Super-Cute Felted Balls Tutorial

Check out Coco Knits! This super cool shop has FABULOUS knitting patterns. Only wish I had the patience to learn to knit! :-)

Julie's aim in creating her website is to reach creative knitters who want a finished product that says something unique about their personality. Each pattern is meant not as a rigid template but as a guide, a jumping-off point from which you can determine your own style through choice of texture, color, shape, and embellishments.

Julie also has several tutorials on her site. I love the super-easy felted balls!

Finally Made a Decision

After weeks of worrying and frettin' (can you tell I am a Southern girl?!), I have made the decision that Miss Gina Designs will no longer take orders for baby products. Don't get me wrong, I love making cute items for babies, but the new federal legislation that requires certificates stating lead levels in materials used to make products for children under age 12 is just too much for little 'ole me.

So, we're having a SALE!

All baby items have been marked down to unbeatable prices. Limited quantities available, so get 'em while they last!

Miss Gina Design ribbon cuddle blankies are on sale! Isn't this picture just the cutest? (Susan...don't be mad...I just HAD to post this adorable pic!)

Solid color minkee dot fabric on one side with chenille on the other.

Ribbon tags attached to two sides.

We're also selling our remaining stock of monogrammed burp cloths. Again, limited quantities available.

Prices have been drastically reduced!

Matching bib and burp cloth sets also have been reduced!

Have fun shopping! These items make great baby shower gifts!

Craftgawker Submission

I've been so busy lately! I haven't had much time to focus, but I just wanted to pop in to introduce you to a super-fun site, Craftgawker!

I recently had a submission accepted! So much fun!!

Craftgawker is a gallery where anyone can showcase their art, crafting and photography skills. It's a place for you to discover new artists and handmade goods.
I enjoy browsing through the multitude of interesting handmade products! Hope you will too!

Aprons, Aprons, Aprons - On SALE!

Check out the website for a markdowns on women's APRONS!

Powhatan Festival of the Grape

IT'S SHOW TIME!

Miss Gina Designs will be a vendor at the upcoming 7th Annual Powhatan Festival of the Grape!

Come check us out and get a jump start on your holiday shopping!!

Saturday, October 24, 2009, 11 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

With over 23 wineries and more than 100 juried Arts and Craft Vendors, you're sure to have a wonderful day and great experience!

We have many new products! Many of which are not available through our website, such as fabric luggage tags, bottle cap necklaces, upcycled scarves, fabric key rings, scrabble tile necklaces, and gorgeous nuno felted scarves. Many new purses and wristlets also!

Mark your calendar...Saturday, October 24th!

"Washing Machine" Wet Felted Neck Wraps

I read about a super-cool, wet felting technique on Zedster01's Flickr page and just had to try it! With nuno felting being such a labor intensive process, I was anxious to give this technique a try!

I have now completed several neck wraps and I have been using several layers of wool batt, wool roving, and various textural yarns as embellishment.

You start by laying out a base layer of fabric. This fabric is not part of the end creation, but is simply used as a base to hold all the fibers in place. Lay out the fibers as you would like them and lay a pice of fabric on top of the fibers. You now have a sandwich. Use a running hand-stitch around the edges and across lenthwise and widthwise of the sandwich. In my first attempt at this technique, I used tulle as the fabric on top and bottom of the sandwich. Just an FYI...tulle is much too loosely woven...the fibers will felt through the tulle and you will have to pick away pieces of tulle from the completed project. I am now using cotton broadcloth as the top and bottom layer and it works great!

Once the sandwich is complete with running stitches to help the fibers stay in place, you set your washing machine on a small load setting, add just a small bit of laundry detergent, and wash as normal in a warm water wash.

Once the sandwich goes through the complete machine cycle, I pick away the running stitches and peel away the top and bottom fabric layer and this is what you get:

You can expect your completed project to skrink about one third the original size.

I have been making scarflet / neck wraps and am LOVING the fabulous textural qualities that I am getting! I've added ribbon, yarns, silk fibers, etc. I think this technique would produce some wonderful fabric that could be used for purses!

This method takes away alot of the control that some artisans may crave...you never know what will appear once you take away the top and bottom layer of fabric. To me, the suspense is half the fun!

Thanks, Zedster01, for sharing this fabulous technique with the world!

Scarf Display

I had been trying to come up with a unique and trendy way to display my scarves during craft shows. I ran across these very interesting "bowls" in the clearance aisle at Michael's Arts and Crafts. The first thing that entered my mind when I saw these ball-shaped objects..."heads"! (Don't you just love the paint splattered drop cloth that I have them on??? I used to paint ALOT!)
Now, if the balls are the heads, what can we use for the rest of the upper torso...let's try different styles and various heights of candle holders for "necks"!

Add a 1/4" deep x 2" wide flat wooden board for "shoulders", glue everything together with fabulous Gorilla glue, spray paint the entire concoction and once dry, sand everything to give it a distressed look, and you've got yourself a scarf display!