Some custom aprons

My friend Maria commissioned me for a fourth time to create some custom gifts for her. This time around: barbeque aprons for three special men in her life.

We always have a great collaboration, because she comes to me with a clear direction and ideas for how to make the gift personal to each giftee, while leaving me a lot of space to determine how the design will come together.

Maria appreciates this, too. This time when I delivered the finished products, she told me: "Whenever I come to you for a custom project, I have a clear idea in my mind of what it should look like. You always take that, and make it even better. You so wonderfully bring creativity and function together."

I'm really excited about how they turned out. They're so specific to each person, and so durable for continued use.

Thanks Maria, for thinking of me for this project!

Baby Hexagon Quilt

Remember last week when I posted about my box of hexagons I've been carrying around? Here is the finished product: a comissioned baby quilt for a little guy named Dylan.

There was a lot of delicate hand work that went into this piece - which was a change for me. It was fun to stitch them one by one, in front of the tv, in the car, at New Urban Arts.

Here's a look at how the back looks with the quilted lines.

I was sure to make a super special label to personalize this quilt.

I hope the little one enjoys this blanket as much as I enjoyed making it!

Custom Apron Gifts

This Christmas was my first Christmas as a true artist/business owner, which meant that I was gloriously busy in December - sewing, sewing, sewing, packaging up, and getting to know Kenneth the quirky postman on Weybossett Street really well.

But it also meant that on Christmas day, I had warm fuzzies not just from being with my family, but also from thinking about my creations being given as gifts in cozy living rooms all over the world.

During December, a few people contacted me about creating custom aprons as gifts for their loved ones. I'm so excited to be able to share them now!

Peter contacted me when he found my work in the Brown Alumni Magazine Holiday Gift Guide. He was looking for a custom apron for his wife, Pattie, to wear while gardening.

Peter and I bonded over email when he told me that he was caring for his wife as she was recovering from a knee replacement - this, at the same time that I was caring for Ian after his back surgery! He wrote, "I will think of you when I am cooking and changing the ice packs, and send you lots of good karma."

I was touched by the thoughtfulness of his gift, and I had a great time making this design just for Pattie. I hope she'll be up and about and gardening again soon!

I created this full apron for my friend Maria to give to her daughter, Lucy, as a Christmas gift. Maria won a custom Connect the Dots apron a few months ago, when I created a personalized apron for her nephew. I was delighted that she came back for another custom design!

Her daughter will be doing her student teaching in a 3rd grade classroom this semester, so Maria asked for something durable and fun with lots of pockets. "Think finger paints," she said.

Since Lucy likes polka dots and vintage prints, I combined three coordinated green, blue, and yellow fabrics. I can just picture her getting crafty with her class!

Finally, Janet found me through the Brown Alumni Magazine as well. She commissioned me to create a customized apron for her sister, Susanna, who owns a catering business, "Back to Basics Kitchen" in Colorado.

After exploring the Back to Basics Kitchen website, Janet and I discussed a design that would incorporate the beautiful painted vegetables pictured on the site. Janet told me that her grandmother painted those vegetables, so it was very special to include them on the apron.

How cute is that tomato? I was thinking of Susanna and Janet on Christmas morning, and how I played a small part in their family's holiday gathering.

I love how every custom apron I create is so personal, and how each and every one carries its own story. If you would like a custom apron, please contact me! I'd love to make something just for you.

Custom Projects for Little Ones

I worked on some special custom creations for little ones this weekend...

My co-worker SueEllen ordered this darling baby set - bib, burp cloth, and tag blanket - for some friends who recently adopted a little boy.

SueEllen picked out the fabric combo - don't you just love those little cars?

I love picking out the ribbons for these tags.

I also created a stocking for little Pierce, my friend Merideth's new baby.

Last year, Merideth commissioned me to make hand-quilted stockings for her and her husband, and now the little one has a matching personalized stocking to hang by the fire.

