Friday, March 25, 2011

Time for an update

Hi everyone,
The days since my last post have flown. I've had some computer woes and some lost mojo days but there are a few things to show you so first up is a cute little sewing bag.



The pattern is from Australian designer Bronwyn Hayes book The Flowerbed Quilt
The front and back have the same stitchery design.
Here's a side view



and a view of the bag when open showing the inner drawstring pouch, needlecase and scissor holder. Fabrics are Rouenneries by French General for Moda.




By the way, Bronwyn has the sweetest little Easter bag pattern with a stitchery bunny on her blog as a free download. I wish I had time to make it but even though it looks quite small I just can't fit anything else in at present. Perhaps next year.....

Another bag! This one is from a pattern by Australian designer Natalie Ross




I used a selection of Tilda fabrics to make this bag



and of course there had to be a matching needle case






I managed to stay with the 2011 Christmas ornament a month challenge. This is the one I've done for March. It's a Little House Needleworks design from the 2009 JCS Christmas ornament magazine.



finished as a simple hanging pillow and backed with Peace on Earth fabric by Moda




Sorry for the rather unimaginative photo but all of my Christmas "props" are packed away!


I finished this small Blackbird Designs piece a long time ago and have only now finished it into a pillow. The date I had stitched on it was 2009 but I decided to unpick that and replaced it with the three buttons



I found the perfect backing fabric in my stash. It has tiny birds on it but you probably won't be able to see them without clicking the picture for a close up.




I've been very much into crochet recently and have been looking around a lot of crochet blogs. I was lucky enough to win this lovely pincushion on Rachael's blog





Rachael said I could choose my own colours so I went for Cath Kidston type colours.
I just love it. Thank you Rachael :)



I don't usually show my cross stitch WIPS until they become finished objects but I've been taking part in a SAL on this blog stitching the Blackbird Designs Hedgerow Birds project bag.





This is how it looks after two assignments. Just one more assignment and the front will be finished.
I'm afraid it's a bit creased but I stitch in hand and I don't want to press it until I'm ready to do the finishing.

Finally, I was going to show a nice sunny beach pic but the weather has been quite gloomy the past few days so I'll show the cake I made this afternoon instead :)
This is coconut and cherry banana bread from Nigella Lawson's latest book Kitchen.



now I don't want to blow my own trumpet here but I actually think mine looks better than Nigella's which looks a bit sad in the middle LOL.


Sad or not this cake is delicious but then Nigella's recipes usually are. This book is my favourite of hers to date.

Well, I think that's it for now. As always a big thank you for visiting my blog and for taking the time to comment. I do love to hear from you.

Margaret

44 comments:

Lesleyanne said...

Lovely bags. Your cross stitch finishes are lovely. The cake looks yummy.

Margaret said...

I just love your bags! That first bag is so neat! So lovely! Love your ornament and BBD pillow too. Your BBD WIP is so cool -- I want to stitch it someday. I love that crochet pincushion you won! Nice color choices! I always enjoy your posts so much!

angelasweby said...

Margaret, the bags are just breathtaking. The stitching on the tiny red bag is so neat and even and the little reticule inside is delightful :>)
I love the pink Tilda fabric bag too. I'm convinced you stitch little loving messages into each bag you make :>)
Your Christmas ornament is really pretty. Well done for keeping up with the challenge. I love the other BD pillow too and your WIP. You have been busy. Of course, it goes without saying, your cake looks scrumptious and definitely better looking than Nigella's
Angela xx

Chookyblue...... said...

I always love to come and see what you have made.......beautiful once again.........

Anonymous said...

I love all the things that you have made you have inspired me to get moving with some of my projects today,thankyou for sharing my favoutrite is the Bronwyn Hayes bag,happy stitching.

Peggy Lee said...

As usual your work makes me drool all over my laptop and it has nothing to do with the large bowls of chocolate chips beside me. You are such a talented crafter!

The cake looks delicious and I have to agree with you....yours looks better than that one in the book!

KC'sCourt! said...

Wow! you've been busy. Love the things you have made especially the bags
Julie xxxxxx

Sandra said...

Oh Margaret, your Bronwyn Hayes bag is to die for, just stunning. I love your Blackbird Designs cushion too - I'm just going to check out the backing fabric. Hope there is some cake left, I'll be round about 3pm if that's OK.

Lynn B said...

Oh my gosh Margaret you have done it again! Your bags are absolutely wonderful, everytime I see you have a new post I cannot get to your blog quick enough! lol I love the fact that you provide the links, I am sure I have a list as long as my arm of 'to do' projects from your blog! Absolutley exquisite stitching as always.

Lynn B

symiote said...

Very cute bags!! and fabrics are beautiful ! i like Tilda and Moda!
Congratulations!

Dorothy said...

Good to hear from you Margaret. All your stitchery projects look wonderful, but I especially like the bag with Bronwyn Hayes stitchery designs. It is fabulous!

Ellen said...

I just love your bags, they are so gorgeous!Love your BBD wip as well!

Hugs,

Sheila said...

Lovely, lovely, LOVELY things as ever!!! All going on my To-Do List :-)

Carol said...

Visiting your blog is always such a treat, Margaret! Your bags are just darling--so creative and beautifully stitched, as well...And your ornament and pincushion are lovely.

The fabric on the back of the BBD pincushion is so sweet--I love anything with tiny birds (or bunnies!) on it.

Hope your weather clears up--at least it wasn't 15F (-9.4C)like it was here in Pennsylvania this morning :)

Stina Blomgren said...

