BACK TO SCHOOL LUNCH BOX OR DINNER NAPKINS:


 I have enjoyed sewing my whole life and began  selling my creations  3 years in my esty shop Fabric Creations from Fran ( FabricCreationsFran.etsy.com).  I make colorful quilts, napkins, table runners and more.  One of my specialties is Baby Quilts.  I make patchwork and "I Spy " Quilts.  The personalized quilts with baby's name in applique are quite popular.  Another one of my  specialities  is cotton handkerchiefs for both men and women.  These come in a wide variety of styles, colors and gift sets.
    New creations are being added continuously to my shop.  I am currently working on some table runners for the holidays so stop by and see whats new.
FabricCreationsfran.etsy.com

LUNCH BOX CLOTH NAPKINS:  for back to school, dinner time, any time.

One of my most popular set of napkins is my set for girls with ballerina's, mermaids, cats, flips flops, and peace and love.  My kids do like using cloth napkins.  It is fun and no more having them waste paper napkins or using their sleeve to wipe their face.  Ok, it took a long time to remind them to not use their shirt but I think we finally have it at our house.  These 100% cotton cloth napkins are handmade approximately 11 inches square and can be found for sale in my etsy shop at the link below:
FabricCreationsfran.esty.com

Funniest use for my hankies so far:  I always carry one of my handmade handkerchiefs with me.  Usually I use them for a runny nose or tears-- I read a lot of happy/sad books.  Today I was glad I had a hankie.  I was sampling some pickles at our natural foods coop.   The farmer remembered to bring toothpicks to pick up a pickle sample but mine started dripping, I caught the puddle in my hand and asked if she had any napkins.  No she said she forgot.  "Don't worry" I said, "I have a hankie!" I took out one of my cotton hankies, this one in a lovely pink color.  I will never leave home without one or more of my hankies. 

   You can see the hankies photos above and my wide selection of mens and ladies hankies at:

FabricCreationsFran.etsy.com

My latest baby quilt for sale in my etsy shop is shown in a close up view in the first photos. As much as I love quilting, this time of year I am drawn to the outdoors.  The second photo is of the Red River of the North, a few miles from my home in Fargo North Dakota.  Arriving in Fargo less then 1 1/2 year ago I was surprised to find how beautiful it is here.  My favorite is the wide open blue skies.

Check out this quilt and more at:

www.FabricCreationsFran.etsy.com

Graduations Hankies:  My sister texted me yesterday that she was taking along the hankies I had sent her to her daughter's graduation.  There are so many occasions when happy tears as well as sad ones fall.  Its nice to have pretty ( and useful) hankies along.  My sister and I often end up sharing ( giving) a hankie away to someone who is very much in need of a hankie, so we make sure to take extra along to events such as funerals and award ceremonies.
  These batik hankies and many more for both men and women are for sale now in my etsy shop at:
FabricCreationsFran.etsy.com

QUILTING AND SEWING TIP #4
Choose grey thread when piecing 2  different colors together.
When I am sewing together 2 pieces of fabric of similar color, I try to match the thread to the fabric color.  I know some people who just leave black or white in their machine at all times thinking that the tread wont show.  However there can be tension between the pieces that might allow the thread to show or more likely a loose thread may escape being trimmed.  In this case grey is allows a good color. As you can see in the photo above, the neutral grey blends in with both the light sky blue as well as the black fabric.  If I used white thread, an end of white thread sticking out would show up very bright against the black and if I used black thread it would show up as very out of place against the light blue and yellow.  Grey is a perfect neutral in this case.   Happy sewing and quilting everyone.
 
FabricCreationsFran.etsy.com

Owls:  How did they become so popular?  Sure they are cute such as in my latest set of flannel Baby Burp Cloths that I have for sale in my etsy shop.  I have noticed an explosion of popularity of these cute birds in everything from wedding cake toppers to baby shower themes.  If you know how this all started or what is fueling the momentum, please let me know.
Check out these and other cute baby gifts at:
FabricCreationsFran.etsy.com