urbanhen

sewing for home

2012-01-27T11:44:00.000-08:00

Some long-awaited projects:

And that is what a week without leaving the house will give you.

Thank goodness for potty training? I guess?

It's on!

2012-01-18T06:23:00.001-08:00

hens abound

It's an art caddy

2012-01-09T13:53:00.000-08:00

This one's easy:

1. Purchase a 4 pack of your beverage of choice.

(Trader Joe's Cola, for us.)

2. Drink it up.

3. Cover the "leftover" box with old book pages.

4. Fill with age-appropriate art supplies.

(I learned quickly that I had best take the scissors and glue sticks out of there. For now.)

Getting closer

2012-01-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

"The council gave preliminary approval to a bill that would make it easier for urban residents to keep backyard hens after hearing from dozens of residents, most of whom spoke in support of the measure."

-The Tennessean

Congratulations!

2011-12-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who participated. Lots of great responses listing favorite handmade gifts! Looks like the key to giving a handmade gift that qualifies as a memorable favorite is to make the gift personal and meaningful; make it purposefully with love. Thanks for the reminder, everyone.

The winner of the urbanhen Travel Set is............

Vanessa at Rescued Goods

Hope you enjoy these vintage fabric wares!

Giveaway!!

2011-12-13T12:34:00.000-08:00

Sew Mama Sew is hosting a giveaway week. Go here to see dozens and dozens of links to bloggers who are giving away handmade things.

And...here's my addition:

urbanhen Travel Set

Uses for the travel set:

1. Use the bag tag to mark your black luggage as irrefutably yours. Use the zipper pouch to hold ticket info, passport, mentos, etc. Your important papers (and candy) will be easy to spot in your purse or backpack, even if you get nervous at the security line.

2. Give the set as a gift to a mom to use with her diaper bag. The bag tag adds just enough fun to a plain diaper bag. The zipper pouch gives mom a place to store things that once upon a time she put in a purse.

3. Place the bag tag on anything with a handle that you want to claim as your own. Use the zipper pouch for something else.

This particular set was made using one-of-a-kind vintage fabric found in my grandmother's stash. It actually used to be a skirt! approximate dimensions of pouch:

7" across 5" tall

Rules:

Leave a comment with the best handmade gift you ever received.

Comments will be accepted until December 16th at 5pm.

I will randomly draw a winner on December 17th and ship it anywhere in the US in time for Christmas.

Thanks for visiting!

-uh

Two Alligators

2011-11-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

A friend passed along this tail tutorial from Running with Scissors. I modified her pattern a little to make it less dinosaur-y and more alligator-ish. We did have at least one person comment, "Hey! Look at the alligators!", so it was totally worth it.

I also decided to add a strip of clear plastic vinyl to the underside of the tail in hopes of protecting the fabric from the side effects of being dragged through the neighborhood for hours.

Hope you had a happy halloween! Mwaaaahhhhhaahaahaahaa!

Emergency obsession

2011-10-25T20:02:00.000-07:00

There is a new love in our house: emergency vehicles!

We had a lot of fun getting ready for this birthday party together. The boys were big enough to make their own party decor, although they'll probably never admit to participating in something called "decor".

We figured out an easy (and frugal) way to make party straws.

These trucks showed up all over the house!

Due to the recent and continued status of my living situation (ahem), the boys had rather lame birthday shirts. The number three. No-sew heat n bond. I miss sewing.

They didn't seem to mind.

Twine, twine, everywhere there's twine

2011-08-19T18:04:00.000-07:00

Twinery giveaway!!!

upcycled | recycle treat container, originally uploaded by Monika Wright

u+me=love card, originally uploaded by ParkersPrints

A message from your irregularly-scheduled urbanhen blog

2011-07-21T20:07:00.001-07:00

Reasons why my sewing machine looks like this:

and why my etsy shop looks like this:

In no particular order...

1. Five garden beds currently yielding a plentiful harvest of crab grass and assorted weeds.

2. Walls and window frames covered with nails.

Check out these holes! Count them. But don't get so caught up with your counting that you miss that custom splatter paint and wallpaper border. Mmm...

Don't worry if you missed it, because here it is again.

Note: Those curtains were stapled to the window frame. With a staple gun.

3. Don't even ask.

Nature bags

2011-06-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

I read my first Charlotte Mason about 7 years ago. For a girl that loves being outdoors, Mason's writings about education through "nature study" spoke right to my heart. It's all about observing and holding and sensing- things my boys seem to do without question.

And now they each have a bag just for such an occasion! I used inexpensive muslin for the straps and main body of the bag. Then I added a single layer of colorful print for the front pockets which are perfect for holding rocks, a few black walnuts, and an assortment of sticks and grass.

"Let them once get touch with nature, and a habit is formed which will be a

source of delight through his life." -Mason

Great resources for your nature walks:

Pinwheels keep on turnin'

2011-05-17T13:19:00.000-07:00

Baby shower decor is so much fun! I recently threw a joint baby shower- one baby girl and one baby boy. What fits a dual-gender shower?

PINWHEELS!

I followed this great tutorial by Yellow Songbird. I didn't have any dowels, so I just let the floral wire be the stem. Seemed to work okay.

