Felt Pouch

I like to try to learn something new with each sewing project, and I learned two things when making these felt pouches. I learned how to use the scalloped blade on the rotary cutter, and how to make Kanzashi flower blooms.  It was a fun project, although next time I think I would make it bigger!

Botanical Sachets

My mother has a set of botanical-themed playing cards that she inherited from her mother.  Each card is different, and each has a beautiful sketch of a flower along with a list of the other flowers in its family.  I scanned the playing cards, flipped the images, printed them on fabric transfer paper, and ironed them onto muslin in order to make these lavender sachets.

September Sightings

You just couldn't beat the views from the front porch over the past week.  I wonder if the sandhill cranes remember that there used to be an operational barn where there is now a retention pond.  Do they miss the farmer and his wife?

More Fun With Hipstamatic

At a craft fair this weekend, one of the vendors was saying that she has very few of her products on her Etsy site, because jewelry can be so hard to photograph.  That led me to think about how much fun it might be to photograph jewelry in an "artsy," Hipstamatic-kind-of-way!!

Wire-Wrapped Bracelet

I'm practicing the skills that I learned at a wire-wrapped jewelry class.  Started this bracelet on craft night earlier this week, and finished it up today!

Foggy August Evening

A couple of nights ago, there was a mystical fog that rolled in over the area.  The fog made it essential to take the camera along on the evening walk.  However, I'm not certain that I did the fog justice with my photos.  I was getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, so I gave up quickly.  I'll have to do some reading about "fog photography" so I am better prepared next time!

Summer Patchwork Vase

I made one of these patchwork vases earlier this year, but I thought I would try something different this time by using a thread that provides a high contrast to the fabric.  This way, the decorative stitches pop out, making the vase look more whimsical and fun.  The pattern is from "101 Patchwork Projects and Quilts" from the publishers of Quilting Arts Magazine.  The project was designed by Penny Layman at sewtakeahike.typepad.com.  Love the pattern--it is easy to follow and yields a perfect result!