STILL FELTING - TWAS THE NIGHT SERIES

 I've been totally captivated by the beautiful Christmas ornaments that mmmcrafts have designed.  As well as the Twelve Days of Christmas series (see previous post),  I have now jumped across to the Twas the night series.  At the moment there are only two characters:- Santa and Mrs Claus (there are more designs to come)

I have made a Santa and Mrs Claus for each grandchild and they all have their names and year embroidered on the back . 

I'll keep making them whilst I'm in the mood and before something else grabs me and leads me astray.  

Enjoy your sewing, it keeps you young at heart 

BUCILLA FAIRY BALLERINA STOCKING

Christmas sewing is such a delight and I particularly love the Bucilla range of Christmas Stockings.

After I discovered Debbie from andsew4th and the fantastic Christmas Stockings she has made,  (she also does great YouTube lessons on them) I have been addicted.

I am even teaching a couple of classes at Kate's now for other ladies who like them!!

Here is my latest one just finished, now we are all waiting for the little girl to arrive (should be next few weeks - stay tuned)

With all the sequins, it takes me back to making dancing costumes for my daughter, many moons ago.

I love her little face,  she looks so sweet with those long eyelashes (just like mine haha)






She is surrounded by all sorts of lollies, there's gingerbread men, cupcakes, bonbons, cookies and of course candy canes.

Toe of Stocking

Heel of Stocking

 
                                                                                                   
There is just one thing that needs to be finished......her name needs to be embroidered onto a cupcake which will hang off the side, but we need to wait until she is born to find that out !!!

SANTA'S RIDE - Part #1

I know, I know, its so very early to start on my Christmas Project but this one is a big one !!


When I purchased my latest Brother sewing machine, Kate suggested I pay the extra few dollars and get the embroidery attachment.  What the heck, I thought and I did it and now I am so thankful that I did.  I am  working on an Anita Goodesign called Santa's Ride.

Its all machine embroidered and as you can see, there is lots of work to do!!    I don't actually do much, except change the threads when the machine tells me to, the machine does all the stitching and its just wonderful watching each block come to life with the beautiful colours.

Each block is stitched individually then they will be sewn together with borders to resemble a glass window pane (I have just placed the blocks abutting in the picture below to give you an idea of the scene)



BLOCKS 1 TO 4

Each block is approx. 6" square in size so the overall picture will be about 1 metre across.  It also has some applique (in the picture below, the moon is actually material which has been satin stitched)

The machine tacks an outline stitch showing me where to place the material, then it stitches it down, I trim off the excess, then the machine satin stitches around the edge.  Very clever!!

BLOCKS 1 TO 7

I found that I needed a heavy duty backing in the embroidery hoop otherwise with all the heavy stitching, the block started to buckle.  Once I found the right backing, everything has gone well so far.

It can be very time consuming as Block #7 took 1.5hrs to stitch.  I put the colour thread in the machine, go about my business then come back now and then when the colour needs changing. 

Here is BLOCK #8 in part progress so you can see how the machine links all the colours.  This one shows some of the presents in Santa's Sack.  When the block is finished, I trim off all the unwanted threads and square up the block. 

BLOCK #8 - Part finished

Hope you love all the bright colours in this project as much as I do, I'll keep posting more blocks as I get them finished.

SANTA SACK

Its really not long to Christmas now and I've been frantically trying to get everything made.  Why do I leave it to the last minute?????

Here is Jake's Santa Sack finished all except for his name, which I will put on a tag and hang from the drawstring.

The pattern was from www.kidsquilts.com but instead of an applique panel on the front, I decided to do the Santa face in felt and decorate with sequins.  It seems to make the bag stand up a little better than just a sack.

Front of Santa Sack

Its a great design, with pockets at the back for all those books that Santa will leave, plus there's plenty of room for all the presents inside.

Rear of Santa Sack with pockets

The material is sooooo cute.  Its a little different with trains and quirky Christmas trees.

Plus it has a round base that enables it to stand up on its own.

Now all we need is Santa to stop by........which I am absolutely SURE he will do :) :) :)

PS:   Take a look at Vicki's blog button on my side bar for a link to the Grow Your Blog 2015 Day.