Fun project for digging through my jars of buttons!

Beach bag

2011-05-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

That's right, uh is going to the beach!

I decided to use up some Ikea fabric I've had around for a while.

The simple black and white is great but it needed a little something extra.

So, I snuck a bright yellow pocket right inside.

And used yellow thread for all my exposed stitches. Now we're ready to go!

We're coming, beach! We're coming!

Fundraiser auction

2011-03-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

Urbanhen has taken the opportunity to participate in another Ethiopian adoption fundraiser. Check out details on how to bid on this urbanhen applique t (plus a TON of other items) here.

Late to the party

2011-03-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

Handmade, washable snack baggies. They've been all the rage for quite a while, but I've just now gotten around to working up some of these nifty wares for myself.

These were fun and easy!

I used 7.5" x 8.5" (somewhere around there) rectangles for these bags. So far, I've sewn gussets and think I like that better than a straight seam at the bottom of the bag.

These reusable snack bags are another great non-committal way to use just a little bit of your favorite fabrics. (I think I see a trend in my sewing habits here.)

I'll be working on more of these soon!

Applique

2011-02-19T12:42:00.000-08:00

Applique. It's like drawing with fabric.

And most of the time we classify it as being something just for the kiddos.

Onesie by Chirp and Bloom

kids T by Tiny Modernist

I admit that I've been a victim of this narrow-minded way of sewing, myself. ;)

Thankfully, I was freed by a recent customer who ordered a couple of appliqued tanks.

For her grown-up self.

For the BOYS!

2011-02-14T11:01:00.000-08:00

Put away that pink. Toss aside those ruffles.

made by RAE is doing an entire month of sewing for...

Can't wait to get some new ideas and hopefully some great (free) tutorials!

Blog love

2011-01-22T19:38:00.001-08:00

What an honor for an urbanhen ware to be featured as the header on this adopting family's blog!

Winter olympics

2011-01-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

rickrackstudio is hosting the 2011 Handmade Olympics. Pretty cute idea!

Could be a great way to locate some sweet crafters out there. Take a look at what's being posted. Talk about the event and be entered to win some lovely fan prizes!

Giving and giving and...

2011-01-04T13:33:00.001-08:00

Wow! DrDrama is giving much away this week on her blog!

Take a look and see for yourself how fun her blog is!

December 1

2010-12-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

After sitting down to a warm bowl of White Christmas Chili, the traditional December 1st Christmas tree decorating began!

Looking for a way to add some handmade to your holiday?

Stockings are a great place to start!

You can easily make your own pattern especially if you're wanting a simple look, like me.

Here are a couple of tutorials to get you started:

Noodleheads

Purl Bee

Blissfully Domestic

Happy December!

Hearting Africa

2010-11-23T19:53:00.001-08:00

Right now I'm busy working on a custom order for more of these ware s, inspired last year by my little ones. These new ornaments will be going to a mother soon expecting a little one of her own.

Christmas is just around the corner

2010-11-18T19:26:00.001-08:00

Two for one

2010-11-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

I have two boys. Somehow we ended up with one backpack. My two boys love this one backpack. See how these numbers aren't adding up?

Instead up my own previously used drawstring backpack pattern, I tried Simplicity 5284 - a pattern that I had actually picked up years ago for the a-line dress. I didn't add interfacing, as the pattern recommended. I rarely do listen to patterns on these matters. But I think the interfacing actually might be nice in this one. The bags are bit floppy which makes them hard for tiny hands to reach inside. I made the front pocket bigger and the elastic gathering longer.

Instead of d-rings I used two clasps that a friend had given me a while back. She used to work at Gap and one day somebody at her store was throwing away bags and bags of these overall rings. What?!?

Fortunate for me she's a hoarder of random things that might possibly maybe be useful for something crafty someday.

Yep. These were. Thanks, D.

If you give a hen a recipe for homemade finger paints...

2010-10-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

She's going to want to make them for her boys.

While stirring the goo, she's probably going to ponder over colors.

When she thinks of colors, she's likely to think of her long lost fabrics.

So, she'll probably go look at them.

When she sees her fabrics, she's going to think of art smock appliques.

And you know what'll happen if she thinks of appliques....

She's going to want to make them for her boys.

*Attempting art with toddlers, inspired by my dear friend Debbie who is bursting with beauty and creativity!

Postal obsession

2010-10-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

We *love* the mail truck at our house. He's so predictable and so giving!

I knew right away what would inspire our boys' second birthday celebration!

Finally had an excuse to create a fun new applique.

Make that two fun new appliques!

Friends brought postcards as gifts for the boys. They've had a blast sorting the mail, emptying the homemade mailbox, trading cards back and forth.

And I treated myself to a little something from my urbanhen stock.

I'll admit, I've always been jealous of whoever would eventually purchase this ware. I love it! So...thanks for never buying this one. I guess.

Mending

2010-09-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

Ah, the simplicity of needle and thread.

Around the way

2010-08-17T19:52:00.000-07:00

I have a love/hate relationship with bias tape.

What I love about it: Nothing completes a handmade item like binding.

What I hate about it: Nothing completes a handmade item like binding.

