Reason #7 to Buy Handmade – Kim Hambric Art

Kim’s quilts are inspired by images from nature, combining hand-dyed and stamped fabrics with beads to create unique wall hangings and art. They are a visual and textural feast. Please visit her Etsy shop, website and blog.

 

Reason #6 to Buy Handmade – House of Six Cats

Bill from House of Six Cats photography tries to find unseen beauty and elegance in the ordinary and pedestrian. His images are breathtaking. Please visit his Etsy shop.

Reason #5 to Buy Handmade – Muyinmolly Designs

** Click HERE for a special deal on Mollie’s jewelry**

Mollie is an artist, writer, musician, and now a jewelry designer. Her wire work (self-taught) is lovely. Please visit her Etsy shop and blog.

Reason #4 to Buy Handmade – Liz (aka Hobbledehoy)

Liz confesses to being a fiber addict. And, a crazy cat lover, a bread fanatic, and a budding baker. And she spins some delicious yarn. Please visit her Etsy shop and blog.

Reason #3 to Buy Handmade – Jennifer Lommers

Jennifer Lommers is a fine artist from the Pacific Northwest. Her vibrant and playful style can be seen in original works, prints and cards in her Etsy shop. Her blog is here.

Reason #2 to Buy Handmade – Sparks Fly

Jess at SparksFly does wonderful illustrations, both whimsical and complex. I love them. Please visit her Etsy shop • blog.

Reason #1 to Buy Handmade – Allen Design Studio

Melynn Allen of Allen Design Studio is a talented potter, artist, designer and a lovely human being. I’m privileged to know her. Please visit her Etsy shop • Blog.

BuyHandmade.org

Join the BuyHandmade.org bandwagon! Pledge to do your holiday shopping handmade. Visit any of the sites listed on the right side of this website to see a stunning array of handcrafted items that will blow away anything you might find at the mall. I’ll list some of my favorites in the next two weeks. You won’t be sorry. It’s amazing stuff. Look at the post below for a sneak preview.

My First Etsy Treasury (as Curator)

The Treasuries are coveted things and hard to get. But there it was and I was totally unprepared. I have a lot of great favorites on Etsy but I had no theme, no idea how to make it all come together, hence the name (which is the first thing you have to do and it’s locked in).

I love how it turned out. What do you think?

Ribbon Quilt Border – a quick tutorial

I had ‘snowing class’ last night and I’m so excited about the border to the courthouse steps quilt! It’s looking great already. I had a lot of strips cut that I didn’t use for the quilt and wanted to use them in the border. But I also needed to change the pattern or scale so that it would stand out from the main blocks. The ribbon border is the perfect solution. Here are some quick instructions.

1. Sew strips and cut into squares. Use as many strips as you like, the more contrast, the more the ‘ribbon’ will stand out.

2. Cut the squares into triangles. They can’t all be cut the same way. Be sure to cut an equal number from corner a to d and from corner b to c (see illustration).

3. Turn the triangles to get ribbon effect (see how the pink forms a “V”). Sew together as you would bias strips (with a little dog ear on both ends). In the last illustration you can see a bit better with the pink and purple forming “V” ribbons.

I’ll update soon with instructions on attaching to the main quilt and figuring out the corners. I know they will turn out to be triangles and that I can add strips to the middle to adjust for the length of the sides. I can’t wait to get this one to the machine quilter! Here’s a sneak peek at the border I’m working on (stray threads, dog ears and all)….