Let the Holiday Sewing Begin!

So I mentioned in my last post that I signed up to have a table at my daughter's Christmas school fair. It's literally only a month away so I knew it was time to do some sewing. I've decided to keep it simple and only sell pillows/cushions, softies and cheaper items like hair clips. No quilts at the moment although I will if I have any time left to make a few.

I've ordered some new fabric and craft supplies but they won't arrive until next week so I thought I'd get started on using what I already have.

1. A quilted pillow/cushion using fabric from my recent Japanese Charm Swap. This one is for the boys...

 2. My very first covered button hair clip. I used some Liberty scraps and plain hair clips that I already had on hand. A bit fiddly at first but I finally got the hang of it. Funny enough, little miss was wearing the matching one yesterday and it has since "disappeared."

Linking up with W.I.P. Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

P.S. Happy Halloween!

WIP Wednesday...Embroidered Cushion

This week's task is to finish sewing up my Aneela Hoey embroidered cushion. I began the project during Aneela's class the other week. I've finally decided on what fabric to use to finish it off...my Liberty prints from the Bloomsbury Gardens collection. It will be tough to cut into but worth it as I think the colors really complement the embroidery.

Also, I found this great fuzzy mustache applique that I plan to make into a Can't Grow a Mo', Sew a Mo' block for DJ Coolbear.

Linking up with...

W.I.P. Wednesday

Not much sewing lately so I'm hoping to get back into the groove with these projects:

1. Sweet Little Dress Pattern by Leila & Ben: I've had this pattern saved for a while so when a fellow guild member made one last month, I was inspired to get out the scissors :)

2. Japanese Charm Swap: I'm up to my ears in cuteness with this one.

Until next week!

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A few small projects and ANOTHER Union Jack...

With family over and the bank holiday, not much sewing & crafting going on this week...

1. I did manage to finish my LOVE paper piece mini quilt. More project details on this post.

2. Finished my mug rug...

3. I've nearly finished all the embroidery on my coffee project. I don't know how to finish it off though. Should I leave it in the hoop? Turn it into a little wall hanging? What do you guys think?

4. I swore I wasn't going to do another Union Jack cushion (my first two are here and here) but when my big sister requested one for her birthday, I couldn't say no. She lives in Pheonix, AZ so with such slow international shipping from the UK, I thought I better get a move on.

5. And finally some good news...I won my very first blog challenge! I entered my DIY map frame project for August's inspired by Pinterest and I was the top pick! Hooray :)

Until next week...

Coffee Anyone?

For my W.I.P. Wednesday...

No quilting this week but rather, I've been teaching myself how to hand embroider. I started with this little fella...

And I think I'll add his friends "Mr. Decaf" and "Mr. Donut"...

I think I might be addicted :)

W.I.P. Wednesday

DH was away for most of the week so I wasn't able to get much sewing done. I suppose a little progress is better than none!

1. A scrappy coaster and mug rug for me. The mug rug still needs some quilting...

2. I started hand embroidering the LOVE paper piece block that I'm doing. I ended up taking out the stitching about 3 times though. I was having issues with the batting coming through the stitches in the front and then I didn't like seeing the back of the stitches on the backing fabric. I think I've got it all figured out now and I can get started with the machine quilting. It stinks being a perfectionist sometimes!

I've decided to just make it into a wall hanging and will use the fabric that I used for the center of the "O" for both the backing and binding. 

3. I'm going to take an embroidery class next month and thought I should brush up on my skills. Ok, I have no skills but I'm a fast learner :) I haven't decided which pattern to use for my starter project. Perhaps I'll get a chance to do both!

Cute coffee cup (from Wild Olive)

or

That Cat! (from Lazy May)

Linking up with Freshly Pieced for today. Until next week...

W.I.P. Wednesday

Here's me very first Work In Progress Wednesday post...

My new guild's August challenge is to create a paper pieced block of your choice. I decided to brush up on my paper piecing skills and try my hand at letters. Plus, I've had my eye on this pattern for a while.

Choosing Fabrics...

W.I.P.

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Oh, and here's my version of a Teddy Bear Hospital. Lots of toys in need of mending!

Linking up with Freshly Pieced for today...