A Smidgeon of Progress

Hello fellow stitchers! I have made some progress on Ellen Chester's needlebook from A Needleworker's Sampler Huswif project. I really enjoyed the class, and was able to finish most of the bands during class. I've completed the rest since then. The picture isn't great, but you get the idea.

And, when I was in Salt Lake last week, I picked up a new Drawn Thread release from the Craft Center. I believe this was something Cynthia taught through Elegant Stitch at one point. It's the Box of Stitches. I also picked up the chart for these little stocking ornaments by Hands to Work. I didn't like the drab needlepoint silk colors, so I converted them to some new Crescent Colours, while I was at the Stitchin Station.
I also picked up the Autumn Snapper charts by Bent Creek, because I'm enjoying the other snappers so much and I love the phrase on the chart that groups them all together. And, I picked up a chart and fabric for my friend for Mother's Day.

I then stopped by Pine Needles at Gardner Village, and found a pattern for a really simple quilted bag. I decided that I wanted to give it a try. I took my friend to a quilt shop here in the valley the next day and we picked out fabrics for three bags. One for me, one for her, and one for my mother. I used fabrics from Blackbird Designs' Chelsea Boutique for my bag. If these work out (it's been a while since I sat at a sewing machine), then I will probably make more! I saw a wonderful spa blue and chocolate brown line of fabrics at Pine Needles. Here's one swatch... they're designed by Michael Miller. I can just see that big floral on the outside of the bag, with a matching, contrasted polka dot fabric as an accent and the fabric called "word search" in the same line as the lining of the bag. Fun stuff!

Here are the sets for the three bags I'm going to make. Mine, my friend's, and my mom's, in that order:

My mom didn't like the fabric at the far left in her set (pink set just above), because it's for the bottom of her bag, and she want's something darker. So, I'll be looking for something else for that.

Thanks for all of your comments! To answer your question about the Ellen Chester class Deb, it was really fun! I don't get the opportunity to take many classes, because I'm usually so busy with work and other things that I don't get away. I also received my Friends in Stitches kit and I love it! The colors are a bit more muted than I thought they would be from the picture, but I like colors that are more muted anyway, so this will work out just fantastic. I won't be starting it for a while though. I have a ton to do first! For now, I'm off to wash the dog (Chloe the wonder mini-schnauzer), clean house and sew today. Have a great weekend!