Stitchery and Bags

I started out to make a bag so that I could applique this little stitchery on to it. The stitchery is from a retreat with Rosalie Quinlan and Leanne Beasley held in Nowra (hosted by Jukejema Quilting Barn) and was a practice in satin stitch.



So I had the fabric for the bag, chosen to match the variegated threads (Cosmo Seasons) used in the stitchery.

But then procrastination set it!

And stayed for a while!

And then a while longer!

To cut a long period of procrastination short, I ended up using the applique on the front of a journal cover. There's something quite decadent about a notebook covered in fabric, don't you think?



So this journal cover did not use any of the original fabrics (although it did use fabrics from my stash, so that counts for something). I'm loving these muddied/muted colours at the moment.

Well, then there was still the issue of the fabric for a bag!

So I stitched the bag outer.

And the bag lining.

And then I decided that I really, really liked the bag lining and that it should be a bag of its own.

And it is!



I've put a casing and drawstring on it, so I can fill it up or give it a little shape if it's not so full. I really love the fabrics in this bag.





But then, what to do with the original bag outer?

Well, make another lining, of course.



So this one also used fabric from my stash (it feels good to use from the stash).

I left the lining sitting up a little at the top to give the look of piping, and then top stitched to keep it in place. I quite like the look of this one.



Both bags have been put into service and it's lovely using fabric instead of plastic when I'm out and about!

What project of yours has evolved into something entirely different?

Apple Blossom Time

This is our Pink Lady Apple tree - very new, but hopefully one day very full of fruit. The blossom is just beautiful, so here's hoping the fruit is just as good!



This picture reminds me of when our son was in pre-school. His class learned this song . . . which is indelibly etched in our memories - he practised it over and over (although when his father and I sing it to tease him - he hates it when we reminisce - he feigns ignorance and no memory while groaning with disgust and embarrassment that he's related to us) . . .

I'LL BE WITH YOU IN APPLE BLOSSOM TIME
(Neville Fleeson / Albert Von Tilzer)

I'll be with you in apple blossom time,
I'll be with you to change your name to mine.
One day in May
I'll come and say:
"Happy the bride the sun shines on today!"

What a wonderful wedding there will be,
What a wonderful day for you and me!
Church bells will chime
You will be mine
In apple blossom time.

What's making you reminisce today?

Shake your tail feathers!

I do believe I really like working with felt! It's a pretty forgiving medium, it looks good and it's pretty adaptable to so many projects. So what's not to like?

This little felt bird is one of the projects on offer at the Stitching On The Lake Day hosted by the lovely Sylvia and Fiona.



We had a bag  full of goodies, including kits for 6 stitching projects. I chose to start with this bird and although I didn't get it finished on the day, I did come home and keep stitching 'till it was done. And I'm glad that I did! His tail feathers are pretty cute and I really enjoyed the stitching and beading on the wings. I found that part of the day very relaxing and almost meditative. I think I can feel a bit of embroidery coming on!



I think it he'll look pretty good hanging on the christmas tree.  And who knows, maybe there will be a whole flock of them one day soon . . .