Apple Pouch - a new pattern

 Hello!

Christmas is just around the corner and I am finishing up Holiday preparations.

I will be making Christmas cookies this weekend and doing a bit of last minute shopping.

I created this apple pouch as a gift and I am offering the pattern for sale in my 

Etsy shop.  It is an easy make and a fun gift if you have a bit of time to do some holiday gift sewing.

Another fun project to use up fabrics from your scrap stash, the squares are just 2"!

I also made this cute little apple needle book that goes so well with the pouch.

I modified this pattern from the book Heart Felt Holidays. 

Here is a picture of the back.  I used a fancy zipper found on Etsy, but it would be equally

as cute with a coil zipper and fun zipper pull.

 I will leave you with a few pictures of my favorite Christmas tradition - cutting down our Christmas tree.

Every year we go up to the mountains and cut down our tree and this year the weather was beautiful!

Lots of snow and sunny to boot.  It couldn't have been more perfect!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

Oldies but Goodies ~ Apple and Pear Pattern

I can't believe it has been over three weeks since I last posted!

I've been working on a project that I cannot share now ; )

as well as overseeing a house remodel.

Both are coming along nicely and I cannot wait to share them with you!

I thought this would be a good time to share some of my favorite patterns.  

The apple and pear pattern is a perfect Autumn make and today is the first day of Fall!

This pattern has lots of possibilities - coasters, tote bag, pillow to name a few.

The apple measures 4" wide x 4 3/8" tall

The pear measures 3 1/4"" wide x 5 3/8" tall

The pattern is free and you can find it [HERE]

If you'd like to make the round hot pad you can find the tutorial [HERE] 

I also have a pattern for a smaller apple which measures about 3" tall x 2 5/8" wide 

I made this fun hot pad with the apple pattern.

As well as these cute little pouches.

Isn't it fun as a coaster?

You can find the mini apple pattern [HERE]

Happy Sewing and Happy First day of Fall!

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

Mother's Day Gifts To Stitch!

Mothers day is just around the corner - May 11th to be exact : )
Which means you still have time to make a gift for your mom.
This post is dedicated to some lovely projects to make if you are in need of
some ideas for Mother's Day gift giving!  

All links are provided below.

Hot Pads are a useful and fun gift if your mom likes to cook.

I created the round potholder from a few block patterns in my Etsy shop but you can just as easily use an orphaned quilt block and reuse a project that has been in your stash!
You can find the tutorial [HERE].

The apple potholder is a fun gift.  It us a perfect project to use some favorite scraps.
It would also be lovely in Granny Apple Green, Pink Lady Pink or Golden Delicious Yellow!

A tote bag is always a fun and useful gift!  My tulip tote is perfect for this time of year!  You can find the pattern for the tulip block and tote bag [here].
If you are looking for a simpler tote bag to adorn with the tulip, you can find some free tutorials Here, Here and another Here.

Another simple and fun project is my Ruffled Clutch I designed for Liberty Craft Blog.
Wouldn't it be lovely in natural linen too?

A frame pouch is always a useful gift.  I made the apple pouch with my free apple paper pieced pattern you can find [here].  The tutorial for the frame pouch can be found [here].
Fill it with some sweets or sewing notions!

Or use the pattern to make coasters.....

or hot pads!

There is nothing as lovely as lavender sachets for your clothing bureau.  You can find the pattern for my house sachets here.

A pretty cushion is always a welcome gift.  I seem to not have enough in my house : )
This one is made with my Rose Dream pattern you can find [here].

And this one is made with the Crown of Thorns pattern you can find [here].



Happy Creating!
xo
Charise



  

My Babies are Home : )

I received my samples from the book "Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects" this week.  It is a nice feeling to have them safe at home: )   They were sent away so long ago, I had forgotten how fresh and cheerful they are!

I think that picking out the fabrics is my favorite part of creating a new project.  This one was particularly fun.  The text print is from Suzuko Koseki and the Floral Print is from Moda's Sweet line.  Both are out of print fabrics.  Check out this blog post for some tips on finding those hard to find fabrics.  The sweet apple zipper pull is from the online shop SuperBuzzy.  They are also a great source for Japanese Suzuko Koseki Fabrics.

This is the second option I submitted for the book for an apple themed project.  It didn't make the cut but I think I'd still like to make the apple tote for myself!!!

The Kite tote will be fun to use this Spring!  I love the way the colors coordinate with my blocks from my Vintage Block Quilt Along!

I used some of my favorite Japanese fabrics including Atsuko Matsuyama prints, Yuwa prints and the kite pinwheels which are from a vintage feed sack.

You can find similar prints on Etsy in these shops: Sew Me a Song, Blije Olifantje, Ayumills and Sew Deerly Loved.

Happy Friday!
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

I'm in Love.....

OK... this is a bit embarassing but I'm referring to my new i-pad mini.  I have been waffling for so long and probably one of the last people to get a "smart" device.  Instagram pushed me over the edge.  Sadly Flickr is quiet and many of my Flickr friends have headed over to instagram.  Flickr is great for organizing photos and is the place I met most of my lovely quilting and sewing friends! It is a wonderful tool for groups and quilt alongs.   I'm not abandoning Flickr but I do love the community and sharing on Instagram.  Pls visit me there - you can find the link to my account on the right hand side of my blog - I'm @charisecreates.  Here are a few pics I've taken on Instagram and shared in the past few days..........

I'm almost finished with these pouces for a class at Drygoods Design.  The left one is finished. The one on the right is basted, just need to stitch the frame to the pouch with some bright red perle cotton embroidery floss!

My quilt came back from Quiltmaker Magazine - so happy to have it home!!

I'm adding another border on my "Color burst" quilt!  It is getting too big for my design wall!!

I hope you are enjoying the summer!

xo

Charise