The World is not your LItterbox

I think Felix the cat says it best here, "The world is not your litterbox". And so to do our part for a cleaner, greener future, Pabrika Handmade has launched its newest series of "Upcycled" pillows.

We have rescued old T-shirts and transformed them into beautiful pillows. I got the idea a couple years ago when my American Eagle "Just Bee Yourself" shirt, with a screen-printed cartoon bee on it, became too small on me. Thinking that the cartoon bee would make a great pillow design I stuffed that T-shirt with a pillow and it was like a light bulb went off in my head. Unfortunately at the time I was too pre-occupied with other things to develop the idea further... (During that time I was just starting up Pabrika Handmade and the original line of hand-painted pillows). And so the T-shirt-turned-pillow idea died.

The idea was revived when I was asked if I had any pillows of eco-friendly materials (organically grown cotton, hemp, natural water-based dyes, etc.) And I thought it was a great idea to extend my line and offer products that were environmentally friendly. I did my research and looked for suppliers of organic fabric, but did not end up going through with it because the cost of this fabric was astronomical! And then I thought back to that "Just Bee Yourself" t-shirt that sat in my living room stuffed with a pillow, and decided that there should be no reason to go out and purchase new materials when there is already a myriad of materials out there (i.e. t-shirts) just waiting to be discarded.

And here are the results of my little craft project. There are still many more to come! Click here to shop :)

The Care Bears are my favourite :)

Pearl Crazy

So I went a little pearl crazy at the bead store -- because I hate when I run out! Or when the store runs out and only has the oddly-shaped, oddly-coloured pearls. So to justify the strands upon strands of newly acquired freshwater pearls, I got busy. I actually made these a while ago and haven't gotten around to posting them until now. I guess I didn't want to cause a frenzy in my shop just before my summer vacation. Because yes, in my grand imagination, I envisioned my store to be busier than a Macy's boxing day sale. (Or Canadian equivalent to Macy's?) I mean, I just may have to hire a security guard to control the crowds!

I am pleased to present (clockwise from top left): Olivia, Elizabeth, Fatima, Jacqueline, Fiona, and Rachel. Please hold your applause ;)

Introducing Kimono Kids!

Introducing my new line of Kimono Kids pillows! I find the Japanese culture fascinating, and admire the beautiful luxurious kimonos. The wide obi sashes are my favourite part!

I've found I come up with my best ideas on the ride home from work -- probably because the mind is relaxed after a gruelling day, and tends to just wander. This particular pillow was probably the quickest I've ever made my ideas come to life. I had the lightbulb idea on the subway ride, ironed out some details in my head, and as soon as I got home plopped on the couch and started drawing. A couple hours later I was off sewing! By the end of the night I had finished "Little Mayumi" and a few days later followed it up with "Little Famiko", pictured above. The design itself is appliqued on, and I've used various types of fabric to mix up the colours and textures. My favourite part is how the kimono obi is echoed by a wide piece of fabric on the pillow backing!

Stay tuned for more Kimono Kids in my Etsy shop!

NEW: "La Promenade" Cushions

So on boxing day, instead of battling the crowds at the mall I went to the fabric store. I was intent on making some "gender neutral" pillows, because some people have been requesting some. But, hey, I'm a girl! So I couldn't help but buy this pink/black/grey fabric.

I actually already had these designs in my sketchbook and just didn't have the right fabric to apply them to. So I was excited to start sewing and see how it would turn out. I think it looks pretty good, don't you? My mom likes it :)

Don't you worry, I'll be sure to make my next pillows in army camoflauge ;) Well I don't actually have camo fabric, but I have an insect pillow in the works, so stay tuned... It's very manly.

My Favourite (handmade) Things -- PINK

A few of my favourite handmade finds... in pink!

Row 1 (L-R): "Lacy Ruffle" by FeltedPleasure, "Dusty Rose Flowery Beret" by KokoshKnitting,

Row 2: "Blushing in Pink" by ouma

Row 3 (L-R): "Sneaky, Sneaky (lavender)" by ashleyg, "Push Me - Girl on Tree Swing vinyl wall decal sticker art graphic" by FreckledHound

Row 4 (L-R): "Isabella Bag in Orchid (Lavender-Pink) Silk" by victoriavm, "CUSTOM Wedding Cake Toppers or Centerpiece" by dandelionland, "Pretty in Pink Ceramic Garden Frog" by MyOtherLittleShop

New Necklaces!

So since I am on HOLIDAYS (woo!), I've been able to design a few more necklaces... my best yet (if you ask me)! Without further ado, may I present (clockwise from top left) The Kathryn Necklace, The Melody Necklace, The Chloe Necklace, and The Lynn Necklace:

More to come...

Summer Breeze Pillows!

So I just finished these new "Summer Breeze" pillows, and I have to say that I've outdone myself this time! hehe... No seriously this is my new favourite design -- although usually when I come up with something new it becomes my new favourite design until I think of something else. They are made of a fabulous linen fabric with intertwined gold accents, which is also lightly painted in brown and white flowers and leaves. The satin flower is appliqued on, and I used glitter paint to do the flower detailing. (Who knew I would find a use for that tube of glitter paint in my drawer?) The pillow backing is a soft brown microsuede material.

My Favourite (handmade) Things - Dresses

So it's been quite a while since I've posted some of my favourite Etsy picks. Today's theme is DRESSES.

Sand Princess skirt from Etsy seller Aloha O Ka Aina



(Okay so this is a skirt, not a dress, but I absolutely love it! I think I just might buy it...)
















English Rose Ruffle Dress from Etsy seller Lirola


















Fork Pleat Dress from Etsy seller betsyBdesign















Dreamy Day Wedding Dress from Etsy seller ouma

Featured Seller!

I'm a featured seller on sellonetsy.com! Yay!!! That's the big news for today. Go check it out!!!

Instant Messenger Pillows!

I just finished up more of my Instant Messenger Pillows, with the new addition of "OMG". (And I also discovered that it looks kinda cool if I just photograph the cushion cover without the inserts, so you may be seeing more of my pillows photographed this way.) The text is in Courier font, outlined in black stitching and hand painted with black fabric paint. These would make a perfect accent to your office, or even living room. For the inner geek in you.... :)

My Favourite (handmade) Things

This week's theme is envelope clutches. They've been in style for ages, but I've always resisted them because I hated the idea of always having to hold it... or clutch it ;) But they just look so sophisticated that even I've come around.

Envelope clutch bronze from etsy seller mishidesign.

Blue and silver sari envelope purse from etsy seller tweedylane.

Woven envelope clutch from etsy seller alamodestuff.

Bold leather clutch from etsy seller sidneyann

Introducing True Tiffany!

Well, I am back from vacation and already hard at work! I lucked out and found this aqua-coloured material at the Fabricland inventory sale, and I just so happened to have thick white ribbon at home from previous crafty endeavours... So, I couldn't help but try to replicate that little blue box that make girls so giddy.


And the bow isn't just for show, it's used to close the opening and secure the cover around the pillow. I'm quite clever that way :P

Tuesday Treasures - Wall Decals

(Sorry I'm one day late!)

Add some sass to your home, minus the hassle of paint and stencils!

From Etsy seller
VerdigrisDye, Phones Small.

From Etsy seller ScribbleIt,
Gears - Vinyl Wall Art Decal.

From Etsy seller singlestonestudios, Love Vinyl Wall Decals Stickers Art Graphics Words.

From Etsy seller shanon1972, ShaNickers Wall Decal/Sticker-Love Tree

CM jewellery

And so, as if my apartment was not already engulfed in fabric and paint, I decided to add beads to the mix! I started a jewellery shop on Etsy about a month ago, and just recently decided to focus on using silver and crystals as my primary materials. My favourite is the "I heart U" necklace -- I made one for myself too!

I also really like the "Flashy Octagon".