Saturday, August 22, 2009

Are we there yet?


The wonderful thing about stitching, sewing and knitting is that you can enjoy these pleasures almost anywhere. I admit, there are some pursuits that would make it a bit difficult - paragliding and swimming being just two that spring to mind! But most sewers I know love to catch up on their needlework when they're travelling as a passenger in a car.

My gorgeous friend Narelle, is no exception! She and her husband have just purchased a camper trailer so that they can take their children on holidays all over Australia. So what could be a more perfect gift than a sewing caddy that attaches to a vehicle window?




Now before I go any further, I have to credit this wonderful, brilliant, ingenious idea to Karen from Sew Many Ways. Have you checked out her blog? You'd be in for a treat if you like practical ideas and tutorials! This is her sewing caddy tutorial. I decided to go for a different look with my travel caddy so didn't follow this particular tutorial... but it was the catalyst for my sparks of creativity. Thank you Karen! :-)



The caddy is made using a clip-on 750ml bottle/cup holder that attaches to the inside of the car window. I cut the top off a 750ml plastic bottle and lined it with neutral tone-on-tone fabric. I then designed a 'wrap' for the cup and holder to form the body of the caddy.

It comprises a needle-case, a thread holder (that you can attach your embroidery cards to) and a scissor fob. The needle-case and thread holder are sewn into the body of the caddy so that there is no chance of them falling on the floor!



The inside of the caddy can be used to hold your stitcheries, scissors, knitting yarn and needles, or whatever else you may wish to take along with you.


Inside the needle-case:



This wonderful fabric was ideal for my purposes! I featured it in my last post and it is called Peace on Earth by Three Sisters for Moda. I also made Narelle and her husband a travel journal from the same fabric, so they can write their accounts on each camping expedition they make!



I found some travel-themed paper clips in my local craft store, and they couldn't have been a better match. You can just see them popping out of the top of the journal.


And do you know what I was thrilled about? Narelle and her husband lived in Singapore for several years... and I managed to incorporate this into a design on the front of their journal. Here is a close-up, I stitched a line between Melbourne and Singapore, and added little buttons as the 'destination' points. How awesome was that?! Thank you Moda, for the perfect fabric!! :-)


So there you have it - another useful creation! Ooh - I think I'm beginning to live up to my blog name! He he he...

When Narelle starts using her caddy I shall ask her to take a pic of it in it's rightful home on her window!

Until next time - Enjoy the stitches as well as the views!

Hugs! Vikki x

26 comments:

Vicki ♥ said...

Wow Vikki that is just very very clever and you are going to make it into a pattern arent you??? I do hope so and you should as it looks fabulous!! Definately living up to your blog name sweetie :) hugs Vicki

Deb said...

Gosh you're a clever lady Vikki. What a brilliant idea for someone travelling. You are well and truly a designer and I can't wait till you are producing patterns, you are so born to do so.

barb's creations said...

Vikki,
How ingenious are you.Co-ordinating the the journal with the travel caddy is just brilliant.I can't wait to see a picture of it in use.Keep up the photo's of your great inspirational designs:) Barb.

Dolores said...

Oh Vikki, how thoughtful and clever. A wonderful gift for the travellers.

Liz said...

You are one very clever, clever lady my friend. Amazing work Vikki!!
Lizzie
XXXX

Karen John said...

Hi Vikki,

What a lovely gift Vikki, I am sure Narelle will treasure it for ever and think of you when using it. What's next? I can't wait to see.

Karen xx

I Purr-Furr to Craft said...

I knew that map fabric would be for something Brilliant! I adore it! what a special gift! Good luck on her travels

Unknown said...

What a Fabulous Idea...Very Clever of You...all the little details go Perfectly...Narelle will be Tickeled Pink I'm sure.
cheers

Jeanette said...

I love the travel caddy. So handy to have. Hugs, Jeanette

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

What a creative and innovative solution Vikki! The map fabric was the perfect choice. Lucky Narelle - I am sure she will be delighted.

Kaaren said...

How wonderfully clever, Vikki!

You're on a roll with your designing so don't stop now. I just can't wait to see your next creation!

Thanks for sharing!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Absolutely fantastic--from idea to end result. Love all the details..."are we there yet" is perfect for anyone traveling with children. Clever to do the stitching line from one place to the next.

Anne said...

You are soooo clever. The design is just gorgeous - another to add to your list of patterns to write up! xx Anne

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Absolutely brilliant!!! You are so creative and generous, Vikki!!!

Jo in TAS said...

Perfect gift for a travelling stitcher!

Kiwifruit-Shiree said...

the fabric is just so right!!!What a wonderful creation, and a really brilliant idea. SO want one of those!

karenshopes said...

What a lovely gift she must have been delighted. I love journals and this one is really nice I'm sure they will record some very happy times well done.I would love to know how to do the journal.
Karen

Joy McD said...

That is sooooooo cool!!!! Must make one before our camping season starts! I'm looking forward to seeing it on the window, because I must admit, I am not sure how it attaches.. :) Thanks so much for sharing the ides and photos.
lv,
Joy

Anonymous said...

Hello Vikki, loved Áre we there Yet"a lovely gift for someone travelling.....Warm Regards Lyn

Khris said...

You are just too clever missy...love what you have done and the fabric is terrific...hugs Khris

Rachel said...

Beautiful caddy and journal! I love Karen's blog, too. She has such neat ideas.

Any chance you'll be doing a tutorial for that covered journal?

Simone de Klerk said...

This looks just fantastic Vikki! How happy your friends must be, being allowed to travel with something as beautiful as this. And you picked the best fabric!

Terri said...

Oh! I sure hope you do a pattern!

Vicki ♥ said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sew Useful Designs said...

Apologies for the awful comment left for me in Chinese script... I can not delete it for some reason. My friend Vicki (Tozz) left a message for me as a test to make sure I could delete messages... which is why hers is deleted - but the yukky one remains. If anyone knows how to delete these spam like messages I'd love to hear.

Regards! Vikki

Gmama Jane said...

Can you read the Chinese post? If I were to get one I wouldn't know if it were bad or good?! LOL! HOwever, I love your sewing caddy. I saw the original tutorial you referred to and I like them both. You are like me in that we take one idea and change it to suit our own preferences.
Blessings
Gmama Jane

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