Have I mentioned that I love creating custom projects?

Custom Providence Collage

My friend Aaron recently moved to New York City, and since he's missing his old home a bit, he commissioned me to create a piece to remind him of Providence.

I created this paper collage of Providence's iconic Industrial Building. While I mostly work with fabric, I secretly love paper collage as well. I particularly love using paper with text - like these old flyers for a local arts venue.

I've never tried this type of collage before, but I think it came out well, and I was a little sad to see it leave my house, so I'm certainly going to make more.

What other iconic building (in Providence or elsewhere) would you like to see me create?

Custom Aprons in Action!

A few months ago, Jean Cozzens from Secret Door Projects commissioned me to create two craft vendor aprons for him & his sweetie to use at craft fairs. He sent me these great photos of the aprons in action!

{ selling prints at the risd alumni sale }

I like how Jean wore the apron off to the side.

His sweetie, Meg, also uses the apron in her studio - she loads it up with her tools...

...rolls it up...

...and she's ready to go!

My friend Erica also recently posted some photos of the custom his & hers apron set that I made as a wedding gift for her and Keith.

{ erica }

{ keith and very fancy cat named rufio }

It makes me so happy to see my aprons in action! So thank you - Jean & Meg and Erica & Keith - for the photos!

If you're interested in a custom apron, please contact me - I'd love to make a design just for you!

Custom Bridal Feather Fascinator

A few weeks ago, my friend Jess commissioned me to create a custom feather fascinator for her friend Nicole's wedding.

I had fun experimenting with feathers to get the natural look that Nicole wanted for her wedding.

Jess, a talented photographer, took some great photos of the final product!

And it looks like Nicole really liked it. Thanks Jess and Nicole for letting me be a part of the big day!

And congrats Nicole and Adam - you two look so beautiful, and SO happy!

Custom Baby Shower Set

Erin recently commissioned me to create a custom baby set for her former college roommate who is due to have a little girl in October. I love making delicate, playful things for little ones!

As we head into the fall and people start thinking about holiday gifts (!) I thought I'd take this opportunity to give a little behind-the-scenes look into my custom project process:

{ the completed custom set - zipper pouch, bib, and quilted taggie blanket }

The Inquiry: First, Erin emailed me to inquire about the custom project:

"I have a question/custom request. My former roommate is having a baby in October. I'd like to give her something that can't be found on Amazon or Target or a registry, and I thought of your creations. Would you have time to create something before the beginning of October?"

I just love getting these emails!

{ bib front and quilted taggie blanket }

Tinkering Out the Budget and Specifics: Next, I asked for a price range and a few thoughts on what she had in mind/ways to make this project personal. She responded -

"My price range is probably around 40 - is that doable with your materials? I'm thinking something along the lines of bibs and maybe a zipper case to hold things for the diaper bag?? The baby is a girl, and my roommate and I used to have a joke about baby animals when we were in college - she loves them, so I'm thinking a baby animals thing would be cute. Let me know what you think, and we can chat!"

After that, I worked within her budget to create a plan for a baby bib, quilted taggie blanket, and zipper pouch, and confirmed the plan and timeline with Erin.

{ bib back detail }

Choosing the Fabric and Materials: I went shopping for fabric at my favorite quilt shop in my hometown in Vermont, and I found the perfect fabric to represent both my aesthetic AND the baby animals that Erin requested!

{ quilted taggie blanket front }

Construction: This is when my sewing machine and I get to work! I put on an episode of This American Life and get in the zone!

{ taggie blanket back detail }

Delivery: My favorite part! Erin and I got to meet in person at the local Farmer's Market, and I delivered the bag of creations over some cold beverages as we sat on a park bench.

Thanks, Erin, for thinking of me for such a fun project!

If YOU'RE interested in a custom Connect the Dots creation, please contact me at caroleann (at) connectthedotscrafts (dot) com, or click the "contact" link on the left! I'd love to make something especially for you!