For those of you who, like me, can't resist the lure of the lovely bias trim, here's the perfect tutorial from Posie gets cozy.

What I love about summer:

2010-07-24T18:05:00.001-07:00

Sweet local fruit with garden mint

Grilled pizza with fresh-picked basil

Humidity-enhanced curls, curls, curls!

Untutorial- Henny Headbands

2010-07-06T19:56:00.000-07:00

Summer headbands make heads happy! This tutorial actually contains some numbers. Be forewarned, but don't be afeared.

Untutorial: Henny Headbands

1. Dig through your fabric stash and locate a small-ish piece that would look good on top of your head.

2. Cut a 6-8" piece of 1/4" wide elastic.

2. Use a tape measure, scarf, or shoe lace to measure your head. Or better yet, grab a headband or headscarf that you already know fits your noggin.

3. Cut the fabric the length of your head minus about 6-8 inches x any width you like. Somewhere between 5-9 inches is about right. Could be bigger; could be smaller.

4. Fold the fabric in half and sew the long edge.

5. Turn the fabric "tube" inside out. (Please tell me you have a loop turner!?)

6. Stick one end of the elastic into one end of the tube (or turn under the raw edge first) and sew back and forth and back and forth and back and forth. Repeat with the other end.

7. Get creative with fabrics and widths and fun ways to finish the raw edges!

June's sweet pinks

2010-06-12T12:11:00.001-07:00

List making...

2010-06-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

is much more fun now!

Keep In Touch Stationary FREE giveaway

Harvest days

2010-05-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

Last week's harvest:

Today's bounty:

Coming soon:

Untutorial: Fresh Pillowcases

2010-05-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

Do you love this fabric? I purchased it a year ago from a lady who was selling off her gigantic stash of great, great prints.
The walls of our bedroom are painted a faint blue and I always like to have something green to go along. I love greens...

(And if you've never played around with Etsy's color search feature, it's pretty fun.)

Back to the untutorial. As I'm finding myself with smaller bits of time to devote to sewing, I'm finding myself making more things sans pattern. It's working so well (you be the judge of that) that I thought I'd share some of my untutorials with you.

Untutorial: Fresh Pillowcases

1. Dig through your fabric stash and locate a moderately large piece of fabric you really like to look at. Soft is nice. Big print or small print. Anything you'd like to put your face on.
2. From your linen closet, choose a pillowcase that has a length and width that works well on your pillows and your bed.
3. Fold your ironed fabric in half, right sides together, and trace the pillowcase (leaving seam allowances and the open-edge hem allowance).
4. Iron hems and sew. Don't even pin this one.
5. Turn right side out.
6. Take a nap or, more realistically, get started on dinner and know that when you head to bed tonight you'll be greeted by your lovely, and more importantly, completed sewing project. Ah.

The saddest day

2010-04-13T18:20:00.000-07:00

We made our decision. The girls needed a better home. So, we said our goodbyes on Tuesday evening before supper. And, as things like this go, we even got 2 eggs earlier that morning. Sheesh. It's as if they knew what was coming! Way to make me regret my decision, chickens.

After pouring through more than 40 emails we received yesterday in response to our Craig's List add, we found a local guy with 7 hens of his own who was willing to add our four girls to his roster.
It sounds perfect. He lives north of the city, reassured us that he never considers his chickens as dinner options, and told us we could come and visit whenever we like.

So, an era is ending. But only for a little while! My husband promised we wouldn't be hen-less forever. For now, we'll be spending our time seeking out resources for farm fresh eggs as best we can and Beatrice, Virginia, Kelly Clarkson, and Ms. Benedict will be enjoying a new home where they can run and play and begin to lay their warm, brown eggs again.

Don't want to leave, but we both know

Sometimes it's better to go
Somehow I know we'll meet again
Not sure quite where, and I don't know just when
You're in my heart, so until then
Wanna smile, wanna cry
Saying goodbye

Twinkle Twinkle

2010-04-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Decorations for a friend's baby shower this weekend:

Another great way to recycle old book pages, paper bags, and misc papers.

What to do?

2010-04-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

How do I make this decision? I mean, we haven't gotten eggs consistently since autumn of 2009. What else are we to do?

(Oh, how I miss these days!)

The girls tasted freedom (free ranging in our back yard) for many months during the fall. The garden was fading, the yard was already destroyed by moles, so we let them roam.

(Bea roosting in her favorite pine tree.)

(The day we found our chickens over the fence in our neighbors backyard.)

(An egg from one of the Reds unearthed in the FRONT of our house. We still have no idea about that one.)

And now, since being closed inside their tractor, it's as if they have folded their arms and stubbornly sit, refusing to lay.

I have heard that once hens get used to laying outside of their coops they don't go back to laying in the nesting boxes. And really, who blames them?

But here we are with a decision to make: To keep or not to keep. Am I okay with having (and paying for) pets when what I really wanted was another taste of farm life?

Sigh.

