2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 32 - P2 - Perpendicular, Parallel, Pine, Plant

Working on my slow stitching along with K3N Cloth Tales' A to Z challenge.  I am late with my entries.

This is Community Choice for P - K chose Perpendicular and so did I. I also chose Parallel lines, Plant and Pine tree.

I invisible stitched my striped Parallel lines layer to my foundation layer.  I then couched 2 Perpendicular lines of navy cotton along the top. 

I then stitched a Plant vine in between the navy lines.

I then stitched 3 Pine trees below the second navy line. Couched the trunks with brown yarn and thread and the branches with green yarn with green thread. Very wonky.   I need to move on. 

Sylvia's Simple Shots

Check out what showed up at the little pond this week.

A cormorant in all it's glory.  Hanging around, staying put. really close.

That was so exciting.  I don't know where it came from.  Was it taking a rest break?

Whatever the situation I am grateful so get some good shots of this bird.

I decided to head out the art walk in Stony Plain.  Several of the members of the AAC will be in attendance so a chance to connect with artists.

I spoke to David who does woodwork.  I was in the calligraphy guild with his wife so I said say Hi from me.

Stopped by to say hello to Rochelle who does colored pencil and Barry who carves.  He had a really nice Viking piece he was working on.

Said hello to Linda who did the Art in the Open in St. Albert a while back.

The weather was very nice and looks like a good time was had by all. 

I bought myself a gift while at the Art Walk.  I have been wanting a piece of stained glass for a long time.

A row of houses made by Carol B - Through the Window Pane.  It is bigger and heavier than the piece I have hanging in the window right now so I have to come up with a plan on how to display it.

I visited the Crooked Pot Gallery where I saw an idea which may help with my flowers in a vase. It was a ceramic flower frog that just sits on the top edge of the vessel. I don't plan on making clay ones but maybe plastic might work. 

I attended a birthday party at the bowling alley this week.  A mile stone.

I did not bowl so I visited in the party room after the bowling.

There was pizza and cake and a visit with some of my relatives and my sisters.

A few of us headed to the thrift store next door after the pizza. Love like minded folks.

After months of trying to find a solution to getting a metal band on my new watch.  I bought that back in May but it had a cloth band.

I had hoped that I could transfer the band from the old Timex to the new one.  After approaching several businesses no one was willing to work to find a solution.

I decided to head to have a visit with a friend who had recommended a business in her small town.

After looking at what I would like to have done they did not feel transferring the band was a good idea.  

But, they had old stock replacement bands.  Maybe one would work.  As you can see this one worked fine.  They shortened it for me.  It had the same clasp as the last band and it is stainless steel and the price was a bargain.  Super thrilled to have the project put to bed.

I purchased a new SD card for my old camera.  The girl at London Drugs suggested that this would be the largest card I could put in my camera.

I have been using 2GB cards and running out of room, having to switch cards which is a hassle.  I lost one for a few days a couple of weeks ago.  Losing shots is very disheartening.

This one will be a big improvement where I will not have to change cards and risk losing shots again.

With the parking lot open at the St. Albert Botanic Park I headed over there so catch the dahlias in full bloom.

Of course, there were many flowers to photograph. Lilies, roses, sunflowers, and a bunch more.

The volunteers were in full force making everything look wonderful.

Of course, I always head out early.

I stopped at London Drugs on my way in and was headed north after some breakfast.

Flowers in Vases - 05 - 06

Another flower in an individual vase headed to the gallery.

This flower was made with a bit of thin scarf fabric I picked up at the Re Use center a couple weeks ago.

The five petal design made with squares of polyester fabric in grey, teal and black.  I used a teal button on the front.

I created a 6 strand silver stem which is held in place with a couple of plastic discs and a build me up.

A black backer circle was stitched on.

As it happened I picked up a black glass vase last week which worked really well with the flower.

To keep the stem in the center of the vase I put the stem through a plastic bottle cap which fit nicely in the vase about 1.5 down.

It is off the the gallery.

I for this flower I hand cut 2 burlap shapes.  I cut 3 yellow felt circles and found a brown button for the center.

I chose a bamboo skewer stem this time which was stained green.

The burlap flowers were dyed with yellow tie dye spray and left to dry.

Once dry, I stitched the stem to the back flower and one of the yellow felt circles.  Then I stitched the front flower and felt circle offset from the first to the back one. Now the stem is in between.

I stitched the brown button in the middle over the center of the yellow felt circle.

