needles (not pins)

There's this cosmic rule in my craft space that my needles get lost as soon as they are stored in a safe place... so safe that I can't remember where I put them... the rule does not apply to my pins, that are easily stored in a Nutella glass (along with the classic white cap).

This thing is driving me crazy, so I surfed the net for some solution... I found my inspiration and I made this needle book, which will hopefully help me with my hiding needles.

It only has 4 pages: the first for hand sewing needles, the second for safety pins holding labels on baby clothes, the third is for embroidery needles (no points) and the last is for wool needles (the big ones).

I love this little book!

tote for baby book project

Smurf#2, who's in kindergarden, is going to join in the reading fun (well, his mom will read, he will behave - ah! - and listen...) and is in urgent need of a tote to take books home.

(sorry, not pressed...)

Kindergarden gave Sis precise directions, and I didn't have much space for maneuver... except for the lining... this is the result.

(guess what? Ikea soft fabric!)

Even if I had restrictions, I must say I like how it came out. Easy peasy!

I embroidered the name with a very simple stem stitch

embroiding? me? naaaah...! or maybe yes...?

I can feel the embroidery bug taking me down.... 'cause in the last few days I've been sorting through my thread stash and surely I must come up with some ideas to *reduce* the whole collection...

I don't really know how many I have, I didn't count them, but I know that I have almost every DMC color code, sometimes in *multiples*... I filled a plastic bag with doubles...

This is insane, I know... I'll think of something...

WIP wednesday #44

This week has been quite feverish, being the first week in primary school for Smurfette#1 and the first week in kindergarden for Smurfette#2... let's not dwell on that for now, I'll post about it another time. Aside from that, I got a serger (which I've not been able to use yet - remember the feverish part?) and sewed and crafted and planned...

COMPLETED PROJECTS:

- kindergarden bag: for my youngest nephew, Smurf#2

- pre-school bib: for another nephew, Smurf#1

- oilcloth diapers pouch: an organization issue is often the starting point for a new project...

- more little oilcloth pouches: after seeing my diapers pouch, Mom's asked me for smaller versions to keep in her bag for cosmetics, tissues, ... you can't say no to Mom, now, can you?

this is Smurfette#1's shot, complete with our feet... (!)

- basket ball holding net (the fishnet): I've finished the net, and now (   ) I have to invent a practical handle...

PROJECTS IN PROGRESS:

- heavy girls' bedroom blind: planned, now I need to get supplies (plastic rings, wood sticks, string, ...)

- lunch bag: on hold

pre-sewn lunch bag

- Paths in my Garden quilt (king size quilt) - on hold 

- Secret project #1 (lap size quilt) - on hold

- Chains of Love quilt (twin size quilt) - on hold for priority reasons

- Secret project #2: it's a Christmas present for very important people :) - planned and partially supplied with the right fabric...
- craft room restyling: I know, I'm repeating myself, but don't you think that once in a while some restyling is in order?
- family room restyling: this is a very much needed project, and we are slowly progressing. I'll post about it later, it deserves a specific post.

THIS WEEK:

completed projects: 5

in progress: 9

new projects: 8

uhmmm... not so good, but I hot to do better next week!

one more bib

My nephew, Smurf#, needs some more bibs, 'cause it seems that the more you grow up, the more you make a mess at lunch. Funny how that actually applies also *out* of pre-school...

Anyway, Sis told me to go with a yellow pattern, 'cause colors identify classes. I personally don't like yellow too much, but this turned out pretty well.

One down, two more to go.

kindergarden - the never-ending story

I have four nephews: two are in school, one is in pre-school and one in kindergarden. Once in a while, some of them need something handcrafted, and I'm the crafty aunt. Lucky me! No, seriously, I love making something for them.

This time, Sis (who's a totally can-I-have-it-already-made-please person) asked me some bags and bibs for  Smurf#2 in kindergarden.

Yesterday evening I started on this project with the first bag.

I had just the right type of fabric, obviously Ikea, which has a fabulous selection of fabrics for kids. With the considerably positive plus of being super-affordable...

I made a bag for the weekly change, with the name cross stitched.

the front

the back

 Isn't this print the cutest ever? It's bright and happy.

For the embroidered part I used cotton emiane and satin ribbon. This time I didn't use an alphabet, but I've  transformed my own handwriting in cross stitch letters. I'm happy with the result.

planning the handwriting2cross stitch thing

placemats

four of them

Again, for my sister, but this time breakfast placemats.

Every placemat, made with kitchen cotton fabric, is embroided in stem stitch with a mug pattern: coffee, tea, cocoa and milk... after all, Sis uses them for breakfast, right?

The embroidery patterns have been inspired by some pictures I found on iStockPhoto (I can't seem to find them any more, though).

I lightly stuffed the placemats, but only a little, to "save" the table from too hot mugs. They are cute, what do you think?

  

packed up

cross stitch napkin pochettes

four of them

packed up for Sis

My sister asked begged me to make some napkin pochettes, 'cause in a family of four it's sometimes difficult to know which napkin is yours...

I decided to go with cross stitch on cotton etamine cloth. And I must say they really came out well. Sis certainly liked them...