tina nealis

Change+Play

2011-09-11T15:38:00.007-07:00

A little while back I created a pieced and quilted diaper changing mat. I knew this was a product that was in demand and many parents wanted a combination of a cute, functional and easy to carry design, but as I went on with the concept I found that many wanted to be able to carry spare diapers and wipes along with it.

My first rendition of this idea was more of a roll and did not include a place to hold diapers. Although it was compact and could be used as a little playmat for baby, it didn't satisfy those who wanted to carry more with this mat.

The rolled mat is cute and incredibly durable with a full lining of water-resistant flannel, but I needed to also make a design for parents who wanted to carry diapers and wipes along with the mat. I started to think about my daily outings with Sonny and how I usually would grab the same few items-- diapers, wipes, a burp cloth and perhaps even a second pair of pants. I realized that this changing mat needed to be an enclosed type of case. I decided on a clutch design that folded into an envelope style and could carry the extra few items that parents always have to add at the last minute, just in case.

This new change+play clutch purse became a great solution. Moms and Dads can still look stylish (Dads--perhaps a wool felt or corduroy version for you) and it quickly becomes a changing area for baby. The diaper pocket is conveniently and confortably placed under baby's head as he/she lays during changing time and the entire mat can also be placed on the grass or sand as an impromtu seat during a play date or outing. The entire clutch folds up with the use of one hand (usually how it goes when you have a little one with you) and you can slide your hand through the loop and be ready to go in moments.

Story:
With all this said, I recently had a friend contact me to create a custom change+play clutch for her expecting friend. This was going to be shower gift and she really wanted it to be special. She shared that her friend loved a clean and modern aesthetic and really liked the colors: red, black and white. I began my search for fabrics online immediately after finding that I didn't see anything to my liking in stores. I was thrilled to come across this large scale black and grey stripe that seemed to work perfectly with the red tone-on-tone modern branch pattern. The grey and white cloud pattern was that nice finish accent to this clutch and I was ready to complete the project.

Specifications:
The exterior is pieced with three different patterned fabrics and interior is lined with fine-waled grey corduroy and interfaced with water-resistant flannel. The entire clutch simply folds up and closes with an elastic loop and button making set up and clean-up quick and easy. The interior pocket fits a few extra diapers and a small bag of wipes and the envelope shape of the clutch itself makes it easy to slide in an extra clothing, cloths or anything other small accessories. The D-ring attached to a hook clasped loop makes it easy to carry the clutch hands-free and makes for a cute detail as well.

I hope her friend enjoys it, and most of all...gets lots of use out of it.

Leslie's Messenger Tote

2011-08-18T10:57:00.006-07:00

Story/Concept:
My high school friend (and one of my first clients), Leslie ordered her second custom order bag from me about, oh... 3 months ago. Her first was an Alkaline Trio bag that I have yet to replicate til this day. It took me a while to get this going because i really wanted to pin down the design and style of the messenger. The set dimensions were a good start, but I knew I wanted to incorporate a lot of pockets, but didn't want to over-design it. To add some nice details, I incorporated piping throughout the bag as well as hints of accent fabric at the edges of the pockets. .

Her request was for a messenger type bag that fit all her everyday items. She's a very simple person when it comes to design and didn't want anything to bright or loud. She expressed her interest in owl patterns and was hoping for many pockets and a place to snap in her keys, and that was about it.

So away I went! The owl fabric was my initial source of inspiration and everything else stayed solid and refined. There's a casualness to the bag that I like...I imagine her trotting through town, riding her bike or strolling on the weekends with her bag slung over her shoulder and all the things she needs right by her side. The bag is the perfect size for short and long trips and can carry everything from keys, phone and an e-reader to a large magazine and water bottle.

Dimensions:
The body of the bag is approximately 10" wide x 9" tall x 5" deep

Specifications:
The exterior is a fine-waled light grey corduroy with amber brown piping throughout and silver hardware finishes on the strap. There are 3 pockets on either side of the exterior body (one large one under the flap and 2 segmented pockets on the back) for easy access of receipts, tickets, bus passes and other items. These exterior pockets are lined with a lime green and orange polka-dot cotton fabric.

The closure is made of two D-rings and a strap to keep the flap secure and in place when the bag is in motion. The owl fabric applique on the front is a free-hand cloud-like form with orange piping on the edge.

The interior is a quilted cotton in a solid light brown (almost like chocolate milk--more milk, less chocolate)with two large pockets made of the same owl fabric from the exterior. There is also a smaller pocket for tiny items that are easily lost in such a large tote. Another D-ring is attached at the top of the interior to snap keys in place. The entire bag and strap are lined with 100% cotton batting for structure and durability.

New Pillow Cushion

2011-08-18T06:23:00.003-07:00

I made the pillow above to accent Sonny's nursery a long time ago, but it soon became his little chair cushion once he grew out of his highchair. It has gotten much love and use and since then it has endure spills and crumbs and many, many stains. Unfortunately, the fabrics I used at the time (not knowing it would turn into the dining room pillow) are not washer friendly so the stains have remained. The insert has also gotten a lot of wear and is now almost completely flat. It was time for a new one.

For his new cushion I quilted cottons to piece the front and a thick-waled olive green corduroy for the envelope back. Naturally we went with different shades and patterns of green (and a bit of blue and tan) since it is is absolute favorite color. I initially wanted to make one large log cabin for the front, but decided to make 6 small ones instead and now I'm happy I did. I really like the vibrant colors, especially with the mix of solids and stripes. The results are a bit psychedelic and dizzying, but I love it anyway, and so does he! The best part is that this one is washable. :)

Progress

2011-06-28T22:11:00.003-07:00

I have joined the ranks and *finally* created a separate Facebook page for -tinanealis handmade-

here's a link:tinanealis handmade

come take a peek! please "like" the page if you would enjoy staying in touch and getting updates. thanks!

Pillow for Adelina

2011-06-10T10:46:00.002-07:00

This project has been on-going for quite some time now. My friend Luisa has been patiently waiting to add it to her daughter's nursery. It was put on the back-burner, brought out for some sketches and color selections, put aside for other things, and is now finally complete. The embroidery is done free-hand and the pieced pattern was created on the fly, the best way to work! The colors are so girly, I love it! I hope little Addie will be able to enjoy it for years to come.

