Decoupage!!! That's a fun word, don't you think?

Have you seen the cool decoupage vanity towards the back of the Valli & Kim store? Or maybe the guitar next to the little tree? I had never thought of using fabric that way! I mean, pillows and cushions, but the furniture itself??!!! Awesome! 

Do you have some furniture you'd use this method for?

By Cassie Grace

Fixer-Upper

When I was working in the store last week, I got to watch Valli embroider some fabric for her famous pillows and I got inspired. 

The husband helping me sand! He's so nice!

It had some splitting so we used a bit of glue
 and clamps to remedy the problem

All done! 

I've had this yellow chair for a while. It was painted black, then poorly painted yellow. My darling husband helped me sand the sucker down and patch up the rough spots. We spray painted it a bronze color (not super exciting, but it'll go anywhere in my house now). I decided to let the pillow do the talking color-wise.

Guten TAG! Hello in German.

These are just straight stitches on canvas to give
it a little more interest. 

I gathered the tulle, then fabric.
Then I sewed them together on to the red fabric.
 I used the ribbon to accent,
but mostly to cover the gathering stitching.

I embroidered one side and did ruffles on the other like some of the pillows I'd seen on pinterest.com. All in all, a stylish new addition to the art cave (aka craft room). 

Do you recognize the curtain fabric? Yep Valli &Kim's!

Dolls with Love

I have LOVED working in the store this last week. Valli & Kim customers are so inspiring. You all have such good stories and projects. There is a particular customer who let me interview her a couple of months ago, and has very patiently waited to be shared with all of you.

The hair is mohair locks. Doesn't it look great?

Vicki, like many of you learned to sew when she was young and made doll clothes. Well she's back at it again with fabric from Valli & Kim. She's making dolls and their clothes, but for other little children to love. 

She said, " I want to do this for fun and I just don't want to worry about making them "good enough" for someone to buy.  The kids will love them even with a few threads hanging or a little smear of paint in the wrong place.  That would never work in a market place.  Besides, there are lots of little girls who don't have that many dolls and then mine would be very special." How cool is that? 

Well Vicci! Keep at it! We love seeing your work. 

Why do you give your creations away?

By Cassie Grace

Bring Style to the Outdoors

I've been thinking about those cool laminate fabrics we have in those silver cans and all the awesome things people are doing with them!  Valli & Kim have some good examples, of course. There is the Pillow:

I like the idea of having bright color and modern design outside. Some people use this fabric to make seat cushions for their patio chairs and benches. Which of course makes me with I had a backyard and patio furniture, but that's okay because I can make other things like... Rain Coats:

 Clothing is another option with this fabric. I know I don't have lots of opportunity to wear a rain coat here in Austin, at least not this year. BUT I have family in the Seattle, WA area! You could also make make-up bags or even purses. I was thinking about making a reusable lunch bag with the laminate fabric because If something exploded or spilled, the clean up would be LOADS easier!

Ps. Don't Iron it!!!! It'll melt.

How would you use Laminated Fabric?

By Cassie Grace

Thoughts on Grandmother's Flower Garden

If you haven't been in the store lately, there is a new quilt hanging from the rafter's showcasing a "Grandmother's Flower Garden" style. Before I knew it was called that, I just thought of it as honey combs or octagons. My grandmother made one, but as it started to fall apart from years of use, so my sisters put it in a shadow box with sewing notions for my mom to hang above her sewing machine.

This was made by Pat. (Unfortunately I don't  know her last name!) Thank you!

Anyway. I think they are super cool and I happened to snap a picture a while ago of one that was with super modern colors and fabrics. After I saw how it could be styled differently, I decided that I gotta learn how to do this! We had a class scheduled for today, but I think we'll have it again in the next month or two. 

What do you think about taking classic patterns and sewing them with modern fabrics? 

By Cassie Grace

Mid-Project Storage Solution

In my 10 by 10 foot art cave (as I call it) many of my surfaces double up on purposes. My sewing table is also my drawing and painting area for my illustrations or journaling. I have an kitchen island which serves as my cutting table, but it's also where I set up my still lifes for oil painting and do my book binding. So I'm constantly shuffling projects. Well, I've found a solution for putting away my quilt blocks without folding them up or getting them wrinkly. ( I don't have a felt design wall yet) I've hung them up in my wee closet with a trouser hanger! It's out of the way of my paints, but easy access. I imagine that I could put smaller ones in bags and hang them this way as well.

Please ignore the lame painting....
its in the closet for a reason...

My only question is... Will this stretch out my fabric?

Sew your Own Tree

With the beautiful weather, I couldn't help myself at the grocery store. I broke down and bought myself some fresh flowers. All I have are mason jars, so I dressed it up a bit with some ribbon.  The upside is that it only cost me five bucks, but the downside is that they'll wilt in a few days. 

What I'd REALLY like to do is this:

I love how the leaves have different fabrics on each side!

Valli & Kim's Wee Little Tree

I can just imagine having some sweet branches all covered in fabric leaves instead of some plastic ficus. Wouldn't it be fun to make some stuffed fruit to go on it too? I think its a clever way to add a bit of color to the house.

How are you getting into the "spring" of things?

By Casie Grace