Hungry Bears and Bear Hugs . . . . 

                                             . . . . . gifts for the kitchen!

With summer coming, life in the woodlands is filled with activity. The deer are eating the new sprouts, squirrels are zipping around the tree trunks, birds are chirping their lungs out, and the bears are coming out of their hibernation. It only seemed fitting to celebrate critters this spring with our new kitchen collection --- matching bear apron with bear oven mitts.

The Hungry Bear apron features a bear-faced yoke on Vanilla House's signature Four Corners apron style. The instructions show the interesting technique of attaching the yoke to the apron. The bottom half the bear face is appliqued on to the apron panel and the top half the face is a turned edge by the back-side fabric.

The Bear Hugs also feature the same bear face on a double-hand or single hand oven mitt. Again, interesting techniques are taught through the instructions to learn how to edge turn the top of the bear face yet raw edges on the lower part of the face that are finished with bias binding. 

Both projects make excellent kitchen gifts for the bear lover. We hope you  enjoy making these sweet projects with the step by step instructions, each step illustrated in complete detail.

See www.VanillaHouseDesigns.com for pattern ordering details. 

Basting Tape!

There are some projects that can use basting tape, making things much easier than using pins or using regular basting seams. Pins get in the way, ruin needles if you accidentally sew over them, and poke your fingers! Regular basting seams stay the position unless you take them out and start over. But basting tape has a bit more flexibility.
You can move the two items you are sewing together easier AND no pins to sew over.

There are lots of brands -- they all seem fine!

I used basting tape on my first epattern called 'Hide Your Stuff.....in your closet!' The basting tape helps hold the zipper in the zipper window until and as you sew it in place. 

Basting tape holds the zipper in place until you get it sewn it!

Best Press - maybe my favorite notion of all times!

Okay, maybe Mary Ellen's Best Press Clear Starch Alternative is my favorite notion of this whole series. I use it every time I sew - 'cause I press every time I sew. It is very simple. The starch makes the pressing faster and more crisp. Especially those times when a cotton just doesn't want to press a crease. This does the job! And it smells fabulous -- at least 'Tea Rose Garden'. There are other scents but I don't know what they are since I love the rose scent so much, I haven't bought the others. But smelled them at the store and they smelled good too!

Mary Ellen's Best Press Clear Starch Alternative

The Edge Foot and All It's Glory!

The edge foot happens to be a great accessory for any sewing machine. It has a couple of ways to use it to your advantage. 
First, obviously, as an edge foot. This is great for things like top stitching along the edge of project. See the blade that comes down from the center bottom of the foot. Align the blade with the edge of the fabric. Then align your needle the distance from the edge that you want. And sew - - the seam maintaining a perfect distance from the edge. This really adds the "perfection" status to your project.

Second, the edge foot is great for "stitch-in-the-ditch". The ditch is the seam or junction of two fabrics. Stitching in the ditch means putting a seam right in that junction. When you do this, it seemingly hides the seam -- a great technique when you Don't  want the 'top stitch' look. So align the blade in the ditch. Then sew. The blade guides the seam to stay in the ditch. It's magical!

The Edge Foot!

Sew ImPressed - best seller! (P209)

Our Market guests loved the idea that you can carry your grid ruler protected in a pressing board. It is a really great combination.

This is a great collection in Heather Bailey fabric!

Cute sewing fabric looks good too!

This is our largest one -- 18" x 24".

Sew Im-pressed!

For a long time, I have been using custom pressing boards in my sewing studio. A large pressing board sits next to my machine and I just reach over to iron something. I use smaller pressing boards when I make things like doll clothes or hem a pair of pants. They are indispensable. I like having them covered in pretty prints -- why not?!!
So our new pattern, "Sew Im-pressed" is based on this concept (P209). And I added a handle on the top so you can take the board to your sewing class, group, or even your cruise. So why not include a pocket on the back side also so you can carry your grid rulers also -- which are always so difficult to tote along, much less so breakable. It all works so perfect!!

This is Art Gallery's Bonnie Christine's spring line, "Sweet as Honey". Isn't it pretty?!!

I have already made 21 of these boards -- it's insane -- I can't quite! I need a pressing board addiction recovery group! I know you are thinking this is crazy -- but make one -- and see how easy it is to get hooked. Before you know it, you will be making one for everyone you know! in every size imaginable!

Fabric Bling!

