Where did January go?

Hi everyone,

Well, I certainly didn't mean there to be such a long gap between posts. Where on earth does the time go?
I'd love to tell you that the reason I haven't been around is that I was making lots of lovely things but we've been moving furniture around and now there is a lot of painting and decorating in my future :(
However, there are a few things to show and the first is this bag from a pattern by Bareroots using Moda fabrics Collection for a Cause Alliance.




I loved doing the stitchery on this bag. Here's a close up of the front pocket. You should be able to click on it for a better view if you like.



I enjoy Niky's blog and she recently had a competition to stitch one of her designs which she kindly offered free to anyone taking part in the competition
I stitched mine on 40ct Flax linen using the recommended DMC thead



and I stitched one of the trees again on the back of the pillow adding my initials and date.



I didn't have many stitched Christmas ornaments last year and so the plan for this year is to stitch at least one a month. I joined this blog
to keep me motivated and it seems to have worked as I did manage to produce this ornament for January



The design is All is Calm by Little House Needleworks stitched on 40ct linen using the recommended threads. I swapped the green for something that would match the fabric I used to back the pillow which I think is just perfect for this design.



Still with the cross stitch here is Historic Stitches Acorn Harvest Thread Keeper.
My friend Sheila had already stitched the kit and she gave me her pattern and leftover silk threads so that I could stitch it as well and then we enjoyed a finishing day together.




This is how it looks when open




and here's the back




Another blog I enjoy very much is Lynn's I love the little felt pincushions Lynn makes and wanted to try making one for myself. This is the first time I've ever made anything from felt and I enjoyed working with it.



The gorgeous rose pins were made for me by Lynn when we did an exchange last year.

I have something else to show and think I kept the best til last. This is a journal cover that Sheila made me as a belated birthday gift.



Sheila used Rouenneries fabric by French General for Moda which is my all time favourite fabric line. I love the button on the front which seems very fitting as Sheila's sister purchased in France.
Inside there are several pockets and just look at the fabulous quilters diary she gave me as well!



I can't tell you how much I love this gift. Sheila has not been sewing for very long and she designed the journal cover herself. I'm very impressed :) Thank you Sheila. You couldn't have given me anything I love more.

I think that's it for this post. I have so many things in various stages of construction that I hope to show next time.
As always a big thank you for your visits and your encouraging comments.

Margaret

2010 Final Round Up

Hi everyone,
It's been a while but that is because I haven't had anything to post about.
I've been occupied with the usual last minute Christmas stitching/sewing frenzy but now I'm happy to say I'm done!
So lots of pictures to share starting with a few Christmas ornaments.

I stitched this one for my ten year old grand daughter Amy



It's the Merry Skater by Little House Needleworks
I also stitched the companion piece from the 2010 JCS Christmas ornament issue for my little grandson Robbie who also started skating almost as soon as he could walk.
I changed the wording to make it the same as the girl skater.



and I wanted to personalize the ornaments so I took a design from the Prairie Schooler Christmas Alphabet leaflet to stitch the ice skates on the back.



This next ornament is Winter Woolens by Stacy Nash Primitives.



I just love this design but then I seem to love anything with reindeer on it.
I sewed some East of India ribbon on the back as I like the way it goes so well with the design.



Still with the reindeer this one is Elizabeth Hammond's Xmas Sampler pillow by Pineberry Lane



and I backed it with the same fabric as the Winter Woolens ornament.

Now on to the sewing/stitchery finishes
This drawstring bag is from Australian designer Leanne Beasley's pattern Precious Things.



I adapted the pattern to make a needle case and pincushion



inside view of needle case



Another drawstring bag and accessories. This stitchery design is by Australian designer Judith Tetley from a pattern called Ivy and the Rose.



Fabrics are Aviary by 3 Sisters for Moda.






Finally a few bits and pieces that I made for our quilt group fundraiser last month
the first is from a free pattern found here





This is from Australian designer Gail Pan Threads and Things pattern


and this is just a tiny tote gift bag made from Thimbeleberries fabrics.



