Welcome to my crafty blog... a "garden" of colourful cards, quilting, sewing projects, knitting...and what ever else happens along the way!!


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

For the Birds

I've been working on more sewing projects for some of the wee folk in my family.  My niece and her two daughters are visiting from New Zealand and I wanted to give the girls something from my sewing room. When I heard that Mattie loved OWLS, I knew the exact project: a cute little owl purse from Gingercake. Here's my version:


I used a variety of fabrics from my stash to create the main image and lining, but then added the eyes and beak with some Papertrey Ink felt and dies. The eyes were made with Vintage Cream felt (cut with PTI's Buttoned Up #2 die) and True Black (cut using PTI  Flower Fusion #5 die) and then hand stitched with cream and black embroidery floss. The beak is a hand cut triangle from PTI Harvest Gold felt and machine stitched to the purse.

I added two pink handles so that it really does look like a 'grownup' purse.
The original version had a single small wrist strap and it looked a little wonky. I'm much happier with this version.  A little square of Velcro will hold the purse closed and keep everything safe inside!!
When I gave it to Mattie, she was beaming and couldn't put it down!! 
Always a great feeling when you make something that is so appreciated.


Mattie's little sister is only 6 months old, so I decided to use this cute red and white 'bird' fabric to make a couple of bibs and a matching stuffed birdie toy for Polly.  This bib,  from Make Baby Stuff was just the right look for the birdie bibs. Machine embroidery around the bird and on the 'wing', makes for a fast design feature. The back of the bib uses a thick absorbent terry cloth and bias binding finishes the edges.

The design for the 'matching' birdie was altered from this pattern in 
order to create a similar look.  I kept it very simple, with few details. 

The main feature - these long striped legs and fun felt feet. 
The skinny legs are great for little hands to grab on to. 

Hope you enjoyed something a little different today. 
I sure had fun making them!!

I have linked this post to  
Sew Darn Crafty Party at Sew Many Ways


Thanks for Visiting
Karen C.

14 comments:

Nadine said...

Fun and cute! Lucky girls to have such a talented aunt. I wish I knew how to sew and could make such great gifts!

carol (krillsister) said...

You are so talented. The owl purse is adorable. Love the different patterns.
I like the bib, but that stuffed bird is the bomb!

Mad for Paper said...

Wow, these are incredible. What thoughtful gifts. I am sure they were loved by all.
TFS
Ang

Anne B said...

Gorgeous creations, Karen. I can see why that bag was such a hit :)

Anne said...

Hi Karen, thanks for stopping by my blog :) Your projects are lovely, the owl bag is great fun and I love the bib and the bird, the fabric is great!
Anne

Kelly said...

OMG... I LOVE the owl purse! I am so jealous and need to learn how to use my sewing machine!

Terri said...

They are all great! I especially love that owl purse. Super cute!

Lorraine said...

OMG, Karen, this is soooo CUTE!!! You make the cutest things for the little ones in your family. They are sooo lucky!

Rose said...

Aww Karen...SSSOOO cute....and I just loved the tone that ran throughout your post of how happy you wanted to make those little ones !

Thanks for linking the pattens as well, I will try to relicate some of your adorableness...

Leigh Penner said...

These are adorable, Karen!

Michele said...

Everything is so cute!

Gingercake said...

Very nice job! You are right- the 2 handles make the owl purse really cute! I'll have to try that next time :) thanks for the link!

Jen Adcock said...

Oh wow! These are outrageously amazing!!!! I still have my mouth gaping still as I type this. I am just captivated my these. Your talent knows no bounds. Crazy cool!

CatNCart Craft said...

I love the colours you have chosen, so bright and cheery. I know my niece would love that owl bag.. another project, oh dear
Visiting from Sew Many Ways
Judy