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.

Skype Calls with My Grandson Improved with Holly Craft Original Appliques!

We have found a way to improve our Skype calls! 

My grandson is almost 2 years old and he is busy and on the go all the time, but he does sit down for a good book.  I have tried reading books on skype, but it was not successful. It was hard to hold the book and read it and keep it on the camera.  

When I was cutting out the 5 inch squares for my  "I Spy" Quilt, we had fun with those on skype, but they were kind of hard to see. I will share photos of my I Spy Quilt soon.  It is quilted and waiting for me to bind it!

We used the Melissa and David animal and character magnets for a while too.  But they were hard to see on skype too.

Anyway... you get the idea.  I wanted to find something that was easy to see and identify for a busy toddler. I also wanted it to be things that related to our lives and our relationships to keep the long distance relationship going.

I found it!  Holly Craft Originals!  I ordered 25 of them!  I selected things that mean something to us!

When I received them, I displayed them out on the table and I took a photo.  Super super cool!  I LOVE them!

My husband says I am like a "walking commercial" --- If I like or love something, I can't stop talking about it! 

Well.... I love these! Holly hand stitches each one and adds embellishments.  I love all the details and the vibrant colors!

I was going to quilt some squares and make a soft book, but then I remembered 10 years ago I took a recipe/scrapbooking class.  I purchased a couple binders, because I was going to make one for me and one for a gift. I never finished them!  They were the perfect size and the plastic sleeves worked excellent for slipping the appliques into each one. I used some double stick tape on the back of the appliques, so they don't slide to the bottom of the sleeve. If you think it looks like some did slide, they didn't.  I taped them off center, because I like things off center. Also, I could add another one in there as there is room.  Example:  I ordered a lemon and I may add it to the orange.

I had fun selecting the colorful scrapbook papers for the backgrounds.

It made a pretty full binder, but that is Ok.

I requested a couple special orders from Holly.  A nine patch quilt block and a sewing machine. Of course, I asked for a BLUE Sewing machine. I added all the triangles to look like I am sewing like crazee!

A motorcycle for Grandpapa and a bicycle for my grandson as they ride bikes in Europe.

And a fishing boat for Grandpapa, but I guess I don't know what kind of boat he has, as I requested a Bass Tracker and he has a Lund. I guarantee he does not know if I have a Janome or an Elna Sewing Machine or that I have both! He knows I have more than one sewing machine.

And then there is Toby and Rogue! Toby is our dog and Rogue is my son's dog --- My Grand Dogger!

The binder works great for the skype calls.  I stand it up and sit behind it so my grandson can see the book and me!

I plan to use this book with my Grandson for years.  We can make up stories about each item.  This is our book!

My favorite applique is the Kiwi!  Holly's stitching is beautiful!

Really makes the Skype calls fun!

After I had it all together, I realized I needed more!  I just ordered a lemon, an apple, a turtle and an elephant.  With a binder and the plastic sleeves, I can order more anytime and add to it. 

I think need to order a green tractor! and a heart and a ....

Thanks Holly for doing all the hand stitching! I LOVE them!

Enjoy!

Marcia

Links to Holly
Holly's website: http://hollycraftoriginals.com/
Holly's Etsy Shop: 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HollyCraftOriginals
Holly's Facebook Page: 
https://www.facebook.com/HollyCraftOriginals
Holly's Email:
hollycraftoriginals@hotmail.com