Better Know A Crafter: Colette

Colette is a darling crafter who is always working on projects of all different sorts. Her gerbil also likes to craft a cozy home out of local alpaca fiber, so she is a regular in our wool and fiber room. She recently stopped by with an adorable quilt made from her collection of fat quarters.

Colette

1) What crafts do you do?

I sew, knit, paint, grow stuff, and hang out with my cat and gerbil (who is a huge fan of Fancy Tiger's llama & alpaca hair). I'm crafty because it's how I've always been. I enjoy making stuff instead of buying it.

2) Tell us about the quilt you've made.
No pattern, I just organized the colors of the fat quarters. I like quilting because it creates something people really like to use and it can be either something super simple or more involved and interesting just based on how you want the project to be.


3) How did you learn to sew?
Most sewing I learned from my Aunt Sally, a fabulous seamstress and costumer in Chicago, and from trial and error and figuring it out on my own.

4) What is your favorite animal?
Penguins, gerbils, hamsters, cats, turtles, squirrels and various marsupials. I like animals.

Thanks Colette! Happy crafting!

New! Make Your Place!

We just received Make Your Place, an adorable book that will teach you the skills for a naturally clean and happy home and an abundant garden. Raleigh Briggs shares her knowledge of traditional and sustainable domestic skills in this endearing handwritten book.


This handbook is great to have around--you can learn everything from making your own natural skin care products to composting to making your own herbal first aid kit. Also, Raleigh is a hilarious writer and makes us laugh.

Better Know A Crafter: Gina and Minerva

Gina and Minerva visited us in Fancy Tiger and brought along "Prudence", Minerva's new backpack/pillow/owl. So adorable! Minerva was pretty proud of her mom, Gina's handiwork. What cute ladies!

Gina and Minerva Penka

1) What makes you want to be crafty?

Sustainability and fun. I got most of a degree in apparel design a long time ago and I think making things is a healthy and exemplary way to spend time. I spin wool on my spinning wheel, knit, crochet, quilt, dye, whatever strikes my fancy.

2) Tell us about this adorable portable owl pillow.
This is Prudence, the owl pillow from the Henry and Prudence pattern by Valori Wells. I sewed it.


3) How did you learn to sew?
I leaned to sew when I was seven years old. I had an aunt who tried to teach me, then I taught myself, my own way. Every woman in my family before me sewed out of necessity...I love my grandma's quilts more than anything.

4) What is your favorite animal?
My 12 year old cat, Moz.

Thanks Gina and Minerva! Happy crafting!

New! Hot Type Iron-Ons!

Brand new and super sweet--Hot Type iron-on fabric transfers. This little book is full of sweet alphabets for you to cut up and iron-on to t-shirts, tote bags, jackets and more. It also includes some pre-constructed phrases to get you started.


Now you can finally make that Super Duper shirt of your dreams!

Better Know a Craft Nerd: Jaime and Her Invisibility Cloak

I finally finished my elven invisibility cloak! Every time I put it on I am magically transported to Middle Earth with my hobbit friends.

What makes a lace shawl an elven invisibility cloak? Gotland! Gotland sheep are the lustrous sheep originally from Sweden whose wool is exclusively used to make the Elven invisibility cloaks featured in the Lord of the Rings films.

I purchased my Gotland yarn at the Estes Park Wool festival from the breeders of the first Gotland herd in the United States. The pattern I used is the Ishbel lace shawl pattern by Ysolda Teague and it turned out great! Now I too, can possess the magic power of the Elves!

Better Know A Crafter: Cade

Cade just finished sewing the most awesome woodgrain oilcloth messenger bag. It is the woodgrainiest and we love it!

Cade

1) What makes you want to be crafty?

I rework old vintage jewelry into new cool pieces. I figure I have to dress the part of someone who loves things you cannot buy...you just have to make it.

2) Tell us about your sweet bag.
I have had the idea for a wood grain oilcloth bag for a while. I used oil cloth for protection against weather and a similar wood grain print for the lining. The strap is a karate belt and I found the patch in an old dresser. I didn't use much of a pattern.


3) How did you learn to sew?
I taught myself to sew when I was a kid. I always liked making costumes, so it was a process of trial and error. There are still a lot of errors.

4) What is your favorite animal?
Elephants and owls.

Thanks Cade! Happy crafting!

New! Cloud 9 Organic Fabrics!

We just received a brand new line of organic cotton print fabrics from the brand new and adorable company Cloud 9 Fabrics. Cloud 9 is co-founded and designed by Etsy superstar Michelle Engel Bencsko of Cicada Studios. The fabrics are 100% certified organic cotton and are printed with earth-friendly dyes.


We love the cute modern prints and soft palette!