White, Grey and Red Mod Quilt

2011-06-04T10:29:00.007-07:00

My friend, Erin, from high school recently contacted me to create a custom baby quilt for her friends who are expecting their first child. The parents are keeping the sex of the baby a surprise so we had to keep the colors pretty neutral, but were able to come up with a modern combination of white, greys and reds. I drew a few ideas up, and came up with this design. It's extremely simple and very modern; the minimal use of red really makes it pop. The three off centered rectangles to the right also gave an abstract effect that looks like the letter "E", which is also the parents' last initial. I included a hand-embroidered lowercase "e" on the bottom left corner to personalize the quilt as well.

The custom order came in really quick with a tight deadline so I was very happy to finish this in time for Erin to gift and give it to her friends at the baby shower that will take place today!

A Refreshing Blue Hue

2011-05-23T16:43:00.006-07:00

I recently completed a custom order for a vacation home in San Francisco. Kristine Woolsey of Woolsey Studio is an Arizona based architect/designer and requested master bedroom pillows to be made for a home that belongs to a couple who currently resides in Arizona. Their new vacation home located in Russian Hill has an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge and exudes modern sophistication in a classic, yet youthful style. There are vibrant pops of color from incredible choices of artwork hung throughout the space. The furniture is a mixture of modern and eclectic, and of course, the views from the windows are to die for. My friend Mindy recommended me for the job and I was happy to be able to help them create these pillows for their client.

Juggling projects and having fun

2011-03-02T21:29:00.008-07:00

Sonny's car pants

Mom's orange spring pants

Paola's pink floral pants

There are really too many projects and not enough time in the day to complete them all. Since the start of my full-time job with motherly duties in the evenings, it has left little time left for me to sew during the week. I crave sewing time all during the day, but once we're done reading bedtime stories I sometimes find it hard to get to the sewing machine. With that said, I'm pleased to find that I still love the process of gathering combinations of fabrics and coming up with things here and there.

I have been trying to get a handful of pajamas done for friends and family and finally finished them in the past month or so. My son has been asking and asking and asking "Mama, car pants? MY car pants?! so I finally had to make the time to finish them for him. I also finally finished a pair for my Mom and my friend, Paola. Both late birthday gifts, but arrived none-the-less. :) They were simple projects, but again...with little time, it was a challenge to get them completed.

As you've seen in the previous post, I have also been working on some quilted zipper purses. This is my new endeavor. I love piecing fabric together. I've done it with coasters , custom pillows, purses and totes, even changing mats (see below). I've always loved quilting, but the time it takes to devote towards an entire quilted blanket is too much for me, so the little quilted projects have been a nice way for me to enjoy the craft but not over-commit. I love how they've been turning out because you never really know the overall composition of the piece until it is complete. It's always a nice surprise.

quilted play and changing mat

simply fold in half, roll and tie.

all rolled up

Along with all the other fun and colorful ideas that have been swimming in my head, I've recently started working on these fun and useful playmat/changing pads. The idea came from Rachel of Speesees. She mentioned that many of her clients are coming in and requesting fun and snazzy changing mats, so this is what I've come up with so far. We're still in the testing phase and I have another version I'd like to attempt...so, as always, there will be more to come!

Little quilted purses

2011-02-20T23:38:00.003-07:00

I've been so busy, but here's a sneak peek at what's to come!

Lovely lovies and a full heart

2010-10-05T15:58:00.006-07:00

many lovies to send out

solid patterned lovies

patchwork lovies

I've recently joined a group called Lilybugs, a charity knitting and quilting group that provides handmade goods for the children at the Pediatric Heart Center at UCSF here in San Francisco. I was thrilled when I found this group after moving to San Francisco. Most of you know that my Sonny was at Phoenix Children's Hospital last year to have his heart fixed. During his stay, he was surrounded by such caring and giving people, both staff and volunteers. He received much needed attention, attentive care, many toys to play with and handmade items that really did make a difference to us in our daily life while at the hospital.

Since joining Lilybugs, I have helped the group create bouncy chair vinyl covers that were a special request from UCSF. I also started creating heart-shaped blankies. When Sonny was admitted to the hospital, he used his left thumb to soothe, but he soon couldn't do this because of the IV placement on his left arm. He became very attached to his blankie throughout his stay. It kept him warm when he couldn't wear clothes (because of all the attachments to the equipment) and covered his eyes at night from the bright hallway lights. I sent my first batch of blankies to UCSF and will be sending to PCH soon after. I hope by making these items it will help make the stay for these children as comforting and loving as it was for my son.

Pairs of pants

2010-08-22T21:22:00.007-07:00

Not one, but two pairs of pants for my favorite twins! For Gabe, a transportation themed pair that included trains, trucks and cars. And then there are the brightly colored modern dots for the fashionable Nattie. These tiny little pants look oh-so-adorable when finished and look even cuter on their models. Nattie was happy to wear her pants, but Gabe must have thought we were changing him into pajamas and putting him to bed so he was reluctant, hence only one photo of Nattie. :)

Happy 2nd Birthday to you both!

Oh, I also made a pair for Sonny a couple weeks ago. He chose the train fabric while we were out and was so happy to see them turned into pants soon after. He loves to put them on every time he sees them.

Embroidered together

2010-08-14T20:41:00.004-07:00

This gift comes a little late, but I figured it could greet them at their doorstep when they arrive home from their destination wedding and honeymoon in Hawaii. I had a few sketches before finally deciding on this design. The only color/theme details I had from the wedding was the location. The colors chosen are colorful and included modern jewel tones, which were suppose to draw from the sunset and tropical flowers found in Hawaii (or so I think, seeing I've never been). I've been enjoying the mixed process of hand embroidery and quilting. It's a great way to get some quilting in without committing to an entire blanket. The piecing process of the blocks changed throughout this project as I played with shapes and colors, but I am pleased with the results. I hope the pillow will be a nice addition to their joined decor. Congratulations to both of you and best wishes!

