Tara Miller Designs

Pay no attention to the girl behind the curtain

Like...how could you. These curtains are so beautiful! I love them. I especially love walking down my stairs and seeing them bit by bit as I reach the bottom. They frame my silhouette plates so perfectly too. I love how they are a bit of Mt. Vernon meets Miami. I can be historical and modern at the same time. I may have fell off my rocker but nothing makes me happier than a pretty house. They just fit so well. I can't wait to finish this room, hell, all the rooms. There is something about the light in this room (my sewing room faces the same way but upstairs) that really tunes me in. It is a really great location for a dining room. I can't wait to cook big meals for family and friends here. Double check that with my new kitchen. I am cooking up a storm, like no body's business, as if there is no tomorrow and any other appropriate saying. I have counter space and I can find stuff. If cooking was the solution to an algebraic equation, the two unknowns would be: counter space and the ability to find tools. It is amazing the silly, good mood nice curtains can put you in. Please feel free to use this as justification for all future curtain-related purchases to your husband. I will spell it out into husband speak: pretty curtains=good mood at the same rate that chocolate=good mood. Now, if you will please excuse me, I have 2 more windows in my dining room that are naked.

P.s. Just in case you need promting, curtain-related is a very BROAD term. Go with it.

Busy Bee

  Though my petition to add more hours to the day with an addendum to also slow down the rate at which time flies is still in committee for deliberation, I have still been attempting to squeeze every second from the day to make my house pretty, festive and make Christmas presents. So far I have some homemade hot chocolate mix, a hand knit cable hat & 2 scarves started. Have no fear my list is quite long but I am confident I will compete (So confident I can't sleep at night, I am so full of confidence..hehe...sigh!). I did participate in the Ga-Ga for garlands swap. While I have not yet (Yet is the operative word. See all my confidence) received my garland, here are some pictures of what I sent my partner. I intended to make some autumn-y, thanksgiving-ish garland but when I sat down, it was 70 deg outside and the sun was shining with flowers still in bloom. I just could not muster any thanksgiving energy. Bonus: My partner told me her daughter's 7th birthday was coming up. So I crafted this "Celebrate" bunting that was inspired here. The bunting itself just didn't seem like enough, especially for a 7th birthday. Add that to the fact that I have been wanting to create a felt crown since I saw Soule Mama's. It turned out great and I was told my package arrived just in time for the birthday party and the crown and bunting were a huge success. I am beaming with joy!

You may remember back in Aug/Sept some discussion of making a linen dress to wear in my brother's wedding as his best broad (AKA best man but female). Well, here are the long promised pictures along with my inspiration picture. I crafted the pattern myself  and I think I did a pretty good job. I have patted my back several times and the best was when I tried on the dress for the first time. It fits perfectly! It moves so well, is very comfortable, plenty of room to eat with out looking like you did and it fit into the wedding perfectly! I am also making my dress for my sister's wedding. I have until 2009 to come up with something, so I am pretty safe to surf for pictures.    The dress is made of black linen/tencel with a red 100% linen stripe. It is lined with black broadcloth. There is a back zipper. I added the vintage brooch to the bust for added 'pizazz'. The brooch came from the party favors my mom made for the bridal shower. She made linen sachets, each with a different brooch to fasten it. The dress was very simple to make even though it was my first time with a lining. The lining really makes all the difference. It added a fullness and made the dress more substantial. I highly recommend it.

P.S. Yes... that is a dog butt wall hook. I got it at Ikea. Because you can never have enough dog butts around the house, especailly in a sewing room!

Words escape me

Ususally I am all about the witty title but this morning I am only half here and have no mind for cute, meaninful titles. I humbly beg forgivness. I am getting ready for BIG THURSDAY. Last Wednesday was my Brother's birthday. When he came over for this photoshoot, he really liked my Giant Doorstops and asked to have some fashioned to add stability to his light stands. I obliged with a velcro loop. The loop is simply 2 fabric strips approx 5-6 in long with a strip of the loop velcro 3 in long on one end of the loop and 1.5'' of the hook side of the velcro on the other strip of fabric. As illustrated in the close up picture of the loop. I hope that clears it up for anyone thinking of making some for Christmas. I made 2 of the doorstops in Monkey'n around by Moda and the third is in a Alexander Henry print, Abbey Road.

