A happy print, a happy make, a new buddy

Hello everyone! It's been a while hasn't it? As I was getting lost on Facebook, I remembered about my poor neglected blog. I'm going to try something new and instead of posting repetitively in lots of groups I'm going to focus my efforts on writing this post instead.

This month I've made a backpack to replace the trashed one my daughter had from last year. I recieved this gorgeous Art Gallery cotton from Minerva.com (full review on their site: https://www.minerva.com/posts/1101452) and I just knew it would make an awesome backpack. The last bag I made was years ago for my husband so I was a little nervous. I made a few mistakes, but overall I love how it came out! I might hand sew the corners next time becasue with my very stiff foam interfacing I struggled to get the seam under the walking foot, even with it hand tacked in place. 

I made this adorable Owl Doll from Bee Sew Inspired at the same time for the nights I didn't want to fight with the machine. Recently I discovered the joys of hand embroidery as a way to stay creative and active (bacause I really can't just sit!) but still be able to watch televison. We've been enjoying Scoropin on Netflix and it's really entertaining! They're taking it down soon though so we'll never get to the end of the seasons. Hopefully it'll return soon so we can finsih it!

I appliqued the Owl's face and details on. I decided to simplify it somewhat and forgoed the tufty ears and ear tufy embroidery details. I used felt for the applique details and hand embroiderd to secure them to the face. There was a lot of details in the eyes so I took the opportunity to try a range of stitches from satin stitch, blanket stitch to backstith and stem stitch. I really love how stem stitched add depth to line details and more texture. I realised that after years of sewing, mastering new stitches and embroidering increasingly more, my abiltiy to sew even straight stitches is as bad as it was from when I started. Looking at my work though, I'm okay with that! The uneveness just screams handmade but I really like how it adds a rustic element to my rag doll too. Not too shabby I think! 

I took so many photos this round, I wanted to get the details of the backpack for my Minerva fabric review but the love my kiddo was showing her owl and the mischievous joy leaking out her eyes whenever we do photos these days had me snapping merrrily along with no thought to the work I would give myself later in sorting and ediitng! The light is fading here in the UK as we rapidly enter Autumn and darker days. I find myself throwng in fake light rays again in a desperate attempt to incorporate some warmth into out green and wet light. Despite the artificial rays I really do love this time of year where photography wise I tend to go for more golden hues. 

Next on my list around custom orders is a birthday gown made of Rainbow organza and tulle. Lots of tulle. And horsebraid... Wish me luck! 

Patterns used: 

Backpack - Marigold by Violette Field Threads 

    https://violettefieldthreads.com/products/marigold-backpack 

Owl Doll - Bee Sew Inspired 

     https://www.beesewinspired.com/product-page/owl-doll-sewing-pattern 

Owl's Dress - Dress pattern included with the Katie Cat Stuffie pattern from Violette Field Threads 

    https://violettefieldthreads.com/products/katie-cat-18-doll-pattern