Briar Rose Needle Book - Swap Inspiration

Hello, Friends!

Have you signed up yet,

for the Need A Little Needle Book Swap?

{I'm happy to say we're off to a great start already. Flickr group is here.}

Today I'd like to describe my Briar Rose sample,

and share some ideas for the design details.

I started with a fabric stack

that I'd put together to make this Noodlehead Divided Basket.

I love the unexpected color scheme:

lilac and gold.

I began with prints from Briar Rose by Heather Ross,

along with a geometric print from an early

Jennifer Paganelli line, Bell Bottoms.

A solid from Free Spirit - called Spark Gold - ties it all together.

The wonderful tutorial from nana company

begins with a piece of patchwork.

Can you believe this is the back of the needle book?

{I'm going to have to make one with a patchwork front next time.}

This time, though, I used the solid gold fabric for the front,

and I added a cute little detail,

using ribbon tape.

I stole borrowed that design idea from

 Kristyne of Pretty By Hand blog,

who is an expert at making these needle books.

See her tutorial here for using ribbon tape accents!

I bought my ribbon tape 

from Billy Cotton Shop on Etsy 

and can recommend this shop wholeheartedly.

Now, on the inside, I've used some luscious wool felt,

which I bought from another favorite shop on Etsy,

Retromama.

I could not resist buying a stack of felt,

in gorgeous bright colors.

Also, I chose some neutrals.

For my needle book, I selected,

after much thought and consideration...

the WHITE felt.

{The irony is not lost on me. But it just looks so good.}

See that golden ric rac?

I had a tiny spool of it, part of a set I found at JoAnn,

and I think it looks great, holding some fancy pins

and a little swatch of the lilac fabric.

Do you like my little sample?
I've decided to give it away,

to someone who joins the

Need A Little Needle Book Swap!

Everyone who signs up is automatically entered

for the random drawing.

{Because everyone needs a little surprise in their mailbox now and then.}

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CLOSED... The Need A Little Needle Book Swap! ---CLOSED

Sometimes we all need a little encouragment

to try something new...

or we need a little break from everyday stress...

or we just need a little bit of beauty in our day.

That's why I'm putting together the 

"Need A Little Needle Book Swap".

GUIDELINES:

1. Join the swap by May 31, 2014.  
Entries are now CLOSED. Thank you, all!

All you need to do is send an email to me at

eamylove@aol.com
with your mailing address.

 {You can comment on this post, too, but please also email me.}

2.  Let me know if you could do an international swap,

or if you prefer to stay within your own country.

You can also let me know if you have any preferences of colors

or styles you would like to receive from your partner.

3. I will assign you a partner. My target date is June 7, 2014.

You will receive an email from me, near that date.

4. It's up to you, whether you would like to keep your identity

from your partner, or would like to contact her to get to know her tastes.

Either way is fun!

5. Create a needle book for your partner and mail it out

by June 30, 2014.

6.  Feel free to include any extras your partner might enjoy...

sweets, sewing notions, fabric scraps or another handmade item.

7.  Have some fun posting pictures on your blog or on Flickr.

Our new Flickr Group page is here!

You can give sneak peeks or just go ahead and show it all.

It's fun to get inspiration from others.

8. Reach out to me, via email, if you have any issues.

Things happen...and sometimes we need a little support

or just can't meet the target date.

I can contact your partner to let them know to be patient...

something good is about to happen.

9. If you need to bow out gracefully, that's okay, too.

No stress permitted in this swap!

10. Above all, encourage one another.

Make new friends with your fellow swappers,

visit their blogs, comment on their photos, and enjoy the group.

So, now...we need a little information...

just what are we swapping???

A needle book is basically just 

a pretty little sewing booklet 

with pages of fabric or felt,

for keeping pins and needles safe and handy.

For my model,

I used the fabulous, free tutorial found

at Nana Company.

You can find many other awesome designs

and tutorials out there for needle books,

so you are not limited to this particular style.

{But isn't it just so cute?!?!?!?!}

Check out my Pinterest board,

Needle Books,

and you'll see a few more ideas.

Sewing-Time Needle Book from thehappyzombie.com

Here's another style I love...

