Flickr Fired-up-up-up

We fired up our Flickr account and are inviting you to become a part of our Flickr Group called

Fabric Pickins'

Just click on the flickr badge over on the right and join, add your photos, we would love to see what you have been making.

Color Inspiration

Featuring Joel Dewberry's

Antler Damask in Sky & Architectural in Sky

Oversized Twig Deer via Pottery Barn

Wool Sweater via JCrew

Baby Blues Pearl Bracelet via ShopRuche

Vanilla Berries Crochet Bag via ShopRuche

Red Bow Belle Shoe via Shabby Apple

Fringed handloomed Rug via Pottery Barn

Red Cake Stand via William Sonoma

Ruffle Sweater via ShopRuche

Red Leather Bag via UNAshop

Holiday Treats

One of my favorite food blogs to visit is Our Best Bites. I mean check out the beautiful photos below of Holiday Treats...yummy! Not only are their pictures tasty, but their recipes are most scrumptious. So I haven't really been making all these holiday treats, but instead have been doing a little sewing related to baking that counts right? I whipped up two aprons as gifts for my sisters (not Leah the model) but the other two.

Swirly Buds in Gold by Heather Bailey
Meadow Lace in Terracotta by Joel Dewberry

Joel Dewberry's Antler Damask & Architectural in Sky
These two fabrics are so neat, we loved them even more when they arrived.

AND THE WINNER IS...

fancy party garland via Party Poms

by random drawing:

{for 1 yard of fabric}
GloJoeSews

Congratulations to the winner, and thanks to all those

who shared their crafty talents with us.

Christmas Cheer in Ruby Chandelier!

It's almost Christmas! Scissors, Ruby Red Chandelier fabric by Valorie Wells, a sewing machine, red thread, and the determination to make a skirt that spreads Holiday Cheer with each spinning twirl of my little girl.

In the Sewing Room + Girly Fabric

Hello, Erica here. Anytime my sweet little guy is in need of a present for a little girl, I pick the girliest fabric I can find, and start sewing something. The little apron above was for a little blond three year old Birthday. This the first apron I have made with a big chunky ruffle along the bottom, I normally add a smaller ruffle along the edges and a little pocket, both are cute. I used the ever darling Leann in Red and Kayla in Blush by Jennifer Paganelli...I think they are like two peas in a pod together. I used a fat quarter for the front and approx. a 1/2 yard for the back, ruffle and tie. I wouldn't mind having one in my size, perhaps my dinners might even taste a little better ;)

P.S. apparently girliest is not recognized as a word, but that's OK, I am pretty good at using words that don't really exist.

Wrapping with fabric

Reusable fabric gift bags found on Etsy...aren't they the cutest!

Holiday Gift Tote - Plaid and White Winter Burlap

via Soapalaya Soaps

Holiday Berry Zipper Pouch

via Pink Bunny Patterns

Holiday Gift Bag
via Chloe's Closet

AND THE WINNER IS...

By Random Drawing:

SocialStudiesSoubrette

Thanks for all your participation and welcome to our new followers. Remember to share with us your holiday handmade gift ideas, provided us a link to your item or email us pictures at thefabricmkt@yahoo.com to enter to win one yard of fabric. We will select a few and post them on our blog.

Thanks for Sharing!

Cozy Quilt & Cute Gift Tags

There is nothing better than curling up with a handcrafted quilt made with lots of love on those long winter nights. Or opening a gift with a handmade gift tag carefully made with you in mind.

Staci one of The Fabric Market followers made the classy quilt and cute gifts tags above. Staci is the mother of three beautiful children, who was blessed with a crafty talent. Thanks for Sharing Staci.

The Giveaway Low Down...CLOSED

We have two giveaways going on right now.

