needle minder
Showing posts with label needle minder. Show all posts
〰 stitchy / fabric stash 〰
I'm a busy bee over here, so many projects being planned and worked on. Of course when you craft, you need supplies! Happy mail in the form of fabric, cross stitch supplies and vintage trim. Over the past couple of months I have bought the things you'll see here, some have already been used and others are for upcoming makes that I will share soon. Shopping small and supporting independent businesses is important and I found some fun creative businesses to buy from. This post is really a way for me to keep a record of the things I've bought so I can return to it, to remind me of the details when I share my makes. If you do not need enabling then come back soon because I have a finished project to share... but keep reading to see some lovely things and get details of my machine quilting class 🧵
First up, look at these adorable individually wrapped needle minders - opening them was such a treat, like it was my birthday! I love this kind of personalisation and in her note she apologised for the puns but it made me chuckle.
Love Thy...
neighbour X work in progress X cross stitch X Aurifloss
My current cross stitch project for the year is coming along well, there's been a little bit of unpicking but that is most often the result of late night stitching. The pattern is Love Thy Neighbour by Modern Folk Embroidery and I started stitching it as part of Jacob's Summer Stitch A Long. Summer may be nearly over but I am in no rush to finish. The original pattern is stitched in one colour but like my last finished cross stitch I enjoy making it my own and mixing it up.
I'm enjoying stitching this motif by motif, choosing the colours as I go. I didn't pick a full colour palette before starting and have added in colours when needed. The overall vibe is happy colours, a mix of bright and pastels, and despite the rainbow layout of floss below, the colour pairings/groupings for each motif are intentionally not too matchy matchy. I really like a bolder, more mismatched style. I keep thinking 60/70s, a happy hippy Clothkits look.
top row #: 1103, 4020, 2530, 2425, 2435, 2220, 2150, 1135, 2606
bottom row #: 2880, 2888, 2860, 2835, 1148, 5006, 2805, 2815, 2021
Not shown above is the Very Dark Navy used for the text and focal frame, it is #2785.
I really like how the dark pops but your eye is still drawn around the piece. Still a way to go but here is my progress so far - and please excuse the wrinkles but this is a work in progress and my iron only comes out when absolutely necessary...
stashing and stitching
I have had some happy mail recently, some necessary or just because and a couple of nice surprises!
First up I needed to get some more Liberty bias tape for my Green Tea and Sweet Beans quilt borders from The Weaver's Mill. The top two prints just fell into the basket.
clockwise from top left: Liberty tana lawn Tatum D and Jungle A; Liberty bias tape and a selection of scraps that came with the order (love that!)
Next Spoonflower had their buy one, get one free fat quarter deal - so I did, twice. I really enjoy searching through all the designs, there are so many great artists/graphic designers/print makers. It's like pinterest to me, very inspiring! While browsing I came across Sally Harmon, boris_thumbkin, Sally's designs are really cool, very graphic style with interesting colours and shapes. I was especially taken by how different cultures and styles find their way into her designs. I was feeling the retro vibe in the prints I chose by her and I have an idea of what I will be using them for. In contrast is a grid paper print by Lorrie Cranor, lorrietweet, which I got just because it's simple and awesome.
clockwise from top left: Peach Deco Motosu Moon Flower Stripe by boris_thumbkin; quarter-inch-grid by lorrietweet; Baby Checkerboard by boris_thumbkin and Ukrainian Pinwheels by boris_thumbkin.
I usually buy on Kona Cotton but this time I went for the poplin. Other people have seemed to like it so I will see how it washes and compare. It does feel lovely, though it still has that printed stiffness. I will let you know how I get on with it.
After trying a Q-Snap frame at the retreat - thanks Hannah! - I had to get one. It's so simple to use, collapses down and is really comfortable too.
I was lucky enough to win this adorable needle minder recently from Cloud Craft's giveaway on instagram. I love Mollie's designs and this is so pretty with a good magnet back too! Also sweeties ❤
And in case you haven't seen...
How amazing is this?! Fat Quarter Shop are giving away a totally gorgeous "Hello Lovely" Cotton + Steel Bernina 350 SE. For full details and to enter to win CLICK HERE.
Open internationally, ends July 25, 2017 at midnight CST.
Good luck!
that time of year
I have a cold. A horrid one. It's sticking around and I would like to shake it off!
I keep flitting between projects, partially because I can't focus and also because I have a lot to do. I finally started the clamshells for my green tea and sweet beans quilt, despite having cut them out ages ago.
I was scared to needle turn them but it's no different from other rounded shapes I have done... something about them just intimidated me. Maybe because I love them and every time I see someone's quilt or project using clamshells it looks so good I told myself I couldn't do it. Shut up self, I can! (Or at least, I will try!)
Scrolling instagram I saw the most adorable pink unicorn needle minder from Amanda @whatthebobbin. I had to have it and ordered the cute tape measure in a jar one too! They are so well made and really strong magnets. I can't wait to get back to doing some embroidery and cross stitch so I can use them. She sent me this cute pineapple pin too! Check out her instagram, she has so many gorgeous needle minders you won't regret it.
I am glad for the start of autumn today! I love this time of year (and winter) and have already started wearing all my comfy cardigans and jumpers. We also love Halloween in our house and there is a lot of discussion about costumes and decorations. I couldn't resist joining in the Halloween Haunts 2015 blog hop, hosted by Marian. Looking forward to seeing everyone's spooky makes!
I am so thankful for my wonderful husband, I have needed a break and a chance to rest, so on Sunday he entertained the kids by making a puppet show with them. It was a wonderful performance! Any guesses as to what the story was?!
diy project life notebook and a kitty needleminder
I've made a couple of little things involving thread and fabric, though there's no difficult sewing involved!
The first is these little notebooks made from Project Life journaling cards. They end up 4 x 3" a perfect size to fit in my organiser / planner and handy to have just to scribble down ideas. I will be using them to keep my sewing and quilting project ideas in!
They were very simple, take one Project Life card (or piece of card that's 6 x 4") and fold in half. I then folded up some regular A4 printer paper and used a ruler to rip it into pieces that measure approx 3.75 x 5.75", I like those torn edges but you could cut the paper if you prefer. I used 10 pieces of paper in each notebook. Fold the paper in half and place inside the card. Using a strong needle, pierce through the card and paper - once in the middle, then make two holes above and below. Take some thread (I used perle), thread your needle making a small knot at one end and stitch through the centre. Stitch through the next hole and then through the one above, you are making a figure of eight essentially... come back through the holes until you are at the centre and then do the same thing on the other side. Once you are back though the centre, make a knot and snip off any extra thread. I decided to clip the corners because they were poking out a bit, you could use a punch or fingernail clippers to make the corners rounded if you prefer.
I decided to embellish them with some cute stickers!
Next I made a needle minder, I have been wanting to make one for ages! I bought some magnets (these are the perfect stength) and a self covered brass button (perfect size for the fussy cut fabric I used):
I popped out the little wire doodad, stretched the fabric over the front, pushing it into the grippers and smoothing the edges then pushed the back on.
I found the most perfect fabric, from Hello Petal by Aneela Hoey because hello?! that's my name printed right there!! :)
It was such a simple make and took about two minutes to do. Blob of super glue to stick one of the magnets on the back and done! I need to be getting back to some embroidery and cross stitching so I can use this baby.
I recently got a haul of zips, some felt and some cute twine from Rickety Rose Crafts - great selection and excellent prices - this should keep me going for a little while (though I might need more peach, pale green and gold zips because I love them so!)
Wishing you all a happy weekend and do pop back Monday because there's a giveaway brewing ;)
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