linques design speaks

May is busy!

May is quite a busy month around here. I've got mother's day, Derek's b-day, and my mom's b-day all in a row. Maybe that explains where I've been all week. I went with nearly all handmade gifts for each occassion this year. Not everything was made by me, but it was nice gifting unique and interesting things.

Here's what my mom received for Mother's Day:

This is another print from YumiYumi. I cut it down a bit and found this great frame for it. I think it's absolutely adorable!

I won't post pictures here of everything I gave Derek for his birthday, but here are some links in case you want to see:

some beer soap
a Chihuahua T
a mac'n'cheese T
a Black Flag wallet
and a few other goodies like dvds, a cd, and some video games

Notice all of the American Apparel in there? I was originally going to go with just a bunch of plain AA stuff since that's his favorite clothing, but why not make it better with a great screen print? I love the Chihuahua one!

I made my mom's birthday present...but her birthday's not until tomorrow so I'm not showing a picture of it yet. She was thinking about coming to visit here tomorrow, but decided not to. It's kind of sad, because we usually go somewhere on her birthday. Usually a mall, but even if we don't buy anything it's still fun! Now instead I'll be forced to clean all day. That way I can get back to some sewing.

Yoga Bag (and some odd pictures)

I made Amy Butler's yoga bag Monday. This is for my mom, who's recently found Yogalaties! No, I did not make that up. The pattern was great - I just wish I would have changed it to close at the top. Oh well, it's still good to run to the rec center with!

I wanted to show mom a picture of her new bag before I mailed it, so I took these quick shots to email. I then wound up selling my mini quilt on Etsy yesterday (yay Etsy!), so I boxed up the quilt and decided to mail the yoga bag at the same time. So no better pictures! But trust me, it is cute.

I guess it's technically reversible, but the nice big pockets are on the outside, so maybe not. I don't do yoga, so I don't think I'll be making more of these, but at least I got this one done!

(happy) v-day

I hope you all had a happy valentine's day. I did, and I didn't. Here's the happy part:

A stitched button card for Derek, along with a warm pad:

Cosmo tested it, and he loves it. I will need to buy some more rice and make some extras for us too. I did what some people mentioned in the comments; I made little rice compartments to keep it from shifting in there too much.

Now the not so happy: something very unexpected and sad and awful happened to my mom today, something she didn't deserve. I found out early today, and my boss was nice enough to allow me to leave. Cosmo and I drove home to spend some time with her and everyone else of course. Be cool tomorrow, and then stick it out til the end of March. Then we can have some fun and do our own business - haha, yeah right, but we can dream right?

handmade gifts

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I sure did - and one of the best things about it was giving all of my handmade gifts. Here's a wrap up of them:

1. Beach Coasters

Made in Florida for my Grandma, who's condo we wonderfully get to use. She hasn't gotten to go down there in many years though, so all of these pictures are things from the condo. She said she recognized them right away!

2. Star Necklace

Made for a friend at work. I was so pleased to see her wearing it today; and not for my benefit but because she truly likes it!

3. Lavender Eye Sachet

Also made while in Florida. This was for my aunt who always asked me to make her an eye pillow. I never had a dried lavender source, but Derek found me some. The image is roughly based on one in The New Crewel, but I couldn't trace it (lack of lightbox) so I just did it freehand. The backing is just a tan floral print.

4. Needle Book

I won't lie, this was a gift for myself! But I really did need a needle book.

5. I won't even say it

This may be a conflict of interest. I live in Columbus, and some of you might know that OSU and Michigan are rivals. Fierce rivals. Derek is a Buckeye, so I do have loyalty to OSU, but not as strong as some. This is an embroidery done for a friend at work who is a Michagan fan. For Christmas, she gave Cosmo a Michigan sweater as a joke. I could have done an OSU embroidery, but I really wanted to give her something she could proudly display! The words are a little wonky because I traced this from the gifted sweater!

6. Embroidered Pillowcases

Probably the biggest hit of the year. These were made for my mom. I made a similar set to give as a wedding gift in October, and my mom couldn't stop talking about them. The inspiration came from here. I had gone through all of Alicia's blog last year, and I bookmarked this entry because I loved the pillowcases so much. Since the original ones I made were for a wedding present, I did them in cream linen thread on cream cases. I also cut down a lot of the pretty design. So glad you like them Mom!

7.  Girl Quilt

Made for my sister. You've seen pictures of it before, but I never did get a full shot of it. It was well appreciated; here is Katherine enjoying it right away-

And finally...

8. Boy Quilt

The back.

This quilt was finished in Florida. I had Derek come to the beach because I wanted a full length picture of it. If you can't tell, it was a little* breezy that day. (Yes, just a smidge!) I love this quilt. I wish I could have kept it! But then I wouldn't be able to see Mark open it:

All in all, I loved making these gifts. A lot of these were time consuming but so worth it. I made a few other things like drawer sachets, but nothing really amazing. I will definitely continue to make and not buy as many gifts as often as I can!