An Owl and a Pussycat: More Embroidery and Applique

Hope everyone is having a great "short" week!  I've been super busy at work and at home, but I wanted to check in and post a few pictures of what I've been working on whenever I've been able to sneak away for a few crafty minutes.  This is basically an experiment in free motion embroidery (flag banner), rough edged applique (flag banner), "regular" applique (brown "tree limb"), and hand embroidery (cat and owl).  I used sequins for the eyes and I'm afraid my little owl looks a bit cross-eyed!  Maybe he needs glasses?

Just for the record, An Owl and a Pussycat is my first attempt at real embroidery.  It was sure slow going.  I've started the Embroidery Project classes I won, but I'm a few weeks behind.  I'm excited about the projects I've seen so far; I just hope I can catch up!

Tootles for now!

Embroidery and Applique!

Guess what?  I won!  Backstory:  A few days ago I was reading about The Embroidery Project, an online embroidery class, on one of my favorite new blogs, Wild Olive.  From there,  I hopped over to a "new to me" blog called Ooh Leela and I entered to win a spot in the online embroidery class.  And...I won!  I am super excited about learning proper embroidery skills.  If you've read my blog in recent months, you know that I've been embroidering embellishments on my image transfer bags.  I've also been experimenting with free motion embroidery, too.  But, I haven't taken any classes, etc.  In other words, I've been winging it all this time.  Now, I'm going to actually learn how to do the different stitches the right way!

I've been pretty lazy this holiday weekend.  If you can believe it, I've only just finished the laundry from our vacation return last Sunday!!  I did get a chance to get into my sewing studio Saturday, however.  I worked on a few zippy bag fronts, including the above tattoo inspired applique.  I also made a quilt inspired front and a quirky "Spot of Tea" inspired bag front.  I think they turned out pretty cute....even if I finished them before I start my embroidery class!

When these bags are finished, they will be about 7" X 6".  I'm also adding charms to the zipper pulls.  More stuff for my Etsy Shop!!  

To all you in the U.S....have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!!  Happy Independence Day!

A Summer Knitted Scarf

I hate unpacking!  I've spent my evening unpacking from my vacation.  Three loads of laundry later, I'm writing this post.  My vacation was great.  It wasn't, however, low-key as originally planned.  We were on the go nearly the entire trip!  It was a lot of fun, but now I'm afraid I need another vacation just to recuperate from this one!  

I had planned to get in some sewing on my vacation and even brought my sewing machine with me.  Alas, I didn't get much done other than these few bag pieces, which I pieced and machine "free" embroidered.

I will use each piece as the "fronts" of zippy bags.  I didn't get the bags themselves completed, but plan on working on them, and others, as soon as I get my trip "stuff" organized and put away.  I did accomplish one goal on the trip.....I finished knitting the scarf I started months ago!  I worked on this scarf almost every time I rode in the car and finished it during the ride home yesterday.  Here are a few more views.

I still can't remember the name of this lace stitch, but it was pretty easy...just time consuming.  I wrote a post detailing the pattern and the yarn I used in March.  I think it turned out really pretty and the organic yarn is scrumptious.  I am also really pleased that I actually finished this project.  Here's a secret....I am notorious for not completing knitting projects I start!  Don't tell.

The dryer is buzzing, time to put another load in.  Keep in touch...I will be posting the details for July's Dress Up.  Here's a hint:  Think 4th of July!  Oh, and I will post some more vacation pictures...one of them may even involve me and a hula hoop!

Tootles!

Embroidery: Hand vs Free Motion Machine

I am officially on vacation again!  Pretty cool getting to be on vacation for two weeks then go to work for a week and then get to be on vacation again for a week!  I plan on soaking up the sun, spending a lot of time at the pool, thrift and antique mall shopping, and sewing!  I am taking my sewing machine on vacation!  Weird?  Maybe, but I want to continue working on "stuff" for my soon to be opened Etsy shop!  

I've been making more embellished image transfer bags like this one:

  

A little wrinkly, but I hope you can see the hand embroidery I did in order to embellish the ladies.  Speaking of embroidery, I've been experimenting a bit with free motion machine embroidery.  Here is one bag I completed:

  

There will be plenty of internet access during this vacation, so I hope to post great photos of my travels and whatever cool stuff I come across!

In the meantime, I hope you all have a fantastic Father's Day!  

Tootles!

The Age Of Wisdom?

From The Graphics Fairy

So I've been a part of the Over 40 scene for a little over a month now.  I'm still not feeling the wisdom.  Quite the opposite, really.  Instead of ah ha moments, I've had ah what? moments.  Sorry, no epiphanies yet.  I haven't given up hope, however.  I am fairly certain I'll have an Oprah moment sometime soon.  In the meantime, I'll keep plugging along at work, home, and in my sewing room!  

The last bag I made is just a simple clutch or wristlet.  I've used the Japanese ladies image I used on a toiletry bag, but I embroidered on it a bit differently.  I really like this image and it transfers to the fabric pretty easily.  I used a really pretty Asian inspired fabric for the back of the wristlet.

  
My thoughts and prayers go out to those in the path of the mighty Mississippi.  Please keep all those in mind as that powerful river, and its tributaries, crest in the coming days.

I'm off to my sewing studio!  Take a moment to check out May's Rubens Inspired Dress Up dresses.  They are fabulous!  Have a great weekend!

Tootles!