More tutorials from around the web

Need more project ideas? Check these out:

Cute strawberry pincushions from Martha Stewart
A draft stopper to block cold air coming in under doors from Not Martha
Merwing's yardstick shelf idea
Scalloped hem skirt from Disdressed
Reupholstered mouse pad, compliments of Twelve22
Pink Mohair's ten minute lampshade
Fabric postcards from Kathie Briggs
J Caroline Creative memo board

Purple painting

I'm giving this one to some people I like. I think it will look right at home in their house. But yikes! Does anyone else get scared when giving your art as gifts? What if they hate it, and keep it in a closet, only to whisk it out and guiltily hang it up just before I come over every time? Or what if they get sick of it on their wall, but feel obligated to keep it forever? I'll make sure to tell them to dispose of it whenever they don't want it anymore.

Drawing on ceramic?

I drew this vine pattern on a ceramic tray awhile ago, but wasn't happy with the pen I used (one of those Porcelaine markers that you can bake in the oven to set). While it definitely was dishwasher safe afterwards, the pen was so liquid and transparent that it left blobby pools of wet ink on the surface instead of solid, opaque lines. Does anyone know of a better pen to use (or maybe different colors are more opaque because pigment opacity varies?)

More framed fabric

Here's more fabric I framed awhile ago for our guest bedroom. It's from Japan, too, from Megumi's mom's secret stash. Does anyone know any online shops or stores in Chicago that offer unique fabric with graphic prints (that I haven't listed already at the left)? I'm always hunting...

Retro fun

We spent last week in Arizona with friends. Our visit included a trip to The Shady Dell in Bisbee, an old copper mining town near the Mexican border. At The Shady Dell, guests stay in 1950's aluminum campers, each decked out with different vintage fabrics, appliances, and games. We LOVED it! We got a kick out of making Spirograph art, playing records, percolating some coffee, and watching Creature From the Black Lagoon. (Also check out the pix of the paint-by-number art and the siamese cat lamp with eerie glowing eyes.) Next time you're near Bisbee, you have to stay at the Dell!

Baby stuff to make

Some people near and dear to me are pregnant right now, which has inspired me to look for baby project tutorials:
Fleece hats from Martha Stewart (maybe for some bigger babies)
Booties from Heather Bailey
More booties from Martha
Still more booties from Star Dust Shoes
Ribbon pillows for a kid's room from JCaroline Creative
Onesies decorated using freezer paper stencils from Unwind
Baby kimonos from Martha
Appliqued bibs from JoAnn
Plush bunnies from Wee Wonderfuls
Night lights from Martha

Nursery decor

These will be a gift for my brother and sister-in-law, who are having a baby any second. The fun stick-figure houses and stylized tree fabric came from Megumi. She found it somewhere in Tokyo in a dollar bin, and it's so cute I decided to frame it.