"Poppies. Poppies will put them to sleep. Sleeeeep. Now they'll sleeeeep!" (quote from The Wizard of Oz)

 

I can't believe I never posted pictures of this bag!  Fabric is by Laura Gunn and the bag pattern is from Ali Foster (her pleated shoulder bag). I made this bag for my daughter, Tessa - it's lined with coordinating fabric from the same line and has one zippered inside pocket.  For a girl who does not like 'color', I was flabbergasted when she picked this fabric out!  Easy pattern, great fabric to work with, and who doesn't love a pleat?

 

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Because I have not posted since February,  be warned:  I'm playing catch-up! Many new posts in a row to follow!

 

Hugs,

Betty & Dee

xxxooo

Autumn Needles Queen

Hello! Just a quick post. Yes, I'm still on my manic "let's use up all of the odd shaped, leftover cross stitch scraps" and I made this one in two nights. She's very tiny, but should make a sweet needle book with felt pages to hold different types and sizes of needles.

This was my first night:



Here she is with a Flair marker so you can tell how small she is:



and,...FINI!



Hugs,
Betty & Dee


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Little Prim Cross Stitch

I started a little sampler type cross stitch and finished it last night. I now need to make it into a sewing bag. It was a lot of fun to stitch!

As you know, I've been trying to use up leftover, odd shaped cross stitch fabric pieces. The problem I had this time was the fabric unravelling - so, since I knew it was going to be a bag, I went ahead and blocked it in with fabric, like a quilt block. This also gave me more room for my hoop:



I changed the pattern up a bit and used a variegated flower thread called "Java" for the blouse:



Getting close! One side of flowers completed:



Last flower and then I can finish the row of spools along the bottom:



Love little spools. I used the flower thread and satin stitch/long stitch to "fill" the spools with thread:



This is going to my friend, Carolyn, in Texas (LaLa). I think a few old buttons still need to be added. A scissors holder and 3 pockets for spools of thread will be made for the inside of the bag. I love making these bags because I can combine cross stitching, piecing and sewing into one project:



Hugs,
Betty & Dee
xxxooo


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Wordless Wednesday: Beauty

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Bunny Sewing Bag

I should delay this post until we're closer to Easter/spring but I need to mail this bag out and I don't want to forget about it.

In my effort to make small cross stitch pictures, and use up leftover pieces of linen, I stitched up this adorable sewing bunny:



I believe this is a floral print from Lecien. I sewed it together like I would a patchwork block:



I always do top stitching on the outside of everything for a professional, finished look:



I added striped fabric to the outer top along with a casing in yellow. Then I made the inside of the bag with 3 pockets for spools and a scissor holder:



Here's the scissor holder with a scalloped fold and wooden button:



And the spool pockets and a bit of red trim:



Some vintage red trim was needed here, too:



I ran red gross grain ribbon through the casing and VOILA! Sweet cottage looking sewing bag:



This bag is going to a Twitter friend. But, don't worry! I've been making more small stitched pieces and will be giving sewing bags away here on the blog. Here are two I've just finished that will be made into bags:






Hugs,
Betty & Dee


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Free Cross Stitch Patterns

Just a quick post. As Mom continues to find unique, free cross stitch patterns online, we will post several together at once from time to time for those of you who stitch:














Remember to check back for more!

Hugs,
Betty & Dee


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Victorian Sewing Roll - future giveaway?

For those of you who cross stitch you'll understand when I say I can't throw any leftover pieces of linen away. My mom has become the dotRU queen, finding us beautiful, free cross stitch patterns, so I tried my hand at making some small cross stitch pieces (I usually don't do anything SMALL). I didn't have a pattern for a sewing or embroidery roll, but Pinterest had pictures of finished ones and I just kind of winged it!

This is what I started with:



And then I pulled fabrics out of my stash, along with some felt and a bit of batting:



My first task was to cut (eeeek!) my cross stitched pieces and play around with the layout, adding bits of lace, mother of pearl rings and a felt needle book:



I made the scissors holder next and added some antique French ribbon:



I actually put tools in all the right places just to see if I liked the look. I loved it but wanted more lace:




This is my finished product. Lace trim, some very narrow rick rack, and a button and bow on the pin cushion (lower right) gave me the Victorian feel I was after:



This folds into thirds and ties with muslin strips. I'm really happy with it and can't wait to make more!



Keep checking back...this sewing roll will be part of a Victorian themed giveaway here in the next week or so!

Hugs,
Betty & Dee



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Sugar Skull Apron

While my daughter was serving in Afghanistan I bought some sugar skull fabric. I had intended to make surgery/scrub hats for her and a few of her Army buddies working in the hospital...yup, you got it, I never made them. Now she's been back home for almost a year and she's bought a home. It was the perfect time to use that fabric in a practical way, especially since her kitchen countertops are emerald green!

The body of the apron has metallic gold, but the pockets are actually a completely different skull print but matched perfectly.


Tessa is not a fussy girlie girl, but I added a pleated ruffle facing up just for fun and to tie in the green neck straps and back bow.


One of my favorite things about this apron pattern is the wide bow in back. This apron ain't going anywhere!





I have enough fabric leftover to make her matching potholders. A Mommy's job is never done!

Hugs,
Betty & Dee


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Negley, Wells & Kaffe!

I got a hankering to make myself a lap quilt and really wanted it to be red. I decided on three fabrics, two by Martha Negley and one by Valori Wells. I'm going to do a very simple, modified Bento Box block:












But you know I'm constantly online looking at fabrics - - so, no, I didn't stop there. I also picked up six 1/2 yards of Kaffe!



















Who are some of your favorite designers? Do you seek out certain designers or does a particular fabric style appeal to you the most? I have a hard time getting excited over most novelty prints or designs that feel too modern or stark. I did pick up some rare pieces recently and I'll get pictures posted asap :D

Hugs,
Betty & Dee

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