A tote, a sketch, and some pillows

2010-07-19T20:25:00.006-07:00

This tote came soon after the book tote, but I never had the chance to post it. I've been saving this 'wonderland' fabric for more than a year now and I kept telling myself I'd save it for something special, but wasn't sure what that would be. It was just a fat quarter, so there wasn't much of it. I thought it was finally time to use it and I'm glad I did. I did some free-hand quilting on the front and added some exterior pockets on the back. The interior has one high pocket for keys and other small items.

Next up is a sketch I've been working on to create an embroidery. I'd like to eventually embroider the design to fabric. Not quite sure what I'll do after that, but I was thinking perhaps an accent pillow for the couch or bed for the newly married couple. It's next on my to-do list so we'll see...

Lastly, these were a pair of pillowcases I made for my little buddy, Alex. He turned 3 years old last week and loves fire engines and all things related to transportation. His Mom said he needed new pillowcases so I thought these fabrics would be perfect! I kept the trim the same on each so that they looked more like a pair. I love the bright colors and pattern on these.

Quilted book tote

2010-07-03T16:38:00.006-07:00

front exterior

back exterior

interior with pocket

I started this project early this morning and now I'm ready for another! The piecing and quilting was the best part. The size is perfect for a notebook and a few books or magazines. Sonny's already tossed his library books and DVDs inside to try it out. I would like to work on the shape a tad, but I'll work on that for the next tote. The handles are a nice change to the typical straps, but perhaps I'll add some pleating next time to the top. Overall, a fun and enjoyable project.

Quilted set of coasters

2010-06-25T10:19:00.001-07:00

june21 2010 019
Originally uploaded by tinanealis

I recently received a custom order on Etsy for a set of 4 coasters. The client specifically asked for a color per coaster. This order included green, orange, red and brown.

Coasters are always really fun to make. I enjoy picking through my scraps of fabric from past projects and coming up with color palettes. There's a lot more variety of color and patterns when they are such small strips making it seem like I have an endless supply of materials!

These are batted with fleece and backed in fine-waled corduroy, making them sturdy and thick to be sure to prevent any water rings from seeping through.

Jilly Bunny

2010-06-04T14:28:00.001-07:00

jilly bunny
Originally uploaded by tinanealis

This is Jilly. She loves to snuggle, enjoys playing dress-up and will be Hayley's new bunny. Jilly's body is made of a sundress that also belonged to Kelly's Mom. I loved how soft and stretchy the fabric was and thought that a stuffed toy would be much more fitting than trying to incorporate it into the pillow. Jilly's ears are my favorite part, perhaps great for some nibbling for Hayley. :)

Hayley's Embroidered Pillow

2010-05-31T16:46:00.002-07:00

nikon may31 2010 057
Originally uploaded by tinanealis

Okay, so I got excited and finished the pillow faster than I thought. I added the textured ruffles to accentuate the floral fabric. The cornflower blue fabric is a thicker linen giving the pillow a nice shape overall. I was able to reuse the zipper on the dress and it became the closure on the back of the pillow.

Hayley's Embroidered Pillow- w.i.p.

2010-05-31T14:09:00.001-07:00

nikonmay30 2010 041
Originally uploaded by tinanealis

This project has taken me quite a while to work on. I started on the embroidery a while before Hayley was even born, but due to the move and everything else, it was put on hold for a very long time. It has now started back up in full-force and I'm ready to get it finished and to baby Hayley and Kelly (Hayley's Mommy) so they can both enjoy it in the nursery.

The patches were chosen based off the red floral printed fabric, which belonged to a dress that was worn by Kelly's Mom, Jill, who passed away last year. I've been lovingly thinking of her as I sew the patches together. I hope this will be a nice way for Hayley to remember her grandma and a great memento to hold on to for years to come.

Elliot's Nursery Bedding

2010-04-29T22:41:00.007-07:00

Since the move, our days have been filled with trips to the park, walks with the dogs, fun in the sand, and of course some sewing. :) This was a custom order to match Elliot's quilt. I finished prior to moving. This was such a fun and whimsical palette and I really enjoyed creating the bumper pattern. The project was collaboration with Elliot's Mom, which included a set of floor to ceiling length curtains, a crib bumper and skirt. Piping is usually quite a challenge for me, but it was my favorite part of this project. It really completed the set and made it so striking! It was very satisfying to see this finished and sent off to its new home. I hope baby Elliot enjoys his new bed. Sweet dreams!

Change is Good.

2010-03-28T22:20:00.002-07:00

I'm sure you've noticed that I've been gone. I'm excited to share that our family has recently relocated to San Francisco. We've been here for about a month now. There's been a lot going on, but it's slowly settling down and I'm finding some time to sew again! Yay!

I'm currently working on a nursery set that includes curtains, a crib bumper, and crib skirt. It is challenging trying to find the time for these projects, but it keeps me happy and on my toes. The photo above shows the color palette being used. Please keep checking back for more!

Happy New Beginnings.

2010-01-20T21:32:00.004-07:00

This baby quilt was the last large project I completed before we moved.

A Whole Lotta Hullabuloo!

2009-11-11T10:39:00.006-07:00

The Hissyfits Hullabuloo Handmade Market was a hit. Thanks to all of you who came out and stopped by to see me. The dresses were well received and a few people asked for custom orders for the play pants so that will keep me busy for a while. Here are a few pictures from the event.

Up until Sunday I was working very late to get items done for the show. Now that it's over I'm on to other projects...already! Here's a custom ordered baby quilt I'm currently working on. I'm very excited to see this once it's quilted. I've finished cutting and piecing in the past two days....very fun project.

Pillow Dresses Galore

2009-10-31T21:09:00.006-07:00

Here are a handful of photos of some absolutely adorable little girls in the dresses I will have available at the Hissyfits Hullabaloo Craft Show.

Thank you Sue, Kari, and Jamie for letting me borrow their beautiful little models for these photographs!!

Play Pants

2009-10-31T20:32:00.002-07:00

Here is my first try at some play pants. I hope to have a few pairs of these at the craft show as well.

My Second Dress and a Finished Quilt

2009-10-11T15:50:00.005-07:00

I finished another pillowcase dress. The second one went even faster than the first. They are really satisfying to complete since they go so quick and the color palettes are so fun to coordinate. This one is more of a tangy color with rainbows on the body of the dress. I'm hoping to get a handful of them done and ready for the Hissyfits Hullabaloo.

