Little Happy Bag pattern

 

I wanted to share an idea for a bag front, using my pattern 'Little Happy Bag'. 

I have recently been completely captivated with cross stitch. This guy has been sitting & waiting for ten years or so, in my pinterest pins. So, one day, instead of doing all the things I was supposed to do....I had a wonderful time stitching him. I made the wreath around him as I went along. And changed some thread colors, to what I had on hand. So, that tells me...that I have gotten comfortable with this cross stitching adventure. This is only my second make and the other is still not finished. Oh My...
He is not perfect but makes me happy & the whole time I was stitching....I knew it was going to be a bag front. 

So here it is!

I cut 4 Strips from Outer Fabric to frame the stitching. The art measures 3" on this one & I allowed 1/2" or so all the way around. I sewed my side strips on first, then the top & bottom using a 1/2" SA. Pressed & Top Stitched.

Once, stitching is framed, cut panel to the original size per the pattern. Be sure to center the stitching Left-to-Right before cutting. My measures will place the stitching lower than center Top-to-Bottom. If you want the stitching centered both ways adjust the measure for top & bottom strips. 
Continue with the pattern to complete your bag.

CUT
2 -Sides - 3"w X 4-1/4"h
2 -Top & Bottom - 8-1/2"w X 3-1/4"h 

I totally enjoyed making this bag & will probably make more because I just have sooo many ideas.

Enjoy!

Get My Pattern - Little Happy Bag - Etsy - Link on sidebar & at the top.

Cross Stitch - Inspired by - Merry Christmas Book by Marie Anne Rethoret-Melin

December first..here we go...

I'm finishing up several projects today and have started some new. I can't seem to stop the Merry Making...too fun! The girls are modeling ribbons ....still can't decide & I know, I have silver bells ...somewhere. I'm not liking the gold with the fabric colors. There in a box in the eaves, I'm sure, that I haven't pulled out yet. Something tells me...bells would be best.
The nose & eyes...? dunno but I will get it all together eventually.

I did manage to get the binding on the Little Bird & Letters mug mat, that I showed in an earlier post.

And as you can see...I have started some more patchwork. Oh, I should be in a bag making mode very soon.

I tried a pattern for a one side zip pouch. It's called a SweetPea Pod by Joan Hawley. A free standing, wide open pouch. It uses a small amount of fabric and guess what? You can get two pouches from one zipper because only one side is needed per pouch. How's that for nifty?

The pattern didn't call for the tab but I felt it needed one for the way I wanted to use it.  I sewed a piece of ribbon in the zipper seam. Then, I got to playing with the box seam. If sewn horizontally, it gives it another look. It's a cute, cute pattern & I will be making more. Besides, it gives me an excuse to get some fun colored zip pulls. 

Do you see what I see? wee ice skate? yes, making a few of those too...with the paper clips. Those are for the Secret Santa party, my daughter is hosting at her office. She has ideas for them....the apple didn't fall from the tree...

The change I made to the pattern, on this try, when zipped, lays flat. And because I put the tab in the seam, I can hang it like an ornament. It's plenty big for a gift card too.

Now, off to pull some more fabrics....and find those bells. Hope you are making merry or at least enjoying the season.

...see you soon.

Merry...Merry & bright...

Making some Merry!   Ruthie, Ruby & Rita Reindeer

I found a cute pattern in my travels and just had to make it! Rachel Reindeer by SisBoom. You can find it in the SisBoom Shop, in the Pattern section, Free Download.

I decided to get all my scrappy pieces together and make these. They are a mix of all sorts & 1 1/2" squares. The Ruby hiding in the back there....was really small scraps....not much of that collection left.

Merry...Merry.....& Bright!

& The backs......two in a Christmas fabric from Joann's & the middle is Ruby again ( by Bonnie & Camille). charm square.

I can't decide how to decorate them. Follow the pattern with a pom-pom nose?

Maybe a ribbon of bells around their necks?

