This week I finished my most recent work in progress...another sequin & beaded bird soft case for either glasses or phones.

Find it in my Etsy shop!

Two days.

It took me two days to sew on each sequin and bead - by hand!

Surprisingly, I didn't mind.

Hand sewing is relaxing.

I enjoyed watching the simple felt become a thing of beauty with every sequin and bead I added.

Materials Used:

raspberry Felt (hot pink)
tangerine Felt (bright orange)
batting
white cotton thread
pink cotton thread
pink sequins
pink beads
silver seed beads
light pink sequin trim (it's like a sequin ribbon!)

Tools Used:
pink scissors
pins
thimble
needle
Mom's sewing machine
my own nimble fingers
reading glasses*

The Creative Process:
Measure Twice, Cut Once
I "measured" my cell phone case. By "measure", I mean I eyeballed it...placed my cell phone on the pink felt added an extra inch for seam allowance and mistake making, and cut out the size felt I needed. Then, I placed that piece of felt on top of the orange felt and cut out the same size. Finishing up the measuring by placing the felt on top of the batting and cutting out the size I needed.

Pin in Place & Sew Straight Lines
I "sandwiched" the batting between the pink and orange felt, pinned it all the way around, flipped on the sewing machine, and stitched all the way around my rectangle shape. Once I finished securing the batting in place, I decided on a diagonal design, and started sewing from corner to corner. I lined up the foot along the completed stitching line, insuring straight stitches. Now, I had a design to follow to sew the sequins and beads on by hand.

Busy Hands Are Happy Hands
Grandmother always used to say this to me. She was right. I happily followed the diagonal lines as I secured each sequin and bead in place by hand. And, the time flew by! First, I stitched a sequin in place. Next, I threaded a bead on the needle, carefully drove the nose of the needle into the pink felt, through the batting, and out the orange. Good...bead tightly fixed in place. I moved on to the next and so on, and so on, and sew on! One more thing to do before I stitch it together so that it will hold the cell phone...hem the top edge. I trimmed off excess felt/batting, leaving a clean straight edge, folded down the top edge, and stitched it down by hand.

Seams to Me
Ah, the tricky part! The quilting the felt and batting sandwich helped flatten down the bulkiness of the three layers, but it was still too thick to fit under the sewing foot. I had to sew the seams together by hand. This was not easy and quite time consuming. Especially since I did it once by hand with a blanket stitch all the way around. Right sides together, I turned it right side out, and discovered that it needed something more. A flash of inspiration. I unpicked the beautiful blanket stitch and hauled out my silver seed beads and light pink sequin ribbon. I covered up the remaining white thread with the silver seed beads. I pinned the light pink sequin ribbon right side facing the right side to the pink felt now with sequins and beads. By hand I stitched it in place all along the seam line. Finishing off, I turned the case right side out...BEAUTY! I now have a pretty pink sparkly case for my cell phone.

Comments, Please
I'm so pleased with this project that I've already begun working on a second one and will be adding this item to my Etsy shop, Pink Scissors Design.

What color would you like to see offered?

*reading glasses - these came with turning 40 this year!

Linking Up
I'm linking up with these fantastic craft link parties!

Easter is early this year - March 31st! Passover is Sunday, March 24th. Start a new tradition this year with an Easter Tree. Use a branch from a tree in your yard and every day during Passion Week hang a new ornament. The idea is similar to a Jesse Tree. See this post. Each day you read the Scripture that accompanies each ornament as you hang the ornament.

When is Passion Week? It begins Palm Sunday and ends Resurrection Sunday --- that's an 8 day week!

This set includes 12 hand-crafted felt ornaments embellished with beads and sequins and a list for daily scripture reading for years of use.

Ornament themes listing, scripture readings, and symbols:

Day 1 - Palm Sunday/Triumphant Entry - Matthew 21:1-11
symbol: donkey and palm branch

Day 2 - Alabaster Box/Mary Annointing Jesus' Feet - Matthew 26:6-13
symbol: alabaster box

Day 3 - Last Supper/Bread & Cup - Matthew 26:17-29
symbol: cup of wine with unleavened bread

Day 4 - Jesus Washes Disciples' Feet - John 13:3-20
symbol: pitcher and bowl with water

Day 5 - Arrest in The Garden - Matthew 26:47-56
symbol: sword/dagger

Day 6 - Crucifixion - Matthew 27:33-44; John 1:29
symbol: cross and lamb

Day 7 - Prophecy of Three Days Buried - Matthew 12:40
symbol: whale

Day 8 - Resurrection Sunday - Matthew 28:1-10
symbol: empty tomb

Please visit my Etsy shop, Pink Scissors Design, to order your set today!