I put this quilt on hold for a bit to work on the pillow dresses. I started to get tired of the quilting. It was just starting to get a tad monotonous, but after a week long break I was ready to finish it up. As I finished the quilting, I fell in love with the whole blanket again. I think the simplistic quilting really makes the entire quilt stand out. I found the perfect dark brown, polka-dotted fabric for the border. It's now washed, wrinkly and folded... ready to be delivered to a brand new baby boy!

Little Lavendar Rose Dress

2009-10-08T00:18:00.005-07:00

In the middle of my progress with the baby quilt I had an itch to start on dresses. My mind has been swimming with ideas for the craft show and I'd like to have a few of them for the upcoming Hissyfits Hullabaloo. This was my first full attempt at children's clothing...girl's clothing at that. As I was making it, I had intended for it to be a size 2T, but I think it ended up being closer to a 12m size. I will have to find a model to be sure what size it really is...

I really love the mixture of colors especially the contrasting trim at the armholes. It seems to add a clean and modern touch to the dress. I'm pretty happy with the outcome and I'm ready to start on the next one! Don't worry, I haven't left out the little boys. I've got some ideas...

Baby B's Quilt

2009-10-08T00:06:00.003-07:00

This baby quilt is for my husband's friend and colleague. Their new bundle of joy arrived last week so it's a tad late, but almost done! I did a mixture of modern and classic fabrics in a simple style, staying with a combination of browns, greens, and blues. Quilting is almost done...

colors

piecing progress

quilting...

Quilted Hoodscarf

2009-10-04T21:32:00.003-07:00

This was a custom order for a friend in Chicago. It took a little bit for me to come up with a pattern, but was very glad with the results. The aqua colored ruffles were randomly placed and after putting it on for the first time, I realized it was in the perfect spot! I wish I needed one, but it doesn't get cold enough in Arizona! :)

Modeled by Theresa...thanks! :)

It's a Hullabaloo!

2009-09-29T22:57:00.002-07:00

I will be a vendor again this year! Should be a fun event!

Where do I start?

2009-09-29T22:03:00.010-07:00

To say that a lot has happened since my last post would be an understatement. We were shocked to learn earlier in March that our son (at nine months old) would have to go under open-heart surgery. Soon after his heart surgery, he ended up needing emergency stomach surgery. Needless to say our world was turned upside-down. Both surgeries were a success and thanks to the amazing staff at Phoenix Children's Hospital, our son is alive and well. We were released from the hospital at the beginning of April and we've continued therapy sessions and monthly follow ups with all our doctors to make sure he continues to thrive. Baby continues to be happy and healthy overall and we feel thankful every single day that he is home with us. You can go to CarePages and search for "ourson" if you'd like to follow our son's journey.

There are many things that I've made since my last post, but here's a glimpse of what I've been up to...

The was a quilt for a friend's baby. She requested a very modern pattern with black and white as the main colors for the quilt. Most of the black and white fabrics were leftover from other things she had made in the nursery. I love the green pops of color.

This was also a baby quilt for a dear friend. She handed me scraps of fabric she used throughout his nursery and I was able to use them as the main stripes in this beautiful quilt. This was my first free-motion quilting attempt on an entire blanket and although it was a long process, it was really fun.

This was another "first time" project. I created his embroidery piece for a friend as a wedding/housewarming gift. It was something I had started during my long stay in the hospital, but it took quite a while for me to complete it. I love the contrast of the colors. This was a really fun project and I liked the mobility of it as well. I will definitely be doing more in the future.

I also tried sewing from a pattern and was pretty satisfied with the outcome. This is the Daily Spice Apron by Heather Bailey. Putting extra time into the intricate details of lining things up and keeping it clean really paid off. The fabric is also designed by the talented Heather Bailey.

This was a custom order from my wonderful friend who is getting married this winter. I was really happy to be able to make this for her. It was such a simple design, but this took more thought than most of my creations, not sure why. Sometimes the simplest things are more of a challenge to make. Anyway, I'm really happy with how it turned out with the combination of colors and the pleating...elegant and simple.

There's more in the works and more to come!

If you're still following the blog after all this time....thank you, I appreciate you stopping by. :)

I'm still here... and now, so is baby!

2008-10-16T23:17:00.002-07:00

It's been quite a while since my last blog entry. I swear I've been sewing even though there are no new post. A lot has happened since April... I've become a Mom to the most adorable little baby boy. He's a joy. I've finally found little time here and there to start sewing once again. The transition has been going really well and I love motherhood. :)

I'm going to be doing my very first craft show next weekend. I'm a little stressed to get things done, but extremely excited. I have also set up an Etsy account for the items I finish from time to time. I hope you will check in to see what's new. I will try to update this blog when I can with any new information on my handmade endeavors.

For now you can find my most recent creations here.

Wrist Clutches

2008-04-13T20:04:00.000-07:00

I made these as gifts for the girls that put on my baby shower. It was the least I could do for all they've done for me. :)

I just made up the dimensions as I went. I used 9" zippers and added the hook/clasps for the first time. They were pretty easy and really fun to make. The interior fabrics match the handles.

Pink & Black Tote

2008-04-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

This was a custom order for my friend, Nicole. This is probably one of the last orders I'll be taking for quite a while. I couldn't say no though! She was requesting a book tote as a gift for a friend. The bag is a really great size...wonderful for magazines, papers, books and a ton more. The exterior is black corduroy and I added these magenta accents throughout the bag. I really like the corners on the exterior. They are just a patterned cotton, but I did magenta corduory piping at the edges of the curves, which added a nice touch. I also made an exterior pocket with a curvy flap and snap button. Hope she likes it!

Diaper Bag

2008-04-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

This was one of the most time consuming bags I've probably ever made. I shopped around for a long time hoping to find a good diaper bag for myself, but decided in the end that I probably should just make one. I found this great pattern from Amy Butler called the Weekender Bag. I made a few adjustments to the pattern by adding elastic to the side pockets, lengthening the handles, and adding elastic pockets and a smaller interior pocket at the top so I can stash all the baby's goodies in there. It matches the stroller rather well with the orange/brown combination. :) I'm pretty happy with the results...now if I could only keep it clean and new forever!

