Make It Yourself Magazine

Please forgive me if I seem a bit...err...flighty today. I just got a copy of the brand spankin' new Make It Yourself magazine, and lookie at the cover!

I have two projects in the debut issue of the magazine. First, I altered my house ornament pattern so it could be made with charm squares (yay!). the other project I designed specifically for Make It Yourself. It's a sweet circus-y elephant nursery mobile, mostly made with felt. It has bunting, stars, and balancing balls, and it's paired with a wonderful quilt by Theresa Porter of meanderingthread.

There are soooo many gorgeous projects in this magazine, I think you should run out and buy one right away. It will be available on newstands until December 31 and I believe I may have left one or two copies out there... (I found mine at Barnes and Noble, but my local JoAnn did not have it, FYI)

Happy Stitching!

Hans

It's taken awhile...but I'm finally ready to introduce you to Hans!

He's a sweet little guy who likes shooting marbles, climbing trees, and the occasional jaunt into the woods with his sister, Greta. Don't worry, he always remembers to keep breadcrumbs in his pockets!

He's got corduroy shorts, suspenders, and a cute cowlick too. I recommend my Hans doll PDF sewing pattern for experienced beginner stitchers and beyond (I don't recommend him as your very first sewing project, but if you've already stitched up a couple simple patterns I think you'll have no problem with Hans! And as always, you are welcome to ask questions if you need help as you're stitching along).

All the felt colors used for Hans can be found in my shop (chestnut for his hair, cherry and marshmallow for the sneakers, and curry for buttons). It's quite possible that Hans is my favorite pattern so far, but then again, I always think that about my latest pattern!

(Greta pattern can be found here)

Happy Stitching,

playing with food

I've got something fun to unveil very soon...but until then, I'll tempt you with some pretty pears and apples

These are the smaller versions of my pear pincushion and apple pincushion patterns, with the larger sized leaves. The apple is made with School Picnic by Sarah Jane and the pear with polka dots by American Jane (out of print, sorry!). I will let you know the moment I find a new polka dot print that is *just* the right shade of green!

I hope you've had a lovely summer (or winter, as the case may be) and that you'll have a fruitful new season of stitching!

first time for everything

I have never attempted paper piecing. Before now.

I'd always admired the look of paper pieced blocks, but the process seemed too much trouble, all that folding and holding things up to the light and dulling your needles on paper, ripping the paper off the fabric, etc., etc., etc. Essentially, I am a very lazy busy gal. So I'm thinking, there has to be a lazier quicker way to do this. Or at least a method that is a little less mind-straining.

Then, my husband asked me if there was anything more I could do with my fabric house pattern, and of course I couldn't resist the challenge.

I couldn't even be bothered to buy freezer paper.

But I think it turned out pretty well.

My favorite part might be the rick rack on the roof. Or perhaps the chimney? No, it has to be the peek-a-boo number on the door. That's it.

I'm already planning changes for the next house. I'm sure (famous last words) I could squeeze in some smaller details (rounded door? window shade? doorknob??) without having too many meltdowns. Or make the house a little smaller (it's 9" x 9", I'm thinking something more potholder sized?).

How about you? Have you learned any new techniques lately?

housekeeping

Things are going to look a little different around here...please excuse any funny goings-on or broken link-thingies for the next few days!

To help distract you from the dust, I'll leave you with a few photos of samples I made for spring Market for Blend Fabrics

Spring Promise by Ana Davis

Molokai by Jessica Swift

Magic Garden by Sabine Reinhart

Tinsel by Maude Asbury

And, in case you missed last week's Zakka Style Sew Along...Lindsay of LRstitched blogged my patchwork potholder pattern from the book. If you want to sew along, make sure you take a look at my circular binding tutorial!

Happy Stitching!