Ahhh... lovely things made...:O))
You always makes teh prettiest things!!

Julia said...

Another lovely, lovely lot of stitching - you're so prolific - it must be all that sunshine!! And the Nigella cake looks scrummy too - just as well I'm not there, as it would certainly ruin my diet!!

Love Julia x

Catherine said...

Your bags are so beautiful. It is always a pleasure to see your sewing !

Just Me and My Shadow said...

Lovely post with lots to see. Your work is a delight. The Australian girls are great designers aren't they. I have some of that wonderful fabric you have used on your Bronwyn Hayes bag.
Can't wait to see your Hedgerow Birds project bag finished too. I have this one waiting to be stitched. Love the pale blue backing fabric you used to finish your Blackbird piece.
Chrissie

Khris said...

You always do such beautiful work. Love the Bronwyn Hays bag....well I love the other one too even if it is pink....love red the most...lol
Hugs Khris

Anonymous said...

I love everything! Such happy creations! I love to come here to your blog and see all of the things you have made. And I have to agree, your baked bread sure does look better than Nigella's!

Dee in CT

Kathy A. said...

Love, love, love those bags. Your work is beautiful!

Sally said...

Your bags are beautiful as always Margaret. Love your stitching too. Very pretty BBD finish.

Sally said...

I forgot to say the cake looks delicious!

Nancy said...

Beautiful and delicious post Margaret! Your bags are just wonderful - they always are! I love your ornament, and your Blackbird Designs projects, and your treat looks delicious! Congratulations on winning the beautiful crochet pincushion, and I think you chose perfect colors.

Daffycat said...

Your projects always leave me breathless, Margaret! The sweet bags, the lovely stitching...now cake!!!

DovilÄ— said...

amazing works:) I like your bags and BBD pincushion realy cute:)

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Margaret, Your bags are lovely as always as is your stitching. I especially love the Tilda rose fabric and bag. I do wish she would sell her fabric here in the states. I would be a big customer. LOL Love your baking it looked very very yummy.

Take care Big Hugs Judy

asuman said...

hmm çok zarif işler bunlar
çok güzeller

jane said...

Beautiful bags Margaret and I love your BBD pieces too. I look forward to seeing that beach pic next time.

Siobhán said...

Your stitching and sewing are always just amazing, Margaret!

Karoline said...

They all look gorgeous, congratulations

Dani - tkdchick said...

Those bags are just awesome and everything you do is perfection! Congrats on so many lovely finished items!

MOMENTS Designs said...

HI Margaret,
I am always amazed what beautiful things you produce in a month...I can't get that much done in a year!
Fabulous job...keep inspiring me:-)
Hugs, Liz

gillyflower said...

Goodness you have been busy!!!
Love everything, especially both the bags, and particularly the red and white one - French General fabrics are great!All beautifully made too.
Love the cross stitch pieces too - beautiful!
I agree, your cake looks mcuh more appetising than Nigellas!
Thanks for your lovely comment, hope your weather improves for you too!We expect it here but I guess you're used to sun!

Michelle said...

Oh my - your bags are always so beautiful! Your stitching and finishing also look absolutely stunning!

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Margaret, your work is so beautiful! I especially love your bags!! I have to admire anyone who cross-stitches as I haven't the patience myself and yours are stunning!
Your cake looks yummy and you're right yours does look better than Nigela's. :)
I'm adding you to my blog list because I definitely want to keep an eye on your gorgeous crafts.
Have a great weekend,
Vivienne x

Marsha said...

I LOVE your bags. they're so pretty and the fabrics so fresh and inviting. That pincushion is adorable.

Jeanne said...

I love everything in this post including the bread! The Red Brolly bag is my favorite of the bags and the LHN ornament is so cute.

Theresa said...

Everything is beautiful - the BBD pillow is on my 'list' and I love the Red Brolly bag, so clever.

Anonymous said...

Better late than never. I have been admiring your bags - as usual - and other projects : I love the BBD pincushion, but then it's an "of course!" again. The Tilda fabric bag with its needle case is a beauty. If only I had the courage...
We have had uninterrupted sunshine for the past fortnight, I am sure that in your part of the world, good weather is back. Just thinking of it makes me feel like goign on holidays !

saki033 said...

Hi Margaret Would definitely lo! I was blog-hopping and saw the picture of your bags on another blog and I thought I have to fly here. I LOVE your bags, they are awesome!! Love other ornaments too. the cake looked yummy!! I now am a follower of your blog. WWould definitely love to visit your lovely blog again...Waiting for your post...(from Baishakhi)

Miss ZELANIA said...

Oohh! Has estado muy ocupada realizando todas estas bellas labores!!
Me encanta el bolso con las telas Tilda, tengo las telas pero no se me ocurria nada que hacer con ellas me has servido de inspiraciĂłn, gracias.

Besos Isabel
PD El avance del objetivo perfecto!!

Oohh! You've been very busy making all these beautiful work!
I love the fabric bag with Tilda, I have the fabric but I can not think of anything to do with them has inspired me, thanks.

Kisses Isabel
PD Progress perfect the objective.

Carolien said...

Hello Margaret,

What a lovely design, that red bag of yours. A joy to see, as is everything else...
Have a nice day!

Jenn M said...

Such lovely things as always!
I just purchased a lily of the valley/bonheur de Mai design from Danybrod and thought of you. I like your idea from last year of trying to stitch one for every May. I just might make it this year!
Take care,
Jenn