Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Fandango Fabrics Now in the Shop

Our Fandango fabrics arrived late last week and after a weekend away, I now have them up in our Etsy shop for everyone that doesn't live close enough to come check them out in person. I'm already itching to use them in a project. The Teal one reminds me of a Moroccan print-but hey maybe that's just me. Take a look and let me know what you think. They're from the Fandango Collection by Kate Spain for Moda. You can check out Kate's Blog HERE.

We also have additional collections coming this week, some Riley Blake and the Pure Collection from Moda as well(I think it might even be waiting on my doorstep for me as I type this)


Thursday, August 26, 2010

Spoonflower Follow Up-Free Swatch Day!

So I was just browsing www.trueup.net, a fabric blog and saw that Spoonflower is having a free swatch day! Actually today from 12 EST to 12 tomorrow- details are HERE.

Maybe this is the little push I need to get my creative juices flowing. Now if only I had a design program on my MAC....

I wonder what my little creative brain is going to come up with! SO EXCITED!!!!

If you decide to design something yourself, please feel free to share a link in the comments section-don't be shy

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Closing Up Shop

Just our Brick and Mortar store an just for One Day-we will be closed on Friday Aug 27th. You will be able to shop online 24/7 at www.drawstringstudio.etsy.com Friday and we will be re open on Saturday. Items ordered online after 11pm CST on Thursday Aug 26th will ship on Monday Aug 30th.

Thank you and have a great weekend!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Real Simple and Daisy Janie

Check out the Real Simple Mag Blog HERE for a feature on Jan DiCintio, founder of Daisy Janie Organics. We recently started carrying Daisy Janie's Geo Grand line, and I LOVE it. I think it's great that Holly Becker at Real Simple agrees with me! If you're interested in purchasing any of these fabrics, shoot me an email at drawstringstudio[at]gmailDOTcom


We are Featured

We are lucky enough to be featured on One Artsy Mama's Blog! You can check out the interview HERE and while you're at it, check out the cute cute cute little onesies and tees that she makes.


Thanks!!!!!

Friday, August 20, 2010

A Few Things I've Been Working On


I kept forgetting to bring my camera to the store all this week, but FINALLY forced myself to remember today. I've been working on these two project this week and am just waiting for my binding to come in to get them finished up(I don't make my own binding-seems too time consuming and difficult for me).

Anyways, this first project is a little quilt pattern that I found in a mag a couple of months ago. I have since lost the mag/can't figure out which mag the pattern is in, but the great thing about this pattern is that it's SO easy. I'm really excited to see how this one turns out after being washed. The edges of the circles have been purposely left undone so that the fabric frays a bit when washed. On the back I chose a simple black and cream circle pattern to round out the design concept. I think this one is going to be the piece I donate for the Gracie's Ride Auction.

The second project is something I came up with to showcase a few fabrics in the store. We just got in the floral print and usually I'm not a floral fan, but I thought if I coupled it with the steel and ivory fabrics, it would give it a more modern feel. I love how this one turned out-it's not something I would normally do for myself and I think that's part of the reason I love it. On the back I chose the Cloud 9 Organic sandpiper print.

So that's what I've been working on lately-what have you been up to?

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Spoonflower-are you familiar with it?

If you haven't checked out Spoonflower yet-it is a must click! I love drooling over all of the fabrics and dreaming that someday I will think of something great enough to have printed on fabric...maybe this holiday season-I'm just WAY too indecisive. Plus when I take a look at what some other amazingly creative people have come up with out there I become a little self-conscious of my own design skills.

It's a great way to customize a project or way to create that fabric pattern idea you have in your head that you just can't find anywhere.

Take a look HERE

Friday, August 13, 2010

Quick One Yard Wonders Project

I've been trying to do more and more projects to showcase the fabrics in the store. I thumbed through the store copy of One Yard Wonders and came across the In/Out Mail pockets. Seriously this was one of the easiest projects I've ever done, it took me about 30 minutes start to finish and I love how they turned out. I'm going to use them to hold some of the magazines we have here at the Store.



