Auction #5 Best Buds Pattern Tester

I stitched up this little thing last summer for the April 2014 Issue of Better Homes and Gardens "American Patchwork & Quilting" magazine.  This was going to be the one that made it into the magazine, but it ended up being a "pattern test" for me.

After I made this framed version of my daisy pattern, I started on the purse.  But I didn't plan out my fabric choices for both pieces before I started because I ended up using the same paisley print in green for the bottom fabric on the purse.  I didn't want to have both items in the magazine with the same print on the bottom so I decided to re-make the framed version as seen below. 

Fabric is "Scrumptious" by Moda.  The piece measures 7 3/4" x 8 1/2", but I designed the stitched area to fit neatly inside a 5" x 7" frame - no custom framing required. 

It's really simple, but I quite enjoyed stitching it up at my kitchen table.  It has such a light, breezy quality about it.  And I like the wonky imperfection of the blossoms.  I don't need it, but it's just too cute to throw out.  Maybe you'd like to have it in your home. :)

The auction for this "test" embroidered daisy meadow ends Saturday, June 21 at 6:00 pm MST.  Shipping is not included.  I will send a PayPal invoice to the winning bidder.

Auction #4 - Stitch Zakka Kit

Ok, ok.  I know today is only Saturday and yesterday I said I'd be back on Monday, but I got a little excited about this one.  Besides, I had the moving company here this week ... the more things I can find a new home for, the better!

As I am slooooooowly working my way thru my sewing room, I realized that I could put together a kit (I don't know if I should be proud or embarrassed about that) for my Stitch Zakka project ... the Simple Sampler Tablet Case.  (But if you don't want a tablet case, this pattern converts easily into a lovely cushion. :)

"C" is for "COSMO", but it's also for my last name. ;)

(I didn't have enough of this cream/blue rose print so I replaced it with the identical purple/pink print for the lining and back.)

This kit includes:

• 11 strips of assorted Lecien prints for the cover (9 are exactly the same as the original and 2 are near-identical, but still from the same fabric collection
• Lecien fabrics for backing, lining, binding & tab closure
• 11 skeins of COSMO floss (as specified in the pattern which coordinate perfectly with the fabric)
• A package of my favourite Foxglove embroidery needles
• Fusible fleece
• Magnetic clasp
• And of course, a copy of Stitch Zakka :)

I love kits ... one-stop-shopping.  This would make the perfect little summer embroidery project, don't you think?

This auction - for the kit only - closes Friday June 20th at 6:00 pm MST.  Shipping is not included.  I will send a PayPal invoice to the winning bidder.

Auction #3 - Single Strap Tote (Pink)

I love this bag.  I really do.  But I made it a little too narrow for its intended purpose as a music bag.  You can read about it here.  It measures 10 1/2" x 13 1/2", which is still plenty big for magazines and craft books and things.

This auction closes Thursday June 19th at 6:00 MST.  Shipping is extra, and I'll send the winning bidder a PayPal invoice.

Have a great weekend.  I'll see you next week with more auction items!

Auction #2 - Rectangle Pincushion

Holy cow!  Thank you for your interest in my needlebook.  :)  Very much appreciated.

I know I just made this a few weeks ago.  But as much as I love it, I really don't need another pincushion.  I've got lots.  So here you go.  It measures 5 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1" and is stuffed with ground walnut shells.  (Sorry, pins not included, but you can find them here.)

Bidding ends at 8:00 pm MST on Monday June 16.  (I'll ship anywhere, but postage is not included.)  And I will send the winning bidder a PayPal invoice.

Auction #1 - Linen, Pearl & Coral Needlebook

One quick thing before I start, I got a lot of requests for the pattern source of Monday's pencil case.  :)

It's just a flat version of my Round Pencil Case pattern (available both as PDF or Paper ... and it's my best seller too!).  I omitted the round ends - super easy. 

I was so happy that many of you are particularly interested in the covered zipper.  I do prefer a hidden zipper myself.  Sometimes an exposed zipper looks really cool and modern, but for the most part I like to cover mine with binding.  So thank you for asking.

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Ok.  Auction time!

Since I got so many comments about my needlebooks, I thought I'd start with this ...

You can read about it here.  Pins and needles as shown are included. :)

To bid, go to the comments section at the end of this post.  You can enter your bid as a comment. Bidding ends at noon on Sunday June 15 MST.  (I'll ship anywhere, but postage is not included.)  I will send the winning bidder a PayPal invoice.

it's (totally) easy being green

Ok.  You can't really blame me for the title of this post because I had a Sesame Street LP when I was a kid ... the kind that had sing-a-long pages.  My sister and I played that thing to death.  Kermit's famous song was on that record.

(Man, do I ever love YouTube!)

