A Prom Princess, a Pair of Presents and a Poodle Project

How's that for an alliterative post title?
As promised here are some pictures of Naomi in her prom outfit. I think she looked beautiful, but I am biased.

The "pair of presents" ? I took part in the annual VSCyberstitchers exchange, here is the wonderful selection of Christmas in July gifts I received from Nancy (no blog that I'm aware of), a Just Nan pinball tin, the most adorable little needlefelted acorn, and a wonderful stitched needlepouch, in an Elizabethan looking design, containing three turned wooden containers of needles. Thank you Nancy, it's gorgeous.

This is the one I sent out. I can't say to whom yet as it hasn't reached it's destination. The design is by The Little Stitcher and was the Needlecraft Haven monthly challenge piece for May. I used a Kreinik braid for the ruby slippers and it was a little bugger to stitch with, but I'm quite pleased with the effect. I made it up into a pincushion and made a ruby slipper charm for the scissors.

And finally the "poodle project". The pattern is Simplicity 2886 and the cute poodle fabric was from EvilBay Not sure why it looks pink and navy in the photo, it is scarlet and black in real life. It sewed up really nicely, and is a lovely fit in the bodice, though with hindsight I'd have cut the skirt a bit longer than the pattern as it just knee length, which is shorter than I'd normally wear, and maybe altered the construction of the bodice lining to encase the waistband seam. I've got an old silk sari in my stash and I'm thinking of making it up again using that. I might make up the other view too, with the narrow straps, it's nice to make something for myself now and again.