Sewing Project - Double Tulip Bag 02

I made another Double Tulip Bag.  I loosely followed this YouTube video.

This one is a big larger and a bit heavier than the previous one.

The yellow fabric used here is cotton poly and was thinner than I liked so I lined it with a layer of white cotton. 

To take advantage of smaller pieces of fabric I cut half circles instead of full one.  Check the notes at the end. I added a seam allowance on the straight side but should have on the curved side as well. The half circle measured 10.75 inches before seam allowance.

Once the half circles were finished I added curved lines of stitching to keep the layers together.

The purple is a remnant and again I put 2 layers and cut half circles to take advantage of the size of fabric. I repeated the stitched curved lines even though there was no extra layer on the purple ones.  to create smooth lines I placed a piece of masking tape on throat of my sewing machine and then just kept the edge on that line as I sewed the curve.  Really worked well.

Pocket - After a discussion with my sister yesterday I decided I would put a zippered pocket in this bag. Well, that was a rabbit hole. We had decided that it should be a fully finished patch type pocket so it could just be added to the side seams.  I did not have enough purple so I had to widened with a bit of yellow. That was okay. Then put a zipper in. I did offset the zipper to the front of the pocket about an inch from the top.  Adding the yellow tabs left and right into the side seams was going to be fiddley and make them too thick.  I made the pocket narrower by a bit and only tall enough to not be seen in the center dip of the bag.  In the end I stitched it to the inside of the bag by stitching both sides down to the inside of the layer before I stitched the middle seam.

I stitched the middle seam then the 2 side seams which were thicker this time because of cutting half circles. I added 18" straps from the yellow fabric which have twill tape on the inside for a bit of sturdiness. I added separate reinforcements to the end of the straps where they attach to the bag. 

The layout is a bit different as well. I have 4 full width pockets, 1 zippered pocket and 1 nook pocket on the inside. I ended up with nooks on the outside of the bag so I added a hand cut and stitched flower accent on the front to close off that nook.  I blind stitched the nook on the back of the bag. 

It is quite sturdy and has more body because of the lined yellow and the purple fabric was heavier than quilting cotton.

Notes: 

Doing half circles makes your side seams thicker. Helps with smaller pieces of fabric.

Making the pocket narrower meant I pretty much lost the tabs I had added on the left and right ends. The zipper is full width of the pocket.  I may consider adding the patch pocket on the back of the bag next time.

The bottom of the pocket is not sewn down just the sides.

Interesting how one gets different internal pockets based on how the 2 tulip pieces are layered.

Sewing Project - Double Tulip Bag 01

I tried a new design for a bag today. A Double Tulip Bag.

It is made from 4 large circles. Mine were cut at 19.5 inches in diameter. Two patterned and 2 solid color.

I followed this bag video.  

I chose two cotton fabrics - a floral pattern with light purples and a solid light purple.

It features 3 full width pockets and 3 nook pockets created by the curves in the design.  Allows for some organization of it's contents.

I always include a key clip so those are at easy hand when needed.

The straps are long enough for me to put it over my shoulder and tuck the bag in my armpit. Not too long to just hang on your arm.  It measures 11.25" tall at the sides and  9" high at the center by 11.5" inches wide. The straps are 15.5 inches long.

It is part of "My Bag" line - bags for every day life.  They are durable, washable, and good wearing. A bag chosen by you for a purpose and you can find it when you need it.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 26 - M1 - Map (Treasure), Moss Green, Marine Blue

I am following K3N Cloth Tales' slow stitching project for 2026.  A to Z of Slow Stitching.   

The prompt this week was map. She did a map of her favorite place.  I chose a treasure Map, using Marine blue and Moss green thread. 

I painted the linen with Inktense color and heat set it.

I outlined the island with a mix of green floss and the stem stitch. Straight stitch for the water.

A compass for direction.  

I added forest in Moss green on the right hand side of the island.  A beach of sand on the left.

A sailboat to get to the island.  A path all over the island that leads to the cabin near the palm trees. Onward in the search which leads me to the treasure where X marks the spot. 

