Vinyl Project Pouches

I almost always have more than one sewing/needlework project going on at one time.  I also tend to plan projects in advance and then don't want to add the fabric/notions to my general stash.  I used to put these "to do" projects in gallon sized ziploc bags, but not anymore my friends! I made these cute project pouches with fabric remnants (stash busting, yay!), fun bright colored zippers, and plastic vinyl.  I used a tutorial for reference but didn't strictly follow it.  The finished exterior size on these ended up being 9 x 11 inches.  I used 14 inch zippers.  I cut the vinyl at 12 x 17 inches, which was folded for the top and bottom seams and then sewn on the side seams.  The fabric on either side of the zipper I cut at two strips at 14 x 4 inches, then I folded under 1/2 inch on each end and then folded in half so I ended up with two fabric strips measuring 1 and 1/2 inches. It was a quick project to sew up and now my "to do" projects have pretty homes instead of those boring gallon sized bags!

The Doctors (Doctor Who) Cross Stitch

One of my favorite television shows is Doctor Who.  I discovered it in 2008 on BBCA, at that time BBCA did not run the shows at the same time they were running in the UK, so they were a little delayed.  David Tennant was the current Doctor, the 10th.  I watched it off and on over the years never really keeping up but always liking it whenever I happened upon it.  In 2013, I got into full on obsessed mode and watched every single episode of the modern series (starting with Christopher Eccleston as the 9th Doctor) in time for their 50th anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor. It's been a year since then and I still love the show, even though the days of the 10th Doctor, my favorite, have long since passed. All this obsession has lead me to my new cross stitch, just in case you wondering if all my rambling had a point, The Doctors by Wee Little Stitches.

I plan on stitching one doctor every 3 weeks. I was going to stitch one a month which, including the TARDIS, would take me 14 months but I would like to try and finish it in 2015 so I figured if I do one every 3 weeks that will give me the extra time to get them all done. I'm changing up the layout and I may end up changing up the colors and details a little.  I'm starting with the 1st doctor and I've already done his hair. Stitching on linen is a bit of a change for me so I will be stitching a little slower than I'm able to on aida.  I love the way finished projects look on linen so much better than aida and I'm happy to be advancing my cross stitching skills.

Story Time Sampler Fabric and Floss

Since I've gotten back into cross stitching one of the pattern companies I really enjoy is The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery.  They do lots of fun samplers where they reveal the pattern slowly over a few months.  They have done a yearly pattern (one part of the pattern every month for a year) for the last few years which I've always been tempted by but never willing to quite take the jump.  That all changed this year for 2015.  They are doing a Story Time Sampler with twelve literary characters. The sneak peak with a little Alice from Wonderland was enough to do me in! The first part of the pattern comes out on the 15th and I wanted to be ready to go so I had to get my floss and fabric all gathered together.

Isn't it beautiful! The colors almost filled the ring I keep them on and they just laid out so beautifully perfectly on top of the linen (this will be my first cross stitch design on linen.) I really hope I can keep up every month, stitching what I'm sure will be a wonderful design!

Q-Snap Frame Cover

Q-Snap Frames are a popular alternative to embroidery hoops for cross-stitchers.  I had been wanting to try one and so my sister, after trying one and not liking it, gave me hers. I finally tried it while finishing up my Halloween Spooky Sampler (which I neglected to post on here but it's in my Instagram feed) and found I really enjoyed using it.  The major problem with Q-Snap frames is the extra fabric around the edges and worrying about it getting dirty.  The solution to this is a frame cover or grime guard.  I figured since I will be soon be working on a new cross stitch project that now would be a good time to make one. I did a little searching on Pinterest and found a tutorial. Then I whipped one up.

It only took me about 35 minutes to make and the fabric and elastic were stuff I already had on had which is always great! Plus, now my future cross stitch projects will be nice and protected!