Plus I think I'll make another set or two for at home. I think a set in the Riley Blake cars, trucks and bikes would look really cute in Ethan's room too(maybe with the polka dot lining)!

Helping out a Great Cause


I came across Gracie's Ride FB Fanpage thru a friend requesting donations. I was instantly onboard, I think they're something about having a child of your own that makes you want to help other children out there.

Here's a little background on Gracie and the event taken from her local Sun Prairie Paper....
Gracie's Ride benefits 21-month-old with rare Emanuel Syndrome

A benefit is being planned for Grace Brezenski, daughter of Beau and Amanda, Sun Prairie High School Class of 1997 and 1998 graduates, for Oct. 23, 2010, from 4-9 p.m. at the Prairie Athletic Club’s indoor soccer field.
Twenty-one-month old Grace has Emanuel Syndrome, an extremely rare disease involving severe health issues as well as cognitive and developmental delays. Grace has many medical challenges, has undergone many surgeries and will face others as she gets older.
The goal of “Gracie’s Ride” is to spread awareness of the disease, as there are only about 200 reported cases of Emanuel Syndrome worldwide, and raise funds necessary for the purchase of a wheelchair accessible conversion van for Gracie.
The family is seeking donations for Gracie’s Ride. Monetary donations are appreciated, and items for the Silent Auction are requested. Monetary contributions can be made payable to “Grace’s Ride,” at The University of Wisconsin Credit Union, 250 South Grand Ave, Sun Prairie, WI 53590.
In addition to the Silent Auction, there will be raffle items offered, food and beverages, children’s games and activities, and an entertainment stage featuring local talent and country singer, Ashley Rose.
If you have questions about the event or have an item to donate, please contact Kathy Bettis at (608) 692-2270. For event updates, go to www.graciesride.com.
A benefit is being planned for Grace Brezenski, daughter of Beau and Amanda, Sun Prairie High School Class of 1997 and 1998 graduates, for Oct. 23, 2010, from 4-9 p.m. at the Prairie Athletic Club’s indoor soccer field.
Twenty-one-month old Grace has Emanuel Syndrome, an extremely rare disease involving severe health issues as well as cognitive and developmental delays. Grace has many medical challenges, has undergone many surgeries and will face others as she gets older.
The goal of “Gracie’s Ride” is to spread awareness of the disease, as there are only about 200 reported cases of Emanuel Syndrome worldwide, and raise funds necessary for the purchase of a wheelchair accessible conversion van for Gracie.
The family is seeking donations for Gracie’s Ride. Monetary donations are appreciated, and items for the Silent Auction are requested. Monetary contributions can be made payable to “Grace’s Ride,” at The University of Wisconsin Credit Union, 250 South Grand Ave, Sun Prairie, WI 53590.
In addition to the Silent Auction, there will be raffle items offered, food and beverages, children’s games and activities, and an entertainment stage featuring local talent and country singer, Ashley Rose.

I am making an item to donate, but also wanted to find another way to help create some donations for Gracie. I selected about 6 fabrics for Gracie's mom to choose from and for each yard of fabric sold of that fabric, I will donate $2.00 towards Gracie's Ride. I think it's a great, fun girly print that could be used for so many projects. It might even be a really nice way to combine two charities and make a pillowcase to donate out of it. Contact me at drawstringstudio@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing. I will keep re-ordering the fabric as long as I am able to, but quantities may be limited. Fabric is $7.00/yard plus shipping

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Pea Pod Baby Sling


I decided that I was in desperate need of a sling to carry around Ethan since he has decided that he only wants to be held by me(hoping this phase passes soon). I took a look at the Pea Pod Sling Pattern and got busy with some of the Monaluna fabric as well as the Cloud 9 Lines-I love that both are organic! This sling was a snap and I love how it turned out, I haven't had a chance to try it out with Ethan yet since he's been sick the past few days, but am very excited about it.

It took about 2 yards of each fabric and you can add a pocket and keyring, but since I'll be using it when Justin is with me, I figured I didn't really need those components. Here is the finished product, sorry for the poor quality of pics and the lack of showing how it will be used-I hope to have those pics up later this weekend.


