Would you like to win a $100 shopping spree to EllenMedlockStudio.com?

Yes?

Then you will definitely want to enter our first Pinterest contest – Project Pinboard!

So how do you play? Just create a virtual inspiration board showing us how you would use our creative products!

Need ideas? You could style a room based on an Ellen Medlock fabric or create an outfit you would wear with one of our bags – it’s totally up to you! You could even dream up a wedding or a party decorated with some of our crafty items.

To give you an example of a contest entry, we’ve created a fictional wedding inspired by the Turquoise colorway of our fabric – go here to view.

It only takes a moment to set it up and you will have a blast dreaming up and creating your board!

One winner will be thrilled with a $100 shopping spree at www.EllenMedlockStudio.com ~ keep reading for the official rules!

Step-By-Step How to Enter:

1. Sign in to your Pinterest account at www.Pinterest.com

2. Follow @EllenMedlock on Pinterest – go here or click the button in the top right corner of this blog. 

3. Create a new board named “Project Pinboard Contest Entry.”

4. Re-pin at least 3 items from Ellen Medlock Studio. Pin items directly from www.EllenMedlockStudio.com  (using the handy “Pin It” button located next to each item)   OR   Re-pin items from our “Ellen Medlock Studio” Board.  These items will be the inspiration for the rest of your board!

5. Fill up your Pinboard and show us how you would style our products! Get creative and style an event with our fabrics or an outfit based on a bag pattern! Decorate a room around your favorite colorway ~ it’s up to you! Have fun with it!  

6. Tag each item you pin with #ProjectPinboard and #EllenMedlock  as you are Pinning the item. 

7. When your board is finished – leave us a link to your board on this blog post!

Need help? Email Brittany@EllenMedlockStudio.com

Official Rules:

• Contest begins on 5/1/2012 at Noon CST and ends on 5/31/2012 at Midnight CST
• Entries will be judged on Creativity, Style, and Overall Board Cohesiveness and 1 winner will receive a $100 shopping spree at www.EllenMedlockStudio.com
• We will announce the winner via our blog, Facebook, and Twitter accounts on Friday, 6/1/12. We will also notify the winner by commenting on the actual Winning Pinboard!
• Don’t have a Pinterest account? Go to www.Pinterest.com to request an invite! It’s free!
• Good luck and Happy Pinning!!

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If you are unfamiliar with a Purse Hanger simply
uncurl the magnet clasp around the center, and clip it on to the edge of a restaurant table to keep your bag off the dirty floor. (photo below)

Here’s a quick tutorial to show you how you can make a customized version for yourself or a special  gift!

Each of the Purse Hanger Blanks comes with a clear dome sticker, but there are a few other supplies you will need in addition to our set.

Let’s get started on this simple DIY process!

Step 1:   Punch out your design.

Step 2:   Carefully peel the backing off of the clear dome sticker. Center your punched design onto the dome with the pretty side showing up through the dome. Working out from the center, use your fingers to smooth out the back of the paper and remove any air bubbles.

Step 3: Apply a small dab of the Beacon 527 Glue to the back of your dome and press into the purse hanger blank.

Quick Tip: If you are using a paper design with lots of white or a light color, try to position the glue behind the dark parts of your design, using just a very small dab. I put my glue just behind the butterfly’s wings. This particular glue is very strong and will hold the dome in place with no problem. With too much glue, the light colors can show a slight shadow where the glue dried.

Step 4: Allow your purse hanger to dry for at least 30 minutes before using. Consider adding a few charms to make your purse hanger extra special.

Here we’ve used a Silver Key and a Clip-on Ladybug Charm.

And that’s it – you have a custom creation in minutes! These are so fun to make for yourself, others, or with children (under close supervision with the glue, of course!)

And now your bag will never have to sit on the floor ~ lovely!

Happy Crafting!

~ellen

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This event is so much more than just a vendor faire! There is a juried quilt show, a quilt auction, free lectures and demonstrations, and even quilt appraisals (you must make an appointment for an appraisal). And make sure to show up early for a free tour of the quilt show! Dr. Marian Ann J. Montgomery a recognized quilt historian who organized the successful Quilt Mania exhibits, will lead several FREE 50-minute tours. I do believe the tours are first come, first serve though.

I hope to see some of my blog readers and Facebook friends at the show – if you are anywhere close to Dallas, TX – please come by and make sure to introduce yourself! I will be the bright, colorful booth with bags everywhere. You can’t miss me!

I’m bringing lots of kits with me this year. They were such a hit last time! I’ll have two new kits with me – the Potpourri Stripe Charmant Kit and the Baby Bird Quilt Kit, to name just a few…

These are also available on my website for those of you in other parts of the country!

I’ve posted some general information about the show below, but you can find much more information here, at the Dallas Quilt Guild’s website.

