It's a while since I've posted anything but I'm so excited to be showing you what has been keeping me busy over the past few weeks.
A couple of years ago Christine gifted me a piece of gorgeous Laurel Burch Ocean Song fabric. I'd looked at the fabric many times and wondered what I might do with it. I knew I wanted it to be something special but what............
When I made my first dilly bag last year it occurred to me that this would be the perfect pattern to showcase these gorgeous mermaids and so the idea was born.
Ocean Song is an old fabric line and the mermaids are like gold dust to find now but it's still possible to find some of the other fabrics in the range. I bought enough to be able to make two bags as I knew friend Sheila, another mermaid fan, would love one of these bags as much as I did.
I felt these mermaids deserved to be photographed where they would feel right at home so I took the bags to a beach where there are some nice rocks for the photo shoot :) Be sure to click on the pictures for a better view
When Sheila came over to see how her bag was coming along she blew me away when she presented me with this gorgeous Laurel Burch Ocean Song mug!
Now I know for a fact I'll never be able to bring myself to drink out of this mug for fear of dropping it on the hard tile floor we have throughout the house but it will be displayed somewhere safe that I can enjoy looking at it every day.
On to other things... a friend who loves owls had a birthday so I made a matching pincushion and fob for her. The design is one by the Prairie Schooler from the Autumn Leaves book. This is the front view
and here is the back
another small gift I've been working on is a sewing pocket, pincushion and fob.
The pocket and pincushion are from a pattern by Calico Farm and I added the fob by taking a small element of the stitchery design.
Fabrics used are Kona Cotton Natural and the print is Blackbird Designs Madeira
Here's a view of the inside of the sewing pocket
Since there is not a lot of cross stitch content in this post here's my finished Return to the Sea which is a lovely design by The Sampler Girl
I used the recommended threads and a piece of unknown linen from my stash
Another small finish is Stacy Nash Hanging Bluebird Pinkeep. Again this is the recommended threads and unknown linen. This was my first attempt at ageing fabric with walnut ink crystals and I was quite pleased at how it turned out.
Finally, just for fun, here is a picture of the local merceria where I am lucky enough to be able to go to buy trims, buttons etc. The man and wife team that run it know me well and are always delighted to see what I've been making with the things I buy from them. You definitely need to click on this picture! I can take orders LOL.
and since we've already done the nice beach pictures here's a sight you don't see every day in UK which is where I'm from. These goats live about a mile away from us and every day they go out for a walkies. I love to see them out and about even though they do hold up the traffic at times!
Wow! what a long post. Are you still with me? I hope you've enjoyed the pictures as much as I have enjoyed sharing them with you. Thank you for visiting my blog and, as always, thank you for your lovely comments.
Margaret
59 comments:
Margaret your dilly bags are just gorgeous. I'm sure your friend must be in bag heaven. Now I clicked on the photo of the trim store and just about fell off my seat. Oh my gosh I could have so much fun in there. Was that large ric rac I saw sitting on the shelves?
Margaret I'm gasping! So many beautiful projects and photos of Spain. The mermaid bags are gorgeous and so is the mug. I'm so jealous you and Sheila visit! Isn't that typical of Christine to give you something as thoughtful as the mermaid fabric. All of your other projects are beautiful too and so professionally finished! I love how your Return to the Sea looks (I still didn't finish mine). And, that shop - WOW! The beach is calling me I think! Very fun to see a goat crossing. Enjoy everything. Margaret!
Wow! Margaret, you were've been very busy! So many pretty things! I just love your mermaid dilly bags! And two other sets are gorgeous too.
Thanks for sharing pictures of Spain with us.
Everything in your entry is beautiful and you can certainly add photography to your list of talents. I love the stitching pocket etc. so dainty and such a pretty pattern. The mermaid bags are fun and such a stunning backdrop to them. You would certainly be hard to please if you could not find something you liked in the marvellous shop. Thank you so much for sharing all your beautiful work. The wait for your post was certainly worth it. Love Hazel (UK)
Wonderful projects, Margaret! The owl fob and pincushion are so darling as is the little stitching pocket. You have such creative talent!
I keep mugs I love but can't use on my stitching desk to hold pencils and such. That way I can enjoy them but not risk breaking.
That is a lot of goats!
I can confirm those mermaid bags, and in fact everything that Margaret does (as some of you are lucky enough to know) are truly STUNNING.
I am so lucky to now have a special bag made by her - she´s not called "Mags the Bags" for nothing!
Thank you so much Margaret :)
Margaret, What a beautiful job, your stitching and finishing are wonderful. I would love to be sitting by the water in the nice warm sun. It is cold here. Hugs Debbie
The bags are beautiful and the setting for the pictures is WOW. They are lucky bags. The mug is really a nice gift.
