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Monday, July 07, 2008

Show and Tell Monday at Make Mine Pink

It's Monday and time to reveal what I have been working on. My husband recently challenged me to design a new tea cozy. The shape of a teapot was his design request. Okay...no problem. I can do that....hmmm. I started thinking about it, but was in the middle of a challenging custom order---more about that later--and couldn't get the design past the recesses of my brain. It rolled around and was just a vague idea. Last weekend I finished the custom order and finally it started becoming clearer. First came a sketch. Then, a pattern. Then a revised pattern. Time to test it in fabric to see if it would work. Okay, it works. Time to embellish. This is the fun part. What do I have that would make this cozy, shaped like a teapot, look like a teapot? Give it definition and personality. A bit of this? How about that? No, more like this. What about a lid? Yes, that might work. Finally, I finished. And this is what I came up with:

What do you think?

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The challenging Custom Order? A customer wrote and asked me to design a toaster cover for he newly remodeled kitchen. She loved my Dressed To A Tea Cozy and wanted to know if I could do something similar. Every toaster is shaped differently and that is where the challenge came in. I finally went out and bought a toaster like her model just to be able to get th pattern right. (I needed a wedding gift anyway...) Here are the 2 covers(sitting atop the toaster):


29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Karen

I love the teapot cozy design and the toaster covers are beautiful. I think you may have found a new hit item.

Lisa
www.palepinkandroses.com

Miniature Patisserie Chef said...

Hi Karen,

You are amazing! The toaster cover is simply breathtaking. You make a simple bread toaster so royal looking! It would be a delight to have that on the dining table top!

Pei Li

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Karen ~ those are both gorgeous !! You are an amazing seamstress !!
xoxo,
Lori

Trisha said...

I LOVE the teapot design. So very clever and pretty too!

Carol at Clutter Bug Studio said...

Wow! This is about all I can say! The teapot tea cozy is absolutely sure to be a winner.....and the toaster covers..........just beautiful. Karen, you do beautiful work.

Gone said...

Ohhhhhhhhh...I love them!!! Both the Tea Pot Tea Cozy (and it's with my FAVORITE china - Old Country Roses, too) and the Toaster Cover!!

~Blessings,
Jan

Cottage Flair said...

All of your covers are just beautiful. I love the teapot shaped cover.
Jennifer

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

What is not to love about them?
They are wonderful !

Susan - InHerOwnWords said...

Karen now that's customer service! *smiles* I LOVE IT!! You're on your way! Another beautiful design!

Cathy said...

Karen, that teapot cozy is perfect. Your husband had a great idea but you created it. Love it!!!

xo
Cath

Anonymous said...

Watch out, Windsor Castle will be calling to get all their ugly toasters a royal cover!
Good job Karen!

SoCal Helene said...

Hi Karen,
The new teapot cozy is adorable! You certainly have an eye for details.
Have a wonderful week!
Helene
Sisters Gift Company

Anonymous said...

Karen,

I love your teapot cozy. You have such a talent with the sewing machine! Very pretty! The toaster cozies are incredible also!

Eileen & Karen said...

So cute Karen! Necessity...the mother of invention! Nice job!
Eileen
Forget Me Not Dreams

Anonymous said...

How wonderful! I so love out of the box concepts!!!
Susan *dutchrose*

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Karen, that is the best "dressed" toaster I have ever seen. :) sorry, couldn't resist. hee,hee,hee. It really is beautiful and the teapot cozy is fabulous. Way to go!

Hugs,
Michelle

Patricia said...

Karen, they are so gorgeous. I love the teapot and toaster covers. Your attention to detail is superb. Think you may be onto something with those toaster covers.

Pat

gail said...

HI Karen,,, you have some great projects this week. I love the teapot, teapot cozy. lol This is so cute. The toaster covers are really cute. You should think about doing matching kichen appliance covers? I always cover my toaster because of dust and stuff in the air. YOu did such a great job. (()) gail

Georgia said...

Karen,

I love the teapot shaped cozy! Toaster covers....what fun....hmmm what about a cover for my KitchenAid mixer????

Your work is truly amazing!

Hugs!
Georgia
Grandma G's

Inka Smith said...

Karen,
I just love your stuff. I know you had fun with the teapot challenge. It really turned out great.
Inka

Debbie said...

Wow, Karen you are sooooo talented! When are you going to sell your patterns or design book?! Something to think about...
Debbie ~ Rosehill

Unknown said...

Lovely tea cozies, and I'd never heard of the cup cozy, great invention! I look forward to your tea party @ Jan&Tom's tomorrow!

Noelle Garrett Designs said...

Karen,

These are beautiful! I can't decide which is my favorite. Your teapot cozy design is going to fly. Wonderful and elegant as always.
hugs,
Carrie

Susie said...

Hi Karen! Your new teapot cover came out adorable. Your work is spectacular. I always look forward to your show and tells.
Susie ~ The Polka Dot Rose

Carolyn Kocman said...

oh, karen! that teapot cozy is so sweet! you are one talented lady. the toaster covers are adorable...i am sure she is pleased with her purchase.

Carolyn Kocman said...

oh, karen! that teapot cozy is so sweet! you are one talented lady. the toaster covers are adorable...i am sure she is pleased with her purchase.

Silena said...

Karen, your designs are just beautiful. And you are not such a bad writer.....so enjoyed the description of your inspiraton, the details of the thought process and finally the presentation of your creation!! Wow.....very nice!!

Unknown said...

Hi Karen,

Love the cozy covers. Beautiful as always!

Janet
Janet's Creative Pillows

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen! I left a comment on your teapart post but then I went to check out more of your blog and fell in love with these toaster cozies! Beautiful and such a unique idea! Have a great day - Jeannette