curious doodles

Snow In The North West

2012-03-02T08:47:00.002-08:00

It was a fun surprise to see a white blanket of snow on my neighborhood. Happy Friday!

DIY Embroidery Wood Brooch Kit

2012-02-19T20:44:00.006-08:00

I am so thrilled to share my latest kit to the collection. It combines three of my favorite things: geometry, wood, and embroidery. Purchase here for $12.00

This is the perfect embroidery kit for someone starting to learn embroidery (kids and adults alike). It is designed to be open-ended so you can be as creative as you want. If you are looking for guidance the kit comes with a few patterns you can follow (see pictured below). I find the brooches to be very satisfying and relaxing to complete.

Each Kit Contains:

• 1 wood brooch with laser cut holes (1.5" diameter)

• 3 colors of thread (teal, purple, light green)

• 1 needle

• Brooch pin for easy fastening

• Instructions and 3 patterns

Product Release: His & Her Pillowcase Embroidery Kit

2012-02-19T18:51:00.004-08:00

There is a new embroidery kit in the shop! After having such a great response to my Tea Towel Calendar kit I decided to continue the same aesthetic into a His and Her pillowcase project. It would make a lovely wedding or anniversary gift.

Each kit comes with:

• Two pillowcases screen printed with "HIS" and "Her"
• 220 Thread Count Very Soft Egyptian Cotton Pillowcases
• 30" x 21" to fit a standard sized pillow
• Quality red embroidery floss
• 2 embroidery needles
• 6" wood hoop
• Instructions and stitch guide

Buy here.

Work Dress Sewn from Simplicity 2147

2012-02-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

My New Years resolution was to sew one garment a month. This is my January creation I made using Simplicity 2147. This dress looks really cute with a belt and some tights. Beware, without a belt it looks like you are wearing a potato sack.

The dress is made from a purple linen that I picked up while I was in Japan. Fabric makes the best souvenirs. The bias tape was home made from a floral linen. I added pockets to the pattern at the last minute because I'm obsessed with pockets. When I attached the yoke to the dress, there was about 4 in of extra fabric on the dress portion. I ended up adding two more pleats to solve that problem and it worked out fine.

So this garment incorporated a lot of firsts for me. This was my first time to sew a sleeve, make my own bias tape, and install hidden pockets. I love learning new techniques!

Do you have any pattern suggestions for me to try? Leave them in the comments below

One month down 11 to go!

Screen Printing For New Embroidery Kit

2012-02-07T16:36:00.000-08:00

I've been super busy getting all the details figured out for my newest kit. Here are some shots of me screen printing. Stay tuned for the finished product.

Artist Feature: Emily Barletta

2012-02-06T05:30:00.000-08:00

Emily Barletta is a Brooklyn based textile artist. I'm loving the different textures, patterns, and densities explored throughout this series of embroidery works on paper.

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Product Release: Geometric Pocket Notebook Embroidery Kit

2012-02-02T17:30:00.001-08:00

My love for embroidery and paper continues with my latest pocket notebook embroidery kit.

The inspiration for this kit came from an obsession with Japanese Sashiko stitching and designs. I really enjoy making kits that are both beautiful and functional. Personally, I keep one of these notebooks on me at all times so I can jot down thoughts as they come. I find it very helpful to keep my ideas from getting lost.

The kit comes with 2 laser cut notebooks, plenty of red thread, and a needle. The notebooks are made locally in portland and the paper is 100% recycled.

The grid is designed in a way that you could get several different designs out of it. I hope people get really creative with these and I can't wait to see other people's designs.

Click here to buy.

Agustina Woodgate: Upcycled Stuffed Animals

2012-01-30T06:30:00.000-08:00

Agustina Woodgate is the artist behind these stunning and one-of-a-kind rugs made of stuffed animal skins. I think it is an excellent use of discarded stuffed animals. I'm imagining the hours and hours going into deconstructing the stuffed animals. What a process. Check out more of her wide-ranging art projects here.

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Seconds Sale: 2012 Tea Towel Embroidery Calendar Kit

2012-01-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

Be sure to check out the Seconds Sale happening on my etsy shop. These are tea towels that were slightly misprinted in the screen printing process that didn't make the cut. Each listing has pics of the exact tea towel you will get. Enjoy the $12 discount.

Sneak Peak of Embroidery Kit

2012-01-26T16:19:00.001-08:00

I've been busy with drawing and tracing and digitizing my next embroidery kit. Here are some snap shots of the progress.

Haptic Lab: Modern Map Quilts

2012-01-20T05:30:00.000-08:00

Emily Fischer of Haptic Lab has been making some noteworthy map quilts. Yes, take a closer look and you can navigate Lower Manhattan. I love the combination of traditional quilting with the modern map trend. See below for more eye candy.

King-sized quilt of Lower Manhattan: off-white silk

Queen-sized map of Rome: white silk shantung and red thread

Queen-sized map of Paris: white silk and taupe thread

Topographic quilt of Julian, California

Detail of Penobscot Bay keepsake quilt: silk applique

Product Release: Embroidery on Wood Brooches

2012-01-18T05:30:00.000-08:00

These are some of my latest tiny stitched illustrations into wood for brooches. They look great on jackets, totes, hats, etc. So exciting for me! Something so satisfying about stitching into wood. I love the idea of of utilizing embroidery techniques beyond fabric. Check out the full collection here.

