Where to start.........

Hi everyone,
I'm sorry to have been absent from my blog for so long. It was a strange summer and I completely lost my mojo for a while.
Anyway, here I am with rather a lot to catch up on - probably too many pictures for one post so I'll save some of them for another time.
A few months ago Roberta gifted me a pattern for the Bow Tucks Mini Tote so I decided to make her a bag by way of a thank you.
I've made this style of bag before using schoolgirl sampler print fabric by Blackbird Designs Rhubarb and Ginger line.



Side view of the bag



a zippered pouch and little four patch pincushion to go inside



My friend Caz from UK came to stay for a week and I made her a bag as a welcome gift.
This is The West Linn bag by Stephanie at Loft Creations
I used Ikea linen and the Pure fabric line by Sweetwater

It was a breezy day when we did the photo shoot and the bag was swinging crazily from the tree but I managed a decent picture in the end



the button was only a temporary measure and a much nicer one was found and sewn on later
back of the bag



I love how this bag turned out. Stephanie does some great patterns and she has her first book coming out early next year so do look out for that as it is sure to be fabulous.

While Caz was here we had a workshop day where we made the French Sewing Roll from Mandy Shaw's book Quilt Yourself Gorgeous

I used my precious stash of Cath Kidston fabrics, buttons and ribbon for mine and I love how it turned out
You should be able to click on the pictures for a better view if you wish



the outer case


inside



handy pockets - love that Stanley the dog fabric very much :)



Cross stitch...............oh dear I'm really struggling with that lately and can't seem to find much enthusiasm at all for it at the moment. However, I do have one finish which is Pumpkin Farm by Blackbird Designs.
I used mostly the recommended threads with a few subs where I didn't have the ones called for in the pattern.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this piece as I didn't leave enough of a fabric margin for framing. I am thinking project pouch but we'll see.....


I also did a bit of finishing on this little Bent Creek piece that I stitched years ago. So long ago in fact that I don't remember the name of it or what fabric and threads were used. I finished it as a pinkeep



back view



I seem to be doing more knitting than anything else lately. Here are the socks I knitted for my husband.
Full details of yarn and pattern used are on my Ravelry page



I have more knitting in the works but I'll show that next time. I just wanted to show you my latest craziness. Over the years I've often thought about how I'd like to learn to spin using a drop spindle and I finally bought a beginner kit from Katie at Hilltop Cloud

This is the kit I bought



and here is my clumsy beginner first attempt at turning this North Ronaldsay roving


into this first finished yarn. It will never be knit into anything but will hopefully be a reminder in the future of how much progress I've made


I'm getting better though and am currently spinning my way through the 50G of hand blended roving that you see in the box so more on my spinning adventures next time. If there are any drop spindle experts reading this then please do let me have your hints and tips.

So, it's Halloween and I don't expect so much as one trick or treater here tonight but I hope that those of you who are dressing up or going out to have fun have a spooktacular time.
A big welcome to my new followers and thanks as always for visiting my blog and for your kind comments.
Margaret