 

CHRISTMAS IN JULY SWAP

My gifts arrived weeks ago and it has taken all my strength to keep from opening them,  so when the 25th arrived, I rushed home from work, all excited,  to open my presents that were waiting for me.

For my first ever swap, I received wonderful gifts from O'faigh at Oldbury Cottage.

I debated on which present to open first and I went for the smallest first.  What a lovely surprise when I opened a beautifully embroidered redwork needle holder.   

 

Which one next.... another small package grabbed my attention and was pleasantly surprised to find a playful ivy garland with gorgeous buttons separating each leaf. 

 

Two presents left so I decided the big one next..... A exquisite table top/mini quilt adorned with matching buttons to the garland. 

 

Last but not least..... A unique wooden peg nativity ornament.

 

Big thank you's to both Cheryl at Gone Stitchin' for organising the swap and also to O'faigh for my wonderful presents.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY SWAP - MY GIFTS

My first Swap - Christmas in July hosted by Gone Stitchin.  I had no idea what the level of expertise was required and I am really hoping that my receiver likes my gifts.  I loved being part of the swap and can't wait to see what surprises await me on 25th July.  

We had to hand make three (3) items and we could choose selections from the word Christmas.  I chose the letter T - tree, I - inspirational words and S - stocking.

Pattern : Craftsy - Swirled Christmas Tree. Very easy applique pattern using scraps of material.    I did a simple stipple on the back ground, edged and backed with green and with a simple sleeve, made a wall hanging.

 

Next item was another wall hanging but this one is suitable for everyday use.  From a pattern by Hugs N kisses, an 8" wide redwork embroidery with prairie points.

Lastly, 4 felt appliqued stockings for hanging on the tree or around the house.  They can hold little surprises and are about 4" high finished in blanket stitch.

 

BUCILLA STOCKINGS

What a terrific idea these felt Christmas Stockings are.  Everything that you need is included in the kit and all pieces of felt are printed with the pattern to embroider on or sequin over.  I had so much fun doing the first one, that I am well on the way with my second.  

Here's the first one completely finished.........



First Stocking.......This one's for me!!

Close up of details

My second stocking is for Poppy and I am hoping this will be finished by Christmas.
 

Each night while the family are watching TV, I am sitting cutting, threading sequins and embroidering away, stuffing away where necessary as my stocking takes shape.  There are always little add on's, like  kittens, teddy bears or toys to bring it to life.  This one even has lights to be added to illuminate the stocking.

 

Santa looks so peaceful :)

Plenty of surprises in the bag

Sure each stocking takes a time, but little by little it builds up into a 3 dimensional story and will be a family heirloom for future generations.  I am looking around for more designs for the other members of the family and I think I will be busy for the next few months or even years!!  

CHRISTMAS STOCKING - BUCILLA

I know its months until Christmas but I found these wonderful Christmas Stockings whilst searching other blogs and I just had to have one.

 

They are made by Bucilla and there are many different designs.  I didnt have to many to chose from as there was only one on Ebay.  I havent been able to source them in Australia as yet but I will keep looking as I intend everyone in the family to have their very own.

 

Its all hand sewing which has been good for me as I can watch the Olympics and sew at the same time.  They are not hard but its time consuming with embroidery and sequins to go on as well as stuffing them to give the 3D effect.

 

I am tickled pink on how he  is coming up........ 

 

Hat and Face - 1st Stage

The kit comes complete with all the felt printed on sheets so all you need to do is cut them out and assemble according to the instruction sheet. Each piece is then appliqued to the base shape and everything is built up bit by bit.






Taking Shape

Santa so far......

 

Hopefully by Christmas I can have a couple of Stockings done for the children and then I can start on Stockings for the adults, cos everyone loves a Christmas surprise.


 

CHRISTMAS WALL HANGING

Pattern:  Swirled Christmas Tree by Frivolous Necessity
Material:  Coloured scraps, White Homespun

I have allowed plenty of time this year to do my Christmas Project.  In fact, its all finished !!!

Simple appliqued swirls in red and green to form a tree shape and voila.... a decorative hanging.  A little bt of stippling around the background to give it shape and pop it on a hanger. 

Its a shame to only hang it out at Christmas time!!