Back when I was in my early thirties I used to do counted cross stitch all the time. That was thirty years ago - but it came back to me quickly when I started working on Winter, a vintage pattern by Brooke Nolan of BrooksBooksPublishing. I gathered up my fabric, my q snap frame, my Readers, my Beam N Read light, my DMC thread, my needle and my thimble and got to work. Seriously, I don't remember it taking all that stuff when I was younger but with age and time....I couldn't sew any more without my Readers or my Beam N Read or my q snap frame. I've always used a needle and thread and thimble but the other stuff - lifesavers, truly. So, many thanks to our sponsors who manufacture some amazing products.
When I first saw this pattern I knew right away I wanted to make an evening purse. Somehow the richness of the pattern shouted "let's dress up!" I used an Aida cloth that has a shot of gold threads through it and it was perfect for what I wanted.
I added some rhinestones - one on the shawl collar and one in the center of some of the snowflakes.
I had a long string of pearls, not real of course, that were my mothers. The clasp was broken so they were the perfect thing to use as a shoulder strap.
I love the way it looks here next to some family pictures and my mother's clock (complete with a ribbon she won for one of her quilts hanging from the side)....and with the pearls I wore to my 50th anniversary reception.
But can't you just picture it with my black shawl.....a real treasure that came from China Town in New York City several years ago. So fun!
We were also lucky enough to get a pattern from Cori Blunt of Chitter Chatter Designs. I chose Summer....but I confess I bought all of her patterns and all of Brooke's. I just loved them so much I couldn't choose!
Cori's pinny is designed to go with a Tammy Bag sewing bag. Of course that wouldn't work with my Winter so....I just sat down and did another cross stitch. This time I chose Summer. I confess my poor fingers aren't used to so much hand stitching so they're a bit sore but I can hardly wait to do the rest of these adorable designs. And since I bought the pinny patterns I can make a pinny to go with all of them - win, win!
I had a little piece of of a teal wool that I thought would be perfect for the little bird.
The ruffle is a bright teal print that blends perfectly. I chose to put a little pocket on the back made out of batting...that way I could tuck my thimble in it and/or it will hold a needle or two. And I copied an idea from one of our bloggers on Friday and put a tab so that it will hang over the clasp.
And how about this adorable Summer! The touch of gingham on the bag, the swim cap, the starfish...I just love it!
I changed the colors a little...went from red to a rosy pink and from blue to teal to go with the fabric I had chosen.
This was such a fun project and I can't say a big enough thank you to Mary of I Piece 2-Mary for keeping us so organized, or to Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt for doing all the work that it takes to get sponsors and to dream up the ideas that we all love so much. And to our sponsors...
BEAM N READ ( led light)
Brooke's Books ( seasonal vintage counted cross stitch designs)
Chitter Chatter ( applique and embroidered pinnies)
DMC ( heads and aida cloth)
H.A.KIDD ( monaco fabric)
MsAppleHeart ( Tammy Bag Pattern)
READERS ( best readers on the market for those who need to see their patterns
up close and personal)
SNAP SOURCE ( great gadget for adding snaps to our bags)
Yarn TREE ( q-snaps)
Without these people many of us would be struggling along with less than ideal conditions for doing the stitching we love so much.
Thank you so very much for stopping by and following along with this hop - your comments are so cherished. Please be sure you visit the other bloggers today, and in the rest of the hop.
January 12, 2015
Stitchin By the Lake (you are here)
January 13, 2015
Cheryl Wilkinson will post to Ipiece2-Mary
January 14, 2015
January 15, 2015
January 19, 2015
January 20, 2015
76 comments:
Your Winter Tammy looks beautiful with those pearls! I love the pinks and teals, too! Cute, cute Tammy Bags!
Great photos of dressed up Tammy bag. Elegant!
Beautiful Tammy's and cross stitching. Love the pearls.
Love your Tammy bags and the sweet Pinny! Thank you for sharing.
Your winter Tammy Bag looks so elegant and smashing with the extra "bling", and the photos are gorgeous! This is a high class bag!
Your summer bag is lovely, too!
OH MY GOODNESS!!! How elegant! You NAILED this one!!! What a great layout with the pearls!
The pearls are certainly a keepsake and make the perfect shoulder strap. The evening bag is elegant and perfect with all your accessories. The summer bag is gorgeous with the fabric you chose. You certainly are a prolific stitcher. Thank you for all the inspirations.
Love, love your "Let's Dress Up" Bag, it is perfect for a fun night out.
Your summer bag turned out so cute, along with your pinny. You did a great job.
Thank you for being part of this great hop.
