Melanie Ham Designs

Some little minis

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:55:00 +0000

Hey Everyone! I promise I'm still here! We had house guests last week, so crafting and blogging was not too high on the list of priorities, but I did manage to finish up these little mini quilts. I wanted to make some more small minky backed mini quilts for Baby A, since I only have 1 for her and if its dirty then we are stuck. But they were fun so I made 3!

This first one is made from 3 Hullabaloo charm squares and some Kona Snow. I wanted to do some embroidery to see how well it held up with multiple washings. This one is fairly small at 13 x 9 3/4.

This is the back. Some mint green minky.

This one is made with 2 fabrics from the Tula Pink Prince Charming line. I love the coral. This one is mini too... 11 1/2 x 10.

Backed in ivory minky.

This one is a fun one! Its made with some Nicey Jane scraps from Heather Bailey. It's a bit larger, 14 3/4 by 11 1/2.

Backed in tan minky.

Hope you enjoyed looking at these as much I liked making them!

About Me Video!

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:50:00 +0000

I posted a new video to the youtube channel last night. Just a little about me and what I want the channel to be! Happy Tuesday!

Simple Valentine's Banner

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:25:00 +0000

I wanted to make a quick little Valentine's decoration this year. I didn't really want to buy anything and I knew I had plenty of stuff to make something....plus I took Little Kid E to the store and told him he could pick out something Valentine's for us to take home and he said it was all girl stuff and picked out the Avengers Valentine set! Haha, so anyway, this was a fun, quick and inexpensive option.

Ahem... excuse my army issued vertical blinds. I'm still working on curtain/valance options ;)

I just cut out the letters from red and pink fabric and used pink DMC floss and a running stitch to attach the letters.

I also made 2 heart shaped yoyos and topped them off with a button.

Hope you like!

Finish and a Feature

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:53:00 +0000

Hey Everyone! Happy Thursday! How has your week been going? I have a finish to show you! I stitched up this little beauty on Monday.

I heart stitching. I heart Hawaii too... those little flowers are plumerias.

Thanks to my lovely Stepmom who helped me with the drawing. She's mighty talented that lady. Now I need to take it out of my hoop and decide what to do with it! Any thoughts?

Also, I was featured on this fun little site called Craft Corners. Check it out!

Sew Mama Sew Fabric Haul!

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:10:00 +0000

I just posted a new video to my youtube channel on the fabric I just got from Sew, Mama, Sew. My Mom got me a gift card for Christmas, so these are the things I bought. I did a video, so you could see the scale of the prints because it's often hard to tell when you are buying fabric online. So these photos are a little closer than the video so you can see detail. Happy Tuesday!

Kona Cotton - Aqua

Kona Cotton - Bone

Henna Lime - Boho by Annette Tatum for Free Spirit fabrics

Chevron Lime - Boho by Annette Tatum for Free Spirit fabrics

Chevron Orange - Boho by Annette Tatum for Free Spirit fabrics

The 3 Boho collection fabrics together

Fresh Cut Flowers Paprika - Secret Garden by Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller Fabrics

Ducks Park - Modern Whimsy, organic by Laurie Wisburn for Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Lambs Park - Modern Whimsey, organic by Laurie Wisburn for Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Leaf Stripe White - Outfoxed by Lizzy House for Andover Fabrics

Sparkle Pitch - Lark by Amy Butler

Font-tastic Multi - Kitchen Collection by Michael Miller

Ready Set Go Quilt Reveal!

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:38:00 +0000

After this little series on the process it took to make this Ready Set Go quilt, here it is!

This quilt measures about 50 x 50. The main quilt block is a traditional "bow tie" block, perfect for little boys. The words "grandma" and "grandpa" are adhered with fusible webbing and then zigzag stitched for good measure and decoration in the white background fabrics so they are subtle but always there, just like grandparents should be. The back of the quilt is pieced with large sections of the printed fabric to show off the pattern and create a virtually double sided quilt. This quilt was quilted by machine with large offset squares and smaller more organic free motioned squares for some interest and a handmade look. Grandma Sue wanted the quilt in primary colors, "like a crayon box" and those crayons are represented in the stripes of the binding. The binding was machine stitched to the front and hand stitched to the back of the quilt. The label was written with a frixion permanent pen and hand stitched to the back of the quilt.

Fabric used:
Ready Set Go (100% Organic Cotton)
Cars Bermuda
Helicopters Chocolate
Helicopters Bright
Airplanes Sky
Airplanes Bright
Remix by Ann Kelle (100% Cotton)
Chocolate Argyle
Bermuda Stripe

Green solid fabric is a 100% Kona cotton in Sour Apple
100% cotton Guterman thread in Fern
Batting is Warm and Natural

Quilt Process Step 6: Basting, Quilting, Binding, Labeling

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:37:00 +0000

I did not take any photos of the basting, quilting, binding or labeling process. I was in a crunch to get this baby done and shipped in time for the baby shower it would be presented at. I am doing all of these steps for my son's quilt this week, so I'll make sure to take good photos!

Quilt Process Step 5: Applique

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:40:00 +0000

My Client wanted the words "grandma" and "grandpa" on the quilt. We agreed on the placement of the lettering and so it was time for me to do my research on applique. This was my first project using the applique technique. I love the look of needle turn applique which is done by hand and you can't see the stitches that attach the letters to the background, but that would take forever, so I decided to fuse the letters and then zig zag stitch around the letters.

Thanks to my Stepmom for taking these pictures of me while I was on vacation at my Dad's house in California for Christmas. She helped me cut out the letters too!

Here I am using a lightbox to trace the letters in reverse on the Steam a Seam fusible webbing. A few times I messed up on the whole "reverse" part!

Once the letters were done I decided which letter would be in which fabric.

Then I took off the sticky side of the paper per the instructions and then cut around the letter to cut the fabric. Next time I'll probably roughly cut the letter out rather than precisely cut out the letter twice.

Then you peel of the other side, attach it to the background fabric and iron it into place.

Here are the letters adhered to the background fabric. I zig zag stitched around the outside edge with green thread when I got home to my machine.

Quilt Process Step 4: Cutting and Piecing

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:53:00 +0000

The cutting is my least favorite part of the quilting process, but accuracy is key or the remainder of the project will give you problems. I use a rotary cutter and standard 6 x 24 acrylic ruler. I don't have any process shots of the cutting because generally I'm anxious to be done with that part!

One the individual blocks have come together you have to decide how you want to arrange them, if you are not following a pattern. If you are following a pattern, it will tell you what to do, but I wasn't so I had to play around with the layout and see what looks best. From there I continued to make the blocks out of the colors and patterns I still needed.

The sketch I did originally called for solid green squares in between the bowties.

But I decided that was too much green and not as interesting (my client agreed, so we had the bowties directly next to each other. Which meant cutting more fabric! Oh well, the outcome was way better.

The next thing was to decide if I should make the placement of the patterns random or the same across diagonally.

I decided to make them random.

So the next thing was to layout the completed random blocks and then sew them together!

Here is the completed bowtie part of the top! Then I started to play around with the size and font of the letters that would be appliqued along the side and bottom.

Applique step is tomorrow!

Quilt Process Step 3: Purchasing the fabric and Prewashing

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:46:00 +0000

The fabric we chose was...

The next step was to buy the fabric. I wanted to get a good deal, so I searched around a found an etsy store that carried fabric that had this line at a good price. I asked her to create a custom listing for me with the amount of fabric I wanted.

I bought 1/2 yards of sky airplanes, bright airplanes, chocolate helicopters, bright helicopters and bermuda cars in the Ready Set Go line and then the 1/2 yards of the chocolate argyle and bermuda stripe from the sister line by Anne Kelle, Remix. I wasn't sure exactly how much to get because I was doing lettering applique for the first time.

Then I went to my local fabric store to match this printed fabric with a Kona solid. I liked the green from this line, but since it is organic, it was over $10 a yard for the solid which seemed a little steep to me since Kona is very good quality and $6.99. I picked out the Kona Sour Apple. I had to do this step in person since the computer screen can be tricky when trying to match fabric for separate lines of fabric and different manufacturers. I don't like to pay retail for Kona because places like fabric.com and others often sell it at a discount, but I decided to pay the premium and support my local fabric store, especially since I was using their selection to make my choice. One of these days I'll splurge and get a Kona sample card!

Once I got the fabric in the mail... Woo!

The next thing I did was prewash. I am not normally a prewasher. When you buy high quality quilting fabric, it is not usually a necessary step BUT I made an exception this time because I did not want to take any chances especially on a commission. I was also going to be using fusible webbing for the applique lettering and the instructions say to use prewashed fabric.

After it was washed and dried, I trimmed the edges and ironed AND starched all of it. I hate this step, but oh well!

