August News
Hi Janice ,

In order to avoid the summer heat, there was a lot of creativity and sewing this past month!

Let's see what has been happening in the sewing room...
On the Design Wall

Each block becomes a new favorite!

This month I worked on the robins and dogwood block for the upcoming BOM. There was a lot of trial and error, but I am finally happy with the outcome. Hope you will be too!

Here is another sneak peek at my stitching journey!
This month's ornament in the 12 Days of Christmas series by mmmcrafts.blogspot.com. was the Lady Dancing. Here she is!

In trying different techniques for the hair, she has a little bun, which is hard to see in the picture, but adorable! As for faces, I have decided for these Wedgwood ornaments to go faceless to keep the blue and white theme. I think it will work. It will allow the focus to be on the other details of the ornament.

These ornaments are incredibly fun to stitch. The instructions are great, so well written and easy to follow. The patterns use basic stitches with elegant results!

Click here if you would like to join this stitching journey!
Last month I had a desire to sit at my sewing machine. I pulled out a project from long ago, 2019 to be exact. I guess I was just waiting for the right fabric to come along. The wait was worth it as I could not go wrong with French General La Grande Soiree by Moda Fabrics.

This is my Bonza bag! The Bonza bag is an update to the original Bionic Gear Bag created and designed by Sally Thompson of Sewing Like a Rock Star.

The pattern is available here. The bag is a little bit of work, but well worth the effort! There are lots of videos to help along the way as you construct the bag. The outcome is quite professional.

I also stitched the original dumpling dish to use as my little trash can in my bag. Sally has updated this accessory to the Dumpling Bag pattern which is available here.
I added my little snail pincushion, the perfect size for my bag. You can find the pdf Escargot Snail Pincushion pattern here.
Sally is also updating a needle wallet accessory for the Bonza bag, which should be available soon on her website.

In the meantime, since I was on a roll and wanted to complete this project, I found another adorable needle book from Birdcage and Thread. It has a needle page option for hand embroidery needles, which was a perfect fit for what my bag is intended, hand work. The pattern is available here.

Another needle book option would be one of our Lil' Needle Books, GCC038 pattern found here.

This is a great summer project if you would like a little change of pace and want to stay indoors out of the heat. Come fall and winter, you will appreciate it when you are working on your hand sewing projects in front of the fire!
Featured August Pattern
GCC001 Graham's Quilted Tote

This is where it all began! The very first pattern in the Graham Cracker Collection!

This tote is great for traveling to sewing classes or for a weekend getaway.

It measures approximately 18" x 14" x 6-1/2" with 54" straps. There are pockets galore! One large pocket and two medium pockets are on the outside. Five or six pockets, your choice, are inside. Super Easy Zipper!

Showcase your embroidery, applique or a piece of your favorite fabric on this beautiful tote.

Your Bonza bag will fit perfectly inside this bag!

Click here to purchase your choice of a pdf or hard copy of the pattern.
In the Classroom with Jan
Coming in August!

The Art of Applique (also available as a webinar class)
2nd Saturday of each month, August 2023 through November 2023
1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe, Jacksonville, FL

If you have wanted to learn hand needle turn applique but did not know where to begin, this is a great class for you. Jan will walk you through several different techniques for preparing your fabric for hand applique. One of the techniques is sure to match your style and get you addicted to the "A" word!

You will learn tips and tricks for making easy circles, pointy points, and skinny stems. It will be the beginning of an awesome stitching journey!

Click here for more information and class registration.
Christmas Ornament (also available as a webinar class)
2nd Saturday of each month, August 2023 through November 2023
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe, Jacksonville, FL

If you would like to get a head start on Christmas, Jan will show you how to make this sweet Christmas ornament. The ornament is handmade using English paper piecing. This is fun project to learn this technique!

The ornament may be made highlighting beautiful fabrics for each piece of the ornament, or each individual piece of the ornament can be embellished with embroidery, or a combination of both of these elements may be used before putting it all together.

Jan will share instructions and tips for English paper piecing, as well as the hand embroidery used to highlight the ornament. Class will also include several embroidery designs to stitch on the ball as well as instructions for construction, both Christmas and floral.

If you are not into Christmas ornaments, this would also make a delightful pincushion, lovely sachet/pomander or even a pretty display of multiple balls for a basket.

Click here for more information and class registration.
Stitching Companions
There was exuberance and high energy in the house last month!

Mario and Chewie were on vacation with Aunt Jan and Uncle Joe. Their antics had us laughing everyday!

They kept me company in my sewing room, and with Uncle Joe when he was eating lunch. They loved running and playing in the backyard, and evenings were full of snuggles, kisses and lots of love from these two.

There is nothing like the joy fur babies can bring to a home!
In Closing
During the dog days of summer,
stay hydrated and cool my friends!
Until next month,
Stay well, stay safe, and
Stay Stitching,