Just Another way to use Valli & Kim Fabrics

Back when I was afraid of color, I bought myself some dusty olive green curtains. Don't' get me wrong. They're a nice neutral, but….BORING!!! Living in apartments that won't let me paint makes for very bland living rooms. 

While I still live in an apartment with white walls, we have bright frames and art on the walls. I've got an area rug that is a deep rich green and splashy pillows to boot. Still, my curtains are dreadfully plain. So I decided to dress them up a bit with some rosettes (another pinterest.com inspiration). Don't tell, but I totally used a hot glue gun instead of hand sewing them. Sacrilege, I know, but a huge time saver. And while my flowers are also neutral colors, they are very texturally interesting and add a focal point to my curtains. All in all, not bad for an afternoon's work.

By Cassie Grace

A March Medley of Classes

Hey Ya'll! 

I was sick all last week. Must of been something that's going around, but I'm feeling much, much better and I have to say I'm pretty excited for March. We have a good variety of classes. If you didn't catch the Beginning Sewing or Quilting last month, it's starting up again in March. We've got a class on those fabulous Poof-Pillows and a class on that classic hexagon pattern called "Grandmother's Garden." (Isn't that just a perfect project for spring??!!!) 

Be sure to call or come on in to sign up!

Cassie Grace 

Ps. If you want more info just click on this link: www.valliandkim.com/classes

Pps. We can't wait to see you in class!!!!

Spring is Coming!!!

Wasn't today beautiful??? Seems like spring is just around the corner, which is perfect because we have a great class coming up. Skirts! I can think of nothing cooler (both in temperature and awesomeness) and the skirt in springtime! 

The class in on March 3rd, at 10am for only 35 bucks! Call or come in to sign up!!

Modern Day Tapestries

http://victorian.fortunecity.com/eliot/452/tapestry.html

I love hanging quilts and art quilts. That may be part of why I  like Valli & Kim's so much. They've got quilts on the walls and hanging from the rafters. And I was thinking the other day that quilts are like a modern day version of Tapestries. Just think back to castle dwelling times, with drafty winters and little light. Those Tapestries indicated wealth and status while helping to insulate those cold rooms. So next time, when your spouse gives you that stern look for buying so much fabric, just tell 'em the quilts you're making are just a symbol of their magnificence and power!

How do you display your quilts?

By Cassie Grace

Sewing Explosion

My world has exploded! I've very recently discovered paper piecing and OH MY GOODNESS! I'm amazed at the intricacy and accuracy of it all! I learned the basics at my little church quilt group and when I got home I looked up free patterns online to practice on. WOWZA! My new favorite sites are: 

http://www.fourtwinsisters.com/

(animals, objects, people, symbols and so much more)

http://www.fandominstitches.com/ 

(This is for geeks like me…aka Harry Potter, Doctor Who and Lord of the Rings)

http://piecebynumber.com/index.htm 

(Nature, Stars, Holiday Designs and more)

This is my first one. I may have goofed and forgot the stem......

I spent one evening just downloading free patterns. These designers are ridiculously AWESOME! I hope I can get good enough to make a few designs of my own someday. 

Ode to Sewing Classes

"Oh, magazine article,

How you tempt me" I gripe.

But what a pickle,

I don't know how to sew it!

To my swift rescue come

Valli & Kim's Store.

My skills begin to blossom

With all the classes I explore.

"Ha! Project, you are defeated!"

I wear my p.j.'s with pride.

Only now, "I am tempted 

by pinterest.com..." I sighed.

Fellow sewing aficionados, we have some GREAT classes this month! We have Embellishment Class by Valli tomorrow. Sew Therapy on Friday, Boxed Cushions next week and the Zippy Strippy Cosmetic Bag! And that is just February! For more info: http://www.valliandkim.com/calendar

By Cassie Grace

Customer Spotlight: Dian Sierra

Our customers are the best! Ya'll are always bringing in interesting and cool creations. Dian came in for a class and her interesting hair piece caught my eye. It turns out she has an Etsy Shop! She sells more of these flower head pieces and totally cute aprons with fabric from Valli & Kim! But I was also curious about her process...

What do you do with the fabric when you get home?

When I get home with my fabric, I ooh and ahh over it again and put it up with the rest of my fabric. I am a self admitted fabric hoarder (not like the scary tv show), but I love putting lots of patterns together anytime I work on a project, so it's great to have a bit of selection on hand.

