PACKAGING - in store

Displaying Coffee Cozies in store has a slight disadvantage in presentation without a the coffee cup. Although there are possible solutions such as buying paper cups, and printing detailed tags or packaging, opting for a display method with simple materials is preferable.

By cutting a coffee cup silhouette from the cardboard backing of old notebooks, the coffee cozy well illustrated, while also being a fairly good reuse of materials.

NEW STUFF - custom orders

There are some new variations of products inspired by the custom requests.

From my first German customer, a variation of the Form Follows Coffee Cozy in gray with white print. I like the clean, minimalist new look.


A customer interested in the ABCD coasters hoped for a set of eight rather than four. We decided to do coasters with numbers 1-8.

These had such a great industrial feel, and now coasters numbered 1-4 are part of the product line.


One customer requested Mine Yours coasters as a set of 4, with one Mine and three Yours coasters. After another customer followed their request, they've been added to the line as well.


Those are some recent additions, but more to come for the Holiday season!

THROW PILLLOWS - tutorial

These throw pillows were made as a gift for my friend Andrew. Looking through scrapbooks, I was inspired by the look of linen, burlap, and hemp mixed with simple red stitching and dyes. After some experimental decorative stitching, I was ready to create Andrew's throw pillows.

supplies:

- fabric (I used osnaburg)
- decorative thread (red)
- fabric matching thread
- fiber fill

1. Measure and cut 2 panels (front and back) of fabric about 1/2" larger than you're desired pillow size. Here I cut 4 panels for 2 pillows, each 16.5 x 12.5 in.

2. Create a guide for decorative stitching. I used masking tape, however there are many ways to do this. Place guide about a 1/4" from the location of your desired stitch.

3. Align your guide to the outside edge of your sewing machine's pressure foot, and follow as you sew your decorative stitch. To create thicker and thinner variations of decorative stitching, set your machine's zigzag stitch on a short length and a wide width such at .5 to 5. Continue stitching on all panels, moving the masking tape as needed to create guides for additional lines. Here, I stitched two panels with horizontal lines and two with vertical lines.

4. Pin right sides of 2 panels and sew together, leaving about a 2" open at the bottom. Trim edges to reduce bulk.

5. Turn inside out, iron edges and 2" gap.

6. Stuff opening with poly-fill and pin closed.

7. Either hand stitch the opening closed, or sewed along all edges to create an elevated seam (as shown).

Finished pillows!

ETSY - packaging

Simple yarn, InboundThread logo tag, a little tissue paper, plastic bag to keep water safe, and a thank you note. :)

TRAVELS-acadia national park

Greeting from Acadia.......



.......it's a long way down!

WISH LIST - factory stools

We have a small breakfast bar, but only use it for prep. We don't really need bar stools, as we have a dinning table....but it would certainly be nice. I'm pretty set on getting factory/industrial style stools. Here are a few I'm liking.

$96.99, Safco Diesel Series Industrial Stool, School Outfitters

$159, Cooper's Small Draftsman Stool, Wisteria


$195, Modern Times Factory Stool, Sundance


$199, Turner Stool, Crate and Barrel


$295, Vintage Barstool, Restoration Hardware


$295, Motorcycle Beechwood Stool, Slowshirts

$495, c. 1920's industrial toledo metal furniture co. stool, Urban Remains

WISH LIST - wall decor

My birthday is coming up, and as such I've complied an unlikely wish list. I've had my eye on these pieces for awhile.

Tulips are my favorite flower, and I love the sketchy hand drawn feel of this Merrimeko tapestry. Would be great on canvas stretchers over a bold or darkly painted wall.

TULIP, Designed by Maria Korpi-LJUNGBERGS
$70.00 at Textile Arts

I love what Ork Posters has done with city neighborhoods, not to mention I've been looking for something to add a punch of red.
$22 at Ork Posters

The shapes and yellow heart that make up this handprint poster from House Industrials is really great.

Marilyn Neuhart Logo Large

$35, at House Industries

TISSUE POCKET

For my mother's birthday this year, her main gift was essentially a gift card. As not to just give her an envelope, I wanted to make her an additional something. I decided a Tissue Pocket would be a cute little handmade gift, as it creates a nice presentation for the card, while also useful for upcoming cold weather sniffles.

There are quite a few tutorials online for these, but I followed this Tissue Holder Tutorial from Joanna at Stardust Shoes.

As this project uses small cuts or remnants, I didn't mind making a practice piece for myself, in case I messed up (which I did). This one was made with strips of Arcadia Retreat Bark Leaves printed cotton and osnaburg.


For my mother's tissue pocket, I did just a strip of mauve cotton with osnaburg, as she usually keeps a variety of pink toned accessories in her purse.


After I made mistakes on my initial Tissue Pocket, the second was easy. This pattern would be good for small holiday gifts this winter.

FALL IN

Enjoyed the last weekend of summer motorcycle camping on a Harley Electra Glide Motorcycle. Usually the passenger of a Honda Shadow, this was a luxury experience. Here we are riding through Myles Standish State Forest in Carver, Ma.


Summertime came and went so quickly, I can't believe we're already two weeks into September. Luckily, Autumn is my favorite season! I love the smells, the crisp air, and the colors.

The already cool weather has inspired me to begin a fall crochet project. Browsing Ravelry patterns, I came across this Convertible Cowl pattern by Justess Designs. An easy and stylish project, I look forward to wearing it soon!

CHAIR COVERS

Chair Cover design.

Made with 1/4" gray wool industrial felt, and equipped with adjustable D-ring straps. This chair cover adds interest and an industrial look to any basic folding or standard chair.