Free Mandala Coloring Pages as Embroidery Patterns (and my new pouch)

This project shows you how incredibly slow I am with handwork.  I currently have 2 hand sewing projects that were stored in the same "handwork" pouch.  My snail's pace on each project indicated I needed (wanted) a separate pouch for each one.  

I decided to go for it with this Farmdale print from Alexander Henry I've been hoarding for a few years.  Better to use it than sit in my stash. I chose this sweet and feminine polka dot print for the lining. It lines the pouch, all the straps and perches on the end of the zipper tab.

I randomly picked up this adorable aqua lace trim in the dollar aisle at Target a few months ago.  I think it's supposed to be a scrapbooking supply.  It matched perfectly with the Farmdale print and I love the extra femininity it adds to the embroidery on the front of the pouch.

I've decided I need a stash of laces and trims.  Already I've found 2 different projects to use the only 16" I had.  Where are you buying trims?  I'd love to hear your finds!

FREE EMBROIDERY PATTERNS/COLORING PAGES: I found this embroidery pattern via my kids winter hobby - coloring.  This year's long winter means we went through a ton of ink and who knows how many Ninjago/Angry Birds/Monster Trucks coloring sheets.  While surfing through coloring pages for kids, I found these awesome mandalas.  They are meant as coloring pages, but I immediately saw them as embroidery.  The page I used for this pouch is here (it's the straight strip at the top).  And here is the collection of mandalas if you would like to browse the other designs.  I simply printed it out and traced the image onto fabric on my back door window. I can see more of these in my future!

So.... somehow, in avoiding doing the actual hand stitching projects I am working on.... I went ahead with stitching and sewing together a completely different project.  How does that happen?

Improv + Minky

Things have been crazy busy here.... not just the kiddos being out of school and summertime fun.  I have been busting my booty behind the scenes on some fantastic stuff.  Of course, none of it can be shared here for a bit yet, but it's left me a bit distracted this summer.

My middle man's 5th birthday came and went last week.  It wasn't until the weekend that I realized this quilt top, made for him, sat abandoned, shoved into a corner of my sewing room.  I felt horrible.  I hardly sew for my kids anymore.  Maybe it's because they have a bigillon quilts already. Maybe it's because they all fight every night over the same one.

I decided I needed to finish it for him.  Even if it was late as a birthday gift.  

I continued the wonky/improv piecing look in one of the several borders.  Overall, I'd say it came out pretty well.  I do have a hard time with wonky.  It's just not in my engineering blood.  

I stippled all over and bound it in a Laura Gunn Edges print.

There is minky on the back..... my first attempt at quilting it.  There is no batting in this quilt, just the quilting cotton top and the minky on the back.  It was definitely a bit of a challenge, which is why I kept it simple with just stippling.  I used a Supreme Slider on the bed of my machine, which helped slide the minky better.  Do you have one of those?  It was a Leah Day suggestion that I now use every time I FMQ.

He likes it - and that's all that matters, right?  I think this is a good quilt for a boy, both in color and design.  Nothing too feminine or floral, but still young enough for a new 5 year old.

Quilt Stats.

Size: 33" x 33

Design: Based on Chain=Pieced Strips Block from Quilt Improv by Lucie Summers

Fabric:  all scraps; Orange solid is Pure Elements by Art Gallery, binding is Laura Gunn Edges

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: Me.  Stipple - keep it easy!

Jewel Block Tutorial at Moda Bake Shop

Have you been following along with the Trifle Dish Sew Along at Moda Bake Shop?  The Sew-Along is a row quilt with 8 rows, or "trifle layers" in this case, making up the quilt.  What a clever play on a classic quilt style with the baking theme of Moda's Bake Shop.

My Jewel Box block was selected to be a part of the design - and today the tutorial is featured at Moda Bake Shop.  Here is the sample I made:

Check it out if you get the chance!