No Winner Yet

Ladies, ladies, ladies! I can't believe we still don't have a winner yet. I've been holding off on starting the "focal point" until we had a winner but I can't go much further without it so I'll give you one more suggestion.

Why don't you all poke around over at my Flickr site and see if you get any ideas!

Ok, onto the purse itself:



I did some more beading yesterday. I worked on that bottom Herringbone seam. I must say, that is just so pretty! I really like the way the Herringbone looks over the ribbon! I knew if I worked with it long enough, I'd find a way to make that Herringbone more attractive!

I then beaded the bottom right-hand seam.

I do plan to hand-paint that applique as it might clash with my focal point which will be white. I'm just holding off until I get the focal point stitched on.

Ok, I think I've given ya'll a good couple of hints here. Keep guessing! I'm off to organize my fancy threads in a nice rolling cart that I bought at WalMart over the weekend.

TAST - More On Herringbone Stitch

I really loved what I did with the Herringbone stitch on my Green & Yellow purse project so I decided to do it again on this purse:



I added a piece of 5/8 inch wide lavender satin ribbon along the seam but it didn't show up very well so I added another piece along the top edge. This one is a green shaded ribbon 3/8 inch wide. Once I had that attached, I lined up my Waste Canvas up over the ribbon. I did my Herringbone stitch in white, added my favorite little fan stitch along the bottom in green and then some small fan stitches in purple.

Here's the pattern if you would like to try it:



Click on the image to go to my Flickr site where you can download the larger version.

Susan commented last week on the wide purple band near the top right. That is actually 2 inch wide wired Christmas ribbon. I found it a WalMart last year after Christmas for 25 cents! I just loved it because I love purple. I cut the size I needed for the space, and pulled the wires out of each side and then it's sewn into the foundation on the top and bottom. My stitching holds the sides in place. I'm planning to do some SRE on it.

As for our Contest, we still don't have a winner yet. Maybe instead of "guessing the theme", I should have said, "guess the focal point". Does that help anyone?

I'm actually hoping this stirs up your creativity! Look at the jewelry piece that I posted yesterday. What would you do with it? Now, think about what I would do with it!

CONTEST!

I didn't get any stitching time in yesterday. I've been working like crazy trying to get my Monday morning deadline project done. I'm happy to say, I'll have it completed in another 2 hours!

I thought today would be a good day for another Contest! This is pure guessing on your part.

I was digging through my junk & do-dads again and I found this piece of vintage jewelry which I'll be using:



The first person to guess the theme of my current purple & green purse project will receive as a prize, the Dryer Sheet Pansy model that I made for the tutorial.



You have to post your guess in the comments section of this post.

Out of fairness to my readers, since I haven't actually started on that part yet, I've sent the answer to my model-stitcher Kim.

Ok everyone, post your guesses, have fun and good luck!

Just A Quick Update Today

I just got another very tight deadline project. I need to have it completed by Monday morning! Yikes! I can do it but I have to start on it now. I don't like missing out on blogging so here's an update on my purple and green purse:



I couldn't decided what to do with that bottom seam so instead, I started beading on the seams that I already covered. I've decided on a theme for this piece. Anyone want to take a guess?

Thanks to everyone who commented with compliments on my "mistake" stitch! Look at it now with some beads on it! I just love it and will definately be doing it again.

Oh, I added a bunch of stuff to my Etsy shop! Tons of cross stitch things and all that beautiful vintage lace is there now too. I have more things to add when I complete this cross stitch emergency project including some gorgeous upolstry fabrics that I found recently. These would be wonderful for crazyquilts!

And if I have any scrapbookers who read my blog, there's some really fun vintage gift wrap there, all with a childrens theme!

Ok, I'm off to work. If I manage any stitching time later, I'll post another update tomorrow.

TAST - (Reverse) Buttonhole Stitch (Mistake)

Sometimes, great things come from the result of a mistake! It was my intention to do the Buttonhole Stitch in reverse. I however, did not account for the extra space that I needed and marked the 1/2 circles on my seam a little too close together. But just look at what I came up with:



Isn't this great?!! They look like some sort of abstract flowers found on an antique sampler! Can you imagine how cool this will look once I bead it? I can't wait!!!

Once I had the row completed, I added some straight stitches inside the open part using a pink metallic thread.

Here's what it looks like on the block:



As promised in my post yesterday, I've drawn up the pattern for perfect buttonhole stitches along with the pattern for this, my "Reverse Buttonhole Mistake":



Click on the image to go to my Flickr site where you can download the larger version.
When printed, the Buttonhold Stitch pattern should measure about 4 inches wide.

Trace this pattern onto tissue paper, pin it along your seam-line and stitch. Or, if working on a fabric such as cotton, you can trace it onto lightweight cardboard, cut it out and trace it directly on to your fabric.

I know I've mentioned before that I use coins with lines drawn down the center in permanent marker. I lay the coin along my seam line, lining up the center mark on the coin and then trace my 1/2 circles. This won't work on dark or plush fabrics so the suggestion of using tissue paper is a perfect alternative.

Did I mention that this piece will be another purse? Are you at all surprised?

Stop by tomorrow for an update on this piece!