Sewing Project - Resize one of Mom's Quilts

I worked on this project most of the day.

Taking things apart is never fun.  I had to very careful because I was going to reuse the binding once I removed the damaged section.

Then it had quilting seams that had to be taken out as well. I had to hand stitch the ends of the seams which now formed the seam allowance on the new section.

I am super happy with the way it turned out.      It now measures 56" W x 85" T.

Art Show - AAC - Open Photo Show

These are my submissions for the Open Photography Show 2026 in the Spruce Grove Art Gallery hosted by the Allied Arts Council.

Title: Country Decor

Size: 11 x 11 inches

Frame: Thin Silver Metal Frame

Mat: Double White Mat

Photograph: Photo 4 x 6 inch 

This was taken at the Blue Bird Farm where red geranium flowers were planted in a wooden planter hung on the side of an out building.

Title: O

Size: 12.5 x 11.75 inches

Frame: Narrow Silver Blue Metal Frame

Mat: Double White/Blue Mat

Photograph: Photo 6 x 8 inch 

This was created with the light painting technique.  I set up in my laundry room and shut the door.  Using a set of fairy lights I painted in front of the camera set to capture for several seconds.  Somewhat difficult to keep my bearings as to where the edges of the frame are.  Many shots taken with a few good ones.

Title: Crusty Rusty

Size: 14 x 14 inches

Frame: Black Wide Profile Wooden Frame

Mat: Double Black Mat

Photograph: Photo 8 x 8 inch

Amazing texture in a metal plate attached to an abandoned building.

Nature has her way with things and with water dripping on this metal over the years a heavy layer of rust grew.

I like the organic shapes and the beautiful colors.

Our reception will be at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery in Heavy Metal Place.

Allied Arts Council

Saturday, June 27th

1:00 - 3:00 pm

Awards and prizes will be presented during reception.

Come and enjoy the art!

Sewing Project - Bag - Magenta Large

I made a shopping bag from the stitched piece I worked on a while back.  Thought it would be a cushion cover but sure the stitching would have held up. 

I folded the flower stitched piece to 12"x12" and ironed well.  I then cut a piece of white microfiber to 13.5" by 13.5". I laid the magenta piece onto the white and folded the white forwarded as a binding and sewed all the way around.  This will support the loosely woven polyester substrate flower stitched piece.  I then tacked the whole piece to ensure integrity of both layers. 

I had some gradient cotton in purples to warm pinks which worked well with the magenta piece.  I cut the outside piece 21 inches square.

I chose white microfiber for the lining. It's nice to have a light lining so you can see what is inside your bag. I cut the lining 21"W by 24"T. 

The finished size is 19" square with the handles extending 13" from the top edge of the bag.

I added a key clip and extra loop on the inside of the bag.

The straps were cut 1.5" by 42" from the magenta cotton fabric. The ends tuck into the front and back pockets and are stitched from pockets to the bag edge which distributes the load.  

After it was finished I decided that the magenta straps were too flimsy so I added some white microfiber to them as well. I cut a piece 3.25" W and 31" L. Folded in half then pressed each side in to have 4 layers in the end.  I then stitched that to the back of the cotton magenta strap.  Stronger, longer wearing and pretty. 

The front accent pocket measures 12 inches square.  The back lined pocket measures 12"Wx10"T and is split at 5 inches.

I added 3" boxed corners on the bottom.

Scan on the left or click here to find the "My Bag" line.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 23 - L2 - Laundry Line, Lemon, Licorice, Lilac

I am following K3N Cloth Tales' Slow Stitching project for 2026 - A to Z of slow stitching.

We are on the community choice for L - Layers and Leaf.  

I chose differently.  I chose Laundry Line with pieces of Lime, Lilac, Lavender, Licorice, Lemon and Laguna Teal.  

I added some running stitches blue for sky and green for the hills behind the Laundry Line.

The fabric I am stitching on is Linen.

I like it!    

Cards - Stitched on Fabric

I have been working on stitched cards for the Gallery.

The foundation layer is a piece of cotton.  I started with the mountains in coordinated fabrics then added the moon.