The goats are just having a fine old time.
Great post and good to hear from you.
Nancy
Your dilly bags are beautiful as is everything else you showed us. Your finishing is fabulous.
Good to see you blogging again Margaret! Your bags are beautiful as always. I always called them ditty bags which is the name sailors gave them and carried them to sea. Fits with your mermaid theme...lol. All you stitching is beautiful. I did the same Stacy Nash which is going to be part of my Ohio samplers wall. I have only two done though. More to come...Your haberdashery looks fabulous and the owner looks like a really nice lady. We have a shop like this in Utrecht but I don't get there often enough. Seeing this makes me want to go.
Hugs ~
Heidi
Your bags are perfect for the beach!! I love the Jane Austen sampler too...I need to check into that pattern!
Margaret, I have really missed your postings and am so pleased that you are well. I love the bags and the sampler is just gorgeous. Your dilly bags are amazing and I can see why some people on here would kill for one. The place where you get your trimmings from is just amazing and I shall have to come over and raid it. Lots of Love Patti xxx
Hello Margaret
Wowwww!!!!
Your mermaids bags are gorgeous!!!
Christine's fabric was so perfect for you
Sheila's mug so beautifull!!!
All your stitching are lovely!
Thanks for sharing all your work and beach pictures with us
Fabulous!!!!
hugs
Françoise
so much beautiful sewing in one post.........it is all beautiful as usual.........
love the mermaid bag photo shoot.........
"Mags The Bags" lol Your now "MTB" in my heart :-)
I just can't get over this entire post. The mermaid bags are stunning. I knew they would be but I never dreamed they would be that stunning but then coming from your hands how could they not be. The location is just beautiful. I wish I was there.
Love the mug. I wonder what mermaids would drink from that mug :-o
The little owl set is so sweet. Seems owl are very popular right now.
Love the flower sewing set! You have become so pro at making those pincushions.
Return To The Sea and Stacy Nash are another couple of beautiful finishes. Wow! Such nice designs too.
Loving that shop. I could spend all day in there admiring all the beautiful trims.
Thank you for such a beautiful and inspiring post.
The mermaid bags are beautiful and so is all your other stitcheries. The pin cushions are reaaly neat .I'm always impressed when I read your blog.
Hi Margaret,
I love visiting your blog. All your stitcheries are beautiful and your photography stunning. I too grew up in England and have visited Spain, but now live in Australia.
I love your dilly bags Margaret! The are perfect for that fabric. I've been a huge Laurel Burch fan for many many years .. I bet her family would love to see a picture of the bags.
Love all your finishes .. the owls are sooo cute :)
Well Margaret your post has been worth the wait! The dilly bags are just perfect and I love the venue for the photo shoot! The beach is so different to those here in OZ. The pin cushion and matching needle keeper is truly delightful! Oh and so are all the cross stitch projects too. Keep up the fantastic work it inspires me!
So many wonderful things...but I especially love the sewingpocket with pincushion and fob...and the scissors!!!!... i love it... it is beautiful!! :o)
Margaret, This was indeed a long post and full of amazing treats!! I know of your great adoration of maidens with fishy tails so I'm not surprised you waited for just the right project to make use of your precious mermaid fabric. The dilly bags are absolutely fabulous and what a lovely treat for Sheila to get you a mug to match :>)
I love Return to the Sea and seeing your beautiful beach and local goats makes me really nostalgic. What a nautical post!! The little stitched pocket set is so pretty and the owl gifts just perfect for a hooting friend :>)
What a wonderful wonderful post!
Hugs, Angela
PS I'm making my order for the merceria as I write...haha!
Hugs Angela
Margaret, your bags are beautiful - I love the colours and I love the Laurel Burch mug too!
The sewing pocket and accessories are really beautiful too!
so beautiful, Margaret:) all your new project are amazing, I love the set:) thanks for sunny views
What a crafting feast! Thanks for all the great pictures.
Your work is just inspiring! Those mermaid bags are just precious!
Wow! What gorgeous things you've made here. Perfect finish for sure. Just beautiful!
I just passed an award to you.
Please visit my blog, when you have time!
((hugs))
Yuko
So many beautiful things Margaret! Your stitching and finishing are amazing!
what beautiful bags! I love the setting you used to photograph them! What a great trim store!
The mermaid dilly bags are gorgeous and what a lovely place to take a photo. What a lovely mug. Loved the trim store, I could go wild there! Liked seeing the goats too. Once again enjoyed seeing all your beautiful handwork. Regards, Nessie
Gorgeous finishes Margaret. I'd be in that shop all day. :)
Oh Margaret, this post is like a trip into wonderland. Stitching and quilting and finishing wonderland. Your finishes are fantastic and it's fun to look at them.