Today, I'm linking up with Marie of Blooming Homestead. I whipped up this cute little craft especially for today's link up.

Raise your hand if you keep your fabric scraps.

{Both hands raised high in the air.}

Yeah, I have more than one box marked, "Scraps".

I do enjoy small sewing projects that I can complete in a day...an hour - even better! Thus, I keep my fabric scraps...perfect for those small projects I love.




Materials
8 1/2 x 11 Document Frame
Muslin
Fabric Scrap for the bird silhouette
Fabric Scrap for the branch silhouette
Coordinating Colored Thread
Thimble
Scissors
Scotch Tape
Iron

Technique
Blanket Stitch - here are a few good places to learn this technique:
Tutorial: Hand Sew Felt Using Blanket Stitch from Future Girl
Blanket Stitch from Stitch School
Blanket Stitch - hand video from Connecting Threads


Step One: Cut
Using the thin piece of card board that came with the frame, cut our your muslin...just a bit larger than the size of the card board.

Keep that piece of thin card board. You're going to need it later and use it for framing that sweet little bird.

Tip: Iron your fabric after you cut it.

Save time and your sanity. A smaller piece of fabric is always easier to work with when ironing. No sense ironing yards of muslin when you will only be using a tiny portion of it.

After you have cut and ironed your muslin and fabric shapes, decide which whether your bird will be framed vertically or horizontally.

I chose vertically, leaving plenty of space to embroider a verse or quote later.

Step Two: Pin.
Pin the branch shape wherever you like, keeping in mind which direction you want your frame - vertical or horizontal.

My inspiration for this craft came from a picture hanging on my sister-in-law's living room wall. I thought the darling bird silhouette would translate perfectly from print to fabric. So, one day while visiting her, I did a free hand sketch to create my own templates. No copying or tracing - - - free hand.

This craft would have gone down differently if it was more detailed than a silhouette.

This bird is a basic shape which I encourage you to try. Doodle and sketch. Draw a bird and a rough branch and put your own signature on your craft. Own it!

Step Three: Stitch.
Bird and branch pinned in place, thread your needle, grab your thimble, pour yourself a cuppa, put on your favorite show/movie, and stitch.

I recommend appliqueing your bird and branch onto the muslin. My favorite technique when doing this by hand is the blanket stitch. It is easy and pretty. I listed three places to find how-to's for the blanket stitch (see above).

I chose a coordinating pink thread for my pink bird. Unfortunately, I did not have a coordinating green for my branch. So, I chose a complimentary color of an orangish-brown.


Step Four: Frame.
Remember that piece of thin cardboard that came with the frame? You used it in step one to cut out the correct size of muslin. Now is when you need it.

You will also need some tape to help hold the muslin in place and keep it as taught as possible when fitting it for framing.

Tip: Before fitting your fabric bird to the frame, iron it so that it will lay smooth and look lovely hanging on your wall or perched on a shelf.

After ironing it, lay the bird face down. Place the thin cardboard face up...so that you can read the writing on it. Fold over excess muslin and tape down to cardboard.

Next, gently slide the piece of cardboard which is now steadying your fabric bird into the frame.

A thick piece of cardboard should have come with your frame. Slide this in behind your fabric bird/thin cardboard.

Finally, gently slide the frame stand...the very back of the frame into the frame.

Voila!

Your lovely little fabric bird is now ready to grace your home.

Now, it's your turn...join me in linking up at Blooming Homestead.


I'm also linking up with these great craft link parties:

Smiling eyes, rosy cheeks, and a heart shaped mouth, these sweet babushkas are cuddle ready for quiet time, nap time, and bed time. Terrific secret keepers and they love slumber parties. Perfect as a pillow for decoration or a soft toy for play.

Measures approximately 20 inches tall and 17.5 inches wide.

I made these darlings while in America. These beauties ship from America - $5.20 shipping to America!

Visit my Etsy shop - Pink Scissors Design - doll section and adopt yours today!

Plum & June is a sweet little sewing blog which hosts a weekly link up where everyone shows off their sewing skills. An Arctic Blast hit Michigan this week, and much of North America, making staying indoors cozy and warm essential. I've been in the USA for about two weeks now and unfortunately have been getting over a bad cold. Still, I have enjoyed the quiet, relaxing activity of sewing and drinking cup after cup of hot chocolate.

I've been brainstorming sewing projects for Valentine's Day. Here's one I recently came up with. I'd love to know what you think of it. Personally, I fell in love with the little beauty and am keeping it for myself. I'll pack it up snugly in my suitcase and fly it back to Australia with me.

I have a half dozen or so more of these sweeties cut out waiting to be sewn up and finished with a lovely button and bow. Don't you just love that cute little love heart button on the center of the bow? I think it is adorable. I have four more. I won them in a blog giveaway. They came all the way from South Africa. These beautiful buttons are handmade and fully washable from Button Mad.

