Monday, May 27, 2013

Dutch Tulip Luggage Tag & Crocheted Pincushions

Sometimes, a design grabs me because it is the perfect size for something I want to make.  That was the case with this Dutch Tulip design from Threadworks Primitives.  I saved the chart some time ago, earmarking it for a luggage tag.  I also saved the photo of Anne's rendition because I liked her modified color scheme.  She used hand-dyed floss, but I tried to come close to the look using DMC colors.. 356, 407, 433, 758 if you are interested.  I'm pretty happy with finish on a linen scrap I had.  I think the backing fabric and eyelet were good accompaniments as well.




While everyone else is showing their orts once a month as part of the TUSAL,  I just accumulate mine to be used for pin cushion stuffing.  The bag was full and my periodic urge to crochet some thread motifs kicked at the same time so I made three little mini-cushions.  Each is only 2-2.5".  They work up really fast and will make nice stitchy gifts. 

The first is from Margaret Hubert's Granny Square Book. This is called the  Dogwood Flower Granny Square.  It's  a perfect design for this type of pin cushion.  I think I picked it because the model was crocheted and blocked so perfectly.  I aspire to that kind of perfection, but I settle for much less.


The next two are both from various Japanese designs I've found on the web and saved.  They are presented as graphs with little text hints.  Of course, text in Japanese doesn't help me, but usually I can pretty much get along with the graph only.  Like reading sheet music and not understanding any Italian.


The round ones are a little harder to do, but not much.   


Three little cuties together:




20 comments:

Jackie's Stitches said...

Your Dutch Tulip came out beautifully! The fabric you chose is a nice complement to the colors in the tulip.

Deb said...

I love your luggage tag. The design is perfect for one. And I really like your pincushions too. I've filed a few of them away but like yours, some are in Japanese. I've been afraid to try them, but if you can read the graph then you should be able to do it. I've just been afraid to try.

Anna van Schurman said...

Love your luggage tag. And your pin cushions are adorable!

Jane said...

Love the colours you've used for the tulips, and the pin cushions are superb. I really like these, with the crochet covering the complimentary fabric

Annette said...

The Dutch Tulip..
Tulips are beautifull flowers, to bad they don't last long.
You made a great design..
And your crocht pieces are lovely

Mii Stitch said...

Great luggage tag! I love the desig, the colours, the backing fabric, the eyelet & leather cord!!! A lovely project x

Margaret said...

Love your Dutch Tulip tag! Those little crochet cushions are wonderful!

Brigitte said...

Oh great, your Dutch Tulip. It must be somewhere in my stash as well, time to stitch it.
I love the three crocheted beauties. Very pretty.

Anonymous said...

Love the luggage tag! It looks terrific. Your pin cushions are cute, too. I never thought to use orts for stuffing before.

Mylene said...

A lovely luggage tag and oh those pincushions are so cute!!

Carol said...

I never thought about using stitching to make a luggage tag, Annie--what a great idea! And this one with the tulips is so pretty... Is that a piece of leather on the end to attach to the luggage?

Cute little pincushions--glad you could follow the Japanese directions and graphs. I guess the language of stitching is universal :)

Karen said...

Annie, I love the Dutch Tulip, especially with the colors you chose, I've always liked that colorway. And those pincushions are so delicate and pretty, I'm sure they will make very appreciated gifts!

Meari said...

Very pretty!

Annette-California said...

Oh Anne! Your tag and crocheted pincushions just make me smile. You did a beautiful job on all of them. I don't know if I would trust that pretty tag on luggage. It would be okay if you didn't have to check it in at the airport:)
love Annette
ps I had to laugh at Carol's comment. I don't read Japanese either:)

Hetti said...

Lovely Tulip tag in beautiful antique colors Annie. I have seen a sampler in the Dutch Open Air Museum in the same colors.

http://www.openluchtmuseum.nl/en/

The pincushions are soooo cute :-))
Hugs Hetti

Melanie said...

I loved the colors you used in the tag. It's just perfect. :)

What cute little pincushions too! You make me want to learn crochet so I can whip some up too. If I start another hobby though I'm pretty sure the husband will kill me. lol

♥ Nia said...

lovely work! hugs to you sweetie

Nan ~ Threadwork Primitives said...

Just love the luggage tag you made using my freebie design. I also really like that you changed the colors to suit your style and work with you backing fabric.
Smiles, ~Nan
Threadwork Primitives

Anne said...

Annie I love your Dutch Tulip tag!! I didn't know my colours inspired you! Love your granny square pin cushions. They are all so pretty!! I love the design variety!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Your dutch tulip tag is adorable. Seriously, really sweet! Love your pincushion tags, too. You're right, they'll make great gifts!