I chose this ceramic vase which has a rustic vibe to match the flower.  I trimmed the bottom end of the stem for the right height for the vase.

I added a red bottle cap on the bottom of the stem to stabilize it a bit.  Then I added lentils for weight in the vase.

I think I will be designing flower based on the vases I have on hand.  These worked out well. 

Note Cards - Slow Stitching

Another few cards for the gallery.

I chose a textured cotton fabric and added a foundation layer from an old shirt. 

I cut three half circle shapes by hand with scissors from a bit of printed cotton.

I used navy thread to applique the flowers and add stems and pistils. 

I mounted this slow stitched piece to a warm green card in A2 size with stitches in each corner with the knots taped on the inside.

A half sheet insert to cover the tacking stitches and a ivory envelope and it was ready.

Birthday candles are always fun!

I chose a piece of warm polka dots cotton fabric from my scraps and then chose warm colored strips in various colors to make the candles.

I used a running stitch and ivory thread to stitch them on.

I added black wicks at the top of the candles.

I then added a yellow stitched flame surrounded by an orange one.

I placed 5 candles on the stitched piece.

I placed the art on a warm orange card with tacking stitches, a half sheet insert and ivory envelope.

Found a bit piece of lace and trimmed it to fit the front of a card. Then I cut a piece of navy and white striped fabric and a foundation layer.

I used white thread to carefully place stitches all over the lace to have it securely attached and to add some additional texture to the piece.

It needed a bit of color so I added a red flower button in a space it the lace then a few French Knots in red to create a bit of interest with a final knot at the very bottom.

I stitched the piece to the front of a navy card in the portrait orientation. Taped the knots on the inside and put in a half sheet insert.  A white envelope and it good to go.

Bottle Bag V2 - 02

 I made another bottle bag this morning.

The fabric is 100% cotton vintage I expect. It was a left over I picked it up at the GA fabric sale this spring.  Fortunately, there was enough to make a bag.  I did have to piece one of the cross pieces.

I decided to put the flannel into the seams this time so it was cut 4.5" W x 29" L same as the outer fabric and the ivory cotton poly lining fabric.

I decided to add a band of turquoise blender fabric at the top. It was cut 2.5 inches T by 4.5 inches W. It was stitched to each end of the cross pieces and then ironed to face the raw edge.

I did measure my legs of the cross this time to ensure that the join was perfectly in the center.  I got lucky on the first one.

I top stitched the bottom square then top stitched the four side seams. 

I decided that one strap is enough so I cut a piece 12"L x 4" W, folded the ends in then ironed it in half then folded the raw edges into the center to make a 11" L x 1" W strap.

I tacked it to the right and left sides of the bag once I had decided which was the front.  I chose the bluest side to coordinate wit the turquoise.

I sewed on my "My Bag" tag.  Less time spent this time around.

With the corner seams being top stitched it gives the bag some stiffness which allows it to stand on it's own.

The strap is well reinforced to the bag.

A generous bottle bag which will hold a champagne bottle and hence almost any other bottle.

Super happy with this one.

Note Cards - Slow Stitching

I worked on slow stitching art for note cards today.  I have sold a few at the gallery so I will have to replenish my stock.

This is a mountain scene with yellow and grey/white. Is it winter? Maybe.

A strip of white with running stitch. A strip of grey flannel for a bit of puff to which I added trees and running stitches.

A narrow strip of dark grey and then the mountain in the same color.

I placed a piece of thin white cotton behind the mountain then a sun behind that.

The back layer is a grey white patterned piece with a white cotton foundation layer.

Added snow to the mountain peak so it is winter but the sun is shining bright.

I chose a yellow A2 card base to match the sun.  I tack stitched the piece to the front and taped down the ends on the inside.  I gave it a half sheet insert to cover the tacking stitches.

A beige cotton foundation layer onto which I layered a tea dyed cotton from a tablecloth.  It has nice patterned texture.

I chose a piece of warm patterned cotton with blues and greens and ripped to a square.  It is stitched on with green thread and running stitch.  I added a bit of blue stitching to the flowers in the top right hand corner.

I then added a strip of navy cotton just below the center line. A bit of stitching in greens and blues and an ivory button.

The stitched art was tack stitched to an A2 navy card base in the landscape orientation.  The stiches are taped down on the inside.

I gave it a half sheet white insert and an ivory envelope.

A baby pink stitched greeting card.

