Sunday, 23 February 2014

A bag for Little Flower


Little Flower joined a ballet class a few weeks ago and subsequently spends most of the day on her tippy toes, fluttering around the house (fairy wings optional). The most delightful aspect of the class, to her, is that the ballet outfit is a pretty pale purple. The only thing that would make it better would be rainbow tights.

So the happy bright fabric from last week’s post has been crafted into a bag to keep her kit:


The pattern is from Helen Philipps’ lovely book:


I decided to add a cross stitch initial, to practice my skills. Little Flower loved the look of the variegated floss, and it picked up the colours of the stripy fabric:


I made a modification to the pattern – I know that sounds silly, given the fact that I have only completed one cross stitch design so far, but hey, it’s just a needle and thread! The pattern came from this book, which I think I'll review for you all soon, it's fun! 


The initial design has a blossom with four petals. I wanted a violet flower, so I doodled a bit on the page and winged it!


I’m pleased with how it turned out – and now I want to do another one with a solid-colour initial. I think that would look rather lovely!


The main bag fabric is from Pretty Fabrics & Trims, which specializes in smaller quantities of bits n' bobs, perfect for small sewing projects and lovely little embellishments. It is run by the lovely Sarah, of A Little Happy Place.

Have you ever worked with variegated floss? I wonder what else it could be used for...

We are making the most of the last day of half term; I suspect tomorrow morning is going to be a bit slow and grumpy in our household. I'm already feeling a bit blue about returning to "real life"! Perhaps I'll delay it by popping to the yarn shop in the morning, just to browse, of course...

Best wishes to you all for a happy day! Link up your stitchy projects below!

Chrissie x



38 comments:

  1. What a very pretty bag to hold a little pair of ballet shows......and the cross stitched initial makes it even more special.
    Not looking forward to the return to school either!

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  2. This is a gorgeous bag for Little Flower, Chrissie, and I love the initial done in variegated thread - a bit of lovely cross stitch there! Both those books look very interesting, I'd love to read your review on them, you always do such a fab job! All the best with the school run in the morning - I think a visit to the yarn shop will be perfect - just looking, but of course!!! Thanks again for the opportunity to link up, happy week to you, Joy xo

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  3. Loved that little bag, especially the colors. That little cross stitch came out great and what a clever idea to add it. It will make one little girl pretty happy, I would think.
    Wishing you all a good start to the new week.
    Erika

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  4. Perfect little ballet bag, oh to be up on those tippy toes! Lovely sewing machine cover too :) x

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  5. This is so cute - loving the cross-stitch!!

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  6. Loved the bag, what a wonderful idea to add the cross stitch initial, makes it really special.

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  7. Gorgeous, I'm sure your little one is delighted with it and the envy of the whole ballet class! :)
    V x

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  8. Gorgeous bag, and your alteration to the flower worked perfectly!
    Maria x

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  9. She must love it !
    Kate x

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  10. So sweeeeeeet......
    Have a nice week !
    Anna

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  11. Dear Chrissie
    A really pretty project which I am sure your daughter must love! A lovely choice of fabric too.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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  12. It's so pretty! She is going to use it proudly. I crocheted (and lined) a bag for my daughter to use for ballet class. I love that people ask me about it every week when we're there. I am sure yours will be a hit. The initial is really pretty. I can't believe you only just started cross-stitching, you seem like an old hand! I have just used variegated floss for the first time, making a sampler from a kit, and I really liked it. It was interesting to see the colors pool. I hope you have a good week. :)

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  13. I love that little bag. You did a great job personalizing the cross stitch.

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  14. Chrissie I love the bag and the cross stitch monogram is a fab addition! Thanks so much for sharing a link to my blog and website...you are sweetie!!! I've added this weeks stitching to you link up and I'm just off now to add your button to my blog! Not looking forward to the school morning rush...it's always a rush regardless of what time we get up...why is that???!!! Sarah xo

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  15. What a gorgeous bag and I LOVE the cross stitch insert. I am looking forward to this book review as it looks like it might be something that I could do with. Thanks for the offer for purchasing little Es a kit, I might take you up on it. I can't source it locally so will have to try online. Oh an email is so far overdue!! Well done you for a gorgeous bag, love it and I am sure little Flower does too! xoxo

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  16. So pretty! I love the way you have used a variety of colours for the initial!

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  17. What a gorgeous bag and the initial is perfect. I so wish my Mother had been able to sew when I was young. Sadly I'd to learn early on how to hand sew or to beg her to wait for her Mother to visit to save my clothes from her needle related attacks.

    Browsing in the yarn shop.....hmmm, is that what we are calling it on the credit card slip!

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  18. Chrissie what a lovely make, the cross stitch is divine, love that varigated floss and the pretty little violet.
    Clare x

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  19. Your bag is so pretty Chrissie, and I really like the way the various colours turned out on the cross stitching, it makes it so personal as well! xx

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  20. What a gorgeous little ballet bag! Love the added cross stitch...just perfect.
    Marianne x

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  21. It is a perfect bag for a darling little girl taking dance classes.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  22. It is gorgeous, my girls just love getting things like that and to me they are the most satisfying to make. I have another nameplate to link up tomorrow but have missed the photo light today. Jo x

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  23. That floss matches the colours in the fabric so perfectly, it really does. What a gorgeous bag. My daughter started ballet and tap and few weeks ago and does a lot of prancing, as far as I can tell. And "testing" her tap shoes in the kitchen floor... x

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  24. Anonymous7:37 am GMT

    What a pretty bag, perfect for a little girl.

    ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

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  25. I love the little violet. So clever! It is the perfect bag! I quite fancy something like that for my crochet! Anna x

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  26. such a cute little bag, I love the way you've done the patch with the cross stitch monogram

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  27. So lovely Chrissie, especially with the added cross-stitch initial. Have a good week.
    Jane xx

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  28. What a lovely bag. My Granddaughter has just started dance class, I must make her one.
    Hugs

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  29. Anonymous3:44 pm GMT

    what a lovely bag for little flower.. I'm sure she loves it.. and Love the "V" cross stitch
    thank you for the post..

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  30. This is lovely Chrissie! I hope Little Flower enjoys her dancing lessons :-)

    Have a lovely week!
    Sarah x

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  31. Chrissie you are so clever, this is just adorable. I have never been able to get into cross stitch but do love it and wish I had the patience to stick at it. No wonder the little one is pleased with her bag, so would I be if given it. Your blog is always a delight to visit Chrissie, so much inspiration. Have a fabulous week
    Sending you lots of loves and hugs
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  32. I loved seeing the gorgeous bag you made for your Little Flower! Your fabric choice is so colourful and the cross stitched floral initial is so pretty! Thank you for mentioning my book too :)
    Wishing you a happy week, Chrissie.
    Helen xox

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  33. Oh Chrissie, you are clever to think you have only tried X stitch once before and now you are free styling wow. Your little one must be chuffed.Gorgeous

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  34. Lovely bag and particulalry with the added flower. What I'm really wishing for is a pair of rainbow tights too! x

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  35. How sweet! I would never have thought to do the embellishment in cross stitch. Looks just perfect!

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  36. What a fantastic bag for her ballet shoes. I hope she gets years of pleasure from dancing!

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  37. Hi Chrissie, you are paired with Gilly from Gilly makes for the Spring swap. Jo x

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