We designed a whole series of patterns called Fabric Bling! (P175-180). They were terribly addicting to make. And if you have a supply of beads or rhinestones around, there are perfect. They are also great practice for using metallic threads - another very addicting habit to get into! There are actually 18 different necklace designs -- each with their own name.

Expressions Collection -- Define necklace!

Expressions Collection -- Clarify necklace!

Expressions Collection -- Focus necklace!

Dressing up for new year's!

So maybe it is time to get baby ready for a holiday party! The Tuxedo bib is perfect. Three bib versions: Mr. Formal, Mr. Cowboy, and Mr. Businessman (my personal favorite!).
 

Mr. Formal from Dude Babies (P189).

Or dress down and rule the town! In Mr. Cowboy!

Making Christmas gifts - such a great sentiment!

This ensemble is called 'My Other Kitchen' (P157). Great for Christmas gifts. Apron (reversible), dish towel, food gift bag white chocolate chip scone mix, oven mitt, wall pocket hanger, and placemat with napkin. The scone mix is my favorite item. Make the mix (uses white chocolate chips from the grocery store)  --  put the mix in a plastic bag, then place in the fabric gift bag. The topper template comes with the pattern; make a copy. The instructions for putting in the egg, etc is on the back of the topper. Add a spoon or gift card!
It is a great gift for neighbors at Christmas.

Made up in blues - the favorite color of most people.

It is always fun to see a project made up in another fabric.

Time to Travel!

This is great for the traveler -- called Airporter (P173).

The pillow case and pillow sleeve fits over a 16" ready-made pillow!

This is the back side of the pillow -- fits over the handles of your carry-on!

Time to make Christmas gifts!

We loved this ensemble of Christmas gifts  -- an apron, a gift food bag, and an oven mitt. Named 'Not Just for Christmas' (P173) because you could make them any time of year.

A Christmas version of Four Corners!

Mix and recipe is for Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Very easy to make! Just think how cute, a Cookie Mix with matching oven mitt.

We are Oregonians!

Somehow, you just can't get the fungus and slime out of an Oregonian!

Stuffed Snail - P184!

Sewing Shrooms!

Sitting 'round my sewing room - so appropriate for Oregon! Vanilla House pattern 
P197 Sewing Shrooms!

So fun to make!!

So many fabrics to choose from!

There is also a shorter shroom. Or you can leave off the pocket!

Monster Babies!

Monster Babies has three different monsters! But this is our favorite!

P190 Monster Babies!

Criss Criss - never get enough!

I never seem to get enough of the 'criss cross' technique!
This is Criss Cross Runner pattern (P200).

Criss Cross Runner!

 

Criss Cross Pocket Hanger!

Criss Cross in Reds!

Everyday Satchel! inspired by Sarah!

This great satchel was inspired by my daughter, Sarah, who finds it extraordinarily easy to carry everything in it, and keep one strap on your shoulder as you search inside.

This version has the bow!

This version has the ruffle on the front!

Organized chaos!

De - clutter your life! Love the big rings in the corners!

Tie-dy Up! fabric box organizers (P192)

Pretty in Bibs Photo Shoot (It's a lot harder than it looks!)

More of our experience shooting an 18-month-old. With hundreds of shots, you would think we would get a cover shot by accident but we only got a few!

Beautiful smile and pose, but you can't see the bib!

Cute expression but you still can't see the bib!

Now you see the bib, but she's on the move!

Still on the move!

Let's try bribing her with crackers!

But now she's chewing!

"More crackers, please!"

Let's try sign language for more crackers!

"Are you kidding me?!"

 

There's a great smile, but we can't see the bib!

"I'm getting tired of this!"

 

 

"Really tired of this!"

"Okay, I will smile, if you give me more crackers!"

 And it goes on and on .... round and round!!!!!

  

Fall 2013 International Quilt Market Release! for Houston, TX!

Notice, it is release, not release'S'! Only finished one pattern this fall but we think it's a doozy! We took some 600 shots of my granddaughter to get one where she was:
        
       1) Holding still, maybe looking at the camera!
       2) Smiling, at least a little!
       3) The bib looks okay! 

Eighteen months old - she eventually pulled it off! It's called "Pretty in Bibs!" (P203)

Adorable! Version C - size fits 12-30 months (approx.)!

Version A

Version B

This is actually smaller than the ones above - approx. 3-12 months.