Sugar Pie meets Sweetie Pie!

Who loves pie!  Ummm... that would be me, especially when it involves luscious "Sugar Pie" fabrics designed by Vanessa Goertzen for Moda's Lella Boutique and my own Thread Catcher with Detachable SWEETIE PIE Pincushion.  They're some kind match made in heaven, or a pie shop...

That little pincushion looks good enough to eat!

Honestly, I have had these fabrics for a full month but have been so crazy busy that I could only gaze lovingly at them.  No time to sew, which just about killed me! But my big personal commitment has concluded and I am happily back in the saddle making thread catchers for my Etsy shop Curry Bungalow.  I knew that I wanted to begin with my new "Sugar Pie" fabrics.

I made two up in different colorways.  LOVE THEM BOTH!!!  Wouldn't these make great Mother's Day gifts for your favorite seamstress, quilter or anyone who does needlework?  Just posted for sale here. Get 'em while they're hot!

Tutorial - My Bungalow Biz Branding

This tutorial is a compliment to a previous tutorial about how to make your own iron on fabric labels. That tutorial can be found here. In my continuing effort to have cohesive branding for my Etsy shop, Curry Bungalow, I have begun wrapping my physical items in tissue for shipping. Taking it a step further, I've been making that wrapping look prettier by tying it with a ribbon and adding a branding sticker.  A buyer recently reviewed her Etsy purchase by saying that the item was beautifully wrapped and "I felt as if I was opening a lovely gift, even though I had BOUGHT IT MYSELF!" 

With "sticker"  YAY!!!

Sans "Sticker" BOO!!!

By the way, I use Hug Snug Rayon Seam Binding for my ribbon wrap.  It comes in a gozillion colors and is priced at about $10.00 for a 100 yard roll.  Such a deal!

That little sticker above the ribbon is a simple touch that adds much in the way of attractive packaging.  I print these "stickers" myself on photo paper then punch them out with my sweet little 2 1/2" scalloped circle punch.  Love that scalloped edge!  How to attach said sticker, you might ask?  I initially used double sided tape that I had on hand (purchased on the cheap at a yard sale...) on the back of the printed photo paper, three strips of tape along the three columns of images.  I would then punch out the stickers with the tape attached to the back, then just peel and stick.  But I ran out of that tape and being a cheapskate frugal type, I have now began attaching the sticker with a glue stick.  not quite as high tech as that double sided tape but definitely less expensive than purchasing those sheets of printable sticker paper.  It's all about the bottom line here when finding inexpensive ways to brand your products.  Every penny that I don't spend on those pricey labels is part of my profit. 

So let's make some stickers!  I placed my sticker image into a Word document, leaving enough space between each image for punching them out with the scalloped punch.  I print multiple pages at a time, punch them all out and keep them in a little box at my VERY OFFICIAL packing and shipping station, otherwise known as the teeny tiny counter area in the laundry room.

I love the way that they look, all mixed up like this.

I box up my item and add more tissue to make it secure for shipping...

Then I add another sheet of tissue, the purchase packing slip, a business card and a care card.  I tape the box closed, add the shipping label to my buyer and off it goes looking pretty!

My tips for inexpensive branding won't make you a millionaire, but every little bit saved is a little bit that you did not have to spend on your branding.  Mission Accomplished!

Nose to the Needle

I know, I know! I've been basically missing in action for a couple of months. Have I mentioned that I am the Co-Chair for the largest quilt show in southern Oregon? And that our show is just over a week away from opening? Needless to say, I've been burning the candle at both ends. Along with quilt show duties I've been working hard at making thread catchers in my "spare time" to list in my shop for those looking for pretty and practical Mother's Day Gifts. I have some new fabrics as well as popular favorites. I will be sewing less and less in the upcoming days so if you see one that you like, you will want to snag it while you can! All are available at my Etsy shop, Curry Bungalow and all include three flower pins to jazz up your pincushion just a bit.

"Pinky Irene"

Had to share! I had an order for a thread catcher from one of my wonderful repeat buyers, Cindy P. who lives in Missouri. She messaged me a photo of her super sweet pink Singer Featherweight along with her new matching thread catcher. I'm in LOVE! Cindy named her Featherweight, "Pinky Irene". The Pinky part is self explanatory... but she chose "Irene" after her grandmother. She wrote, "Pinky Irene" is her name! Irene after my grandma, who sewed for me all my life, taught me how to sew and how to quilt." Doesn't that just warm your heart? And her photo raised the question. Do I maybe need a pink Featherweight? I just might... and a pink iron, too!  Thanks, Cindy for brightening our day.

Proud Mother !

