Mini Post: Freebie!

Happy Zombie recently posted a free pattern for the cutest little needle book!


You can get the PDF download through this link. I have been wanting to make a needle book...I'm putting this on the list of to-dos for this weekend.

(Photo from the Happy Zombie site.)

Inspiration Wire

These 'inspiration wires' I've been seeing around blogland and on Flickr are right up my alley. Simple, useful and pretty. I've seen kits for sale but that just seems silly. Just takes two nails or tacks, a length of wire, cord or ribbon, and some clothes pins. All of which can be found in most basements.

Instructions: Hammer one nail or tack into the wall. Tie the ribbon or cord to the nail (or wind some wire around the nail). Stretch out the ribbon, cord or wire to where you want the second hole to be then hammer in the second nail or tack. Tie the other end of the ribbon to the nail. Easy.

To start off my inspiration wire (or 'ribbon' in this case), I printed out pictures of my pretty kitties and some of my favorite Flickr pictures.

See the full sized pictures (from left to right):

• Black cross stitch
• Framed cross stitch: Not from Flickr...unfortunately I can't remember where I found this sampler.
• Log cabin wall hanging
• "The Moon in Autumn" quilt from TOKYO International Great Quilt Festival 2008
• Izzy
• Pincushion
• Pillow
• Casey
• Pincushion
• Rauiri
  

Counted Cross Stitch, Part 3

I started my cross stitch "C" monogram and I'm loving it. I'm thinking of placing it in a round frame if I can find one I like. Maybe something like this:Hey, we're Irish. What can I say?


More embroidery goodness:
- Feeling Stitchy has a nice French Knot tutorial.
- Incywincy has some damn cute French knot sheep.

And some books on my wish list:

From left to right:
The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook by Susan Briscoe
The Cross Stitcher's Bible by Jane Greenoff
Small Scale Embroidery: In Cross Stitch and Other Techniques by Brenda Keyes
Elegance: Exquisite Doily Patterns Charted for Cross-Stitch by Annette Bradshaw and Gwyn Franson
Traditional Samplers by Brenda Keyes

I'll see how long this embroidery interest lasts before I invest in a new library though!

Counted Cross Stitch, Part 2

I did it! After lamenting that I had yet another project idea, I searched online for some patterns to make a simple monogram and boarder. And then I used the grid in PhotoShop as my base and created a cross stitch pattern of a "C" monogram.


I found my very old stash of aida cloth and some floss so I'm all set to start this very small, very simple cross stitch project.

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The monogram is the Traditional Alphabet Sampler PDF free from DMC.
The corner flowers came from this pattern.
And I designed the other boarder myself.
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Too Hot to Handle Oven Mitts are now off the list

Yay! I completed a project in 2008! These are the Too Hot to Handle Oven Mitts from the book Denyse Schmidt Quilts which I got for Christmas.

Technique wise, one thing I did differently from the instructions (unfortunately I realized it after quilting the first piece) is to start quilting horizontally first. This keeps the seams all nice and straight. I started quilting from top to bottom as she suggests and my patchwork looked very wonky. Then again, I'm not the best machine quilter.

I also added a binding along the bottoms rather than hemming them. I thought that this would look neater. And I wasn't into the fancy trim on her example.

And just to complicate things, I opted for a more patchwork-y look. I thought this would be a cinch but I I ended up having to make little templates for each piece.

Here is the inside view...I used some pink ticking that I have a ton of and have used in MANY projects (see "The Last Holiday Post, I promise", "Holiday Gifts", and my kitchen curtains which haven't yet made an appearance on this blog). Miss Schmidt recommends canvas for the interior but I didn't have any and when comparing it to my store bought mitts I didn't think I needed it. We'll see once I try to take a roast out of the oven!


Now, can you believe there was NO Flicker group for Denyse Schmidt projects? Well, there was one for a quilt-a-long but nothing for Everything Denyse. So, I started one! You can see the beautiful projects and join the group to add your own as well!

The Last Holiday Post, I Promise

Made, hung and enjoyed the flag bunting that was very popular in craft-web-world this year. Over done by now? Perhaps. But I still like it.

Get the tutorial at WhipUp.

Great Expectations, Part Deux

Way back in this post I mentioned that I would be making some softy trees. Well, I did make them and they adorned our mantle over the holiday. I thought I'd finally post a picture of them...very cute and quick to make.

The design is by Little Birds Handmade and you can get the pattern and tutorial here.

Great Expectations

Been a few days since my last post. Both my husband and I were really sick with this vicious cold that has been going around. And we are trying to sell our house and buy a new one. So stuff's been going on.

I did get the chance to make a few of some cute softy Christmas trees. The intention was to make them for a gift but I like the first set so much that I'm going to keep those for myself. I'll post pictures once I can take some in daylight.

You can see pictures and get the tutorial here.

Lately every day I think I'm going to come home and start a new project. Then after getting dinner ready and any other random thing that MUST be done today I end up too beat to pick up something new. So I end up watching a Sox game and calling it a night. This is one reason I am so happy we are looking for a new house. The town we're looking in is halfway between here and work. My commute will be 20 minutes or so rather than 50ish. I am really looking forward to that.

Bags, Bags, Bags

I’m looking for some things to make for holiday gifts. So here's a compilation of bag ideas and tutorials:

Martha Stewart Bias Tape Bag (pic at right)

Beach Tote from BeSewStylish.com
I've already made three of these bags...they really do only take 2 hours. Less if you do more than one at a time. I'd like to try these with a lining as well.

Roomy Shoulder Bag

Jaipur Tote Bag
(Started this one today already...about half way completed)

Cute little zippered pouch
(Plan on making a ton of these to coordinate with the other bags)

Another little zippered pouch - with zipper at front

Little girl purse

Another Bias Tape Tote

It's amazing to me how many people post tutorials for projects. Such a great sharing community. Maybe someday I'll have ideas and tutorials to share!

My second blog post – a bit of inspiration or just a big “duh?”

Flipped through the not-so-new book Sew Subversive the other day. The styles are a bit too funky for me but it did inspire me to take a look through my wardrobe for things I don’t wear anymore but just can’t get rid of. I have a few very-long skirts that were “in” a few years ago but now they just hang in the back of the closet. So yesterday I hemmed up one of them and … viola! … I have a new knee-length skirt to wear with my tall brown boots this fall. Should have taken a before pic but here is the result:



[hemmed skirt and collection of stuff to alter]

I also pulled out a blouse that is too full in the middle that I’ll either add darts or pin tucks to fit it better. And a simple t-shirt that I haven’t worn because I ordered it online and didn’t realize it was so long.

It’s just about time to swap my wardrobe around so I’ll be looking for more items to alter. I may end up with a new fall wardrobe for the cost of thread!

You can buy Sew Subversive here or at Amazon here.