Sashiko Fabric Box

Here's a little something I made as part of a gift, a fabric covered box with sashiko (Japanese embroidery) bellflower accent.

I didn't take step-by-step photos but maybe these few will inspire you to make your own!

 

The purple and flower are representative of September. An excellent month if I do say so myself.

I traced the box that was going to be wrapped onto the wrong side of the grey fabric, outside of box against wrong side of fabric. Before cutting it out I hand embroidered the bellflower and added a 1/2 seam allowance. Then flipped the box so the inside was against the wrong side of the lining purple fabric, again adding 1/2 seam allowance all around.

Using Modge Podge in sections on the outside of the box, I glued the outer fabric to the box. The longest part of my creation here is the snipping of all those corners and the then carefully gluing down the flaps. I made sure to dab all inner corners with fabric glue to keep them from fraying out. Especially on the lid!
On the lining, corners were snipped, flaps pressed down and glued in place.

There are two little flaps that go under the lid which you'll see later. I cut them off because it just made it easier to wrap the box. I covered them separately, leaving the bottom (where they were cut off from the box) seam allowance hanging down and glued together. I then added them back, sandwiching that bottom seam allowance of the flaps between the box layers.

I placed and, in the case of the front ribbon, hand stitched the ribbons and reattached the side flaps before gluing the lining in place.

Binder clips came in really handy through this whole project as you can see from the above pics. They hold those corners and seams good and tight while drying, which is a must with all those layers bulking things up.

Here is a finished front view with the lid up.

 

This is all inspired by, and for, my Japanese grandmother if you couldn't tell. I filled the box with 2 dozen homemade cookies she likes (plastic wrapped!), a maneki neko, a bookmark, and origami. ♥

Feel free to ask any questions about the making of the box!
xx ~Static

Create 365 - Day 191 & 192

Okay, lots of stops and starts this past week. I have also just started studying for what hopefully will be a new (additional) career. Unfortunately, since I've been trying to figure out what works best in getting both studying and sewing done, I have only finished two days worth of 365-worthy stuff. The good news is that I think I've figured out how not to exhaust or stress myself out doing both.

Anywho, now for the good stuff. This cutie pie was a test doll to work out the kinks of what I have in mine for my gaggle of nieces this Christmas. I customized it to my taste since I'm keeping it. Here is my 13" tall Cutie Vamp Doll.

The ones for my nieces will not have fangs or bat dresses but you get the idea. The next ones will be twice as large, and will be fleece where this one is felt for the most part. They'll also be all machine stitched except for detailed bits. I'd never finish if I had to sew them all by hand!

This is counting as two days because the doll body was done one day and the dress was redrafted and sewn the next available stitchy day.

Well, time for me to get studying! Yay?

xx ~Static

Create 365 - 164 to 166

Day 164

A pair of Small Cotton Eyelet Lace Bows. Apx 3" wide with 2" french barrettes at the back. The barrettes are mirrored so one can be worn on each side of the head. Machine and hand sewn.

 

Day 165

A Large Cotton Eyelet Lace Bow! Apx 6.5" wide with a 2" french barrette.

 

Day 166

A sweet, smiling Sparkling Orange Halloween Neko!

 

I did skip a day of creating (not of the 365) but it was the fourth and we had company. I really could include that day here since I cooked like a mad woman (jambalaya, corn bread & a few dozen peanut butter chocochip cookies). But, I didn't take any pics and as they say on the interwebs: pics or it didn't happen. Right? ;) S'all good.

xx ~Static

Create 365 - 148 to 161

Okay, so, due to things that could not be controlled (migraines, my scattered creativity, an over-thinking brain and a bit of squashed hope) I am obviously way behind posting. I have been creating though! Here's what I've worked on during my blogging absence:

Day 148
Swirly wall switch.

Looks much better than they ugly, cracked thing that it originally was.

Day 149
Here is a Daisy Circle Skirt.

Oh wait, there is no pic yet because I wore it already and now it's in the wash. As soon as it is laundered and ironed I'll add it in. You'll just have to take my word on it.

I made another skirt for myself, hurray! I keep seeing cute skirts and dresses but so many are too short for my taste. I prefer knee-length or longer, thanks. I just don't want to be getting "friendly" with all the town every time I bend over, ya know?

Day 150 to 156
Seven new limited edition reversible headbands.

Top: Kittens and Cobwebs, Peaches and Screams, Pushing Up Daisies
Mid-Left: Peach Dreams
Bottom: Daisy Chain, Sweet Zombie, Candy Kittens

Click the pic to go see all 32 of the LE headbands I currently have available.