It's Super Bowl Sunday! Can you guess what I'm doing today? Not what you think, I bet. I'm SEWING! And because I just can't leave anything alone..., I've made a pincushion with a tiny framed 3 inch patchwork block. I've made the pincushion previously but always thought that it needed just a little something more. So I added little "flanges" as framing and love the way that it turned out. Check out that TEENY TINY vintage hexagon twinkle button! I didn't want the pincushion to feel like the Lone Ranger, so I made the matching Thread Catcher, too. Sometimes I feel like a proud mother, birthing these things one after the other. Just now listed in my Etsy shop, Curry Bungalow

Cloudy with a Chance of Snow

What better way to dream of Spring on a cold wintry day than to make a new Thread Catcher with these bright and cheery fabrics from the "Hello Gorgeous" line from Riley Blake?  I made this thread catcher up with my new Sweetie Pie Pincushion and it is even cuter than I imagined.  I will let you in on a secret... I don't always LOVE everything that I make.  Sometimes the color placement is not quite right and other times I just don't "feel" it.  But this one,.. THIS ONE makes me smile from ear to ear!  Just listed in my etsy shop Curry Bungalow .

Free Wrist Pincushion Tutorial

I'm celebrating!  I am just short of having 750,000 blog hits here at T. in the Burg!  That's a big 75 with FOUR ZERO's! Three quarters of a MILLION!  So as part of my big celebration, I am posting a free tutorial for my cuter-than-cute FLOWER POWER WRIST PINCUSHION.  To be honest, I had planned to post this free tutorial at 500,000 hits.  Then again at 600,000.  But life has a tendency to get in the way of my plans, big-time. Better late than never, I always say.  Probably say it way to much!

These make sweet little gifts and are a great scrap buster project.  You know what I'm talking about, don't you?  We all have those little bits if a much loved fabric that we just had to hang on to that will be perfect for this, don't you think?   It's all about the selection of fabrics.  I generally like to use a yellow for the center, because, after all, the pincushion is a flower.  But I have shared this pattern with my quilty friends who have used whichever fabrics they liked and their pincushions turned out perfectly.  Maybe it's only me that needs it to look like a flower...

Update: Since posting this tutorial, a number of readers have asked about the cute pins shown.  I purchased them from Vicki at her Etsy shop, "Decorative Sewing Pins".  She has TONS of really cute sewing related items and she's an absolute dream to work with.  Just click on the link.


Just click the link here to get your free tutorial for the  Flower Power Wrist Pincushion .

I hope that you will enjoy this free tutorial.  I'd love to see what you make from my pattern.  If you are on Instagram, add #currybungalow or #flowerpowerpincushion. Or, email a photo to currybungalow@gmail.com.  I always enjoy seeing how others interpret my patterns.

"Sweetie Pie"

I've been working on a new pincushion.  I'm calling it the "Sweetie Pie Pincushion" because it's just so sugary sweet!  These new fabrics, "Olive's Flower Market" from Lella Boutique are the cutest.  I always love just about everything designed by Vanessa Goertzen.  I even made one of my Dreamy Dresden Linen Pincushions with them.  A-dor-a-ble !  I'm making multiples of these so check them out at my Etsy shop, Curry Bungalow .

Just Stop

Sometimes you just need to stop, slow down for a moment and then... take a photo.

Rachelle and Her Sisters

Wasn't there a movie years ago called "Hannah and Her Sisters?  Well, this is a story about "Rachelle and Her Sisters".  Rachelle S., who lives in New York, is one of my very favorite and most loyal customers.  She had purchased a thread catcher for herself, then returned to my shop and purchased one for a birthday gift for a friend.

Over the course of the last few months, Rachelle has been choosing even more thread catchers from my Etsy shop, Curry Bungalow to give to her mother and her four sisters.  These lovely ladies, who are scattered all over the country, get together each year at one of their houses and make a quilt. This year they gathered in Washington. They do a gift exchange and Rachelle chose to give each of her four sisters, as well as her mother, one of my thread catchers.

Hard at work!

She was so kind to send me photos of their get together.  Doesn't it look like a fun and productive time?

Oh, look!  There's a bowl or M&M's on the table!  

I'll be honest, I'm more than a little envious. No sisters for me and my mother passed years ago.  But I absolutely LOVE seeing these beautiful ladies enjoying their quilt making, my thread catchers and EACH OTHER.  It warms my heart!  Thank you, Rachelle, for sharing your photos.  It's almost like being a part of your family sew fest!

New! - Curry Bungalow Printed Patterns!

Just added in my Etsy shop, Curry Bungalow.  All three of my thread catcher patterns IN PRINT !
I have had requests from buyers who do not have printers so in order to better serve my customer base, print patterns are now listed for my Sew Sassy Thread Catcher Pattern, Dreamy Dresden Thread Catcher Pattern and Sew In Style Thread Catcher Pattern.  The price for each is $12.00. First Class postage in the U.S. is $2.60.  Each pattern has a full color front cover with a materials and supply list on the back cover and black and white printed pages. Each pattern comes in a clear zip top bag.  Get 'em while they're hot !

Little Ruby and Linen

Fresh off of the machine and I just had to share! I have been working with a bit of linen these days.  I love the way that it feels as well as the added body that it has over my usual quilters cottons.  This just might be my new personal thread catcher.  Like I need another one...

Cha-Ching!

Ahhhh, the power of Social Media!  My Sew In Style Thread Catcher Pattern was featured on Quilting Digest on Facebook this morning.  There has been a steady stream of cha-chings since!  Music to my ears!  It means so much to me that people love my products as much as I love designing and making them.