I'll let you know when this gets resolved. For now, I'm off to feed the girls. Crossing my fingers.

haste and waste

2010-03-30T08:08:00.001-07:00

My Grandmother always used to say, "Haste makes waste!" She also had a framed, counted cross-stitched hanging above her gas stove that read, "The hurrieder I am the behinder I get."
All this from a woman who wasted nothing! Not in her kitchen, not in her yard, and most certainly not in her sewing room.

This week I stole away into my own room of sewing for just a few spare moments. While I was cutting out the pattern, I looked down to see all of my waste. Could I have adjusted the fabric in order to avoid all of the excess? Wasn't there another fold that would have prevented this remnant?
Grandmother! What would she say? (gasp!)

I heart galvanized tin

2010-03-21T16:49:00.000-07:00

These splendid items are courtesy of Farmhouse wares. It's where I'll get a lot of the furnishings for my future farmhome.

Happy St. Patty's!

2010-03-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

I started my day with a smoothie that was trying to be green (bad spinach to strawberry ratio), sliced kiwi, and coffee with green sprinkles, of course.
Mmm...

Sew Mama Sew offers some great fabrics of green! Enjoy!

Spring Hydrangeas

Autumn Oaks

Lovely Lime

March's featured items

2010-03-02T18:20:00.000-08:00

Introducing...featured items in the Etsy shop for March!
:Wares for wee babes:

This is one of my favorite designs for boys. The water beneath this floating boat is a soft, blue flannel.

I found the vintage fabric containing this unique flower at an antique store in the small town south of where we live. I can hardly bear to cut it, so this is all that I could part with for right now. Give me some time!

This citrus slice was inspired by a custom order last spring. The "rind" fabric is a revived vintage sheet.

And finally we have an in-house model to show how adorable these onesies can really be!

Where are you, Spring?

2010-02-16T12:46:00.000-08:00

I've been spending any spare time I have planning my 2010 garden. Thanks to a recent article in Organic Gardening I'm willing to once again make an attempt at sticking to a 3-season garden plan. I always veer far, far away from my intentions. Rows of flowers always seem to find their way into my beds. It just happens!

Looks like I'm not the only one dreaming about April...

Eggs!

2010-02-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

The hens are laying again. Finally!

I haven't felt much like writing about the girls lately. Since late this summer, really. They were producing eggs so quickly that I had not the time for writing blog posts. But that all changed after September.
No eggs.
We don't know if they were molting or being just plain stubborn. But that's all in the past, now. Let by-gones be by-gones.
And keep those eggs coming. I've got cooking to do!

February's featured items

2010-02-08T12:25:00.000-08:00

Introducing...featured items in the etsy shop for February!
Wares with red. (of course)

Bus stop tote from a super fun Ikea fabric.
(Thank you Beatrice for making this photo.)
Dainty apron made from a repurposed skirt. Perfect for the month of reds. Reminds me of spring!

Vintage floral fabric that would make a great lining in a tote of your own.

Happy February!

2010-02-01T08:31:00.000-08:00

I spent some time this morning getting our home ready for the month of pinks and reds!

-Here are a few more decorating ideas. Some for making, some for buying-
Heart garland by: everyday vacation

Valentine bottle cap magnets by: BeansThings

Make your own light and cheery paper globes by: shimandsons

Stationary giveaway!

2010-01-29T07:47:00.000-08:00

Keep In Touch Stationary Co. is celebrating 5 years of business with a giveaway each month in 2010!

Check out the January free-bee here.

ps-I'm smitten with her alligator.

Featured

2010-01-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

Urban hen is featured today on Indie Fixx!
Number 8.

**Image courtesy of Indie Fixx

Crafting hiatus

2010-01-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

After weeks of preparing for, one week engaging in, and two weeks recovering from an international trip to pick up our sons, I have no craft. At least not yet.
However, the artisans of Ethiopia have much to show for themselves. Beautiful handmade wares from afar.
Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T13:07:00.000-08:00

Hen in December- part 4

2009-12-13T18:18:00.000-08:00

Gift shopping from Etsy.
As a registered Etsy shopper or seller, you have the ability to "heart" any item. This could be a great new way for you to sneak and find out what is on someone's handmade wishlist!

You can check my favorites out over there. --->

Now me, personally? I "heart" items that I either hanker after or that inspire me. NOT that this is a disclaimer for a post that is actually a ploy to get all those things I've always wanted from fellow crafters....
It's not.

Hen in December- part 3

2009-12-06T17:47:00.001-08:00

Just filled a Christmas order for a set of bean bags. Well, these are actually corn bags. Popcorn, to be exact.
This is a great first project for a beginner sewer. (Everyone will be so impressed with your fancy stitching skills!)

Hen in December- part 2

2009-11-30T15:00:00.001-08:00

Quick handmade gift idea for girls: sparkly dress-up accessories!

A friend gave me some ridiculously shiney fabric this fall. I tucked it away knowing that it would make something great for two of my nieces. They love super-girlie stuff.
I made each of them a little scarf and then had just enough fabric left over to make each of them a hair tie.
(Here comes the fun part.)
Instead of wrapping up their scarf sets as is... (I figured it wouldn't be too exciting to open a gift only to find what would seem like a clump of fabric inside)
I made some cutouts of the girls:

and then dressed them up!
Now then. These should be much more fun to open!

