A tutorial - who knew?

It's been a very long time since I did any sort of tutorial on my blog and as I created this little project this morning I thought perhaps I might share it with you.  It worked up very quickly so it's certainly do-able for some little Christmas presents (which is what this one is for).

Isn't this little strawberry needle case the cutest?

So, here's the tutorial (please let me know if you make any, because I'd love to see them!).

CHEZ MAGPIE's STRAWBERRY PINCUSHION

You will need the following supplies:  red and green felt; a piece of Freezer Paper (optional); yellow and red pearl cotton or embroidery floss; 1 green bead; scrap of Heat N Bond (optional).

NOTE: Print the pattern on a full-size 8 1/2 x 11" piece of paper.

Trace the patterns onto either paper or Freezer Paper.  You can either iron the Freezer Paper onto the felt prior to cutting out the pieces OR simply pin your paper pattern onto the felt.  I like to use the Freezer Paper because it holds in place really well, making your cuts on the felt more accurate.  It peels off really easily and can be re-used a couple of times if you're making more than one needlebook.

Cut two of the larger strawberry shapes, one of the smaller shape and one of the leaf from felt.  Using yellow pearl cotton (or 6 strands of embr. floss) stitch 'seeds' randomly over one of the larger strawberry shapes.  

Either pin the two larger shapes together OR use some small scraps of HeatNBond to adhere them together.  Using red pearl cotton (or floss) stitch the pieces together around the outside using buttonhole stitch.  

Place outer and inner strawberry shapes together and, using the sewing machine, stitch along the fold line.  Stitch two or three tacking stitches about 1/4" away from the seam (helps to hold the needlebook nicely closed).

Adhere the leaf to the front, using a green bead to hold in place.

Today the quote is from Dale Carnegie.... "When we hate our enemies, we are giving them power over us:  power over our sleep, our appetites, our blood pressure, our health, and our happiness.  Our enemies would dance with joy if only they knew how they were worrying us, lacerating us, and getting even with us.  Our hate is not hurting them at all, but our hate is turning our days and nights into a hellish turmoil"