Babies!

We have babies this year in the koi pond!  In nine years we've seen three hatches.  We suspect that there have been more but the fish usually eat the eggs early on and we rarely see fry.  But this batch has survived and we've got quite a large crop of probably about 20 small koi.  Most appear to be orange or orange with markings.  There are some other dark ones but they are much harder to see at this point. The big ones are all lined up waiting to be fed.

Surprise Collection!

I love surprises.  Have you ever discovered cash in your pocket and felt as if you had found it laying in the street like some kind of happy windfall?   Like it wasn't already yours anyway?  Well, that's how I feel about my "new" Needle Card collection.

My "new" collection

Case in Point. I have just pronounced my various vintage needle cards, scattered hither and thither in various baskets, cupboards and boxes, a COLLECTION!  Yep, I just realized that I collect needle cards!  I have been picking them up at various yard and estate sales for years.  I bring them home and stash them, sometimes with others, but most times not.  As I was recently doing a bit of organizing, I put them all together in one place for the first time. And just like that, I have an instant collection!  I love it when that happens!

One of my favorites and probably my most complete card.  

The artwork on the outside of the cards is the big draw for me.  Some feature ladies engaged in a happy sewing circle, Stepford Wives style.  I have lots of those.  That must have been a big theme back in the day when women were expected to happily sew with their hair all done up, snappily dressed and probably sporting heels, too!  Me... I like to sew in my pajamas.

Some feature a travel theme, even intergalactic travel!

Or animals. 

Others were free giveaway items used for advertising.  My favorite is the salt container.  

Similar shapes and design. 

This Asian needle card is very colorful on the inside and has an odd needle on the lower right.  There are instructions for using it, but it's Greek to me... in a manner of speaking.  Honestly, I don't know what language that is.

My oldest card, the Sewing Society Needle Book, dates from 1885.  I imagine a woman sitting and sewing with that very needle card over 130 years ago.

The Army and Navy Needle Book appears to date to around World War II and I believe that there was a series of different ships featured on various needle cards.

I am always on the lookout for more cards.  Now that I have them all in one place, I will know where to put new additions.

Buried in Pincushions

I'm a little obsessed with pincushions.  Can you tell?  I recently made up a few example pincushions for a Make & Take Class that I taught at our local quilt show.  The class went swimmingly but now I'm trying to figure out what to do with the prototypes. They were fun to make and each one uses a variety of coordinating fabrics, which is why they are so STINKIN' CUTE!  I'm thinking that these would make great little gifts for anyone who sews or quilts.  Just listed at my Etsy shop, Curry Bungalow .

I may need a 12 step support group! But then, do I really have a problem?  I just love making pincushions.  Is that so wronnnggggg?

Pincushion Rich !

Who needs another pincushion?  I certainly don't but I just keep making them anyway!  I've been working on a prototype for my stand alone Dreamy Dresden Pincushion Pattern that I plan on offering on Etsy.  I love the way that the tiny Dresden block looks against the neutral linen body of this pincushion.

Small prints work best for these tiny Dresden blocks and the sweet little prints from the "Lil' Red" line by Stacy Hsu are just PERFECT!

So then I decided to make another from some of my Fig Tree fabrics.  This one looks pretty nice, too, if I do say so myself.  I don't know what it is about putting these tiny bits of fabrics together but I just love them.

 This one actually belongs to the Dreamy Dresden Thread Catcher that I just listed at my Etsy shop, Curry Bungalow.

Then I decided to make a travel pincushion to go into my sewing basket for use when I go to my hand sewing group.  I wanted it to be an emery pincushion for keeping my fine needles clean and sharp.  So... I love the pincushion, but it is much too large and HEAVY for my sewing basket.  The little pieced block for the top measures 4 inches.  Not so huge, right? But this baby weighs a whopping 2 lbs!  It feels like I have a brick in my sewing basket!  It's back to the drawing board for my travel pincushion, but I do love this one...

And check out that exquisite little vintage button in the center of the pinwheel!

Yes, it's true.  I am PINCUSHION RICH!

It's the Little Things

You have likely heard the phrase, "It's the little things that count."  Sometimes those little things can made a big difference!  Take buttons, for example.  I am completely captivated by tiny vintage "twinkle" buttons.  These are sometimes called "mirror back" buttons. They are amazing little things no matter what they are called.

I try to pick up little lots of them from time to time on eBay.  I never pay much for them, although one certainly can!  I just buy the ones that I think will complement the pincushions that I make for my thread catchers.  These little works of art are the perfect finish for items made from vintage-look fabrics.

                                                 This hexagon button is EXQUISITE!

                                      And this tiny one looks pretty on a Dresden pincushion.

                                                                         Another tiny beauty!

And another!

I keep my collection of twinkles in a little velvet draw-string bag.  They jingle like gold coins. My own little tiny treasures!  I love to open the bag, spread them out and choose just the right button to go on my pincushions.  Like I said, it's the little things...