Ghost Candle Mat in Wool Applique

Who can resist candy this time of year!

And what better to decorate with, than candy corn.

This little seasonal mat is made of wool and features applique and a green sparkle thread outline.

I used my Baby Lock Sashiko machine to add the sparkle thread to the top of the candle mat.

The pattern is from Buttermilk Basin.

I purchased the kit from My Girlfriend's Quilt Shop in Midway, UT.

They carry an extensive variety of wool felt and the shop has sew many samples,

thread, and supplies for quilting and for wool designs.

Just eye candy at its finest!

Buttermilk Basin also has lovely patterns for Christmas wool items.

I can't wait to stitch up a number of them.

If you want to add some simple, quick décor items to your home,

try your hand at wool applique.

It can be stitched by hand or by machine.

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit today.

Coneflower Season

Coneflowers are one of my most favorite of summer's floral beauties

They're reliable, they return to visit me every summer

and they always produce colorful blooms

no matter the environment - wet - dry- cool - hot

it doesn't matter

they return.

And now, I can enjoy the beauty of the coneflower year round.

This quick, wool applique candle mat helps me get my coneflower fix

even when the cold winter winds are blowing and the snow is swirling

I added hot fix crystals for a little bling on the "cone"

From bhg.com "Purple coneflower is one of the toughest, most reliable perennials on the market"

As you can see, my coneflower is indeed purple

But, it has some added burnt orange coloring

A very similar coloring to the coneflowers growing in my garden

Disclaimer:

I pressed the wool with my iron and held it in place too long,

thus scorching the purple wool!!!

*sigh*

Instead of hand stitching, I used my sewing machine for the applique

My #BabyLock #Sashiko did an outstanding job on those leaf veins . . .

and on the coneflower stem

The back of the mat is finished off with a simple, cotton fabric

This little mat is a lovely addition to my late summer décor

Enjoy the late season beauty of this great earth God has created, my friends.

A Notion Bag for a Martha Pullen Teacher Licensing Event

Happy July, sewing friends!

I've been a busy little worker sewing up inventory for

my Etsy shop that will open on August 1 (more on that later)

So I decided to take a break and make something for myself

It's the #SewTogetherBag by Sew Demented

I'm heading to Federicksburg, VA in late September to attend the

Martha Pullen Teacher Licensing Express Serger III course, and

I needed a cute bag to house my sewing notions, so I decided to give

the #SewTogetherBag a go

There is lots and lots of storage in this compact bag:

3 inside zipper pockets and 4 open compartments

 The zipper pockets are all lined with striped fabric

there's also a little, puffy, pin cushion

and . . .

a needle landing in pink and green wool felt

Instead of the standard 18" zipper closure,

I used a 24" purse zipper (available in my Etsy shop in August)

The purse zippers have a wider tape on either side of the zip,

which makes them easier to insert in a bag

and they are also stronger than standard size zips

I used my Lori Holt Bloom templates to add some applique to the front of the bag

and the fabric is Welcome Home by Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics

Are any of you heading to the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo in Fredericksburg this year?

Send me an email or comment on this post - I would enjoy meeting you in person

Happy sewing, my friends!

Kindness Matters

I must confess, my new fabric shop love is Shabby Fabrics

I'm a big fan of applique

but I'm not a big fan of cutting

Shabby Fabrics offers pre-fused and laser-cut kits:

you just peel the paper backing off those perfectly cut applique shapes,

place them on your background fabric,

give 'em a press with a medium iron

and your on your way to the sewing machine (or hand needle)

before you know it, your project is ready to quilt and bind

I chose to tackle this one completely with the sewing machine

the only hand stitching was to secure the binding on the back,

which is how I always stitch my binding

the pattern included the 'kindness matters' lettering to trace and stitch by hand

since this was my no-hand-stitching project,

I used embroidery software for the lettering and added the Bible scripture reference

then took it to my embroidery machine and stitched it out

thank you, Shabby Fabrics, for the great selection of beautiful fabrics, kits, and notions

and, I might add, for the speeeeedy shipping

my package is usually on my doorstep 2-3 days after I place my order

let me just add, hand stitching has a unique charm all it's own

I'm a big fan of hand-sewn projects

I'll be sharing some hand sewing in the future

what about you?

hand stitching vs. machine stitching

have an enjoyable last week of April, my friends