March 27, 2011

Sidetracked!

I was looking for a small piece of cream silk I had put aside for a project. Silk is such a wonderful fabric and though it is difficult to work with, the results are always so beautiful. I was picturing this piece of silk with some gorgeous red grub roses on it - total elegance!

We've been in our new house for five months now, but it isn't really long enough for me to remember where I have put all my sewing bits and pieces, especially things only used occasionally.  Of course, being the super organised type, I made an index so I could find what I wanted ... so you will find my felt in the "bottom right" and the zippers in the "top left"...

I didn't consult my index for my little bit of silk, because I had a fair idea of where it should be - in the crate that has orphan blocks, unused stitcheries, fabric set aside for special projects, and of course my PASSES (projects at a stand still). Before I had a chance to look for my silk, a bag of left-over strips from a jelly roll jumped out at me, demanding my attention.

There were some unused blocks from my Fairy Floss Quilt.  There was a little stitchery that didn't end up being used on this Soft Jelly folder:


There were strips of joined-up two inch squares.  There were lots of little bits and pieces, not enough to make anything big, but too much to just put in the scrap box. The search for the silk was forgotten and I was sidetracked into using up these bits of pretty fabric.  Two days later, they have turned into:



A needlecase

  
A thread catcher

 
A sewing pouch with a gorgeous vintage button


 A pincushion

A scissor pillow 

Needless to say, I had a lot of fun whipping up these quick and easy projects and using such pretty fabric.  Now there are just a few tiny bits left, just right to go into the scrap boxes.  And what am I going to do with these sidetrack projects?  All will be revealed soon!

And the cream silk fabric...  I didn't get around to looking for it, but when I opened a drawer to pull out something else, there was the silk fabric all folded neatly waiting to be used!

Happy stitching!
Val

13 comments:

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Gorgeous! Who wouldn't be sidetracked by such loveliness!

BubzRugz said...

What pretty little goodies you have made.... glad you found the silk!!
Hugz

Rita E in AZ said...

How wonderful - your finishing is so pretty - you are so right that they did not belong in the scrap pile. I must remember that things are always found when it is their "time" so I can enjoy what turns up instead of fretting over what is missing. Thank you for sharing the pictures

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

Love your little sidetracked projects! Sometimes the neatest items are made from scraps from quilt projects! Thanks for sharing.

Quilt Kitty said...

Wow Val, I wish my searches were that productive. They are all so beautiful! Tracee xx

Teresa said...

Wow..I should be so sidetracked!

Sherry said...

I love your little projects. I am trying not to get side tracked because I have so many things going on but I know that side-tracked projects are often some of the best. Thanks for sharing yours with us.

Rosa said...

What a cute sidetracked!!What ever you do with them will be lovely.

Christine M said...

Hi Val. More lovely things to look at. I wish I could get side tracked like you! Hugs, Christine

Gloria J W said...

Wonderful stitcheries Val. I need to make a thread catcher too...can you tell me where to buy the pattern you used...it looks just so beautiful.
Hugs Gloria

Allie said...

Well! You get side-tracked into some beautiful things, that's for sure - what gorgeous projects, and you found your silk! I get sidetracked into things like dishes, vacuuming, laundry....

StitchinByTheLake said...

So many beautiful things - your stitching is exquisite and I love the fabrics you used. blessings, marlene

Susan In Texas said...

Val,

Your little projects are adorable! I love all the pink. Your blog is beautiful. I'm trying to visit all the blogs that entered my giveaway and yours is a real treat. 8) I also love the new acronym PASS, that's a good one! lol

Susan in Texas