Just catching up..........

Hi everyone,
I'm finally getting around to sharing what has been keeping me busy over the past few weeks.
I don't know if anyone can bear to look at Christmas stuff in February so I'll quickly get these three ornaments out of the way first.
Yes, they were meant to be finished in time for Christmas but somehow I ran out of time so the stitching was done but the finishing was not.
This is the Blackbird Designs Love Letters from the Joyeaux Noel book.
I finished it as an ornament rather than a token box although I'd like to do the box one of these days.
Stitched on 40 ct flax linen using the recommended threads. I forgot to take a picture of the back but I took one of the little flower motifs and stitched it again on the back and also added the year.




Next is My Little Christmas Gift from the 1999 Just Cross Stitch ornament special. It is stiched on 34ct Weddigen linen with the recommended DMC threads



Backing fabric Peace on Earth by Moda



This one is Merry Christmas by La D Da
Stitched on 36ct linen with DMC threads



Now to show you a little pinkeep which I love. Well, I would wouldn't I because it has a mermaid on it :)
This is Brightneedle freebie One Blue Moon stitched one over one on 28ct evenweave and finished into a dinky little pinkeep.



What would a blog post be without a few bag pictures?
I can't take all the credit for this one because a friend and I made it between us for a mutual friend who is going through a tough time.
The pattern is the Charm Party Tote by Quilts Illustrated. It's one I've already made three times before and it always turns out great.
This one is made using a charm pack and fabric from the Moda Simplicity line.



I made a matching pincushion and we filled the bag with all kinds of quilting goodies which we hope will bring a little sunshine to our friend.




Another bag - this one is Nellie's Sewing Bag by Rosalie Quinlan.
It's a square shaped bag with a different quilt block pattern on each of the four sides.




I made my favourite pincushion from the Petite Gateaux pattern by Fig Tree Quilts to go with it



and a cute needlecase from the Angel Story book by Hatched and Patched


the fourth side of the bag




Loads of inside pockets for all those stitching necessities




When my daughter saw the needlecase stitchery design she fell in love with it and wanted to stitch it too. She likes to add lots of bling to her stitching so she used beads in place of french knots. It looks great doesn't it?
I did the needlecase finishing for her and made the pincushion to go with.




I've been dying to show off the gifts I received for Christmas/my birthday from my lovely friend Pat in the USA.
Just look at this primitive doll which is actually a needlework bag!



I just love the fact that Pat "dressed" her in the same Blackbird Designs Beach House fabric that I used to finish the Flowers for Sarah needlecase that I showed a few posts back.

Here's a close up of her face. Don't you just love those button ear rings?






even her arms and legs are stitched





the ribbons on her dress are untied to show the lovely sampler print fabric lining the bag and tucked inside the doll was this lovely pincushion that Pat stitched from a Shepherd's Bush pattern






I also received this lovely journal cover that Pat stitched from a Stacy Nash pattern as well as lots of other goodies



Phew! It has taken me a couple of hours to get this post together but I think that's it for now. Thanks so much for your visits and your friendship which are what make it all worthwhile.
Until next time,
Margaret

A belated Happy New Year!

Hi everyone! Happy New Year to all.
Long time no post and I really DID resolve to do better but here we are already nine days into the new year and I'm only now getting round to updating my neglected blog.
I was beavering away before Christmas making a few gifts and now there are way too many pictures for one post so I'll save some for next time.

This is a bag I made from a Natalie Ross design using Moda Peace on Earth fabrics.
The pincushion is from Fig Tree Quilts Petite Gateaux pattern. I've made it several times and it's a fun one to do.



This shows both front and back views of a little door hanger/ornament I made from the Blackbird Designs book Peppermint and Holly





Sadly, my poor Rudolph stitchery wall hanging didn't get finished in time for Christmas 2009 but there is always hope for 2010 :)
Rudolph is from a Judith Tetley design.



I stitched this pincushion months ago from Blackbird Designs My Heart is Yours book and have kept forgetting to show the pictures so here it is both front and back views





More stitched Christmas ornaments..........the first is the December 2007 freebie from this French Blog
It's stitched on 40 ct Flax linen with Vikki Clayton Garnet silk. I took part of the design and stitched it again on the back and I used the beaded edge tutorial from Staci's blog




The other two ornaments are both LHN designs
I thought them a little big for ornaments so have finished them into pinkeeps.




Both pinkeeps are backed with the same fabric.

