It's so easy to collect fabric. It's beautiful and it feels good to the touch. It's not all that expensive for a small cut, and when you see something you love it's hard to know if you'll be able to find it again. In December I began keeping weekly financial records for my business. Looking…
New Sewing Pattern: Stella the Owl
Look who's coming! I'd like to introduce you to Stella the Owl. Stella is made from a single fat quarter of quilting cotton, plus some scraps of accent fabric. It's so fun to pair prints for her wings and body, then choose another for her feet. I made three owls, but I could keep going…
Benji the Bumblebee: A New Pattern
I've got a brand new pattern in my shop today! I'd like to introduce you to Benji the Bumblebee. I designed this guy in the middle of a very long, cold New England winter. His bright smiling face cheered me up while we waited for green grass and longer days. I made Benji for Stitch…
Penguin and Egg Reversible Toy!
Guess what I've been working on? Something is about to hatch. Hmmm…Could it be a baby penguin? Yep! Hello little guy. The pattern for this penguin and egg reversible toy will be ready soon… +++++ UPDATE! The Penguin and Egg Reversible Toy pattern is now in my shop! Thanks everyone!
Fun Easter Project: Make a Chick and Egg Reversible Toy
Easter is just around the corner, March 31 to be exact, and somebody is getting ready to hatch! Hmmm…who could it be? Yes, I think I know! A little chick! This chick and egg reversible toy is one of my best selling patterns. It's easy to make (start to finish in a little over…
Squeaky Snakes: A Softie Pattern In the Making
I'm fascinated by how ideas evolve. I little while ago I described how my turtle pattern changed over the course of five years, eventually resulting in Scooter the Turtle and today I have another example to share. Right after I finished the manuscript for The Artful Bird I began to experiment with designing new animals….
New Pattern: Animal Rattles 2nd Edition
I'm very excited to have a brand new pattern in my shop today! This one is a continuation of my original plush animal rattles with three new designs: a bear, a bunny, a puppy. You can sew one of these rattles in under an hour and they make a super sweet handmade gift for a…
Shelley the Snail: A New Sewing Pattern
Look at me turning lemons into lemonade! I love Shelley the Snail. She's got a rainbow shell, and a pretty pink body, and look at those lashes! I even made her a best friend. And I here's a snail joke for you: "What did the snail say when she was riding on the turtle's back?"…
Handmade Gifts to Sew for Tweens: Animal Neck Pillows
I was just at the toy store with my two younger daugthers. I noticed they have a whole section devoted to tween girls now. Lots of tie dye, cute erasers, temporary tattoos, pencil pouches, and…neck pillows! I have a bunch of really fun patterns for babies, like the Lovey Dovies and the Baby Bear and…
Scooter the Turtle: A Softie Pattern In the Making
Earlier this week I was talking about looking backward as a way to move forward. I seriously do this all the time and it works like a charm. At the heart of things, the initial spark of excitement about an idea is still there, even if I wasn't able to perfect the finished result when…