Scarf It Up Blog

My friend Louise has started a new blog. I'm not sure if you remember this beautiful knitted purse that I purchased from her Etsy shop last Summer:



Louise makes the most gorgeous knitted purses, scarfs and artwork too! I want to order another purse from her very soon!

Anyway, Louise has started blogging so please hop over to her Scarf It Up blog and say hello!

Completed Cellphone Pouches

As promised, I have photos for you today of my completed cellphone pouches.

First is the Breast Cancer Awareness pouch:



This pouch is already spoken for. I will donate $25.00 from the sale of this cellphone pouch to The Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The beaded crocheted edging was made by my mom.

Next is the Autism Awareness pouch:



I designed the charted puzzle piece specifically for this pouch. I will make it available as a charity design soon.

This pouch is now available in my Etsy shop. I will donate $25.00 from the sale of this pouch to Our Children's Circle Autism Awareness group.

Next is my Pets In Need pouch:



Again, I will donate $25.00 from the sale of this pouch to Pet's In Need, my local no-kill animal shelter. I've decided to take this one up to my showcase in Richmond, Illinois. I thought it might be nice to offer it there since Pet's In Need is a local shelter.

The crocheted beaded edging on this one was also made by my mom.

Last but not least, my Basket Of Violets cellphone pouch:



Does this one scream Victorian or what?!!! I just love it but I can't keep everything I make so I've added this one to my Etsy shop as well. Again, the crocheted edging was made by my mom.

So those are my most recent finishes! I did 2 more dragonflies last night and plan on a few more today. I really enjoy making them and want to use some on my crazy quilt projects. I'll also add a few to my shop possibly over the weekend.

I do plan to get back to some regular stitching soon. I have a few design projects to finish up over the weekend. And I want to start the sponge painting in my living room next week. I'll be getting the glaze tomorrow!!!!

The Cross Stitcher magazine April 2007

Just kind of a quick post for today everyone, I have some design work that I need to do.

The April 2007 issue of The Cross Stitcher magazine has been released. 2 of my designs appear in this issue, one being the sassy little bunny design on the cover. The 2nd is a beautiful marriage sampler with a butterfly:



I did complete all 4 of the cellphone pouches yesterday but I don't have time today to photograph them or edit the pictures. I will post those photos for you tomorrow. I also made several more dragonflies and hope to have time later today to make at least one more.

I was asked if I would share the dragonfly pattern here. I wish I could but it's not my pattern to share so instead, I'll work up a few extra and add them to my Etsy shop as soon as I have them ready.

Until tomorrow everyone, have a great day!

Dragonflies & Peacocks

Did you ever have a day where you were amazed at how much you were able to accomplish? That's how yesterday went for me. I did so much and had a great time doing it! Well, I didn't enjoy doing the Tax stuff but I enjoyed everything else!

I did the machine-finishing on my 4 latest cellphone pouches. I'll be working on the hand-finishing today. I also did the machine-finishing on my Blackwork Peacock purse as well as the hand-finishing:



All I have left to do on this is to sew the giant snap on.

I had black vinyl handles for this purse which have to be sewn in. I don't recommend using the sew-in type of handles. It is very challenging to turn your piece right-side-out with the handles in there. Esp. if you go insane with the embellishments like I do. If you do choose to use this type of handle, the trick is to get the handles out first. Try not to drag them against your stitching and embellishments. Once the handles are out, it's easier to turn your piece. Also, be sure to leave your opening large enough. Mine is was about 7 inches.

The easiest handles to use are the ones that you attach after the finishing is done. They just slip into the tabs which are sewn in during the finishing process.

I also made 2 more Beaded Dragonflies:



And I still want to make more! Tomorrow when I go into town, I'm going to get some narrow ribbon and make some smaller ones. These will work great on 9 inch blocks but they're a little big for cellphone pouches.

The only thing I didn't get to yesterday was sewing up some new blocks. But I'll focus instead on how much I did get done!

Stop by tomorrow to check up on what I accomplish today!

Beaded Dragonfly

Yesterday, I set my sights on making a beaded dragonfly as an embellishment for my crazy quilts. I didn't have much in the way of wired ribbon so I made a special trip up to Michaels Craft Store. When I returned home, I made this:



Isn't he just too cool? I of course, want to make a million more now! And I do hope to have time later today to work up another one.

For the moment, I'm just itching to run my sewing machine! With the floor installation out of my way, I plan to start the machine finishing on my charity cellphone pouches as well as my Blackwork Peacock purse. I also want to sew up some new blocks. One thing I can never be accused of is "lack of ambition"! I have way more ambition and energy than I do time!