Amulets and Talismans

So I decided I wanted to make some amulets and talismans.  Not sure if I'd carve them from stone, bead them, or what.  So since I couldn't decide, I decided to practice with some pouches to hold them.  This one is to hold a small item.  I used a larger yarn:

This one is a copy of my iPod holder.  Only I used a crochet thread instead of yarn to see how the size of the pattern would change:

The one on the right is a knotless netting pouch I made with waxed linen.  I decided to see what would happen if I changed the technique to crochet & used a larger yarn.  The result is on the left:

This one I used crochet thread & a ridge stitch.  People seem to like it almost as much as the knotless netted one.  But this tiny pouch took 2 and 1/2 hours!

So after all this experimenting I decided that, except for special occasions,  I'm just gonna make a flannel or felt pouch for the talisman or amulet.  Now to get to making them!!!

My niece's bridal shower gift!!!

So I wasn't able to get to WA state for her shower.  I was really sad!  But I wanted to make her a special OOAK gift.  I decided to make her a small beaded purse for her to keep her honeymoon key and an emergency $100.00 in...everyone needs to have an emergency $100.00.  Her wedding isn't until the end of the month, so told her to start saving!  Or maybe, as a "bursa", she'll get some money at the wedding.  Anyway, I forgot to take the final shots of it before I mailed it!  So all I have to show you are process shots until my family sends me shots from the shower!  

Here we go:

1.  Bead front and back of the purse and pin in the lining.

2.  This is the lining on the inside ready to sew.

3.  This is the lining sewn in.

4.  This is edging the thick part of the purse.

5. This is putting the picot edging around the open top.

I'll add the finished photo when I get it from my family.

See?  I told you we've been busy!  :)

Ron's Felted ATC

When my pal came to visit, my DH helped us.  He let us play in the studio while he cooked meals for us.  So I wanted to let him know how much I appreciated him.  I made him this felted ATC.  He said he liked it.  Hope so!

1.  Finish a felted ATC on craft felt

2.  Gather materials

3.  Iron Wonder Under to cardstock & ATC

4.  Trim excess

5.  Button hole stitch ATC to cardstock

6.  Write on cardstock

7.  Finished ATC

Long Time No See! :)

As you'll see, we've been busy here in NM!!!  So sorry for the delay in posting!  Hope you all are well!  
The first thing I want to show is another needlecase I made for a pal on Kaua'i.  This came from Martha Stewart's site/craft section:

1.  Cut all pattern pieces and gather materials

2.  Cut and iron all pieces

3.  Stitch all layers together

4.  Start stitching buttons to one layer

5.  Buttons stitched to one page

6.  Gather other materials to add to case

7.  Add more buttons

8.  Add needles and pins

9.  Add safety pins and invisible thread

10.  Add colored thread and a bandaid

11.  Finished needlecase

Happy Belated Birthday, Pal!

Needlework Owl Sewing Kit to my Sister

Many years ago I saw an owl needle case online.  I liked the idea & kept it in my idea book.  Now, years later, I wanted to make one for my sister's big birthday since our Italian family Lare is an owl, but I couldn't remember who to attribute my inspiration to.  I remember it was just a couple pictures, but had no tutorial with it.  If you recognise something similar to this, let me know & I will give you credit. I had no idea how to start, so I decided to ask my DH to draft a pattern up for me.  And he did!  Not only a pattern but instructions!  It's wonderful to have a co-creator as a life partner!  And I hope our Owl Lare continues to protect my sister.
Here follows a tutorial for the one I made which was much larger than the one I saw online & used very different materials.

1.  Get DH to draft the pattern for you!

2. Cut out the pattern pieces.

3.Set out where pieces will go.

4.  Cut out lining pocket and felt.

5.  Sew owl body to cover.

6.  Sew owl body parts to cover.

7.  Sew branch and leaves to cover.

8.  Owl sewn to cover.

9.  Sew wing closure, felt and pocket.

10.  Sew gusset pocket to lining.

11.  Add snap to wing.

12.  Add snap to body.

13.  Blanket stitch lining to cover.

14.  Here's the finished lining full of useful items...including a band aid!

15.  Here's the snapped & finished cover.

16.  Here it is RTG with a card made by my pal Azlina.

You can see her site here.  If the link doesn't work,

try:  http://azlina-lin.blogspot.com/  Seems to be having some

problems today.  Maybe 'cuz of all my updates!

My sister liked her sewing kit.  It may come in handy this summer

since her daughter is getting married!