Monday, August 9, 2010

In the Spotlight-Karen from Sugar & Flour

I came across Sugar & Flour while doing a local search on Etsy. I was searching for last minute ideas for our Grand Opening and found her cookies. I emailed Karen to see what she could come up with and even with the last-minute notice I gave her, the cookies were perfect. They fit with the concept of the store, the colors matched perfectly and they tasted even better than they looked! Since I'm a big supporter of things local and an even big supporter of thins that taste good, I asked Karen to answer some 'In the Spotlight' questions.


Check out her Etsy shop HERE- she also has has additional photos of past cookie projects on her flickr site.

These are the cookies she made for our Grand Opening...
Tell us a little bit about yourself-
My name is Karen Herrera and I live near Milwaukee WI with my husband, our 2 girls and Charlie the dog. I grew up mostly in Wisconsin and moved away when I became an adult. I never thought I'd move back, but I really like it here. I have a fabulous garden in my backyard that I installed myself and I really love spending quiet time back there watching the plants grow and the girls playing.

how long have you been baking?
I went to cooking school in Minneapolis in my early 20's. As a class project we had to apply for a real job in a restaurant. I actually got the job and became a line cook. Coincidentally, they also had a need for a baker and I jumped at the opportunity partly because the hours were better but also because baking is more fun than cooking for me. That kind of led me down my career path... 15-ish years later (oh my gosh has it been that long??) I've baked at 2 hotels, a trendy Italian bistro, an upscale bakery, a country club, a martini lounge and now for myself. Granted, there was 6 years in there that I didn't work because I had the girls. Also, I want to point out that the first place I baked at no only started my career, it also introduced me to my husband. He's a super guy and is very supportive of my growing business.

how did you learn to bake?
I'm going to credit my mom as my biggest baking infuence. She would make a pie and I would sit across from her at the counter watching. My favorite part was when she'd cut off the edge scraps and cover them with cinnamon sugar. She'd put them on a cookie sheet and bake them alongside the pie. They turn out kind of like cinnamon toast but so much better. Good memories there. Other than what my mom taught me, I'm basically self-taught. Cooking school gave me basic baking knowledge and then I was thrown into the baking job at my first hotel. The first dessert I made there was a passion fruit tartlet with meringue topping. Every place I've worked has added to my knowledge and I'm grateful for all of it.

what's your favorite cookie/creation you've ever made?
My favorite cookie creation? Does a gingerbread house count? Several years ago I was given a kit for the Martha Stewart Spooky Gingerbread House. It was so cool! I followed the directions and decorated it just like they said to and it turned out fabulous!

do you sell your items anywhere?
My business runs exclusively online, right now on both Etsy.com and 1000markets.com. I've never had an interest in having a physical bakery of my own so right now I'm happy just that way things are.

do you have a blog/why did you start it
Funny you ask about the blog! Last year I thought it would be fun to start a blog about the cookies. I set it all up and wrote one entry and then realized I have absolutely no time to sit and write about work. No time at all. So... good bye blog!

do you find it hard to find time to bake? Do you work out of a commercial kitchen or your own?
I started my business baking out of my home kitchen. I didn't realize I was starting a business - it was supposed to be just for fun. Little did I know what was in store for me! It wasn't difficult to find time to bake because I was doing it all the time. It became hard to find time to do anything else! At the one year mark I decided to make the plunge and become a legal business and that meant finding a commercial bakery to work out of. Through the baking grapevine I came across the bakery I rent space from. It's a great setup and since it forces me to work at a specific time I now have more time to do other things like spend more time with the kiddies and actually live life.

do your children craft and/or bake? /do you think it is/should be an important part of their childhood
I think it's very important for kids to learn how to be in a kitchen. We don't get lots of opportunities to bake together but they do help for special occasions and things like that. My oldest daughter gets very excited when she gets to help and I have to ask her what the first rule of baking is. She knows the answer... patience!

