WIP Wednesday: Embroidered Project Bag

We, as a culture, tend to take things for granted. As I have often said, time is one of those things. Another is vision. I have not been able to be as crafty as I would prefer lately, but now that me new "eyes" are here I am stitching up a storm.

I am currently working on project bag for myself (gasp!). The bag is based on a pattern by Jenny at Sublime Stitching. Seriously, get over there and buy some patterns. You won't be sorry.

Although it a full-on embroidery pattern, I have decided to do some applique of certain elements.

The thimble kind of resembles a Dalek. I am okay with that.

I am about a third done. I will be adding an embroidery hoop using this  process, adding a rick rack border, and embellishing the handles. Once the bag is complete, I am going to make some internal tool pouches. I'll keep you posted.

A Few Of My Favorite Stitchy Things

This morning while I was booting up my computer, preparing to tackle yet another spread sheet, I decided that I would rather be stitching. Not a huge news flash, I know. But as my machine came to life, I caught a whiff of the tea steeping next to me. "That's it!, " I declared (in my head.) If I could I would open an embroidery shop with a tea bar. Of course, this is absolutely no time to be starting a business even if I did have the money to, which I don't. But I can share my favorite designers with you...you could even come over for a cup of tea.

On a whim, I decided to learn to embroider last fall. My local quilt shop had darling little patterns by Penguin and Fish. I snapped on up and went home to learn. Luckily, Wendi Gratz has an amazing Embroidery School on her blog. Wendi also had wonderful patterns...lotsa fun monsters.

Once, I stitched up Penguin and Fish's Fox, I was HOOKED. I then bought her newt, owl, hedgehog (my favorite pattern of hers), jellyfish and quail. It was love at first stitch.

Then I discovered Wild Olive. Mollie is like the most talented designer ever. I'll admit, I kinda have bit of a girl crush. I have stitched MANY of her designers, but I think that Crafty Characters may be my favorite.

Do you like cute things? Who am I kidding? EVERYONE likes cute things. Look no further than Aimee Ray and her awesome books. Luckily, my local library had The Motif Collection (with CD.) I made a great tea towel using her veggies patterns (Stay tuned for a photo soon!) Her books are well worth the investment.

I love smart and classy patterns and So September has us covered. This is my favorite.

How me is this pattern? Seriously. This is my next purchase for sure!

All the patterns at Follow the White Bunny are adorable and her animals are super-cute.

And everyone knows how I feel about Sublime Stitching! Jenny can do no wrong in my book.

I have tried my hand at a couple patterns and may even submit on to a publication this year. I will have to work on my drawing skills, but hey, embroidery shops/tea bars don't open without some hard work! ;)

Works in Progress...sort of.

Maybe this post should actually called Works in Planning. This holiday season, I happily made all but to of my gifts. My house was a sea of thread ends and yarn bits. And I loved every minute of it. 

I have decided, however, that in addition to my afghan I will be making 4 other projects for just me. Selfish? Maybe. But I happen to think that it will energize and excite me to create for others!

Here's what I have up my sleeve:

I made two of my friends yarn/project bags for Christmas. Meanwhile, I am lugging around my stuff in a plain tote. I will be embroidering the great pattern from Sublime Stitching onto a plain canvas bag. I adore it.

Since, I do work on so many kinds of crafts, I typically carry a lot of tools. I decided that the project bag needs  a notions pouch. I am using this pattern. I will be embroidering different compartments with this awesome pattern from Wild Olive. I love Mollie's pattern and have stitched a ton of them.

To match my re-covered thread cabinet, I am going to attempt this sewing machine cover by Shiny Happy World. Wendi actually taught me to embroider via her You Tube series. Her patterns are super cute and well-explained. I love the fabric that I am using too :)

For my first ever clothing project, I am going to make this cozy looking hooded nightgown. I will be using the fun flannel pictured behind the pattern. I'll keep you posted...

Finally, a big thank you for all of you read, comment, and support me as I create. 

You all mean so much to me.

New Year Reboot

Hello world! I am definitely still here and still making. That is actual l part if the reason that I have not been blogging--I have been super duper busy making things! All but two of my holiday gifts were handmade--many embroidered, several crocheted, some artwork, some needle felted--and they all took lots of time.

I have been making in the new year too. Several friends and even some strangers and I have embarked on a project: Granny 365. We have all committed to making at least 1 granny square a day all year. We will all be making different things with them, but it is great to have a tiny creative goal everyday. Please join us!

I have also recommitted to a healthy lifestyle. My running injury really had me down on myself and I let things slip. But in the new year, I have begun tracking my food, I have gone to the gym several days in a row, and even went for a teeny run. I know that zillions of people make this resolution, but I am looking forward to a lifelong lifestyle and attitude change. I have found tons of healthy and tasty recipes at Cooking Light and Skinny Taste and of course, my most favorite food bog, The Cozy Herivore. Her absolutely amazing quinoa porridge recipe may be my new favorite food.

I have been working on my creative spaces, doing a little sprucing up and 

making things even more my style.

Above is one of the projects that took me away from the blog for so long. I am really happy to have taken the time to make this for my 4-year old "niece" who is just learning the alphabet.

 It is a wonderful pattern from Sublime Stitching. 

Jenny's patterns are great to work with and most are available as PDFs.

As we roll further into 2013, please stay with me as I grow (yet shrink), create, cook, and take joy in the little things!

Stitchy Saturday: Embroidered Shirt

I have long loved embroidered Mexican blouses and skirts, but I am a small gal. That much pattern can overwhelm a small frame. I have also always wanted to try stitching on a knit. This project allowed me to control the amount of embroidery and experiment with a new technique.

For this project, I used a cotton v-neck shirt from

Old Navy, T-Shirt Stabilizer from Sublime Stitching

and was inspired by a pattern from So September.

Because I was free-embroidering, I wasn't sure how big the

stitching would become. I decided to iron stabilizer to the

entire collar area.

I began with vines stitched with split stitch.

I used two different shades of green.

To add flowers, I used lazy daisy stitch, 

french knots, and satin stitch.

I am really excited to layer this over

a coordinating cami and rockin' it

with a pair of jeans. Love it!