She can't see yet, but...

Look what I started this weekend!

Wee Wonderful - unstuffed.

I received the Wee Wonderfuls pattern booklet for my birthday and my doll fabric came in the mail a couple of weeks ago. I'm so glad that I ordered the booklet when I did - since then they have discontinued the hard copy booklet and are now only selling pdf files.  I definitely partial to cute little booklets! 

Here she is!  All stuffed with no place to go...mainly because she's naked and can't see, but hopefully I'll be remedying that soon.  I'm trying to find a place locally that sells wool felt, but am currently not having any luck...I really hate spending $ on shipping when I order online.  And on a side note, it seriously stinks how high the shipping costs have been raised for international purchases.  I went online today to buy two yards of voile and the shipping was over NINETEEN DOLLARS (needless to say, I did not go through with the purchase).  I know it's not that bad everywhere, but I really have to find a cheaper option.  But I digress...I'm going to make myself feel better now by looking at these cute pictures of my little nameless Wee Wonderful.  :)

Isn't she sweet?!  Can't wait to get her some eyes and make up a wardrobe for her!  And if I make another, I buying the Olive and Archie pattern - adorable.

If you have a minute, I'd love to hear where you like to buy your fabric/craft supplies (wherever you're from)!  My newest favourite quilting shop online is Fabric Spot (mainly because the owner is super sweet and the shipping in Canada is a flat rate of $5)...I haven't bought from her yet, but next time I buy for quilting, it will be from her!  As for American online shops, well, I'm going to have to re-research them all to see where my loyalty lies.

Have a beautiful day!

~Karina

And the Winner is...

Thanks so much to everyone who entered The Naked Spool's very first giveaway!  It was so very nice to see all of your comments (bloggers LIVE for comments on their posts), and to be able to welcome new members and Facebook fans!

Are you ready for the winner (thanks to the True Random Number Generator)?  Drum roll please....

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:5Powered by RANDOM.ORG
The Winner is....Angela!!!   Here's her super-sweet winning comment:

"Hey Karina, I've been meaning to leave a post for a while to let you know how motivational I find your work/site - and now you've gone and given me motivation to post too! Love all your projects - this fabric looks amazing - my newest projects are fabric storage bags, so maybe I'd make some of those or I might have to try a pillow or something new :)"

Congratulations, Angela!  Please send me an email via my 'About Me' page so I can get your shipping information.

(Just a brief note about the random number generator - I promise that when I ran the draw it showed the max number at 17...when I copy and paste it the number keeps changing to 100!  I'll figure it out one day...)

I don't know about you, but today is going to be a great day.  It's Family day here in Canada, so we're planning on going to the library and then heading off to either the swimming pool or the skating rink this afternoon.  Whether you're celebrating Family Day, Presidents' Day or just having a regular, average day, I hope you all find some time to spend with the one's you love (and maybe you'll be able to pick up a sewing project or two)!

~Karina

Giveaway!

I've been so overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the lovely things that I have received from Sew Mama, Sew, Alexia Abegg, Melody Miller from the Ruby Star Wrapping contest that I've decided to pass on some love to my readers (Happy Valentine's day to you all)!  Up for grabs today is a copy of Ruby Star Wrapping, and two Ruby Star Sparkle fat quarters - these linen/cotton prints are AMAZING. No joke.  I'm typing as fast as i can so that i don't have time to change my mind...wouldn't this fabric make such a cute bag?  Or a few pouches?!

You have three ways to earn entries into the giveaway:

1. Leave a comment on this post (that's all)!  I'd love to hear what you'd make with the Ruby Star Shining fabric, or what you're currently working on (or anything else that you'd like to share)!

2. For a second optional entry, follow The Naked Spool by clicking on 'join this site' or 'follow by email' and then leave an additional comment letting me know that you're a follower!

3. For a third optional entry, you can like my BRAND NEW Facebook page here and leave me a comment here letting me know that you're a liker!

Best of luck to you all!



**Contest will close Sunday, February 17th at 11:59pm and the winner will be announced on Monday! Open to Canadian, American and International readers.**

Comments for the giveaway now closed.

Pillow II

I've jumped on the pillow bandwagon and have made one for my living room.  Surprisingly, this is the first pillow that I've made for myself since I started sewing again almost two years ago...I'm not sure why...I think I may have a problem committing to fabric choices, really.  What if it doesn't look good and I spent all that money on fabric?  :)  Well, I stumbled upon a solution at one of my second hand shops this week.  Voila!    