Roanna Wells Hand Stitched Art

2012-01-16T05:30:00.000-08:00

I'm exceptionally inspired by Roanna Wells stitched art. Yes, these were created by taking thousands of tiny stitches, one after the other. These pieces are gorgeous on so many levels. I admire the ambitious scale, the reserved color palette, the movement, and of course that it is made by stitches. Check out Roanna's website and blog to see more.

Screen Printed Wedding Invite Design

2012-01-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

One of my goals for the new year, is work on more projects that excite me, like this invite. I love getting custom work. It fun to be a part of someone's special day. Anyhoo, I wanted to share some of the details of this invite I did earlier this summer. The wedding invitation needed to communicate environment of the wedding. The huge tree on the main invite sets the tone for the suite, and little natural details come up in other places. For instance, the very subtle tree rings on the save the date. Also, the natural woven texture of the slate envelope and the rsvp add a lot to the overall feel of the invites. I incorporated the wedding colors of coral and sophisticated grays with ink and paper selection. These little details really make a huge difference in an announcement. I'm very happy with the way it all came together. The invite was screen printed at The Pull Press, locally in Portland.

Renegade Recap and Happy New Year!

2012-01-12T18:21:00.000-08:00

Big sigh. The holidays are over and I can calm down a bit. The holidays are most certainly the busiest time of year for CuriousDoodles. Put travel to California and Texas on top of that and you get a very quiet blog for a long time. But I survived, and I very hopeful that the new year will be full of good things. I want to spend more time learning how to sew clothes for myself this year. I am slightly intimidated by this type of sewing so I'm doing one project every month to get over my fears. I will try to share the triumphs and failures with you.

Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco was a blast. I really enjoyed getting to meet so many awesome customers as well as other artists like The Experts Agree , R&L Goods , and Texture Clothing to name a few. It was impressive to see so many people packed into the Concourse Center that it was hard to walk though the aisles. I was definitely feeling the handmade love, which makes me think I should keep doing this.

Join me at Renegade

2011-12-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Do It Yourself Magazine Feature

2011-12-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

The holiday issue of Do It Yourself magazine featured my "Oh Deer" Embroidery Kit. The magazine is chock-full of cute DIY projects, mostly around the theme of home decor. Pick one up at your local book store to get some inspiration for the holidays.

Thanks for a Successful Weekend at Crafty Wonderland

2011-12-12T06:30:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to all those folks who stopped by my booth at Crafty Wonderland. I really appreciate you! It was also amazing meeting a bunch of other talented artists this weekend. Thank you Darrell for all your help with the show. On a side note, congratulations to Liz for being the winner of my calendar giveaway. Now time to regroup and get ready for Renegade craft fair next weekend in San Francisco. Hope to see all my readers from the bay area there!

Join me at Crafty Wonderland this weekend!

2011-12-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

Giveaway: 2012 Screen Printed Desk Calendar

2011-12-06T05:30:00.001-08:00

This calendar is an homage to all the beautiful flora I saw while backpacking through Southeast Asia this past year. When I got home, I translated my best photographs into graphic paper cuts for each month. The back of each calendar is a postcard, so they each serve a dual purpose.

Leave a comment below telling me what you like about the calendar to enter a drawing to win it. A winner will be chosen Dec. 9 th at 10pm.

Embroidery Installation Collaboration with Widen & Kennedy

2011-12-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

I was recently commissioned to make a large scale embroidery installation for the front doors of Widen + Kennedy, a local advertising agency. I was giddy with delight at the thought of the project. I used the thickest yarn I could find and a huge needle to pull this off. These letters are seriously huge and bulky to deal with, but totally worth it in the end. If you live in the PDX area you can check it out in person at: 224 NW 13th Ave. Portland, OR 97209.

Modern Pantone Ornaments

2011-12-04T20:30:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad I found these pantone design-y ornaments. Sometimes its hard to find modern holiday decor amongst all the kitschy clutter. You can purchase here.

via design crush

CuriousDoodles 2012 Calendar is on FPO blog

2011-12-03T06:30:00.000-08:00

So excited to have one of my screen printed pieces on FPO (For Print Only) blog. I find this blog to be hugely inspirational for learning printing techniques and seeing other cool projects from the design world. Check out the article here.

Nicola Ginzel: Embroidered Everyday Ephemera

2011-12-01T05:30:00.000-08:00

I am inspired by Nicola Ginzel's embroidery art. Her work adds meaning and preciousness to somewhat mundane items that would normally be discarded. So Beautiful!

Laser engraved Birth Announcement

2011-11-29T05:30:00.000-08:00

This is a custom birth announcement that I designed for one of my family members. I was pleased with the end result so I wanted to share it with you. I used ponoko to do the laser-ing which cost around $60 for two of these. Not so cheap, but not too expensive either. Feel free to contact me if you would like me to do custom work for your next event.

Black Friday Sale!

2011-11-24T23:59:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy 15% off all CuriousDoodles merchandise using coupon code: BlackFriday2011 (all one word). Special offer viable Nov. 25-28th.

Holiday Gift Round up: DIY Crafty Kits

2011-11-23T06:30:00.000-08:00

For all those crafty folks out here I have created a round up of the best of Etsy for DIY kits. I just love having some kind of kit to do Christmas day after the present opening chaos.

