Birds in a Tree project finishes - #4

As usual my brain took me in a different direction to what I had planned :) Meet my new sewing pouch. It holds everything I need in one small convenient area which is great when my daughter wants to sit beside me on our wee couch.

Outside closed up measures 41/2"x51/2"

Inside is lined and has a ribbon strap so that I can wear it round my neck on long car trips. It's big enough to hold my scissors, seam presser, seam ripper, floss and some extra needles. AND it has some identity beading on the inside :)
The project needs a bit of refinement and I had some ideas for additions to it after I was finished,  so I might experiment with some of my orphan quilt blocks to see what I come up with.

My stitching frame and other questions.

I've been asked by a few people about the stitching frame I am using for Cirque des Carreaux. I found it at Joanne Fabrics and it comes in a couple other shapes and sizes. You put the inner section under your fabric of choice then carefully snap the upper section in place over the top. It holds the fabric very securely in place and as you can see from the photograph leaves an impression when you take it all apart. Last time that happened I was able to steam press the indentations out.

Do I back my stitching when I am finishing my projects? It depends upon the size and what I am going to use the project for. Everything I have done so far this year has not had an extra layer except for the intentional quilting projects which have cotton or bamboo batting. I'm working on a large stitch cushion at the moment which will have some kind of additional fabric backing to protect the stitches.

What do you do about the foreign language e-mail messages? I copy and paste them to Google to find out the content. Started doing that a few weeks ago. There are some English speaking people, set to no-reply pseudo bloggers, out there who are just being "silly". Others are genuine first language speakers with active blogs.

Am I using variegated thread for Cirque des Carreaux? NO.

Birds in a Tree pattern

For those of you who expressed an interest in the pattern go to http://cargaudlabrico.canalblog.com/
Click on One too "free" in the side bar then scroll down to 23 janvier 2009 "SpiraLbre" or go to http://storage.canalblog.com/19/36/196059/35024058.jpg

Birds in a Tree project finishes

We had unexpected guests this week courtesy of the volcanic eruption in Iceland. They had been at the same conference as John in Atlanta and were unable to return to the Netherlands so they stayed with us.

I finished stitching my Birds in a Tree and so far have made 3 of them into little gifts.

A long mini pillow 11"x4"

A small square pillow with a quilted back51/2"x51/2"

A little door hanger  4"x4"

I'm contemplating a pin keep or a flat fold for the last one.

The Needlework Show

Hop on over to http://needleworkshow.com/ and check out some of your favorite "enablers"..... sorry I mean some of your favorite designers from the comfort of your armchair :) It's only open to the general public till Sunday. If you take part in the scavenger hunt you have the opportunity to win a $25 gift certificate to spend at one of the participating shops.

I am finishing up some of my small projects this week and next. My new mantra is "I will not watch "Castle" and stitch at the same time! I will not watch "Castle" and stitch at the same time!" Last week and this I have had to rip out whatever I was stitching because I miscounted :(
Can someone else please invite the frog prince to their abode for a while. He's been here for over a month now and is definitely slowing things down quite considerably.

Project update - Cirque Des Carreaux

Project update - Cirque Des Carreaux

So I am contemplating colors for the middle diamonds. I think the left hand color is too dark so I am trying out a lighter shade in the right hand space.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend. Our church has a world wide 2 day conference which I am looking forward too. Everyone is invited to participate.

Project update - Cirque des Carreaux