Tiny Dancer

When I saw this pattern, I just knew I wanted to stitch it.  It reminded me of when my girls were little and how excited they were when it was time for their dance recitals.   My friend Lisa's daughter Kayla also takes dance classes and she has shown an interest in cross stitching and she has asked  me for some lessons.  So I knew she would love this piece.  

Once completed, I then had to make the decision as to how I would finish the project.  I tossed around the idea of framing it, or making it into a bag for Kayla to carry her dance shoes in.  At one of our meetings, we were talking about it and thought it might be a good idea to make it into a pillow to sit on Kayla's bed.  Who knew fabric shopping could be so difficult for such a simple pillow, but  I could not find anything I liked because every design took away the attention of the dancers.  I finally found some material that had ballerina shoes on it, however once I placed it beside the stitching, I still wasn't happy with it.  So I made the decision to frame the picture and use the material to make the gift bag for it. 

As always... Sushi helped. 

As soon as Sushi sees me setting up the sewing machine,
she's right there to see what project I'm working on.

I mean...RIGHT there... could she get any closer?

Answer... yes, a little bit.

Oh boy - my string!   Wait a minute...
Where's the bell that's usually on the end?

Hang on Bonnie...you need to move your arm just a little more....

Finally, the finished project. 
Thank you for your help Sushi, I think you're done now.

That's what you think Bonnie, we still have some measuring to do.

And don't forget... I get to test the size of the frame first !

Last year I saw this Dance Recital card.  I had never seen one before so I bought it, set it aside and who knew one year later how well it would match the bag !

Time for the reveal.... Tiny Dancer #1

Tiny Dancer #2

Tiny Dancer #3

applause...applause....

Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand..
(Elton John is singing in my head right now....)

Dance, Dance, Where ever you may be.....

Every little girl loves a 'twirly' dress.

Kayla received her gift this week and she was ecstatic. She can't wait for me to give her stitching lessons. 

I'll just have to remind her, "She can visit... but she can't join !" 

Bonnie