Row 1: Tea Towel Calendar Embroidery Kit by CuriousDoodles //Bicycle Basket Weaving Kit by JonnasCollection // Wire Crochet Pattern and Starter Kit by Yoola

Row 2: Potholder Loom by CraftSanity // Crewel Embroidery Kit by Tako Fibers // Terrarium Kit by Kiki Yow

Ivano Vitali: Knitted Paper Art

2011-11-21T05:30:00.000-08:00

Since 2005 artist, Ivano Vitali, has been creating art from up-cycled newspapers. Each page is processed into yarn without the use of dyes or glue. I love playful scale of his works, especially the sock. His knitting needles are amazing. I can't wait to see what he makes next!

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Knitted Modern Chair

2011-11-16T05:30:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't it be fun to make something like this. I love the scale of the stitches juxtaposed by the modern metal chair. The best of both worlds.

via craft room

Nails + Thread

2011-11-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

I am enjoying the handiwork and message of Dominique Falla.

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DIY Customized Embroidery Tea Towel for a Wedding Keepsake.

2011-11-10T22:03:00.000-08:00

This tea towel would be a great gift if you know someone getting married. You can customize it by matching their wedding colors to your thread color. Also, use left over thread to write the bride and groom's name or write a simple message to them. Read below on steps to do customize.

I used a light box but a window would work fine to trace the letters onto the towel. I think handwriting, especially cursive would also be nice to try. I do recommend planning out how the text will look on another piece of paper. This way you can mess up and it won't be any big deal.
Next, follow your guide and take small stitches around the curves so it doesn't look too choppy.
Circle any dates that may be of importance like weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Try to have fun with it and make it your own. The possibilities are endless. If you have any pictures of your stitched up tea towel, I would love to see!

Happy stitching,

Laura

Behind the Scenes: My Embroidery Kit Factory

2011-11-10T14:20:00.000-08:00

For those of you that are waiting on Tea Towel Embroidery Kits, I wanted to share some snap shots of the process of getting these kits together. Firstly, this is the luscious red thread bobbins waiting to be packing into a kit.

I'm a little embarrassed to share this photo. It looks kind of like I'm just moving in, but its just project explosion from the tea towel kits.At least the kitty found a nice place to hang out.
My late night print session.
This contraption, we call him Steve, is a portable oven. His job is to set the ink to 324 degrees.

Itty Bitty Embroidered Coin Clutch

2011-11-10T06:30:00.000-08:00

While I was in Japan this past year I saw tons of squeal inducing miniature coin purses. I picked up one of these tiny kiss lock frames in Tokyo so I could try making one. I used a natural linen fabric for the outside and a vintage print on the liner. I gave this one to a very special friend for her birthday.

If you are interested in learning the lazy daisy stitch on this purse click here.

Embroidery on a Linen Tea Towel

2011-11-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here is one of my latest designs stitched on a 100% linen tea towel.

DIY clock in the works...

2011-11-06T05:30:00.000-08:00

This is a fun little project I've been working on. I realized I didn't have any clocks around the house. And I don't wear a watch, so it was time for me to make one. The clock is laser cut with one of my leafy patterns on birch plywood. I like the overall subtlety of the pattern versus the numbers.

Embroidery Tutorial: French Knot

2011-11-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Start off by coming up through the fabric.

Hold the needle with your dominant hand. Wrap the thread around the needle 2-3 times depending on how big you want the knot.
Now, go back down the same hole you came out.
Push the knot all the way down your needle so it is touching the fabric. Take your time and gently nudge the needle through. You can keep the knot stable with a finger nail as you pull the rest of the tail through. That's all there is to it!

I love this example of what can be created with french knots from Incy Wincy Stitches.

Human Billboards

2011-11-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

These human mural/billboards were used in the mass games in North Korea. And yes, those are people holding up posters. I love the creativity and overall organization needed to pull something off like this. It reminds me of gestalt theory: the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

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Happy Halloween!

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

I thought Matthew Cox's x-ray embroidery pieces would be appropriate for Halloween. They seem to tell a mysterious story of human nature.

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Fong Qi Wei: Exploded Flowers

2011-10-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

Take it apart and then put it back together--well almost. Fong Qi Wei found a fresh and different way to look at flowers. Buy a gorgeous print for your home here.

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Abigail Reynolds Geometric Cut Art

2011-10-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

Can't get enough of Abigail Renolds artwork. The mix of black and white and color is very effective not to mention the layered meaning. I really want to see them in person because they look so tactile.

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Embroidery Tutorial: Lazy Daisy

2011-10-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

The lazy daisy embroidery stitch is especially helpful for flower petals and makes up the little blooms in my 2012 tea towel kit. Let me walk you through the basics of this fun, little stitch.

Come up and then immediately down a few millimeters away. Pointing your needle in the direction you want to make the petal, bring your needle back out about 1/4 inch away from the first hole, but don't pull the needle through.
With your needle in this position, wrap the tail (the thread coming out of the very first hole) around the needle. You can start to see the petal forming.
Pull your needle through, keeping the thread tight. Important note: pull your thread away from the tip of the petal like in the picture below.
Next, is a tiny stitch used to secure the petal in place. Bring your needle down just on the other side of the petal.
This is a finished lazy daisy stitch. Sometimes the petals will need some styling. Poke and pull at them with your needle to get the desired fullness and shape. Repeat several more times to create a full flower.
I hope you enjoyed this quick tutorial and find some useful applications for the lazy daisy. Happy stitching!

