Fun

Last night I was playing in my sewing room working on a red fish, trying to decide on the proper background quilting for her - this fish happens to be a "she".  I abandoned my fish project and made this.  It measures 8 1/2" x 12" .  It is made of burlap, copper wire mesh, copper sheet metal, buttons, fabric and laughter.  I had purchased little brads from the stationery department somewhere and used those to hold the items in place. The thread is DMC gold and copper and a red metallic. I can not explain where it came from but here it is and what great fun it was to create.

 Here is a closeup.

Just Swimming

 I just put my finishing touches on another fish and he is displayed over my fireplace. I love this guy. If you look closely you can see I incorporated metal - thin pieces of copper which catch the light and then some tentacles of copper wire. I had to hand stitch these curly copper wires in place with invisible thread but it was worth the time to do so. Cute?

In progress - to completion

Here are a series of photos for making a Liturgical stole.   from my design wall - step 1 Sew fabric strips of various widths to a foundaton. 

Step 2 is to cut the strips 6" wide They look better already!

This is a red with "bling" along the bottom.

Here is the finished purple that was on the wall.

This is the purple back - I used solid fabric on one side and  purple with a gold touch fabric on the other side of the back. You can also see the same fabric on the front.

Here is a picture of the blue stole back. The fabric is a pre-crinkled blend with sparkles.

Here is the front of the blue stole. I like to decrease the fabric around the collar area. I believe it is more comfortable to wear and slips under collars with ease. All the fabric helps give the stole weight so they stay in place and hang nicely. When I am making the stoles I am very aware they will be used in worship services. It is such an honor to be using my sewing for this purpose. It gives me purpose.

The second dress!

 I completed the second dress for my granddaughter's second birthday.  It didn't make the party but will be well received. I used the same pattern by "k.p.kids" but added jumbo  rick rack at the hem, waist and pocket edge (every girl needs a pocket). I attached it with a zig-zag stitch and caught the hem and bodice lining in the stitch so I had no hand work to do.  The piping at the neck adds a finished look.

The FISH

Okay Nan here he is!

I became interested in making fish a few years ago after seeing the work of Susan Carlson. (http://www.susancarlson.com/) I purchased her book FREE STTLE QUILTS and I fell in love with the process. My friend Nancy has challenged me to use the blue and black fabric in a fish.

My weekend

 My granddaughter will be 2 next weekend so I made this cute little dress using the "Little Sprouts" Wardrobe by k.p. kid's & co. (copyright Kari Pearson 1994).  The pattern is easy to follow - gives a professional result and has sizes 6 mths to 4T.  I have a collection of old buttons so it is fun to find different ones to use. I placed the pocket on the bodice and used a 3-D flower. I have more fabric selected for the next one but plan to put the pockets on the dress front. If the dresses are a hit I will make her more because she has twin sisters who will be wearing them next summer.