Sunday, July 31, 2011

July round up

Hi everyone,
Here's a round up of what I've been working on during the past month but first I want to show you some lovely belated birthday gifts that I've been spoiled with.
This beautifully stitched and framed piece came from my lovely friend Pat in the USA
The design is by Homespun Elegance
and is one of my favourites.



Pat also sent me this gorgeous little Blackbird Designs cupcake finish from the Honeysuckle Manor book.



Friend Angela (no blog but she should have) blew me away with this gorgeous stitched piece which she finished as a needlework accessories tin.



Inside the tin is a very dainty little scissor fob which is stuffed with lavender and a very clever needle minder magnet.



This picture shows the back of the fob which is backed with the same fabric and finished with a little charm.
Please click on any of the pictures for a better view of the work that went into these tiny pieces.



Another gift from Angela. A tiny apron which I'm sure you'll agree has the cuteness factor :)




It has a pocket with a little notepad and pen which is just perfect to hang in the kitchen to jot down those little shopping reminders.
Oh, and there was a lovely little Eiffel Tower notebook and one of Angela's hand made cards in the package as well.



Thank you Angela I absolutely love your gifts!

Now onto the things that have been keeping me busy these past few weeks..........
I finally finished the quilt I have been making for my baby grandson Max.



Fabrics are by Red Rooster with an Old McDonald's Farm theme.

This is the main picture panel


The quilt is all hand quilted



This is the back of the quilt



and finally the label I sewed in the corner.



No post would be complete without a bag :) This one is made with fabric from the Moda Lilac Hill range. Pattern is the Oak Park Bag from Loft Creations which can be purchased as a PDF download here



Cross stitch has taken a back seat with so much sewing and quilting going on but when I have had time to stitch I've been working on this Pears and Strawberries Sampler Sewing Bag by Stacy Nash



using the recommended DMC threads and 40t linen.

I've knitted some socks. Actually, I don't wear socks but it can be freezing cold here in winter so these will make good bed socks!



Finally some crochet granny squares. The fabric you see in the background is Cath Kidston and I wanted to make a crochet granny square afghan using the same colours.
I've done about twenty squares so far but this will be more of a winter project and is currently on the back burner.



Well, that's it for this time. It's very hot here so I'm leaving you with a nice view of the ocean.



Thanks so much for all of your lovely comments on my last post. I do read each and every one and appreciate you taking the time to say hello.

Margaret

37 comments:

Sheila said...

Oooeeeee, I´m first :)
Love all your things, and even though I have seen them all in person, they look just as great in your photos.
Roll on winter :)

Lili said...

Lovely gifts!!
Beautiful quilts, and I love your bag!so pretty colour!
Happy week, hugs,
Lili

angelasweby said...

Margaret,
I'm just amazed at this fantastic post. Between posts, your fingers must never stop. Max's quilt is stunning and I know it was a real labour of love. It will become a family heirloom without a doubt. I love your beautiful lilac bag, you really have a way with colours. Lovely little crochet squares in your fav CK colours and I see you are way ahead of me with our SN SAL!! I love the gifts from Pat and am so glad you liked mine :-)

Mouse said...

ooo you had some lovely gifts ... the bag is fantastic and the quilt WOW .. that is surely a heirloom .. such a lot of time and detail went into that labour of love :) and love the sea view ... love mouse xxx

Simone de Klerk said...

Lovely presents that came your way! And what a beautiful Oak Park bag you made!

Margaret said...

Wow! You received some lovely presents! And all your handiwork! Beautiful stuff! Congrats on the grandson -- love his quilt! Love everything -- you're amazing!

Ellen said...

Max's quilt is beautiful! Love that lilac bag too, it's gorgeous!

Enjoy the beautiful gifts from your friends!

Hugs,

Anonymous said...

Margaret what a lovely post,well done with your quilt

Mary said...

So many "Wows" in one post! I loved all your beautiful gifts. Your Grandson's quilt is just wonderful - the hours that have gone into that would be staggering and I am sure it will be around for a long time. Your bags always leave me in awe and this one was no exception. When do you find time for all your pursuits.
Mary

The little book of Nessie said...

I have once again enjoyed seeing all your lovely handwork and that of your friends. Love the bag! Regards, Nessie

marly said...

Wow. This is like blogarama. You do everything! And it's all wonderful! Max is a lucky boy, and you are a lucky girl for getting such amazing birthday gifts.

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

What lovely gifts you have received! Your grandson's quilt is so cute. I'll be he will just love it and hand quilting...Wow! I also love your bag. Your fabric choices are beautiful!

Sandra said...

Wonderful gifts from your friends and I love the quilt you have made for your grandson, I'm sure he will love it. The lilac bag is gorgeous, as are all the bags you make. Great progress too on your Stacy Nash, I can't wait to get on to the coins at the top.

jane said...

