Stuffy Patterns...

Sweet Bunny Stuffy

Every once in a while, these free patterns show up in my Facebook feed. If I decide to make any of them, I'll make a duplicate image, and then crop for the pattern only on the second one, so that I can print it on a full sheet of 8" x 10" paper. I thought I might share them with you. 

You should be able to just click on the image, pull it to your computer desktop (or phone) and then save and print from there.

Favorite Beagle Keychain

Gingerbread Ornaments

Ellie and Whale Rattle or Ornaments

Dachshund Cuddle Puppy

I'm working today, so I'll wrap up my knee to give it a little extra support. Truthfully, I'd rather be home, but I took the job (can you believe it was a year ago already?) to force me out of the house. Otherwise, I'd still be in my jammies in the studio. There are days, for sure!

It snowed a bit overnight. Just enough to be slippery, so I'll be extra careful. The last thing I need is to take a skate on the pavement. I don't bounce like I used to. If you're experiencing the same thing where you live, stay safe. If you've got sunny skies, enjoy them for me, okay? See you tomorrow.

Lined Baby Kimono...

I completed the Baby Kimono for Wendi's granddaughter yesterday. 

I thought you'd like to see what it looks like now that the lining is installed.

I love the way it turned out!

It's completed hand stitched into the kimono, and it's the softest flannel.

I knit the kimono using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran yarn. It's a blend of 55% merino wool, 33% microfibre and 12% cashmere. The lining is something soft against baby's skin in case she's sensitive to the wools.

Also, for that reason, I stitched the Brynwood Baby label near the bottom 

front lining of the kimono. It's visible, but won't irritate baby's neck.

I attached two (removable) cards at the neckline. This one has the content written on the back of it.

This was the card I designed when we still lived in Florida. I still have a couple left, but they had the Florida address on them. I'll need to get these redone with current information. I did these when I thought I might concentrate on making Christening gowns, bonnets, booties, and kimonos for my shop. Then I discovered bag making. 

I haven't completely put that idea aside. I do love making things for babies. I always have. But for now, at least, I'll keep making bags and accessories from cork. I still think I'll update these cards, though. Just in case...

Meet Eighteen Year Old Angela Clayton...

Buzzfeed Image

Yesterday my friend, Roxane, shared a link to a Buzzfeed article about a young Long Island, NY woman named Angela Clayton. I was immediately taken with the images that accompanied the article. I learned that this eighteen year old created each and every masterpiece...much of it by hand...and an industrial machine. I was speechless.

Buzzfeed Image

 This is a link to the original article.

Each project is more stunning than the last, and her workmanship is impeccable. She's self-taught and references books that she uses as jump-off points for her techniques.

I just knew that many of you would appreciate reading about this young woman and the stunning garments she creates.

Buzzfeed Image

If you'd like to read more about her and her projects, you can CLICK HERE to go to her blog, or HERE to subscribe to her YouTube channel (I did!). There are a lot more pictures to see, too. (As always, you can click on the images here and they will enlarge in another window.)

She shares her techniques, triumphs and throw-aways, and the knowledge she's acquired at her tender age. Many more mature seamstresses and needleworkers could learn from her. I know I will.

You're welcome. (wink)

Perhaps A Little Project...

 I'm enjoying just relaxing and spending time with Handsome and Tag. Just in case I decide I'd like to work on something new, I've pulled two projects out of my "To Do" Basket. (Yes. I do have a small basket I keep priority projects in.)     One of the projects is a wool flag pincushion kit I purchased while in Wisconsin. I could do all the handwork while sitting in my favorite chair. When that part is finished, I'd just sashay into the studio to finish seaming it up on my new sewing machine. It's not like I'd be working on a whole quilt.,,just a small pincushion.

Of course, a sweet, little autumn acorn pincushion would be appropriate. Fall is right around the corner, and this would be just the perfect wee welcome. I've been eyeing this wool tweed fabric project up for some time, too.

Tag went swimming yesterday afternoon. Then he spent the rest of the day on his towel-covered bed, watching his pool. I caught his handsome profile  when he wasn't looking. Right after I took this, I got the "disapproving Corgi" look. Oh, well. You'd think the boy would be used to the camera by now.
Enjoy your Saturday. I have serious "nothing" on my list for today.

It's A Start...

 When I was at Coffee Club last Saturday, two of the girls had already finished

Block One of the Wooly Critters series. (Talk about real overachievers!) 

I got back home, pulled out my wools (which I shared with you here), and set

about creating my first block. Although the other gals are machine sewing their

pieces, I will be hand stitching all of my blocks. I finished setting it up yesterday

 afternoon and then stitched while I chatted with the girls at Paneras last night.

 I love the colors and the texture of the wool. I can tell this project is going

 to be fun to work on. Block One isn't finished yet, but will be soon.

I'll have to remember to pace myself. Only one block a month...or
maybe two if I get my other projects done as planned. Maybe.

Thank you to everyone who left Birthday messages for Handsome

here or on my Facebook page. He really liked reading your good wishes.

and

Thank you, also, for leaving condolences on my Uncle John's passing.

Our family appreciates your prayers as we grieve his loss. I'm meeting 

more family members because of my post, and I think he would like that.

Flo Continues To Teach...

 When I saw the girls at Coffee Club last Saturday, I was surprised to find

that each of us received a gift of one of Flo's unfinished works-in-progress.

Each kit was different, and we all got a kit using a technique that is new

to the receipient. Mine looks like paper pieced diamonds assembled in a star 

pattern. She always used to tell us that she liked to save her scraps.

 These stars are examples of all the fabrics she'd used in other projects. I've

 done English paper piecing before, so that's not the technique that's new to me.

 Flo loved hand sewing her quilts. That's right. This entire project so far, has 

been hand sewn by Flo and will be finished by me using the same techniques.

I've never hand sewn a quilt - or even a single block - before. Making 

consistent 1/4" seams with needle in hand will be my challenge. As I take

extra care to create each tiny stitch, I'll imagine Flo looking over my 

shoulder...and hope that I'm not disappointing her. She'll continue to teach 

me,  even as she is absent from our daily lives. I aim to make her proud.

I'm in no hurry. Doing this project right is definitely going to take me a while.