Showing posts with label The Story of Kat Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Story of Kat Reviews. Show all posts

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Wrapping Up The Holidays

Felt ornaments, hot cocoa
For the most part, I stuck with her color scheme, but tried out some variations here and there

One last post pertaining to the holidays. These are so absurdly adorable though, I hope you won't mind!

I love giving handmade gifts and try my best to make special and personal things that people will actually appreciate or use. This year, along with some homemade marshmallows, caramels, and spiced bourbon, I picked out one of Alicia Paulson's felt ornments to make and include for each family's gift. It was one of those projects way down on my list that I'd always wanted to try but never gotten to before. Then, just when I was looking for something handheld to work on as I studied for finals before the holidays, I remembered them!

Felt ornaments
The red coat is by far my favorite. Now I just need one in my size.

I've got to say, I invested a lot of time in these little ornaments as each one progresses in a number of steps, but in and of themselves, no one technique is too complicated. Because of that, I think a beginner or more advanced stitcher could make and enjoy them. I drool over just about everything Alicia Paulson puts out into the world and have to give her big gigantic props for writing such clear and full instructions for these! Job awesomely done.

The key is really in having some patience and working on them a little at a time. And if you're making a ton of them like I did, you may also need patience from the rest of your household for overlooking the little pile of supplies that appear and grow next to your spot on the couch...

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Figure 8 Scarf

Figure 8 Scarf, AMH
Figure 8 Scarf made from Anna Maria Horner Velveteen and voile from her "Innocent Crush" line
(the earrings are from CoffeeandCream, another lovely little xmas gift that just happened to match perfectly)

I'm kind of in love with these ridiculous big scarves. Maybe they are already cliche...I don't know, but my internship is in an unheated library basement where there is no heat and I love these because they instantly dress up any old outfit and help to keep me o so warm. Since I've always had low-blood pressure, I can get that icy feeling pretty fast and am always on the lookout for accessories and such that make keeping warm not completely unfashionable!

The above is actually the second one I made using Anna Maria Horner's free Figure 8 tutorial, having gotten the fabric for Christmas (you can get kits here of velveteen and voile). The tutorial is clear, quick, and easy to follow, especially because of all the helpful pictures. Just be careful on the part where you are joining the ends together and hiding the seam. It takes some visualization, but then the technique makes perfect sense and is such a neat way of doing it!

Figure 8 Scarf, Nani Iro
Figure 8 Scarf made from double cotton gauze by Nani Iro and a solid voile from Anna Maria Horner

This is the first one I made before the holidays and it is o so soft in the double gauze and voile. It's a bit lighter and with more practical colors so I will probably get a little more use out of it. There is something to be said for getting to wear your favorite fabrics in such an effortless way I think! I might need to make one in every colorway I can think up...maybe some plaids in a soft flannel next?

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Review Index

Occasionally I find a tool, pattern, or resource that I really love and have gathered up links to all my reviews for you here to peruse. Some are more in depth than others but I always present my honest opinion on only things that I have used personally and will share any errata I may have come across in the process as well as pros, cons, tips, tricks, and value. Enjoy—I hope this will be of help to you in your next craft or cooking related purchase or endeavor!

Tutorials and Patterns
Fabric Covered Bulletin Board
Made by Rae Spring Ruffle Top on Sew Mama Sew 
Made by Rae Lickety Split Bag
Draw! Pilgrim's  Star Wars Softie Pattern: Cuddly Chewbacca
Anna Maria Horner's Figure 8 Scarf 
Alicia Paulson's Felt Ornaments

Art and Craft Materials
Seral Wax Free Transfer Paper

Art and Craft Books
The Needlecraft Style Directory by Sarah Whittle

Independant Business Guides
The Boss of You by Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears
The Anti 9-5 Guide by Michelle Goodman

Cookbooks
Good Food to Share by Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan