Sewing it up.

Having fun with fabric these days. Doing some quilting and collecting of neat vintage and nostalgic fabrics. It started when I was pregnant as I needed something to do to pass the time and since making jewelery involves metals and chemicals I did not think that was wise to work with. I started by making a blankie for my baby bump and fell in love with the idea of providing warmth and memories for a young child. Essentially making a warm cozy hug to wrap them in with fabrics that I am drawn to as there are so many amazing ones! My mother also let me grab a handful of flannels and prints to work with that she has had since I was little, which makes me understand where I am getting this interest. Here are a few snapshots of my favorite children prints and panels that I have acquired:

I ordered this flannel from the USA along with some of the dolly fabric that I made in previous blogs. This is so warm and soft and it will also be neat cut up and made into little dollies for young ones.

I found some panels of little golden books and the little engine that could. I am really excited about these prints and amazed at how detailed fabrics have become. I made our little friend Xavier a chocolate train blanket with sock monkey flannel backing and it turned out so cute. I enjoy this rich colour palette.

Designer is Suzy Ultman - Critter Owl fabric

This vintage fabric is a Grandmother Flower Garden Cheater quilt and I think it dates back to the 1950s. I found some at a thrift store and became obsessed with finding more - which I was able to on ebay amazingly in 4 yard increments!

Another ebay score - this flannel elephant print is from the 70s I was told, hard to say but this sort of print is hard to find.

Designer Heather Ross- I have seen this fabric for about 20.00 a yard so it is not cheap. It is out of print and highly sought after as the collection of Far Far Away I. II and III.  Lovely quality fabric in a cotton linen canvas sort of weight.

This is some wacky animals from the 60s or 70s found second hand. I just love the colour palette and drawings.

Another Heather Ross design - Princess and the Pea. I just love this palette and illustration. It is very hard to get now since it is out of print but I was able to score a fat quarter that will surely become something special. Also love the Rapunzel rendition in green. I must say I was not sure what all the hype was about but in person these fabrics are soft and high quality.

The Lido on Broadway - Craft Fair Dec 18th 2011

This is a great location in East Vancouver between Main and Fraser that my friends Kim and Matt have, The Lido, soon to be a pub and local hang out as they are in the works of permits etc.  I am lucky to be asked to be a part of the festivities this coming Sunday where I will be selling some vintage lockets, hand sewn cloth dolls and cloth ornaments, magnets and baby quilts. There is sure to be an excellent vibe and the best part is it is free!! Come on down to see Edgar and the gang and all the lovely wares!

magnets I made with fabric and plexiglass, good way to use up small bits that are too cute to throw away!

 small ones $1 and large $2

The Lido - the pool table couch was a hit and the yummy vegan cupcakes, thanks Michele Wishart!

edgar and I at the craft fair - my horseshoes were the wrong way, but I fixed them now to catch all the Good Luck!

bunting flags and small cloth dolls

Poem for Neil

For something different I entered a poetry contest online with an ode to Neil Young. Was feeling a bit poetic today. Posting it here so I can find it again. A bit rusty and shy about it but I guess it is on the internet. More Canadians should enter and maybe even win money.

http://www.worldpoetrymovement.com/

http://poets.com/amanda-lye/forever-young

forever Young

By: Amanda Lye 

 

blues baby sweet melody
a blanket of words light up the room
the radio stays on
everyone sings along

sweet cinnamon man
with your radiant charm
the wind blows much warmer
when we hear your song

from the prairie winds of Manitoba
down by the river or building castles in the sand
he speaks of a land and a people we love
a heart of gold

resonating through wisdom and life
the affect is boundless
he cannot be contained
he can only be named
Neil

decades have passed but he still remains
passionate and strong
when we hear your song
we feel forever
Young

"Memory Lane" - designs by Amanda Jayne Lye

I have been busy at the sewing machine the past few months and I have made 10 assorted, one of a kind blankets/quilts for babies and small children. As well I have made an assortment of sizes of cloth Dolls and an assortment of vintage lockets for that special someone!

I called myself "MEMORY LANE" and I will be table #5 at the Urban Artisan Craft Fair at The Roundhouse Community Centre this weekend - **November 26th and 27th from 10:00am- 5:00 pm both days... here is a link to their website if you need to find out more.  http://www.roundhouse.ca/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=93

Window display at The Roundhouse Community Centre - Red Doll is in the raffle

p.s. CANADA LINE SKYTRAIN stops there at the Yaletown/Roundhouse station at the end of Davie on Pacific Blvd. Underground parking is available off of Drake Street and I think it is $3.00 an hour. Most vendors only accept cash, myself included. $1 entry and raffle entry included.

Here are photos of the quilt blankets and dimensions, you can click on them to make them larger. I use vintage and designer fabrics and most of them are backed with cotton flannel. Hope to see you there this weekend! Edgar and Tyler will be with me some of the time too. If you can't make it and are interested in any of them, or would like me to make you a custom blanket email me at amandajlye@gmail.com

Kitties - 31" x 47" for a larger child gender friendly - backed with cotton - SOLD

western theme - 38" x 56" - larger in size than the rest - backed with cotton flannel - $75.00

Baby Blue Sea - 19" x 42" - long and skinny for a bassinet - backed with corduroy and cotton flannel - $39.00

Owls - 30" x 34" almost square - backed with cotton flannel "woolies" -  $49.00

fishing/sea - 30" x 34" - designer fabrics "birch organics" and "heather ross" and "cloud 9"-  backed with cotton flannel "woolies" - $49.00

baby girl pink - 33"x 40" -  mostly vintage fabrics - backed with cotton flannel - $59.00

Parade - 32" x 41" - designer fabrics- backed with cotton flannel - $49.00

small baby girl/ alphabet letters - good for a bassinet - tapers at the top- 26" x 38" - $39.00

Rockets into Space - 32"x 43" - designer fabrics -  for a larger child - backed with cotton flannel - $69.00

colourful veggies and owls stripe - 24" x 39" - smaller size - vintage and designer fabrics - backed with cotton flannel "woolies" - $49.00

Large cloth dolls and cloth animals - from the fabric "Aunt Lindy's Paper Dolls" I fell in love with it. Edgar loves them, great for babies to play with, chew on - stuffed with soft poly hypoallergenic - $15.00 for large, $ 6.00 for small animal or set for $20.00

tea cups and paper dolls - 37" x 48" - larger size with flannel backing - $75

Bunting flags - decorate a child room or nursery - currently making these and hoping to have 6 sets at $39 each

vintage flower fabric - blue seam binding - 33" x 41" - backed with a heavier cotton - $59

Medium and small soft dolls and animals. Also some Christmas ornaments. $10 for medium, $6 for bunny/ duck and $2.50 for the small dolls and magnet dolls

Intro to Jewellery with Greg Sims NSCAD January-April 2009

 

Some of the first jewelery pieces that I made included a bird out of copper, hammered for texture with a chain that I hand made riveted to the back to make a brooch.

  Also the little nest brooch made from silver with patina and then wrapped with red copper wire strands. It measures approx 1.5" in circumference.

 This ring is based on a film reel and wraps around the fingers. It is made out of silver and has liver of sulfur patina. I hand sawed out all the little holes, that took some patience and practice!

 

The final project I made a mini camera locket. It was very challenging but it turned out pretty good for a beginner. I had to solder a box, make a door with a hinge and lock, form some plexiglass and fit it into the front lense part and add a ribbon to hang. The little knob at the top is riveted so it spins. It is all made out of silver.

Dance Residency With Julie Lebel

From November to March I was documenting the project at Creekside Community Centre with the lovely Julie Lebel. More about the project can be found at the Vancouver Park Board Art and Culture website http://vancouver.ca/parks/arts/2010dance_creekside.htm

Julie is an artist of contemporary dance and has done various interesting projects that involve groups of people in theater and dance. She recently had twins and wanted to incorporate them into her dancing. The stroller dance flash mob was born and I was lucky to watch the evolution as more mothers and babies joined the group and began to choreograph their moves.

They performed on March 19th in the Olympic Village. More about this performance and other photos can be found at Julie's blog http://creeksidedance.wordpress.com/

a son!

I spent the last year with child and on April 08th 2011 Tyler and I met Edgar! He is a pretty cool little guy. This experience is a whole new batch of vocabulary! In particular I enjoy napping, playing, sewing and baking. Of course taking photos is another past time and with Edgar as a muse it is quite enjoyable!

road trips on the motorbike

Another accomplishment that I am proud of is getting my motorbike license! Super fun times.

  Last July I went on a sweet motorbike camp trip with my main squeeze Tyler. We left from Vancouver and stayed in Manning Park, Kelowna, Blanket Creek near Revelstoke and Golden for my cousin Angela's wedding. Then we went through the Shuswap, the Duffy Lake road through Pemberton to the Sea to Sky and then to Gabriola Island for Riley and Meghan's wedding. Ending it off with a ride from Naniamo to Seaschelt for Disater Days on the Sunshine Coast...

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