IIDA Fashion Show 2008

2008-02-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

Even though I've been so busy sewing...it really hasn't been for my own personal projects. My company entered in the IIDA Couture Fashion Show and I've been so busy trying to get this outfit done with my team mates! The show was this past week and we had a lot of fun. Here are some pictures of our process and final design.

This was a tote I made for a fashion show we did through my firm. It's made with all Knoll Textile upholstery fabric and was such a pain to get through the machine, but it turned out rather well. We ended up giving it to the Knoll rep as a gift for sponsoring us with all her fabric for the show.

Retro Plush Car

2008-01-01T19:12:00.001-07:00

Okay, so this was a complete shot in the dark. I thought I'd try my hand at some stuffed things. This is my first try at a stuffed car. I drew it out first and then made my cuts and just ran with it...adding windows, door handles, and even wheels! I really don't like hand-stitching, but I had to do that after I stuffed it to close it up and it actually was rather clean! I think it turned out pretty cute. Maybe I'll make different types of cars! I really loved the retro fabric. My favorite part are the wool felt wheels!

Diaper Holders

2008-01-01T18:02:00.001-07:00

I've been searching for all sorts of useful baby things to make recently. I saw these while I was looking at baby items and people seem to really love how they keep diapers and wipe boxes together and organized in your diaper bag. I made my own pattern and gave it a try. The skeleton one was my first attempt and then I made seven more! They were actually really fun to make and went by rather quick.

Pillows for Luisa

2007-12-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

Pillow for Jean

2007-12-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

Zipper Pouch

2007-12-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

Since moving I haven't had much time to sew! Theresa and I finally sat down for some good sewing time this past Friday. I finished a pillow and this little zipper pouch. It has a hidden pocket inside! :)

Amelia's Tote

2007-09-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

I made this one a while back for a coworker's little one. Just kind of threw it together, but i really like the front pocket. Seems like she's been putting it to good use. Her Dad says, "The purse is Amelia’s ice skating bag. She uses it to keep her hat, mittens and stuff in for her ice skating lessons."

Is she not the cutest thing? Even her shirt says so...

Apron Night

2007-09-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

A few friends and I decided to take an apron making class at Bernina Connection last Friday. It was so much fun and all the aprons turned out so cute!

Wool Felt Tote

2007-08-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

Baby Alex!

2007-08-05T12:56:00.000-07:00

Here's baby Alex wearing his nifty bib. Thanks Gina for sending me his picture! He is adorable! AHH! :)

Baby Set

2007-07-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

This handmade baby gift set includes a swaddle/cuddle blanket that is about 35"x35". One side is a vivid cotton patterned fabric and the other side is plush pink swirl minkee fabric. I love how the front and back compliment eachother. There are two burp cloths made of fluffy pink terry cloth and a stripe of the main fabric. I also made a diaper/wipes holder for easy transportation. One side will hold diapers, the other side will hold a plastic baby wipe case and the center can carry baby cream or anything else you need to store.

Pink Minkee Cuddle Blanket

Two Pink Terry Burp Cloths

Diaper Organizer

Velcro Closure

Interior

Striped Suede Pillow

2007-07-29T18:13:00.000-07:00

This pillow was a birthday gift for a friend. The front is the back of brown corduroy with suede strips pieced on layered on top. The back is a patterned fabric. It measures approximately 15"x15".

Contemporary Pillows going to Aussie!

2007-07-16T18:25:00.000-07:00

I received an order from Austrailia! :) A friend placed a custom order for four pillows to accent the two couches in his living room. I kept the fabrics neutral so he could still use them if he ever decides to replace his furnishings. The pillows are approximately 14" square and are patched with all types of fabrics from wool to suede and other fun patterns.

view of all four

front and back

Just for fun

2007-07-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

There are so many people I know that are expecting that I decided to make a ton of bibs to have on hand as gifts. They are so fun to make and I love all the different color and pattern combinations!

Summer beach tote

2007-06-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

I just finished this tote up last week for an old high school friend. She wanted a nice large tote to take with her to the beach this summer. The exterior is corduroy turned inside out with a huge pocket in front with a mini zipper pocket and cell/pen holder pocket as well. The back have 2 patch square pockets and the interior has even MORE pockets!

Nursing Cover

2007-06-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

I've been seeing these "hooter hiders" online and thought I'd give one a try. I was pretty happy with the results. I made thinner straps than the ones I've seen on BeBe Au Lait and in place of the boning they have on the top, I used a plastic grid which worked just as well. I love the d-ring detail and I think the thinner sized straps look so cute. On the back side in the corner I used terry cloth.

The bib is suppose hang over your neck and cover you while you're nursing baby. The boning in the neckline holds fabric away so you can watch baby.

Close up of tie strap

D-ring detail

Terry cloth back with tag

Here they are!

2007-06-09T20:26:00.000-07:00

More and more bibs!

2007-06-09T16:59:00.000-07:00

Work in progress pictures are below...

I will post the results of them all as soon as I finish.

Eames pillow

2007-05-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

This pillow is a housewarming gift for a friend. She just purchased a 1970's ranch style home so I thought this would compliment her funishings well.

The fabric is by Charles and Ray Eames and the pattern is Dot Pattern. I had small swatches and just patched them together.

Modern bibs

2007-05-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

These are some modern patterned bibs for a modern baby girl. Another friend is expecting and her colors are a lot more modern than the past few baby gifts I've done, so they were so much fun to make! The fronts are wipeable with cotton patterned fabric behind it. The backs are cotton and one is white terry cloth.

Accent pillow for the bed

2007-04-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

This is the first of two pillows I will be making like this. I got new bedding last weekend and as much as I love the comforter cover and accent colored sheet, I thought it needed a little bit of something else. I was so lucky to run across this fabric last Friday. It had all the colors that I wanted. I also found an accent fabric to go on the back. I added some embroidery to spruce up the fabric and I'm really happy with how it turned out.

embroidering the flowers

close up

front of pillow...it's about 14"x14".

back of pillow...i just overlapped the edges so i am able to wash the cover.