Silhouette Plate in Shop

I am so excited about my Silhouette Plates. I have been in love with silhouettes for some time. One morning I was driving into work and was just wondering an empty wall in my dining room. I really wanted something colorful but I wasn't sure what color the walls would be eventually. I also don't want to have color shouting from every where. I want hints and I want warmth. I also wanted to bring in silhouettes to go with the pictures I had already hung in the room. It hit me, I could use some of my favorite fabrics and recycle some plates at the same time. I set to work that afternoon and was finished the next day. I rushed out to Michaels for some plate hangers and the rest is history. I really love them and feel they not only do the fabrics justice but they bring the perfect feeling to the room. I am a historian and these silhouette really bring that classic, civil war-esque sentiment to this wall (prefect for the South). I just put them up in my shop, so if you want one or several for your home or know a loved one they would be prefect for, I would love to make them for you. Just pick the color of fabric and let me do the rest (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Black, Brown, or Neutral). I can't wait to make more, maybe the guest room or sewing room, or both. I have no shame. Check out more pictures in my Shop or Here.

Shop Update!

I updated my shop with some new Knitting Accessories. First up are some nifty Cord Tags I came up with. I was so tired of rifling through my Knit Picks Options cords and either guess which was the right size or tracking down my measuring tape and figuring it out. Well, no longer. I just slide a Needle Cord tag on my cord and secure it with my end caps (now I have a neat place to keep them so I have them when I need 'em) and put my cords in back where they live. When I need a 32'' cord I know which is which. I love it!

Second, I am bring back my Needle Markers, now with IN ACTION pictures. These are similar to the Cord tags but they are aimed at WIP (Works in Progress). You know those porjects that get left by the wayside when the new Interweave Knits comes in the mail. They just sit on the needle holders for day, weeks, sometimes even months (I am guilty). Now you can pick right up where you left off. No more guessing which needle size you need; the tag tells all. This Feather and Fan is obviously ready to go with my #7's.

I might make 'Tags' my middle name.

I'm an Uptown Girl!

It is amazing what Mod Podge & fabric scraps can do to $1.00 Magazine holders. The fabric is Uptown by Moda. Apologies for the lack of info, but I had Typepad/computer issues yesterday (I have not idea which is to blame so they share it). I bought these magazine holder from Target some time back with the idea of putting some green gingham paper on the fronts, but when I actually got around to decorating them, I wanted something more. My sewing room is so Blah right now with its beige walls, so I did some digging through my scraps and came up with just enough of this Grandma's Couch print to cover all three fronts. I used Mod Podge on the front, carefully added the fabric on top and then Mod Podged the hell out of it. I let it dry over night and then cut our my tags from some recycled computer paper and secured them on and Mod Podged the whole front again. I let it dry for 2 days, added magazines and Voila! They really brighten up my room and keep my mags right where I need them, with out being an eye sore! Thanks Mod Podge!

Giant Doorstops- Take 2

I wanted to say a Great Big Thank You to Reprodepot Fabrics Blog for including a link to my Giant Door Stops. I realized that while it might be a cute picture, it is not informative. So here let me enlighten and include a little tutorial for my Giant Doorstops. I am without Photoshop or Illustrator (our computer crashed and the new one doesn't have anything but the Internet right now) so it will have to be basic. Let me assure you that once I am back with my usual cast of tools I will include a more useful pattern with instructions.  As of right now, I am prepared to offer a handsome Power-point slide with the basic shapes and measurements for the New and improved PDF, printable paper pattern. Complete with traceable pattern pieces. This prints on 4 sheets of paper. Giant Doorstop Pattern (270K).

All instructions are on the printable pattern but for those who do not want to print 4 sheets of paper I will leave the below instructions and cutting info. For those who want to save time and trouble, print away, my friends!

Autumn Wreath

Remember this post with a teaser? Well ,I was able to rescue these felt leaves from the huge jaws of my vicious hound with only the loss of one finger and half an ear. Not too shabby.
Actually, This is a wreath that was inspired by the Marie Claire Idees Wreath but for autumn. I really liked the idea of the sweater sleeves but I found this old sweatshirt and turned it inside out and stitched it onto a straw wreath form from Michaels (only about $2). I left the plastic wrap on. I then free handed a leaf shape and made a pattern from some computer paper (recycled, of course). From that pattern, I cut out about 22 leaf shapes from some craft felt and wool felt. I, then, embroidered various leafy and non-leafy designs alike onto half the leaf shapes (to make the front of the leaves). I used a running stitch to attach front to back, leaving a little hole to stuff (you only need a tiny amount of stuffing) and then close the leaf. Next, I placed and pinned the leaves on the wreath in a way that suited me and then stitched them in place with embroidery thread. I added a ribbon sewn to the back to hang on the door and it was finished. The leaves are very quick and satisfying. and once all done it seemed like it took no time. I think I will add some vintage buttons in fall colors to top it off, but I make leave it as is. It is on my front door right now and looks great! I love fall.

The Holidays are Coming! Don't Panic!!!!!