Not sure what I'll come up with....but these will be super cute for stockings or just decorating a room with lots of MERRY!
Are you on Instagram? #rachelreindeer  #sisboompatterns  Add yours to the mix!

.........see you soon!

carrot noses...

I'm working on a snowman quilt today and feeling like a Christmas Elf. The air is cool and crisp and makes me want to be right here...in my sewing room.

I made nine snowman blocks and I'm ready for some carrot noses and a little detail stitching. It's just that kind of day, to take it easy and relax a bit. I have another snowman block, which started this whole idea. I was going to make ice cream snowmen or ladies. I still may do this for another but this one will be a mini when finished.

Strawberry, Chocolate & Vanilla with red sprinkles...? I'll add a little more to this and then quilt & bind it, for a mini or possibly a cute little mat for coffee. mug rug?

The snowman block is quite fun to make and super fast actually. I had nine finished before my morning coffee. I usually have two cups this time of year. Love a day in the sewing room with a hot cup and a cool breeze...heaven. After stitching, I'm off to do a border and I'm not sure about that because I ran out of some fabrics. This is the fun part....putting it all together with what you have. At least, it is for me.
Happy Stitching!






Fabrics: Anni Downs Hatched & Patched -  Christmastime     Bunny Hill Designs - Mistletoe Lane
Mr Snowman Block - Lori Bee - Check her Instagram under #mrsnowmantutorial and make one step by step ;)

and sew here we are...

Holiday Making Begins....see you soon.

Wednesday... On my Sewing Table

I'm trying to make my way thru some winter stitching and possibly get a head start on some holiday gifties....wishful thinking is good. I find myself, beep-bopping back n forth between snowmen, hearts & bunnies.... I want Spring weather...but we are still very much in Wintertime here...cold...cold...this snowman isn't melting anytime soon.

It's the perfect time to be catching up on some winter stitching, so I pulled a few things out. Hearts, hexies and snow....that, with a cup of tea and my afternoon is spoken for.
Happy Stitching...til next time.

a mouse or two

I just love a cute little mouse. Stitched, cheery and just plain cute....the real ones freak me out. These will eventually become goody bags or something like that. I've been steady going and stitching all the fun little designs I can  find. After Christmas it's back to work on my own designs, I haven't shared them with you...but they're coming...soon. I'm excited!
I'll post some finished pieces soon, I have to stitch just a bit more and then it's off to the sewing machine. I suppose a bake day is real close by too.

Happy Stitchin'......til later

jammin' moose

Having a little fun here....bells, colors and some ruby. This is one happy jammin' moose...or at least I was jammin' while creating him. I got the idea some time back and cannot remember where it originated from but I added the stringed ornaments dancing around his antlers and the little pink gifty in his pocket. I colored him in with pencil and stitched some bells here & there. He really is a scrappy little project that was fun to experiment with. I do that quite a bit...start and have no idea where it will end up.
Which is why the sewing is not quite right but i like him....he can hang around til the end of the year or until one of the kids snag him....just fun.

I plan to get a nice branch from the tree out back and thread it thru with some ribbon.... but for now he's set aside, waiting for a pressing & some fussing, while the rain comes down. Crazy December weather....warm, rainy....where's the snow?

I'm stitching on another fun design & sippin' my favorite vanilla coffee and yes I have my comfy socks on and yep....threads are tracked across the carpet downstairs.....

Happy Stitching....... til next time.

let the stitchin' begin!

Getting started on some holiday stitchin' and sewing ideas.

and boy do I have plenty...ideas and projects in the works.

I'm cutting 2.5 squares and stitchin' fun fast designs for some fun little gifts.

I am having some secret sewing fun!
This pattern is a freebie from 'Homeberries'...one of my favorite stitching designers.
I'm thinkin' ...i'll frame him in a patchwork but not quite sure.

I'll be back very soon to share more...til then...

Happy Stitchin'