eyeglasses case

Glasses case
Originally uploaded by pout on a whim

I recently asked Chatterbelle what she would like to give grandma for her birthday. Her enthusiastic response was, "eyeglasses"! Since eyeglasses are a difficult item to gift, I suggested we make grandma something to store the pair she already owns in. Chatterbelle drew the design and I embroidered it on felted wool. The color didn't photograph well, it is actually wine red, not brown. The case is interfaced and lined with cotton flannel. Embroidery is done with a chain stitch using orange, yellow, and green threads. The orange trim is wool felt.

I will do another post on our collaborative projects at another time.

raining cats and dogs apron

raining cats and dogs apron
Originally uploaded by pout on a whim

The current theme for tie one on is Local Pride. It took me awhile to decide which way I wanted to go with this one, but in the end I chose a simple route and let the fabric be the focus. I'm calling my apron "raining cats and dogs in Seattle". We all know how much it rains here in Seattle.

This fabric was purchased at the thrift store last year. Compelled to buy it as it had so many of Chatterbelle's favorite things depicted on it - cats, dogs, and umbrellas! She looks forward to rainy days just so she can walk around outside under her umbrella and jump in puddles. And we have pets she helps take care of - two dogs and several cats. The contrasting yellow and white polka dot fabric was purchased on sale (end of bolt sale) sometime last year. I'm inclined to pick up small yellow prints when they are on sale since it is Chatterbelle's favorite color - always looking to add to my stash.

I used Simplicity pattern #3949. But I changed the pocket. I made a pocket in the shape of an umbrella and appliqued the handle with a satin stitch.




Thanks to Fluff for assisting me in the photo shoot. I prefer to photograph outside, but (no surprise) it's raining today. In fact it's raining cats and dogs...

Angel mini-bag

Angel mini-bag
Originally uploaded by pout on a whim

The current theme for the Purse project is to make an amulet bag.

I'm not really into good luck charms, so I chose to make a small bag that would serve as a reminder of some of the character qualities I hope to instill in my daughter. Using the scripture passage 1 Corinthians 13 as an inspiration, I made a small angel with three large pockets in her skirt. One pocket for faith, one pocket for hope, one pocket for love. Angel is made from wool felt and stitched with embroidery floss. I used a black fabricmate dye pen to draw face, shoes and dress details. Because the pockets are open on top, there should be no hindrance to sharing the faith, hope, and love stored therein.

But pockets being pockets, they needed something placed in them. I chose tokens that symbolized the character quality of each pocket. The faith pocket has some tiny mustard seeds. The hope pocket has a small cross that belonged to my mother when she was a girl. The love pocket has a heart-shaped bead.




Angel measures 3 and 5/8 inches tall and has a gold ribbon to tie around neck. The angel design is from a vintage ornament pattern (which I have since mislaid) that I modified a bit.

But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Nature

IMG_2443a
Originally uploaded by pout on a whim

Yesterday while in the garden, Chatterbelle had an opportunity to witness nature in action. Spots (the cat) chased after, then caught, and finally ate a grasshopper. Crunch, crunch, munch, munch. No more Mr. Grasshopper.

Bouquet

This is a little bouquet of flowering weeds that Chatterbelle picked yesterday. We don't have much in the way of garden flowers, so she makes do with what she has.

Cushion

This is a cushion I made back in March. I was prompted to make it shortly after Chatterbelle declared that she had outgrown the euro stye high chair I had purchased just three months before. She found a fat phone book to put on the kitchen chair and then climbed up to eat her meals. I quickly decided that the phone book was an eyesore and at next opportunity went to fabric store for supplies - no coupon, no sale. Paid full price for a 3" wide cushion and two yards of flannel lined vinyl. Completed project in afternoon despite an error in measurement, and placed on kitchen chair in time for dinner. But in typical Chatterbelle fashion, she refused to sit on it and pleaded for her phone book. I thought she would like it - it's yellow. So phone book was returned to chair and cushion was relegated to closet. Imagine my surprise when yesterday, out of the blue, Chatterbelle announced that she wanted to sit on the cushion. Cushion came out of closet, phone book returned to book shelf, and Chatterbelle appeared content to sit on the yellow cushion. It took her five months to decide that she liked it...

Beach bag

IMG_3225a
Originally uploaded by pout on a whim

I made this beach bag from materials I had on hand. The sandy colored fabric was found at the thrift store a few weeks ago - I think it is a home dec fabric. The outside pocket is made from some fabric I've had for several years - I think it is Michael Miller. The print depicts two children playing on the beach.

The bag is lined with the same yellow gingham that I made the sun out of. Everything we make must have at least a bit of yellow in it since it is Chatterbelle's favorite color.