I was so excited to have finished the Christmas cracker for my CQ Group and the Reticule Bag for my Uncle’s Friend’s daughter, that I have just been relaxing the last couple of days.  So, here they are:

The outside of the Christmas cracker was supposed to be a Hussif. However, I wrapped fabric around the outside, and had to wrap the Cracker in paper, because the Hussif would no longer fit around the paper towel roll. LOL!

Since we do a dirty Santa, my Cracker was chosen and then stolen twice, ending up with the person who drew the last number. I must admit that I was pleased that it was a desired item.

      Front Cover

Inside Front Cover with pocket and Needlebook.

Inside Center with pocket and scissor keep. 

 

Center pocket and scissor keep.

Right Inside cover with pincushion and Thimble Keep.

 

Inside cover and back.

 

Back and front cover.

 

Now! I am so happy with the way the Reticule Bag turned out. I Crazy quilted the four sides and couched a purple and metallic piping along each of the seams. I lined the bag with a pale pink linen fabric, to help stabilize the bag and keep the internal wear & tear to a minimum.  Hope you like how it turned out.  

Open bag with Little girl and butterfly.

 

Open bag with mother reading to daughter.

 

Closed bag, two little girls playing music.

 

Closed bag, little girl with dress skirt full of blossoms.

Today I finished up two sides of the purse I’m making for my Uncle’s friend’s daughter. LOL! A lot of people involved.

I’m trying to keep it pretty simple, as it is for a child. And although it does have beading, she is a responsible little girl and takes pride in her treasures, which is what I hope this will be for her.

A lot of French Knots make up the flowers in her apron/skirt and in the tree to the left, just a hint of flowers.  Some variegated Glorianna (Princess Perle Petit) silk thread in the Creation stitch on the ric rac with size 11 seed beads.  I decided to add some silk ribbon flowers to a fan charm and I think it works well.

 

On the second side of the purse, I decided to follow the interest of the little girl in the photo. I added a butterfly charm to the flowers on the fabric and then added the spider for luck, since they are both insects. Using 2mm silk ribbon, I put a little cumber bun and bow on the print.  Finally, a strip of ric rac with the same Glorianna silk thread as on the first purse side, and added some metallic pink Mill Hill beads.

 

 

I’m pretty happy with the way this is going. Hope you do as well.

I started this project earlier this week and now to finish for Christmas. My wonderful uncle has a friend that lost his home to Sandy and has 4 children. This uncle has been organizing a group of friends and family to help them out. They lost everything!

Anyway, my uncle wants to give the little girl a handmade item for Christmas, and has asked me to make something that the child can use for a couple of years to put her little treasures in.  I decided a Reticule Bag might be nice.  So here is the work in progress:

This little one discovering Insects, gives me a chance to add a well-placed spider web for luck. I think it would be cute in the purple area. Also thinking about adding silk ribbon to the comber bun and bow on her dress.

 

Two lovelies who love music playing and enjoying the Spinet and Mandolin. Hopefully this will give the little girl a sence of growing up and trying new things. Still thinking on this one for a while.

 

Most little, and big girls, have a love of flowers. So, I just couldn't leave this one out of the project. I'm using French Knots for the flowers. Although it is not completed, I think it is taking shape.

 

And what girl doesn't like to have story time with Mommy. I love this picture, it reminds me of when my mother used to read to my sisters and I before bed time. It is what has made me an avid reader. So of course I had to add it to the collection. Also and older child here. Trying for an item that can be used for a longer period than just one year. I want the purse to grow with her. 

 

So, now that I've shared, it's back to work. Got to get it done before Christmas.

 

Well, I finally finished up on the Redwork Course I've been taking. Although it has taken a little over 6 weeks to complete, I'm happy with the results.  I learned a lot and improved my stitching skills as well as getting something out of this course other than just more knowledge.

I now have a lovely set of Fabric Weights. Take a look! Nice, right?  I took the little Flower and Scroll motif and made a scissor fob. The strawberry was made into an emery for my needles and pins.
I'm pleased with the outcome.  But take a look at the next picture-

 

 

You just have to have something to hold those fabric weights. So, we got to make a bag to put them in. I chose the Poppy Motif and tried my hand at some threadwork. I'm pleased with the reslults for a first try on the threadwork. And, I got to use some of my stash. Bonus!! LOL!

 

 

 

Every one of the ladies in this class did beautiful work and I'm happy to have taken part. I learned a lot of new information.  Thanks to the ladies of StitchMap.