I layered a piece of light grey linen with a piece of white cotton foundation layer. 

I stitched a piece of white lace across the front with pink thread and an over cast stitch.

I used the threads from the dark grey crocheted piece to tie it onto the light grey layer.  I sewed a tiny pin button in the middle of the crochet square.

I chose a link pink A2 card base for this card in the portrait orientation. I tack stitched the fabric art to the card front and taped the stitches inside the card.

I gave it a half sheet insert and a white envelope.

Bottle Bag - V2 - 2026

I have redesigned my bottle bag for 2026 in hopes of making them more time efficient and still keep the key features.  I am very pleased with the results.

This one measures 12.75" T and 3.75" square finished.

For this bag I chose some medium blue fabric which is 50% cotton and 50% polyester which should wear well.

The design has 2 strips which are finished individually then set at 90 degrees in a cross pattern matching the middles of each strip.  This square is top stitched to form the bottom of the bag.

The side panels are then top stitched to the one next to it until all are stitched and I have a tall bag.

The handles are 1" W x 11" long and are stitched to the top edge of the bag with X reinforcement.

To decorate it I added a red strip of fabric along the top edge about 1.5 inches from the top.  It was kept raw edge and zigzagged along both edges.  I created 2 tails hanging down from the cross over where the button goes.

I added a blue button at the crossing of the red fabric and stitched it by hand. 

I added a "My Bag" tag along the top edge between the handles.  This is your bottle bag to carry bottles to a party and then bring the bag home until the next invite.

This bag was made large enough to hold one of the large champagne wine bottles, a 1.14 L liquor bottle or a 2 liter of pop/soda so it will handle just about any other bottle.  Water bottles, food bottles, vinegar and or oil bottles and many others that can be given as a gift.

The bottom is double to provide some cushion for glass bottles.

The flannel is quilted to the outer layer to ensure no separation of fabric.  

The bag is completely finished inside and out with no raw edges.

The lining is navy regular polyester type fabric which aids helps in sliding the bottle in and out of the bag.

The bag is sturdy and the side seams provide body and can stand on it's own.  It will be good for bottles of smaller sizes.

Notes:  Should I add more padding in the bottom?

             After checking my 2024 model - it only had 1 handle so maybe that would work on this bag.

Flowers in Vases - RePackaging

When I made my flower bouquets I thought I was selling reusable vase covers which were machine sewn then enhanced with slow stitching.  Turns out that was not a seller as they have been in the gift shop since March 2026.  I brought those back a couple of weeks ago and decided to redesign the packaging to sell the flower.  

I eventually decide to find small vases into which to package these flowers.  Since there was only one handmade item in the package I have lowered the price.

I put the navy linen flower in this white ceramic vase with a stippled texture.  A nice sturdy vase for this substantial flower.  I kept the bamboo skewer in its stem and that worked well.

I decided to put a variety of sentiments on the tag to see if that would make a difference.

I brought these back to the gallery today.

Sentiment: A Flower Just for You

I am having to find vases at a very low price to keep my margins on these flower bouquets.  I am up for the challenge.  

I trimmed the hot pink strands in the tulle flower a bit to give it a sleeker look.

I paired it with a pink glass vase.

I added a bit of vase filler at the bottom of the vase to cover the end of the wire stem.

Sentiment - Thinking of You Today

For this flower I chose a clear glass vase.

The flower is quite heavy and the stem needed a bit of extra support so I put it into a red and white striped paper straw which worked with the red in the flower.

I added some vase filler at the bottom of the vase to cover the bottom of the vase.

Sentiment: For your Special Day

I placed this peach organza flower in a white water bottle with a peach lid.

The hole in the lid works well to support the flower in the middle of the vessel.

It may be unorthodox but we will see if it works.

Sentiment: A Flower for Someone Special

Fabric Patches - Various Processes

One of the processes I can use is designing my art and outlining it with black. Check out my testing of black marking material.

Using Inktense Color or Acrylic Paint to color the design.

Heat set the color once dry.

For this patch and used a thin top layer onto a white 100% cotton foundation layer.  Ripped to 3.75" square.

I used a ball point pen for the outline and painted it with Inktense color applied with a mixture of aloe vera gel and water.

I can always create my outlining with stitching.  It can be any color I want.

On this patch I used red thread and the back stitch to outline the heart and it's internal lines.

Once it was stitched I used Inktense color with aloe vera gel to paint the various piece of the patchwork pattern.

