How to Style // Rustic Woodland Kitchen

Rustic Woodland Kitchen by ORDINARYMOMMY 
featuring our Rustic Mountain flag banner

How to Style // Mod Book Nook

I've recently started playing around with Polyvore. If you haven't checked it out yet, it's a fun way to pull together pieces to style rooms, outfits, or collections. I thought it might be fun to start a series here on the blog that features collections built around styling my bunting banners into different spaces. To view details about any specific pieces be sure to visit my Polyvore page!

 

Mod Book Nook by ORDINARYMOMMY

featuring our black & white bunting banner

How the Walrus Came to Be.

This is the story of a walrus. About how he came to be, and the process behind his creation. 

We like to think of ourselves as fun-loving people. I think the best thing about being married is the camaraderie that comes from sharing an infinite number of inside jokes with my husband. And being able to finish his sentences (although, let's be honest, there is a mix of admiration and annoyance on his part when I do that). A few years ago when I released my masked owl ornament line, Sean declared that he would like one for himself, but could it please be a walrus mask?

Every time I saw that little mint chip owl with his walrus mask it just made me smile. I loved his wee plush tusks and cute little freckled face. It was a surprisingly long time before I realized that the walrus awesomeness needed to find a way into the shop.

All of my designs start with doodles. I think in pictures, and I really need to get things down on paper to find potential problems with the design that may turn into huge issues later on for the final product. When it comes to animals I spend quite a bit of time studying photos of the animal from different angles before I even start drawing.

If often takes hours before the basic pattern is ready for a test run. This particular project took at least four hours to get to the point where I was ready to cut into the felt.

Of course before I cut into the felt I have to choose a color! I started with six potential colors, and slowly worked my way down to the one that felt just right.

 
It was so exciting to see his wee face take shape! It's all in the details, and I took a lot of time with each to make sure he was just right and wasn't missing anything.

Even still, it is often right at the very end when a small problem presents itself, and it's back to the drawing board. With the walrus it was his front flippers that gave me a bit of a rough time. I actually had to put him away for a week or two so that I could come back to the pattern with a clear head.

I came through the victor at long last, and I'm just thrilled to pieces with the final product. I certainly hope he makes you smile as much as he does me! The little pudgy fella is just as happy and handsome as can be. 

> If you'd like to give him a good home, he's available in the shop here. <

> For more about me check out my about page. <

New Year Means Lots of New Goods!

Clockwise from top: Poppy Hair Pins with Tulle, Baby Owl Ornament, Polka Dot Wall Mobile, 

Prize Ribbon Initial Hair Clip,  Raindrop Wall Mobile, Owl Face Hair Clip

Since the new year rolled over, I've been busy pulling all the stuff out of my brain that had been festering there while I was busy getting Christmas orders out the door. Boy, has it felt good! I still have a few new things up my sleeve, but for now I've gotten the above things into the shop. Hope you are feeling happy and productive too!

I've Been Busy! New Goods in Shop for Fall.

I know you can't tell from the lack of posting here on the blog, but I've been busy, busy, busy creating new goods for the shop. With the start of our homeschool year I had a surge of creative brainwaves. Needless to say, that has translated into some late nights for me! 

As you can see, I've been having a lot of fun!  


+ I've added quite a few new colorways to my collection of notched flag banners, and have even started to add metallic vinyl to some of them. 

+ Cat faces have finally made their debut.

+ There are a couple of new potted felt plants in shop. 

+ Not to be missed are some brand new ornaments! Sweet baby polar bears with personalized sweaters, mommy & baby owls, guardian angel owls, and snowflakes. 



Three new things that I especially want to highlight are brand new lines: shoe clips, tassels garlands, and baby headbands. 



+Shoe clips are a great way to add an unassuming bit of spice to your wardrobe. And the shoe clips available in the shop are perfect for that day-to-evening transition: sensible, yet fun. 

+ When it comes to tassels, I have to say that they've always intrigued me; they are so mysterious and decadent. I'm thrilled with the way these tassel garlands turned out! Something about using felt makes them approachable while they still maintain their exotic qualities. 

+ Lastly, I sourced a fully elastic poly knit ribbon to create headbands for the little ladies. Topped with rosettes and freshwater pearls, they are pretty enough for pictures, but not so overwhelming that they have to be saved for special occasions only.



Whew! Thanks so much for taking a peek! As always, these pieces are my own designs and completely hand stitched in my small Pennsylvania home. Feel free to email me with any questions, and be sure to share a smile with someone else today!

