Ladybug Picnic: Scissor Sheath and Fob

Greetings, friends. 

Squeee—today is the day! I’m beyond excited to share my very first project tutorial for the Benzie Design Blog.🎉 

I’m kicking off the sunny season with a craft that’s as cheerful as it is charming: a watermelon scissor sheath paired with an adorable ladybug scissor fob! I like to call it Ladybug Picnic—though officially, it goes by Scissor Sheath and Fob. Whether you're just dipping your toes into sewing or you're a seasoned stitcher, this quick and customizable felt project is the perfect way to add a pop of personality to your project bag or sewing table. You can glue it, hand stitch it, or zip it through your sewing machine—whatever suits your style and skill level. With bright colors, playful shapes, and a breezy afternoon timeline, this duo is sure to bring a smile to your face and a splash of summer to your crafting corner. So, go visit the Benzie Design Blog for the full tutorial and templates, grab your supplies, and let’s get creative—summer fun starts here!
☀️🍉🐞

Direct Link - Scissor Sheath and Fob: https://www.benziedesign.com/blogs/tutorials/scissor-sheath-and-fob-tutorial

This quick and adaptable project uses five vibrant shades of Wool Blend Felt from Benzie Design:

• Meadow
• Fern
• Ecru
• Red
• Black

It also features an adorable Ladybug Wool Felt Shape, which adds a playful touch to the finished piece. One of my new favorite tools made its debut in this project too—a pair of 10mm Scallop Shears, perfect for adding a decorative edge to your felt.

This project is designed with flexibility in mind. You can opt for a fast, no-sew finish using glue, or take your time with hand stitching or machine sewing. Directions and supply suggestions are included for each method, so you can choose the approach that best suits your style and schedule.

I hope this cheerful little project brings a bit of sunshine to your day and inspires you to spend an hour or two in your crafting space. Whether you glue, stitch, or sew your way through it, the watermelon scissor sheath and ladybug fob are sure to brighten up your scissors—and your mood. I’d love to see your take on this summery duo, so don’t forget to share your creations and tag me. Wishing you a season full of color, creativity, and happy making.

Fourteen Finishes

It's another creative day, as I have been in my studio working on a large pile of beautiful needlework finishes for a longtime friend and client. These pieces were all stitched by the same busy stitcher - and most were fun to finish (except a couple with less than desirable finishing instructions...for most of these, I was asked by the stitcher to finish as pictured/directed, like the model...and I aim to please, so I did my best to follow the instructions to the letter). I was very pleased with how each of these items turned out...and I have everything wrapped and packaged for shipment tomorrow. I will list the designer details with each photo, just in case you have any questions or want to stitch one of these special designs. I will also note any special supplies I used with each image...

JBW Designs - Candy Cane Pocket
This was a kit and included with the red/white stripe fabric and rick rack...
I made the twisted cord with DMC floss and finished as pictured on the chart package.

JBW Designs - Folk Art Christmas Tree
Finished as shown on the back of the chart.
Hand-dyed Velveteen Backing and Pom Pom Trim from Lady Dot Creates.

Heart In Hand - It's a Cinch! Kit - Noel
Finished my way - flat ornament with fabric in the photo as backing.
DMC Cord, Hand-dyed Rick Rack Trim from Lady Dot Creates and jute bows.

Bent Creek - Holiday Hang-Ups Kit - Joy
Finished exactly as packaging.

Just Nan - Christmas Dragonfly Ornament
Finished as directed - linen back.

Prairie Schooler - Nordic Holiday #191
Finished my way. Backing is fabric shown in photo...DMC cord.

Hands On Designs - Make & Merry Kit
Finished exactly as directed...except, I backed the cross stitch piece
 with the mint snowflake fabric in the photo.

Elegant Stitch - Shoot For The Moon Kit
Finished the pin exactly as kitted
(except hand stitching of the forms and cord instead of glue).