I added a tiny red button on the top left hand patch.

The background needed something so I just added some black Inktense lines.

I can use the traditional process of drawing the design with a temporary washable pencil which will disappear when the fabric is washed.

The design is stitched with colored embroidery floss - 2 strands.

This patch features fabric collage with slow stitching. 

I created a mountain scene with 3 peaks with a foreground of deep earthy colors.

I added a sun in the top left hand corner with a piece of yellow fabric.

I stitched some trees in the foreground with the fly stitch.  Running stitches on the earthy fabric, white peak on the middle mountain, birds in the blue sky.

All of the pretty squares are then machine stitched to a piece of heavy fabric - typically denim in various colors and weights.

I designed a card stock backer onto which I can stitch the fabric patch.

This allows me to place them on a display for sale at the Christmas Store at the art gallery at the end of the year.

I generally use upcycled textiles in these fabric patches.

I do not use glue in any of the steps of the construction of these patches.

These patches are fully washable.

Some may have embellishments which could include beads, buttons, charms and who knows what else I may be inspired to use.

Fabric Patches - Black Marks

Doing some research into what product to use to make black marks on my fabric patches.

I thought since Inktense is permanent once heat set I concluded that the Derwent Outliner would be as well.  

Micron Markers 08 - some online sources did not recommend them but I always have them in my craft room.

Black Ball Point pen 

Sharpie Permanent Marker Fine Tip.

Daler-Rowney Acrylic Ink Black - I used a dip pen to apply.

Black Ball Point pen

I heat set the marks before I washed the fabric with soap and water 5 times drying it in between washings.

It is interesting that the black ball point pens turned blue but worked well. 

Sharpie Marker performed well.

Micron black marker performed well. 

The acrylic ink would be good it a tool is found that would apply it evenly.  It would work well for abstract marks.

Ball point pens seem to be a decent choice for permanent marks on fabric.

Other than the red ink one the rest did pretty well.

Unfortunately, the black ones after several washes turn bluish.  The Everest one did the best to stay black.  Stayed quite dark as well.

I will keep testing pens and hopefully I will find a black ink ball point that stays black after at least 5 washings.

An the experiment continues.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 31 - P1 - Pocket, Pink, Purple

A piece for the slow stitching challenge hosted by K3N Cloth Tales.  A to Z of slow stitch.

This week's prompt was Poetry and Pocket.

I chose Pocket into which I created a fabric Patch featuring Pink and Purple. 

I added some stitched Petals, and a bit of Persimmon /Pumpkin. 

There is a square of Polka Dots and a Pearl button.  There is a Pointed flap on the Patch.

I added blanket stitch around the edge of the Patch, a Pink button, 

I am finished the stitching for now. More may appear. 

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 30 - O2 - Orange, One, Odd number, Opening

My piece for the O Community Choice in the A to Z Slow Stitch Project hosted by K3N Cloth Tales.

I wanted to document the process of creating a cut out patch Opening in a piece of fabric based on this video.

I chose Orange polka dot fabric and trimmed it to 8" W x 7" T.  I cut a piece of white fabric to the same size.

I traced the circle Opening with a glass container and stitched it with the back stitch. I cut out the center of the circle leaving a seam allowance. The allowance was clipped to permit it to turn when I turned to the back.

I found a piece of fabric with a pleasing image - one of a hare which fit in the circle  Opening.  I trimmed it to be about an inch larger than the Opening. I invisible basted the hare fabric to a 100% cotton white foundation layer.

I used several colors of embroidery floss to frame the circle Opening with rows of running stitches. I add the label to the piece to ID it's place in the book. 

Cards - Charity Donation

I spent a couple of days with my sister after picking saskatoons.

We need some more cards for I Win this fall we decided to work on that project to get it done.

She had these large butterfly die cuts which I decided to work with.

Coordinating card stock to the butterfly, neutral DSP from the stash I decluttered from my place before I moved.

Embossing pieces of card stock and card strips to create a line for a place for the butterfly.

Color printed greetings (Thinking of You) in SU Small Oval punch and Word Window punchies.

Butterfly Cards - Charity Donation

Another set of Butterfly cards for I Win Charity who support people traffiked.

Blue and oranges in this group. Again, large butterfly die cuts.

Some decluttered DSP on some of these cards.

Some backgrounds are just scraps of card stock with black marker markings.

Thinking of You color printed greetings in ovals and word window punchies.  Some are layered with the Modern Label Punchie.