Hand-stitched Felt Peter Pan Collar Tutorial // As Seen in Gathered by Mollie Makes

Here it is again: time for the trees to start dropping their colorful leaves, time for hayrides, and hot apple cider. Happy Autumn! To celebrate my favorite season I thought I'd share a Peter Pan collar tutorial that I created for Gathered by Mollie Makes last year. This collar is best to make with a more durable felt, so something with wool in it is probably best. (Now, wool can be a wee bit itchy at times, so depending on your preference and skin type, you may want to add some cotton fabric to the back for softness.)

A detachable Peter Pan collar is an easy way to add a feminine touch to a simple top or dress. Studded with glass seed beads, this collar is delightfully understated.

You will need: 2 sheets of wool blend felt (9 x 12 inches), or if
               purchasing by the yard, 9 inches

               28 inches of 1/4 inch wide velvet ribbon
           
               embroidery floss to match felt
  
               embroidery needle
            
               11/0 glass seed beads

               clear beading thread

               beading needle

               scissors

               straight pins

               iron

               template (below)

               cotton fabric (optional)

Step 1: cut two pieces of felt with the "A" template, and two pieces of with the "B" template.

Step 2 : Start at the bottom of an "A" piece, and begin to sew on the seed beads using the beading needle and thread. Start by sewing the seed beads close together, and gradually space them farther apart while working up toward the middle of the collar. Repeat with a "B" piece. Use the same number of beads for a uniform look.

Step 3: Place the right (beaded) sides of "A" and "B" together, and stitch across the narrow end with two strand of embroidery floss, leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance (this will be the top of the collar). Repeat with remaining un-beaded "A" and "B" sections (this will be the collar backing).

Step 4: With the wrong side facing up, press the seams flat with an iron to keep them in place. Do this on both the beaded top piece and the backing piece.

Step 5: Pin the top and backing sections of the collar together with the beaded side up, and the pressed seams facing each other.

Step 6: Cut two 14-inch lengths of velvet ribbon. Pin them between the layers of the collar, one on each side of the front opening. (Knot the end of the ribbon ties to prevent fraying and/or heat seal the ribbon.)

Step 7: Stitch around the perimeter of the collar using two strands of embroidery floss. Be sure to secure the ribbon ties well.

NOTE: If you decide to add the optional cotton fabric to the backing portion of the collar you will need to cut it approximately 1/2 inch larger on all sides than the template (cut one "A" piece and one "B" piece). With the wrong side of the cotton facing up, fold over 1/4 inch of fabric on all sides and iron it flat. Sew the collar together with the remaining 1/4 inch of excess cotton fabric folded over the edges of the felt backing pieces, and stitch it so that the raw edges of the cotton are between the layers of felt. 

Work + Ice Cream

Yesterday was a scorcher here! We've been enjoying such nice mellow weather for this time of year, but I guess with the first official day of Summer on Friday things were bound to heat up. I had a bit of work stuff to finish up over the weekend, and everything fell in place for my husband to take some process photos for me. It was something that I've wanted to do for quite a while that we just weren't getting around to. We had enough light to get decent shots, so we just kept it simple and didn't didn't stage anything. No fuss, no muss; that's just what works best around here.

Of course I then had to tidy up my "about" page in the shop (because waiting isn't my thing) which made me realize that the photos I had of my packaging were really outdated. So I set up in our cramped mud room (where I take all my indoor photos), and snapped a few shots of my packaging. Naturally I had to immediately update that picture in all my shop listings. Let me tell you, that much work with the laptop in this hot, hot weather had me wishing for some ice cream. I'd love to share a sweet Summer treat with you too, so feel free to use code ICECREAM in the shop for $5 off $25! 

Code expires June 26th; minimum purchase does not include shipping. Top photo is meant to show my working environment, and is not intended as a DIY.

In Case You Missed It...

... I released some brand spankin' new designs to the shop a few weeks ago! There are flag buntings with a fresh, notched look, and for the grown-up ladies and discriminating wee ladies alike I now carry hair clip holders. Exciting, right?! The hair clip holders were something that was ruminating in my brain for a long time. I'm so pleased with the way they turned out! I enlisted my husband's help with those a bit, and he was more than happy to cut dowels to length and drill holes for the twine. For now the notched flag buntings come in three colorways, and are guarenteed to make any space feel happy.

