I'm ready for autumn, even if the weather here in Arizona doesn't want to cooperate.  This is an excerpt from a little song called "Come Little Leaves" written by George Cooper, popular with kiddos in the late 1800s.  Stitched on linen in an 8" hoop, with two strands of DMC #69 variegated floss.  Not too sure if I like the super light parts, this was kind of a test project using the variegated thread on linen.  It is a little difficult to read from a distance, but quite legible closer up.  Live and learn.  It does get me in the fall spirit, though!  

I made this bag to accommodate a design I stitched for a stitchalong on Flickr.  The theme was vintage sewing themed patterns (lots of Day of the Week patterns featured sewing themes on Wednesday).  This is another little place for me to stash those loose threads or projects-in-progress.





The bee pattern is from a Vogart transfer set that I found at a thrift shop.  The bag is the "Poochie Bag" pattern offered for free by Happy Zombie at http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/?p=368

This is an owl pillow that I stitched up for my daughter who can never have enough stuffed buddies on her bed.  It is the "Owlie McPillowpants" pattern from Small Stash Sewing: 24 Projects Using Designer Fat Quarters by Melissa Averinos.  It is about the size of a standard pillow and uses 5 fat quarters. 



I learned a few new techniques with the applique of the facial features and the feather cut-outs of the wings.  I only had to curse once, that was when I had a little trouble stitching the opening closed after it was stuffed.  Now that I've got one down and survived it, I think I may make more as gifts.



Thanks for looking.  Comments or suggestions welcome!


 

I have about 15 reels and boxes from family movies from the 1930s and 40s.  The films were transferred to video and I don't have the filmstrip anymore, but the boxes and reels are very neat.  The reels are about 3" across and are silver or black.  The boxes are from all different years with different Kodak logos and some cool postmarks.  I know they have potential, but I'm having a creative block as to what to do with them.  Please Craftsters help!

you step on a nail!     They really had a way of scaring kids straight back in the day.  Another installment from the vintage safety series...





Pattern from a vintage safety coloring page found online, tinted with chalks, words printed on fabric and fused on, dresses are reproduction fabrics.  I give credit for the pretty hair to mafiosagrrl whose embroidered locks inspired me to take a new approach.

I still have a few more projects to do with the safety theme.  My first was here http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=354856.0

Thanks for looking and don't forget to watch your step!

My son is turning 7 this month and is a total nut for Lego and particularly Lego Star Wars sets.  Being a second grader now I thought he might not be so keen on having a Bob the Builder quilt on his bed anymore so I decided to make something custom. 

First, I scoured the Internet for illustrations of minifigures and Lego Star Wars characters.  I came across the illustrations of countblockula on Flickr and decided to go for that style. He didn't have all of the characters, so I had to wing it with Obi Wan and Yoda (you can tell by looking at them).  I blew up the pictures to be about 14" square, printed them out and traced onto Kona Cotton using a lightbox and a fabric pencil.  I then handpainted all of the characters using soft fabric acrylics.  Once all of the panels were done I pieced them together with some fabric that I found at Joann's, black with small gray dots like stars.  Instead of going the quilting route I made it into a duvet so I could replace the comforter inside depending on the season, etc.  It is backed with a charcoal gray sheet.  Another plus of it being a duvet, it will take up less room in the linen closet, he's going to be stuck with this sucker until he has his own children!

Here are some closer shots (please excuse the wrinkles)...










A couple geek notes:  I know Clones and Luke weren't alive at the same time, but I wanted to cover all of my son's likes, this also explains why Leia is missing but we have an obscure guy like IG-88 on there.  Also, after watching Empire Strikes Back last week I realize I was off on Yoda's color.  It may not be up to the standards of the purists, but it works for us!

Thanks for looking.  C&C much appreciated.

Stitched this up for my brother who is an avid mountain biker.  This is my first piece that is intended to hang in a garage.  The saying and design are from a coloring book with various safety rules for children.



 
I printed the text from the coloring page onto fabric.  The font was just so perfect for the picture that I didn't think I would do it justice in stitches.  It is tinted with chalk to blend more with the fabric (though it doesn't show in the photo) and fused on with fusible web.  Used satin stitch, backstitch, stem stitch, running stitch, straight stitch, and chain stitch.

Those first pictures were scanned, this one is more true to color.  The fabric is a kind of pumpkin shade and the red of the bike is DMC666, so it's pretty bright.



Thanks for looking.  C&C welcome.  More silly safety stitcheries to come, so any suggestions for future improvements are much appreciated.

Birdy/Shirty?

Vintage pattern from the Hoop Love Flickr group.
Would probably use 2 strands for the birds and roses next time for a crisper, cleaner look; some of the detail was lost because of the thickness.  Used 2 strands of a lighter gray for the leaves.

I had to do it, they're just so darn cute and appropriate for my girly girl SIL's kitchen.  The pattern is from
big B's Cupcakes! Embroidery Pattern Packet.  I crammed the biggest pattern into a little 6" hoop, so the stitches are smaller than they appear, most are 2 strands, some single.







Definitely a fun pattern to experiment with, lots of chances to change up stitches and colors.

Stitched this towel up as an anniversary gift for my desert-dwelling in-laws.  Pattern from sewcharitable on Flickr.

Stitched this towel for me.    Pattern from mmaammbr on Flickr.

Thanks for looking. C&C welcome!