Friday, January 16, 2015

Tammy for All Seasons

I should open with Thank you s to the wonderful ladies who made this Hop possible,  Mdm Samm & Mary Winegar for their motivational and cheering skills and Cori of Chitter Chatter the designer of all of the lovely Pinneys and Brooke Nolan for her wonderful cross stitch designs.


Now on to the Oops.  I have not done any counted cross stitch in maybe 20 years.   I pretty much stopped when I started to quilt.  I find I am more of a speed stitcher than a slow stitcher.

While I remember the basics I find that my eyesight was the biggest hurdle to overcome.  I started using the recommended Monaco Linen but even with my prescription glasses, my cheaters and Michael's even stronger cheaters I couldn't count threads.

I ended up taking myself and a coupon to Michael’s and picking up some Aida cloth.  Bless DMC as they are a full service cross stitch company, floss, frames, needles and blessed Aida cloth.  Once I got the Aida cloth in its frame and my floss organized I was off.



I was also very sick.  This might have been a good thing since it was Christmas week which is usually very hectic in my life.  Being sick slowed me down to a crawl and had me sitting still for large periods  over a couple of weeks.  Perfect way to get back into slow stitching.

So this is where the oops came in to play.  When I switched to Aida cloth the stitches got bigger therefore, the entire project got bigger (I’m blaming this oversight on the cold).  Too big in fact to fit on the front of a Tammy Bag properly.  I took my plastic template of the pattern piece and laid it on the stitching and it just looked like I was trying to put the stitchery on a 2 size too small bag. I’m really sorry I missed the Tammy part of the project. I have a couple of other Tammy bags and they are wonderful.


My interpretation of the spirit of the original project was to make the Tammy bag holding "stufff"  for upcoming stitchery projects so  I went with that concept.  I figured out exactly what type of bag would suit MY cross stitch needs into the future.  

My needs included being able to fit the entire project into one bag.  That meant big enough to hold the snap frame as well as the floss and glasses and scissors etc.  I used Noodle-Heads wide mouth zipper tutorial so I'd have complete access to the contents.  I also wanted a place to keep the pattern safe and unrumpled.  And of course a place to hang the the sweet Fall  Pinney.

Now that I’d gotten this far off track I just kept on going.  I just didn’t feel the ruffles on Cori’s Pinney went with the new bag interpretation.  My new bag is very straight and contemporary not at all feminine  like the Tammy.  Loved Cori's fall embroidery  and applique design so after doing the applique I squared it up.  I did add a spot on the back for needles and pins and I also added a loop with a clip so it could be attached to the bag as needed and unhooked and stashed in the bag during down time.



Coordinated the background to match the tote front and back.





So I guess I’m kinda sorta back into cross stitch.  Probably more into smaller designs  for the time being, but definitely back.  I enjoyed this hop and what I managed to accomplish within it’s guidelines.  Lots of different stitching in addition to the cross stitch.  A little embroidery, a little Blanket stitch and some quilting. I do need to acquire one of those Beam and Read hanging lights.  Base on all of the comments I've been reading that may be the answer to the vision issue.



So thanks again  Cori, Brooke, Mary and Mdm Samm and all of our sponsors, especially DMC.  Thanks also to all of my visitors.  Without you this wouldn't be nearly as much fun.   Please take the time to go and visit all of the other creative stitchers participating in this hop.  Here is the list of today's other stops.


January 16, 2015

62 comments:

  1. I love it! I had an art teacher that taught me early on...in arts and crafts there are never a mistakes...just opportunities to make something better! That's just what you did! GOOD FOR YOU! Great Job!!!!

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  2. Love how you made the bag and Pinny your own! Thank you for sharing.

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  3. Your Fall pattern, bag, and pinny turned out lovely. I used to cross stitch till the sun would come up. Couldn't put down. This hop has got me back into it, more. I have to watch myself though, I can easily end up wanting to do nothing else. lol

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  4. Your stitchery is lovely, and the bag and pinny look so great together!