I will soon be listing Sweet Heart Pincushions in my Etsy shop.

I'm off now to visit the other crafty/quilty bloggers linking up with Plum & June. I hope you will join me in the fun.

also linking up with:

If you've visited the Etsy shop recently, you would have noticed that the halls have been decked. Pink Scissors Design is dressed and ready for Christmas.

Knowing that many of you are keen on the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales - exclusive to those respective days of the week, I didn't want y'all to miss out on Pink Scissors Design Christmas Sale.

Jesse Tree Ornaments have been very popular this year. Whether you celebrate Advent or not, Jesse Tree Ornaments are lovely decorations for your family tree. Advent begins end of November/beginning of December. If you are thinking of ordering Jesse Tree Ornaments, but know you will miss out on the beginning of Advent, go ahead and order them. They are beautiful decorations for the Christmas season. Great conversation items. And, excellent gifts. And, Advent is such a special time, it is good to jump in and participate at any point.

Christmas Sale Deal on Jesse Tree Ornaments - Ships for $5 anywhere in the world!

*Jesse Tree Ornaments with beads and sequins (the deluxe set) are made to order.*

Custom order a deluxe set by clicking here to contact me directly at my Etsy shop.

Quick Links to Pink Scissors Design Christmas Sales:
Jesse Tree Ornament Sets - order in bulk and save!
Christmas Angels - sold in sets of three!
Christmas Garland - 27 feet long, easily fits a 4 foot tree!
Nativity Ornament Set - Angel, Mary w/baby Jesus, Joseph, Shepherd, and Wiseman!
Christmas Stockings - Now $10!
Deluxe Christmas Package - includes angel tree topper, nativity ornament set, Jesse Tree Ornaments, Christmas garland!
Russian Doll Finger Puppets - Great stocking stuffers!
Rag Dolls - Ready for a Christmas cuddle!
Christmas Table Runners - Dress up your table for Christmas!
Quilts - Keep warm this winter!

So, pour yourself a cuppa and enjoy a browse and shopping at the Pink Scissors Design Christmas Sale!

UPDATE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED...THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED!!

Christmas is only 62 days away, you know.

If you have a little girl who likes dolls we have just the thing for you for our latest giveaway!

Meet Sally. She's one of Mrs Speech's fine rag doll creations, from her shop.

Sally is made from cotton fabric, thread, ribbon and stuffed with fabric scraps - a real rag doll! She is 11 inches tall and loves karaoke.

To enter, visit Mrs Speech's shop, and leave a comment telling her which item is your favourite! Also, leave us your e-mail address!


To earn extra entries:

1. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link to the tweet

2. Like this giveaway on Facebook and leave a comment with the link to your share

3. Pin this giveaway on Pinterest and leave a comment with the url of your pin

4. Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the url of your blog post

5. Follow PinkScissorsDes on twitter and leave a comment with your twitter name


Remember, you can earn up to five extra entries, but make sure you leave a comment for each one, or it won't get counted.

The giveaway is open worldwide and ends midnight, 1st November 2012 (US EST)

Good luck!

Christmas is 80 days away! Or less by the time you read this post. You can keep up with the countdown here. Phileas Fogg made his way around the world in so many days...so, Jules Verne recorded here. In so many days, I'm preparing and stocking up Pink Scissors Design for Christmas.

My Elna has been busy and merrily humming away as Christmas gets all sewn up.

When I'm not out on a walkabout with Mr Speech, I'm with Elna filling up Pink Scissors Design with Christmas goodies with you in mind: quilts, dolls, finger puppets, Jesse Tree ornaments, and now . . .

. . . Christmas Stockings!



Stockings are a necessity at Christmas. They are perfect for hiding sweet surprises and holding wonderful Christmas treasures. As a child in Michigan, every Christmas morning I found a beautiful round orange in the toe of my stocking - a delicious tropical delight! Now, living in tropical Queensland with my handsome Aussie husband, the toe of my stocking is usually filled with Cadbury chocolates. Christmas breakfast is typically a tropical fruit platter: oranges, pineapple, kiwi fruit, and mangoes.

Last week, I started making stockings for Christmas 2012. You can view them in the shop by clicking here. This year's Christmas stockings are a beautiful blend of cotton fabric and muslin. Each stocking is one of a kind, having a unique patchwork design on the front, quilted in variegated thread, and lined with muslin. The 2012 stockings measure 11 inches long, have a loop for hanging up, and are machine washable.

The stockings are large enough to hold one of the rag dolls from the shop with plenty of room to spare in the toe and foot for lollies (candy) and other Christmas surprises. The sweet Russian doll finger puppets would fit nicely, too!