I added the foreground in mottled green strip of fabric then a piece of deep blue and a third piece of fabric which belong to the same fabric series as the mountains.

I added white sequins held with French Knots in the sky for stars.  Running stitch mostly with a bit of stick stitching on the deep blue strip.

Shimmery organza unto a half circle of ivory fabric in the same fabric series.

The fabric collage is stitch to the card front in a deep teal color. A half sheet white insert and envelope. 

I added a flannel foundation layer to the piece of hand dyed cotton fabric. Dyed with my sister a couple of weeks back.

The flowers base is a circle of cotton with long stitches in teal, magenta and light blue.

I colored the flower sequins with a yellow sharpie marker and put them in the center of the flower with a French Knot.  I added stems in green and a bit of dirt to ground them stitched in dark brown.

The fabric collage is stitched to the front of a Tempting Turquoise card base.

I added a half sheet white insert and white envelope.

I started the fabric collage with a piece of upholstery fabric which had organic shapes stitched in ivory thread.

I did running stitched across the background in medium blue thread.

I added French Knots on the heads of the ivory organic shapes with orange thread.

I then added a stick stitch daisy flower as a focal element.

I pinked the edges to halt unravelling.

I stitched it to the card front of a Groovy Guava card base.  Added a half sheet insert and white envelope.

I am repurposing the oil diffusers I made a couple of years ago which did not sell at the Christmas market.

I tack stitched the stitched piece to the top of a deep yellow textured card.  This is a bee with translucent wings. The edge is finished with blanket stitch.  

The diffuser drop is still on the back, so it can be removed from the card and used as a diffuser.

I added a Modern Label greeting in blue below the bee element with 3D foam tape.

I added a half sheet insert and white envelope.

I started with a piece of upholstery fabric with these embossed diamonds in it.

I followed the outline of the diamonds with stem stitch and running stitch which gives heavier and lighter outlines. The colors are pinks and purples.

I couched magenta yarn along the top and bottom edges.

The I couched white lace on the left and right hand side edges.  I added a bit of a flower focal element.

These One of a Kind cards are now in the Spruce Grove Art Gallery gift shop.  Check it out.

Slow Stitching - Door Decor - Wild Rose

It is wild Alberta Rose time of the year.  I am blessed to have many in my area.  I was inspired to use it for another door decor for my front door.

I chose a piece of white cotton and used my outliner pencil to trace the image. I wet the Inktense pans with aloe vera gel to limit the spread of color in the fabric. I painted the rose with pink, the center with yellow and the leaves with a mixed green. 

I stitched the outline of the flower with 2 colors of pink thread. I added yellow thread to the center and outlined the leaves with green and added the veins in the center with darker green.

I added a thorny stem in dark brown thread.

The backer is nice blue flower with pink flowers.  I stitched the front with out a foundation layer ( not sure why?)  So, I added a piece of flannel to the back of the rose and trimmed the piece to 6x8 inches.

I cut the backer piece 8x10 inches and brought it to the front and sewed it down.  I added a clear ring to the back for a hanger.

2026 - Little Cars - Quilt 03

Another quilt finished 2026-03.

The topper was donated to Project Linus and I picked it up at the May Sewing Day.

I decided to just back it with fleece to turn it around in good time.

The red fabric is little cards with faces. The other squares are lime green and purple blocks.  Works really well.

I got some red fleece and cut it roughly to size and pinned it with my quilting pins.  I put red thread in top and bottom and sewed around each red car square 1/4" from the edge.  That meant no crossing of stitches which worked out really well.

I then squared up the topper and trimmed the red fleece to 1.5 inches from the edge of the topper.  I ironed down the folded over edge to the back.

I used purple thread top and bottom to sew down the binding.  I used the curvy stitch on my machine and sewed from the front with the edge on the 1" mark. That brought the stitching right along the edge of the binding on the back.  This blanket will be delivered back to Project Linus this week.  It measures 39" W x 54" L which puts in the Toddler/Child size and with the little cars that works really well.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 23 - L1 - Lemon, Licorice, Lace & Linen

 I am following K3N Cloth Tales' slow stitching project for 2026. 

