Tag Archives: Red Work

Jul2

Oh! The Sparkle of it All!

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Release me!  That’s what my new Anny Clutch Pattern kept saying, but I kept editing and testing and editing and testing and getting help from my computer guru (aka Hubby) until finally today (Yes!  Today!) I was able to put the new pattern on my Etsy Shoppe for sale!  Hallelujah!  Like birthin’ a baby! 🙂  I added more pictures with the directions this time and a template for the main part of the bag.  This new creation has a choice of button/loop closure or magnetic snap, three pockets, and is actually a generous size for a clutch.  Width – 11 inches, height 8 inches, and depth at the bottom 3-1/2 inches.  Here’s a pic of the new Anny Clutch and my sweet, granddaughter, Madison, who modeled it for me:

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Fashioned from Michael Miller quilting weight cotton, this bag will be calling my closet home because I always keep the prototype for my pattern in case there are any questions from customers.  (That’s what I tell myself.  Could it be that I have separation anxiety and/or would love to use this clutch?  Moi?)  Since this was the prototype, it features both a magnetic closure and a loop closure with a button I covered from my stash.

However, my second test of the pattern will be for sale on my Etsy Shoppe (remember, Its Sew Anny–no apostrophe) and here is a picture.  Hard to part with…uh-oh.  No, this baby’s already listed, and I’m sure it will find a great home.  Styled from Anna Maria Horner’s Field Study Collection (and a little Moda thrown in for good measure), this clutch is sturdy enough to stand alone because these beautiful fabrics are actually linen!  I chose a floral removable pin with distressed ribbon for embellishing, and there is a magnetic snap and three pockets.  Someday soon I’m going to experiment with creating my own fabric flowers.  Here is a pic.  Too bad Madison’s not here to model for me…

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Along with fabric floral experiments, my near future plans include a foray into Victorian type purses and perhaps some gypsy upholstered boho/chic type bags.  These lend themselves to the fall season, and although we haven’t seen Independence Day yet, with temps in the 100+ range, I fantasize about fall everyday!  Speaking of Fourth of July, here is a pic of my current redwork.  I had visions of it becoming a pillow before the Fourth of July but I guess we’re looking at 2014. 🙂  I had forgotten what a stress reliever redwork is!  Love it!

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In other news, we had a quick trip to Austin last week, with a stop along the way to visit the LaGrange property so that Rick could introduce me to his pride and joy–the new Kubota tractor (and all its many attachments.)  He coaxed me up into the seat and took my picture which I should probably publish before he does…but here is the proud new owner and operator himself.  The mean machine has actually cleared quite a lot of land already!

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Also along the way, he showed me an old farmhouse that we may move from a nearby town to our property.  Stay tuned…

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Once we finally made it to Austin, we had a super visit!  The first evening we headed out to a fabulous Italian restaurant (with gelato!) and threw an early birthday party for Gracie.  Grandpa put together the awesome dollhouse that is bigger than she is!  That was a lot of work, Grandpa!

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The next day I snagged a chance to visit my ultimate home dec fabric shop, Cowgirls and Lace, in Dripping Springs, Texas.  You should see the exquisite fabrics I gathered, and trims!  Actually, you’ll spy quite a few in the fall season bags I’m planning.  A quick trip but such fun!   Shortly after we arrived home, I felt something stuck under my shoe.  A rock?  A tack?  No…  Now where were we the last few days?  Oh yeah, with our crafty, artsy granddaughters!

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But of course!  It’s a lovely fuchsia stick-on craft jewel!  Oh, the sparkle of it all…:)  And speaking of sparkles, I hope you all have a fabulous Fourth of July with plenty of Fireworks Sparkles!

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Mar25

I’m SOMEBODY!

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Remember in The Jerk when Steve Martin found his name in the new phonebook and went running down the street calling, “I’m Somebody!  I’m Somebody!”  Well, that’s just how I feel!  The Anny Bag is in the new issue of Haute Handbags.  (I’ve included a photo.) They sent me a complimentary copy and copies will be on the newsstand momentarily.   Share with your friends!  

As for my feet, I’m almost there.  At one point I developed an infection in one toe and the doctor prescribed two antibiotics to stop it from spreading.  I shouldn’t read the medical articles on the Internet because one outcome would have been amputation.  If you know anything about astrology you’ll appreciate this.  I was poking fun at my daughter, the Cautious Capricorn, recently and she asked what Sagittarius (me) traits are.  So when I told her the outcome could be amputation, I also said, “Being a Sagittarian, I’m definitely counting on meds to do the job.”  I asked her what the Capricorn would do (wink, wink.)  She said, “Start researching the best orthopaedic doctors for amputation!  We plan for the worst and hope it doesn’t happen.”  And right there, folks, you have the difference between Sagittarius and Capricorn. 🙂  I must say, though, that girl knows her medical!  She knew the doctor would prescribe that second antibiotic, knew he would give me a Beta-something cream, etc.  Anyway, except for swelling, I’m great!  (And Dr. G., if you’re reading this, I think you’re super!)

