Hot Air Balloon Hoop Art - A pattern and tutorial

Hi everyone

This has been in the works for AGES!

And can now be downloaded for free (yay!) from my pattern shop!

This is such a versatile embroidery design that can be stitched on many items - think zipper pouches, a motif on a t-shirt, etc. - the possibilities are endless!

If you choose to use the embroidery design as hoop art (as shown in the tutorial provided), then change up the colours for the perfect piece for a babies room, or children's room, or use some sophisticated colours and you have the perfect gift for your best friend!

Emma

WIP Wednesday

Hi everyone :)

Today I'm joining in over here...

I've been working hard on something that I'm hoping to share with you later this week or early next week, but until I can...I thought I would let you know how I'm progressing with the Spring Stitching Club.

So far I have received 4 very cute embroidery patterns, and here are some pictures of my progress so far:

One more to do...then A LOT of hexies to make and stitch together, then I'll be up to date, (until next week when I get sent another embroidery pattern :P )

Off to stitch and work on my little something for you all :)
Emma

My favorite 5 pins of the week

Hi everyone :)

Just popping in quickly to share my 5 favorite pins of the week, because I thought you might all love them too:

1. Make a pirate ship for your little monster :)

(Source: http://mollymoocrafts.com/diy-cardboard-pirate-ship/)

2. Make a dry erase placemat to keep your little monster busy while you prepare a meal...

(Source: http://mellysews.com/2014/03/dry-erase-placemat-tutorial.html)

3. Make your little monster a new hooded towel...

(Source: http://crazylittleprojects.com/2013/03/bunny-hooded-towel-tutorial.html)

4. With winter on its way here in Australia, why not make your little monster a new robe?!

(Source: http://crazylittleprojects.com/2013/10/shark-baby-robe-tutorial.html)

5. Are you on the go all the time? Why not bring your little monsters favorite toy with you...just create your own travel case :)

(Source: http://www.pleasantestthing.com/2014/03/lego-travel-case.html)

I hope you love these projects as much as I have :D

Emma

Sew Many Books...

Hi everyone,

Since I started sewing about 3 years ago, I have been collecting sewing books...BUT...I haven't actually made anything from ANY of them!

So I am setting myself a challenge, and you are welcome to join me...come on, I know you want to :P

This year, I am going to complete one project from each of the books I own! (One per month)
AND if you want to join me, I would love for you to share your progress and finished projects too :D
(More information about this below)

Once I finish making and creating from the books I own, I should probably tackle the many magazines on my bookshelf too...so If you would prefer to join me with a project from a magazine, that would be great!

Here is a button and please feel free to share it if you would like too...

<div align="center">
<a href="http://blog.formylittlemonster.com" title="For My Little Monster"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/13079618975_c4ae82263a_b.jpg" alt="For My Little Monster" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

So, which wonderful sewing books are on my bookshelf that I will be choosing my monthly projects from?
* denotes an affiliate link

More Softies Only a Mother Could Love*

Zakka Style*

Stuffed Animals*

Fleece Dolls*

Patchwork, Please!*

Sewn Toy Tales*

Sew!*

Easy Sewing Stretch Fabrics*

ScrapCrafts

(Image Source)

My first project will be inspired by this one (pictured below) from my "Zakka Style"* book, I'll be happy to share my progress along the way and the finished project with you all in April :)

The reason I chose this as my 1st project, is because the little monster and I looked though all my books together and he seemed most excited about this one.  Also as we are soon moving him to his "big boy bed" it will be nice for him to have something special to have in there with him...and he seemed exited to have a special pillowcase with a pocket for his bunny to go in, I therefore wont be making the matching teddy, as the Little Monster will be perfectly happy to use this pocket pillow case with his bunny toy that he has slept with since birth.

Feel free to sew along with me on this project or any project of your choice, oh and you don't have to make your item exactly as it is in the book to join in, you could make an "inspired by" project too :)
As I mentioned earlier, I'll be sharing my finished project in April and I'd love to share some of your projects on my blog too so please join in!

To share your progress and projects:

Please use the tag #SewManyBooks on Instagram or Facebook

Or join the flickr group :)

If you decide to share your progress and projects via your blog please post a link to my Facebook page, email me at emma@formylittlemonster.com or leave a comment on this blog post as I would love to share your work in my special monthly blog posts.

I look forward to seeing all your projects!
Emma

 

WIP Wednesday

Hi everyone

I haven't joined in over here in ages...but today I am :)

A little while ago I joined the Spring Stitching Club, run by Molly from Wild Olive and last week I received my 1st embroidery pattern...here is my progress so far :)

And I started making something that I haven't made in a while....yep, this playhouse will be up for sale in my shop once I'm finished :)

I also have a few gifts for family and friends on the go - but they are secret and I cant show you :P

Emma

The first of a few...

Hi everyone

Last week I started on the list of items to make prior to the belly monster's arrival - oh and in case you missed the announcement on Facebook, the Belly monster is a BOY :)

So what did I make?  A cushion!

I started by playing around with layout...

Then I stitched the charm squares together, added wading and quilted them.

And after struggling to sew with my choice of fabric for the back - I am never sewing with this hessian like fabric again! It unravels faster than you can say unravel :P

I followed this tutorial to create the hidden zip.

And here is the finished cushion!

Fabrics:
Front - Part of a charm I was gifted as part of a mini quilt swap and part of the "Everything but the kitchen sink 2013" by RJR Fabrics, charm pack I purchased while on holidays a little while ago.
Back - repurposed Ikea cushion cover.  I had originally thought to reuse the zip (as well as the fabric), but I broke it trying to remove it from the cover, oh well :)

I think this cushion is going to be the first of a few that I will make over the next little while - it makes my living room feel a lot more homely :)

Emma

February wrap up :)

Hi everyone,

Well, this month I have managed to finish a few items and catch up on my blocks for a swap (which I was very behind in :P)

So here are some pictures:

A cute zipper pouch and this tutorial - so you can make one too!

Some bibs for my lovely customer Sabrina.

Some more bibs for my other lovely customer Robyn.

An i-pad holder for the car and the little monster

My finished blocks for my partners in the hexie block swap.

And  these new items for my shop...

and this one is in the shop too :)

Have a lovely weekend everyone :)

Emma