Tell me about your shop. 

Hey Muchacha is an eclectic mix of things I make and love. I decided a while ago I could not be put in a box as a sewer, or painter, crafter, a glitter aficionado (I love me some glitter), or artist. I love to experiment with all and take my big fat perfectionist work ethic with me on everything I try to do. "Handmade Pretties to Tickle your Fancy" is my business slogan and I keep it in mind with everything I make. If I squeal out of excitement when a project is coming together, I know I have something good!

Any current projects your excited about?

Yes!!! Color color color! Spring and summer are my favorite times of the year, so I am working on bright happy accessories. I am also working on pushing my funky meter up. I love to dress up, and having that certain something that takes your outfit to the next level. Just like a cherry on top... A funky glittered cherry!

If you'd like to see a more in her shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/heymuchacha

Please keep bringing in your awesome projects people! We love to brag about you! 

By Cassie Grace

A Quilter's Craziness

-click on image to enlarge -

This happens to me EVERY time. I tell myself I'm only going to get so much, but then I remember, " Oh yeah, I need a stripe or a polka dot for that project!" It's not such a bad affliction. After all, I get to come home with lots of fabric which means lots of possibilities for projects. It's hard not to get excited and creative when I'm at Valli & Kim's. 

Please tell me I'm not the only one with a fabric addiction! 

By Cassie Grace

February is Full of Classes!

Oh man, oh man!  Boy, oh boy! We've got some good classes coming up this Month! We've got Pajama Bottoms again on the 10th, and you can make your own, one of a kind, Slippers on the 11th! We have embellishments on the 14th so you can add a little flair to a gift or project. Hmmmm….What else? Oh Yeah! The Boxed Cushion class on the 21st and the Zippy Strippy Cosmetic Bag on the 25th. So many opportunities to learn something fun and useful. Be sure to call us or come on into the store to sign up. We look forward to seeing ya'll soon! 

Doesn't this look awesome????

Just in case you misplaced our number: (512) 858-4433 

http://www.valliandkim.com/calendar

(for more info)

Love Notes

I find inspiration on Pinterest. For folks who aren't familiar with it, pinterest.com is a digital way to create inspiration boards. Think of it as digitally cutting out images (like from a magazine) and "pinning" it to various boards labeled "sewing" or "food" or fashion." 

Anyway. I pinned an image I found on the inter-webs (original tutorial link), and I loved the idea. It's simple and doable. My friend Kat and I decided to have a "Pinterest Day" once a month to actually make/ recreate one of the things we pinned. 

My Version

I took some extra canvas I had lying around, instead of cross stitch fabric ( i don't have any…), which works just fine. I used a ruler to draw out the lined paper design and began to embroider a straight line of stitches. I don't know any fancy techniques yet, but I think it turned out pretty cute! The binder paper image is 4 by 6 inches and the frame is for a 5 by 7 photo. And it only took about 2 or 3 hours one afternoon. 

Now I can use a dry erase marker to write love notes to my husband whenever I like! 

Ps.Valli & Kim have a huge rack of embroidery thread with a miriad of colors to get you started on a project like this!

By Cassie Grace

A little Inspiration

.....What inspires me....I love to go to antique stores, Round Top, Warrington, and several shops that I love to frequent on a regular basis,like Anthropology in Austin and Red in Fredricksburg. I also try to spoil myself at  least once a month and go to Barnes & Noble, by myself, I  gather armfuls of magazines, and sit for hours making notes, sketching pictures and dreaming about future projects, a good place to get basics to expand on! ( And Yes, I do buy some of the magazines!) My favorite magazines are "Where Women Create", "Mollie Makes", "Making", "Artful Blogging", "Mingle", and "Country Living".

Old movies are great, I love to look at the interiors and see how ideas have changed and how they have recycled back around. Since my back ground is interior design I'm always looking for "Things" verses quilt pattern, such as throw pillows, pincushions, tote bags, ottomans, small furniture, and different ways to embellish items with fabric flowers, ric rac,ball trim, embroidery etc. Most of all, to be inspired and stay inspired I surround myself with the things I love and that make me happy: Family photos, dollhouses, chintzware, antique plates, small Steiff stuffed animals, any small things made of fabric!

Oh! and Pinterest is an inspiration for creative ideas too!

By Valli Daniel

Where do you find Inspiration?