Thursday, July 2, 2009

Needlecases – Part Two…and Three!

Yesterday was a holiday in Canada…Canada Day. Everything was closed tighter than a drum and the weather wasn’t the greatest. Although it didn’t rain, the skies remained overcast and there were rumblings of thunder all day. Sew…I mean, so…what did I do? I sewed!

berrydividerxI completed the basting of my 150 pathway hexagons that I cut out on Monday (see my previous post) and now I am ready to proceed with the fourth row of my Grandmother’s Flower garden quilt. I’ll probably start on that later today.

berrydividerxLeanne, who was my Easter swap partner, and I still continue to swap. We swap things that we have difficulty finding in our respective countries, Australia and Canada. Not too long ago, an idea came to me and I asked Leanne if she would send me some Australiana fabric, which she so graciously did.

DSCN0659The fabric is Aboriginal and is so colorful and different. Click on the photo and you’ll see what I mean by different. Cool, huh?

So this is what I did yesterday.

DSCN0653I made a needlecase. The blue wool in the centre is called ‘duffle’ and comes from northern Labrador. This woolen fabric is used by the Canadian Inuit Aborigines (Eskimos) to make their winter clothing…including their ‘duffle’ coats. The ‘duffle’ is thick but very soft. One of the gals from my Tuesday night stitching group is from Goose Bay, Labrador and the last time she went home to visit her family, she brought some back for me. Thank you again, Marjorie!

DSCN0656A place to hold more needles and pins.

DSCN0657And more pockets for other goodies on the back inside cover.

But I had lots of fabric left over so did I stop there?

DSCN0654Not a chance! I made another one…

DSCN0655And another one! I figured I’d just keep on going til I ran out of fabric.

Actually I do have a plan for each of these needlecases but I can’t speak about it here. You just never know who might be reading this. (wink)

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

21 comments:

Rumi said...

Oh, wonderful! I suspect there are some lucky gals that don't know yet how lucky they are!

Bunny said...

Love those little needle cases. You certainly did not let the day slip by without creating. Way to go.

Anonymous said...

Good use of an otherwise crummy kind of weather day.

Janet said...

How lovely that you two have continued to swap. The aboriginal fabric looks really good in the needlecases. I've already seen the gorgeous things you sent to Leanne.

Cathi said...

Those needle cases are fabulous! Maybe a tutorial on how to make one?

Shakerwood said...

What a wonderful way to blend two very different cultures!

Julie said...

beautiful kaaren. althoguh i'm beginning to think that you are becoming as addicted to needlecases as you are pincushions.
can't have too much of a good thing though huh?
huge hugs,
julie xoxoxo

Susannah said...

Hi Kaaren, That fabric is gorgeous!...and you made three more needlecases? Good for you! I can tell that you are having fun enjoying your retirement.

By the way, your GFG quilt is just beautiful. You have a wonderful way with color. It looks lovely on that bed.

Friends,
Susannah

Francien said...

Lovely needlecases Kaaren..when I see yours I put it on my too doo list... remembers me to order a pattern...never made one before...they look so great!! and that fabric...stunning...the lucky girls who gets one will treasure it I am sure!!
greetings Francien.

Nanette Merrill said...

You are funny. They are fabulous. This is a bit like me and my cottages! It is hard to stop when you enjoy something and it turns out like your needle cases.

Pat said...

Oh Kaaren someone is going to be very happy!! Love that fabric you received. Your little needle cases are so lovely.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

I sew enjoy each and every time I come here and see yet another creation of yours. How kewl is this - International needle cases. How nice to have friends all over to swap with like that.

I am not so sure about the bugs, but indeed the fabric was very different.

Have a wonderful and creative weekends!

hugs, Linda

Kate/Massachusetts said...

Your needlecases are so beautiful! I love everything you do! I think we were twins separated at birth! lol Someone is going to be surprised!

RG said...

Hey wow Kaaren, the Aussie fabrics look wonderful made up into your needlecases!! Nice :D
Those sort of days make you want to hibernate... sounds like you had a great day!
hugs
Robyn xx

Sue said...

Kaaren, I love your needle cases. The fat white grubs with the yellow heads (witchety grubs) and the ants are "bush tucker". Food much sought after by Aboriginals in the bush.
Just a little local knowledge for you to store.

Linda said...

Oh My Gosh!! what lovely fabric. And you put it to good use. Can't wait to see who the lucky persons are.Happy belated Canada Day!! It poured rain here most of the day. We were our with our agent trying to find a home. We came upon some really different ones, if you know what I mean. Must try my hand at making a needle case. Haven't found any charms yet to make my scissor fob. Been too busy working on a pif.

Sherri said...

I didn't even realize there were Aussie fabrics like that...I learn so much from blogging!

dotti white said...

Amazingly beautiful fabric and needlecases! Thank you for sharing you talent!

Deb said...

The needle cases are wonderful and to have them done with that fantastic Aussie fab.. did you know they don't have freezer paper there.. or so I am told. Where as we don't have fabric sizing anymore.. how can they deprive us quilters?? so glad that we can share with our sister quilters across the ocean wide..LOL

Dawn said...

That is so cool to get some Aussie fabric. the needle cases are darling with the colorful fabs too!

Jocelyn said...

Very clever. Love your needle cases. You are really doing some International projects :-)