Lucy Beam - Black Sheep Scissor Fob Kit
Finished exactly as kitted.
Side Bar - aren't those sheep scissors CUTE?!

SamSarah Design Studio -  Hope Blooms
Finished as directed for included hanger.
Striped fabric was used as backing.

Summer House Stitche Workes - Home Hive Nest
Finished exactly as kitted/directed.

Summer House Stitche Workes - Home Hive Nest
Finished exactly as kitted/directed.
Additional view.

Nikyscreations Primitives - Tiny Pocket
Finished as directed, except I lined the pocket with the cotton fabric
in the photo and top stitched the pocket flap/point.

La D Da - Sweet Pea
Finished as instructed. Used the beige button fabric
(see upper right image) for backing and bottom.
Gloriana Silk  Ribbon around neck.

Next up, I have a few time sensitive pieces to work on...and then several more large finishing orders before I am back to sewing project bags. Supplies have been rolling in all week - 360 zippers (yes, I said 360), two bolts of fusible fleece, 15-yards of clear laminate (thanks to a dear friend!), yards and yards of 3/4" rick rack in multiple bright colors, and lovely solid lining fabrics from the local quilt shop...plus client packages have been arriving daily - I have been keeping our mail carrier super busy! I guess I better get back to work...

Oh - and to finish up this post - here is a photo that Travis snapped of the kids this morning - they were having an early morning NylaBone tug-of-war session...

Winter Writings

Happy winter! The snow has stopped falling, and thanks to a wonderful neighbor and his snow blower and my fancy new shovel, the driveway and sidewalks are clear....with the garage full of boxes and furniture, I had vehicles to clean, as well (of course). Now that those duties are behind me and the dogs are walked, I am trying to warm up and catch up on a few tasks. 

I told you I would be back soon with some fabulous needlework finishing...and these finishes will not disappoint. Just a little reminder, these are not my designs or my stitching, just my finishing work. I enjoyed each of these so much...a couple challenged me and that is always a good thing. I must admit, after finishing the snowman (Whittaker from the Animal Cracker Series by Stacy Nash Primitive Designs), I am completely obsessed with this series and *in love* with each pattern - I wish I would have purchased several and kitted them up to stitch while we are mid-move...they would have been perfect...and if you think Whittaker is adorable, you should see Paisley, his companion! I don't have much time to stitch projects from other designers, but I must make an exception for some of these - they make me smile! 

Designer: Stacy Nash Primitive Designs
Animal Cracker Series
"Quincy" (owl)
"Whittaker" (snowman)

Backs

Whittaker

Designer: The Primitive Jewel
"Bird on a Peg"

Designer: La-D-Da (Lori Markovic)
Samplar Hare

Back

A Bird, a Basket, and a Squirrel...

Today was a rather gloomy day, but inside my studio has been bright and cheerful! I have been stitching all evening, working on another new design/model for Just CrossStitch Magazine (for an autumn issue). I also was blessed to spend my afternoon with some wonderful, colorful fabrics, as I cut and prepared another 45 zippered project bags for sewing. Orders have been coming in steadily and I am grateful for more happy time in my studio....just wait until to you see the all the special needlework finishing I have been working on for my clients...some absolutely gorgeous pieces!!

I have plenty of completed projects to share with you, as time allows - but today I thought I would share some creative eye candy from my recent birthday...I will provide details with the photos, if they are available. 

These top two images are of an incredible mixed media bird - I wish I had more information for you - unfortunately, I do not have the artists name (if you know, please do drop me a note!)...but it really is spectacular! It was created with all sorts of materials and sits on (what looks to be) a vintage candle holder or stand. It is quite large in size and I had a heck of a time photographing it, so you could see the details....my images don't even come close to doing it justice. I haven't found the perfect home for it just yet - I have been auditioning places...right now it is on a shelf in my sewing room, where it is continually bringing me joy...

