FLAGS ON A STICK - Today's my Day!!

 (First, let me say, I'm so sorry my post didn't go out as I thought it would. I forgot to hit publish after I scheduled it to post.)

I have had so much fun looking at all of the flags that have been created! Oh gosh! They are all incredible! 

  First I want to give a big hug and thank you to Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt for arranging all of the details of these wonderful blog hops. Also a big hug and thank you to Thearica from Pigtales and Quilts for being our cheerleader and fabulous helper to answer all of our questions. I know we all had great inspiration to make our flags from our sponsors Flags on a Stick and Flag-Outlet.

 I really thought I could do this fairly quick as I made a burlap flag in January just for fun. I think I thought wrong because it took me several days to get it done and all put together. 

 My first thought was to take pictures as I went.  Like I said, it was a thought. I forgot to take pictures beyond the first day in which I started embroidering the front side of the flag. 
 When I was in Hobby Lobby one day, I found this bright yellow burlap in the remnant bin! Woo hoo! First inspiration! 

 In case you didn't know, to get the sides, top and bottom straight, just pull the strings and slice off what you don't want with the rotary cutter. 

 This was just my first pile! The best thing about dyed burlap is that it's not as dusty, and doesn't make my nose run like the real stuff. However, it all gets a toss in the dryer before any project to get out as much dust as possible. 

 Then comes the spray starch! Lots of it will help to stabilizer those fibers. 

 Of course, it took me days to decide on what to do, but I knew I had to use something bright on this yellow burlap. I went through my stash, and I had some 5" charms that were the perfect colors. 

 So here it is ready to start embroidery, and that, my friends, is as far as the step-by-step pictures evolved! Ha Ha! Now to the finished product! I know it's hard to see, but I added a little bee on one flower, and a ladybug flying up the side of another flower. It is spring, you know!

My only disappointment is the back side. I didn't line the inside with a stabilizer that would block out the front side. Oh well, live and learn. I love the big "C", and I wanted something that would last all summer. The "C" is from Ageless Embroidery, and it was a free alphabet collection. It stitches out so nice! (I really need a new flag stand. Oh, why didn't I think of doing the tabs like some of the others did? Duh!)

  So now have you noticed my little "danglies" I added. They fly when the wind blows as you will be able to see in the videos. Don't worry, they are both really short.








 Of course, my nosy Maggie had to get in the picture. She came running and barking at my flag like it was an alien or something! 

  I made the dangly flowers sort of like making ITH frames or tags. I used a washaway stabilizer, and also put some stiff interfacing inside so they would be stiff. It took a while to do them even though they look pretty simple. 

 To give credit to the embroidery sites, I used a combination of flowers from Planet Applique, Embroidery Boutique, and the butterfly is from Embroidery Library. 

 I must show the first flag I made in January out of plain burlap. The design is by Sonia Showalter which was a free alphabet. I just love it too! This flag held up during the ice, snow, and bitter cold. I sprayed it with some acrylic spray, and I had joined the front and back with Heat-n-Bond Lite just like the yellow one.

 I know this is a long post, but since you made it this far, you might want to make a comment to be entered in my little giveaway. I have a Stack 'n Store Bobbin Tower by Nancy Zieman, and a cute notepad by Mary Engelbreit. Plus I may throw in some other little something.

 Just one comment is all you have to make. I'd love you to follow me, but it's not necessary to win. 

 Be sure to visit the other blogs to see their flags. This is the schedule for the rest of the week.


March 31st
Grandmama's Stories
More Stars in Comanche 
MooseStashQuilting
Pampered Pettit
ShirleyC 
Farm Gate Creations


April 1st
Sew Incredibly Crazy
Quilt Doodle Designs
Buzzing and Bumbling
Why Knot Kwilt?
Creatin' in the Sticks

Meadowbrook

April 2nd
Thimblemouse & Spouse
Stitchin' By The Lake
Just One More Stitch
The Quilting Queen Online
Selina quilts
Whims And Fancies


April 3rd
DachsiesWithMoxie
Just Keep Swimming
The House on the Side of the Hill
Texas Quilting Gal
Madame Samm

 Happy Flag Flying!
Shirley Clark