Clockwise from top: 

emerald + mustard flag bunting

rustic hair clip holder

blue + bronze flag bunting

soft neutrals flag bunting 

gray hair clip holder

// Please remember that these designs are my original work and may not be copied or reproduced without my express permission

 

Look What's Finally Back in Shop!

I'm going to be playing catch-up a bit here on the blog sharing about all the new designs and products that are available in my shop! One of those pieces is the Ivy Leaf Barrettes. So excited about these! I used to offer ivy leaves on a headband quite some time ago. I had the urge to sew the other day, and I love real-life ivy, so I sat down with my old pattern, improved on it, and here you go!

They really are the quintessential woodland hair clip. And to get the word out (because I'm so excited about them!), I decided to run a giveaway on my Facebook page. One entrant will win a standard size ivy leaf barrette of their very own. Visit here to enter. Giveaway ends 6/14.

// Please remember that these designs are my original work and may not be copied or reproduced without my express permission

A Peek at My Projects for So Pretty! Felt

I wanted to take some time to share more about my projects for So Pretty! Felt, a gorgeous book containing a collection of felt craft tutorials assembled by Amy Palanjian. If you are looking for some fun summertime craft projects definitely add this book to your list! The projects are ALL fabulous, the pictures pretty, and there are fun-to-read short bios of all the artists who provided projects for the book (believe me when I say I'm in good company here!). 

I had lots of fun creating two tutorials for the book; one for rosette hair pins, and one for carnation brooch pins. I love what author Amy Palanjian had to say about my projects!

"Faith made some of my favorite projects in the book—floral hair pins and a brooch. I’ve made a few of these over the past few months and I just love how they turn out each time."

You can also take a peek at the Hart + Sew blog where Stacy added some personal touches to one of my projects.

For a look at some of the other projects in the book be sure to check out the book trailer. And if you stitch up either of my projects in So Pretty! Felt, I would love to see your photos!

My Customers Helped Me to Make a Difference in 2012.

Since I began Ordinary Mommy Design over 4 years ago, it has been a huge blessing for me to be able to donate a portion of every sale to those less fortunate than myself. Every year on December 31st I go over my books, calculate 10% of my income, and send that money on its way to someone else. Thanks to my lovely customers in 2012, I was able to buy a sewing machine through World Vision for a woman living in poverty so that she, in turn, could begin her own business to help support her family.

For 2013 I'm switching things up a little. Instead of working through World Vision, I'm going to stay a little closer to home. This year we will be standing with Eric and Jennifer Orth, as Eric battles hodgkins lymphoma. So, as you shop with me throughout this year, remember that you are making a difference for this wonderful family!

Welcome Spring with a Giveaway!

There may still be a wee bit of snow clinging to the grass in the shady part of our yard, but Spring has officially begun! My flower bulbs are pushing their green leaves up, up, up, and there is one lone crocus that has defied the cold and bloomed in pretty purples. For me, the thing I look forward to most about Spring are our family jaunts along the river or in the woods, catching glimpses of wildlife and enjoying each others company.

What better way to celebrate the first day of Spring here on the blog than to give away a set of pretty felt floral hair pins from my shop? These sweet yellow hair flowers are up for grabs ($25 value).

To enter, please use the rafflecopter widget below. Qualified mandatory entries must include a comment on this blog post sharing how you welcome Spring! (Please include your email address for valid entry.) All other entries are not required. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and older. Ends March 30, 2013 at midnight. Winner will be announced on this blog post April 1st. 

Good luck and Happy Spring!

New Layered Chain Necklaces in Shop

// Metal Fringe Necklace //

// Offset Triple Chain Necklace //

Look what's new! Two new pieces have been added to the everyday chain jewelry line. I had a lot of fun counting links and putting the fringe necklace together! Also new is a one-of-a-kind offset triple chain necklace. Thanks for taking a peek!

Everyday Chain Jewelry Collection Now in Shop!

Sometimes I find myself with an abundance of supplies. This time I decided to play around with my chain stash and deviate from my usual felt design to bring my clients some affordable jewelry options. The change is actually refreshing; to approach design from a different perspective that requires no sewing! All of the chain I use is soldered, and much sturdier than open links chain.

 

// Antiqued Copper Variety Chain Necklace //

// Long Gunmetal Layered Chain Necklace //

// Gold Dangle Earrings //

// Long Silver Dangle Earrings // 

All of these pieces are great everyday accessories and will go with everything in your closet! Thanks for taking a peek!

// Please remember that these designs are my original work, and may not be copied or reproduced without my express permission.