Til' Death...

In February I started a piece of embroidery. I actually finished it a while ago and it sat finished, but unframed on our bar for MONTHS. Well it's up now and looking pretty.

I like how it turned out, but am still a little annoyed that I couldn't get out some of the transfer pencil marks. I think that was the idea, but didn't realize that until afterwards...ya live and ya learn right?

Embroidery in Progress

After searching through some free embroidery patterns and some patterns I already had in my stash John helped me pick out a good project to complete.

This Til' Death pattern from Urban Threads is the one we settled on.

For this pattern I used General's Iron On Transfer Pencils for Fabric. I have used transfer pencils before, but I don't think these were it. It took several tries to get a halfway decent transfer onto my fabric and even then it was a little wonky. I had to wing alot of the pattern for my female skull, but I this so far it's turned out pretty well. I'll use the pencils again, but probably only if I have a simple design to work on.

I can't wait to finish it. The plan is to frame it and hang it next to my awesome spool cabinet. 

National Embroidery Month

Did you know that February is National Embroidery Month? Embroidery is something I've always enjoyed. It calms my over thinking brain and I'm usually pleased the the pretty colorful results.

I really want to expand my embroidery knowledge and maybe work on a sampler. However, I'm a tad lazy and don't REALLY feel like creating my own. I'm kinda loving this pattern by Polka and Bloom.

A couple weeks ago my hubby went by his grandmother's to pick up some stuff and brought home his grandmother's embroidery kit for me. It included a TON of thread, some great iron on sets and a few cross stitch patterns.

He also brought home some beautifully embroidered table runners with crocheted borders.
I LOVE that they are in pink and green, as those are the colors I eventually would love to do our dining room in.

Now, I'm going to find a fun embroidery project to complete this month.

Thifty Thursday - Owl

When the Hubby and I got our weekend without the kids we took the opportunity to visit some cool thrift/vintage stores.

This little guy was found at Dolly Python.

I just had to get him. He's so beautiful and I know a lot of love and work went into him.

In my dream house I have a craft room, with a wall filled with hand sewn, vintage art. My friend here is just the first to join the collection. I found a great home for him. Not the wall in my dream house, but one day we'll get there!

My Boys...Tuesday

I spent all day yesterday editing photos and this is the only decent picture I could find with the t-shirt I did for Munch. Sadly he has a binkie in his mouth...happily we lost it. :o)

Detail.

I used a hand embroidery pattern of a bicycling bunny that I found at Urban Threads. They have some REALLY awesome patterns in their store and a monthly freebie to try. Makes me desperately want a embroidery machine!

I was planning on doing an outline of the bunny but went with the circle instead so you could see the clouds on the fabric. Made it a lot easier!

The Pink Galas

Last month my mother requested that I make a t-shirt for my sister and her 3-day group, The Pink Galas. Here are the lovely ladies wearing their new shirts.

The back was my mother's idea. I did a reverse applique on them and used pink leopard fabric that my mother found.

Here is a closer view of the front. I put together the design myself, however I can't really take credit for the design. The apple was from a coloring book, the walking ribbon was a pin I found and transfered into a drawing and the font is called Giddy-Up. Still I'm kinda proud of it...as it's the first design I've ever put together.

Next, I need to start working on the baby girl basket for their silent auction. I think they are planning on having it next month, so I have to get my butt in gear. Already have the fabric I want to use and my mother kindly donated a basket.

Pick a Scarf

For Christmas I made my sister's boyfriend Mark a pick bag. Which apparently was a wonderful idea because he's always losing his picks. The electric guitar is from a kit by Sublime Stitching.

To make the bag I used a tutorial for a snack bag by i have to say.

I also played with a new pattern I found and made this scarf for my father's girlfriend.

I PROMISE it was cleaned after my handsome pup modeled. I couldn't get the kid to stay still long enough or keep the scarf on long enough.

More to come later...provided I can find the pictures that I thought I took!

Cupcakes for Lunch

My sister requested a lunch bag for her to bring to work. So I made these cuties using a tutorial by The Purl Bee. It was SO super easy to make them and they would totally make adorable gift bags!

Alice with her Eat Me Cupcake was designed by Cate Anevski.

I also made this bag based using a tutorial by The Long Thread. I found the embroidery pattern on Flickr and it was created by Jacque Davis.

Arianna really likes cupcakes...in case you hadn't guessed. She loved her all her bags.

Space Monkeys

The moment I saw this pattern at The Long Thread, I wanted to make it. I finally found fabric I liked for it and cut all the pieces...and then promptly lost it in the move. Thankfully I found it again and finished it last night.

The monkeys are from an embroidery kit called Monkey Love by Sublime Stitching.

Sewing the bottom of the rocket by hand was the hardest part and it's slightly obvious that I can't sew in a straight line. I think it came out well though. I hope Munch likes it, cause it's one of his birthday presents.

Belated Easter

I managed to finish this bib Saturday night....just in time for Easter! It's covered in carrots now...but I'm hoping I can get it out.

And here is my little Easter Bunny modeling his new bib.

I also made a digi card...that got emailed out late last night...so I didn't quite miss Easter. Lyndon was SO good with the Easter bunny.

Word Art by: Beth Long

Background and Embelishments from: Easter Memories by RK Designs

The Pillow That Almost Cost a Sewing Machine...

My sister asked me to make some pillows for her living room. I thought I would be clever closing it up with the machine...turns out being clever just causes a big headache...also makes a nice pillow though so I guess I can't complain to much. My sewing machine had a few complaints...but it's okay now. We worked out our issues and I think it will keep working for me...at least for a little while. Arianna decided she only wanted one pillow....but I have a few more I plan on doing for my house. Hopefully they will get a little easier to complete.

Arianna loves squirrels. I found this one at The Long Thread.
http://thelongthread.com/?p=1214

A Bib and a ANOTHER Blanket

I found some iron on patterns at http://www.sublimestitching.com/ and HAD to get a few. Here is the first creation using a couple of the patterns.

And yet another blanket. I'm done this time for sure...but I am trying to get some projects completed before Lyndon gets here.
Here's a pic of Kaiser with the blanket when I started it LAST YEAR.

And here is the completed project. In Lyndon's room...I figure he's got a couple blankets so I should get one too...so I can nap a little while he's napping.

Space Dinosaur

I found white bibs at Babies R Us...and decided to decorate. So here is what I've done so far.

The directions on the bib said no ironing...but my iron on transfers required it...so I tried and it seemed to work out. No damage that I can see. The words I did on my own. I think they turned out pretty well...even if I do say so myself.
The bibs came in a pack of ten...so I'm sure I'll have eight more to show off at some point.