Monday's Marvel: Spring Flowers

Happy first day of spring! I thought it was perfectly appropriate that the weekend before the first day of spring I was working on creating quilted flower pins.

These are for a collaboration with Karen of Duncan Creative. Karen makes amazing hats upon which these pins will rest. We're launching our collaborative line at the MayDay Underground Art + Crafts show here in Rochester on April 30th - if you're in town, it's a show you won't want to miss!

These flowers are so much fun to make! I loved picking out just the right combination of fabrics, finding a fun button, and deciding on the flower shape. I settled on three different shapes, each with it's particular center. Each flower takes longer than I had originally thought it would - I think due to the quilting, cutting and layering - but I definitely think the extra time and effort is worth it! Just looking at them makes me happy and I hope they make you happy too!

Wednesday on the Worktable: Karen's Under-the-Sea Satchel

My friend Karen, of Duncan Creative, asked me to make her a new satchel. She fell in love with Michael Miller's Sea Beauties fabric, but wanted that for the interior to avoid having the bag look like a diaper bag. I decided to create the bag in dark brown to 1. match the hair of a couple of the mermaids and 2. hide dirt!

I had a ball creating this custom satchel. I love the mermaid-covered fabric Karen chose. I decided to compliment it with variegated sea blue thread for the quilting. I love how it pops off the dark brown. The addition of the patch I showed you on Monday gives her a little preview of the interior and then when she opens the bag she gets a nice under-the-sea surprise!

And don't think this bag is just a pretty face. With five pockets on the inside, a large pocket on the bag, and an attached key fob, this little beauty is a workhorse too! I have a good feeling that it's just what Karen is looking for!