Speaking of Sesame Street, I think my favourite thing about this case is the lining.  I can't remember where I found that fabric - probably my LQS.  I bought it specially to line pencil cases.  You may or may not know I have a thing for the alphabet and I love all things letter-y so this classic alphabet print is my idea of fab.u.lous.

It's a birthday gift for my daughter's friend so I was not in charge of the colour and I didn't give (much) input into the fabric selection.  Bonnie & Camille's "Scrumptious" is a favourite in my house.  Hopefully the birthday girl will love it as much as we do.

The party was supposed to be Saturday afternoon so naturally I started making it Saturday morning.  But we got a call at noon saying the birthday girl was sick and the party has been rescheduled.  And now instead of finishing just under the wire, I'm two weeks early! 

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Just a few housekeeping items:

A lot of you asked me where to find that Hexagon Flap Bag pattern.  I already packed up most of my craft books and I have no idea what it's called since it's in Japanese, but I promise to post about it after I've unpacked. 

I'll be listing a few auction items this week so check back soon.  And yes I will ship anywhere in the world, but I will wait until after the auction to calculate shipping rates. 

it's the making, not the having

I've said that many times.  I need to make things more than I need to have things.  This need, however, has left me with pretty little things that are now looking for good homes.  So I've been thinking of selling them. 

But here's the thing ... pricing can be tricky.  For example, I asked a few sewy friends for their opinion on what to price a particular thing.  One said $15 and the other said $68!  LOL!  So instead of guessing the market value - and to give everyone a chance instead of "first come, first served" - I thought it might be fun to have an auction.  I'm going to list each item separately and you can bid via comments on each post.  Here's a sneak preview of a few items I'm thinking of listing ... although I may panic and change my mind at the last minute on one or two of them.  ;)

 Sound like fun?  Stay tuned ...

japanese hexagon flap bag

This isn't the first time I've made this Hexagon Flower Flap bag.  In fact, it's the fourth.  I made three versions of it as shop samples and taught a few classes on it.  But that was ... wow, like 8 years ago!  If I recall correctly (and that's a big if these days), this was the first "Japanese" bag I ever made.  It also started my love affair with Japanese bag-making techniques, patterns, craft books & magazines, and of course fabrics. 

It's a clever little design with the hexie flap and the little snaps inside so you pleat the opening or leave them undone.  I was inspired by the gorgeous Daiwabo acorn/stripe print I found last year (sorry, very hard to find) and I used old scraps from my precious Japanese fabric stash for the hexagons.

everything but the kitchen sink

I hope you don't mind me doing only little-ish sewing projects lately.  I've had a serious craving for a few months now to make a nice big quilt.  Nothing complicated.  Just a bunch of squares or triangles or something.  But I don't dare start because of our impending move (late-July ... ?). 

The last time we moved it was just me and him and a few pieces of secondhand furniture.  Seventeen years adds a lot of weight - two kids, more stuff, (too much fabric ... if there is such a thing).  We're only moving 2 kms (1.2 miles) away.  It will take longer to actually LOAD the moving van than it will to DRIVE to the new house.  I've been slowly packing a box here and a box there for months.  I even tempted fate and packed all the winter stuff last weekend.  I feel rather unsettled - almost displaced. 

So when it comes to starting a big quilting project, I'm afraid that it won't get finished.  And then it will get all disorganized and messed up and then I will shove it all into a bag and toss it into the box marked Sewing UFOs and then mayhem will ensue and life as I know it will turn into an endless state of chaos and then I will die and my tombstone will read, "Here lies a quilter who couldn't land her UFOs" or "She got carried away by her UFOs" or "May she rest in pieces" or "She snipped her last connecting thread" or ... I dunno ... something ridiculous.

So.  My point is that today's offering is yet another little thing.  I played around with pretty fabric, lace, a label, patchwork, fussy cutting, machine applique, felt, ribbons, novelty trim, sequins and beads ... and they all went into this diminutive 3.5" x 4" sewing case.  I guess you could say I used nearly everything but the kitchen sink for this project.  But the best thing was that it went together quickly.

Now.  If only moving a house was that quick.

(Strawberry fabric available here.)

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Congratulations to Estee C. who says she is a "labeller wannabe"!  You won a copy of Lori Holt's Great Granny Squared book.  Thank you to all of you for playing along.  It seems I'm in good company when it comes to not quite getting around to labeling my quilts. :)

if at first you do not succeed ...

I made this music bag a little while ago for my daughter, but it was too small because I didn't use an actual music book to measure the size (I know ... sometimes I do the silliest things).

This time, I did use a music book. 

HOWEVER, apparently she also takes a 3-ring binder to her lessons, which - of course - does NOT fit.

Sooo, I guess the third time is the charm ... or at least I hope it will be.  Thank goodness this bag is really quick and easy.

