Paper-piecing Challenge

I've had such a slow crafting start this year, I feel pretty bad about it.  I had a very nice project all laid out, the "I'll take one of everything bag", a pattern from Anna Maria Horner's book Seams to me. I had ordered the fabric especially for this project and went as far as cutting out the paper pattern from the book. Then I spent an evening trying different layouts with the fabric, and calculating how to cut it so I would still have enough for the lining and the braided handles.  I never came to a final decision and the project is still waiting, the fabric neatly piled up on the end of my ironing board.  This was meant to be my project for this month's Craft Book Challenge, but now I have to switch to something else because there is no way I can make this bag over the weekend.

So I took out my vintage fabric scraps and decided to make a paper-pieced pincushion I've had my eye on for quite a while.  I only had time to get started on a few pieces tonight, but hopefully I can put it together this weekend.  It promises to take quite a few hours, though, as it will all be hand sewn.

Sylvie

A New Year, a Challenge and other fun things

You may have noticed  a new button at the top of my sidebar, Craft Book Challenge.  Liesl from Liesl Made has challenged us to use our craft books and make at least one project from them every month for the year to come.  I think it's brilliant.  I have a small collection of craft books, but I've only used 4 or 5 of them so far, so I've decided to join in and see if I can keep up.  I will start with a bag pattern found in Seams to Me, by Anna Maria Horner.  I've already got the pattern cut out and the fabrics chosen, so hopefully I can make it in January.  I'll keep you posted on that.  You can check out the challenge here and join in too, it will be a lot of fun.

And if you need some more inspiration to get you started in 2011, check out this great compilation of tutorials made by Ursula at Muffins and More.  I know I've already bookmarked a few to try out in the coming months.

To start the New Year with some colors, I've made a new pair of pillowcases with fun patterns.  After last year's cows, let me present you my new monkeys!  I've used the very easy and quick tube method to make these.

And lastly, to answer Susanne's question, the mosaics in my previous post were made using a little software called Collage Creator.  It is meant for scrapbooking and is very easy to use.  You can download it for free here

I'll see you all later with new crafting projects!

Sylvie.