Tutorial by Stitch Craft Create

I need a little more space...this post is long enough!

I'll be back soon to share more details

about this little needle book,

along with an exciting little surprise!

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N Is For Noodlehead - My Latest Divided Basket

Hello, Friends - 

I've just got time to check in for a quick post today!

I've got photos of my latest installment

in the series of Divided Baskets

from the awesome Noodlehead pattern.

For this version,

I used some of the orchid prints in

Heather Ross's Briar Rose line.

{Here is the back view of the basket...}

This pretty basket is a gift

to welcome a lovely new baby girl!

I chose to decorate the basket

with her initial...N.

I used a panel from Lakehouse Dry Goods,

found here at Desperate Quilters,

printed in bronze to look like cross-stitch.

I had a bit of Jennifer Paganelli fabric

from one of her early lines called Bell Bottoms.

I liked the way it looked

as an accent for the pocket and handles.

{I love blending unexpected prints from unrelated fabrics!}

I really love making these baskets for new moms.

They add a pretty storage option

for little diapers, little books,

little socks and shoes,

and so much more.

Look closely at the Briar Rose prints...

do you see them???

That's right...SHAMROCKS!

They fit right in with this month's

Across the Pond Sew Along theme!

Have you made something with shamrocks, too?
Don't forget to add your photos to the Flickr group!

Until next time...happy stitching!

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A Peacock Wedding

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful bride,

with four lovely bridesmaids to attend her.

The bridesmaids gowns were a brilliant shade of teal called Mediterranean...

we call it Peacock in my real-life workplace.

{But that's another tale...don't get me started.}

{Source:  Pinterest}

Each gown came with a fabric stole, 

made from the same teal fabric as the dresses.

The bridesmaids felt certain that they would NOT want to 
wear stoles for the August wedding.

{Can you blame them?}

{Source:  Pinterest}

Someone suggested making little purses from the stoles,

and I was asked to make them!

{Yay!!!}

I knew right away that this Sweet Pea Totes pattern,

the Zip and Go Wristlet,

would be a perfect choice!

I made up all four of the wristlets from the silky taffeta peacock fabric,

which has a fantastic, rich sheen and wonderful texture.

{I lined the fabric with Pellon ShapeFlex 101SF,

and it made perfect pleats.}

For the interiors, I chose four different prints to match.

I used one print for the pocket and the other for the lining.

{I switched up the prints, so that all four coordinated,

but each was unique. These are from Paula Prass and Jennifer Paganelli.}

For the interiors and the pocket, I used Pellon 987F fusible fleece interfacing.

The wristlets are soft, but hold their shape, even when empty.

{Man, I love that stuff...I buy it by the bolt!}

This pattern is fabulous!!!

I've used it many times and it's fun every step of the way.

{Here are some of my favorites...}

I bought a bunch of colorful zippers,

because they add some "zip" to these great bags! 

{I got mine from Zipit on Etsy.}

I do follow the fabulous well-written pattern exactly,

except with two modifications I like to make.

1.

I prefer some extra shaping to the bottom of the bags,

so I make darts in the corners.

2.

Secondly, I LOVE putting a skinny shoulder strap

on my bags, instead of using them

as a wristlet.

They can be carried on the shoulder, or even cross-body.

{When I go to an amusement park, I can tuck mine inside my shirt

for the roller coaster rides!}

I generally make a matching key fob, too...
so I made up a few for the bridal party.

{You just can't have too many of these key fobs!}

{I have a few of these purses for sale in my shop on Etsy,

or you can always contact me if you want me to sew something just for you!}

I had some more of the peacock fabric left...
and I used it to make up a drawstring bag
from this tutorial by Jeni of In Color Order.

I love the lively accent fabrics, once again by Jennifer Paganelli...
It's for the bridal dance, so of course
it's got to rock!

And for the final chapter in this storybook wedding...
the bride needed a pretty purse, too, don't you think?


How lovely is this?


{Made from elmstreetlife's Bow Clutch Tutorial 
that I've already posted about here.}

The lining is from a Jennifer Paganelli's print called Matt's Tux.


{I do so love names that sound like they match the occasion!}

Wishing the bride and groom, their family and friends
a beautiful wedding day!

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