What lovely gifts you received, they are all exquisite.
Your quilting is lovely and I really like the lilac bag. A crochet balnket in that Cath Kidston colour palette is a great idea - looking forward to seeing more of that. Very nice cross stitch too and thank you for the pic of the ocean. Last time we visited Spain we were inland and I missed the sea very much. Maybe next year!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Your work is always so precise and gorgeous. Darling gifts from your friend. Definitely squeal worthy. Seeing those grannies makes me want to give them a try, again! Oak Park is so beautiful in Lilac Hill. Thank you for sharing. That is one spectacular view.

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Beautiful gifts Margaret, the little tin is adorable!
Gorgeous bag and cosy socks and what a very lucky boy Max is getting such a stunning quilt, a work of art!!
Your CK inspired granny squares are lovely. :)
What a great view to finish with, we're looking forward to a little trip to Barcelona in Sept so save some of that gorgoeus Spanish sunshine for us please!!!
Vivienne x

Anonymous said...

Margaret,
I really love the Oak Park bag,,, and it's in my colours! lol!
Great work as always.
Caz xxxxx

hazel c UK said...

Wonderful post again Margaret, you have a brilliant eye for colour and Max's quilt is beautiful so glad you have finished it. Angela's gift is so dainty and I know she works hard on getting them just right.

Take care and enjoy the summer
we are having warm weather here in the UK.

Love Hazel C (UK)

Anonymous said...

Long time no comment.... I have been busy with.. holidays ! But I am pleased when I return to visit my friends' blogs - and yours is always packed with lovely things to look at.
Hope you are enjoying a nice summer.

Sally said...

Lovely gifts you received Margaret and as always all your finishes are lovely.

Kathy Ellen said...

Happy Birthday! My goodness, but you have been blessed with some really special gifts! Recently, for my birthday, a dear friend stitched the same adorable Homespun Elegance little bird design, which was inserted into a pincushion!

What a wonderful quilt for your little grandson....all of that hand quilting too. A true treasure for a lifetime.

Jeanne said...

Great projects Margaret - the quilt is so cute and I haven't seen that Stacy Nash pattern. I too enjoy making bags, you can never have too many :).

Good to see what you have been doing, you always have fantastic projects going on!

Nancy said...

Hola Margaret! A beautiful post as always. Your birthday gifts are just wonderful! I love the quilt you made for Max, and I'm sure it will be a special treasure for him. Your quilting is as beautiful as your other types of needlework. I love the Stacy Nash piece - I haven't seen that design, but it certainly is pretty. And, the colors of your granny squares are so bright and cheerful! The picture of the ocean is heavenly, and I wish I could see it in person!

Michelle said...

Wonderful photographs Margaret - I always enjoy reading your posts. The Homespun Elegance design is a favourite of mine also xx

KarenV said...

Gorgeous finishes Margaret, I particularly like the bag, the colours are pretty and I like all the little patchwork squares.

Roberta said...

Hi Margaret, love the quilt that you made for Max it is just so darling. Your bags are always so well done and just love the fabrics you use. The granny squares are great - someday this will be on my list of things to do!!

Siobhán said...

Oh my goodness, Margaret! You are amazing. So is Angela--I love the gifts she made for you!

Karoline said...

Gorgeous gifts and your quilt and bag are lovely, congratulations

Andrea said...

Wonderful gifts. Fabulous projects that you have been working on. I love the bag, it's gorgeous!

Carol said...

Lovely work, as always, Margaret, but that quilt for Max is extra special. How lucky he is to have a grandma to make such lovely things for him :)

Nice birthday gifts--hope your day was a treat!

Anja´s Wunschpunsch said...

Hello,

you have received wonderful gifts. The little pin box is so sweet. Do your know witch material she has use?

Greetings
Anja

Daffycat said...

Oh, lovely work! I especially like the sewing tin from Angela ~ so sweet!

Karen said...

Margaret, I love your beautiful blog! You are so multi-talented! Thank you for visiting my blog!

Stina Blomgren said...

oh my goodness so many wonderful gifts... so so pretty every one.. love them all!!! especially the little x stitch cupcake!! that is LOVE!! :o)

Lapplisor said...

Hi Margaret
Finally I have a little time to admire your wonderful work...
Congratulations to all the works shown here - you have managed the particularly warm quilt!
It's always nice to be your guest.
Now I wish you a nice holiday season,
and send you best wishes from northern Europe.
♥☼♥Barbara♥☼♥

Lynn B said...

Hi Margaret,

I can't believe i missed this post, gorgeous things as usual!
Your birthday gifts look lovely, mmm sorry, I did not realise it was your birthday - happy belated birthday to you!

Anonymous said...

WOW
Merveillous!!!!
Françoise