Hen in December- part 1

2009-11-30T14:45:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this month!

White lights? Love 'em.
Hot beverages? Love 'em.
Scarves and hats? Love 'em.

So...let's spend some time talking about December-y things, shall we?

Quick handmade gift idea for women: artsy clutches from Amy Karol's Bend-The-Rules Sewing

Featured items- November

2009-11-19T12:01:00.000-08:00

Handmade for Christmas!
Trim your tree with an Africa ornament or mark your room with an Africa door hanger.
These are now in the shop.
More colors coming soon!

Feeling left out?

2009-11-17T19:44:00.000-08:00

If you're not an adorable twin boy, there's not much coming your way these days.
Sorry to leave you out.

Decorate with Starbursts!

2009-11-09T07:23:00.000-08:00

Inspired by this photo, I made the cake for a recent baby shower. I chose one of Martha's lemon cake recipes, added a little lemon curd in between the layers, and iced with a lemon buttercream. On top- Starburst polkadots!

1. Microwave each candy square for about 20 seconds, depending on your oven. I worked with one square at a time because they "dry" fairly quickly.

2. Roll out the candy using a glass or bottle.

3. Cut out shapes. I used the top of my salt shaker and some glass bottles. The bottles didn't work as well because of the threaded tops. Next time, I'll spend more time looking for some more lids with a cookie cutter edge.

4. Cut different sizes from each color. (Do you see those scraps? Those are for you to eat.)

5. Arrange your dots by gently pressing them onto the icing. My icing was still wet, so they held on very well.

Photos by drew.
Tah dah! Fake fondant polkadot decor!

Pssst. Look here!

2009-11-06T14:19:00.000-08:00

Robin's Heart

White Cottage Designs

art by Sarah

bijou girl designs

gathering spriggs

Tomorrow! Come see these artists and more!

Upcoming show

2009-11-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

Hope to see you there!
Saturday, November 7th
1-9pm

www.twistgallery.com

Pumpkin a la blender

2009-10-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

What became of my Trader Joe's pumpkin:

(Yes, those are green tomatoes in the egg carton. No, we're not getting eggs right now. It's a long story...)

Happy Fall!

The hen is happy!

2009-10-23T06:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you very much for participating in the first ever giveaway AND for those of you who used up some of your personal blog space on my behalf! Your comments were lovely. All you people are first-class.

And now. The envelope please.

And the winner* is...
bdrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr........
Digital Misfits!

Congratulations!
DM- send me an email at sharon@urbanhen.com with your mailing address and your very own vintage zipper pouch will be on its way!

Thanks to everyone for supporting handmade wares!
-uh

*How winners were chosen at uh: Entry names were logged accordingly (once or twice), randomly sorted, and assigned a number. The hen shouts into the living room, "Sweetie. Pick a number between two and thirty-three." The number 5 is shouted back in return. Number five is declared the winner. Fancy stuff, here.

The hen gives away!

2009-10-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks for stopping by for urban hen's first giveaway. The winner will choose from one of the items pictured below: vintage zipper pouch, happy-apple T (size 2T), or Ethiopian zipper pouch.

To enter:
1. leave a comment and tell which handmade ware YOU would choose
2. post a link to this giveaway post on your own blog and then leave a comment with the link address
Do both and enter twice!
Entries will be taken between now and Thursday, October 22nd at midnight CST. The winner will be announced on Friday morning!

Urban hen is celebrating three years as an official seller of wares!

More circles!

2009-10-12T10:34:00.001-07:00

I can't stop! More circle-inspired items added to the shop today.

October's featured items

2009-10-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

Introducing....featured items for the month of October!

Celebrating the circle! Round, predictable, indicative of fun when clustered together...

Ready for cooler weather is the Fall Scarf. This version is a tidy, little, tie scarf for ladies or for girls. I love this print!

Next up is the Delivery Bag. Here you'll find the urban hen's take on the messenger-style bag. This bag is great for people who like a roomy bag and who loath straps falling of shoulders. (me) It would make a good "step up" from your diaper bag!

And finally, a great autumn vintage fabric to replenish your stash.

Happy October!

new look

2009-10-01T16:45:00.000-07:00

www.urbanhen.com

Wares from art

2009-09-24T07:02:00.000-07:00

I have a little friend who asked me to make him something. Actually, what he asked was for me to make a shirt just like the one he was wearing at the time. As you might have guessed it was a fancy screenprinted T with lots of details and lettering swirling across the front. "Oh no! I can't do all that!", I thought. Then I remembered that this kid is a great artist. So I told him to give me a design and I'd do my best to turn it into a shirt.

He gave me the drawing: A super-fast race car! (I like it already.)

I scrounged through my scraps. (This is why I keep baskets of these all over the room, dear.)

I cut out the pieces. (Lots of details to keep track of.)

The finished product!

Featured items- September

2009-09-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

Introducing... featured items in the shop for the month of September.
Celebrating the second largest continent in the whole world!
A-F-R-I-C-A

The two shirts (one for a lady and one for a girlie) are appliqued with a vintage and vintage-inspired print. There is also an urbanhen zipper pouch dedicated to the country, Ethiopia.