-Laura

Sneak Peak of CuroiusDoodles Embroidery on Wood Brooches

2011-10-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

I want to share some of my latest embroidery designs on wood. I absolutely love stitching into wood. Something very satisfying and tactile about it. The holes are laser cut into the wood which makes it really easy for stitching. I'm thinking of selling these as finished brooches or as a embroidery kit.

CuriousDoodles Tea Towel Kit on Design Sponge

2011-10-22T15:56:00.000-07:00

This has been an exciting weekend for me. My tea towel was featured on Design Sponge on Friday and I was completely sold out of kits by the end of the day. Wow, thank you to all the Design Sponge readers who are supporting my shop. You are truly awesome. In the mean time I'm working very hard to get a new batch into the shop. If you are interested in pre-ordering a kit, convo me through my etsy shop. Be sure to include your name and email. I'll inform you when more are in stock. Thanks for your patience and happy stitching!

Embroidery on Wood Cross Stitch

2011-10-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

I love combining wood + embroidery + geometric patterns. Here is a sneak peak at my current project.

Ella Robinson: Driftwood and Thread

2011-10-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

Ella Robinson, a UK based artist, uses driftwood and thread in a very unique way. I love the color stories she uses and how they pop on the wood. Gorgeous work.

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Sneak Peak: Oversized Embroidery Sign

2011-10-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

This signage has been in the works for over a year and its finally coming together. I love the idea of blowing up my little CuriousDoodles avatar into oversized chunky embroidery. Can't wait to share the finished sign.

David Butler: Parson Gray Textile Collection

2011-10-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

Some really nice earthy and modern textiles by David Butler, Amy Butler's husband. I could really go for some of these prints in my house. Check out my favorite picks from the collection below. And go like Parson Gray's Facebook page right now.

Origami Ribbon from Oribbon

2011-10-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are obsessed with all things paper add this cool dimensional ribbon to your wish list. Check out more papergoods from Oribbon.

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Embroidery Tutorial: Back Stitch

2011-10-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

I made this tutorial for the visual people out there that learn best with images. I hope you enjoy! There are many ways to do embroidery techniques. I'll show you what works for me, but I've found the best way to perfect a technique is to practice until you come up with your own tricks.

First things first, divide the six strands into two three-stand groups. It is possible to sew with all 6 if you want a bulky look. Two strands will be ideal for very fine to small detail work.

After threading your needle, tie a knot at the end of your thread. This doesn't have to be anything fancy. I use the same kind of knot that I use on shoelaces. The knot needs to be bigger than the weave of your fabric so sometimes it is necessary to tie two knots right on top of each other. Use your fingernail and slowly guide the second knot down to meet the first knot.

Bring the needle through to the front of the fabric to make your first stitch. Move over about a quarter of an inch over and send the needle back down.

And there you have your first stitch. Awesome!

Bring your needle over to come up for the next stitch. This time we are going to use a slightly different technique on the way down.

Instead of going straight down. You will go down and immediately up to make the next stitch all in one movement. It will make it easier if your fabric is taut. This technique will save you some time once you can get the hang of it.

Repeat until you are finished.

The back stitch is an extremely versatile stitch, but is mostly use for outlines.

Now, time to tie off. Use both hands. One hand holding the loop taut, the other holding the tail. With the tension you can guide the knot down until it is touching the fabric.

Next, put your fingernail over the knot, and slide the last of the thread though. Cut off the thread at about one quarter of an inch away from the knot. If you leave your tails long they will get caught up and tangle down the road.

In no time at all you will be backstitching like a champ!

Check out CuriousDoodles embroidery kits here.

First Thursday Painting Demo by Tadashi Ura

2011-10-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure randomly stumbling upon a calligraphic painting demo by Japanese artist, Tadashi Ura, at First Thursday. If you live in Portland check out his expressive work here.

Corn Maze at Krugar Farm

2011-10-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

Going to Krugar farm is one of my favorite Fall festivities. The day we choose to go it was actually raining so we were considering skipping it, but I'm so glad we didn't. We saw the most gorgeous double rainbow after the rain let up. If you look closely you can see the 2nd rainbow above the main rainbow in this picture. Also, the colors on the farm looked more saturated than normal so the pumpkins really poped in my shots.

Michelle and John are good friends my college years that were going on a massive west cost road trip. I'm so glad they were able to stop in Portland! I have to say my choice in foot ware was very poor for the farm. Within minutes of walking around the very muddy corn maze, my shoes were carrying at least 5 pounds of mud caked to the bottom and sides. It was pretty comical waddling around like I was in my 70s. Michelle and John got brave and just went barefoot which might have been the best solution to all that mud. Overall a really fun day that ended in a carmel apple!

Happy Friday!

2011-10-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

I thought this was so beautiful I had to take a snap shot of it. It's a test print thats been used over and over for several different jobs. The layering is spectacular. If you look closely, you can see my calendar prints mixed in there.

Sean Freeman: Typography Made Of Things

2011-10-06T09:20:00.000-07:00

My jaw dropped when I saw this Decemberist type treatment. So gorgeous! Check out more of Sean Freeman's typographic wizardry skills here.

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Design Process

2011-10-05T06:30:00.000-07:00

I want to share some of my design process with my most recent calendar project. There is a lot of work that goes into each calendar month, and so I wanted to show you how I translated some of my photographs into graphic patterns.

This is the original photograph I took while I was traveling and I made a paper cut based off of this leaf. I made a simple paper cut from this above photograph.