It was great to spend some time with  my sister and get some traction on this project. 

Cards - Charity Donation

Another set of butterfly cards for I Win charity.

We have a commitment for 80 cards in the fall so we needed to work on getting there.

She pulled out her stash of supplies for the project and we just got started.

I worked with large butterfly die cuts so all the cards are landscape orientation.  

Some lovely warm green colors.  The top right is a wooden butterfly die cut.  The blue one is silk butterflies to which she added the black bodies. 

Love the little orange acetate stickers in the bottom card.  The background is commercial handmade paper with variegated stitching.  

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 29 - O1 - Organic, Olive, Onyx

This is my piece for K3N Cloth Tale's 2026 Slow Stitch project A to Z.

We are on O1 - The prompt is Organic.  I cut strips of fabric with Organic curvy lines in colors that start with O. Orange, Oyster, Orchid, Olive, Ochre.  I used a couching stitch with coordinating floss to adhere them to the basic fabric. 

After looking at it for a day or two I decided I need something more Organic so I cut some Organic shapes from paper and traced them onto the strips then stitched them with Onyx (black) floss.

I am happy with this one.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 28 - N2 - Notan and Navy

Working on the slow stitch project hosted by K3N Cloth Tales for 2026.  We are working through the alphabet A-Z. We are working on the second prompt of the letter N.

This one came together so much faster than the last one.

I chose yellow and Navy which is one of my favorite color combo's.   The prompt was Notan which is a Japanese design concept that translates to "light-dark harmony". It focuses on the balance and interaction between positive (light) and negative (dark) spaces.

I cut 2 piece of fabric the same size then traced a circle in the middle and cut it out. Switched the pieces into the other space and stitched them to my white book page.

Love it!

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 27 - N1 - Needlework, Nature, Ninety Degrees

I am following K3N's Slow Stitch project for 2026 where we do stitching A-Z. One week K will choose a prompt then the other week it will be a Community Choice prompt.  We are free so anything that works for us. We are starting the second half of the alphabet and the year.

I chose Needlework, Nature and Ninety Degrees for my piece.  I tried to include as many elements of Nature as possible - flowers, mammals, birds, fungi, sun, wind, clouds, grass, and insects. I framed the Needlework with 90 degree corners in Navy.

This was a tough one.  I have changed my top piece of fabric because I ran out of the beautiful linen. This white cotton is more tightly woven than I would like. I will keep looking for an old sheet that would work better.

Slow Stitching Fabric Patches

I have been wanting to make some of these so I decided to make some for a prize at our family event.

1. A red left ladybug on white linen on blue denim. 

2. Hills and sun collage onto a cotton foundation layer. Pink French Knots in the foreground. Sewn to a piece of heavy black cotton.

3. A yellow felt sun on white linen stitched to a piece of blue denim.

4. A red felt heart with a white stitched flower onto a piece of white linen sewn to a piece of heavy striped cotton fabric.

5. Four birthday candles made with fabric scraps with stitched flames on a couple pieces of white linen. Sewn to a piece of heavy black cotton.

6. A blue bird stitched to some linen which was sewn to a piece of blue denim.

The patches measure 3 5/8 inches square.  It was a good start to a slow stitching project. 

Placemats with Zippered Pocket

 I made this pair of placemats for a prize at our family event. 

I chose a piece of cotton I purchased at the GA fabric sale a couple of weeks ago (pink floral with a black background).  I made that the front.  I chose a piece of black polka dot poly cotton for the back.  

I cut the back and flannel backing 12 " T x 17" W. 

The front I pieced because my cotton was not long enough.  I added a piece of raspberry polyester knit on the left and side of the zipper.  The solid color helps to direct the user to the zippered pocket on the left.  I added raspberry colored tabs on each end of the zipper to fill in the gaps. 

I added two 12" ties on the opposite side which will keep it closed when rolled up.

Once I had pieced my front with the zipper and the raspberry piece I placed right sides together onto the backer and sewed all the way around leaving a gap to turn it right side out.

I ironed it and then did a top stitch all the way around closing the gap I had left. 

I then made 2 seams across the height of the placement. 1 to define the pocket and another just to keep the backer, flannel and cotton together.

The pocket can hold utensils and a napkin, markers, crayons, or other crafty things.

The fabric is completely washable. The color helps to hide the dirt. 

When going on a picnic at a park it gives you a clean place to eat no matter the condition of the table.