Embroidered Golfing Shoes Bags

My husband Tony, our daughter Christina, and her husband Eric are "weekend hacker golfers"--my husband's words. So one day I thought I would make them bags for their golf shoes. I was not confident enough to embroider directly on the bags themselves, so I appliqued their initials. However, I finally got brave enough to embroider initials for the last one I made which was Christina's.  I was so nervous when I embroidered directly on the shoe bag and it came out perfect! Yea!!

Tony

Tony

Eric

Christina

Baby Boy Shower Set

I made this set for a little baby boy that isn't here yet. The blanket is made of Winnie the Pooh 100% cotton fabric on one side, with Minky on the other side.

The pants and bib are made of soft cotton flannel. 

The burp cloth is a purchased diaper with the Winnie the Pooh 100% cotton fabric.

Finally, the Gerber "Onesies" has been appliqued. 

I'm working on a tutorial of how I make an applique. Hopefully, it will be done soon.

A Mom Bragging About Illustrator Daughter Christina Forshay Winning Award in Portfolio Showcase!

This is the bit of bragging I said I would occasionally write about.  My Children's Book Illustrator daughter Christina, recently attended the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) 40th Annual Summer Conference.

I am very proud to say that she was one of four chosen out of 190 portfolios for an Illustrator Mentorship award! She writes about it on her blog.  Below is what the Bright Agency who represent her said about her win. Congratulations dear daughter!!!

Christina Forshay Wins Award in Portfolio Showcase!

An esteemed panel of judges (possessing much expertise and very good taste) pored over portfolios to choose winners for the SCBWIPortfolio Showcase!

Bright Artist, Christina Forshay attended the SCBWI International Summer Conference in LA held over the 6th and 7th August and submitted her portfolio.

Christina’s portfolio was one of four chosen our of 190 submitted for the Illustrator Mentorship award!

“The Mentorship Award is presented to a select group of six illustrators participating in the annual Portfolio Showcase, whose publishable work shows great promise and potential. The purpose goes beyond just the selection, in that the Mentorship Program is an intense advance-level portfolio critique that includes both individual reviews with each Mentor, and a culminating critique peer meeting with all Mentors and Mentees.”

This year it they chose only four mentees out of 190 submitted portfolios, and we were mentored by:

-Cecilia Yung, Art director and VP of Penguin Young Readers Group

-David Diaz, Award-winning (Caldecott!) illustrator

-Patricia Cummings, Award-winning author/illustrator

-EB Lewis, Award-winning author/illustrator

-Priscilla Burris, Illustrator and National SCBWI Illustration Coordinator

“Needless to say, I walked away from this weekend with a ton of inspiration and new ideas on how to move forward with my art and take it to the next level.” – Christina Forshay

AUGUST 09, 2011

Christina Forshay Illustration: SCBWI Summer Conference Time!

Time to brag about my daughter - again. Here is an excerpt:
Hello everyone! I'm so excited the month of July is OVER! I just completed the busiest month of my life, creativity-wise. July was packed with many deadlines (six to be exact) but I made it through! Oh, make that SEVEN deadlines if you count my spiffy new business cards and postcards I squeez

Christina Forshay Illustration: SCBWI Summer Conference Time!

His and Her Aprons

Here are his and her aprons I made as a wedding gift.  They both took only an afternoon to make. I modeled the chef apron from one I bought years ago for my husband. Yep, he's the cook in our house. It's probably the reason we've been married for over 35 years. He does all the cooking. After all, he once told me, he wanted to know what he was eating. Believe me, I cannot cook at all.  My excuse is that I suffer from anosmia. Thank goodness he is a wonderful cook!

 The fancy one was copied from a fabric panel I purchased at my local Hancock Fabric store. I've only made one of each, but I'm thinking that I'll be making them for Christmas gifts this year. I'm hoping to be able to post a tutorial for these soon. 

Resuable Lined Grocery Bags

In the city where I live, beginning today, August 1, 2011, the grocery stores have finally banned plastic bags. They can still be purchased, but it will cost 10¢. So, I've decided to make my own. I know that sounds cheap, but I've been meaning to make some any way that were close to those plastic bags that were used. I found a very good tutorial over at NTHNBUTMOONSHINE. The directions were very clear and easy to follow. The fabric I used was a good sturdy cotton fabric. I will be making more of these, including some that won't have any lining as well.

Front

Gusset Opened

Gusset Closed

Filled Bag -  Front

Another View Filled Bag - Front

Filled Bag - Sidways