Show hours:

Friday, March 9, 2012   10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 10, 2012   10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 11, 2012   12:00 noon – 5:00 p.m.

Regular Admission:

• Ages 11 and under………………….Free

• Ages 12 -17……………………………..$4.00

• Ages 18 – 64…………………………….$8.00

• Ages 65+…………………………………$7.00

Location:

Market Hall is located at the intersection of Stemmons Freeway (I-35E) and Market Center Blvd.

Parking:

Self-parking is available with more than 2,200 spaces immediately available around Market Hall. Valet parking will be available for a fee.

I hope to meet some of you! As always… Happy Sewing!

~ellen

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Hi there! Earlier this week I had a guest post up on the fabulous Mod Podge Rocks blog. (Thanks again Amy!)

I realized I’d never posted this technique here on my own blog so I thought I’d put it up here also ~ for all you Minaudiere fans out there! Instead of just covering your clutch with fabric, you will “seal” the fabric for a shiny, more durable finish.

DIY Fabric Covered Clutch Purse Tutorial:

Today we will show you how to make a fabric covered clutch purse using Mod Podge (Love it!) and my DIY Minaudiere Set. The best part of this project is that the actual crafting time is quick and easy, but produces a professional looking clutch!

To get started, choose your set – The Classic Minaudiere or The Heart Minaudiere. Today we will be working with the Heart set.

The sets include the front & back shells, a cutting pattern, instructions, and the metal clutch frame.

You will also need the following:

Step 1.  Cut your fabric per pattern into a heart shape. You can use the same fabric on the front and back or switch it up with a coordinating fabric on either side. I am using 2 coordinating fabrics from my first line of fabric, Enchanted Damask.

Step 2.  The Minaudiere shells in my kit are made from a sturdy black molded plastic. We suggest using the optional white primer spray paint (I prefer Kilz Spray Primer) to spray the shells white due to the fact that quilting weight cotton fabrics tend to appear bright and crisp on top of the white background.

Be sure to account for drying time if you plan to spray your shells white. I let mine dry for around an hour – drying time varies per brand.

Step 3.  Set out a sheet of wax paper for your work surface. Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to one shell. Try to keep this first layer as thin and smooth as possible while leaving no bare spots on the shell – we want to avoid Mod Podge seeping through the fabric, but also avoid any loose spots. 

Step 4.  Gently lay the fabric over the coated shell. Starting in the center and working towards the edges, smooth and press the fabric onto the shell. Take care to smooth out any air pockets that form.

When you get to the edges there will be a few creases and small folds in the fabric. This is normal and can’t be completely avoided, however, you can minimize the appearance of these creases in your finished bag by manipulating the fabric so that the creases start as close to the edge as possible. By the time your bag is in its frame the creases will be mostly hidden.

Repeat Step 4 on with the second shell. Allow both shells 10-15 minutes to “set” so the fabric doesn’t move around in Step 5.

Step 5. Carefully trim the edges of the fabric covered shells using your scissors. Take care when cutting the “creased” portions that you don’t overcut. These creased areas and small folds might need a small touch up with the Mod Podge so that they are totally stuck down.

Notice that one of the shells has a small indent near the top. Trim carefully around the indent. Go ahead and touch up any spots that need to be secured around the edges with the Mod Podge.

Step 6. Apply a second coat of Mod Podge to the fabric covered shells. This coat can be a little thicker than the first coat. Allow to dry completely.

Step 7.  Once totally dry, spray the finished shells with the clear acrylic spray and again dry completely according to spray acrylic’s directions. 

Step 8.   Almost finished!  Locate the shell with the indent. This shell will fit over the locking mechanism – the indent allows room for the bag to open and close properly.

It is a good idea to take the time to do a pre-fit of the shells into the frame and get comfortable with popping the shells in and out, before you add the glue. The shells will fit snugly.

After a pre-fit, place a line of Beacon 527 glue inside the channel of the metal frame. Do not put glue into any area where it might seep thru, such as the hinged areas. Also, do not put any glue near the locking mechanism.

Step 9. Working quickly, add the shells into the frame – double checking again that the indented shell goes into the side with the locking mechanism.  Once the shells are in the frame, weigh the whole clutch down with a book or other object to ensure that the shells are fully immersed in the glue filled channel. Allow to dry overnight if possible.

Add an optional purse chain and get ready for compliments on your darling new Minaudiere!

The possibilities are endless!

Many thanks!

~Ellen

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I’m so flattered that not only is the bag featured on the cover made using my Flight Pattern fabric line, but they have used my Bon Vivant Bag Pattern as well!

And can we talk about the embroidery down the center?  It’s just beautiful!

The talented author of the article is Sara Boughner Gallegos, who we think picked the perfect style and colors!

Be sure to pick up a copy so you can read her creative how-to on adding machine embroidery to this super bag.

