Local crafter Karen Park of Benny and Heidi is a self-proclaimed fabric addict. She started sewing in an effort to quit smoking and the habit stuck (the sewing, not the smoking). She says, “I still have that same basic Singer I got at Kmart years ago as well as much healthier lungs.”

Karen collects and uses all kinds of fabric in her designs. Her online shop Benny and Heidi is patchwork pillows and bags in traditional patters, done in modern fabric combinations with lots of pinup girl prints thrown in for good measure. When asked what inspires her work, Karen explains that her mood has a lot to do with it: “My mood dictates which sewing I work on when I get home from my day job.”

After the holidays, Karen will open a second Etsy site for pillows, bags, and clothing made from her collection of Central Asian fabrics. I’ve seen entries in her blog about some of the fabrics from that collection and they’re stunning. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.

In the meantime, you can enter to win the Witch Girl Wristlet (top middle). But you have to answer a question first: What inspired Karen to first begin experimenting with patchwork patterns? You can find the answer on Karen's blog and I'll give you a hint - it's on the second page. Be the first person to post the correct answer to this question, and you will win!

Over the next few weeks, Baltimore by Hand will offer giveaways just like this one in celebration of Halloween. Stay tuned!

(Images courtesy of Benny and Heidi)