a floral jewelry bag

I recently sewed a lovely birthday present for a friend: a jewelry travel bag.

Doesn't it just say spring?
I used some fat quarters from Tilda Cottage collection, that I received as a Christmas present:

I used these four among this stack:

I obviously have quite a few left to play with!

To make this lovely travel bag, I followed this tutorial here from Make it and Love it.

It turned out quite well, mostly easy construction.

The plastic pocket is not too hard to sew, there is just no room for mistake!

I only changed one detail: instead of using leather for the earrings,

I used some green felt.

I will have to ask my friend how it survives!

Happy sewing!

A spring wall hanging

While Spring is not officially here, it is getting warmer. So it is fitting that I sewed a cute little wall hanging with cute spring flowers:

It is a mix of quilting fabric, linen, felt, machine applique and hand embroidery. It is again a pattern from Bustle and Sew magazine, like my polar bear tea cosy:

For the pot and the frame, I used some Liberty of London quilting fabrics, purchased from my local quilt store:

They are as cute as the other Liberty of London prints, just not the same kind of fabric, it is just regular cotton not Tana Lawn, so it is not as fine or as soft but it is probably better for quilting, they are also priced similarly to other quilting fabrics, instead of 2 or 3 times more expensive.

I really like applique by machine, using a dark thread and going around twice,  just like on my many sew illustrated pin cushions:

Have you ever tried it?
Happy sewing!

my own dandelion, and 8th blogging anniversary!

It is official, I have my own Dandelion: And she is perfect, even if a little pale....

Previously I made more traditional doe in various shades of brown:

I shared these 2 dandelions last December, here.

but this time I tried lighter color, I might even go crazy and go with a pastel color next time....

I also made one for Miss C., you probably saw her during Christmas:

as she posed perfectly under the tree. This doe also wears a Liberty of London dress, with a nice cotton lace, and as usual embroidered boots.
Miss Dandelion supervises my sewing table:

dressed in a fine Liberty of London dress, with embroidered felt boots, and even an poorly knitted scarf!
She is good company, never mentions the mess or the pile of unfinished projects.....
Today is also the anniversary of this little blog: 8 years later, I am still having fun!
Happy sewing!

a tea cosy to keep warm

At the beginning of January, it was pretty cold, even the window in my sewing room was frozen, so I relocated to the living room, which meant hand sewing. Sewing on the couch is quite comfortable, there are large non frozen windows,  fuzzy blankets, and many cups of tea! The only thing missing was a cute tea cosy: well this is no longer a problem!

I followed this pattern from Bustle and Sew, I have been a subscriber to their magazine for a couple years now, and while I do not make stuff every month from their patterns I always enjoy their whimsy!  I did make these fox pillow and apple bag:

But this polar bear is super cute:

It is fairly easy embroidery, and I love the touch of metallic thread, even if it is harder to stitch.... And the pompom is the perfect touch, fuzzy like a polar bear!

The tea cosy is lined in fleece, perfect to keep the tea hot in the teapot.
I am so looking forward to using it this weekend!
Happy sewing!

all the bebe cuteness together

Very late last year, we welcomed the birth of my niece:

Baby E (1 week old) on her quilt!

I might be partial but she is so cute ;)

Last fall I sewed for her a lot of cute little things,

beside the quilt.

My sister took a few pictures of her room just before her arrival,

and it looks perfect all together:

here is the post for the quilt,

here for the bear pillow

and here for the "stuffed" bear.

And of course the bebe bunting is here:

I will not meet Baby E until this summer,

but I receive a new picture everyday:

Until then, I can always create more cute things for her....

Happy sewing!

Bonne Annee 2018

I would like to wish you and your family Happy New Year!
The freezing temperatures we have in the DC area are slowing me down, my sewing room is frozen, and only a blanket will do.

So I day dream of Provence, warmth and vacation! I managed to buy some IKEA frames for a few cards I brought back last year. It looks perfect with the lavender bag my mom embroidered with the beautiful lady. And it smells like summer....
Until then, keep warm!