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  5. your bag and pinny turned out really nice. Love the fabric your used. Than you for being part of this great hop.

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  6. I like the way how you handled the stitchery with the Tammy, we are all creative, aren't we?
    The fabrics you chose are fantastic, I love the sunflowers on your pinnie cup!! And your stitching is sooooo nice!

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  7. Love your interpretation of the Tammy - and well done on the cross stitch. Will look forward to seeing more of your stitcheries in the future
    Judy

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  8. Your stitching is beautiful and your Pinny goes great with your tote. Great job!

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  9. Great job with the stitching. Glad you were able to find a way to make this work for you. The tote is great.

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  10. Your bag turned out beautifully; it should be very useful too!

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  11. You did an excellent job on the cross stitching and the Pinny. I need to make a bag like that for my q-snap frame.

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  12. I think your version is just great... even if it wasn't what you had originally planned. Your zipper bag will be really useful and looks stylin'!

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  13. Hi Selina, despite being sick and starting up x stitching once again...look at your dedication to the task...well done...and now it is evident you have a tote for your cross stitching supplies, that surely means more in the future....lol

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  14. Great bag!! I love the idea of a big bag to put all your cross stitching "needs" into. You did a great job. Your pinny is perfect with your bag. That fabric is fantastic.

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  15. Nice finish despite being sick! The big stitching bag is a great idea, too!

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  16. What a nice tote that's going to be Selina - I know you'll enjoy using it. When I finished my cross stitch I thought it wasn't going to fit either...scared me for sure. :) But I love the idea of appliqueing it on! blessings, marlene

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  17. Your stitching looks wonderful and I'm glad that you were able to make them work on a project for your stitching supplies. You will enjoy it for years to come.

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  18. I like it! You get the full design and it's a perfect place to put everything inside.

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  19. Mistakes are just opportunities for creativity, aren't they?! Your bag matches the cross-stitch perfectly and I love the way you made the pinny to match. What a fun bag!

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  20. I do like your modern take on this pattern....it is so interesting to see how this journey has taken you down new roads with it. I love that you changed it into something could use and more to your liking. SO practical, and so much more you! Love the pinny, it turned out cute as a square! Love the ruler fabric too..so cool! ~Cori

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  21. This is what quilting is all about. You start with an beautifully embroidered tammy bag and you end up with a beautifully embroidered project bag. Fantastic. I love it. Well done you.

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  22. I think a really important part of sewing is to make something that is uniquely useful to your needs. I love this bag and the fact that you've taken the hop guidelines and have made something perfect for you. Love you fabric choices too. :)

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  23. Oh, I wish I would have gotten larger fabric to make my design laeger. The Tammy bag was fun...but I had lots of problems doing the cross stitch. I didn't know that you could get other sizes. Your bag is georgeous. I love the fabric v you choose and the size is perfect to hold anything.

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  24. Love how you turned a near disaster into a beautiful bag! Inspires me to go back to some projects that didn't work out and think outside of the box to finish them. Thanks for sharing!

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  25. If that isn't the greatest way to turn lemons into lemonade. What a great new bag to carry your stitching in now! Those little tiny squares just beat me up too. I couldn't make friends with readers. My bifocals are great and not wearing them made my eyes crazy. I just found a pair of clip on magnifier lenses at Hobby Lobby and used them last night. So far, I must say, I am impressed with them.

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  26. You did lovely work. At least you completed something. I however did not. I was going cross eyed while cross stitching with the 28 count. Hee hee.

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  27. Lovely stitching. I did not join in this hop due to concerns about my eyesight and hands not being up to the task. I did look at some cross stitch fabric locally and it looked pretty tiny to me even with my prescription readers. I am wondering what the count size is on the Aida cloth that you used? Maybe the larger count would work better for me. Thanks for sharing your journey ... :) Pat

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  28. Oh well, it's still lovely and still a very useful bag. You made it your own. Good job.