Next up: The cutting and assembling the first block!

Quilt Process Step 2: Fabric Selection

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:16:00 +0000

The fabric selection and quilt design go hand in hand. Some designs won't work with certain fabric choices so the fabric selection and design really work together rather than being one before the other.

My client said she wanted primary colors and baby is going to be a boy, so I found some options for incorporating those factors, but also some other fabric lines for variety.

We liked several of these and it was a hard choice because they are all so cute, but which one do you think we went with?

This is the sketch for the quilt. Which fabric would you have chosen for this quilt?

Quilt Process Step 1: The Design

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:16:00 +0000

I recently finished a commissioned quilt. Now that it has been given to the recipient, I can share the process with you! My client aka my Aunt Sue asked me to make this quilt for her first grandson who will be born in a few weeks. We started working on this back in October. She had a few ideas so we went from there.

She wanted the quilt to be primary colors and have the words "grandma" and "grandpa" incorporated somehow.

I sketched out some ideas... Which one do you think she liked best?

Bowtie block

I love me some graph paper.

Log Cabin

Bowtie with different orientation

Rectangles

My Aunt liked... choice No. 1! I liked the bowtie block the best, so I was glad she liked that one. We modified it slightly from this sketch, so stay tuned to see how it turned out! Tomorrow I'll let you in on how the fabric selection went.

Teaching Crochet

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:52:00 +0000

After I gave my bff that crochet blanket from this post... She was inspired to learn to crochet! I was so excited to show her. We went to the craft store and picked out a few things. Her first project is some cotton washcloths and then a blanket!

Crochet fail... to Success! The Ashley Blanket

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:08:00 +0000

Over the holidays I made my best friend in the whole entire world Ashley a blanket. I wanted to make it really chunky and use a large hook to make it really cool! She is decorating her master bedroom and loves grey right now, so I told her about my idea and she was excited! So I got to work. And I quickly learned a lesson...

Pay Attention!!

Such a nice blanket, but wait!

AAaaah. So I started crocheting when we had family get togethers and the grandma's were oooing and aaahing over it, so I just kept going and going and and going until this...

I ended up making the largest throw blanket you had ever seeeeeen! I thought about just making it a huge blanket, but I was already 8 skeins in, and didn't have the time or budget for that kind of endeavor, so I decided to start over!

I'm telling you this because I want to share my successes and my failures, and this was not a failure, just a learning process.... so before I go any further, when you aren't using a pattern, pay attention to what you are doing, cause I didn't. Anyway, moving on.

Here it is!!

Don't you just want to cozy up with this lovely!!

This is the yarn I used. It is the Michaels brand and it was on sale! Which was nice since I used 18 skeins of it.

mug cozy

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:27:00 +0000

My trip to California comes to a close tomorrow when I head back to Hawaii after a wonderful long vacation here. It was so fun to see my 3 year old interacting and building bonds with his grandparents, aunts and uncles, great grandparents, cousins and family friends. We always miss all of our family so much when we have to go home! I have been doing fun little crafty projects while I have been here and I've got some fun things in store for this little bloggy, but most of all I enjoyed some relaxing time, lots of dates with my husband, impromptu shopping trips with my best friend and fun times together as a large family. Here's a little project I whipped up the other day for my Stepmom ;).

2011 year in review

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:36:00 +0000

Happy New Year!

The beginning of this year started out with our move to Hawaii and some spruced up furniture and decorations.

I made some fun projects for Baby A who arrived in June.

I made some fun gifts...

A cotton crochet blanket.

I finished the Window Jane quilt.

Baby A's baby quilt.

A fun little quilt.

A baby lovie for a friend.

A water bottle sweat catcher for another friend.

fun used for a charm pack.

Made the top of Little Kid E's quilt.

Some home decor.

Of course more things for Baby A.

My first attempt at embroidery.

My bow hat.

Another lovie.

I always have New Years Resolutions, last year they were simple - Adjust to life in Hawaii with 2 babies and continue my crafting and sewing skill. This year I want to keep it simple again... to continue to develop my skills in sewing, quilting, crocheting, embroidering and home decorating. I also want to move toward making these things that I love into a business. I'm not sure yet how that will come to fruition, but this year I want to be purposeful and driven in my passion for all these things. I also want to take good care of my family and my home, workout consistently and do some traveling.

What are your New Years Resolutions?