The micro-pattern was inspired by the craziness of Roman streets. I spent so much time staring at this map as I was lost most of the time.
This is the pattern that I came up with. It has bits and pieces from the map above, but some of it is made up so that it repeats.
I hope you enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes of how I make my illustrations.

Product Release: 2012 Screen Printed Desk Calendar

2011-10-03T06:30:00.000-07:00

Introducing my 2012 paper cut botanical paper cut! This calendar is an homage to all the beautiful flora I saw while backpacking through Southeast Asia this past year. When I got home, I translated my best photographs into graphic paper cuts for each month. The back of each calendar is a postcard, so they each serve a dual purpose.

The chipboard packaging doubles a stand for the calendar (see below). You just have to put the tabs through the outer slits to create a shelf for the print. This feature of the calendar is very important to me because I have been using plastic cases in the past that were cheaply made. This solution is completely compostable/recyclable.

The back of each print doubles as a postcard. So once the month is over you can send a quick note to a friend.

The process of screen printing lets the ink sit above of the paper, giving the finished product a richer tactile feel.

Sneak Peak: Screen Printing 2012 Calendars

2011-09-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

I've been on press all day printing. Here is a tiny sneak peak of my 2012 desk calendars. The white is printing beautifully on the earthy tones. So exciting to see it come together. I've got one more day of printing and then you should see them in my shop shortly.

Modular curtain puzzles

2011-09-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

I think these modular curtains are very clever. You build them to fit your window and your privacy needs. I think it would be nice to wake up to the different levels of light shining through these. A set of 160 cost $235 here.

via

Greg Dunn

2011-09-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

It's Monday and I'm loving Greg Dunn's paintings of neurons and other biological beauties. Simply stunning and subtle.

via

Vintage Embroidery Transfers

2011-09-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

My mom is awesome. She sent me a package with her stash of vintage embroidery pattern transfers. So much kitschy goodness. I'm going to experiment with these and see if the iron transfer stuff still works 50+ years later.

Crocheting with rope

2011-09-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

I've been seeing the Alseda Stool everywhere lately. I am attracted to the simplicity and utility of it. But instead of buying it, I wanted to make something like it on my own (because that's how I roll). I found a 1/4 inch utility line on sale at a wholesale liquidation store and so I had to buy some and try crocheting with it to make yummy floor cushions.

This is the cushion 1/2 way done! The crocheting goes really quick when using this thick rope. I love being able to crank out a project quickly.

Ever since my yoga training in India, I spend more time on the floor. I eat on the floor now. I think these will be a nice to eat on and just hang out. I'm thinking about dying the rope a red or green, but I'm not sure how the nylon rope will take the dye.

2012 Calendar Sneak Peak

2011-09-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

The past couple weeks I've been working really hard to get the 2012 desk calendars completed. Here are some of the botanical paper cuts I made for the calendar. I've been translating some of the photographs I took during my round-the-world trip into graphic paper cuts. It's been a lot of fun, except my hand is complaining from all the tedious exacto work. Can't wait to see the finished product. I'm so close! Stay tuned for the screen printing process.

Marker Textile Collection by Rita Jardón

2011-09-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

I like this raw edgy marker collection by Madrid based designer, Rita Jardón. Just goes to show, you don't need fancy materials to make beautiful things. You just need a beautiful mind.

via pattern observer

CuriousDoodles Packaging Redesign

2011-09-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

You might have noticed some new book inspired packaging for the DIY kits in the shop. I'm going for a clean-modern-natural, with a touch of handmade look. I've always admired the way a set of classic books looks so organized and pretty. It's part of the inspiration for the redesign.

The new packaging system is designed for flexibility in the retail setting. It can be hung by the hole punch or they can sit on a shelf like books. It's also easy to ship for online sales.

How to Frame a Tea Towel or Fabric

2011-09-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

This tutorial is for anybody that wants an inexpensive but effective way to frame fabric. This will work for needle point projects, tea towels, or just yardage of your favorite fabric. Today I will be using one of my D.I.Y. embroidery kits as an example.

You will need:

• Foam core (try to get acid-free)

• Ruler

• Straight Pins

• Utility knife, or exacto knife

• Tape

• Frame (I got mine from ikea for $10)

Use a utility knife or exacto knife to cut down the foam core so that it fits snugly inside your frame.
Next, figure out exactly how you want your fabric to hang in the frame. I used some painters tape to temporarily hold the cloth in place while I turned over the frame to look at placement. Once everything looks good, take off your painters tape and place the foam core on top of the cloth. Ideally your fabric would wrap around the foam core on all sides, but with this particular piece it only wraps on two sides.
With straight pins, secure the fabric onto the foam core. Push your pins at a very shallow angel so they are not poking through to the other side of the foam core. Make sure to push the pin all the way into the head. If the pin is only half way in the fabric can slip around. Start with doing 3 pins on each side, then go back and fill in pins every could of inches.
It is very tricky to get everything straight onto the foam core. The first time I tried this, the piece ended up being crooked. I got out my trusty ruler and measured to the bottom of the numbers on both sides to get a more accurate placement and then re-pinned everything. It was definitely worth it in the end.
Here is the stretched piece ready to go in the frame! Place face down: the glass, mat, fabric piece, and lastly the backing.
I find it is easier to use a butter knife than my finger nails to get the clips to go down.

Next, attach your wire and you are ready to hang your framed fabric piece on the wall.

Let me know in the comments how this technique worked for your project.