Baby Bibs

2007-04-08T17:53:00.000-07:00

A co-worker and his wife are expecting a baby girl this coming week. I just got this done and now I can wrap it up and get it out to her just in time! I made my own pattern, althought that didn't take much effort. The bibs are approximately 9"x12". I rounded the corners, binded the edges with solid pink cotton fabric and added some snap closures. These were actually really fun to make. I had a little trouble with the binding, but that comes with rounded edges. The polka dotted and number ones have pink terry cloth on the opposite side. The one with pink flowers has a complimenting cotton fabric on the other side. All three bibs have a vinyl iron on cover on one side for easy wipe off. I may have to try using a more stretch fabric for the binding next time...hopefully that would solve my scrunched problem. I hope she likes them!

all three bibs with vinyl on the front side and binded with solid pink.

numbers on front, pink terry cloth on back

sweet polka dots on front, pink terry cloth on back

pink flowers on front, brown patterned fabric on back

back side with brown patterned fabric...one of my favorites.

There are 2 other people that are expecting soon that I will also be making bibs for so there will be more to come! I will post them as I finish.

Moving on to clothes...

2007-03-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

...maybe just for now.

This is my first successful attempt at following an actual store bought pattern. It took me a couple tries because of size and material. I also had some trouble reading the pattern the first time around. I got the hang of it, though and I'm very pleased with the results. :o)

Red Striped Handbag

2007-02-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

Okay so this may still need a few changes...it was more of a shot in the dark as far as the style and design goes. The underneath the ruffles on the front is an exterior pocket. The interior has two more pockets and there is also a clip hook closure. I like it for the most part, but I think maybe the handles need to be thicker... we'll see....

Quilted Zip Pouch

2007-02-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I took a break from the quilt and had an urge to make some quilted things. Here are one of the pouches I made. I used the same fabric that I'm using for the quilt...just some scraps:

It's a little hard to see that all the different colored patterns are actually pieced together and quilted. Next time I'm going to have to use more bold colors so they don't all blend together so well...makes it look like it's all one patterned fabric. The zipper was kind of a pain, but I think I figured out a way to keep it from getting so crooked at the end. I'm pretty happy with it overall...

Throw Quilt in Progress

2007-01-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

I'm just about done with my orders so now on to my projects... I'm working on this quilt that will end up being a present for my Mom's birthday. I really love the colors...it's sort of vintage but the patterns are still modern. As for the pattern of the quilt, I'm really just making it up as I go. I decided to do different thickness of bands and just piece them together in long strands...we'll see how it goes. Here are some progress pictures.

(Rosie, of course, had to be the center of attention...)

Retro Tote

2006-12-31T19:44:00.000-07:00

Okay so it's much more than a punch of color...but it's so fun! This was a custom order that has been loooong over due. Her requests were for a book bag with plenty of pockets. The two matching exterior fabric patterns are retro barkcloth that I've had forever.... my faves. The exterior has pockets on either side that connect at the bottom. It's a nice place to hold notebooks or flatter supplies on the sides. The interior has three elastic pockets on one side and a few flat pockets and pen holders on the other. The overall tote (including the straps) is approximately 24"h x 17"l. The body of the bag itself is about 12"h x 17"l. The tote closes with a satin brown ribbon.

exterior front

stitching detail and ribbon closure

my signature at the bottom

interior with pockets on either side

side pocket and freehand-stitched heart

"Lucky Coin" Purse

2006-12-31T19:32:00.000-07:00

I had a custom order for two purses a LONG while back..and I mean LONG. I was slacking so bad, but I finally sat down today and finished both her and her daughter's purses. This one was for her. She had requested black corduroy with sage green and a japanese theme. I found beautiful pink fabric that shimmers with cranes and flowers and used it for the interior. I added a pocket as well. For the exterior..I used ribbon and pearls to embellish the front and also added a scoop exterior pocket. I think it's just a great place for things you need on hand like your cell phone or chapstick. She had also asked for a lucky coin. I wasn't sure where I was going to find one, but i came across one eventually. Maybe that's why they are considered lucky? :o)

Day of the Dead Handbag

2006-11-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here's another typical apron purse. This one's a tad bit different...the handles are shorter. I also made a felt flower pin that can be added to the purse or worn to embellish an outfit. :) Hope my swapee likes it!

exterior view

interior lining

flower pin

Sister and Tote.

2006-11-09T14:19:00.000-07:00

Here she is sporting the new tote!!

Happy Birthday Sister!

2006-11-03T13:57:00.000-07:00

My sister turned 21 today and this is what I sent her.

front

flipped up

back

side with leather strap

interior with pocket

I made a flip tote out of wool. It is perfect for the San Francisco fall/winter weather. I also added a leather strap. I love the colors. It was my first time using my free-motion foot on my machine so the quilting wasn't great, but I still liked how it turned out. I hope she gets some good use out of it. :o)

And again...

2006-09-29T02:44:00.000-07:00

Another one...

2006-09-28T16:54:00.000-07:00

These seem to be all the rage right now for those whom are ordering from me! They are so fun to make. This is for a recent order...not much to say about it so I'll let the pictures do the talking. :o)

Baby Girl's Crib

2006-09-18T09:44:00.000-07:00

My coworker/friend (the one I made the pink pillow for) asked for help in constructing the crib bumpers for her crib and here is the result of 6 hours of work and ONE bumper. haha.

The interior of the bumper is soft cream minky fabric. The exterior is the pink/brown scroll design that you see. We made piping around the edge of the pillow bumper out of a striped pink and white fabric that is also on the dust ruffle of the crib. The bottom of the pillow has snaps so that the cover is removable and washable without putting the entire pillow in the washing machine.

Baby Girl- Pillow for Mom

2006-09-09T16:35:00.000-07:00

This is a pillow I made recently for a friend/coworker who's expecting a little girl very soon. She's in the process of sewing all the pieces for the crib and decorating the baby's room so I made the patchy pillow to adorn her rocking chair.

The colors she chose for the baby's room are quite pale so it was really difficult to find the right pink hue. Luckily we have wonderful quilt shops in Arizona so I searched everywhere before I could find these pale latte and pink colors. I didn't follow a pattern so it is really random. The pillow is about 15" square. I love the texture of the fabric on the back with the little pom-poms!

