A pillow for my sister...finished product!

This is the pillow that I made for my sister for Christmas! Check out the post below for a play by play of my process of designing and executing the pillow. Enjoy!

A pillow for my sister...start to finish

 Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a girl who knows her way around a toss pillow! When my sister mentioned that she had need for a few decorative pillows, I knew that I wanted to make her something special!  First, I started with a drawing of  medallion that I wanted to build the pillow design around. Then, I found the perfect starting point- a lone cuff link that I had been hoarding. It was a simple and beautiful warm-ish gray cut glass cuff link that I trimmed down with pliers. Then I started beading...
I had leftover fabric from Project Tote Bag,  so if it looks familiar- that's why! I used it because I absolutely LOVE the colors and the polka dot fabric! 
I did the embroidery completely freehand- which is why it is not as perfectly symmetrical as the drawing- and edged it with a gold beaded blanket stitch. I layered the beaded medallion onto the embroidered wool felt, onto dark green leather trim and finally onto the pillow. 

What do you think?

xoxoxo-kara

a christmas past...

This is the necklace that I made for my mother at Christmas last year! I finished it very last minute, ahem, and never had the chance to photograph it...

I made it by weaving a "rope" of beads- a time consuming process that most likely, I will not repeat! The end result is a 3d beaded chain that has a fantastic hand-feel and weight to it.

daily drawings- a stash from last week + family portrait

This is super funny if you know us...super cheesy if you don't! Merry Christmas!
This is my new preferred method of travel, after spending the night at the O'hare airport last night!
A winter bird in the snow...
mmmmmmm....swirly!  

Happy Holidays! I will post some pics of fun gifts after the big reveal tomorrow! 

Daily drawing ...Holiday edition #1

Hello!   Finch's Holiday boutique was a great success! I sold lots of necklaces and earrings and one pair of gloves! I am thinking of using the rest of the collection to begin a new Etsy shop. (maybe in January...)

Check out the blog for some more great "in store" shots of the sale here.

All the holiday shopping at the boutique as well as putting up our TINY, but real tree has put me in a Christmasy mood so I drew some ornaments for you (2 days in a row!).

Enjoy! 

PS: a holiday "family portrait" to come :)

the rest of the pictures!!!

here are the rest of the pictures from the below post!

I'm back! (finally!) Finch's Holiday Boutique

Hello hello... I know that it has been such a long time! I have been super busy + exhausted from work, but things are looking up :)

Even though it seems that I have been un-productive on this blog, I was shocked to realize how many things I actually made for Finch's Holiday Boutique while sitting on the couch! I made tons of beaded medallions before I started putting everything together last weekend. 

I am proud of the collection that I will have for sale at Finch's this weekend! Here are a few shots of the tags that I made as well as the overall collection. (sadly, I was unable to get great shots of each individual item (dead camera and last minute timing!) but I am hoping to get some "in store" shots at the sale this weekend!