Friday, April 24, 2009

Easter Parade

I was anxious to attend our family Easter celebration for several reasons this year. Of course, it would be wonderful to catch up with all the folks I haven't seen for a while, but I also knew that I would have some lovely models for these new Prairie Gothic projects. 

Willow models the first in a series of everyday "Go" bags... just big enough for your phone, a wallet and the car keys. It folds almost like a little grocery bag, except the base is round and covered with the same striped fabric as the strap. The grommets and tie (notice the button finish) make the contents easily accessible. But the coneflower is definitely the star of the show.

My beautiful mother-in-law, Ellen, was wearing daffodil yellow, a perfect match for this petite shoulder bag with a yo-yo flower accent. The design features the border print from the Night Life fabric.

Gorgeous Gretchen makes the scene in this dramatic fitted vest (McCalls #5186) with "double spiders". The large design makes dramatic symmetry in the front and the back. 

The back of the vest has a contrasting tie for a shapely fit and to emphasize the dancing teasels. 

Olivia models my favorite bag, in fact, it is the bag I use everyday. It has a convenient front scoop pocket lined with rick-rack and inside pockets for my cell phone and a lipstick. But my favorite detail is the row of felt "dingle ball" beads, from the Art Girlz. I'm putting those dingle balls on everything these days!!!

Next we have two versions of The X Bag pattern by Four Corners Design, made by my friend, Linda Teufel, editor of Dragon Threads. This sturdy design creates outer pockets by overlapping double panels of coordinating fabrics. Here she has combined the Teasel and Lace fabric with an older Sassaman favorite and finished with a bias ribbon in the Midnight Stripe.

Next she combines the Midnight Sunflower fabric with the purple Dots and the Dusky Stripe as the matching trim. This pattern provides a nice opportunity to rummage in your stash for some of those sublime and unexpected fabric partners.

Last of all, this cute Strawberry Teasel shoulder bag with a deep flap and yo-yo ornament will brighten any day. I can imagine it with a 50's summer party dress... full skirt and boat neckline!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

A Cushy Life

This week we introduced a few new cushioning elements into our house. First project is this nice big lounging pillow made from four large fan blocks featuring Prairie Gothic's Teasel and Lace and surrounded by some coordinating Dots. Poor Pumpkin doesn't know what to think of it yet!

As usual, I have used 12 weight thread and a nice long stitch for the quilting and it shows up sharply in the light of this lovely spring evening.

But it didn't take long for the next pillow to be discovered and put into use. Burnt Toast was the first to test it out. Greg made the crafty stick bed several years ago for our little feline family.

Finally relaxed, she looks like a queen on the little cushion covered with critters from the Dusky Night Life home dec fabric and trimmed with contrasting Dots for pizazz.
I'm off to teach at Asilomar on Saturday for a wonderful week of inspiration, conversation and ocean views!