making this & thats

I love that I am feeling somewhat inspired again on making things.  I have a lot of ideas running through my brain and have been experimenting with this and thats.  It has also been great to have time to make things for friends and family and for myself.  Something I haven't done in a long time.  I made my sister and also a request from a friend to make my version of the ruffle tote.  I think though it is more of a ruffle messenger bag; made from a cotton/linen blend. 

From that same fabric I made these sweet tea towels, which I love the feel of.  Sturdy and strong.  I screen printed my original drawing of Queen Anne's lace.  I have more ideas of print running through my head, it's just a matter of putting it together.

I admire so much the vintage French linens with red embroidered, but unless you go to France to scour a flea markets you are stuck with trying to find them here, and when you find them here they are quite pricey.  So I decided to make my own heirloom pieces.  Who knows maybe they will be handed down from generation to generation.  I am a French decendent so maybe just maybe I can keep this part of a French tradition alive since the language was lost with my mom.  My family didn't make these either, but hey I can start a new little Franco-American tradition.  

I think when I finish stitching, this will be a set of shams for our bed.  I am stitching on a hemp/linen blend, it has a great feel to it, perfect for pillowcases.

I am using the letters from this fabulous French cross-stitch book that I have had for years. " It's called Petits Messages au point de croix"  by Anne Van Damme; the perfect stitching for heirloom projects.  I can't wait to make a sampler.  Stitching on linen is a bit more difficult because it is unlike cross stitch fabric, you have to find the threads to work over yourself and try to keep it even.  It's a fun task!  I could cross stitch all day long.