Purple Traveling Bag

Purple Travel Bag

My daughter says she is worried about me.  She doesn't understand the appeal of having matched sewing accessories. She has no idea just how proud I am proud to display my matching sewing accessories in my purple travelling bag.

In fact, before I started updating my blog, I made sure that my current project is in that bag.  I am taking it to work tomorrow to finish once last seam during lunch.  I can hardly wait for my co-workers, who will stop and want to know what everything is, to see my recently finished bag.

Scissor's Keep

I decided to branch out in my choice of color for this project.  I used purple.  When I went to Joann's last week, I found a matching purple thimble.  I also found matching purple embroidery hoops. I even have purple straight pins. I had to settle for a blue seam ripper but I have my eye out for a purple one!

Pin Rollup and Needlebook

The project called for some embroidery.  I found the motifs on Hoop Love.  We are so privileged to live in a time when we can utilize resources on the web.  I used the tissue transfer method.  See this blog post from Mary Corbet on Design Transfer.  It was a good opportunity to try out my light box.  It worked very well.

This was another project that was sponsored by StitchMAP (Stitch Mentor Apprentice Program). I have learned so much from them.  I know that they all appreciate how much fun it will be to show off my new tools at work.  My daughter just asked if I was going to "inflict" my crafting on my co-workers while she is rolling her eyes!

Travel Bag

CQ2012 January's Block

I am so excited.  I feel like a kid who has just learned to ride a bicycle with no hands!  Can you hear me saying, "look at me"?  What is all the fuss about?  I finished my first block for the CQJP2012 project.  A thank you to StitchMAP for the CQ class that made it possible for me to think I could actually do Crazy Quilting.

CQJP2012 January



Fan Close Up

 I really had fun with this project.  It started out slow.  I found the fan picture on Hoop Love Vintage Transfers. I used tissue paper to transfer the design.  It worked very well.  I used DMC regular 6 strand cotton embroidery floss.  What was so fun is that I experimented a little with Long and Short Stitch on the flowers.  Mary Corbet has a tutorial for the stitch which I had participated in last year.  Also, I have to admit, that I have purchased Trish Burr's book, "Needle Painting Embroidery"  It was such an excellent book that I had to also order  Colour Confidence in Embroidery.  I am still going through these books. I have no doubt they will be important resources for me.

Silk Ribbon Flowers Close Up



After the fan, I used Buttonhole Stitch to applique the lace rose. Because the 12 blocks in the project are destined to become a pair of pillow shams, I have imposed some limits.  I don't want a lot of beads or buttons because the piece will need to be washable.  Also, I'm pretty sure they would not be comfortable.  I originally thought the same about silk ribbon embroidery, but this corner kept calling out to me.  It wanted some silk ribbon flowers and I was hoping to duplicate the flowers in my center piece fabric.  My picture is a little blurry, but how do you think I did?  It is only my second time using ribbon.  These ribbons are actually organza ribbons that I purchased on e-Bay.  That's where I also purchased a laying tool made of bone.  It really does help to keep your ribbon unbunched and full.


The seam treatments were fun. The Buttonhole Wheels were transferred from a pattern by Kathy Shaw.  You can find more information about her book Embellishing Crazy Quilts which contains these templates on her blog, Shawkl. I used waste canvas on the Herringbone Stitch and the Fly Stitch seams.  Kerry Katie Cakes has a nice tutorial on using waste canvas on your crazy quilt block.  She uses it to apply an image.  I used it to build even seams. I first saw the idea on the blog, Kitty and Me Designs.  Pam Kellogg, blog owner, has put together two e-books on seam treatments that are on my wish list. I follow her on Pinterest because I love her work! 

Here is one last look at the block.




Another look at CQJP 2012 January