Pincushions, Pouches, and Projects

I'm pretty sure my last few days have been hijacked...I really don't know where the hours have gone...it has been one of those weeks where I'm busy from early morning to late night (early morning) and I'm not really sure what has been accomplished. I had the best intentions to do several blog posts this week, but just didn't make it back as soon as planned. I did manage to get multiple birthday gifts sent out on time in the last week...I finished charting and started stitching my 2015 Komen exclusive cross stitch fundraising design...I finished several custom orders and I have several in the works...and if all goes well, two boxes of needlework finishing that have arrived will get worked on in the next several days. Plus, I got the BRD website updated (which proved to be a time-consuming but gratifying experience - I continue to learn and impress myself).

Today I am sharing a very sweet cross stitch pincushion I stitched and finished (my own design - details coming soon), along with a coordinating patchwork zipper pouch. It is another cheerful finish that brought me joy along the way! We all know I love to finish needlework smalls...and making the quilted patchwork pouch was a true treat. I have had plans to make these pretty little zippered bags for my Etsy shop for some time - I just had to perfect my pattern and the sizes (and make time to work on one).

I also had a request for some red, white and blue freestanding lace star ornaments...so I did some test embroideries (short video below) and finished several sets...three of which have sold, but I have one set left (and I might make several more) to list in my Etsy Shop. The multi-colored ornaments didn't stitch out as well as the solid-colored (which look much more professional and look the same on both sides)....so I decided to stick to one color per ornament...

A video posted by Belinda - Blue Ribbon Designs (@brdgirl) on May 9, 2015 at 9:27pm PDT

I am now working on a couple custom quilt pieces (a table runner and a table topper) which are my own designs, as well...here are the beautiful fabrics I am playing with...

Red, White & Free Collection by Sandy Gervais for Moda
along with a Navy Bella Suede by P&B Textiles.

Village Green Collection by Carolyn Gavin for P&B Textiles (a favorite of mine!)
along with a yellow gingham and a solid Kona Cotton (Papaya) by Robert Kauffman.

 I have been getting in some great training walks this week too - except for today, as it has been pouring rain - but Miss Schatzi and I have been getting in around 7-miles each evening. I was SUPER excited to see one of my favorite trails is now open again after being closed for almost two years (it runs under the interstate and they have been working on the bridge for a couple years) - it allows me to walk 10 to 15-miles all on trail (yay!). Here is an evening photo I snapped a couple nights ago as we walked around the West Des Moines Campus Pond...and a rainy photo I shot this evening...

I guess after writing all that, I have accomplished a little something this week...and the next week and a half I have a lot planned, so I need to be productive. Tonight I am headed to my stitching nest to work on my special Komen fundraising design - I can't wait to get it stitched so I can share it with you...