Do you have other creative outlets besides baking that you enjoy?
Besides baking, I really love to garden. I have a very large perennial garden in my backyard and also a vegetable garden. Our yard is on a hill so I do a lot of hiking up and down with buckets of water (I use rain barrels, not the hose). I built it from scratch the year my second daughter was born and it helped me lose a ton of the baby weight. It's good exercise and I also find it very peaceful and healing in a way.

why did you decide to focus on cookies/do you bake anything else as well?
I've chosen to focus on sugar cookies because they're fun to do, ship well, and not a lot of people have time to make them themselves. Also, just making one specific item has kept the number of ingredients I have to buy to a minimum and saves me time working with different recipes. I love all sorts of baking though and like to try different things for my family and friends. I don't know... maybe someday I'll change my mind and decide to sell something else!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Learning to Work with PUL


I recently decided that I would venture into making/creating some wet bags and reusable lunch bags. I found some PUL online at wholesale pricing and waited for it to arrive. Well it arrived yesterday and I thought-piece of cake-just sew it together and I'm done! That's not really how it worked out at all...the fabric is a bit temperamental since it's a bit slippery and I quickly gave up for the day...after having to break out my trusty seam ripper to undo what I had done for the day...tomorrow is a new day to tackle it-plus I found a great blog that has some tricks to dealing with it.

But I thought I'd share with everyone out there a bit of info about PUL-especially if you are sitting there asking yourself what the he** is PUL.

In a nutshell...PUL, otherwise known as polyurethane laminated fabric, is a lot more technical than just a plastic backing on fabric. The original application is the medical field, and it is still used for this purpose. Like cloth diapers, it is used to replace disposable products with reusable. It provides the waterproof barrier needed in the medical field that can survive multiple institutional washings. The laminate can also be autoclaved, which is a very high heat steam sterilization process, to make it safe for reuse even after it comes into contact with blood or other bodily fluids.

It can used for a variety of sewing projects....reusable lunch bags, wet bags, menstrual pads, cloth diapers, bibs, changing pads, and more!



Tuesday, August 3, 2010

So Many Projects, So Many Ideas

So owning a fabric store is great, but I also am getting overwhelmed with ideas for projects and have been eyeing up fabrics all day!

Here is a list of the projects I plan to get started on in the near future...

From the One Yard Wonders Book(avail in the store)

The Bird Mobile-Perfect for the Baby's New Room, I am just trying to decide on a fabric-I think I might go with the Geo Grand organic cotton collection since it has some great contrasting light and dark and it somewhat gender neutral(probably will go with the brown and cream pattern)


Next of the list is the Covered Up Laptop Satchel/Bag Pattern(avail in store). We really need a fun laptop bag that is gender neutral so that my husband will be willing to carry it around too!

I think I might use one of the new Monaluna fabric that I just got in(also organic)

or maybe I'll wait until later this week when this comes in...


I also want to get started on the pillowcases I plan on making for the pillowcase drive(PLEASE if you would be willing to make one and donate it-even if you do not live locally email me and I'll give you details and let you know where to get some free patterns-drawstringstudio@gmail.com)

I'm not exactly sure what fabrics I'm going to utilize, but I already have some finished in the store for the window display.

That's what I'm working on-what's on your list of projects?

Monday, August 2, 2010

I Can't Help Myself

I know I did a post on these Monaluna fabrics recently, but I got them in on Saturday and I am in love with them. I also ordered some PUL so I can't wait to get it in and start making some wet bags-they will be avail in our etsy shop soon. Perfect for cloth diapers, swimming suits, or juice soaked t-shirts! But back to these fabrics, the colors are so vibrant and I love that the designs are modern enough to be utilized with a variety of projects, not just baby/children but also adults-I think I might make a few pillowcases out of them.

The fabric is now for sale on our Etsy shop HERE.

We're also getting our Japanese prints in at the end of this week-so keep an eye out for them.

Personally I've been working on a few projects this past week, a few scrub caps(which I am slowly getting closer to perfecting the pattern), a few checkbook covers(again a little tweaking to the pattern) and a n elephant friend for Ethan-take a look at the pic-I think Ethan loves his new friend already!