Flowers of the Month Fabric Planner

[BigBangMomma]

I have been working non-stop on this for the past several days because 1) I wanted to be sure to get it  completed for the Stitchalong Monthly Challenge and 2) it is a gift for our very special and amazing elementary school secretary who is retiring very soon. This woman does so much, is so humble, and is a cherished member of the school and community. She always has a listening ear. She schedules the majority of my days to sub teach. She has a legacy that will be missed.

I started the flower of the month stitchalong hosted by killykill hoping she wouldn't retire before I could complete this, even though I hadn't yet decided what to make with it. She didn't want a wall hanging or quilt. Her official retirement day is Jan 1, but her last day with us will be the day before Winter break.  I am an impatient gift giver, so I will probably give it to her early! hah I want mine to stand out from all the other gifts she'll be getting, right?

So, anyway...

I decided what better to make for a secretary than a planner with no calendar to fill in?! So, I made each month a page and added a pocket to the back she can put coupons or cards or whatever.

Thank you kittykill for the wonderful stitchalong, for which had me doing embroidery again.Thanks to SonjaBoo who gave me the lovely floral and fruit fabrics when we met this summer.

As I went about working this project, I set a few rules for myself. Only 4 colors per month (one month does has 5), then I picked the most significant color for the bias edging. I ironed on Pellon stablizer on the backside of each of the embroidered pieces, then sewed right sides together to the flower fabric. I turned right sides out and added the pockets with which I also added stablizer. I added bias edging, then used my grommet too to add 3 grommets to each page. l used fabric monoprints I just received from jemimah to tie it together.

Now, to bombard with some collages!

The front and side view:



Jan-March:


April-Sept (Here you will notice I alternate fruit and veggie pockets)



Oct-Dec



What are your favorite months? Mine are July, Sept, and Dec.

[endymion]

What a lovely gift! I like October.

[kbrison]

April and October

[edelC]

This is beautiful, so much work

[Averia]

Fantastic idea and beautiful execution!

[Abbeeroad]

December is beautiful! What a thoughtful and heartfelt gift. A labor of love!

[BigBangMomma]

Thank you all so much! I gave in and gave it to her today! She absolutely loved it and said, "Laura, you're not supposed to make me cry!"

[Witty_Child]

This is truly gorgeous!  I've been stalking the stitchalong, and always wondered what everyone was going to do with their pieces...it's so nice to see a practical use for them.    (And of course the recipient loved it!!)

[LadybugsAndBumblebees]

YEA, BBM!!!!!!!

[craftylittlemonkey]

Oh girl, that turned out so incredible! It is unbelievable! Super labor intensive, unique and amazing. Bravo you!