Tuesday 30 April 2013

Inspirational Blogs!

It amazes me how much wonderful creative talent there is out there on the internet!  I just love reading the truly inspirational blogs that can be found.  The biggest problem this causes is deciding which project to work on first!  I know that my 'To Do' list grows longer and longer on a daily basis.

One of my favourite blogs to visit is Red Brolly where there are plenty of inspirational ideas, tips and techniques to be found.  They cover not only quilts and embroidery but papercrafts and photography!

This year Bronwyn Hayes of Red Brolly has started a fabulous 'Girls Own Stitching Club'. It is a free online stitching club.  I have printed off my copy of the first sampler block. Looks fun doesn't it?  I can't wait to get started!




I believe that there are going to be nine blocks in total and each one will help you practice different embroidery stitches so that you are learning as you go along.  At the end they will be made up into a quilt. What a great idea!  Now I know what my next project is going to be!


Friday 26 April 2013

I've had mail!!

'You've got mail' starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks is one of my favourite films.  One of the reasons that I think I like it so much is that I adore getting mail myself!!  Any type of mail, emails or snail mail of any sort but, I particularly like getting parcels.  So, you can imagine my delight when an eagerly awaited parcel arrived in my letterbox earlier this week.

This is what it contained:


A new book from some of my favourite designers 'Me and My Sister'.  It is a sequel to their first book 'Three Times the Charm' and it is delightful!  I can't wait to get started on one of the pretty little projects.  Such a shame that my sewing room looks like this


and I'll have to wait until everything is back up and running.  I'll have to be content with perusing the pages and deciding which one I am going to make first!

Of course, I had to order some charm packs to go with the book.  Aren't they pretty?


Well, they do say that patience is a virtue!

Thursday 25 April 2013

Is there anybody there?

"Is there anybody there?
said the Traveller knocking on the moonlit door"
From The Listeners by Walter De La Mare (1873-1956)
  
Having spent quite a number of hours playing with the layout and design of this blog page I decided it must be time to put pen to paper or, rather, fingers to keyboard and actually post something!
 
It does feel a bit strange and awkward to get started.  What do I say? Who will read what I write and is there even anybody there? 
 
I am a keen patchwork and quilter and I also enjoy stitchery, embroidery and some basic crochet.  My aim here is to share some of the projects I am working on.  My biggest problem is that currently most of my sewing room has been packed away in readiness for some renovations to be carried out to our house.  So sharing some sewing projects may actually have to wait a few weeks.
 
My sewing room before it was packed up!
 
Luckily, I do have some crochet projects on the go which will keep my fingers busy until I can get back to sewing.
 
This is what I am currently working on.  It is a 'Navajo' Blanket and the pattern is from the book 'Crocheted throws and wraps' by Melody Griffiths.  So far I have made a start on the centre panel.  The pattern is made by crocheting triangles and then sewing them together.  The triangles work up quickly but the sewing together is more tricky!
 
 
 
 
I am really pleased with how it is looking.  It will be fun to get it finished off whilst my sewing room is out of use!

 
 
This is the wool that I am using.  I think it is going to look nice when it is finished!

I'll post more photos of my progress!

Well, time to go.... hope there's someone there!