Pouches

I have made these little pouches before, but needed a little project to work on and these are nice to have in for little gifts.   The pouches have four pockets which will hold small toiletries (good for a guest bedroom) or stitching supplies.                    

Some of the bookmarks I have been making for the Embroiderers' Guild Outreach Literacy Programm.

Back to stitching

I belong to a small group of stitchers, each Christmas we make a hand-made gift for each member.  This year we are exchanging ornaments.  I made these hearts, but was concerned that one heart would not seem much of a gift, or they might seemed a bit 'cheesy'.  So, I hope volume will make up for cheesiness!  I made thirty hearts - three for each member. 

Phew! It feels good to have a Christmas project finished - one down!

A variety of silk strips were stitch together with decorative machine stitches. Three different heart-shape patterns were used to cut the hearts, some at an angle, from the silk fabric. The heart shapes were embellished with embroidery, beads, silk ribbon and lace. A back was attached with blanket stitch and a little stuffing added. Ribbon was stitched to the back to form a hanger.

Baby Quilt

My sister in Australia embroidered the center panel and mailed it to me, I stitched the quilt which is now on its way back to Australia.  The quilt is for a new baby in the family, expected  in about 8 weeks - a joint effort from his aunties.

More Bugs - Jean, if you are looking at this, GO AWAY! this is your birthday gift.

I emailed my sister a photo of the bug needle case I had previously made and she asked if I would make her one for her birthday.  I decided to make her a sewing set of bugs, which includes a needle case, scissor case, scissor fob and a pin keep - an infestation of insects!  My sister also mentioned a friend who would also appreciate a case, the friend likes ladybugs.

The first needle case was made with satin, which was hard to work with, as it was so slippery; this second set I made in taffeta and the ladybug is in dupioni silk. 

Someone asked, what kind of bugs were these, I replied, they are called imagination bugs - the kind that burrow into your mind and you have to get them out!

Embellished Tape Measures

 

 

These little tape measures are a quick project, which turns a plain plastic tape measure into an elegant crystal/bead encrusted sewing tool. I made them as gifts for a stitching group I belong to and made them personal to the recipient - - one lady collects teapots, another loves dragonflies and one lady is in to scuba diving.

Christmas Star

 

I took the crazy quilt tree to 'Show & Tell', with my little sewing group.  The ladies liked this beaded star and asked for a class later this year.  Great! An easy project to show how to.   

Christmas in June!

I have just finished this Crazy Quilt Christmas tree - a little early I know, but it is always nice to get a head start.

Last two Bags!

Before leaving for Australia I had two bags to finish for the 'Daily Windows Company' and felt an obligation to get them completed and shipped before picking up the threads of my coursework again. I have just finished the last bag.

The bags, actually one portfolio and a backpack, are at different ends of the spectrum in the way I embellished them - one, a Victorian image I printed on silk and the other, an abstract piece I call 'Entropy' - a state of order deteriorating in to chaos.