pink fabric pull

Few things are more fun for me than pulling fabrics for a new project ... especially when I end up with something that looks like this.  (At the risk of stating the obvious, I'll be adding a little embroidery as well.)

By the way, these are Japanese prints by Lecien and Quilt Gate.  They've all been in my stash for years and I'm still a little reluctant to use them.  Silly, I know.  I'm trying to be better about using my favourite fabrics instead of hoarding them.  Besides, this is another small project - the largest piece I need is maybe 3" x 6".  I don't think it'll kill me to part with so little.

third time's the charm ...

Congratulations Shelly Heronemus!  You won the Simply Sweet Fabric giveaway.  Please get in touch with me so I can get your fabric to you.

You know, I thought I was going to keep this sweet yet sophisticated navy one for myself ... but then it asked me if it could please go live with a friend of mine instead.  I said yes.

I'm gonna have to make up a bunch more to keep on hand ... you know ... for gifts and things ... and maybe someday, for me.

(Find tutorial here.  Find fabric here.)

PS:  I've had several requests for an English version of this tutorial so I'll try to put one together sooner than later.  Stay tuned!

a picnic

If you looked outside my window today, you'd think I was coo-coo-nutso to suggest a picnic.  Yes the sun is shining.  Yes the sky is blue.  But baby, it's cold outside, we have more snow than we know what to do with and I am so over shovelling the sidewalk.

However, if you know PamKittyMorning like I know PamKittyMorning, you'll know that her latest fabric collection - aptly called PamKittyPicnic - can make you believe it's summer ... any day, any time, any where.

This bright, fresh rainbow of colours in signature vintage-style prints ... how can you not be inspired?

pinterest pouch - round two

Over my sewing career I've developed preferences for both construction methods and finishing techniques.  So when I try out a new pattern I often want to change things about it.  I love how this little pouch goes together, but the flap was a wee bit flimsy for me.  So I just added a piece of batting inside the flap - a quick and easy fix.  I like this version better.  So does my other daughter.  The next one I make will be for me ... I hope.

Here's a link to the Pinterest tutorial again, and I got the fabric here.  (There is still time to enter my Simply Sweet Fabric giveaway!)

a pinterest tutorial & a simply sweet giveaway

Pinterest. 

I'm trying to remember life without it. 

I can't.

Can you?

I found this Chinese pouch tutorial the other day ... I could not get to my sewing machine fast enough to start making it.

Here's how mine turned out. 

Daughter #1 called dibbs on it already.  Guess I need to make another one.  Or two.  Or ... you know ... maybe about infinity more.

Wanna know where I got the pretty pink floral?  From this, adorable Etsy shop Simply Sweet Fabric.  Such a fantastic selection of tiny florals and pretty prints over there.

If you'd like chance to win this delicious bundle of 8 fat quarters leave me a comment stating which print/color above is your favourite.  Giveaway closes on Sunday, January 26th and I'll announce the winner shortly after.  (Promise I'll remember this time!)

a tisket, a tasket ...

a Yoko Saito basket!

You guys made me so happy with all your lovely comments about this project.  I'm thrilled you even bother to take an interest in what I do here, let alone anticipate a reveal.  And thank you for tolerating my incessant teasing, by the way.  I hope I always make the wait worth your while. :)

So I bought this book - "120 Embroidery Motifs" by Yoko Saito - maybe 3 or 4 years ago. 

I've poured over the pages countless times.  "Little Rainbows" is a project I've been wanting to make soooo badly but just never got around to ... until now.

I'm really happy with how it turned out.  The lining is a little "poochie" (how I describe fabric that's a little too loose so it doesn't fit smoothly), but I don't mind too much. 

Yoko used ricrac around the rim, but I just went with what I had in my cupboard ... this little bit of cotton lace. 

I hand quilted it too, like the original.  I just stitched random wavy lines.  I think maybe it's supposed to suggest the rain that is making the rainbows.  It didn't take too long - this basket is only 4" tall (not including the handle) and the base is 4" in diameter. 

And that handle?  Well ... let's just say it wasn't my favourite part - I made it twice - the scalloped piece really needs to be cut on the bias (I knew better but stubbornly tried to get away with a pretty striped print the first time around) - reattached it twice and had to undo/re-do several knots.  But it was all worth it in the end 'cause I think it turned out great.

I don't know what I'll use it for yet - maybe to keep some of my sewing accoutrement next to my machine or on my desk to hold pencils ... for sure somewhere I will see it often. :)

ellis & higgs ... and spoonflower!

I spent part of the weekend putting away Christmas ... but not quite everything Christmasy went back in a box.

Last month a dear friend introduced me to ellis & higgs.  It's become one of my favourite blogs to visit.  The first time I was over there I discovered that Nadra - the author - designs her own fabric on Spoonflower.  Her third collection Holly Jolly was just too adorable to resist so I treated myself with some fat quarters.

They arrived a few days before Christmas and oh my are they ever pretty!  I have no idea what I'm going to make with this yummy fabric, but it'll have a place of prominence in my stash until I dare take my rotary cutter to it!

*     *     *     *     *

I also totally forgot let you all know that Kathleen B in New York won the Sew Deerly Loved giveaway!  (Thank you Tracey for reminding me!)  I have another very nice giveaway coming soon so stay tuned, ok? :)

more details ...

This Yoko Saito project I'm working on is quite small - the blue arch is only 1.25" tall.  But you know I like little.  So even thought there is quite a lot of detail here, I enjoy the short bursts of intricate stitching ... not at all overwhelming.  And the embroidery is all single ply, making the design so light and delicate.  Now on to the hand quilting.

happy new year!

Hello hello hello!  Geez, I almost had to blow dust off the old keyboard here.  I've been gone longer than I'd intended. 

Hope your 2014 is off to a great start.  Mine is - with a little applique and embroidery.  Not sure how this project is going to turn out, but I'm liking it a lot so far ... :)