Spending $.99 on fabric that I love is the BOMB!  And of course, if it doesn't look good in my living room, no harm done to the budget, right? 

The goal was to turn this:

into something suitable for the decor in my living room (which is a constant  work in progress, let me tell ya).  The purple cover isn't bad - it's actually quite nice, but it no longer matches what style I'm going for.  So, really, all that pillow had going for it was the beautiful down-filled form beneath all that purple!

Wash and cut fabric.  Add zipper, topstich, measure back again, line front, sew seams. Done!

front

I love this pillow.

back

I love the zipper with the covered ends!

covered zipper ends

back

I'd love to show you a pic of my living room but I couldn't bring myself to post it yet.  It's not near done and I have a LOT more work to do.  I guess that's okay, right?   :)  Actually, one of the reasons I really like this fabric is because it kind of ties my other couch into the room with that strange orangey-brown colour.  Yep, sounds hideous, but I think it's finally starting to come together.  Maybe I'll show you soon...

I hope you're all having a fantastic, down-filled day!

**be sure to stop by tomorrow for a very special Valentine's Day surprise...it just might be a giveaway!**

~Karina

A Pillow.

I have wanted to try out Elizabeth Hartman's Mod Mosaic method of piecing and have finally found the perfect reason: a cute little person!  My nephew Joey turned one last week and I decided to make him a pillow to match the quilt I made for him (which was my VERY first quilt).

The front of the pillow is machine quilted and lined with Muslin, and the back of the pillow is lined and the envelope-style backing is bound with the beauty of Violet Craft`s Peacock Lane. Of course, in my rush to get out of the door I forgot the take a picture of the back of the pillow and a close-up of the pebble quilting on the front (on the flannel).

I hope you like your pillow, little Joey!  I'll be sure to post a pic on here soon of him - and then your heart will melt because he is SO DARN CUTE!  :)

~Karina

 

Sorry, what?!

Sorry, what day is it?  January 21st?!  I think I almost had a heart attack today when I realized how long it's been since I've blogged.  Man, time really does fly when you're having fun.  On that note, I went skating with the kids today (for the first time in about ten years) and did one of those awesome moves when your skates fly out from under you over and over and you look like a cartoon character.  You know the move I mean?  Yep, that was me today.  Luckily I caught myself and was able to recover without losing ALL of my dignity.  hehe.

I've been working on a few things over that last month; nothing major, but things that have made me happy, like this little hoodie.

I made it from a stretch knit that I picked up last summer...I almost forgot I had it until I went rummaging through my 'apparel material' bin.  The pattern is Kwik Sew #908 that I found at my local thrift shop.  I've come across a few cute vintage patterns there and am happy with the way this one turned out!

I love this hood!

(casing)

I made a few changes to the hoodie - The bottom casing wasn't working out so I made it a bit sturdier by adding quilting-weight cotton to the back...it's not perfect, but it's definitely going to hold up to wear better than the original would have.

(pocket)

I've only made a couple of things out of knits, so this was a perfect pattern to jump back into it with - the pieces were simple and instructions clear.  I even managed to line up some stripes!  :)

~Karina

Grand Prize. So. Cool.

I am so thrilled to share that my Recycled Reader won the grand prize in the Ruby Star Wrapping contest hosted by Sew Mama, Sew!

This contest is the first judged contest that I've ever entered, so I'm over the moon right now.  If you know me, you know that I a) love to sew and be crafty (that one's a little obvious) b) am a sucker for prizes and c) love getting things in the mail (of course, this list is not inclusive).  The prize is an indulgence of all aforementioned...

(except from the Sew Mama, Sew blog)

****************************************

GRAND PRIZE

Copy of Ruby Star Wrapping $50 Gift Certificate to Sew,Mama,Sew! 6 Green Bee Patterns 1 Fat Quarter Pack Micro Mod fabric 1 vintage rotary phone from Melody 1 yard Melody Miller trim 6 Ruby Star Sparkle fat quarters 1 bundle washi tape

"Our Grand Prize Winner is: The Naked Spool! This entry combines two projects from the book (the flag garland with the book cover). Melody writes, “I like her choices (the book cover is amazing) and all the little touches with the book pages and washi tape.”

***********************************************************************

Vintage rotary phone?  So. Cool.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Melody Miller and Allison Tannery for their beautiful book Ruby Star Wrapping, and to Sew Mama, Sew, Green Bee Design and Patterns, and Melody for the super amazing prizes. Also, thanks to Sukie who introduced me to the book and Wrap-Along!

Go visit Sew Mama, Sew! to see all of the other amazing entries and winners!

~Karina