Did somebody say fabric? It was probably me talking in my sleep. If you enjoy adding fabric to your home like I do, we should get along great! And none of this, “I wish I could sew” stuff. Anybody can sew, just get yourself a machine and you can figure it out. Even the more complicated projects can be tackled by a novice with determination, a decent sewing machine and a few sewing blogs to steer you in the right direction. You’ll love your home even more than you already do when you direct your creative energy toward personalizing the space with a clever window treatment here and a one-of-a-kind pillow there.
I’m mostly self-taught {by reading dozens of fabrication and design books, but have received instruction to the trade in home furnishings and window treatment construction} and make a conscious effort to use professional techniques in the projects I tackle.
Got a project you just can’t figure out? Let me help you. Looking for an online fabric resource? See my Fabric Files listing of online home decor fabric sites. Enjoy observing while someone else tears their house apart and puts it back together seemingly with the change in seasons? You’re in the right spot. Think you’re the only one who measures once and cuts twice? Nope. It’s probably because I flunked the math and had to change my Interior Design major to Advertising.
Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me in my mid-Michigan home. If you ring the doorbell and I don’t answer it’s probably because I’m in my sewing studio, still in my pj’s sewing away!
~~Ellen
Hi Ellen,
Just found your blog, thanks for linking to me. Loved the photos of your guest room and can’t wait to see more of your work. Your aprons are awesome as well.
Jackie
Jackie, it’s a pleasure. Your blog inspires me every time I check in!
Ellen
Hi there. Love the blog and I will have to keep reading. Thanks.
LOVE your Blog! You are so talented and I love that you share what you know! I will come by often to see what is new!
Oh Mary Ruth, look who’s talking! I can hardly wait until the move and you get to start on decorating your new home. Your Ralph Lauren lookalike is still my all time favorite room redo!
Thanks so much for coming by!
Ellen
HI Ellen,
Your Sew Mama Sew swap package arrived today and I’m totally overwhelmed! Not only did I receive a BEAUTIFUL quarter of fabric but also an adorable pincusion and some other little bitties. Thank you so much, I am so overwhelmed by your generosity. I hope my fabric gives you as much joy as yours did me.
Bree
Oh Bree! I haven’t received your fabric yet but look forward to it arriving soon! If anyone else from the swap checks here, I don’t have all of your emails so I couldn’t let you know it arrived. I’ll post about the swap once all the fabric is in.
Glad you liked the package, Bree! I had fun putting it together.
Ellen
Hi Ellen! I found you through Sue at RUE MOUFFETARD. Glad to meet you, I’m a Michigan girl too, and I do a little sewing now and then:>) Have a great day!
Thanks for sharing your talents Ellen, I may need to tap into the fabric scene if the cottage Mom and I are trying to buy goes through….I will keep you posted and keep noting your fabulous writing and information sharing. Nice blog…
Kk, Chewy and Olive (woof to Vi)
Hi Ellen!
Love your blog! Will definitely add you to my blogroll!
Tammi
Ellen,
I was just visiting In Stitches to checkout the latest Workroom Wednesday feature and saw your post to her previous thread showcasing my work. I am truly touched and honored by the comment you left there. Thank you very much, you made my day!! ~ Sarah
Love your site and energy!! You given me a kick in the butt to pull my sewing machine off the floor back onto the table. I just spent many hours re-organizing the sewing/ storage room and now I’m geared up to do some projects. Just added you to my favourites. I’m really glad I found you through Houzz today!! Would love to see how your sewing room looks for ideas.
WoWsa! Just came across you on thrifydecorchicks site and this is what I have been waiting for! You are so my style, cooking, sewing, crafting….LOVE IT!
I am in need of window treatments and slipcovers. Next week when the family is back at work and school….coffee and I will be sittin here reading this. YAY!
Best!
Sally
Phoenix, AZ
Ellen,
Nice to “meet” you! Just clicked on a link from ‘Beneath My Heart’. Beautiful slipcovers on your chairs! I’ve enjoyed cruising through your blog. Thank you for sharing.
Virginia (another Mid-Michigander)
Thanks for stopping by, and commenting, on my blog! Love yours too…and I just voted in your poll re. curtain/valence. I don’t sew anymore, so get vicarious pleasure from watching people like you!
Ellen, thanks for visiting my blog. I will be spending some time here, checking out yours.
Hi Ellen,
What a lovely site – your style is really serene – now I see how much you love the water blues and greens =)
Lolly
Ellen:
Thanks for visiting and your very honest comment re. gray! Yes….I will take it step by step; tricky color. My husband has a REAL gray in his study now and loves it (I don’t….). But I think in the new house it will have to be more of a taupey color; more neutral. And, I know i will have either yellow and/or orange with it.
btw: I really like your blog! I’m redoing my blogroll: to have it in my sidebar as well as the pages at top (which I think are confusing except to seasoned bloggers…) and will add your name.
See you soon! Libby
love your blog…it is so scrumptious…
i’m linking you…if you have a chance…pop on over…
http://www.sweetgirlstudio.wordpress.com
april
just found your blog and it was quite a pleasant surprise! Will be reading it for now on..sounds like i can get a lot of great ideas from it
http://newzealandbakerdreamer.wordpress.com/
Hey Ellen, Congrats on being freshly pressed! I love old fabrics and saved the curtains from my mother’s living room because they just made me swoon. My writing partners and I invite you to visit us anytime. We have lots in common
Cheers,
Toni
Please permit me to put your blog url in to mine! would you? ^___^ I like your blog and i got a lot of inspiration from you. Cheers.
Hey there. I love the look of your blog.
BTW congrats for being in Freshly Pressed.
Hi Ellen,
I just found your blog and love it. You are very talented. Thanks so much for sharing.
HI Ellen: I grew up in Indiana and have TWO sisters living in MI and one is a HUGE Tigers fan. I am so pleased I found your blog. You do BEAUTIFUL sewing. I wish I could sew a straight line!
Catherine
Ellen: I do not see an email so I will write here again and thanks for stopping by my blog! I am putting yours on my list. I found you thru “modhomeec”. You probably know of Shelly. Any way thank you for your comment and very funny also! Every time I get out the sewing machine I freeze up knowing something will go wrong. BUT I have sewn many many things in my life time. Yes, My sister in D-Town LOVES the Tigers and sews lovely things. I of course am a Giants fan. I wanted to let you know about this site: https://secure.designerfabrics.ca/shop/scripts/default.asp
Designer Fabrics Online, in Canada but they ship to USA and I have been to the store, LOVED it. This is where Sarah Richardson looks for discount fabric. Thanks!
Cat
Hi Ellen!
We want to invite you to a party the 1st night of Blogfest and we can’t find your email on your site. The invites go out today – is there any chance you’d email me so we can get you on the list?
Looking forward to meeting you.
ABCD @ABCDDesigns
Just found your blog via Blarter. What a fabulous blog. So glad to have discovered it!
Hi, I’m a new subscriber and I really love your posts. So inspiring. I love fabric and textures, colours and patterns and I’m seriously thinking about getting a sewing machine, thanks to you!