Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition 2012

Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition 2012

Earlier this month I caught wind of a little competition going on and decided to take part.

Umbrella Prints Competition 2012

I have purchased a 'Trimmings Pack' previously and enjoyed making the most out of all the little pieces I received, so I figured I was up for a challenge.

I selected a 'Cool' colour option...

This is what I received.

I photographed the pieces in different ways to see how they might go together.

And then I mixed them with other fabrics until I came up with combinations I was happy with.

And here are the finished items...

A bit closer...

There are 6 items in total

Back row L - R ... A little Glass Jar for special things, A vendor's Apron and a Fabric Bucket

Front row L - R ... A Fabric Envelope Clutch, A Visual Diary / Journal Cover and a Loyalty / Business Card Wallet.

The Vendors Apron

Displayed on a model which is a wee bit slimmer than I am...

But that's OK cause I made it adjustable...

I used three of the blue heart pieces from the trimmings pack for the front pocket.

I challenged myself and tried out something new ( for me ) - a zippered welt pocket.

I googled how to's and checked out the info here Ikat Bag and here Sew Mama Sew.

I am quite pleased with the result.

I have a space for a pen and my phone...

 and the loop on the left can be for...

 Scissors or...

 Keys.

The Fabric Envelope Clutch

I have made this the right size to pop a favorite pattern ( or two ) in...

And it has a little pocket too...

The Visual Diary / Journal Cover

The Elephant Fabric is such a wonderful statement piece.

Inside

I first learnt the technique I have used to construct this journal cover from a friend, Thanks Heather for showing me this, I have used it so many times and even tweaked it a bit to involve even less sewing! 

The Fabric Bucket

Scrappy raw edge applique on the front.

Handles on each side.

Red spotty fabric on the inside - I love spots.

and...

The Back, featuring a little piece of selvedge from the Elephant Fabric.

It says Australia and has the Umbrella Prints logo.

Loyalty / Business Card wallet

This is very Japanesey with the colours and the sashiko stitching.

Inside - nine roomy card pockets.

I have stitched the fabric name - Grand Hearts - from the selvedge of one of the pieces, onto the inside bottom right, I should say, that this fabric was just like the blue hearts pieces I used on the apron pocket only much larger.

Opened out.

These were the most challenging of all the pieces, but I am quite pleased with the end result. I like the organic look of the shapes and the red stitching.

Decorative Glass Jar

There are two Elephant Fabric selvedges sewn together with a plain linen selvedge piece along with a scrap of hessian, stitched onto stripey paper and wrapped around this decorative glass jar.

I have finished it off with a chipboard flower embellishment and a button.

And a bit of bakers twine around the lid.

I have created all the pieces using my own measurements and calculations to suit the 'Trimmings'.

From what I understand this is how the competition will work...

I submit my photographs to Umbrella Prints ( via my blog ) - who will pin them here Pinterest - Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition 2012 on the 31st of May.

The public or I should say the Pinners get to view all the competition entries and the entrant with the most repins wins the people's choice prize,

there is also to be a special guest judge prize.

You have one week to 'repin' starting from the 1st of June.

Here is the link to view last years entries Trimmings 2011

Wish me luck!

Central Park Wristlet

Last year, for my birthday, Wendy made and gave me this pretty flower brooch.

Then I found in my stash some co-ordinating fabric and thought I would make a little purse and use the flower as an embellishment.

I have based the design on one in the book 'Bags the Modern Classics' by Sue Kim.

The fabrics are from the 'Central Park' range by Kate Spain.

Easter Banner

I made these at Easter time but I was having trouble photographing them, then I had this lovely little brain wave and took them outside ( same deal with the crochet hearts )...

I got the little templates over at nanacompany.

Crochet Hearts

Crochet Sweet-Hearts Bunting



I am pretty happy with these, this is the first actual pattern I have followed all by myself - that means without Tiff telling me what to do row by row.

I followed the tutorial here

Belladia Sweet-Heart

Mother's Day Gift Stall

For about five years now I have helped make gifts and co-ordinate a Mother's Day Gift Stall at the school my boys attend - and Father's Day and sometimes Christmas too...

This year was no different and these are the little things I prepared...

Glass Moccona Coffee Jars - I always seem to get these donated to me with great expectations of what I will do with them!

I did these ones up as Hot Chocolate Jars...

With marshmallows.

Some little cushions made up with some fabrics which were donated.

Some lavender birds on a coat hanger - these have been 'value added' since last year when they were just the bird, now they have a new purpose as a clothes hanger!

A hundred or so gift wrapped little soaps - Kids love these!



These are lace flower brooches or hair clips, they have a alligator clip glued to the back.



Closer...

I made these as a last minute thing using a tutorial I saw a while back and had bookmarked and forgotten about - as you do - but the weekend prior to mothers day I was a bit bored, obviously, and thought I would start looking through all my bookmarked sites and came across this idea which I thought seemed to be a perfect match for a heap of lace that was donated to the school (me) to use.

Lace Flower Tutorial

Little mouse softies - more donated fabric.

I had some beads donated from a local shop, they were bracelets that had been broken in the store, so I remade them into necklaces.

I have been practicing my free motion applique...

and here.

Here

And here.

More soaps.

And lastly some button hair clips.

The Gift Stall was very successful - as ever.

It is really great seeing all the children independently picking that very special gift for their loved one - just gorgeous.