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

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

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

Sunday Stash ~ Lakehouse Favorites

A few years ago Lakehouse Dry goods fabric produced the cutest line called Annie's Farm Stand.

My favorite prints are the text prints called Annie's Seed catalogue,  which came in white, black, red and yellow.

They are adorable and versatile and I love to use them for quilts and small fabric projects!

The print made an appearance in my block for the quilt in the book "Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects."  It is the text print in the apple on the left.

You can find them in My Vintage Block Quilt Along.

And most recently, a free paper piecing pattern.

I was so excited that Lakehouse decided to reprint them ~ and in new colors!

You can find the prints at Fat Quarter Shop.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Apple and Pear ~ Free Paper Piecing Patterns!

I created this Paper Pieced Apple and Pear hot pad design for a Sew Mama Sew Binding tutorial. You can find the tutorial on the Sew Mama Sew website [HERE]

The Apple and Pear are an easy to sew paper pieced pattern - you can find the pattern [HERE].

The fabrics I used are from a new collection from RJR fabrics - "Pie Making Day" by Brenda Ratliff.
The collection will be available in July.

It is a lovely, retro inspired line with cute florals and geometric prints.

The apple and pear would also be cute on a tote bag, fabric basket ~ the possibilities are endless : )

If you would like to make the round potholders, you can find the tutorial [HERE]

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Itty Bitty and Bright ~ Work in Progress Wednesday

Two of the gals from the Cocorico Paper Piecing Quilt Bee are joining me for a traveling quilt bee.

It is basically a round robin.  We each make a few blocks to start the quilt and then send them on to the next person.  They make blocks adding to the quilt working within the theme.

I received Melinda's start of her quilt - "Itty Bitty and Bright".  She is making a quilt consisting of small 4 -5" small blocks surrounded by low volume fabrics.

 She provided a great Pinterest board full of inspiration.  I decided to make my apple block.

The Umbrella is designed by Leila for the book "Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects".  I reduced the block size by 50 %.

I made my Vintage Dresses Pattern and also reduced it by 50% so it is a wee 4 1/2" tall.

It was fun to make these little blocks and they went together fast and easily.  My plan is to make four more!

Here is a picture of all the blocks so far.  I think they play nicely together : )

xo

Charise

Apples and Pears ~ Work in Progress Wednesday

It has been such a fun journey - learning how to paper piece and share my patterns with you!

I unearthed my Apple and Pear patterns which I created more than 3 years ago!  

You can find the free apple pattern and tutorial HERE.

I decided to sew up the pear today to match the apple I made in a class I taught last weekend.  More on that below. 

Do you remember this project?  I created these potholders and promised a free pear pattern : )

Well.... I am working on updating these patterns - making them a bit bigger and including the original pear pattern I designed in 2012 : )

Look for the patterns soon.  They are fast and fun to make.

Great for pouches, totes or potholders as pictured above.

 The patterns also inspired the block and circle pouch I created for "Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects.

I taught a private paper piecing class last weekend to two lovely ladies - a mother and daughter.  I used the apple pattern as a class sample.
We started with the crayon pattern which is a free pattern you can find HERE.
Their projects turned out so adorable!

I hope you are enjoying your day and finding a bit of time for creativity : )

Be sure to check out the other wonderful Work in Progress Wednesday Projects over at Freshly Pieced!

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

Playful Little Paper-Pieced Projects & A Give-away!

Right before Christmas I received the best present.  Copies of the book, "Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects" - which I am in!  I am so thrilled to be a part of the book.  There are so many wonderful projects and talented designers included.  Most of the contributors I have met through on-line quilting bees!

The book starts with twelve individual paper pieced quilt blocks to make a calendar quilt and a small project that can be made with each block.  The block I designed is "Autumn Harvest" for September.
The top picture is the block before it was added to the quilt and the bottom is the September calendar block completed for the quilt!

The project that goes with the Autumn Harvest block is my round apple pouch.  It uses the apples from the calendar block to make a fun pouch that can be used as a makeup bag or is the perfect size for hand sewing projects on the go!

There is also a section with small projects for the home.  That is where  you will find my log cabin Kite Tote!

Here is a sampling of the wonderful projects:

I just love this "hanger wall art" created by Leila.  It is so simple and lovely!  Can't wait to make one!

Ayumi's grapefruit coasters are adorable and would make a perfect gift (after making a set for myself, of course)  !!!!  : )

I cannot wait to make these chair cushions for my vintage outdoor chairs!

Penny also added adorable stitching to the corners.  Such wonderful detail!

Joanna's bicycle basket is the cutest and it doubles as a tote! 

Amy's journal cover is just sweet as can be.  

Kylie's pot holders are adorable and much too cute to ever come in contact with a pot or pan!

Lynne's quilt is a stunner.   It would look perfect in my living room!

***I will be giving away one copy of the book.***
  U.S. entrants only, please, due to the high cost of shipping.  Please leave a comment below sharing any New Year's Resolutions you have made.  I will pick a winner on Friday the 10th at 9 p.m PST.

I will also be listing a few copies in my Etsy shop.  $20.00 including shipping : )

Good Luck !

xo

Charise