What's on my work table

Here's what's been on my work table:

 Remember those Zentangles I started?  Well..I decided I needed a carrying case for them. And when looking through my fabrics, I came across a needlebook kit I received from Charlotte Lyons.

I didn't need another needlebook -- but it was just right for making a book to hold my Zentangle squares and writing implements.

The outside is this beautiful red and green vintage quilt piece; I edged in in some matching thread and tied it with a piece of cloth ribbon that was also included in the kit.  I just love it!

More little hearts...

I was going to decorate them more, but decided they looked adorable with some bright pink seam binding, crinkled and tied around each one.

This is a Valentine I made the other day for my dear husband.

Don't worry, he never reads my blog so it won't ruin the surprise!

I used an old cabinet card with a nice looking guy on it.  He reminded me of my husband.

He clutches a cane or a stick of some sort, and at first I was going to glue a flower motif over it, so it looks like he's holding a bouquet.  But then I got distracted when I decided to open up a tiny envelope containing a watch spring...and it came out so sweetly curled!

I attached it to the card using washi tape, and used the little envelope, too.

I really love how it turned out.

Here's what I did with some of those wooly hearts I stitched: I sewed a pinback on each and secured them with seam binding to packages of Conversation Hearts (Sweethearts)

My crazy quilting class is moving along; here's my class block, pieced and hooped.

It's far from perfect but I am still quite proud of it.  Piecing is not my strong suit.
Actually -- nothing that takes a lot of precision is.

Next I will begin embroidering fancy seams!

 And...here is the completed cage doll.

 Since I showed it to you last, I dry brush painted the "cage" pink... 

 and hung all kinds of pretty findings to it!

 The little watch parts vial is glass and I poured some glitter into the bottom of it.

 Other danglies include a Scrabble tile with my initial on it, beads, various textile trims,

 a tiny tag, a vintage bobbin...

 buttons and a pretty chandelier crystal.

 

What do you think of my flower-y tablecloth?  It is a thrift store find, by Ralph Lauren.  I always love his fabrics.  It matches my kitchen "green" very well and has lots of dark reds and purple in it, which is also a theme in my home.  Best of all, it was 50% off and I got it for $1.98.