Super Cute Paper Piecing ~ Apple Wristlet

Today I am sharing another project from my book "Super Cute Paper Piecing".

My Apple Wristlet is a sweet and useful project.

The wristlet is a perfect size to use as a purse or just make the pouch to hold

sewing essentials or make-up.

I can't seem to have too many pouches!

If you are familiar with my work it is no surprise to see an apple themed project in the book : )

I designed this block for the book "Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects"

And this little zip pouch is in the same book.

I even made an apple block for an online block printing class from Jen Hewitt

If you want to get a head start on paper piecing an apple, I have this fun beginner apple block [HERE]

It is a perfect block to practice your paper piecing skills.

The round pot holder tutorial can be found [HERE]

A tutorial for making a frame pouch can be found [HERE]

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Handmade Gifts ~ Apple and Pear Potholder

Hello and Happy Thursday.  Only 15 more days until Christmas!  Yikes.....

I am working on more Holiday Sewing and thought I would share a quick make 

that is a wonderful gift.

These round potholders are made with my free apple and pear paper piecing pattern which you can find [HERE].

The round potholder tutorial can be found [HERE].  

I am pairing them with a fun set of 

colored dipped bamboo spoons I found at a local kitchen wares store.

I found these on Etsy which are adorable!

If you missed any of my previous Handmade Gift posts, You can find them [HERE]

Wishing you Happiness and Peace during this hectic Holiday Season!

xo

Charise

Sale in My Etsy Shop & Holiday Gift Making Ideas : )

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I hope you are having a lovely holiday with family and friends!

I am having a sale in my Etsy shop - 30% off all patterns through Sunday November 30th!

Use the code Thankful

It is still time to make a gift for that special someone!

How about a hot pad for the cook in your family?

These are made from my Apron and mixing bowls pattern.  Find the tutorial for the round potholder HERE

Or this charming Apple Potholder!

Cozy Cottage Pattern available at Charise Creates Etsy Shoppe

Any of my Paper Piecing Patterns make an adorable pillow!

Mini Cottages Pattern in Charise Creates Etsy Shoppe

Sachets are always a welcome gift.  I can't seem to have enough of them!  They make your clothes smell diving and keep your fabric stash smelling lovely!

If you are looking for some Free patterns and Tutorials - I have lots of those too!

Pouches make a fun gift - filled with goodies of course!

Find my 12 Patch Pouch Tutorial HERE

A frame pouch makes a fun gift as well.

These sunny  Citrus Pouches are the perfect size for a pencil pouch.

A set of fun coasters is always a wonderful gift!

Especially when it is adorned with my free paper pieced apple design.

Or a perfect project to use up some scraps like my pinwheel coasters!

How about a Sketch Book Cover for your favorite artist?

Happy Creating

xo

Charise

Apples - I'm Obsessed!!!

I love apples - I always have.  And I'll never forget my mother telling me "an apple a day will keep the doctor away".

I have created apple pouches.....

apple coasters.....

apple potholders.......

and I am working on a pattern for an apple apron. The sample will be my mom's Christmas present!

So........ last Friday was my birthday and my husband took me to the the Frye Art Museum to see the current exhibition by German artist Franz Von Stuck.  The exhibit was absolutely incredible.  It was a real treat!  After seeing a great master's work I often dream of having the time to learn to paint.....maybe some day.

I just couldn't leave without taking a look at the gift shop : )  It is beautifully curated with art books, local artisan jewelry, hand bags and vintage items.  I couldn't resist these vintage apple accessories.
The wee brass apple tray will be perfect on my sewing table to hold odds and ends.
I love the shape and weight of the apple necklace.  It is a substantial piece of jewelry.  It has a seam near the top and I've tried to open it....hmmmm what could be inside?

I'm looking forward to enjoying this holiday with family and friends.  Cookie baking will commence on Monday. It is one of my favorite traditions along with cutting down the Christmas tree.  My boys love it too - actually the eating more than the decorating : )  The cookies pictured were made for a cookie exchange at my son's school.  I love decorating cookies and trying new designs thought I'll admit the easier design the better the outcome! 

I'm looking forward to spending two weeks with my boys, sleeping in over the holiday break and maybe sneak a bit of sewing in!

Enjoy your day!

xo

Charise

Sew Mama Sew Give-Away Day

Hello lovelies!  Tomorrow is the start of Sew Mama Sew Give Away Day!  

I'm posting just a little bit early : )  

I am giving away a fabric kit and pattern to make my Apple Orchard Hot Pad !!!

The give-away includes the fabric pictured above.  

The red print top left is one of my favorite out of print fabrics - "Sweet Broderie" by Rosalie Quinlan for Lecien~ 1/2 yard.  The top right fabric is one of my favorite New fabrics - "Recipes for Success" by Holly Holderman for Lakehouse Dry Goods ~ Close to 1/4 yard.  You can purchase this lovely fabric at Sew Me a Song .