It is 52 weeks A-Z of slow stitching where K gives us a prompt for week 1 and the second week is a community prompt from the suggestions offered in the comments from the viewers.

This week's K prompt was log cabin but I am not much for traditional patterns so I chose my own.

Lemon yellow, Licorice (black) and Battenberg Lace on white Linen.

I started with the square Licorice piece of cotton which I invisible basted down with black. I then added the piece of hand dyed quilting cotton in Lemon. I purchased this from Pat of Pat Man and Bobbin Quilting at a show last fall.  I added stick stitches on the left with Lemon thread. I then added Licorice French knots. I added a length of black Lace along the fuzzy edge of the Lemon piece stitch with black thread.  I then added a circle of Battenburg Lace which was stitched down the white around the edge and Lemon in the center. L1 just left of the bottom of the circle. The base fabric for each page is white Linen.

Card - Birthday Card - Embossed Vellum

This is my first color embossed vellum on this printer.  It worked well.

I used vellum adhesive but I should have used brads. The vellum was curling from the humidity.

Old Olive A2 card base in portrait orientation. I used my own daisy with dirt design with purple flower and greeting. I printed it on quarter sheet vellum and quickly covered it with clear embossing powder and heated it.

I added a pink circle behind and a Bling Zot between the vellum and circle right under the center circle. The pink turned the yellow center orange.

Delivered it in person and we had pizza for supper after the art sale.

 

Card - Birthday - Fabric Collage

A card for a special sister and a special birthday.

I created the fabric collage piece first with strips of fabric, a circle and a heart on a linen base. Mostly running stitch with a bit of seed stitch and cross stitches. Pink and green color scheme. Card base is Sage Shadow.

I adhered a ripped piece of vellum aligned with the bottom. I used double sided tape to adhere the fabric element.

Placed a SU Modern Label with a Word Window greeting in the top right hand corner with 3D foam tape. True Thyme label.

Loving my slow stitching pieces.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 22 - K2 - Kintsugi

I am following K3N Cloth Tales' slow stitching project for 2026.

To get 52 pieces we are doing A to Z of stitching where the first week she chooses the theme and the second is a the  community choice. I am making a slow stitch book where the 2 pages of each letter are front to back.

This week the community choice is Kintsugi - golden joinery. A Japanese tradition of putting  broken vessels back together with gold and embracing the imperfect.

This is my put back together vase.  I broke the vase then placed yellow fabric behind for it to show through the cracks. I stitched the vase pieces onto my linen page with turquoise running stitch. Then I put seed stitches in golden yellow in the cracks.  I then added couching stitches along the edges to make the golden fix more prominent.  My perspective on the table is a bit wonky. The edges of the vase are a bit wonky as well.  I could have check my placement more often. 

Sewing Project - Memory Quilt Square

We are making a quilt in memory of our Mom who was a great quilter.

We have requested the squares include the colors Cornflower Blue and Sunshine Yellow and White.

I worked on designs most of the day yesterday and did not come up with something I was happy with.  Overnight I decided that it would be a scrappy design. I gathered my cotton fabric scraps in the right colors.

We have asked the squares to be 11" square so that they can be trimmed to an consistent size once all the squares are together.

This is my square. It had to have a bit of embroidery stitching as Mom did a lot of it. I started with a white center knowing that I would put stitching on it.  Then I just added yellow strips then blue strips and alternated till I got to the edge. 

This is my third scrappy fabric project and I did better this time. I did have to unpick a couple of times.

I am very happy with the results. Looking forward to what others in the family will come up with. I will be gathering the squares and assembling the quilt.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 21 - K1 - Kantha Stitching

I am following K3N Cloth Tales' A to Z project for 2026.

This week's prompt was Kantha Stitching. No surprise there.

I wanted mine to be bright so I selected a bunch of colors.

I did the 3 outside circles in stem stitch in red, yellow and navy. 

I did the next circle and quadrants in leaf green.

I did the cross in dark grey thread.

I filled the quadrants with orange, purple, turquoise and pink. 

