Sweet Stitching : :

This past weekend the kids and I went to the sweetest little girl birthday party. It was a butterfly theme with  many handmade touches and I thought I would share some of my handmade contributions.

First, this tablecloth made from an old duvet cover. I removed the cotton sashing, sewed the the squares together to create a patchwork design, made sure the embroidered "S" was in the center (perfect for Sophie - the birthday girl), and used the reverse side of the duvet to make a border along the four sides of the tablecloth. It worked beautifully for her party's theme and will make a great summer picnic blanket.

I didn't get the greatest pictures, but this fabric bunting turned out to be such a wonderful and quick project, I have to share what I have with hopes that many of you will find it useful.

I first saw this scalloped fabric garland tutorial while visiting Sew, Mama, Sew! and knew it would be perfect! I didn't bother downloading the garland template PDF because it all seemed a little small to me. Instead I made a half circle pattern of my own by tracing half way around an 8" wooden embroidery hoop. And had myself an afternoon fabric bunting picnic, with the Avett Brother's playing, right here on my living room floor. Ah, Bliss.

It only took about 1 hour from start to finish. It was the picture taking that was the challenge. How does one take a picture of something 3 yards long, with an AWFUL camera?

I tried inside...Ack!

And then outside...Yikes!

Which explains why I used the "scalloped fabric garland" photo from Sew, Mama, Sew!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  Special thanks to Patty @ My Life Under the Bus for picking my name to win her Summer Giveaway!, to Kobie @ Chic Girl Designs for featuring my Dottie Owl Doll on her blog, and to Laura @ Curry Kay Designs for featuring my owl embroidered pillow on her blog. I've been on a winning streak lately --- fingers crossed I win the 2010 HGTV Green Home tonight! : )