Tutorial: Reverse Applique

Instead of using a Raw Edge reverse applique like on those placemats, I am using a reverse applique with nice and neat edges for a couple of new projects that I am working on at the moment. What I like about this technique is that the "window" that you see through is slightly raised (beveled) and you can even use a contrasting fabric that would poke out a bit around the edge. I took a few photos and put them in a simple step-by-step tutorial. Maybe you find it useful.

Winter Sparkle

The Artist Trading Card for the VeryBerryHandmade Swap, Winter Sparkle, is completed and ready to be sent away to its final destination. This time around I decided to try using a few different fabrics along with stamps, beards and sequence. And here is the result. A bit of sparkles, a bit of red, a bit of Christmas and plenty of white.

Just a Sneak Peek: Building Blocks

Picture in a frame, in a frame and in a frame... That's how I am calling these simple symmetrical quilting blocks. I know I said that I am not a quilter but quilting is addictive. Really! It's like a kid's game of building blocks. Using blocks of different sizes and colours you can build a whole castle in a matter of minutes.

ATC Swap Winter Sparkle

It's Artist Trading Card Swap time again! The last swap of the year kindly organised by Ali at VeryBerryHandmade. It's been a fun and creative year and I think it would be lovely to end the year with such a wonderful theme as Winter Sparkle.

Cross-Stitch Linen Coasters

One more small tick on the list. Oh, it feels so good! Finally I finished a few sets of winterly coasters with yet another new cross-stitch pattern.

Christmas Gift Tags

Christmas is really just around the corner. It's hard to believe but the year is almost over and the last two months always fly by with an incredible speed. So I thought I better get started working not only on gifts but on some decorations as well. Today's project is - gift tags. I love making them!

Christmas Doesn't Have to be Red & Green

It can be any colour. Right? Dina at BossyMamma made no-sew napkin rings that I really liked. I was going to make them in red and green colours (like hers) but realised that I ran out of green felt.

Friendly Hedgehog

It's been a while since I made any notebook covers. Projects like that marked the beginning of my stitching adventure a bit over a couple of years ago. Back at that time I made quite a few fabric covers with embroidery for notebooks and diaries as Christmas gifts. It feels lovely to go back to the same ideas with new skills learnt, with new techniques acquired and with more confidence than ever before.

The Second Biggest Project

Yay! It's finished. I am so happy that finally I found the way of putting all the economy blocks I made at the beginning of this year together. It's one of those projects that you are not sure about until the very last minute, when you put all the needles and scissors down, spread it in front of you and go... I love it! I really do! A baby quilt and a small pillow.

Work in Progress: And a Few New Prints

Today I don't have much to write and show but rather I have a lot to work on. Quite a few unfinished but more than half way through projects. I got a bit carried away with jumping between them all and all the other things that needed to be done. Hopefully I can finish them all soon and tick them off my To-Do list, and move on to the next ones.

A new embroidery based on yet another recent sketch. I think it's rather sweet and I hope the final idea turns out well. Looking at this photo inspired a new idea that is going on my list... I just love that this magic To-Do list is never ending.