Dresses, Gnomes, Bags and Hoarded Treasures

I hope that everyone had a great Easter weekend.  It was cold, wet and not Spring-like at all here.  I was able to use my time inside crafting though! 

I took a break from the swaps I’m involved in (more on that later) and started making the gifts for my two nieces.  Both are born in May, so I thought I better get a jump start.  My oldest niece wanted a Japanese Knot Bag, similar to my daughter’s, so she could carry her Webkinz and Littlest Pet Shop toys.  These are so easy to make – and a lot of fun cause they are reversible.  I’m thinking we might put some surprises in it for her  (top right and top center in collage).

For my youngest niece I made two dresses (and hope to add bloomers soon).  One is a bandanna dress – following this tutorial -   that literally took no time at all (bottom center in collage).  I made a matching headband with the ribbon.   Then I made another cute little dress for her out of one of Shawn’s old shirts (wish I would have taken a picture of that).  It was made using this tutorial.  I did have some problems getting a good EVEN line sewn for the casings because of the curves, but all in all I think it’s still cute  (top left in collage).  Instead of doing the center waistband as shown in the tute, I opted for a cute fabric flower (easy tutorial used).  I also made a matching headband using this tutorial (bottom left in collage).  Geez – lots of tutorials used here – but I promise - I’m a novice at sewing and these tutorials are really easy to follow.

As for swaps, Cookie the Gnome (bottom right in collage) is visiting from the Roaming Gnome swap.   As you can see he’s been very busy, even helped us dye our Easter eggs.  Kacie has had a lot of fun with this swap – and I can’t wait to see the other visitors we’ll have.

Another swap I’m in is one hosted by The 6 o’clock Stitch.  I got my partner’s information via email this morning and I decided I’d embroider the piece for Maranda.  Since I knew that this piece is going to be framed, I thought I’d try one of those intricate line arts (aka hard coloring pages) to use.  So I started perusing through my favorites… and realized…. I’m a hoarder of links!   LOL Pattytalks a lot about hoarding patterns, and while I don’t exactly hoard them as she does (I think she prints them out -I only print out the pattern if I’m going to use it)- I do admit I have a problem.  I have so many favorites on my computer that it is starting to get hard to find what I was looking for.  I really need to organize them better.  If I see a pattern I like, I hit that little “Add to Faves” button.  I can’t stop – it’s an addiction.   (And I love this addiction – so much to do!)

So I thought I’d share some links with you to some great coloring pages that I think would totally rock as embroidery patterns.

• Great abstract coloring pages
  http://pagestocolor.blogspot.com/
• Beautiful landscape with a “magic tree”
  http://nolanik.blogspot.com/2007/01/magical-tree-sculpture-for-helen.html
• Great collection of Animal and Landscapes by Catinka Knoth
  http://catinkacards.tripod.com/id6.html
• Lots and Lots of Dragons!
  http://www.lucylearns.com/dragon-printable-coloring-pages.html
• Robin with cherry blossoms
  http://www.sherriallen.com/coloring/images/spring3.gif
• An awesome collection of intricate coloring pages
  http://www.edupics.com/en-coloring-pages-pictures-photo-art-c110.html
• Great collection of fine art coloring pages (in French)
  http://www.momes.net/coloriages/coloriages-peintres.html
• More fine art to color
  http://www.funnycoloring.com/art-coloring-pages.html
• Cute Coloring Pages from a children’s book illustrator (I love the library mouse and reading fairy)
  http://dulemba.com/index_ColoringPages.html
• Fantasy (fairy) pages to color
  http://www.pheemcfaddell.com/PageColoringProjects.htm
• Plethora of Animals from National Geographic
  http://www.nationalgeographic.com/coloringbook/archive/index.html

Now to choose one for the swap! LOL 

Keep Kraftin’!

Kandra

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