The store you show is exactly what I'd like to have nearby. It's a dream. I think I'd spend more more in there than in a cross stitch shop. Hmmm, perhaps, lol.
Keep on stitching and finishing so many wonderful things.
Wonderful work again. Which town is your trimmings shop in as I would love to visit when I am next in Spain?
Keep up the excellent work!
Alison
Everything is so lovely...your stitcheries are beautiful!
Margaret, I'm totally in awe of all of your beautiful sewing, stitching and embroidery!!! It is all just stunning. I love your blog and all the beautiful pictures that you share with us. I'm TOTALLY drooling over the trim shop. There is nothing at all like there where I live. I would be in HOG HEAVEN. I just have to live vicariously through as you purchase from there! :)
{{{{{HUGS}}}}}
Carolyn :)
OMG you just keep churning them out Margaret...love love love it all....you are amazing..hugs Khris
Love your mermaid bags Margaret and your exchanges too. The owl finishes remind me fondly of a friend of mine who passed away unexpectedly last year - she loved owls and collected owl things for her home. Congrats on all your beautiful finishes and I loved seeing your local shop - you are lucky! All we have (even in a big metropolitan area) is a craft store with limited choices for trims and things.
Margaret...your bags are just beautiful beautiful!!! No other words for them...And what a setting! I love the ocean/sea and could just put myself there. the big rock on the right looks like a alligator....even has a eye....
Char
WOW, have you ever been busy!!! I love the mermaid fabric and the bags are, once again, so very cute! Your mug is very, very nice. I espically like the stitchery you've done on you little sewing gifts;)
What a lovely post - well worth the wait. Everything is just lovely, perfect as always, but I particularly love the Calico Farm needlecase. The woolly bit for the needles is lovely.
Everything is truly lovely!! The problem with putting it in one post is that I am left gasping and picking my chin up off the floor!! You HAVE been busy and oh so productive. Your skills are at a peak, Margaret, beautiful, beautiful stitching all around. I admire your talent!
O.M.G. They are wonderful those dilly bags- really lovely. Thankyou too for sharing your trim shop with us and your lovely pics of Spain.
All your finishes are just wonderful! Your mug is beautiful...what a thoughtful gift!
Hello From Michigan. OH, how I enjoy reading your posts about your world and all your wonderful pieces of art you create. I love the Laurel Burch fabric and the dilly bags you made are super wonderful.Of course I absolutely LOVE seeing the ocean photos. Do you ever go swimming???? The goats are tooo cool. I loved watching shepard watching over their sheep in Germany. I still have this picture in my mind and I love it. Hugs Judy
This was just such a lovely post to read and the pictures were wonderful!!! You do beautiful things with your stitching/sewing fingers!
Margaret this is the first time I have visited your blog and I see you do gorgeous stitching. I will be back!
Hi, Margaret
Thank you for visiting my blog. Love your dilly bags and the photos of the beach... just glorious
Pokua
Your stitching and finishing is beautiful! I enjoyed looking at all of your pics. I loved the Halloween drawstring bag!
I love your blog! I just spent a good amount of time reading thru it! I love your stitching and sewing - everything is so pretty and beautifully finished. I love all the dilly bags you've done and these mermaid bags are to die for! Your sewing needfuls are just lovely.
Hi Margaret. You have excelled yourself as usual. I love all your projects .. the little owl is so cute. Thanks for sharing.
Take care.
Christine
Hello Margaret,
You have made so many beauties again! My compliments.
What a lovely mug you got from your friend!
Have a nice weekend & hugs, Carolien
Margaret, what a wonderful post and all the comments you have received are oh so ever true. I could not even think of how else to add. I love the Mermaid fabric and the mug that matches - very special from two special friends.
The owl fob and pincushion are darling and I just love SN designs love that little blue bird.
Now the goats are just too much - your cracking me up lol.
Great post Margaret.
friendship in stitching - Roberta
Margaret - your dilly bags are beautiful - what a delightful post.
Hi Margaret
What a joy to find your blog and see what you do . Lots of cute things.
Thank you for sharing.
Very inspiring
Ingrid
Denmark
It´s worth waiting for your post just to enjoy so many beautiful things together...Congrats..
That merceria would drive me crazy if I got into it..
Regards from Malaga
What lovely pictures! The owl items are very pretty!
I love the Jane Austen one
Me also , I love owl.... It's so cute...
I'd be in heaven if we could purchase really nice, better quality trims in the USA. We just don't have a good selection around here. You are lucky:)
Post a Comment