That's it for this time so all that remains is to wish everyone that visits my blog a very happy festive season. I look forward to catching up on my blog reading in the new year.

Margaret

Just before I go........

Hi everyone,
I'm off to UK on 13th for a couple of weeks so thought I'd do a quick post before I go. I don't have too much to show this time but first up is my finished Blackbird Designs Pumpkin Blossom Needlecase.




I stitched this as a SAL with friends Angela, Sheila and Roberta as I find a SAL is always good motivation for me to get things done
Sheila and I got together for the finishing - the first time either of us had attempted a hard backed needlebook.

I continued the border pattern on the back and stitched another bird in the middle for added interest



and here's how it looks inside



On to the sewing and here's a bag I made using a Blush charm pack by Basic Grey for Moda.




I did one of the Polka Dot Girls stitchery designs by Australian designer Bronwyn Hayes to make a cute front pocket



and because I can never resist making things that have matching items I sewed this cute kitty needle keeper and four patch pincushion



I'm not really a cat person but the face on this kitty just makes me smile as does the person I made it for :)

Undo the straps of the dress and inside you find the red wool felt heart



A few posts back I showed a picture of a primitive doll that my friend Pat had made for me. I decided to have a go at making one of these dolls and here she is





The pattern for both the doll and the kitty needle keeper are from a book called Needleworks by Kindred Spirits.

Finally a view of one of the many beautiful gardens at the Alhambra Palace Granada.



As ever a big thank you for visiting my blog and for taking the time to share your thoughts. I haven't been able to blog surf much in recent weeks due to an old and decrepit computer and also having visitors but I hope to catch up with all of you soon.

Margaret

A productive month

Hi everyone,
I can't believe we are already halfway through September!
It's been a productive month for me so far but as I'm going to start trying to post more frequently I'll save some of what I've been making to show next time.
The first thing I have to share today is a bag I've made for my ten year old grand daughter.
She's been ice skating since she was five years old and I thought this bag would be great for all her hair ornaments, make up and all the other essentials that are needed to look a star on ice.



The fabric I used for this bag is Grandmother's Flower Garden by Rosalie Quinlan

I love the little house print but the back of the bag is just as pretty





The bag has a concealed zip and plenty of room inside.

I'm not sure if the pattern is still available but it was a SAL on this French blog

I recently took part in a private exchange with Lynn whose lovely stitching and finishing I have admired for some time.

Lynn made me a very special needle case in the most gorgeous fabrics and she also stitched this pretty little pillow to match




the stitched pillow is backed with the same fabric used on the needlebook



The inside of the needlebook is delightful having some very special rose head pins, buttons and matching heart shaped thread ring all hand made by Lynn.
Thank you so much Lynn. I enjoyed our exchange and love what you made for me!
By the way, you should be able to click on any of the pictures to view things in more detail if you wish.




Lynn had admired a drawstring bag I had made a while ago so I made it again for her



and I also made a sewing pocket with matching pincushion and fob





Now on to the cross stitch. Friend Sheila and I have been getting together on a regular basis to get some cross stitch projects finished into finished items.
This needle case by the French designer Au Fil des Reves is one thing we did on one of our finishing fests.



Here's the back



and a view of the inside



We've finished another needle book since then but I'll save the pictures for next time.

I took part in Niky's contest to stitch one of her designs that she offered free to anyone taking part



My number wasn't drawn for a prize but everyone was a winner as Niky sent anyone that took part another of her designs at the end of the contest.



Here's another little pillow that I stitched from a free chart on a French blog



Finally some knitting. This is a small lace shawl that I started earlier this year and then forgot about. The pattern is Ishbel by Ysolda Teague which can be purchased as a download through Ravelry. The yarn is Zephyr wool/silk laceweight.



It's not very big at all so more of a scarf that will be very welcome in the cold winter months. The way time is flying past that won't be so long in coming!
Thanks for visiting my blog today. I enjoy your comments and try to answer your questions if I can but am only able to do that if you are not set to noreply.
I'm off tomorrow on a mini break to Granada and the Alhambra Palace. I'm very excited!

Margaret