Day 157 to 161
Dahlia Barrettes, one of which which will be given away soon in celebration of breaking 900 on my shop's Facebook page!

 

It looks like I lost a little over a week's worth of creating but it couldn't be helped so I'll just soldier on. Hopefully I can keep up with my 365 a little better now and not take 2 years to finish it! We shall see, we shall see.

xx ~Static

Create 365 - Day 119 to 129

Where have I been? In a land far, far away. No, not really. I had a job interview and guests which combined to throw me off my (creative) game for a hot minute. But, I'm back on track and I have a stack of pretties to prove it!

There are nine reversible headbands on the left and two fabric origami on the right. I have three new fabric combos for the headbands but you're just going to have to wait for the individual pics to see them. The rest are remakes of sold out combos, and just as spooky cute, of course.

As for the fabric origami, they are folded just as if it were paper. No stitches! I love how they turned out.

Well, it's finally time for some shut eye. I need my rest since I've got a cheesecake to bake tomorrow and I might possibly be seeing Star Trek at the IMAX (squee!).

xx ~Static

Create 365 - Day 105

For a hot minute I thought I wouldn't have anything to post for today and I wasn't even feeling up to even folding origami. Damn it, weather and allergies, stop messing with me.

I did get the final touches on the chibi doll I was working on and just I got the go ahead to post a pic. Yay!

This is a custom ordered chibi version of Kayako Saeki, the mother ghost, from Ju-On. She has a reverse applique open mouth, hand stitched eyes and back part of hair, hand painted and splattered "blood", also hand painted bags around the eyes which are a little hard to see here. I am so glad the outfit worked out too because I totally winged it on the nightdress and matching panties.
She is finally ready to go to her new home and stop freaking me the hell out. Creepy damn doll, if I do say so myself.

Note to self: Never work on something like this again, late a night, when everyone but you is asleep. O_O

xx ~Static

Create 365 - Day 100

Woo, 100!

What did I make today? Why, miniature panties of course. Oh, and a matching dress. I'm actually posting a picture today because I realized no one is going to know what the heck this is until it's done. So, here is some headless doll booty!

Headless doll booty. Never thought you'd read that, am I right? You're welcome. ;) She does have a head, it just happens to be elsewhere at the moment. I'll have to come up with something else to show for tomorrow because this is the last you'll see of her until she's done.

xx ~Static

Create 365 - Day 98

Still working on the same doll. I should have just changed the type of fabric I was using for the body, but no, I have to be my usual stubborn self. The head looks good but I'm won't know about the body until I turn it and begin to stuff it. Which I'll save for dealing with after I've gotten some sleep.

Here's proof it really does exist. It's only a sneak peek, sorry.

And, here's some filling and somewhat healthy oatmeal muffins. The darker ones were baked with honey on top, the lighter ones without.

xx ~Static

Create 365 - Day 92

Two chibi dolls are done and ready to go to their new home. Meet chibi-Jonny Craig & chibi-Vic Fuentes!

"Hey, Jonny! What's up?"
"Ah, you know, touring and dodging screaming fangirls. You, Vic?"
"Yup, same old, same old."

I'll have better pics later when I'm slightly more awake and sure to have the camera in focus.

xx ~Static

Create 365 - Day 91

It's alive! Okay, not really, but it is finished. May I present to you chibi Jonny.

 

Now to finish up his buddy Vic.

I'm pretty tired so this post is short and sweet. See you on the flip side.

xx ~Static

Create 365 - Day 88

The chibi boys are coming along nicely. I would have gotten farther along but the cats decided to sing us the songs of their people on and off all last night. Plus, we had company today that instigated a non-stop Gears of War marathon. A very loud and distracting one. When you're already tired it doesn't help much in the creative works, at least not for me. No bigs.

So, here is an origami dinasaur (raptor, maybe?)...

...and headless chibi bodies *buhuhahaha*. Ahem.

Nite! xx ~Static

Create 365 - Day 87

Protip: Don't ever let your sewing machine go two years between oilings. Your machine is less likely to throw an epic fit in the middle of a bunch of projects.

After getting my machine running smoothly again, I have finished another pair of teensy tiny pants and two tee shirts.

I've also finished all the machine sewing for these two. I just need to turn the heads and bodies right side out, clothe them, stuff them, and then it's all hand sewing from here on out.

Then on to the next batch! But, we'll get to them later.

xx ~Static

Create 365 - Day 61

Today was a little slow going but I did make an apron for myself. I finally got to use some of the great fabric my friend, MyPrettyZombie, sent to me!