Paul Morgan's pattern design

2011-09-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

I'm loving the intricate patterns, color, and geometry that go into Paul Morgan's work. So gorgeous. See more here.

via pattern observer

Letterpress with dice

2011-09-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

What a clever idea, and I love the endless options the dice provide. Buy posters at Stukenborg's shop on Etsy.

OMG Awesome Cross Stitch iPhone case.

2011-09-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad to see this product in the market. There are so many fun ideas I can think of to do with this.

Available here for purchase $18.
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Kid's drawing into Real Life

2011-09-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

Kids always have such a free expressive way of drawing. I thought this was a very fun idea. Check out more of these photographs here, at Yeondoo Jung's website.

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How to Frame Fabric or Needlepoint on Canvas Stretchers

2011-09-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

Canvas Stretchers work nicely for finishing a fabric art piece. You could use this method for finishing a needle work piece, framing an old tee-shirt with cool artwork, or a cute piece of vintage fabric. This method also allows you to undo everything if you decide to do something else with the piece later down the road. I happened to have these stretchers lying around, so it seemed like the perfect way for me to finish my DIY Crewel Embroidery Kit from Tako Fibers.

You will need:

• Canvas Stretchers

• Heavy Duty Thread (I used 6 strand embroidery floss)

• Scissors

• Needle

• Patience
Get your fabric into place and then cut excess fabric from around the edges. You can also cut the corners off so there isn't as much bulk in the corner area, but I was scared to do this so I left it as is.
Use your needle and thread to start stretching the fabric. Start in the middle and work your way to the outside. Check every so often to see how its going and adjust as necessary.
After my first attempt, I noticed a lot of puckering around the fox's neck, so I decided to do a second pass. Check out the white thread below to see what I'm talking about.
Notice how the puckering is mostly gone after going back and adding more support to that area.
Now Mr. Party Fox is ready to grace my wall.

Product Launch: Introducing 2012 Calendar Tea Towel D.I.Y. Embroidery Kit

2011-09-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time in the process, but here it is! I had so much fun with my tea towel last year, that I decided to bring it in to 2012. Wonderfully, my longtime love of embroidery has been well received by the ETSY community in the form of my STICHIES Kits. I thought it time to carry that passion over and expand into the world of tea towel calendars, a functional and beautiful addition to any kitchen.

The kits take approximately 8 - 14 hours. By the end of the kit, you feel confidant about the stitches (back stitch, lazy daisy, and the french knot). It is calming and meditative, a nice way to spend an evening. And it's really a nice feeling to lay back after completing a number and see your hard work translated directly onto the canvas.

The kit was designed for both beginners and advanced stitchers. The instruction guide goes over each stitch if you need that and I'll be creating in dept tutorials on the blog detailing each stitch. I've been compiling some good little tips through the process.

My test subject was a complete rookie, but by the end of the 2012, he felt the urge to keep going and fill in the CuriousDoodles logo and fill in his families' birthday dates. Apparently he sped up as his stitching got better and he just couldn't stop.

Part of the reason why I am interested in making kits, is because there is a lack of modern/relevant designs for embroidery. Sure, there are loads of vintage embroidery patterns which I adore, but it is a bit of dying art that I would like to see come back. I combined modern typography with dense organic stitch work. I started with big helvetica block letters and filled them in with intertwined vine work creating a different read from across the room vs. up close-up. Check out my blog post with some of the early sketches/prototypes. I did several revisions to the design once I started stitching up prototypes to come up with a design that is appropriate for the capabilities of needlework.

The towel comes with a hang tab in the upper right corner for easy hanging.

The completed kit would be a wonderful keep sake gift for a new baby or a wedding. It also makes a wonderful gift for crafty friends and family (especially those you feel have a little too much time on their hands).

Tomatoes in Abundance

2011-09-05T06:30:00.000-07:00

I am overwhelmed with tomatoes from my CSA, so I figured now was the time to learn how to make tomato soup. This is from my first batch of tomato bisque flavored with onion, celery, and garlic. The homemade cheese biscuits and carrots compliment the flavors of the soup nicely.

This is sliced tomato with loads of cilantro and salt and pepper to taste. So delicious with home grown tomatoes!

Adventures with Crewel Embroidery Kit by Tako Fibers

2011-09-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at crewel embroidery was with this beautiful kit make by tako fibers. The kit was well packaged in a fun little bakery box complete with screen printed pattern, yarn, needle, and stitch guide. I quickly became acquainted with the long/short stitch which is used to fill shapes in. It goes fairly quickly because the yarn is thick. My only critique would be some of the sub areas were not screen printed on the fabric like the white ear tips. I was able to finish the kit in a weekend and would certainly recommend it to anyone interested in crewel embroidery.

The effects of crewel embroidery are pretty awesome. It's puffy and touchable and allows you to have large filled in areas like painting. Can't wait to experiment with this more.

2011-09-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

I really like the overall collage-organic-doodle-fabric-sketchbook feel of Hillery Rebeka Sporatt's work. I want to touch all of them! And after admiring them, I would like to pin them on my blouses. Be sure to check out her shop as well.

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Progress Update: Stitching up the Tea Towel

2011-08-31T06:30:00.000-07:00

I have been stitching ferociously the past few days trying to get this baby done. I'm almost there!

Blackberry peach cobbler in the middle of the day

2011-08-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts of being a freelancer is being able to do things like this in the middle of the day.I picked these black berries from my back yard. And there are 2 peaches from Trader Joe's peach flats.