I've received several wonderful gifts that I'll show next time but I just can't resist putting up the pictures of the fabulous apron that Angela (no blog but she should have) made for me

Angela used Laura Ashley toile fabric and lined it with white cotton fabric




I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the gorgeous stitched mermaid on the pocket and look, the mermaid is stitching!



Here's a picture of the label on the inside of the apron


and I can't resist.........here I am posing in my new apron although there's no way I'll ever be cooking in it!



There were lots of other goodies included - toile fabrics, WDW felted wool, charms, mermaid floss drops and a profusion of ribbons


but wait, there was more and I just had to save her til last as she is so gorgeous.
a voluptuous mermaid tree ornament!



Now how gorgeous is she? Thank you so much Angela I really love everything you sent me.

Well, I could go on as there is lots more but I think that's probably enough for one post.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and, as always, for the lovely comments you leave.

Margaret

November Show and Tell

Another month seems to have slipped past since my last post but I've been busy and have lots to share this time.
Those of you who read Andrea's blog will be familiar with her beautiful cross stitch. Recently Andrea had a very generous giveaway for not one but eleven cross stitched Christmas ornaments and I was lucky enough to win one of them.
I think you'll agree that this ornament is just beautiful! It's so dainty being stitched mainly over one and has a beautiful beaded edge trim. I love it and will take great pleasure in bringing it out each year. Thank you Andrea!



I made another Couch Companion from Leanne Beasley's pattern. This is the front



The back



and here it is open



The next thing I'm going to share with you was one of my most favourite ever projects to work on. It is called the Gentle Arts Sewing Pail and the pattern appeared in an old issue of the Australian magazine Patchwork and Stitching Vol5 no 1
Three friends from my quilt group wanted to make it along with me and although one had never done any kind of embroidery before everyone did a fantastic job. I wish I could show pictures of all of them together but for now here's mine.......




We all had great fun adding our buttons, charms and silk ribbon in addition to the embroidery stitches that were new to us




Plenty of room inside - I think I may keep my most special fabric fat quarters in this




and one last picture just to show all round the sides




I think all of the pictures should be clickable if you want to get a closer look.

Another fun thing I made at my quilt group is this



It's a pattern from the British Patchwork and Quilting magazine and is actually supposed to be a bread basket but who wants a bread basket when it would make such a perfect sewing basket?



Plenty of pockets for threads, thimble, scissors or whatever and I made a pincushion from the Fig Tree Quilts Petite Gateaux pattern which sits perfectly in the middle.

Another pincushion attempt which came from a tutorial on Olga's blog see her post for 3rd November to see a beautiful cross stitched version. Mine is rather clumsy and as it was a first attempt I didn't use my best fabrics. I'd like to try a smaller one next time



The last few things I have to share are cross stitch. I can't remember how many years ago I stitched this Bent Creek design of the Black Cat but I finally got round to turning it into a pinkeep



Some fun fabric on the back



I stitched Mary Little by the Goode Huswife on 40ct Flax linen and love how this tiny little pincushion turned out




I took the little motif from the front and stitched it again and added a few buttons for a bit of interest



Finally my first (and probably my last) attempt at a floss tag. I think I need a bit more practice on these :)



I already have more things finished and photographed but will save those for next time. As always thank you for visiting my blog and for your nice comments.

Margaret

More bags!

Not another bag I hear you cry! Yes, I do seem to have a bit of a fascination for making them and I'll probably burn myself out on it eventually but it's a bit like a box of chocolates - you have to have just one more :)
I think of all the bags I've made this one is, so far, my favourite. The pattern is the Sew Charming Bag by Rosehip Lane
and the fabric is Neptune by Tula Pink for Moda Fabrics.
As soon as I saw this fabric line I fell in love with the gorgeous ocean shades and nautical prints.




Here's a view of the inside of the bag. I added extra pockets as I don't think you can ever have too many!



I had plenty of fabric left so decided to make a project bag to go inside of the big bag.



I've stitched this mermaid a few times now and decided it would be perfect for the pockets on the front and back of this little drawstring bag.
I've made this bag before using a Gail Pan design called Poppy's Sewing Set.



and because I can never resist making matching items I made a pincushion from the Fig Tree Quilts pattern Petite Gateaux and my favourite little needlecase from a tutorial you can find on this blog



I actually changed the turquoise button on the needlecase after these pictures were taken as thought it looked better with a covered button that matched the one on the pincushion.
Here's a view of the inside of the needlecase. If you haven't made one of these before they are super easy, take about half an hour (if that) to make and always turn out great.