The only thing you can't see is a loop on the inside to able to hang it on a hook when not in use. I may add a pocket, even though I've never actually used one on an apron before. I'll definitely be adding a big bat applique though! I just don't want to place it and then possibly have to move it if I decide on a pocket. It's mine so there's no rush and it is completely functional as is. Just perfect for my Halloween kitchen!

xx ~Static

Create 365 - Day 53

I've been working on all sorts of things today that I can't really post about like patterns and custom designs . No fair, I know. Also photo edits, listings and other things on the "boring" side of my business.

All I can give you today is a tiny peek at a couple things I'm working on simultaneously and a neat little origami dragon (follow the link to try it yourself).

I'll have to try this origami dragon again sometime. I'm not *quite* happy with the bottom jaw. Still, not an easy fold and only 3.5" long when finished. I like it.

xx ~Static

Apocaly-post 2012

Huh, would you look at that, we are still here! It's been a bit since my last post but I was busy with the holiday rush, which is a good thing. Lots of made-to-order. Cthulhu and Krampus ornaments were pretty popular this year! Also, I had family prezzies to get done in amongst the orders:

Hand stitched princess crowns for the nieces,

fabric baskets (this is just one of a half dozen),

and even a Yeti Foot [sorry, Darien, I only got in one & it went to my uncle], among other things!

No rest for the wicked though, I still have plenty to get started for the new year. So many ideas, so little time.

I hope you have a Happy Howlidays and a fangtastic New Year!!

xx ~Static

June Reversible Headbands

What a distracting month it's been! Anywho, a couple of previous styles have been relisted but here are the new styles of reversible headbands for this month. Loving the turquoise fabric! If you didn't notice ;)

Top L: Tumbling Cats - Purple & Turquoise, R: Spiderwebs Over Water
Bottom L: Mirage Oasis, R: Chinese Flowers

As always custom requests on the headbands are welcome if you see two fabric I have that you would like together.

All right back to work for me, I've still got a lot of hand stitching of Hobbes-like stripes to finish(?) today. There's a progress photo of this on my FB page here.

xx ~Static

Why am I up so early?

The answer is the cats are out to get me. No, really, they are! *Looks around nervously* Whew, they're sleeping. For now.

Since I'm awake I thought I'd show you a couple things from my perspective. First thing in the morning...

That cup is full of delicious manna (coffee). Notice how nothing can be focused on until that nectar of the gods has been consumed? Powerful stuff. The tilt of the photo is due to my face being strongly attracted to the table top. The attractions wears off after awhile so no cause for alarm.

After a few sips of manna I was able to take a few more snaps. Here's the amazingly bright turquoise fabric I mentioned on FB along with some combos I'm probably going to go with for headbands (top matching to bottom).

You like?

And, last but not least, a pulled back view of what my kitchen table looks like when no one can hear me scream...

See that? Poor Hobbes won't even look.

Well, I'm off for more manna and then hopefully I'll work on my Tiger Buddy there for a bit -- I can only work on him a little at time for fear of hand cramps-- and then stitch up those headbands as a breather from His Stripeyness.

xx ~Static

May Reversible Headbands

Top L: Day of the Dead, Top R: Tumbling Cats - Green
Center: Tumbling Cats - Purple (SOLD but can be requested)
Bottom L: Bats at Sunset, Bottom R: Classic Bat

As always, I am happy to stitch up a Custom Order if you see two fabrics that I have that you'd prefer together, just convo me via Etsy!

xx ~Static

White Rabbit Art Doll

He's late for a very important date! With you. He really needs someone to serve him a spot of calming tea. The whole Wunderland thing still has him in a really tizzy.

♦ Height: Approximately 14.5" standing (not including those long ears!) & 10" sitting

His arms and legs are shunt-jointed with metal buttons & embroidery floss making him semi-poseable. His eyes are layered button. Mr. Rabbit's body is a printed white Cotton that makes me think of frost on a window, and has striped dark pink Jacquard inner ears. His vest is gold Brocade on one side and lined in grey Cotton blend. A matching snazzy bowtie is made of the same materials as his vest plus a little black grosgrain ribbon. Hand embroidered felt accents and detail work!

NOTE: This item is not meant for young children and prefers the touch of a "big kid" collector. This art doll can be played with, but gently.

I ship within the US and to Cnd, Aus, Jpn & the EU.

xx ~Static

November Reversible Headbands!

L to R:
♦ Naughty & Nice, Mystery at Midnight, Aztec Dream
♦ Pirate Wench, Rue Dreadful, Death Race
♦ Secret Garden, In the Cards, Roses for the Dead

Click the pic to see ALL Reversible Headbands currently available. More as soon as I can get to them!

xx ~Static