The next part is my dirty little secret. Sprinkle cake mix and lots of butter on top.

This won't last for long in the house!
This ceramic casserole was something I made while in college. I was happy to eat beautiful food out of it.

Printing Tea Towel Embroidery Kits

2011-08-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

The tea towels have been screen printed. Hooray! Here are some shots of me at The Pull printing.
The printing process went fairly smoothly. The large format print was a little bit tricky, but we figured out a way to make it all work. Now its time to stitch it up. I'm excited to see the final project complete!

Weekend Getaway in Puget Sound

2011-08-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

After traveling the world this past year, it has made me more grateful and excited to travel more locally. There are so many beautiful amazing places to visit right here in the pacific northwest to keep me busy for a little while. My first weekend getaway since I've been back in the states was to Puget Sound.

It was nice to get out of the house, have a change of scenery, and a quiet weekend. Not to mention the cooler temperatures were favorable compared to the heat wave happening in Portland.

Yay for moss, fog, ferns, insects, huge lakes, mud, turtles, chocolate, and wine.

Crochet with unusual materials

2011-08-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

via

Wall Art made With Nails and Rope

2011-08-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

I'm liking the subtlety of these DIY wall art kits. You can buy the kits here. I think a map of some sort would be interesting imagery for this technique.

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2012 Tea Towel Sneak Peak

2011-08-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some snap shot of my progress on the design for the 2012 calendar tea towel. This year it will be an embroidery kit.

This is me sketching in my local coffee shop. I'm using helvetica as a guide for my lettering. The little circle blooms ended up not working out as well for embroidery so I changed the blooms to look like this.

I'm also testing which colors look best with the design in this shot.
Stay tuned for more progress shots.

Young Coconut Juice from India

2011-08-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

Speaking of coconuts...

I had a double take when this guy started climbing the coconut tree like it was nothing. It probably took him 30 seconds to get to the top. And he cut down some young coconut with a machete and then climbed down from the tree. The whole transaction probably took 3 minutes. Wow! I thought I was good at climbing trees, but this guy put me to shame.
I was introduced to the wonder of the young coconut juice in India. A slightly sweet clear liquid packed with nutrients and electrolytes did the trick for me on hot afternoons between yoga sessions.
pictured: myself and my yoga peeps enjoying a young coconut

Wishing I could go back to that life right now.

Making rope out of coconut fiber in India

2011-08-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

I was continuously impressed by the resourcefulness of the Indian people. They don't let anything go to waste, including discarded coconut shells. If you let them dry out in the sun they make a fibers like this.

Then they loosen the fiber up and get it prepped for the spinning wheel. A women skillfully feeds the fibers into the wheel which then made some very strong and useful rope. I saw this type of rope being used everywhere including holding many of their structures together.

Now I wonder if there is anything laying around in my yard that I could make rope out of?

Please Vote: Connecting Threads Fabric Design Contest

2011-08-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Vote here on your favorite fabric. Be a dear and vote for mine design too (pictured above). Follow this link. Its on the 3rd row all the way to the left.

It's been a dream of mine for a long time to have a collection of fabric so I'm very excited about this opportunity. Thanks in advance for your support.

Hand Embroidered Book Covers

2011-08-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

I'm loving these hand embroidered book covers that artist, Jillian Tamaki, created for penguin classics. It makes me want to buy them. Not because I'll ever read them, but because I love the book covers.

Nina Gregier: Geometric Type + Embroidery

2011-08-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

I want to touch!

Check out more of Nina's inspiring work here.

Duncan Johnson

2011-08-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

Artist, Duncan Johnson, collects salvage wood from nearby his home in Vermont to make these lovely sculptures. Or should I call them paintings or quilts. I'm not sure. His art transcends many mediums and reminds me of traditional quilt making. Using scraps of whatever you have around to make something beautiful.

It reminds me of an idea I was exploring a while back with fused plastic quilt like pieces.

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Happy Friday!

2011-08-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

I was so happy to stumble apon this huge pile of chairs while I was in Shanghai. I hope it delights you as well.

Graffiti Spotting in SE Portland

2011-08-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

I've noticed I easily get stuck in my routines doing the same things over and over, so when I got back from my travels I decided to put a conscious effort into having exploratory walks in other neighborhoods in Portland. One of my favorite things to do while traveling is taking long walks without any purpose or expectations. I want to continue this now that I'm back in my routine. I always find visual eye candy along the way like this really cool graffiti spotted on Belmont St.

I'm pretty sure Jesse Reno and Charlie Alan Kraft created this street art.

I just love seeing little details like this on the sidewalk of Belmont St. It makes me happy.

Crafting in a Foreign Country

2011-08-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

While I was visiting Kyoto, Japan I had a hankering to make things. I found this perforated faux leather at a sewing store in the neighborhood and I had never seen anything like it. I immediately knew I needed to buy some of this to experiment with it. I ended up making a much needed case for my ipod touch. I had been lugging it around in a sock of all things for 5 months before I finally made a proper case.

I was so inspired my all things shashiko and zakka during my stay in japan. I love this traditional pattern that is found in all the shashiko books, so I decided to give it a try. The design wraps around the front to back. The perforated leather is very easy to embroider into which made it ideal for crafting in a foreign country because all i needed was needle and thread. No sewing machine necessary :) I've been using this pouch for several months and am very pleased with it. It feels good in the hands. The stitching provides a nice texture to hold. I'm thinking about using some of the sides scraps to make a embroidered cuff.

