A May for Me Guest Post!

Hi, I am Holly from

HollyCraft Originals

Handmade Fabric Appliques and More!

I love to make cards, scrapbook, quilt and try new things in crafting. I am a work at home mom of 2 kids.

I joined Etsy on July 24, 2007. My favorite materials are cotton, cardstock, ink, rubber stamps, fabric, buttons, embroidery floss, vintage cotton, recycled denim and corduroy.

I am bringing quality fabric embellishments and accessories from my home in West Michigan to everyone out there seeking fun and unique handmade products. My goal at HollyCraft Originals is to provide my customers with original designs that they can use and that will inspire them to create.

If you name a craft, I have probably tried it. I have been crafting as long as I can remember, with my Mom as my biggest influence.

During the scrapbooking phase of my crafty endeavors, I was in search of some fabric flowers. When looking for them, there didn't seem to be many choices and what I found seemed expensive...so I decided to make my own.

I had tried selling online with other things, like crocheted hats, cards...but nothing seemed to sell much. Then I started putting my fabric flowers in my Etsy store. From there, I created many other designs and had finally found a niche.

I make fabric embellishments/appliques/patches (whatever you want to call them) mostly from upcycled fabrics along with fabric leftover from other projects. All of them are cut out by hand and sewed by hand. When I run out of fabric there may be no more! This makes my appliques one of a kind. 

I am very thankful I get to work at something that I love doing.

My clown fish. I had fun making the little denim bubbles on this one.

This was a drawing my niece did of her mom baking cookies. I had to turn it into an applique and put it on an apron. So fun! Such a nice gift.

A custom made Train T-Shirt.

My son made a drawing of two monsters. Here is the photo of one of the monsters. Then I made the monster appliques.

Here's another example of special orders. The unicorns and mouse were made to match fabrics.

I have a "thing" for owls! When I was looking through my photos for this post, I found several of owls.

 Available at HollyCraft Originals - Etsy Shop

I love to do custom orders. Many of my appliques are made because someone has asked for a certain applique design.

Marcia asked me to share all the links to HollyCraft Originals!








Website:

www.hollycraftoriginals.com


www.facebook.com/hollycraftoriginals

__HollyCraft_ on twitter

@hollycraftoriginals on instagram

www.etsy.com/shop/hollycraftoriginals


Marcia ordered several appliques to create a one of kind original "Grandmama Book" for using when she talks on Skype with her grandson, who lives in Belgium.  It makes it fun to interact with their own personalized book!

She just ordered more appliques to add to the book.

Thanks Marcia for having me as a Guest Poster! I enjoyed sharing my story.

Holly

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You can leave a comment here and I will share them with Holly.  When you go to her website check out the video!

Thanks Holly for sharing your story!

There will be more Guest Posts this month.  If you would like to guest post, send me an email and you can share too!

Marcia@craftysewing.com 

Enjoying May, one day at a time...

Marcia 

P.S. My favorite applique is the Kiwi, because I love to hear my grandson say "kiwi" and smile. He loves them as much as I do!  It is really my favorite one, because I love the detailed stitching.

Another Quilt for My "Grand Baby to Be"!

Choosing the thread colors for the thread painting.

Instead of stitching straight lines, I stitch wiggle lines for the details and the outlining of each applique. Gives them all a nice texture.

I stitched/thread painted on each applique piece.

You can see the stitching on the backside where I stitched/thread painted.

It's a wall hanging for the baby's room, so I made a sleeve for hanging it.

 I pieced the binding with three blue fabrics. That way I am using up the scraps!

I stitched on the binding with an embroidery stitch.

This is the backside, so you can't read it. I stitched across the bottom "Made with Love by Grandma Marcia 2013" with a lavender thread.

I rolled it up, so it is ready to pack in my bag when we go to see the new baby.  I have sent the other three quilts already.

Click Here for the post about making this baby quilt.

Click Here for the post about the Star Quilt that Great Grandma (my Mom) and I made for the new "Baby to Be".

These are the other two quilts I sent for the "Baby to Be". They both have the blue minkee backing fabric.

Click Here for the post about the one on the bottom. I will share about the top one sometime soon.

I ordered the applique blocks pre made from Marsye's Quilt Blocks.  They are already ironed on to the blocks.

 I requested an assortment of different cream backgrounds and light/soft colors to go with my vintage look fabrics.  I love them!

Here are the links to Marsye's Quilt Blocks

(2018) Updated LINK: 
https://www.facebook.com/MarsyesNeedlepointFinishing/
She is on a new adventure in the craft world!

facebook  http://www.facebook.com/MarsyesQuiltBlocks?fref=ts

and

Etsy  http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarsyesQuiltShop?view_type=list

and 

Ebay  http://www.ebay.com/sch/marsyemark24/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

I am ordering more applique blocks to make a girl baby quilt next for a friend's "Grand Baby to Be". 

If you hop over and buy them, please tell her Marcia sent you!

You know I always share stuff I love!  I love her applique quilt blocks!

Enjoy!
Marcia

Hodgepodge Patchwork Tuesday --- Learning Something New and WIP (Work In Progress)

Today, I learned how to create my own design in order to make a Hawaiian Applique'.  The design incorporates a lacy appliqued center motif with an elegant appliqued border.   

The class is called Hawaiian Applique'.  Our instructor was Linda Halpin.  Linda is a quilter, instructor, and an author.  She travels all over the United States teaching her wonderful quilt classes.
We learned how to create our own designs.  Linda explained and guided us through each step. 

It was amazing as we unfolded them into the beautiful motifs.
I created this one.

I loved seeing it transform when I carefully cut it from my fabric. 

 Amazing all the colors and designs...

 I was a family and consumer education teacher, before I started my quilting business 8 years ago.  I was so pleased today, to be a student - learning something new!  Do you like to be a student or a teacher? 

I will share my progress on this project another day. It is still a work in progress! 


Enjoy your day!


Marcia
Linked with Freshly Pieced - WIP Work in Progress