Thursday, July 14, 2016

Finishes and WIPs

Hello Dear Reader,

I hope you've had a great week! I have! I finished three little projects from some of my fabric mountain! That's got to be good, hasn't it? Then I found some inspiration from Amanda Jean's one-a-day pin-cushion challenge - here, and despite not needing one, I think I'm going to be making a skinny, long, pin-cushion like Amanda Jean's No 156!

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I made a peg-bag to replace my tatty old one, using Benta's pattern, which you will find here, using Benta's measurements, although she didn't stipulate how much of a scoop to make on the front sections, so I made mine approximately one inch deep, which has luckily turned out just right! I wasn't sure exactly where to place the straps ... so I placed them adjacent to the seams.

Peg bag

When the strap is around the neck the sides hang inwards, making a good sized opening for a hand to pick up pegs.

Peg bag

Peg bag


The bag hangs very nicely round one's neck, and gapes open sufficiently to remove the pegs easily ..... and I've already used it in the rain, pulling the washing off the line fast! It does the job, just right.

Thanks for the tutorial, Benta!

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Earlier this year I had made one of our neighbour's a Tissue Cover, and recently she asked if I would make one for her DIL. Once I started I couldn't stop, so I made one for her DIL, and one for one of my friends.

Tissue cover
DIL's 
Tissue cover
Friend's
I couldn't remember how I'd made the previous Tissue Cover, but good old Pinterest came to the rescue! I used the tutorial by WhimWham. and added a little handle, to make it easier to find and grab, in my bag.

And just so I don't forget again, the measurements were: 

Strap : 1" x 10", 
Outer  : 6" x 7",
Inner : 6" x 8"

Next time I will place one centre edge over the other for a tighter opening, but otherwise I was very happy with the finish. 

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The Splendid Sampler ..... another finish!

Splendid Sampler

2 WIPS:

Firstly, I have another Splendid Sampler sampler block in progress. I thought it would be quick, but not so ... I cannot decide what fabrics to use!

Splendid Sampler

And, secondly, in a few quiet minutes, with a new magnifying glass, I've added some stitches to my Cocoa Sampler.

Cocoa Sampler

I've been meaning to join in with Kaye and her friends at Kitten Stitching and the Friday Frolics, maybe I will  get the chance this week now my needle has had some practice once more!

Thank you for visiting. I do hope you found something to interest you, and if you leave a comment or become a friend of my blog, I will be able to visit you too!

I love discovering new friends to visit, it's one of the main reasons for blogging, right? Isn't it?


Hugs,

Barbara xx

Linking to: Esther Aliu's WIPW
and           Amanda Jean's - Finish it up Friday

14 comments:

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Alas there is no clothesline in my life any longer so no use for a pin bag. I remember my mother having one but I always made do with an empty plastic ice cream bucket that had a lid. Not that we eat ice cream or anything...ahem. I like the little tissue holders and might have to add some to my to-do list.

Queeniepatch said...

You HAVE been busy! The peg bag is a very useful item. During the rainy season in Japan one is often tempted to hang the laundry outside when weather permits, only to have to rush everything indoors when heavens open.
Tissue paper covers are welcome gifts and you can select a fabric or colour that you are sure your friends will like. Good idea to add a strap - I've never thought of that!
I like your Spendid Sampler - it is such a good marriage of piecwork and embroidery.
Enjoy your other WIPs.

Benta AtSLIKstitches said...

Thanks for the shout! You have been busy! Lots of fab creations!!!!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

You have been busy! A peg bag and running shoes are essential items to keep by the back door in this country with sudden rain showers!
Those individual packs of tissues always remind me of my Nana, she always carried a packet of them at all times.
Measure twice, cut once is such a great motto too.

deanna7trees said...

no clothesline in my life either but a cute peg bag and i love that long pin cushion. nice to see your Splendid Sampler blocks. i am up to date with mine. starting to work on #44...they sure do add up quickly. i have the hardest time deciding what fabrics to use but some people like that part the best. have a great weekend.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

We don't pin our laundry out here. Too much dust in the air. I never had a bag that hung around your neck! Cool! I love your WIP Barb. I think I'm going to make some of those tissue covers. Great gifts!
xx, Carol

Justine said...

Your stitching is so neat! I love those little tissue covers. My Grandma also carried a pack in her bag too, like Jo's.

Sheryl said...

lovely peg bag Barbara and tissue holder, so pretty - I think I am getting slower with the heat as I haven´t advanced so much as you this week.

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

I always had a pegholder, but when mine got past it's best I got a box with a clip which clips to the washing line, this makes me realise I need to change back, and do like yours, it's lovely. I have been thinking about tissue covers but the tissue packs now open at the end, so they still work as well? These would be lovely to pop in with the Christmas gifts, and great to sell to raise money for charity too. AND I noticed your Bloglovin button, I'm loving it :)

handmade by amalia said...

You've been busy, Barbara, and naturally I like everything. I'm especially taken with the fabric for the peg bag, super lovely, it gives beauty to a daily chore. Getting a bit carried away here but I think you get that I like it :-)
Amalia
xo

Kaisievic said...

Yes, please do, Barbara - you look like you have done some wonderful frolicking there. xxxx

Brigitte said...

The peg bag looks great - and yes, I still use pegs, so it would be a nice addition to my collection of all sorts of bags. And nice tissue covers.
You've been busy with your sampler blocks as well. So very interesting to see the new ones.
Isn't it great how magnifiers help with the stitching? :)))

FlashinScissors said...

Hi Brigitte,
The peg bag was very quick to make, and it's had a lot of use already!
I was really pleased with the tissue holders, and I just know I will be making more!
My new magnifying glass is fantastic, with its own lights too, but it's the same old problem ... not enough hours in the day to do all the stitching I want to!
Thanks for popping by!
Barbara xx

Lara B. said...

Barbara you have been busy with all sorts of creative goodness!
That peg bag is so practical and pretty. I have one in our laundry room. Love the tissue covers - so much nicer than just the ugly plastic they come in.
Your Splendid Sampler block is beautiful too!