Handmade slouchy hat

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:25:00 +0000

Did you make any handmade gifts this year? I didn't make as many as last year, but I made this little slouchy hat for my Stepmom, per her request. I am currently working on my bff's Christmas and birthday present which is a large crocheted throw blanket, its super cute! Pics soon. Hope everyone is enjoying their holidays!

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:58:00 +0000

Hubs and I were fortunate enough to go to Vegas earlier this week for a few days while Grandma and Papa watched the kids. It was a much needed few day break for Mommy! We had fun shopping, eating, dancing and having fun. It was also my husband's birthday so it was fun to celebrate that with him! Here's a little photo.

Are you all working on anything crafty over the next few days? Any Christmas gifts you are scrambling to finish? I finished a crocheted hat and now I've got some other embroidery, a crochet blanket for my bff, some appliqué work I brought for a quilt I'm working on and some other miscellaneous things for fun while we are hanging out with family.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!!

Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 19:04:00 +0000

I just remembered I drafted this on my iPad but never posted it! iPads are a little tricky when it comes to blogging. So here it is... a little late!

Thanks to everyone for entering the Sew Mama Sew giveaway! Also thanks to my new followers and the lovey comments about my blog.

It was so fun to read your comments...

What do you think the most common answer was to the question, what is your favorite thing about blogs?

Hands down the ideas and inspiration were the number 1 response with 79 responses.

Next was tutorials with 52 and right behind was the people behind the blog and sense of community and support with 47.

Good photos was next with 21 and giveaways, recipes, sew alongs, linky parties and good writing also got a few shout outs.

Now for the winner!

Jo said... What beautiful fabric and I always like to try something new which the pattern would be for me! Thanks for giving me a chance to win. I Learn so much on blogs and when I run into a stumbling blog someone always has the answer for me!

Have a wonderful holiday week, this Mama is of to Vegas for a few days with the hubs... No kiddos. Yippee!

latest video

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:12:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who entered into the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway!! I will announce the winner Monday morning. It's been fun to read everyones answers to my question. This is the latest video on the youtube page if any of you want to learn how to crochet over the holidays or need a refresher on single and double crochet. Happy Saturday!

Bow Beanie

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:27:00 +0000

If you are interested in the Sew Mama Sew giveaway, go here. You have until Friday at 5pm to enter!

So I made this lovely little hat for Baby A... and I had a few requests to make more from friends on facebook... So here is the adult version! Email me if you want one too ;)

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 03:56:00 +0000

Hello! And Welcome to my blog if you are visiting for the first time from Sew Mama Sew!

My blog is an expression of what I love to do, which is create stuff! I love to sew, crochet, embroider, make stuff for my kids, my home and for me too! I hope you enjoy poking around a little bit.

Now for the giveaway!

I am giving away 1 whole yard of Tina Givens Georgina Lullaby in Raspberry.

And since I live in sunny and warm Hawaii, I am giving away a...

Hawaiian Pillow pattern in the traditional Hawaiian quilt tradition in the pineapple pattern.

So if you want to win this...

Leave me a comment telling me your favorite thing about blogs. That's it! Of course I would love if you poked around my blog and checked out my new youtube channel, but you don't have to in order to win!

Good Luck and thanks for visiting!!

I will pick a commenter at random. I will ship internationally. You have until December 16th at 5pm pacific time to leave a comment. Make sure I can contact you if you have won, I will email and also post the name of the winner! Good Luck Everyone! Check out Sew Mama Sew for some more fun giveaways!

Cork Board DIY and a giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:20:00 +0000

Happy Friday Everyone! I wanted to post my little diy corkboard project. I bought a $10 corkboard at Target, but couldn't have this boring brown corkboard in my sewing area, so I spruced it up with some spray paint and fabric ;).

Also, I'm participating in the Sew Mama Sew giveaway next week! Come back Monday to see what you can win!

YouTube Channel

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:01:00 +0000

Hey Everyone! I started a YouTube Channel and just uploaded this quick video on supplies you need to get started crocheting. Later this week I'll be uploading how to single and double crochet. Check it out!

Baby Flats

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:39:00 +0000

Happy Monday Everyone! I made some baby flats last week. These have lots of imperfections but now that I have done the pattern once, I'm confident the next pair will be perfect! I am anti buying babies shoes... especially living here in Hawaii. Seems like they grow out of them fast AND they cost a minimum of $10. Now that Baby A is getting a bit older and will be pulling up and using her feet more in the coming months, shoes will be essential - so I thought I would make some!

I love her messy hair.

So kissable!

LOVE!