I finished it a needle craft night.
 

Senior Art Show - Submissions

These are my submissions to the Senior Art Show at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery in Heavy Metal Place. I am part of the Allied Arts Council.

Title: Flowers in Blue Vase

Medium: Watercolor on Mixed Media Paper

Size: 8 x 10 inches

Frame: Gold Metal Matte Frame

Mat: Double Warm White Mat

Art: 5x7 inches

This piece is one I made for Inktober 2024.  It is watercolor on Fluid Mixed Media paper featuring a blue vase with a variety of flowers and twigs set on a table.

Outlined with a Micron Acid Free fine black permanent marker.

This art piece is made with felted wool and entirely hand stitched.  

Title: Hoot the Owl

Medium: Felted Wool 

Size: 10 x 15 inches plus the hanger

Hanger: A stick which has been sanded and finished with Tung Oil

I cut the wool in a shape. You can see that some bands did not shrink evenly which added texture to the piece.

I stitched it's wings first on both sides with wool yarn in a light brown shade.  I use an ivory wool yarn in the center to create it's breast.  I layered ivory and deep yellow wool for this eyes with buttons in the centers. A small triangle of yellow for his bill and for his feet.

I put a piece of small branch at the top of the body to represent it's ears.  It was finished and then stitched on with dark brown wool yarn.  I crocheted deep yellow wool yarn to make a hanger and attached it to the back of the head. 

I created an art piece with bees as the focal element.

Title: Save the Bees  SOLD

Medium: Mixed Media

Size: 8 x 8 inches

Frame: Wooden Cradle Board

Frame: Gold Brushed Resin Frame

Photo: 4x4 inches

The wooden cradle board was primed in white then painted with a light yellow artist grade acrylic paint. I cut a hexagon stencil and then added them to the piece with darker yellow acrylic paint.  I brushed some of the gold acrylic paint used on the small frame on the cradle board. To connect the color in photo with the board I spattered it with a deep rose red acrylic paint by tapping a wet brush on a butterknife. I placed the photo behind the square frame and used Bling Zots to hold it in place. Once it was dry I adhered the small square frame with glue dots to ensure no damage to the wood surface.

The show is currently hung at the gallery.

Our reception being held on is 

Saturday, May 30th, 2026

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Awards will be presented.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 20 - J2

I am following K3N Cloth Tales' A to Z slow stitching project.

I chose Jet Black and Japanese Red for my prompts this week. 

I followed the block that she chose which is the Court House Steps - a variation on Log Cabin block.

I chose a piece of Japanese Red silk for the center then added Jet Black and white cotton for the steps on my foundation layer.

I invisible stitch the outside edge to keep in integral to the rest of the block.  I liked this one because it was very straight forward. 

Two white, rotate two black and repeat.  

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 19 - J1

I am following K3N Cloth Tales' A to Z slow stitching project.  I am a little behind.

Her prompt was Jewelery and Jaali Stitch.

I chose a Jade button and the Jaali stitch.  I picked thread in Jade color and black.

Once I reached the edge with the Jaali stitched I continued in circles with the Jade and black thread.

I really like how this one turned out.

 

Cards - Stitched on Fabric

I chose to upcycle a piece of denim. 

I trimmed it to 4.00 x 5.25" keeping the seam on the left of center. I added a square of red gingham in top left hand corner.  I stitched it with white crosses and red French knots. 

I added running stitches parallel to the seam then red running stitching horizontally along the top of the piece of denim. 

I found a metal button that I thought would work well and then added a circle of white then a circle of red running stitch around the button.

I had pulled threads to create some fluffy edges so I had threads which matched in color. I couched some in an arch around the button. 

I stitched the fabric to a navy A2 card base. A nice country looking card.

I loved this scrap piece of linen because of the colors and the watercolor feeling.

I saw a flower so I stitched along the edges of the petals and added some dark in and around the center.

I stitched on a metal butterfly charm on the right hand side where there was a bit of open space.

I stitched the fabric layer to the front of a turquoise A2 card base.

I will bringing fabric cards to the gallery.