These items make great gifts for families adopting from Africa!

Need for beads?

2009-09-10T07:11:00.001-07:00

Check out the shop of my friend, BeadingBecky.
Great Christmas gifts here!

Two

2009-09-03T14:16:00.001-07:00

I was supposed to be quilting with a friend today. But, due to my under-the-weatherness we had to cancel. Nevertheless, there's always SOMETHING to sew!

These two blankets will be flying over the ocean to the twin boys we're hoping to adopt this year. I hope they like them!

Movin' right along

2009-08-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

I noticed today when I was cutting out some long strips for bias tape that I was snipping to the beat of the music. I'm talking about opening and closing the scissors in 4/4 time.

Next time you order something, you might want to call ahead and ask what’s queued up in iTunes.

In case you're wondering, lately has been this good stuff.

Who could resist?

2009-08-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

The Hope Valley collection
True Up describes Denyse Schmidt's new collection as inspired by "homesteading, fresh starts, and pioneering". Kind of makes me melt.

See more here!

SOS- Messenger Bag

2009-08-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

Introducing to you:
*The urban hen Delivery bag.*
The photos below show my first run at what would quickly become my most favorite bag of all! I made one for myself last fall and am using it as a purse. This one pictured here was a custom diaper bag.

I've completed one new messenger made from a gray Ikea print for the shop and I'm working up a second one with polka-dot lining as I type. (Pretty tricky. I know.) Hopefully they'll be posted for purchase by the end of the month.

Tutorial- flat felled seam

2009-08-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

1. Place fabric, wrong sides together.

2. Sew fabrics together.

3. Iron or finger press seam open.

4. Trim one seam to 1/4" its original width.

5. Fold the longer edge over the shorter trimmed edge. Iron.

6. Sew seam close to folded edge.

7. Finish seam by stitching a second seam, catching outside folded edge.

This is a great way to sew a "patch work" fabric to use for blankets, bags,...

Now that's local!

2009-07-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite breakfasts!
Homemade french bread, soaked in fresh eggs from the Girls, topped with raspberries from the garden.

Urban Hen's Favorite French Bread:
(Otherwise known as "No-Knead French Bread from Southern Living Cookbook")

1/2 c warm water
2 1/2 tsp sugar (I sometimes use honey)
2 packages active dry yeast
1 c boiling water
2 TB butter
2 tsp salt
1 c cold water
6 1/2-7 c all-purpose flour (I use a combination of white and wheat)
1 egg, beaten
2 TB milk

Combine first 3 ingredients in 1-c liquid measuring cup; let stand 5 minutes.
Combine boiling water, butter, and salt in a large mixing bowl. (I use my stand mixer bowl.) Stir until butter melts. Add cold water; cool mixture to lukewarm.
Stir years mixture into liquid mixture. Add 2 1/2 c flour. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer until blended. (Switch to dough hook.) Gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
Let dough stand in bowl for 10 minutes. Stir gently for a few seconds; cover. Repeat gentle stirring every 10 minutes for the next 40 minutes.
Turn dough out onto floured surface; divide into 3 equal parts (I always divide into only 2 equal parts.) Roll each portion into 13x8 rectangle. Roll up, jellyroll fashion, starting with long side; pinch ends to seal. *
Place each loaf, seam side, down, on a separate greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place about 40 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
Make diagonal slits about 1/4" deep down the length of the loaves. Combine egg and milk. Brush gently over loaves
Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped.

*I sometimes freeze one loaf and bake one loaf.
This is a great bread to freeze after baking, as well. Pre-slice the loaf and store it for last minute bruschetta!

Trauma on the front lines

2009-07-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

We have a sick chicken. It's Beatrice.
I had noticed that she hadn't been acting herself over the past few days and yesterday when I went to collect the afternoon eggs I saw the reason why.
She has a hurt leg! There is a nasty scrape and a few infected scales. It is very sad.

So,yesterday I brought Bea up onto the back porch and proceeded to live out my childhood dream. Actually, it is even better than that. I lived out 2 of my childhood dreams all at once: to be a veterinarian and to be a farmer. (I guess they really are two in the same, but who's counting?)

After spritzing off her wound using a water bottle, I soaked her leg in a warm bath with Epsom salts. She seemed to like that. Next, I coated her wound in ointment and she slept the night in her own little box on the porch.

I can't tell if she's doing any better yet. She is currently hiding underneath the porch where I can't reach her. I'm off to tempt her with some tasty scratch grains. Hopefully that will lure her out and we can have our follow-up visit.

July's featured items

2009-07-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

With only a week to spare... the featured items for July:

Vintage fabrics! Yippee!!

These are amazing finds I uncovered at a senior citizen fabric sale this spring.
It's finally time to let go.

Good from bad

2009-07-14T05:28:00.000-07:00

This:

Caused this:

Which motivated these:

My kitchen couldn't be happier!

Lessons

2009-06-24T07:33:00.001-07:00

mending, originally uploaded by sraines.

Grandma passed away in April. She was born and raised in the mountains of Virginia where people did things like purchase seeds only once in a lifetime or spend an entire day at a Sunday meetin'.

This weekend I was given some linens from her attic.
They are amazing!