I do have other finished items to share but I haven't taken the pictures yet so will save them for next time. Just a hint.........there's another bag coming soon :)
Have a great day and thanks as always for visiting my blog.

Margaret

Finally!

When I said I would be taking a short blogging break for the summer I really didn't mean to be gone so long!
Once the family had left I did have good intentions of updating my blog but kept finding other things to do.
I'm finally back now so on with the pictures................

A few weeks ago I received a beautifully stitched and framed mermaid from Nancy.
If you are a reader of Nancy's blog then you'll already know her lovely work so, as you can imagine, I was thrilled to add this new mermaid to my collection.
Nancy added little sequins to the piece for a bit od added sparkle and the frame is one of her vintage finds.



In addition to the mermaid Nancy sent this gorgeous hand painted oyster shell that she found on a visit to Charleston S.C.



The artist has signed and dated it on the back




It's so unusual. Thank you for the lovely gifts Nancy :)


About two years ago I started stitching the Beatrix Potter Sampler as a SAL but it turned into something of a chore for me and has taken all this time to finish.
I stitched it on 36ct antique white Belfast linen using one strand of Vikki Clayton silk in Dusty Rose.



Not a very good picture but it should be clickable for a better view.

I can't tell you the relief now that I'm finished. I think I prefer stitching smaller things these days.

When my daughter was here she saw me doing some stitchery and decided to have a go.
She stitched two small Halloween pieces and I turned them into little pails for the kids to store their treats.




I think they should be able to get plenty in there!

I've made some progress with the hexagons I've been doing in Civil War reproduction fabrics



Finally, a small Stacy Nash Primitives finish. This is a heart shaped pinkeep.
A quick stitch and an easy finish.




Stitched with one strand of DMC on 32 ct Lambswool Linen using fabric from Blackbird Designs Harvest Home line for the backing


I think that's all I can show you for now. There are a few things awaiting finishing that I can, hopefully, show next time.

No nice beach pictures as we have had a couple of weeks of storms and torrential rain. Yes, when it rains here it really does rain!
We're back to the blue skies and sunshine now but I haven't been anywhere to take pictures.

As always thanks for visiting! I hope to be back soon ;)

Margaret

All things nautical

Time for another overdue blog update. Where does the time go!
Do you like the ocean?
I ask because nearly all of what I have to share today is cross stitch and quite a bit of it has a nautical theme.
My most recently finished project is Cape Cod Girls by the Primitive Needle.
This was done as a SAL together with a few friends. I think I might be the first to finish but that is because my piece is stitched on 40 ct fabric and I was having a bit of a struggle with it. I decided it wouldn't be a good idea to switch between the 40 ct and anything lower so I just soldiered on to the finish.
The threads are the recommended WDW and the fabric is Picture This Plus.
I had seen this finished on Siobhan's blog and liked the way she chose to fussy cut her thread to make the tentacles on one octopus green and the other one purple so I copied that idea. Thanks Siobhan :)



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Before I share any more stitching I just have to show you this little display cabinet in the shape of a rowing boat that Sheila bought for me. It is complete with a pair of oars and I just love it.

Upturned it's just perfect for displaying some of my ocean themed treasures. Actually, I'm laughing because my husband says it looks like a coffin LOL.
Ah well, we stitchers like to stitch tombstone angels and the like so I doubt if anyone will even care!


How cute is this?



The next thing I want to show you is the most beautiful sewing case that Brigitte made for me. Brigitte and I had arranged a private exchange last year and I was absolutely blown away when I opened the package and saw what she had stitched for me.
It's a sewing case with a garden/bunny theme by the French designer : L'atelier des fées brodeuses. The front and back of the case are densely stitched


Notice all the stitching on the roof of the house?
I just can't believe how much work went into this! Oh, and while I remember, you should be able to click any of the pictures to enlarge for a close up.



and there is even more stitching inside the case with the most adorable tiny fob which is attached to a shiny new pair of stork scissors.



Tucked inside the little pockets are some bunny buttons and inside the big pocket some gorgeous variegated Anchor threads.

As if all that was not enough Brigitte also sent fabric, two patterns, and a book which I am really looking forward to reading.


I have to say this was definitely one of my most favourite exchanges ever. I'm just thrilled with my new sewing case. Thank you so much Brigitte - you really spoiled me.