Excuse the poor photo qulity of the last one, but this was a process shot of me working away in my bed in a Kyoto hostel.

Dreaming for Joy

2011-08-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

Thousands of red buttons make up this installation, Dreaming for Joy, by artist Ran Hwang. I wish I could see this installation in person. I can only imagine the joy I would feel when realizing what the bird was actually made of. I love thinking about the logistics and problem solving behind art. Like where the heck do you source a million red buttons from? And what were the steps to make a sketch into reality?

Check out the artist's website here.

Happy Friday!

2011-08-05T10:37:00.001-07:00

WORDS from Everynone on Vimeo.

Naturearte: Intricate Leaf Cut Designs

2011-08-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

While gathering inspiration for my 2012 calendar I came across an amazing artist I want to share with you. These intricate leaf cuts take a huge amount of patience and delicate handy work. I am so impressed with the amount of detail he can get in each leaf.

"All the work of cutting, drying and framing has been self-taught. I have cut many leaves and the vast majority of them have ended up in the trash, but I am slowly perfecting a method that will not break the leaves."

Check out his website, Naturayarte, for more inspiring leaf cuts.

Tear Away Wallpaper

2011-08-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of experience ripping wall paper down and putting new from my childhood. My mom was known for her wallpaper expertise in her circle of friends and so anytime she had a wallpaper job I was her assistant. Now, as an adult, I am usually turned off by wallpaper. It's usually just too much for a room. And the patterns can feel old and dated so quickly after they are put up. That is why I usually just stick to paint.

But this this tear away wall paper by znak is opening my eyes to the possibilities and future of wallpaper. Wall paper can be expressive, creative, organic. It can change over time. I like all of these things. It's more of a collaboration between the designer and the home owner.

What are your thoughts on wallpaper?

via craftzine

Rock and Wood Hostel in Shanghai

2011-08-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

I've stayed in many youth hostels during my trip around the world, and this is the first one I've felt blog worthy. Rock and wood blew away my expectations with beautiful architecture. The over sized dining table made out of a huge plank of wood was my favorite part to this public meeting area. I felt comfortable working on my craft projects here for hours. People would come and go and ask what I was doing. I felt very comfortable. After chatting with the barrista, I found out the owner is an architect and has designed many of the famous hostels in China. I don't remember his name so if any one knows please leave a comment.

The coy pond and private alcoves in the garden made calming retreats after a long day of exploring the city. Every detail was just right. I definitely recommend staying here if you are going to Shanghai.

Fun Snap Shots around Shanghai

2011-07-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do when visiting a city is to wander aimlessly with my camera. I hope you enjoy the results.

Mad Men Opening Credits Reinterpreted

2011-07-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Mad Men Opening Titles Re-Design from Paul Rogers on Vimeo.

I'm very attracted to the simple stylized style of animator and illustrator Paul Rogers. The look/feel/attitude really fits the show nicely. There is something to say for simplicity. I would love to see more broadcast television decluttering opening sequences.

via whorange

In Awe of Iguazu Falls

2011-07-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Iguazu Falls in Argentina is a special place. There was so much beauty all around me that it was hard to take it in. I feel very special to have the opprotunity to see this place. The national park has an impressive series of walk ways that go right up to the falls and some even go over the falls which allows you to experience the falls in a very intimate way. I kept gettting soaked throughout the day by the mist blowing up from the bigger falls. I didn't really mind becuase it was so hot and the sun is very powerful in South America.

The rainbows come out with the sun, so I was able to see a few in the afternoon.

Not only were the falls absolutely breath taking, but I was also able to see wildlife like tucans, aligator, frogs, birds, coaties, butterflys, etc. The butterflys were definitely magical. There was one point where there was a hundered yellow butterflys swarming around me. It was very beautiful and dream like. There were also many butterflys that had black and white and a little bit of red graphic patterns on their wings. They were lovely as well.

The coaties around the park have a dependency on humans for food/trash. They are not scared of humans so you can get really close to them. I don't think we have coaties in the states, but they are very cute!

My pale complection is not built for this type of tropical climate. I keep getting sun burned no matter how much sun screen I use and yesterday I even got a pretty bad heat rash from my all day outing. My poor skin has layer and layers of sunscreen and deet plus skin rash and bug bites. I guess you have to take the good with the bad.

This interesting article explains some of the geology behind the falls.

Info Graphic of Earthquakes in Japan

2011-07-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

While I was traveling in Japan I saw this beautiful info graphic at The National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo's Ueno Park. It is a clever way of visualizing earthquakes that transcends any language barrier. Basically the dots represent the earthquakes. There are several layers of glass so you can see visualize the depth of each earthquake. Very well done and pretty to look at.

The Museum also had a plethora of visual inspiration for me, mostly beautiful things found in nature. I definitely recommend visiting if you are in Tokyo.

Happy Sunday Eggs on Toast

2011-07-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Artist, Judith Klausner, hand embroidered these pieces of toast. She finds the most mundane objects to turn into intricate masterpieces. Check out her website for more of inspirational work.

The mold on this piece is hand stitched. Love it!

Upcycled Chandelier Lighting Inspiration

2011-07-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

The clever Sarah Turner created this beautiful lighting solution out of sand blasted plastic bottle bottoms. Simple shapes in repeition have a gorgeous effect that reminds me of some kind of sea creature. More on Sarah and her eco art here.

via inhabit