Continue not to panic. I will let you know when the official panic line has been crossed and you are welcome to forward that message to family and friends as a Crafter's "Get out of Jail Free" card. I might even be able to whip up something all official looking in photoshop for you to print and hand out either before each freak-out or after; it is your preference. But before you go planning what documents you may or may not need to preserve your sanity or to present to a judge in court, let's sit down and look at some options.

Continue not to panic. I will let you know when the official panic line has been crossed and you are welcome to forward that message to family and friends as a Crafter's "Get out of Jail Free" card. I might even be able to whip up something all official looking in photoshop for you to print and hand out either before each freak-out or after; it is your preference. But before you go planning what documents you may or may not need to preserve your sanity or to present to a judge in court, let's sit down and look at some options.

Yes, Christmas is right around the corner. But it is one of those really long corners with the long line around it that is moving so slowly you brought a book to read while you wait. You have some time. But if you are sitting there shaking your head, holding up your mile and 2/3 long list of family and friends who are eagerly anticipating handmade goodness for the holidays, continue not to panic. Go make a cup of coffee (make one for me too, please. I like foam!) and check out some beatuiful and easy gift you can make.

Some of you might have heard of Lisa Lam. She runs the blog CraftBoom which is a wealth of info for those interested in the craft business. Well, she posted a list of 15 quick & easy Holiday items to sell. It is a great list, but I thought to myself: "Self, why don't you post this for those who are interested in 15 quick projects to GIVE." I instantly agreed with myself and here we are and, more importantly, here is the list:

1. Garlands (check out Heather's Here)
2. Mobiles (Here is a great Autumn mobile by Turkey Feathers that can easily be made for winter)
3. Ornaments/Decorations
4. Tree Ornaments
5. Candle Holders
6. Bags/Purses
7. Napkin Rings, Placemats, Seating card holders
8. Scented Candles
9. Christmas Cards/Wrapping paper (Check out how to wrap your presents in Fabric!)
10. Christmas Stockings (Here are some really cozy sweater stocking by Posie gets Cozy)
11. Baby Bibs, soft toys
12. Doggie Jackets
13. Scarves, mittens, socks, hats
14. Hair Decorations (Martha has some great Button Hair Pins)
15. Brooches (Try this great tutorial by Blair Peter for Fabric Flower Pins)

Lisa gives some great examples and descriptions on her blog so be sure to check out the complete list.

Here are some additional items, I thought of here:

1. Pincushions (I know how tired it seems, but there are sewers out there with old tomato pincushions who don't even know how cute they can be...help them. Plus you can put them in a bowl for a festive center piece!)
2. Christmas Tree skirt
3. Festive Holiday Wreath: Just like Posie Gets Cozy. Totally awesome
4. Soft Trees (Try Little Birds Pattern. I just love these!)

And if you really run out of time, you can bake some pumpkin bread or cookies (don't forget to sign up for Food Network's 12 days of cookies). Finally, if you have to give a present and you have, seriously, 5 min in which to prepare. Quickly, find a sheet of paper and write down an IOU, with a smiley face and give them the biggest hug ever. Don't forget to give them a quick glace at the one mile and 2/3 long list just so they know that you are as good as your word.

Most important, these are the holidays. Enjoy your friends and family. No one will remember in 5 years that you needed a few extra days (ok, weeks) to finish and make their special gift perfect. They will remember that you did make it just for them and will love it even more.

Happy Holidays and Breath!

Brother! Hoorah!

There is almost nothing like a good picture. The only thing better is making something yourself, but seeing that item in a pretty setting is unbelievable. Having the opportunity to show off your work that makes it as appealing to others as it is to you, is not exciting but almost, yes, this calls for Jazz Hands.
My brother is a photographer and I love his pictures. He makes my stuff look so good. We have recently come up with an arrangement to make our working relationship more equal. He has come up with an idea for a series of  photos which need costume. Enter most directly older sister (me!). Plus he really likes my doorstops, so I will need to whip up some for him; right after I finish the roman shades from hell (DO NOT use Vogue patterns for your shades, please- more later).
Back to the brother, he came over last Saturday to take some pictures of some recent projects. Some are just in development and some are no longer because they just didn't pan out. He makes me laugh and it was the most fun I have ever had standing around pretending to smile. In the picture above, I am working on my Halloween costume and he is probably making fun of my dogs. These are an idea I had for some pattern weights but they just aren't quite right. I hope to offer something kick ass soon. They are effective but not enough for me. This is my favorite picture so far because I am laughing. So much better than concentrating. Back to the assembly line that is christmas present making. Cheers!

P.s. The material is Mendhi by Freespirit and Heather Ross' West Hill by Freespirit