I’ve decided to join the Take It Further Challenge by Sharon B. The challenge aims to apply textile technique skills to design. It’s a monthly challenge, so I think I can manage that. If you haven’t joined up, click on the link and take a look. It starts in January and there are about 80 people already participating! I’m excited – it looks like fun.

This is a datebook/organizer that I made for my sister for Christmas. It is based on an article Textural Book Wraps by Angie Hughes in QA mag. I used pomegranates because we own a gallery together called The Purple Pomegranate (www.purplepomegranate.com) I hope she’ll be able to use this in her new job.

Here’s the inside with the book in place.

Here’s the inside without the book. The purple lining part is made similar to Sue B’s padfolios. I then fused it to the cover. I still need to hand stitch around the edges as I fear it won’t hold up if I don’t.

Here’s a closeup of the cover. Do you think my FME skills are improving??

This is a notebook cover for my niece who is a freshman in high school. She’s really into music and plays the harp. This is based on an article in CPS by Alisa Burke called Graffiti Composition. She makes wall hangings but I just adapted it to a notebook cover. This photo shows the front cover.

Here’s the back cover.

Here’s the inside.

And a close up of her name on the front.

Here’s a lovely quilted postcard from Sharron. I really like the floral fabric she used. Thanks Sharron!

Here’s the book wrap that I made for my sister for Christmas. I think I’m going to adapt it to fit a datebook/organizer type thing so she can use it in her new job. If anyone out there wants to see all the steps of how I made it just leave me a comment. I took photos during the process and I’d be glad to go through the steps if anyone is interested.

Here’s a close up. I love the way the little pomegranates came out =0)

Here’s wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I have so much to be grateful for in my life and it’s nice to show my gratitude to my friends and family. I’m also grateful that everyone in fiber blogland is so giving and kind. Thanks!

I participated in a fabric bag swap recently and this is the lovely bag that I received. This is the front side. It’s from Cynthia in Wyoming. The funniest thing is that when I sent an e-mail to Cynthia to thank her, she had visited Whitefish and been in my store! It’s a small world.

Here’s the back of the bag.

And here are a couple of close ups. I love the little pair of scissors! Thanks Cynthia!

I’m back from my trip to Wyoming (where I had minimal internet access) and found this postcard in the mail from Renetha.

Isn’t the tea cup sweet? Thanks!