Oh, but speaking of medical, I think I’ve discovered a pain technique.  Sitting about four stairs up recently,  I went to stand up and fell down the other steps to the floor.  My new pain relief technique is to focus on the part of the body that’s in pain and force myself to RELAX that area–really focus on relaxing those muscles.  I find the less I tighten up, the better it feels.  Well, I’m lying there thinking, “Oh, I better get up.  Someone will see me.  No,  I said, you will not be rushed.  Lie here and relax that shoulder.”  And about that time I glance up and the UPS man is peering through our all-glass front door asking if I’m okay.  AGHH!  Can you not relax in private??!!   Walking Buddy this winter I tripped, fell, and prayed no one would drive or walk by as I lay on the sidewalk practicing my relaxing technique.  I guess there are some kinks to work out.  Like creating an invisible shield…?

Sewing-wise there is progress.  The orange work pumpkin embroidery, which I plan to make into a pillow, is finished, and I completed all seven red work hats.  I started some blue work that could become embellishment for a bag.

My current project is a bag for Tina’s with a really colorful, contemporary design on laminated fabric.  After I picked up a check from Tina’s I spent it all on online fabric buying.  I am VERY happy with the site, http://www.quilthome.com for fabric and patterns.  Over $50 means no shipping fee and, of course, no tax.  They have an enormous selection of the best designers out there.  http://quilthome.com/index.php

So those are my tips for today:

  • Relax when you get injured
  • Visit quilthome.com for fabric
Until next time,
Love,
Anny
Mar4

Update & Embroidery Tip

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Post-Surgical news:  Well, it’s been 10 days since my surgery and I’m doing fine.  Probably get stitches out Monday and maybe the long pin (which I almost pulled out, thinking I had a paper clip stuck in my foot!  Aaahh!)  The rest of the pins and screws will stay forever.  (I’m officially screwy  lol)  I sent my daughter a pic of my feet and she said it looked like something Kathy Bates would do in “Misery.”  The drugs did a great job though!  As if the feet issue weren’t enough, we have a new member in our family.  She’s a 6 year old  bird dog–Springer Spaniel? .  Long story short–she needed a good home and she’s adorable!  Kate is very calm and getting along well with our Golden Retriever, Buddy, but has some potty issues that I could work on if I had normal feet. (Hm…that doesn’t sound right.)  🙂

Thank goodness I made that fortress of projects around the sofa.  Night before last was my first time back in our bed.  (Ha…that doesn’t sound right either; must be that prescription I’m on.)  I finished two red work projects and now working on an “orange work” autumn scene.  In case you aren’t familiar with red work, the embroidery scene/project is completed using only red thread.  (I made up “orange work.”  Maybe it’s a real term?)  And my sister bought me some fancy red work hats to start.  I’ve included a picture of my “orange work” because I found a new use for binder clips.  In previous entries about working with laminated fabric, I suggested using tiny clothespins or the smallest binder clips to replace pins.  Well now I’ve found that when embroidering a larger scene, I can roll the excess fabric up in clips, which makes it so much easier to maneuver around the hoop.

I’m still catching up on the magazines, especially ones by Stampington and ClothPaperScissors which I devour cover to cover.  I’m so very excited to see the Spring Edition of Stampington’s Haute Handbags publication.  My bag should be debuted there–fingers crossed. Tomorrow I’ll peruse my stack of bag making books.  Happy Sewing Everyone!

Nov5

International Quilt Festival

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Shopping Opportunity

Wow!  My sister and I have decided that staying two nights for Quilt Festival is just not enough.  (What you’re seeing in the pic above is actually about 1/4 of all the booths at the Show.)  Next year we plan to stay three nights so we can be a little more relaxed with our quilt viewing and shopping schedule.  Remember when your parents used to ask, “Haven’t you had enough fun for one day?”  Well, no.  Obviously, Nannette and I need Preview Night and three more days to have enough fun–as if there is such a thing! 🙂

The magnificent quilts are always inspiring and leave us awestruck.  And we’re very excited about the opening of the Texas Quilt Museum in LaGrange, Texas.

We visited our favorite booths:  Cabbage Rose, Material Girl, Abbey Lane, Dianne Springer, C & C Fabrics, Hannah’s Quilts, The Quilt Studio, Robyn Pandolph, Painted Pony, and stopped at antique booths to snag some awesome buttons and embellishments for my bags and Nannette’s crazy quilts.

What did I buy?    Some patterns:  an Abbey Lane “Long Tall Sally” quilt, Abbey Lane’s Pillow Book, and a Crabapple Hill redwork design of a pumpkin (guess it’ll be “orange” work.)  Picked up a few Christmas gifts, and a coat!  Yep, a coat.  Nannette chose a beautiful jacket and I chose a black and tan print coat.  Reversible!  This was at The Velvet Hanger booth.  And, last but not least, my favorite fabrics–mostly Moda’s new Basic Grey line, Robyn Pandolph, Kaffe Fassett, and Amy Butler for my bags.

Speaking of bags, I was stopped numerous times because I was carrying the large laminated Anny Bag.  I passed out several cards and hope to see the all those lovely people I met join me in sewing the Anny Bag.  What a heartwarming response!  Love you guys!