Stripey Diaper Bag

2006-08-12T17:53:00.000-07:00

This is a gift for a friend who is expecting a baby in a couple months. She left the sex of the baby as a surprise so the colors are somewhat unisex. The exterior is a multi-colored and striped upholstery fabric with corduroy for the flap. There are two corduroy elastic pockets on either side of the exterior for bottles. I added a few buttons and a blue ribbon for interest and an exterior zipper pocket for little things. The interior is lined with a bright orange print and beige elastic pockets. I've added a hook strap for her keys so they will be easy to find. The size of the bag is approximately 20"w x 13"h (26"h with strap included) and about 5"d. Her baby shower is tomorrow so i hope she likes it!

Exterior

Close up of side pocket and buttons

Interior with elastic band pockets and hook strap for her keys

Exterior top view

Pillow for my bear

2006-07-23T07:40:00.000-07:00

Quilted Flip Tote - SOLD

2006-07-16T19:44:00.000-07:00

I'm just on a brown fabric frenzy suddenly. This one is a little bit different I suppose. It wasn't an order for anyone in particular, so I just went a little wacky with this one to test it out. Of course it is up for grabs if anyone is interested. The flip tote lays flat, but the top folds over envelope-style when carried. I also added a dainty lime green lace tie at the end. It's really comfortable to carry- on your shoulder or across your chest. It also has a nice drape to it because of the soft exterior fabric.

Flip Tote - $45

Exterior (flipped closed)

Exterior (laying flat)

Interior with pocket

Close-up detail of stitching

The exterior is this quilted brown fabric...I can't put a finger on what type of fabric it really is but it's really soft...almost sweater material. It is quilted with concentric circles and I quilted it even further with some random pink stitching and pink remanants of shredded fabric. The interior is a vintage sheet I found a while back....very 70's. I added an interior pocket for smaller things because you would probably lose them since this tote is so deep. It measures approximately 12"W x 21"L flat (12"W x 13"L flipped closed).

Please email me at tina.nealis@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing. Thanks!

Lovely Ribbon & Lace - SOLD

2006-07-15T21:59:00.000-07:00

This purse is a second order for one of my friends. She initially ordered the pink bow tie purse, but she wanted something that would match her daily wardrobe as well. I whipped this one up and had a lot of fun practicing with one of my new feet that I purchased recently for my Bernina! I used it by signing my name inside the bag and I also "quilted" the front lace on the left side with random squiggles. I can't wait to use it on future projects!!

Exterior view

Close-up of ribbon and lace detail

Interior view with pocket for goodies

my tag

Interior fabric

Travel Bag - SOLD

2006-07-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

This travel bag was made for my friend Joey. He ordered it sooooo long ago and I've finally finished not one, but TWO. It took me long enough...I'm such a slacker. Anyway, i sat down and finally got it done. I made two variations of it because I wasn't sure what one would end up better. The first one is a cylinder duffle bag shape, it has straps on either end. The second bag has an exterior pocket with fabric that looks like knit...goes along with the interior. It also has small tabs on either end for easy handling. The exterior on both is brown corduroy and the interior is cotton print with a sock monkey pattern on orange. Both bags are approximately 12"L x 6"W.

FIRST TRAVEL BAG

Exterior view

Zipper

Interior view

SECOND TRAVEL BAG

Exterior view

Back view with my "tag"

Zipper

Interior view

Enlarged images

2006-07-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

I know that the pictures are somewhat small and it's hard to see the details. Just roll over the image and you can enlarge it in a new window by simply clicking on it! Just FYI. Thanks.

Pink Bow Tie Bag - SOLD

2006-07-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

Here's one I finished today for an old high school friend that put in an order. She really liked the cupcake purse and wanted something similar so this is what I made. The exterior is the dark blue corduroy with tiny pink polka-dots. The interior is lingerie themed fabric. I hope she likes it!

Front view

Detail of the little bow tie

Back view

Interior with my tag

Brown & Blue - SOLD

2006-07-09T15:22:00.000-07:00

I've always liked the combination of a chocolate brown and a robin's egg blue. It's such a nice contrast of natural colors. I made this one yesterday for a friend. She wanted to make sure it was simple enough that she could wear it with plenty of things in her wardrobe. Just a little splash of blue added some flair to it.

The exterior is brown corduroy (my favorite!) with some bright blue silk and elastic ribbon, smaller corduroy strips, and a couple white buttons. The interior is lined with a japanese patterned cotton print and I also added a pocket for her smaller belongings.

Baby quilt - SOLD

2006-07-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

Remember this post from a while back? Well, my Mom and I finally sat down and finished this on the fourth of July weekend. The Mom-To-Be received it today and really loved it. It makes all that hard work well worth it.

The top of the quilt is made of 100% cotton print, the batting is Warm & Natural 100% cotton batting, and the back is soft yellow minky. The entire blanket was machine quilted and then we binded the edges with a light pink to add a little girlie-ness to it.

From the archives - all SOLD

2006-06-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

I was just looking at some old pictures stored on my other laptop and found a couple projects back in the day. Not THAT long ago, but definitely worth posting.

The first one was just a little pencil (feminine product, makeup, doodad..whatever) pouch. I made it for Gina. She's special because I say so. The fabric is %100 cottom print. The exterior is a comic print and the interior is just white with red polka dots. You will come to realize most of my projects will include dots somewhere..

This second one was a little gift to my sister... kind of a scrappy pillow of sorts. It's just a log cabin quilted pattern with a picture of the two of us at Knott's Berry Farm in the center. Excuse the bowl haircuts, please.

Baby Diaper Bag - SOLD

2006-05-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at a diaper bag, and it turned out pretty well. This was for a friend of a friend. She's expecting but is leaving the sex of the baby a surprise for the end so we chose some "neutral" colors. She wanted it to be very natural...almost beachy looking. There are side pockets on the exterior for bottles and other knick-knacks. The interior has a pocket up high for Mom's keys and things and the bottom of the bag has 6 elastic pockets total for diapers, a changing pad, bottles, and other things that I have no clue about. :o) The handles were purchased and added on....I'm not THAT talented. heh.

