. Please check out the links to the blogs for these talented women.

BlogHer Panel presenters

The panelists from the first panel I attended are from left to right Marie LeBaron (Makes and Takes), Mena Trot (Sew Weekly),  Corinne Leigh (previously on ThreadBanger) and Megan Jordan (Velveteen Mind).

It was tricky taking pictures with all the various lighting types in the hotel so the photo for another panel did not turn out. The presenters were fabulous – Alicia DiRago (Dismount Creative), Anne Kuo Lukito (Crafty Diversions), Megan Auman (CraftMBA) and Tara Gentile.

BlogHer founders in panel discussion

Two of the 3 founders of BlogHer were the panel for the Keynote luncheon Friday. Elisa Camahort Page (right) and Jory Des Jardins (center) told of founding BlogHer.  Nancy Soriano (left) led the panel discussion. The third founder, Lisa Stone, was unable to attend.

It was interesting to hear each of these women tell of how they started their businesses as well as the technology they presented.

A group of fiends at a panel discussion

Here I am with friends at a table during one of the panel discussions Karen Embry, myself, Brenda Pinnick and Eileen Hull.

The Creative Connection event was co-founded by Jo Packham, editor of Where Women Create and Where Women Cook and Nancy Soriano.  I extend a huge thanks to them for their starting this event!

Check back for part 2 of The Creative Connection of classes, author signings and more. The classes were fun – I love to work in a new direction or medium than I am accustomed to.

Phyllis

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Redux – Sew a Spider Apron for Halloween

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Halloween is rapidly approaching. It always gets here before I’m ready and I have to make a mad dash the day before to stock up on candy for the trick or treaters. Thinking that I would be more prepared this year, I decided to repost my apron pattern for this Spider Halloween apron in advance to give you plenty of time to sew one.

This pattern is available at Etsy WhimsyColor.

Spider Halloween Apron Free Pattern

The body is the spider is a pocket and rick rack is used for the legs. Jumbo orange rick rack embellishes the bottom edge. The apron is easy to make and can be sewn in just a couple of hours (you can even make it Halloween morning or the day before). You can wear it if you are helping your kids with Halloween festivities at school or elsewhere or just as an accent while walking with your own trick or treaters.

Have a creative day!

Phyllis

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Off to the Creative Connection Event!

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I am looking forward with excitement to The Creative Connection Event, co-founded by Jo Packham, Editor in Chief of “Where Women Create” and “Where Women Cook”.  Held in St. Paul, MN starting September 17, this is the 2nd year of the Event. I decided to attent after hearing great things about last year’s event.

Creative Connection Event by Where Women Create

Geared toward creative women, the event focuses on handmade and on food and cooking. I guess I don’t have to tell you that since I had to choose one direction, I chose handmade. In addiiton, a day will be devoted to social media and blogging.

And, Pitch Slam slams are being held one afternoon where one can pitch a product or literary idea to a panel of professionals for each of several fields. The Pitch Slams are limited to 9 people for each category, with the 9 people selected randomly.  It was a “whoohoo!” moment for me when I found out that I was selected for one of the pitch slams. So, I am busy working on my “product” to pitch in a time frame of 3 to 4 minutes.

The Creative Connection Event will also have a market place and a book store, 2 of my favorites for any event!

I haven’t been to St. Paul, but have been to Minneapolis a few times and love the area. I’m especially looking forward to visiting the area and attending the event! All this plus some good friends who are also attending should all combine for an inspirational few days, learning new things and great networking.

Check back as I will write all about my experiences at TCC!

Phyllis

 

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Chick Power – Sassy Chickens and Roosters on New Products

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“Chick Power”, a whimsy art collection of chick and roosters was created to bring smiles! I painted this series of  four chicks and two roosters with humorous word sayings to go with their activities of having a good time. Painted in bright colors, the series features “Kick up your Heels”, “Wine a Little”, “Live It Up”, and “Queen of the Hunt” for the chicks. For the roosters there are “Strut Your Stuff” and “Play a Little” (How many of you have seen a golfing rooster?).

These whimsy chick and rooster images are now available on over 80 products in my Zazzle store and can be fully customized. Below are samples of the products available from my “Chick Power” collection.

 

Available products include stationary (cards, invitations, etc), aprons, mouse pads, tee shirts, shopping bags, mugs, aprons and much more.

Put a little Chick Power in your day!

Phyllis

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Free Quilt Pattern for Mary Engelbreit Sleeping Beauty Fabrics

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Ah, the romance of fairy tales!  I have always loved them and especially Sleeping Beauty.  Mary Engelbreit’s newest fabrics for Quilting Treasures feature her wonderful illustrations of this favorite classic for her Sleeping Beauty fabric collection.

I enjoyed working with these beautiful fabrics to create this quilt pattern for Quilting Treasures.  Sized to fit a twin size bed, it will make any  girl feel like a princess! I think the colors are wonderful and very feminine.

The quilt is composed of two quilt blocks, both simple so that you can easily complete your quilt.

Mary Engelbreit's Sleeping Beauty fabrics free quilt pattern

Have a beautiful fairy tale of a day!

Phyllis