My Creative Space

In the heat of work, there is no time for cleaning. You should see my hands - I always forget to put on my gloves in my haste. Now check out what everyone else is doing in Kootoyoo's My Creative Space

Thrift Store find gets a slipcover makeover

Here is a perfect example of how a slipcover can change the look of a piece. This was a thrift store find. Nice bones, wrong colour and a little worn. I made the slipcover from a low pile chenille that fits like a glove.

Before


After




Stay tuned for more transformations.

Bar Stool Makover with a Slipcover

This stool was cursed with the blahs.




A slipcover gives it punch and adds new life.




I made the piping detail out of leather.

My Newest Addition

My very good friend who works in a real-estate office rescued this 30 year old serger from a grow op and gifted it to me! I was thrilled to have this vintage beauty in my studio. After a tune-up and several broken needles (well, I had to get to know him, didn't I?), we are off to a great start.

I have named him Herbie in honour of his 'roots'. BTW did you know that an upper looper needle costs $40?!? -- Let's just say that I won't be breaking any more needles in a hurry.

Stay tuned for exciting projects.....

Office Chair Slipcover

This office chair was looking fugly and blah. My Sewlution was to make a slipcover for it.

Slipcovers are great because it instantly changes the look without too much of an investment. I used a red and white check matelasse fabric and threw in some menswear waistband interfacing for the skirting.


Before & After


The Frilly Details:




Watch for more slipcover Sewlutions!

Much to do in 2011

Thank you to everyone that kept me hopping in December. January is proving to be equally busy in the studio. Changing things around and adding new stations is challenging when you have orders to get out. I will try to show these changes this month.

I had lost my painting table because of my new industrial serger (more on that at a later date) so I had to come up with a space saving solution. This pull out painting tray is what I came up with. I used the tracks from those kitchen pull-out bins and went from there.


Cut out your hole.


Drop in plastic tray.


Fill the plastic tray with colour.


Pull out when you need to do your painting, staining or dyeing.


Push in the mess and save some space!


I am very pleased and will get around to painting the edge of that board this year.

New Leather Bags

New to the shop but old on my drafting table. I last mentioned I was working on something here. I ended up making this bag that I have been wearing almost daily and every time someone new saw it I would get a nice compliment.

Well, I finally got it off the drafting table and onto the sewing machine. These 2 ladies are what I have for sale in my shop right now.


I will be making more of these so keep an eye on my shop!

My Creative Space

Leather Zip-around Wallet


This baby almost killed me - really! Now I know why there are not many of these types of wallets around :-) This is my 4th draft and I am keeping this one for my troubles. I might just end up making this a made to order item in my shop.

More Creative Spaces here!

Pressing Matters

My newest addition to the sewing room is 2 months old now. I just realized that I haven't showed it off. It is a steam generator iron by DeLonghi. It is very powerful and does the job. I am loving the cork handle too. My one complaint is that I can not tell how much water is in the base :-/

As you can see, my pressing station is in a state. I am also trying to make room for my new addition of an industrial serger that has been gifted to me by my friend.......Stay tuned.......

Upcoming Show Alert!!

Please join me Sunday, November 21, 2010 for the inaugural
Christmas Fine Craft &
Decorative Art Show and Sale
in beautiful Cobourg. For more information check out the blog.

Sneak Peak

I drafted this pattern for a long wallet last year but forgot about it. Last night I stitched up the prototype and it is now my everyday wallet.

Inside showing snap pocket for change. I will be adding so more pockets for the roll-out.

Neo-Politan Tri-fold Leather Wallet

I spent part of my July working out the kinks on my newest wallet. I have made many prototypes of it using various weights of leather before deciding on this one. If anyone is interested on these prototypes, please let me know :-)

The Back:


See more here!

Where oh where did my July go?

July has always been my favourite month and not just because I was born in July. July is usually warm and sunny. July is also the first full month that students no longer study and yes, I was born in July.
This July was extremely full for me. I had elective surgery, suffered from motion sickness, had many many projects on the go and I celebrated another birthday!

Today marks the first day of August. Usually this months makes me sad because I know the warm days are coming to a close. This year, I plan to make August the best one yet because in the face of change, I must be brave, hopeful and have faith.

My Creative Space

Err, mess! - need I say more? While my desk is looking out of sorts, go on over to Kootoyoo's blog for more Creative space stories.

Thrift Store Vanity

My bathroom has needed a new vanity and sink since we moved in and that has been almost 10 years now!



When I found this little gem a my local Value Village and was so excited. Now that it is sitting in my hallway I am feeling overwhelmed. I am feeling pressure to get it done fast so that my living area can get back to normal AND pressure in doing a good job. I think the top is soapstone and the molding on the front is not real wood, though the rest of it is. It weighs a tonne!

If anyone has any tips, please speak up!

Sometimes you need a little support

Remember the evolution of a studio chair? Well I finally got around to making a slipcover for an old chair pad I had. let's just say - my butt thanks me!

My Cabana

My Cabana just outside my kitchen.

At night
Here is how I did it:

Materials used on-hand and purchased:

Pressure treated wood - 2x2 & 2x4
- split bamboo on a roll
- deck screws
- 2 old pillows
- 1 new body pillow
- fabric to encase pillows (on hand)
- fabric for outer slip-cover (on hand)
- fabric for bolster (on hand)
- stuffing for bolster (on hand)
- 2 coated canvas (to prevent mildew)
- 4 curtain rods (dollar store)
- compound miter saw

Here is what I did:

1) make benches

2) made the cushions, cushion covers and bolsters

3) build the frame and attach the split bamboo

Make the curtains, install rods and hang.


Arrange




Add beautiful model et voila!


I may not have a pool boy nor a pool, but maybe I can convince the hubby to wear something skimpy, fan and spritz me with water while I sip my pina colada ;-)

CARA Leather Rosary Cuff

A few weeks ago I asked if anyone knows what C.A.R.A would stand for?





It stands for Christ Almighty Reigns Above. It is a stylish and cool reminder to wear and looks great on both women and men of all ages.