Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Stitch it and Gift it Blog Hop



Hi, and thanks for stopping by!  I hope you've been enjoying all the fun items being made for the Stitch it and Gift it blog hop.  I love doing hops with Carla at Creatin' in the Sticks.  She has wonderful ideas, is so creative with her own designs, and makes it so easy to participate, since she's so organized.  

So, any ideas what to give?  I've had an idea for a while, but haven't had time or a good reason to make it.  So, I grabbed some time, since this hop is a great reason! 

I've wanted to make a sleep mask for a while.  I want to make one as a gift, too.  I have a bigger than average head (no, really, I'm not egotistical, but my head needs a 7 5/8" hat, which is larger than most women).  Normal sleep masks that you can buy in the store are too tight on my head and face.  I love it being super dark when I fall asleep, and if I sleep later, don't like being disturbed by sunlight.  And since I'm a night owl, I sleep late often, so I need a good mask!  I also thought I would make one to give to my sister-in-law for Christmas.  She likes to sleep late, too.  But she has a normal size head.  

Anyway, back to the mask.  I'm also trying to learn more about embroidered applique and machine embroidery.  Projects make you learn something.  And I ADORE Sarah Vedeler designs.  She had a cute pattern for a sleep mask, which I purchased a while ago.  I don't see it currently on her website, but you can ask if it's available.  

So, I grabbed some fabric and set to work.  I picked some Island Batik Mum in purple, which I had around, and some scraps from secret sewing, but it's Moo Milk, which is available all the time, and some flannel scraps I had from making pajamas, for the back.  I'm an Island Batik Ambassador, and they provide lots of fabric for me to make projects, but I also purchase it.  Thread is from Aurifil, which I've purchased and have been provided as Island Batik Ambassador, too.  

And here it is!  


I must admit I didn't follow all the directions, and know when I make another, I'll do it a little differently.  I do love the soft flannel for the back, but forgot to finish stitching the heart before adding it.  I would also cut the frames larger than needed, and trim close to the satin stitching after it's finished.  I would also add a little tuck in the fabric, and have it come down more around the nose, to block out more light, but that's just me.  I do LOVE how easily it stitched out, the details in the stitching, and the hearts, which is View 2 in the design files.  I would have changed the thread color for the heart fill, though.  That's where I goofed up, thinking it was time to add the backing, lol.  So, this practice mask will probably be not be seen again, but I do know how to make it better.  That's the thing about trying something new.  Learning something new is important!  I learned more about my machine and how to do Sarah's files, which I hope to use again.  

So, my sister-in-law and I should have fun sleep masks for Christmas this year.  I may bundle hers with a mug rug, and some of chamomile tea.  

Please visit the other bloggers who have something fun and inspirational to share with you. 

Wednesday, November 13th



And check back with Carla at Creatin In the Sticks for the blogs from Monday and Tuesday, and the ones to come, for more!  
Thanks for stopping by! 

Please also check out the Virtual Craft Fair sponsored by Quilt Shop Gal!  There's a new list of shops and another give-away today.



Maryellen

35 comments:

Susie said...

What a great idea and always much better than shop bought ones. I am sure you will stay in the land of Nod for a while with your mask. Hugs, Susie xx

KaHolly said...

What a unique and clever gift idea! I love it!

Cynthia said...

How cool is your sleeping mask. A great idea.

Sharon Aurora said...

That sleep mask is so cute!

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

That's a great gift idea, and your sleep mask is beautiful!

Dorian said...

LOL, thats really cute. I've been thinking of making one for myself, just haven't done it yet!

Karrin Hurd said...

What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing!

Carla said...

Oh, I love this idea. I can barely sleep when the sun comes up. Such a great gift idea. Thank you for joining the hop!

Carol Swift said...

This is such a cute idea and who doesn't need to block out that light so we can sleep! I have a lot of "sample" items that didn't quite turn out how my brain thought they should. We learn a lot from our mistakes, don't we. Thanks so much for sharing!