Your winter looks very elegant and graceful. I love the way you used the pearls! Gorgeous. And then to find out you did ANOTHER ONE! Very summery. Love it! I think I just might.....
It is gorgeous as an evening bag. Very post! How lovely! Lovely idea with the pearls as the strap. So clever!
Wonderful job on both of the stitcheries and the pinny with the bluebird is so cute. I love the elegant Tammy.
Your pinny is adorable. Love it.
Love the elegant bag with the pearls. Can see you headed out all dressed up to a fancy party carring your treasures in that bag.
Beautiful job Marlene! Your colors are gorgeous, for both bags. You did a lovely job on them.
Such elegance bestowed my eyes this am.....what lovely detail Marlene...and your photos with strings of pearls, wellllll beautiful they are...So pleased you found your stitches again....and I must admit I don't remember needed so many notions either lol. Although it certainly makes it easier...
What a stunning winterbag. So elegant and I loove the pearls you added as string. Beautiful. But also the second tammy is so fresh and sweet. Well done!
Both bags are beautiful, and I love the pinny!
Both bags are quite lovely but your evening bag is a show stopper!!!! it is absolutely gorgeous!
You always do such beautiful work ! The pearls on your elegant bag make it even more special than it already is and the blue bird looks fluffy made from wool.....good thinking Marlene !
Beautiful, beautiful work! I'm always amazed at those of you who do blog hops - such inspiration!!
Blessings and hugs!
I have never done cross stitch, and very little embroidery, but seeing your work inspires me to try one day. I love your classy winter theme with Tammy, pearls and scarf. The summer teal is so bright and cheerful. Beautiful photos too. Great work Marlene.
Oh Marlene!!! I love that first Tammy bag....just so elegant
What a lovely evening bag and to utilize you Mom's strand of pearls is icing on the cake! Both bags are just so pretty.
What stunning bags Marlene! Love your mom's pearls too!
LOVE the Winter design with the pearls. I haven't gotten around to stitching but one so far, but Winter is my fav (and the next one I'll stitch!). Thanks for the inspiration!
Both are absolutely gorgeous! I do love the winter design and love how you have photographed it, but the summer is perfect with the aqua. Nice finishes!
I can't decide which one I love more! Wonderful job getting some of the gold flecks to sparkle in the photo and the bathing cap and starfish are just too cute on the summer tammy!
Beautiful, love your projects and love seeing your birdie in wool, that's what I did too :)
Wow! I love the winter with the rhinestones! What a perfect idea! And the pearl handle is absolutely perfect for it. Take a picture when you use it with your shawl. It will make such great accessories!
You also did a great job on the pinny and the summer cross stitch! You've wowed me!
Love your bags, Marlene, especially the winter one with the addition of your Mom's pearls. I love it when things are personalized with such lovely treasures. Great job!
You did such an amazing job with both of your bags! Winter turned out so incredibly elegant and the pearls were such a wonderful touch.
And your summer bag is so bright and cheerful! Beautiful work!
Ii love your winter Tammy, it is beautiful and the summer Tammy is so pretty with the bright colors.
Thank you for sharing your creativity and being part of this blog hop.
What a great idea for the dresses up bag and I love how refreshing the summer bag looks.
Two wonderful Tammy bags! I loved the winter one the best; your love of dressing up showed through. The pearls were such an upcycled thing to add - fabulous!
Your tammy bags are just won-der-ful, and your winter one is a dream of a bag, with These pearls, waoh!
Oh my Marlene! Your winter bag is just so elegant. I absolutely love it! ...and the pearl handle..LOVE!...and then, not only did you do one, you did another? Summer too? LOVE that one as well. Your color choices are gorgeous! I want it! Wish mine would have turned out that amazing! Love the teal bag. Also love your pinny. It is cute as it can be, and I just love that you did it in wool. So nice to see it done up in different ways. I am dreading my posting day..... I am almost embarrassed to show everyone this poor bag. Pray for me... Hugs ~Cori
Your Tammy bag is beautiful, I like how you added the pearls to your picture. You must have been really busy to complete two! And both are adorable!
What a beautiful evening bag. And totally unique to you. And the second aqua bag, it is just gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your great projects. Love them both.
Oh, SO elegant, (((Marlene)))! I LOVE the pearls as a shoulder strap. So clever. I also love your tiny details like the rhinestones on snowflakes and the stole. Thank you so much for participating in this hop and for choosing one of my designs to stitch. Your Tammy is pure chic...Love it! Brooke ; )
What am I talking about!? ONE design? I LOVE your Summer Tammy too!!! Love the hot pink and teal colors and your felt pinny is adorable. I need more coffee...XX, Brooke ; )
such a delightful post...i just love the photo of the bag with the photo and pearls draped...i would frame that photo!