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  29. I haven't done counted cross stitch in years either. This might get me to pick up a couple of the UFOs hiding in the cabinet.

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  30. I was worried my pieces wouldn't fit either, but I must have used the right size Aida because they fit...barely. I didn't even try the Monaco, so you rock for at least trying. It looks great on your bag and will definitely be nice to carry around your supplies. I hope you're all better from your nasty sick stuff!

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  31. I'm sorry you have been ill. I hope you are mended, now. I'm glad that you adapted your cross stitch to a bag with which you are happy, happy, happy. Your stitching is beautiful and it's difficult to believe that it's been 20 years since you've tried your hand at that craft. Thanks for participating and staying with the projects during your trials and sharing your great projects with us. Your are an inspiration to us.

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  32. Sorry you were not feeling well,but hope you are back to your usual self again! I really like how your bag just morphed into the perfect modern cross stitch bag for your needs! I am a practical girl myself,and just might have to make another one for me with the open wide pouch!

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  33. Maybe not a Tammy bag but a great bag anyway and so useful. Love that you made sure the Snap hoop fit into it. I agree that making the pinny square was the way to make the 2 things coordinate.

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  34. I loved your story of this project. It demonstrates the fun, problem solving part of sewing. I love your bag too!

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  35. I can sure relate to your dilemma about seeing the stitches! I hope you are feeling better. Sometimes these things can linger on. I like your fabric choices. It looks very classy. I will have to check out Noodlehead's tutorial on the wide mouth zipper application. It looks like a great idea. Nice tote bag.

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  36. Wow! It is still a great bag and perfect for your needs. Love the way you did the pinny to match.

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  37. Your bag turned out beautifully.

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  38. You sure did get a lot of mileage out of the ruler fabric! I love your interpretation and execution. You ROCK GF!!! But...I may have missed something..what is a "pinney"?
    June - NC

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  39. What a cute bag! I need to make one so I can carry all my stitching with me. The pinny is quite adorable as well.

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  40. I too love Noodlehead(Anna) wide mouth pouch.
    Great silhouette embroidery....so girly..i love it!

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  41. A super bag and good use of the stitching!!

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  42. I love the cross stitch you did, it is great. Have a wonderful day!

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  43. Nice pouch to store your cross-stitch supplies. You did a great job on your stitching.

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  44. Great design. Thanks for the blog hop. Really interesting.

    judybarr at iearn dot org dot au

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  45. I love it! I too would want a big enough bag for all supplies. :) It turned out awesome, even if you were sick.
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  46. you are my kinda gal! if it doesn't work the way it was supposed to, work it into something else quite as special and no one will know (unless you blogged about your boo boo!)

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  47. I'm just like you - I stopped cross stitch when I started to quilt because of the quick satisfaction of finishing a project in a few hours!! Instant gratification! I think all of you ladies are very ambitious to do a blog hop over the holidays! Tammy for all Seasons sent me.....

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  48. Love your bag! I'm so glad you found a good use for your cross stitching even though it got too big. That bag looks like such a great size!

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  49. You did a great job redefining your project to work with what you had and I so agree about the Beam N Read. I wouldn't want to be without it now that I have one.

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  50. A bit of travel makes me late to comment but your bag is a beauty :) And I love your interpretation of the pinnie!

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  51. Selina...great job, there are always hiccups that interfer with what we want to accomplish. I love how you stuck with it and made it your 'own' . Love the bag and it will by so useful especially since it is big enough to hold your frame. Happy stitching, Pauline

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  52. This project turned out great. Your changes made a very nice set. Thanks for showing an alternate design.

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  53. Don't think of it as too large for your project. Think of it as a design opportunity. Well done! I hopped over from Tammy 4 all seasons blog. She says hi! Thanks for showing us behind the scenes. Notwendy gmail

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  54. I agree with Kelly - design opportunity! This looks like the perfect project bag.

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  55. I love your stitching and your bag--it is so roomy!

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  56. I used to do lots of cross stitch -- then I found quilting and it took over all my crafty time!

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