The list

2009-06-11T05:08:00.001-07:00

color blocks, originally uploaded by sraines.

These blocks have been on my sewing to do list for quite some time.
Too long.
The child that prompted the blocks even being put on the list is now three.
Very sad.
But, I have now attempted the block set. Check that off the list!

I combined a couple of different tutorials. Most folks recommend using a "t" pattern. I used a modified version of that method and it worked pretty well. Although, my corners turned out more rounded than others I've seen out there.
One side of each little block has a different texture fabric. All except the green block. But it has parachuting pigs.

Fabric love

2009-06-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

Too beautiful!
Fabric give-away by Ravenhill.

June's featured items

2009-06-05T19:25:00.000-07:00

Introducing... featured items in the shop for the month of June!

After an unplanned break from sewing for the shop new items were posted just today. Fresh and in time for coming summer, these wares are especially for little women.

The summer tanks are inspired by the great fun I have making pictures on onesies. Both are of the size S and could fit a child between 3T-5T.
The little pink bird is so sweet and I even got to use a button on her! (Something I don't get to do with onesies.)
Note: Please forgive the washed-out nature of these photos. Is it possible that it was just too beautiful and sunny today?
The happy tree is still one of my favorite designs. Found here on a linen green tank.

And my first dress to be listed in the shop- the garden dress. This is a dainty, delicate ware for a girl wearing 5T-6T. The crochet and lace is in a unique goldenrod color. So pretty!

Enjoy these wares! Happy shopping for little girls everywhere!

A picture with words

2009-06-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

Most of the time I just use card stock for mats when hanging photos or prints. But today when I ventured into my craft cabinet I had to move an old, worn book out of the way to get to the paper underneath.
"Wait! Use me!"
So I did.

An explanation

2009-05-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

Why I haven't posted many new wares in the shop lately...

My apologies. Back to work now.

Vintage redo

2009-05-22T11:40:00.001-07:00

I found these vintage sheets at a local thrift shop for...drum roll, please...forty-nine cents each! Summer is on its way where we live, so I decided to make some soft summer sleeping shorts.
I pulled out a pattern I had used before: McCall's 4136. The soft winter sleeping pants I made from this a while back are not very, how do I say it...feminine.
Don't get me wrong. This pattern is extremely easy and the pants turn out just fine. Just bulky and frumpy- perfect for winter.
So instead I grabbed my favorite pair of Old Navy lounge pants and just used them for a pattern.
I love the way they turned out! And talk about soft!

I heart old sheets.

sheet shorts, originally uploaded by sraines.

The first

2009-05-11T09:55:00.001-07:00

May's featured items

2009-05-04T12:29:00.000-07:00

Introducing... featured items in the shop for the month of May!

This month's wares are all dedicated to the continent of Africa- made specifically with adoptive families in mind. You'll find all the internationally friendly wares in the shop section "Family Reunion".

The urban hen zipper pouches are useful for mothers, travelers, and large purse carriers alike. Both featured pouches are made from a sturdy brown exterior fabric and a sweet print interior lining.

The flag tote is made from one of my favorite shades of brown and detailed with red stitching.

Happy May!
-uh

ps- To learn more about adoption from Africa, or other countries...just ask around. I feel certain you'll find someone nearby that is involved in one way or another (which is pretty cool, if you ask me).
If you still can't find the info you're looking for, feel free to email me. I'd love to help!

yellow love!

2009-05-01T14:49:00.001-07:00

yellow love!, originally uploaded by sraines.

Just wanted to show off my new head band. Handmade by K (my very favorite artist).

Thanks, my friend!

Sewing for Honduras (and everything in between)

2009-04-30T15:29:00.001-07:00

My big sis came down last Friday for a sister sewing weekend. We had a project to do: make simple pillowcase dresses to send down to Honduras.
We only managed to finish 8 dresses. But really, I think that is pretty good for one day. Considering that we also visited a friend and her new baby, shopped at local yard sales, savored some bagels and coffee for breakfast (while sitting down, not driving), and went out for dinner and dessert with friends.

I love sewing days!

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a little of what Earth looks like where we live:

Ah...Ikea

2009-04-14T18:22:00.001-07:00

1. Purchase and hang Ikea curtains.

2. Notice all that extra fabric just lying there, puddled on the floor.

3. Take curtains down, trim, and hem.

4. Rest head on lovely new pillow.

Ah...Ikea, originally uploaded by sraines.

from Easter

2009-04-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

Grandmother's dishes are clean, linens are washed.
I'm thankful for a day to Celebrate.

fundraiser finale

2009-04-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

Last chance today to donate for the win of an urban hen zipper pouch!

www.lifetrain.blogspot.com

April's featured items

2009-04-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

Introducing... featured items in the shop for the month of April!

This month's wares are for the home: Pennant banner things! (Wow. Writing that is such a semantic let-down. I can’t settle on a good name for these.) Most people call them banners. I like the word pennant for its reminiscent flavor.
However you choose to slice it, these bunting-pennant-banner-garlands are a great way to decorate. Brighten up a girl's room with the pink pennant. Gussy up a party with the red dotted bunting.
Growing up we had a mylar birthday banner that was hung on the wall behind our kitchen table on the morning of your special day. By dinner, it usually ended up in a pile on the floor- the effect of years of being tightly rolled up. So it is my hope that this birthday banner might serve your family with the same tradition, but will stay put a little better.