How cute is this stitched squirrel?!...and the round, concave tray is to die for...
plus I was given all sorts of little sewing gifts to keep in it...

So first - the basket - it is a Mini Organizer Basket from 1803 Ohio Farm Baskets
https://www.etsy.com/shop/1803ohiofarmbaskets
It is incredible quality, a lovely size, and the PERFECT gift!
The "sew" piece on the front is a needleminder from one of my
favorite artists, Michelle L. Palmer - her pen and ink works are FABULOUS!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MichellePalmer
You also see a scissor fob and three packages of hand-dyed rick rack...

How gorgeous is this framed piece?! - I ♥ it!!
The rick rack spools are from Riley Blake Designs.

 

Quiltfolk magazine - SWOON!
I received a couple back issues and a subscription...if you are not familiar
 with this magazine (each one is like a book and is advertisement free - high
quality paper and cover - no patterns), it celebrates the people and the
stories behind the stitches - it is BEAUTIFUL!
https://www.quiltfolk.com/

Stationery and Sewing Tin Set by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet
You can find it here: https://www.fatquartershop.com/red-stationery-and-sewing-tin

Needle Case Slide Top Tin from Clayworks by Kim Detmers
Yes, the top of this tin is (3D) polymer clay and it is LOVELY!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Claybykim

So those are just a few creative things and artists I wanted to share with you - thank you to my dear friends and family that gifted me these heartfelt presents! Each one brings me joy and inspires me to create...

Fabulous Finishing Frenzy

It's been a productive couple weeks...I have been very focused in my studio working on all sorts of customer projects. Last week, I completed all the Blue Ribbon Finishing orders that had been sent my way...yep, it was a fabulous finishing frenzy. I managed to snap photos of some of the projects, so I thought I would share an assortment of the beautiful needlework pieces my customers trusted me to finish...designers/chart titles are listed with each photo and stitched names/initials are blurred for privacy...

Threadwork Primitives - "Growing Love" Stitcher's Wallet (Ladies Prim Society)

Blue Ribbon Designs - A Christmas Wish of Health and Happiness
(this complimentary design can be found on my website)

Hillside Samplings - Alphabet Needlebook

Robin's Egg Pincushion - Sisters & Best Friends

Stitcher's Nametag - La-D-Da

Prairie Schooler - The Cabin Pinkeep Ornament

Abby Rose Designs - To Thine Own Self...Be True

JBW Designs - Christmas Tree Ornament 

 Dansk Blomstergarn - Haandarbejdets Fremme

Tiny Garden Scissor Fob - Shepherd's Bush

Aren't they all beautiful?...some of these projects are now on my personal wishlist - like the gorgeous Shepherd's Bush scissor fob (isn't the ribbon they kitted with it perfect?!)...it makes me smile!

I have also been doing TONS of sewing/quilting for customers, as well. I finished up a lovely spring table runner, a plethora of patriotic table runners and toppers, and an appliqué project for AccuQuilt....I even have several of my own sewing/quilting designs completed and ready for pattern writing (woo hoo!). Next up, a special throw quilt featuring the Ohio Star block, two appliqué wall hangings, a set of six quilted placemats and napkins, a fabulous/detailed appliqué quilt, and two wall hangings that feature machine embroidery...hmmmm - I may need a magic wand to get it all completed!

...oh, and did I mention, in my spare time I am stitching this year's exclusive fundraising design for my Komen 3-Day 60-mile walk...and it is "oh so special"...I can't wait to share it with you...maybe I will post a peek soon...

...and yes, I am walking daily...putting lots of training miles in the heat and humidity...and Schatzi is keeping up with me! Thanks to a WONDERFUL donation, my airline flights to Dallas are booked and paid for...now to work on getting two new pairs of shoes and a replacement air mattress. November will be here before we know it, so I better get to stitching on my fundraising design - I have a long way to go to reach my goal!

I'll be back soon to share some of my recent sewing and quilting projects with you...