The 2 1/2" squares are a range of some of my favorite white ground prints.

And last, is a piece of Suzuko Koseki Notions Fabric for the stem.

It also includes a PDF pattern for my new Apple Orchard Hot Pad pattern.  Just in time for holiday gift giving.

To Enter ~  Please leave a comment below!  Give-away is open to international participants.

Comments will close on December 13th at 5 p.m. PST.  I will announce the winner on December 15th.

Sew Mama Sew Give-away day starts tomorrow morning. 

Head on over for your chance to win some fabulous notions and hand made items from other designers and bloggers.

Good Luck!

xo

Charise 

Gift Sewing and a New Pattern - Orchard Hot Pad!

 I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving - my friends in the US!

Christmas gift sewing has started at the Randell house.  I created this Apple potholder pattern some time ago and I am sewing a few for gifts.  

The pattern is easy to make and is a great holiday gift for friends and family who love to cook with fun kitchen accessories!

It is available in my Etsy Shop.

The front left side of the apple is pieced and quilted.

The back has quilted pockets.

And I used some of my favorite text fabrics and a few vintage fabrics!

I'm excited to use the new Pam Kitty morning text print for my next hot pad which you can find at Sew Me a Song!  

I'm working on a companion apron and another fruit hot pad for the orchard.  We will see if I get them done in time for Christmas  : )   Thank goodness mom does not have a computer!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Stitch Week - Day 1 - Pomme Potholder

 

 

I'm excited to share the projects I created for Stitch Magazine - Spring 2013.

This project was the very first one I submitted way back in December 2012!  I've admired the magazine for ages and I am a regular reader.  It is truly an honor to be in the pages of Stitch!!

 

 

 

The first apple I made I use as a mug rug on my sewing table.  The size is just perfect for drinks and of course is great to use as a hot pad or potholder!

 

 

 

I have been making more as gifts and discovered another way of attaching the binding.  This is opposite of the original method in the magazine.  Instead of stitching the binding on the front and turning to the back, this method incorporates attaching the binding on the back and stitching on the front.

Both methods work well - the method I used for Stitch magazine has a cleaner look on the front.

1) For this method I used 3/4" bias binding - You can also use 1" bias binding.  The binding will be folded in half.

I like making my binding with a bias tape maker.  Clover makes a great one.

 

2)  Place the binding right side to the potholder right side back. If you are using 3/4" binding, stitch with a 1/4" stitch. If you are using 1" binding, stitch with a 3/8" stitch.

 

 

 

3) Change you bobbin to match the inside apple color on the back.  For this potholder I changed my thread to yellow.
 Fold the binding to the right side and pin, make sure the binding extends over the previous stitching.

Edgestich in place.

 

  Stay tuned this week for more projects.  I'll share one project a day and then I will have a give away this Friday February 8th!

 

xo

Charise

Practically Paper Pieced Blog Hop

Do you have orphaned paper pieced blocks lying around?  Well I do ~ and then some!  So when Kristy asked me to be a part of her Practically Paper Pieced Blog Hop I jumped at the chance. The Hop is all about making something out of your orphaned blocks. 

The Hop runs through August and the projects are just wonderful!  I promise you will be inspired!

I made a bunch of paper pieced apples months ago and thought they would be perfect for a frame pouch.  I have been wanting to try to make a frame pouch for ages!

I used my free apple pattern which you can find HERE.

The frame pouch tutorial is from U-Handbag Here.  It is a fabulous tutorial!!  Great, easy to follow instructions!

My frame measures 5" wide and I found it at Joann Fabrics.  

*I chose to stitch my frame to the pouch instead of glue it.  It is a bit tricky but I love the detail added from the contrast stitching.

  Here is a little tip:  position your purse in the frame, baste, and start stitching from the middle to the edge. I used Perle Cotton Embroidery floss.  

*I used the apple exactly the same size as my pattern-  2 3/4" wide.   Border were added so that the finished block would be the size of my pouch with seam allowance -
 The finished pouch is 6" high x 8 1/2"wide, so with a 1/4" seam allowance my block measured about 6 1/2" x 9".

*I then added a layer of batting and lining and quilted my pattern. 

 * I stitched box corners that are 1" from the point at the bottom and 1 1/2" deep.

Instead of using interfacing as in Lisa's tutorial, I used cotton batting since I wanted to quilt my purse and give it a bit of softness. 

 

This pouch also uses my apple pattern but the apple was enlarged to 3 1/2" wide.

 

I used the same 5" frame.  This purse measures 6" high x 6 3/4" at the widest point.  I also used batting in this pouch and did some echo quilting around the apple.

Here are a few more things I've made from paper pieced blocks ~

The apple makes a great coaster.......

Or a pot holder : )

This bag was made from my free Tulip pattern which you can find here.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out the other bloggers during the month of August.

Oh... and take a peek at the Flickr group.  There are some fab projects popping up there!

xo

Charise