Cupcakes...yum! - SOLD

2006-05-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

Here's a cupcake purse I made not too long ago for a crafty swap. The exterior is dark blue corduroy with little pink polka dots. The applique of the cupcake is just felt that I stitched on with my machine. The interior is flannel patterned with ice cream cones.

Yummy yum yum!

Out with the old - SOLD

2006-05-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

I made an olive leather wallet a couple years back for Jason but it was getting old. He was in desperate need of a new one. The old one held up quite well as you can see in the pictures (top wallet). There were no rips or frays...just normal wear and some fading. It was time for a new one so I made a new brown leather wallet for him while he was in town with Debbie. He was able to basically choose the fabric combo himself... here are the results:

I made a few adjustments on to the new one by adding snap closures instead of velcro and made the pockets for his cards a little bit smaller so that they weren't sliding out. I also reversed the leather so the "wrong" side was facing outwards.

Paypal update

2006-05-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

I've decided it's a lot easier for people to contact me via email if they are interested in purchasing anything from my site. The transactions will still be through Paypal, but the buttons used for the site haven't been the most convenient. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at: tina.nealis@gmail.com

Thanks!

Ribbon Scarf - $50

2006-05-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

This ribbon scarf is made up of silk ribbon, chenille strands and other really beautiful fibers. I've created it by sewing a grid of thread over the vertical running ribbon. Doesn't keep you very warm but it spruces up a black t-shirt or top quite nicely.

Ribbon Scarf - $50

Please contact me via email if you are interested in purchasing.
Thanks.

Retro Fruit Tote - SOLD

2006-05-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

This was finished a while back. The exterior is textured barkcloth with a retro pattern of leaves, apples, and pears. It is lined with magenta fleece and the interior includes a pocket for your cell phone and a zipper pocket for larger items. The closure is a orange ribbon that loops over a bright orange button.
It measures at approximately 13"w x 8"h x 4"d. (measurement w/o handles)

Retro Fruit Tote - has a home!

It's a Girl! - SOLD

2006-05-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

This is just the beginning of a baby quilt I am making for my Mom's friend. She's expecting a baby girl some time this August. I've finished piecing the front and I'm in the process of pinning and quilting the entire blanket.

I will add more pictures once I'm finished, but thought I'd show the front for now. The backing will be a light yellow minky fabric...very soft!!

Paypal has been added

2006-04-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

I have finally been able to add Paypal buttons to the site. The links to the buttons are displayed next to the pictures of the items for sale. Hopefully this will help out with all the transactions and emails. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks for your patience!

Golden Granny Bag - SOLD

2006-04-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

Here's my latest.

Golden Granny Bag

This purse is made of vintage upholstery fabric and is embellished with vintage gold buttons, rick rack, and ribbon. The interior is lined with an old fashioned looking cotton quilt fabric and is also interfaced with quilt batting for extra support. The handles are brown corduroy with a faint pink that shows through the ribbing. The two front buttons and a ribbon loop create a nice closure for the purse.
The size is about 13"w x 8"h (18"h with handles).

MINIs Galore - all SOLD

2006-03-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

I've got quite a few MINI purses left over from AMVIV, so they will now be available online. They will be $40 each with shipping and handling included (within the United States).
~~I will post pictures of the purses I have remaining as soon as I get the chance.~~

Pink Polka Dot MINI Purse - SOLD

The interior of the polka-dot purse is lined with super soft magenta fleece.

AMVIV purses - all SOLD

2006-03-19T20:57:00.000-07:00

....and they keep coming.

Brown Corduroy & Red MINI Purse - SOLD

Brown Corduroy & Yellow MINI Purse - SOLD

Blue Striped MINI purse - SOLD

These will be going for $40 each at the MiNi Vacation in Vegas event over this weekend. Thanks to Emis and Tuls for taking them up there for me!! :o)

Presenting the MINI purse - $25

2006-03-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

So I've moved on from pouches to purses. I'm much more comfortable making these so they are going to A MiNi Vacation in Vegas next weekend with a friend. I hope they do well. I love the shape of them, so compact and easy to carry! The lining on this specific one was very "Vegas" appropriate...don't you think?

Black & Red Trim MINI Purse - $25

The exterior of this one is black chenille-like fabric with a cotton print interior lining. The handles and MINI patches are made of an extra soft suede fabric. The size of this one is approximately 13"w x 8"h (16"h if you count the handles).

New Batch of MINIs - all SOLD

2006-03-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

Here are a few new ones I made this past weekend. These were all custom orders. Thanks to those who ordered one!

Panda Tote - SOLD

2006-03-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

This one was made for a teacher friend. She had requested a tote big enough to carry her books and papers for class.

The exterior is a black chenille-type upholstery fabric and the interior includes a variety of cotton prints. The panda face was hand-drawn and stencilled onto an ultra suede fabric.

Past work - all SOLD

2006-03-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

I've done this sewing thing for a little while now, I just never really archived any of it in a journal so theses are a few things I've made in the past. I may add more, although the further I go back the more amateur my work seems to look. Anyway, here they are from oldest to most recent...

Corduroy Lace Clutch

Leather Wallet

Hot Pink Corduroy Slouchy

Aqua Vinyl Slouchy

Camouflage Slouchy

Satin RingBearer Pillow

Brown Corduroy Ribbon Clutch

Black & Striped Corduroy Purse

Brown Corduroy Tote

Olive Leather Clutch

Tan Leather Clutch

Alkaline Trio Purse

Baby Quilt

Please keep in mind that these were all custom orders and already have loving homes.

MINI Zipper Pouches - all SOLD

2006-02-26T16:04:00.000-07:00

At the moment there are three available. More colors will be added to the line and I will post them as they are made. I will also take custom orders for designs or colors you may have in mind.

MINI Zipper Pouches - $15
handmade zipper pouch
featuring stenciled illustration
vinyl exterior, cotton print interior, zipper closure
approx. 4" x 5"

Black MINI on Red - SOLD

Gold MINI on Black - SOLD

Silver MINI on Black - SOLD

Welcome!

2006-02-26T15:37:00.000-07:00

This is where you will find all of my creations.