Kim

So many little ones, so little time

I frequently receive requests for finished items, and even though I reallyreallyreally want to make elephants and owls for all those sweet baby nurseries and dolls for all the adorable kiddos, I just no longer have the time. Sigh. But. I know there are lots of talented stitchers out there who are making beautiful creations with my patterns, and I would LOVE to direct the requests your way.

So. If you are a Retro Mama Stitcher, please give me a shout in the comments or send me an e-mail. I’ll be posting a directory for where to buy finished RM goodies and I want you to be included!

Please read the following for my simple requirements and other info:

1. Make sure that you are following all my policies (particularly that you put the credit line, "This item was handmade with a Retro Mama pattern" in the description for every product made with one of my patterns).

2. A link to my pattern product listings in your descriptions is very much appreciated, though not required.

3. I specifically get many requests for elephants and pincushions, just so you know.

4. Be sure to post your photos on my Facebook page!

Here are a few finished RM items that I found on Etsy

pear pincushions by sewfaithful

elephant softie by eamylove

Greta dolls by whimsyvintage

dachshund softie by bouclenoire

Keep up the gorgeousness!

Happy Stitching!

Kim

felt like it

I added some smaller cuts of felt to the shop...

You'll get 42 6" squares, one in each color, including two brand new grays, pebble (left) and slate (right).

It's a great way to get a sampling of all the colors, or just a nice collection of felt for little applique projects.

If you do want to make your own swatch card, you can download the PDF for free right here (the file has been updated with the new colors).

Happy stitching!

Kim

beach-tiquing

Just returned from a lovely visit with my mom...I brought my good camera with me to Florida, but ended up leaving it behind because I was terrified that I would drop it in the sand after a recent, and very unfortunate, incident involving my laptop and a glass of water, so these photos were taken with my phone...

we went to the beach every morning

saw Crab Island, a submerged island where the water is waist-deep and you can park your boat and swim or fish or play (this photo was snapped before it got busy)

visited my grandpa's boat, the Sweetheart, built in the 1940s, and newly refurbished by her new owner

dined at Dewey Destin seafood restaurant, a local favorite. Delicious seafood (don't be fooled by the trailer-kitchen) and a fun place to eat...

...even if you happen to be a "saucy wench"

and later while shopping, discovered "redneck" goblets, for the sophisticated moonshiner

I also had the good fortune to be introduced to the wonderful Michelle of Flutterby Antiques, who very generously invited us to peruse her immense button collection. Here are just a few of the goodies that I brought home

And with that I must bid you adieu. I have two rowdy boys who are insisting that we take a dip in the kiddie pool. It's not the gulf beach, but it'll have to do for now!

Happy Summer!

Kim

Milo & Moxie

I am so excited to share my new pattern with you! Say Hi to Milo and Moxie, Doxie Softies (Phew. Say that 5 times fast). Dachshunds are some of the cutest pups on the planet, and these two will look adorable on your little one's bed or shelf. They have 2 legs, so they do need help to stand, and join the ranks of my easier sewing patterns, perfect for beginners. The cute felt bone pattern is included.

You will love how quickly these guys sews up, so grab some felt, a pattern, your favorite prints, and get stitching!

Milo & Moxie are made with Spring Promise from Blend Fabrics.

Happy Stitching!

Kim

long time no see

It's been awfully quiet around these here parts, and I'm sorry about that. I'm working on several projects right now and they are mostly Top Secret so I haven't been able to share them just yet. But I can give you a sneak peak of my next pattern, which will be ready soon!

This is my sleepy doxie softie, and you can also expect to see a boy version. Both the softie and the bunting are made with the brand spanking new Spring Promise by Ana Davis. This collection is beautiful, it has a very Fairy Tale feeling and I only wish I had a little girl's room to decorate with these fabrics! Spring Promise is supposed to ship in May, so keep an eye out for it!

I will have more things to show you soon, but in the meantime, put this sweet pup on your To Do list, because I'll have this pattern ready for you within a few weeks, hooray!

Happy Stitching,

Kim