Wednesday, February 18, 2009

HOOTOWEL

This is a little decorative floursack towel. I sketched the owl and digitized it, creating the stitching so that it resembles a hand-embroidered backstitch, also known as redwork. Owls are popular now, so I had to join the frenzy and come up with a cute one! If I do more of these, each one will be unique because I will use my button stash for the eyes, and I have all kinds. These particular buttons said "Made in Italy". There were 3 on a card for $2.75...I hope I didn't really pay that much!!! My camera has an issue...seems to be 2 spots on the lense that show up on every photo. I am not sure how to remedy this. Perhaps it is the CF card...heaven knows it has been in and out of the camera a million times and perhaps has developed a flaw. Here are a couple more photos of this towel. I think I may even try stitching this design on one of my microfiber towels just to see how that goes.... This towel has been listed on my Etsy shop. I think that a Zak happy spoon and this towel would make a great gift.

  
 

Monday, February 16, 2009

Save the Kangaroos

Edited: I decided to switch to the serger and am using some nice soft flannel sheets for the pouches. To start the seam on the bags, I have clipped the seam allowance about two inches down. To finish off the seams, I have encased the serger tails into the seam allowances above the clip that are folded over and machine-sewn to finish them off. (pictures below)

One of the devastating effects of the Aussie bushfires has been the injury to animals. There are rescue groups taking care of baby animals that are hurt or lost their mothers in the fire. They need pouches for these animals, to take the place of their mother's pouch. I belong to the Sergeit list, where an effort is being put forth to make knitted (or other woolen fabric) pouches and  cotton liners to assemble pouches for these poor little baby animals. I am a slow knitter, so I opted to sew liners. They go together fast, and will be so useful to the groups handling the rescue.It is a small thing to do, but maybe it will help an animal in need. I love animals and can't stand it when I hear of hurting animals, or heartless dumping of animals. If you love kitties, a very good book is Dewey. It is about a rescued kitty who became the beloved library cat in Spencer, Iowa. Enough blogging, back to the little kangaroo bags!!