If you visit the shop today, you will see only two stockings listed. One is in the popular chevron pattern made up in bright pink fabric and festive stars. The other is in a classic strips pattern made up in green with festive polka dots. If you would like to order more than one at a time, please contact me. I will gladly create a custom listing for you. Perhaps, you desire a specific colorway or pattern. I welcome custom orders.

I've got a lovely blue fabric on the table patiently waiting to be made into the next stocking. I haven't decided on a pattern for it yet. Any suggestions?

I'm linking up to:

In my (Mrs Speech) Tea Time Tutorial, I had the privilege of using the beautiful fabrics from the Serenade Collection, courtesy of Fluffy Sheep Quilting.

To celebrate the opening of my new Etsy shop, Pink Scissors Design, I am giving away surplus fabric to you, my dear readers!

It's beautiful fabric and it will be a joy to work with and create something lovely!

All four pieces are 15" x 10.5" wide.

International entries are welcome.

The contest begins midnight Wednesday, 26th September 2012 EST and closes Wednesday, 3rd October 2012 EST.

To enter please use the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As I have been saying recently, Mrs Speech's shop has been opened. She is selling her crafty things, at which she is soooo talented. Need a day quilt? she's got you covered? Need a rag doll called Darla? Done. Christmas is practically sewn up!

See, I made a funny.

The Jesse Tree Ornaments are a unique item that Mrs Speech will be selling for Christmas. They are a visual representation of the Bible Story up to Jesus' birth.

Wikipedia defines Advent thusly:

...anglicized from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming", is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.

Mrs Speech introduced me to Jesse Tree Ornaments a few years ago; a means of reflecting on the prophecies and promise of Jesus' birth without having to resort to advent calendars, filled with horrible cheap chocolate I couldn't wait to finish. When I was a kid, the (secular) lead-up to Christmas was a dread-tale of having to eat nasty chocolate. You don't want that for your family, do you???????


So: the ornament Advent period begins on a starting day (with Mrs Speech's ornaments, it is November 29th) and culminates December 25th. You gather your family, take the ornament corresponding to the day, read the scripture associated with the ornament and hang it upon the tree, alongside your candy canes and tinsel.

Traditionally a Jesse tree is an empty bare branch, plucked from an obliging tree, stuck in a pot with some soil, and stripped of leaves.

The smaller, leaf-less branches are then decorated with ornaments. But today many families simply use their Christmas tree. Which is cool. It ends up being replete with 27 (or 25 in some cases) decorative items which say, 'hey, we're excited about Jesus' birthday.'


From Isaiah 11:1-2,

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

The ornaments are made from high-quality felt, stitched with cotton thread and hung by wire hangers. Each ornament comes with a scripture tag, for easy cross-reference.

Mrs Speech packages them in a unique Christmas-colored cotton drawstring pouch, so they can be easily stored all-year long.

She includes a list of the daily scripture readings.


I love the ornaments, because I didn't grow up in a household with any Christian teaching whatsoever. I knew the (bare) basics of the Messiah story and Jingle Bells, too. I knew about Santa (a second cousin culturally to Jesus, here in Australia) and I can still recall the lines to Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

But we never related to the Biblical story of Jesus, or worshipped from the Bible. And Christmas doesn't just mean presents under the tree and 'oh it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you...'

Mrs Speech and I will be doing the ornaments this year and using it as a means to remember what Christmas is about, and as a way to get excited about the festive season.

We hope you'll join us.

Jesse Tree Ornaments can be purchased as a set of 27 with pouch for $25 plus $5 shipping. Click here for Mrs Speech's Etsy Shop.

So, the blog has changed a little. It's Mrs Speech's fault.

You see, she wanted to start an Etsy shop to sell her crafts. No problem. She also wanted a blog, in fact, she really needed a blog to advertise her various crafty things.

So I made her a blog. And then, I did an Etsy shop for her. And the banner for it.

And then I tried to put the banner on our blog, where you see it now. And it broke the page.

I was aware that the blog was very graphics-intensive before, but adding that little banner sent small plumes of smoke heading ceiling-ward from my computer. It was the straw that broke the camel's ability to load graphics.

So I took away the beautiful Brisbane background and replaced it with the pink. Which will stay until I figure out something else to put there that looks decent. Hopefully an image of our town which doesn't break the blog.

The pink also hopefully for a little while will draw attention to Mrs Speech's new shop.

This is totally a girl AND guy blog and no, I'm not comfortable with a pink background. Maybe I'll change it up soon and put a new background of skulls and stuff there.

In the meantime, if anyone has issues with loading our blog, please let us know.

Thanks!