Loads Of Finishing!

I had a very productive day yesterday! After running to Michaels to pick up a few supplies (I didn't need any, I just wanted some!) I parked myself on my sofa and I did the finishing on my 3 cellphone pouches:







They are just so cute! I hand-beaded the bottoms and added snaps for closure. They're big enough for a cellphone, a little cash and Driver's License! I've listed them already in my Etsy Shop.

When those were completed, I added the embellishments to my Redwork Cupid:



I sewed on a few of those little Forgetmenot flowers that are often used on shower favors. 3 orange seed beads hold them in place. Then I added some leaves made of mint green seed beads. Those leaves are worked like a detached chain stitch using 9 green seed beads. I added a few small light yellow pearl beads and this is now exactly what I wanted it to look like!

If you've never done Redwork before and would like to give it a try, 2 strands of DMC #498 is a very good red to work with.

I'm now off to stitch on my Purple Painted Lady piece. And that's my plan for the rest of today!

Purple Painted Lady Purse

Well, my cellphone pouches are all sewn together but I didn't get to the hand finishing yet. I still need to add the cords and a snap on each one. That's my project for this afternoon! I didn't get to the do-dads on my Redwork Cupid either.

I did however, sew up a new block:



It will be another purse. Have I ever mentioned that I love fancy purses? Once or twice, right?

Anyway, I have several blocks already sewn but didn't feel like working on any of those so I did a new one. And I have an idea for another one, all pieced in white and then the stitching will be done all in black. I'll do the beading in various colors. That should be interesting. But I only had time to sew one block yesterday so I'll start on this when my little cellphone pouches are done and hopefully I'll have time during the week to sew up my white block.

Pink Cellphone Pouch and Redwork Cupid Complete!

I did some serious stitching yesterday! I finished the stitching on the pink cellphone pouch:



Susan commented on how perfectly spaced my Buttonhole wheels are. I have a trick for that! I took a coin, a dime actually and drew a line down the middle using a ruler and a black permanent marker. Then I lined the black line up on the dime along the seam line. I used a pencil and traced around the dime. It's best to start in the middle of the seam that you want to cover. That way you won't have too much space on either side of the row you're working on.

If you want larger Buttonhole wheels, use a nickel or a quarter.

You can also use a quilters blue pen to mark your piece. That only works on very light fabrics though. If working on a dark fabric, try a white caulk pencil. And if working on a plush fabric like velvet, you'll have to use tissue paper. Using a ruler, draw a line on the tissue, then mark the line with your coin. Line it up along your seam on your CQ. You can baste it or pin it on. Do your stitching and then carefully tear away the tissue paper out from under your stitches. Now I know alot of stitchers use Press & Seal. I've tried this and I don't recommend it. I had alot more trouble getting it out then I do with the tissue.

I guess with my cross stitch background, I feel the need for my stitches to be perfectly and evenly spaced. Eyeballing it just doesn't work for me. I use waste canvas for feather stitches and fan stitches but it doesn't work for the Buttonhole Wheels so this is a nice way to do it. I hope these ideas help you to have perfectly spaced stitches too!

When I completed the cellphone pouch, I worked on the little redwork cupid that I started back at Thanksgiving and completed that:



Since I love beads and do-dads, I will be adding a few embellishments to this. Probably just on the heart. Stop by again tomorrow to see what I do with it!

I'm off to run my sewing machine. I want to sew the cellphone pouches together and then work up another CQ block or two. I have such a cool idea for one! I have to see what my stash offers in the way of white fancy fabrics first!

Pink Cellphone Pouch Continued

I honestly don't know why these are taking me so long to complete. My pre-Christmas activities are done and aside from housework & laundry, I really don't have anything else to do at the moment:



I really just have a little bit of beading left to do on this one. I plan on completeing it today and sewing all three up over the weekend.

Susan asked me if I was planning on putting these in the brick & mortar store. Actually, I was going to put these in my Etsy shop. But first, I have to get them done!

A Quick Update

I'm going out with my parents for a little while today so I just have a quick update for you on my cellphone pouches. I finished the purple one:



And then started on the pink one:



I'll have some stitching time later today and will post another update tomorrow.