You could also design a custom banner with a certain name, words in a different language...
Keep thinking.

There you have it: the features for April.

-uh

Maternity wares

2009-03-27T10:01:00.001-07:00

Applique tanks, originally uploaded by sraines.
Custom appliques from vintage fabrics for an expecting mother.

What a great way to dress up her growing tummy!

Que color?

2009-03-24T20:06:00.001-07:00

Coloring, originally uploaded by sraines.

We are back from our recent trip to Honduras!

Here I am just talking about color choice with little Sindy.

A purple frog.
Hm.

I like her creativity!

Trouble. I'm talking 'bout trouble

2009-03-09T10:50:00.001-07:00

with a capital 'T' and that rhymes with 'P' and that stands for POSSUM!

We were awakened last night at 3am by the sound of squawking. At first listen we though we had a confused chicken on our hands, trying to lay an egg a little too early in the day.
My husband went to investigate and found a menacing possum crouched in the corner of the coop. Meanwhile, three of the girls were huddled together in another far corner of the yard, and Beatrice- she was perched in the nearest tree.

All are safe and sound. The possum went on his way and the girls resumed their beauty rest.

See?

True vintage

2009-03-06T11:11:00.001-08:00

True vintage, originally uploaded by sraines.

What a find! So many old prints in one place- I could hardly stand myself. I may pry a few away from myself to put in the shop, so be checking.

Gotta run. I have to go stare at this stack now.

March featured items

2009-03-02T12:57:00.000-08:00

Introducing... featured items in the shop for the month of March!

This month's wares are especially for the baby chickies: onesie and onesie sets.

The urban hen onesie sets include one onesie and a coordinating burp cloth.
I wash all of the baby fabrics and materials in allergy-free detergent. (Safe and ready for fresh baby skin!)

Most customers purchase the onesie sets as a gift, which I think is a great idea.

The pink dotted elephant set is made from two recycled fabrics- a thrifted woman's shirt and a vintage pillowcase. This onesie is a 12 month size.

Calico baby owl set also has a vintage fabric applique from fabric that takes me back. (I'm pretty sure I had a pinafore dress made of out this material when I was a toddler.) This onesie is a 6-9 month size.

The retro elephant onesie is seen here in an 18 month size. This fabric I snagged at a local thrift shop. I was the on the fortunate end of someone's basement clean out.

Happy March!
-uh

ps- To see more urban hen onesie applique designs, visit here.

Stationary giveaway!

2009-02-25T13:19:00.000-08:00

Here's a chance to get yourself a free set of baby shower birthday cards!
Click quickly. The giveaway ends tomorrow, February 26th.

Visit Keep In Touch Stationary for details!

Buy me:

2009-02-24T16:59:00.001-08:00

Zipper pouch- fundraiser, originally uploaded by sraines.
This zipper pouch is being mailed off tomorrow, soon to be part of a raffle for an upcoming adoption fundraiser. Find out more here and here.

I'm working on a larger bag to put in the shop soon. I totally dig this print!

For the love of linens!

2009-02-18T10:10:00.001-08:00

I can't get enough of these things. I'm beginning to hoard.

But you understand, right? I mean they are becoming increasingly harder and harder to find.

However, it was time to share:

Tote-birds and wildflowers, originally uploaded by sraines.

urbanhen

sewing for home

It's on!

It's an art caddy

Getting closer

Congratulations!

Giveaway!!

Two Alligators

Emergency obsession

Twine, twine, everywhere there's twine

A message from your irregularly-scheduled urbanhen blog

Nature bags

Pinwheels keep on turnin'

Beach bag

Fundraiser auction

Late to the party

Applique

For the BOYS!

Blog love

Winter olympics

Giving and giving and...

December 1

Hearting Africa

Christmas is just around the corner

Two for one

If you give a hen a recipe for homemade finger paints...

Postal obsession

Mending

Around the way

What I love about summer:

Untutorial- Henny Headbands

June's sweet pinks

List making...

Harvest days

Untutorial: Fresh Pillowcases

The saddest day

Twinkle Twinkle

What to do?

haste and waste

I *heart* galvanized tin

Happy St. Patty's!

March's featured items

Where are you, Spring?

Eggs!

February's featured items

Happy February!

Stationary giveaway!

Featured

Crafting hiatus

Merry Christmas!

Hen in December- part 4

Hen in December- part 3

Hen in December- part 2

Hen in December- part 1

Featured items- November

Feeling left out?

Decorate with Starbursts!

Pssst. Look here!

Upcoming show

Pumpkin a la blender

The hen is happy!

The hen gives away!

More circles!

October's featured items

new look

Wares from art

Featured items- September

Need for beads?

Two

Movin' right along

Who could resist?

SOS- Messenger Bag

Tutorial- flat felled seam

Now that's local!

Trauma on the front lines

July's featured items

Good from bad

Lessons

The list

Fabric love

I heart galvanized tin