A finish in January….

I ran across a blog hop which used designs by Brooke Nolan of Brooke's Books Publishing, (whom I have known for many years) and I just love her designs.  So I decided why not - maybe this would be a good jump start to get me back to sewing again.  I've been sewing for many years, but stitching is my first love (as you can see if you look at my blog for a couple of minutes!), and I haven't done very much sewing over the past year or so.  

(OH, and excuse the photos, it's been raining for the past 3 days & I can't seem to get good pics inside, sorry!)

First, I had to pick out fabric and I had these in my HUGE fabric stash.  What goes better with red than blue?  Then I found this really cute summer print with everything needed for the beach/summer - flip flops, bathing suits, beach bags, etc.  I thought it would be cute for the lining, and there are areas on the fabric with sparkles on it - like glitter.  Well of course that made me think of opalescent fabric, so I decided to stitch Brooke's cute design on 28 ct White Opal Linen.  I had to change a few white stitches to light blue so they'd show up.  Hopefully you can see how much the fabric sparkles in the photo below….  (and yes, I left the shoe off-on purpose!)

The purse frame and some red rick rack for the trim along with my fabrics….

So once I finished the stitching, I made the Tammy Bag, then started the Pinny, which was also a part of the blog hop.  Well, I have to admit, I've never done any hand appliqué & wasn't quite sure that I could get it done properly with the limited time I had.  I think it's an adorable design & soon I will get up the nerve up to try the appliqué.  But in the meantime, this is what I came up with… 

 I also decided that instead of a ruffle, I wanted to use more of my red rick rack for the trim-to match the trim on the back pocket of the Tammy Bag.  And instead of the pocket on the back of the Pinny, I pulled out my Baby Go & used the heart die to make a heart shaped needler holder, with a flap to keep the needles from poking me when I pick it up.  I know that doesn't follow the pattern exactly, but I think it's pretty cute!  Below there are several pictures of the front & back, along with one of my little over-one projects in my Q-Snaps called "Beach Blessing"…. 

And here you can see the Pinny laying flat with the flap open & needles in it….

You can purchase the designs by Brooke and the purse frame handles here - www.downsunshinelane.com/ms.htm 

Thanks for stopping by & Happy Stitching & Sewing!