Danice G said...

Cute sleep mask. Maybe I should try using one of those.

Kathleen said...

I love it! It would crack me up to walk into a bedroom and see one of those on someone.

Farm Quilter said...

How adorable!! Glasses sleep mask!!! I can't wait to see the next ones you make. Don't we all learn and improve on a pattern when we make it more than once? I know when I am making a quilt, the first blocks made aren't necessarily in the same class as the last ones! When I quilt a quilt, if I repeat a quilting design in the blocks, it just keeps getting better. I really like the non-traditional shape of your sleep mask...that really steps it up!

Calicojoan said...

Oh how cute are they!

Denise :) said...

I *love* this!! It would be something really cute to gift to participants at a retreat!! Thanks for sharing!! :)

The Joyful Quilter said...

LOL!! SEW cute!

Scrapatches said...

Great gifting idea. I have always found those commercial sleep masks are too tight (and slide off over my hair) ... making your own if a much better way to go. Thanks for the idea ... :) Pat

Charlene McCain said...

Your sleep mask is SO cute! Your friend will love it. Do you use ribbon or elastic for the band?

Anonymous said...

That is adorable! These would make cute gifts for everyone at a quilt retreat.

wendy said...

Hmmmm...good idea for my grand daughter. She loves to sleep in late. Thanks!

Susan said...

Very cute! What a great gift for those who like to sleep late. I do, too, when the world will cooperate with me. =) Moo Milk sounds like a color I need a lot of!

LJ said...

Love the sleep mask and I'm pleased to know that others change-up a pattern after making the first one. Flannel is a perfect backing.

Sue D said...

What a fun sleep mask design. Your sister-in-law will love it.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Such a cute idea and how fun to play with the embroidery machine.

Robin said...

Great idea to make several. After a while I find the elastic wears out. I think if one used thicker elastic than the quarter inch on most store bought ones you will have a better idea product. Have you thought of using some lavender within the mask? Either essential oil on cotton puffs in their own muslin bag or real buds. Lavender is the herb where the odor makes you relax and have good dreams
People have also spoke of Calendula but I haven't tried it yet so I don't want to give an opinion but you can investigate if you wish. Lots of on the web. I'm a night owl so my hubs wears one. Hope your friends appreciate them as I do and most night nurses I knew.


Brenda @ Songbird Designs said...

Sleeping masks are a great gift idea! I'm not sure I could handle anything around my head while I sleep and I'm pretty sure it wouldn't stay in place as I toss and turn a lot! I love Sarah's designs also, and have purchased several but have yet to stitch one out as I'm usually spending my embroidery time testing my designs! LOL It's always fun to learn new things!

Susan said...

What a fun and very cute idea!

Michelle said...

I very new to machine embroidery and I'm learning as I go. Your sleeping mask turned out great. Love the design and the color. So cute!

Brandy said...

Aww, such a great gift idea! I could see also pairing it with some homemade soap (which I would have to pick up from a local shop) or maybe a bottle of essential oil. Thank you for sharing!

Brandy

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

Love this idea! Yours stitched out so cute, and frankly I love the purple heart and wouldn't change a thing. Great idea to combine it with a mug rug and chamomile tea.

Sewgirl said...

Hi MaryEllen, Love your project. I have been trying to get ahold of you via your gmail account but not sure if gmail is blocking my emails for some reason. I sent your my info for being the last Island batik blog hop winner but never heard back from you. Thanks, Nancy

Carol Andrews said...

I love your sleep mask. Another addition to my To Do list! Thanks for being part of this hop!

Sharon said...

Cute project! Sleep well.

tink's mom said...

Now that is one very cute face mask. Love seeing what people are doing with their embroidery machines. This is one very great example of its potential.

Leah said...

What a clever gift idea! Love the hearts in the lenses.

Joy from Days Filled With Joy said...

How cute is that!! I use a sleep mask nearly every night! But I've never seen one that cool :) xx