Here’s a closer look:

Gorgeous!

When I created the Bon Vivant, I never thought about embroidery being added into the mix, but it fits perfectly with this bag style.

Thanks again to the wonderful staff at Creative Machine Embroidery for featuring some of my products in their awesome publication ~ and giving me a fresh dose of inspiration while doing so!

As always – Happy Sewing!

~ ellen

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Remember – if you’d like to follow my Pinterest page just click on the red button in the upper right corner of the blog. I’d love to have some new Pinterest friends!

Here are my Valentine themed favorites:

These pillows easily caught my eye – they are just so colorful and striking. They are contemporary needlepoint by Emily Peacock (article is here.)

source

I LOVE being surrounded by mobiles,  keep several on display in my home and studio! This one has such a sweet look and would be easy to make. I have a tutorial from a few years ago on how to make fabric  hearts. You could easily adjust the size up or down and make a mobile similar to this one.

How’s this for sewing room decor? It’s oh so cute and would be a unique DIY project for yourself, or your favorite sewing buddy!  This particular piece of art was mounted on a canvas – you can see more details on it on this blog.

What a sweet way to dress up a gift – Vintage Keys with ribbon threaded through the top!  This clever idea  came from an article on BHG.com with lots of ideas for DIY Valentine gifts –  you can check it out here.

Such a great reminder for a loved one on Valentine’s Day – It would become treasured forever!

I can’t get enough of the colors and inspiring phrases from artist Katie Daisy. She has an Etsy shop if you want to check out more of her beautiful work.

And of course, I have been getting in the (early) Valentine’s Day spirit here at the Studio as well.

Here is a look at some of the project’s we’ve done in the past:

Every year I put up vintage cards on the memo board.

Last year I re-styled this vintage bag and accessorized it with our Spinning Heart Charms, available in Silver or Antique Brass finish.

You can also use the charms with our Ring Blanks to make a cute Valentine’s Day themed ring. Use  heavy duty glue to attach it to the ring and you’re done!

And finally, here is a photo of  one of our handmade XOXO Heart Mini-Clutches.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO,  Ellen

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Just dropping in to let everyone know that we now have our Limited Edition Heart Minaudiere Clutches up on the website!

They make the sweetest Valentine presents for a special someone ~ or yourself of course! (I know I can’t be the only one who gets a few little treats for myself on Valentine’s Day, right?!)

We had so much fun making these here in the studio. Please note that some Minaudieres have been specially coated to give the fabric a shiny and more durable finish and some are the plain fabric with a softer finish. It’s up to you!

Here are a few more examples:

Thanks for looking and as always ~ Happy Sewing!

-ellen

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In no particular order, my top ten:

#1. A cheerful green on the furniture – from my Pinterest (could not find the original source)

#2. Stacks and stacks of fabric neatly organized under a cutting table made from small shelves – from this blog.

#3. Space for 2 computers, plus lots of storage. The walls are carpet tiles and serve as a bulletin board! – From this great blog.

#4. This blog post actually shows how they came up with the inspiration for this space. Interesting!

#5. The hanging storage really caught my eye – from here. The rest of her room is equally amazing.

#6. The aqua and red combo is so striking! Go here for more details.

#7. For the Quilters – this has to be a dream space! And wow, is she ever organized! Look here for even more pictures.

#8. Nice and neutral – LOVE the table on casters! From my Pinterest.

#9. I love the bright punches of color in this space and the functionality. She has more pictures up here.

#10. And finally, I love the vintage and calm feel of this scrapbooker’s studio. More pictures are here.

There is unlimited inspiration to be found on Pinterest. If you’d like to follow me, just click the red button on the  right sidebar, then click “Follow” under my profile picture. You can also follow just certain boards by clicking “Follow” under each individual board.

~Ellen

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Wishing you the Best of the dawning New Year!

Usher in 2012 with a fun project, or handbag from my store!

Use Coupon Code  ”NewYear12”  for 25%  off your entire order.

(be sure to leave no spaces between the letters and numbers when you enter the code at check out to receive your discount!)

Happiest of  New Years!

- ellen

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This is the yummy Ginger Cookie recipe that I referred to on Facebook.
I bet every family has it’s own version!
My Grandmother Griffin is the source for ours.

You will love them, if you get them actually baked, and don’t eat the dough like I do!!

Grandmother Griffin’s Ginger Cookies
(makes about 2 dozen)

3/4 cup butter (not margarine)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2  teaspoons baking soda
1  teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves (I hate cloves, and only put 1/2 tsp!)
1  teaspoon ginger

Mix butter, sugar, egg, & molasses, then add the rest of ingredients. Roll the dough into small balls, and then roll each ball in sugar.z
Bake on 375 degrees for about 8 -10 minutes.

MERRY EVERYTHING!
HAPPINESS ALWAYS!

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