(Floral fabric available here, and it's on sale too!)

great granny sew along & giveaway

Hello and Happy Monday! 

Welcome to the final installment of the Great Granny Squared Sew Along with Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet and Fat Quarter Shop.  If you've been sewing along, you know the drill - I've got photos of this week's project, which is a ton of fun to make by the way - and a link to your homework PDF, as well as a copy of Lori's new book to give away to one of you. :)

The last thing you need to make for this quilt - but certainly not the least - is the Label Block. 

It's a whimsical change from the traditionally little label we so often associate with quilts - and it has a blank square in the middle of the block for you to customize with whatever embroidery design you like. 

Lori's book has lovely label ideas and embroidery templates.  I started my stitched square with Lori's floral motif and then did a little designing of my own.

Since I don't need a quilt label at present I took another idea from Lori's book - adding a border to my block - and turned it into a zippered cushion cover.

Not surprisingly, one of my girls requested it for her room in our new house.  So what about the other girl?  Well, this block is so quick and easy that I didn't need any arm-twisting whatsoever to whip up another one ...

For those of you who don't embroider - I know you're out there ;) - try adding a little ribbon to the center square as an alternative to stitching.

(A few extra details on the back of a cushion is never a bad thing.)

For more inspiration, check out my labelling partners over at Pink Penguin and Lily's Quilts.  And remember to add your photos to the Great Granny Squared Flickr Page to be entered for the weekly prize.

Without further ado, I'd like to give away a copy of this beautiful book, which is page after page of gorgeous photography, inspiring designs and easy-to-follow patterns.  If you'd like a chance to win, leave a comment on this post (not an email) telling me if you are a labeller, a non-labeller, or - like me - a labeller with good intentions who doesn't always get around to it. 

This giveaway is open to all and closes Sunday May 26th.  I'll announce the winner soon after.   Good luck to you!

it all started with tiny pink flowers

I'm referring to this sweet new Tilda print that just so happens to be the perfect scale for 1/2" hexagons ...

... which just so happen to be the perfect size for a little hexagon pincushion.  (I made this one last year and finally got around to making another one ... for me this time.)

I added some linen, a hint of pink gingham & embroidery, and a mother-of-pearl button and then called it a day.

I filled it with ground walnut shells - as I do with all my pincushions because I love the weightiness and form you get with them - very different from toy stuffing.  (I get my shells in the reptile bedding department at a local pet supply shop.)

I even have the perfect pintoppers.  (You can find them here.)

Happy Monday, y'all!

these things are like popcorn ...

Bet you can't make just one.  I couldn't.  I think this is my ... ... 6th or 7th?  It is so my "go-to-quick-handmade" gift these days.  I hope you're not annoyed with me for making/showing too many of them.  I know they say variety is the spice of life, but sometimes life requires quick and easy - hold the cayenne please!

When I was told the birthday girl's favourite color is blue, I surveyed my stash for a few minutes.  Nothing really jumped out at me until I spied my PamKittyPicnic bundle. :)  She makes the best coordinates.  And I thought I'd see what my "ruler" cotton ribbon would look like as the handle this time.  Kinda fun, no?  Love how it pairs up with the "handmade" label.

Happy weekend!  (No snow in the forecast for us this time, thank goodness.)

when life gives you snow in may ...

Make a little drawstring bag and watch a movie that's been on your list for a while.  That's what I did this weekend. 

My daughter does NOT like the little bee/wasp tag.  I didn't like bugs at her age either.  But I thought it would be fun to have a bee buzzing around the cherry and strawberry blossoms on the print.

I also added a little lace trim and a fine taupe gingham ribbon for the string ... and then I watched this on Netflix. 

Thank you for all your snow empathy, by the way ... it turned out to be not so very bad after all.  The temperature was only just below freezing and there was no wind.  And it was pretty.  I saw a neighbour shoveling his sidewalk while wearing a winter jacket, shorts and flip flops.  That was funny.

rendered speechless

What would you say?  I've run out of ways to express my feelings about this winter that just won't quit.

"heeeey, macaron-a"

Sorry, couldn't resist ... every time I say macaron that song starts playing in my head.

This is my third little zippered macarona (#1 here and #2 with tutorial here).  Gosh are they ever fun to make.  And cute as a button too.  Kits are available here.

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF MAY!!! 

mushrooms, taupe & pink

On a scale of 1-10, how corny would it be for me to say I'm "tickled pink" with this pincushion?  Probably a 10, right?  I'm ok with that.  Me and corny - we go way back.

A rectangular pincushion has been on my to-do list for quite a while.  Started thinking about this idea with my Pretty Pairings Bundle and zoomed right in on the mushroom print.  I couldn't decide if I liked the pink or taupe better, so I found a way to not make that decision and used both.

