Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Perfect Day To Play

I have spent the last week stitching non-stop, working on my Halloween class design for the New England Stitcher's Retreat. I was so happy when the fabric arrived and I have been completely focused on the project ever since...it is coming along beautifully and I am about 75% done with the stitching and hope to start putting it together later this week. If all goes well, you will be seeing some photos very soon!

This afternoon I took several hours off to have lunch with my dear friends Merry and Kimber - I had made plans with them several weeks ago...and I am so glad I did - I really needed to get out of my stitching chair and take some time away. It felt absolutely marvelous to get out of the house on such a beautiful day and enjoy a leisurely lunch with my BFFs.

I was excited to give them each a special gift I had put together while waiting for my fabric to arrive. I know, they aren't Easter baskets...in all reality, they are collapsible cocktail napkin holders...but I thought they would work perfectly to hold some Easter treats. I used a Terry Atkinson Groovy Girls Club Pattern called Napkin Holder....and it gives you the option of 4 different sizes of collapsible holders: Cocktail (5.5" x 5.5" x 2.5"), Luncheon (7" x 7" x 2.5"), Rectangle (5" x 8.5" x 2.5"), and Sugar/Tea (2.5" x 3.5" x 2"). I chose the cocktail napkin size and I picked out fabric specifically for Merry and Kimber. I was pretty happy with how they turned out, considering this was my first try at this pattern....once all the pieces were cut, they went together rather quickly....and another fun thing - I got to go through my vast button stash to pick buttons for each...and the button ties are colorful hair elastics. After finishing both, I put Easter grass in the base and filled them with special treats...then I foofed them, using GiftGloss and springy green tulle. Didn't they turn out adorable??! I have plenty of the ultra firm single-sided fusible stabilizer - in fact, I have an entire bolt of it - so I see many more of these in my future. The smallest size will be a perfect little collapsible ort container to take with me on my travels...and the larger ones are perfect for gifts and organization. Now that I have made a couple, I'm sure I can adapt the pattern to any size holder I want...it is easy to adjust.


After spending the afternoon with Kimber and Merry, I have a better attitude and feel refreshed and ready to get back to work. My chores for the day are done, so I am headed back to my stitching nest - it will be another late night (early morning)....

11 comments:

  1. Very, very cute little boxes-endless creativeness on your part-I must say every time you do a blog. I am so happy you had some fun time today. Hugs, Mary.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really like the napkin holder - it would be great for anything that needs corralling! Is there any way to get a copy of the pattern that you know of? A Google search was less than helpful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ginny - I am replying to you here, as you are a no-reply blogger - I hope you see my answer.

      As stated and linked in the blog post, the pattern is by Terry Atkinson and is part of her Groovy Girls Club - you have to find a quilt shop that has a Groovy Girls Club (you can find a bunch by doing a Google search) - as far as I know, that is the only way you can obtain the pattern - or perhaps, try contacting Terry Atkinson through her website. My local quilt shop has a Groovy Girls Club and has the pattern (Napkin Holder) in stock: http://www.quilterscupboardiowa.com/ It is a 8.5" x 11" single page of paper, printed front and back. Hope this information helps....

      Delete
    2. Thank you for the info. I could try calling the only local quilt shop that I know of and see what they know. Yes, I do know I'm no-reply, and that is on purpose. Especially with the changes to Google's privacy policy, I don't want to give out any more information than necessary. My Blogger profile does have a link to my blog, and I have a prominent "Contact Me" button there.

      Delete
  3. What beautiful boxes, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad you had fun!
    Those boxes are too cute.
    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
  5. These are so cute. Every time I see one of your new projects I want to run out and try them too! I couldn't find the pattern online though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carol - I am replying to you here, as you are a no-reply blogger - I hope you see my answer.

      As stated and linked in the blog post, the pattern is by Terry Atkinson and is part of her Groovy Girls Club - you have to find a quilt shop that has a Groovy Girls Club (you can find a bunch by doing a Google search) - as far as I know, that is the only way you can obtain the pattern - or perhaps, try contacting Terry Atkinson through her website. My local quilt shop has a Groovy Girls Club and has the pattern (Napkin Holder) in stock: http://www.quilterscupboardiowa.com/ It is a 8.5" x 11" single page of paper, printed front and back. Hope this information helps....

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Belinda. I had no idea I was a no-reply blogger :-( I'll figure out how to change that. Thanks for the info about the pattern. I'll find out if the closest quilt shop has a Groovy Girls Club. I do love Terry Atkinson's patterns, and have several, but it doesn't look like you can order directly from her. Thanks for the info, and for the inspiration :-)

      Delete
  6. What adorable boxes, Belinda! Now, I want the pattern; I see endless possibilities for its use! Happy to hear that you were able to get out for a few hours with your friends!

    Robin

    ReplyDelete
  7. These turned out so cute! I have a store bought one of these that I use when I travel. I put it on the dresser or nightstand to keep my jewelry, phone, and keys all in one place. Just thought I'd share that little tip in case others might want to give it a go too. Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete