Sausage Dog Keyring

Good morning, it's Susie here and I decided I needed some sewing time!

So, I looked out Sarah's Sausage Dog pattern and some scrap denim.  Sarah's kit comes with everything you need to make your little doggy, including felt, which is nice and easy to cut and sew........but I love denim and thought I'd give it a go with that.

I pinned and cut the pattern pieces as normal, although I cut extra ear pieces from some lovely fat quarters I'd bought a while ago to contrast with the denim.  Originally, I'd intended to make a very neatly finished doggy - like the ears - all sewn right sides together and turned out the right way.

BUT, denim really needs to be machine sewn, rather than handsewn (in my opinion) and this was proving a step too far for my skills!  So, I gave it a go sewing it right sides outward and tried to make my piece with a ruffer (get it?!!) finish........really quite a challenge for someone like me!

Having already sewn the ears neatly, when adding them to the denim dog body, they ended up shorter than the original pattern, so it resembles a rather different breed of dog, but hopefully Sarah won't mind that her lovely sausage dog has shorter ears!  Here's what he looks like in felt:

I also omitted the tummy part of the pattern so that my doggy would be slightly flatter, as I wanted to use it as a keyring.  I added 2 sequins and beads for eyes and gave my dog a collar and lead in order to attach my keyring.  This was made with a strip of my material, which was sewn, although ribbon would have been quicker.

My daughter, who also loves denim, would love one for herself, so I will try to remember to take photos of my process when I make hers, and post fuller instructions, or an edit to this post.  I'm also going to have a go at applique-ing the sausage dog to something.....a cushion, a bag, who knows?!

Have any of you come up with additional applications for your cute sausage dog pattern?

Bold Butterflies

Morning All. It's Lisa here today and I thought I would share a bit more detail on my project I created for this months Challenge theme, which is Stitching. The challenge is open until midnight on Sunday so why not have a crafty weekend and show us what you create.

I have been having a little play with the A Few of My Favourite Things Kit again. This bold paper was from January's kit and I've hand stitched the edge as my sewing machine broke just before I made this. Oh well, my hand stitching is neater than my machine stitching anyway! Here is my card...

I've added a shimmer to the patterned paper with a Wink of Stella pen and stamped butterflies to each spot. My embellishments were made with UTEE and a Melt Pot.

The large butterflies have been stamped off the edge of the central panel. I used the Wink of Stella Pen to drag the ink and give them a watercolour look.

Here's what I used:

• A Few of My Favourite Things Kit

• Sentiments Stamps
• Butterfly Stamps

• 'Denim' Adirondack Ink pad

• White Square Card Blank

• UTEE Embellishments (Heart and Enamel Dots)

• Wink of Stella Clear Brush Pen, Embroidery Thread and Needle and a round corner punch

Thanks for stopping by

Lisa

Cross Stitch Pouch

Hello, it's Claire (Newcombe) with you today, for my first inspirational post here.

I thought I'd show you something that I made just before Christmas with the first sample of the first cross stitch kit that Sarah has designed.

You can pick up this kit here

I used to cross stitch alot, but as many of you will relate to, your life moves on with either family or you develop interests and passions for other crafts and finding the time to get back and revisit old loves is not always easy.

So I was thrilled to have the opportunity to stitch again with this gorgeous kit, and when finished, my mind got to wondering how best to finish off and frame these two little cuties.

Like any crafter, I am a magpie for anything with a pretty pattern, and that extends to fabric. It just so happened that I had a set of fat quarters (the quilting term for a manageable piece of fabric, 18" by 22" from which you cut your patchwork pieces)...... the quilters equivalent of 12" x 12" sheet of paper, if you like!

 I have had these turquoise fabrics stashed for many years, and it just so happened to match Sarah's colour of choice for her website & packaging.

So, out with the sewing machine it was, and a little bit of patchwork and quilting started to take place, creating the pouch you see above. I sized it to hold microwaveable hand warming gel pads, as a christmas present and thank you to Sarah - and to highlight the fabulous designs she create.

I hope that it has inspired you to perhaps think outside the box a little, to create items that be incorporated into your everyday life and remind you of how crafty you are.

Be sure to check back daily for more inspiration from our team, and then if you have time, sit for a few minutes and browse back through posts that have already been.

Challenge 11 All sewn up

Morning bloggers,

Wow week 11 already, where has the time gone?

It's my turn(Shell) to choose the challenge this week

and i love stitching on my cards, now it doesn't have to be machine stitching,

it can be done by hand or even faux stitching done with a pen.

The DT girlies have done some brilliant cards to get the inspiration going.

Just click on the names to find out how each card was made.

Lisa Jane

Teri

Sarah

Shell