I was going to embroider a little mushroom on the left side until it occurred to me that fussy cutting the fabric into a stamp would be faster ... and cuter too.

And those adorable pintoppers?  I know. :)  Got 'em from a good friend of mine here.  She even makes little mushrooms!  (So wishing I had one in my collection right now.)

pretty pairs

Pink Castle Fabrics asked me to put together another FQ Blogger Bundle for them.  I said yes as fast as I could before they changed their mind. ;)

Lately I've been making lots of quick, little projects with only 2 fabrics.  Hence the inspiration behind this bundle I'm calling "Pretty Pairings" because that's exactly what they are - six FQ pairs, an adorable print and a coordinating solid.  Simple.

Like this fabulous mixing bowl print - by my bloggie friend Lori Holt - with a nice clear aqua.  I can see it as pot holders or oven mitts ... something kitcheny.

And then these macarons by Yuwa with a pale linen ... I can't stop coming up with ideas for this print.  I think I'm going to make a round case of some sort.  (If I'm allowed to pick a favourite, this may be the one.)

And these Atsuko Matsuyama strawberries and cherries with red?  I have a little project I've been meaning to try.  I'll just have to add a bit of trim ... probably lace.

And these cute cute cute mushrooms on pink by Tasha Noel?! 

I am super excited to finally get my hands on this adorable little mushroom print by my another bloggie friend Tasha.  I know it came out quite a while ago, I just never got around to getting some.  Don't know what to make with it yet, but I'll have fun with it I can tell you that much.

And then my always lovely and rosy Flower Sugar by Lecien with a soft green. 

Sigh.  This just has Spring Garden written all over it, doesn't it?  Because of the larger scale print (I mean compared to the other ones) I'm thinking of something like a cute fabric box or basket.

So if you want to get yourself this bundle of pretty FQ pairs, click here ... I hope it sparks your imagination and creativity. :)

lost and found easter eggs

As I s.l.o.w.l.y pack up our house for that ever elusive moving date (please don't ask, it will make me cry) I find long forgotten treasures, like this Martha Stewart decoration I made a few years before I became a mom.

I was quite a Martha disciple.  I used to record - and catalog - her show on VHS before she had a studio audience, subscribed to her magazine and made something from almost every issue.  I kept a stack of them on my coffee table and had so much fun decorating my home with Martha Stewart projects.  She even got me into cooking and gardening.  I remember embroidering a few burp cloths when I was pregnant.  I know.  How unpractical can you get?!  LOL!  But I had a dozen white flannel diapers that we used as burp cloths and I always looked for the ones with a little decoration on the corner first.  If I come across them I'll show you.  I know I would NOT have thrown them out.

Anyhow.

I made this pretty hanging egg decoration about 15 years ago.  I blew, dyed, ribboned and tied.  And then somehow it ended up way under the staircase in the basement, forgotten.  I can't believe it survived all these years intact, albeit a little faded.  I must have hung it in a window one year because all the eggs are almost white on one side.

It was fun to find and display.   Again.  I'm so looking forward to finding a good spot for it next year.  In the new house.

Happy Easter!

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I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that fabric in yesterday's post that so many of you asked about ... I can't find it.  I got it from this Etsy shop several months ago and it is sold out.  I looked on Etsy and did a Google search but came up empty.  All I have for identification is "Yuwa Live Life Collection" on the selvage ... no print name.  So sorry.  If I come across it again I'll let you know.  I showed it to you as an alternative to cotton tape labels because you can fussy cut fabric to achieve the same look.  I admit this fabric is particuairly fabulous for fussy cutting, but I bet if you take a closer look at the fabrics in your stash, you'll find small details that can become sweet little labels.  Plus there are always new, cute prints coming out.  Now that you know what to look for, I'm sure you'll find that perfect fabric sooner than later. :)

UPDATE:  HILDY FOUND IT HERE - in PINK!!!! 

UPDATE:  Sold out.  Again.  Sorry!

UPDATE:  FOUND AGAIN HERE!

pink dogwood needlebook

Because my last needlebook turned into an iPod case, I decided to try again. 

This one gave me a run for my money, I tell ya.  You can't tell from looking at it, but I hemmed and hawed over this simple cover design for longer than I care to admit.  I kept trying to embellish it - more embroidery, maybe some beads, or a few buttons ... an endless parade of bits and bobs from my cupbard.  Boy can I make a mess in a hurry when I get into these sorts of moods.

But I couldn't find anything that made it look b.e.t.t.er.  So I forced myself to just sit on my hands for a while and pretend it was perfect the way it was.  Sometimes I can play mind games with myself. 

Funny thing about playing mind games with yourself ... you always win. ;)