I've been trying to improve on my finishing skills lately. Here are some pictures of my latest challenge.

Maidens of the Sea by Ellen Chester of With My Needle was such a pleasure to stitch.
Sheila had stitched hers a while back and hadn't done anything with it so we got together for a couple of finishing days. Neither of us found it easy but we got there in the end and had great fun in the process.



The tiny fob is really cute



a back view of the case and fob



and a view of the indside of the case



Here are some pictures of another recent finishing challenge.
This is Blackbird Designs Buttons and Blooms and no, you're not seeing things there really are three of them!



Sheila stitched one and was scared to attempt the piped edging on the pillow so I finished hers as well as two of my own. This is the first time I'd attempted piping and I had a bit of a problem at the corners but I got there in the end.
The kits come with a little drawstring thread bag in Blackbird Designs At Waters Edge fabric - very pretty.






Staying with Barb and Alma's lovely designs here's a quick stitch that I finished in a couple of days. Small Token is stitched using the recommended Crescent Colours threads and 32 ct Light Examplar linen.


I coffee dyed the lace trim and used fabric from the Blackbird Designs Harvest Home line for the backing





I forgot to show a picture of this table runner in my last post. This is the Crossroads Tablerunner from the Charmed and Dangerous book by Heather Mulder Peterson using a Collection for the Cause charm pack. Not being an expert in quilting this is just machine quilted in the ditch.



The last four pictures were taken on a recent day out to Guadalest. It's one of my favourite places to go and usually only when we have visitors staying.Everyone enjoyed the beautiful scenery and a look around the gift shops.







Phew! This is yet another long post.
Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and for staying with me to the end :) I have family coming out for the month of August and will be taking a longer blogging break than usual as I won't have time for sewing. I'll be back in September. Happy summer!

Margaret

Flowers for Sarah is done!

One of my favourite cross stitch designers is Blackbird Designs and as soon as I saw the Flowers for Sarah needle case in the Thank You, Sarah Tobias book I knew I had to stitch it.
I stitched as part of a SAL with a few like minded friends which was a great way to get motivated and actually finish within a set time frame.
I used the recommended R & R Expresso 30 ct linen and Crescent Colours threads.
The finishing fabric is Beach House by Blackbird Designs for Moda.
The linen is quite stiff and was well distressed in that some of the creases seem to be permanent but, hopefully, it all adds to the rustic charm of the piece.












The next thing I have to show you is The Couch Companion which is a design by Leanne Beasley of Leanne's House.
I love all the wonderful things the Australian designers come up with and this was a real pleasure to stitch. The Couch Companion is designed to go over the arm of the sofa to keep all your stitching bits and bobs together while you stitch. I made this for one of my friends here in Spain. I hope she likes it!

Here it is folded



and a few views of it open.





All fabric used on the inside of the case are from the Harvest Home line by Blackbird Designs for Moda

I don't think there can be many cross stitchers that are not familiar with Yuko's blog. Yuko is from Japan and she does the most beautiful stitching and finishing. Not only that but her photography is outstanding.
She recently had a blog drawing to celebrate three years in Blogland and I was lucky enough to win one of her gorgeous pinkeeps.
The pinkeep has a Lily of the Valley design. Yuko says when you give someone Lily of the Valley it brings the recipient happiness. Well it certainly worked for me Yuko as I couldn't be happier :) I will call this my Happiness pinkeep and treasure it always.
Because my pictures are nowhere near as lovely as the ones Yuko took I am borrowing them from her blog. Here is the front



here's the back




and lastly one of my own pictures showing the lovely card and pretty threads Yuko included



I also have a pinkeep of my own making to show. I finished the stitching ages ago and have only now finished it into a pinkeep.
It's the Christmas Spot Sampler by Ewe & Eye & Friends. Yes, I know it's a bit unseasonal especially in the heat of the Spanish summer but if I put it away until Christmas I'd probably forget all about it!



Here's a picture of the back. I used fabric from the Sweet Romance line by Blackbird Designs for Moda. I DID say I love Blackbird Designs didn't I?




I think that's all for now other than a few pictures taken while out and about.
The buttons were on a market stall at a place called Guadamar. I did buy one or two but was so spoilt for choice I could hardly make a decision.


This is part of the fabulous beach at Guadamar




One of my friends lives in one of the apartments overlooking this courtyard and the following picture is the view from her balcony







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Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. I hope everyone is enjoying some sunshine no matter where in the world you are.

Margaret