Using your mother's pearls on your Winter Tammy bag is perfect. I love your choice of colors and fabrics for both Winter and Summer. The birdie pinnie is pure bliss. Thank you sew very much for hopping. Creative Tammy Bliss...
You excesorized to the max. Love it, love it, love it. The pearls are just over the top, wonderful. And the blue bird is happiness personified.
Love how you turned it into an evening bag and the pearls are the cherry on the top! All of your projects are awesome and the little bird is adorable.
Absolutely gorgeous -- love the winter pattern and the pearls are brilliant!!!
I love the pearls, they really make this bag something special. Thanks for sharing what you have doe. x
Oh my gosh, your winter Tammy is jus gorgeous. But 2 Tammy's! Yikes. I love your Pinny with the wool work on it too. Perfect!
Oooo the hot pink makes a perfect swimsuit! And I love how you repurposed your mother's pearls! I will have to remember that, my mom has all sorts of necklaces she may want to repurpose someday :)
~Brandy
Gorgeous Tammy bags! I love the pearl strap, to add elegance, and the turquoise and hot pink touches! Just beautiful!!
Susie
WOW Marlene...your winter Tammy is sEw elegent, love the pearl strap...love it!! Your summer one is beautiful too! Love the fabrics..the pink and aqua are perfect. OK I've procrastinated making a pinny. I love yours with the blue bird made with wool. I'm finishing up my summer bag and then I will be making a pinnie...one for sure!! Happy stitching, Pauline
Fancy, fancy!
Love your projects! They are both beautiful!
Both of your projects are stunning!Lovely pictures and thanks for sharing!
Your winter Tammy,so elegant,and the pearls just take it over the top!
They both turned out great. I love the aqua for a summer color, like the warm shallow waters of a Caribbean beach.
What a stylish bag you have made! The pearls are a great touch. I am making the Winter one, too, and I like what you have done with it. The pink summer cross stitch is fabulous. I like the spirit it brings to the design. And the aqua fabric on the pinny is super cool. Your little birdie is so sweet in felt. Great idea.
Leslie S. in MN
Your winter bag is so elegant looking and the summer is so beachy 😊 Great work I can't believe you completed two. Great work!
Your work is lovely and your sense of color is fantastic! The pearls were such a great touch. :)
Love the winter bag it is gorgeous, and I love the pearls, but the summery one is gorgeous too.
Your winter Tammy is so beautiful and elegant with the accent stones and the pearls. Your summer one is so cheery and bright. Thanks for sharing and brightening my wintery day ... :) Pat
Your winter bag is so elegant. I love the added rhinestones! And what's not to love about summer. Great color switch.
Such a pretty winter bag and the pearls just make it so elegant. And then you made another? wow, you are something. Love the summer bag too. Amazing is what you are.
Two! They are both so pretty. Love your little wool bird. So sweet. The pearls are such a great touch.
Really beautiful, love the colors you chose for the summer one.
Most elegante! I love the color of aida you went with for the Winter Tammy. and the black just makes it pop! Your summer duo is super as well... The pink and teal are so pretty together!
gorgeous photos of your beautiful work.
Wowzers! Pearl handles, pearl fabric, wool applique--those are the wonderful ideas which I took from you blog post. Thank you!
Marlene,
Both of your Tammys are stunning. I love the pearls from the handle. My daughter would adore the pink summer Tammy. It is a cutie. So, is the coordinating little pinny.
Oh how lovely and of course the pearls made for the perfect strap. Nicely done.
Hello Marlene, it is wonderful to meet you and thank you for the sweet comment that you left on my blog. Your bag is lovely and the pearl handle is perfection. I have often thought about trying my hand at making a small bag, but I have no idea how to attach the handle. Do you know of a good tutorial? I am your newest follower and I would be honored if you would consider following me back. Your blog is delightful and very inspiring. I'm so happy that you came to visit, because it brought me here.
Your new blogging sister,
Connie :)
Oh, that evening bag is charming. What nice sentiments you've included in it, with your mother's pearls. You do beautiful work, and your photos are lovely.
Wow! I love them!
I love your bags. What a beautiful evening bag and the pearls are the perfect accent. The colors in your summer bag are beautiful.
Those are so pretty! They remind me of the vintage Barbie clothes with all of their neat accessories.
You're all set for any occasion now, summer or winter; well done! I love the personal additions to each bag making them uniquely YOU!
Oh, your Winter Tammy is so gorgeous and elegant, especially with your Mother's pearls. Lovely! Oh, and your little Summer bag is so very sweet. Love the idea of using wool for the little Pinny. Beautiful work.
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