1. Share with us... Share with us your holiday handmade gift ideas, provided us a link to your item or email us pictures at thefabricmkt@yahoo.com We will select a few and post them on our blog.
Giveaway: 1 yard of fabric
Ends: 12/22/09
Click and enter HERE

2. Message Board/ Calendar Holder Giveaway...CLOSED
Ends 12/13/09
Click and enter HERE

Tutorial Time + GIVEAWAY...CLOSED

Message Board & Calendar Holder Tutorial

Brought to you by The Fabric Market

+

GIVEAWAY

My message board design evolved from the shape and size of salvaged wood I retrieved from a local cabinet maker. I often get long narrow pieces and wanted to come up with something that would hold a calendar and this was it. The elastic band was added for the purpose of holding messages, invitations, and appointment cards.

And now you can make your own with this nifty tutorial.

SUPPLIES
~ wood
(you can use any size that will work with your calendar, mine is 15"w x 4"h)
~ fabric
~ staple gun
~ felt
~ nail
~ glue gun(not pictured)
~ cup hook 1/4"
~ elastic (I use cotton elastic)
~ sawtooth hangers
~ rotary cutter
~ mat
~ quilt ruler
~ pencil
~ decorative embellishment (optional)

This is my decorative embellishment to be added to the front of the elastic band. I made my own flower pattern and cut it from felt and added little pearls for the center, cuteness.

{1}

On one side of your wood piece find the center and mark with a pencil--this will be the bottom of your message board. * You can also mark the back of your wood so you remember which end is the bottom it can come in handy when you add your embellishment to the front.

{2}

Place your nail on your pencil mark and hammer the nail in about 1/4", this hole will be used to screw your cup hook in. *If you are using a really hard wood you may need to drill a pilot hole instead.

{3}

Cut your fabric piece to be approximately 2" larger then your board on all FOUR sides. *This will make your fabric four inches wider and taller. Place your wood centered on your fabric piece. If you are using a repeat patterned fabric like mine, you will want to line your wood evenly with your pattern.

{4}

Pull your fabric over your wood firmly on the center of one side and staple, repeat this to each side.

The center of all four sides stapled should look like the above picture.

{5}

Continue to staple around each side--making sure to pull the fabric tightly while stapling so the fabric is nice and snug to the wood. *You can alternate your sides to keep your pattern even. Your staples should be relatively close together, once you have stapled along each side you will have little flaps of fabric on each corner.

{6}

Taking care of the corners. Pinch the corner fabric together.

{7}

With you corner piece pinched, pull the piece tightly over the top and to the back and staple 2-3 times. It will create a little triangle as shown in the picture above.

{8}

Once all four corners are stapled, cut the excess fabric to reduce bulk on the back.

All cut.

{9}

Add your elastic band by placing it on the back centered and staple multiple times. Pull your elastic band around the front tightly and staple to the opposite side.

Band added.

{9 1/2}

I did not add pen holders to the tutorial message board but they can easily be added after your band is added. Simply cut two elastic piece about 2" long and create a little loop and staple the ends multiple times to the back of your wood. I generally place them about 3-4" from the side. *See the above picture for an example, you can even sew little buttons to the loops if you want.

{10}

With a rotary cutter, ruler and mat cut a felt piece approximately 1/4" smaller than the size of your wood on all FOUR sides. *Your piece will be a 1/2" smaller than the width of your board and 1/2" smaller than the height of your board.

{11}

Using your glue gun run a small bead along the top of your felt and glue to your on all four sides.

{12}

Add your sawtooth hangers to the back.

{13}

Add your embellishment with needle and thread.

{14}

Remember that hole you made with your nail, using the same nail find the hole and puncture the fabric. By using a nail you reduce the chances of the fabric running.

{15}

Screw your cup hook into the hole previously made.

{16}

Find a really great place to hang your new message board and this one is up for grabs!

Here is how to enter to WIN this message board:

1st entry: Leave a comment letting us know how you found our blog.

2nd entry: previous followers or become a new follower, leave a second comment letting us know you are a follower.

The giveaway will CLOSE on 12/13/09 and the winner will be announced on 12/14/09

Winner must confirm within three days or another winner will be announced.
*If an email is left with your comment, we will contact you to let you know you have been selected as a winner.

*Offer available to U.S. and Canada Residents Only