ANOTHER PROJECT FINISHED

Yipppeee, I have finished another needlebook.  This is one I have really enjoyed making.  The original fabric had been sent to me.  I cut some "windows in the fabric and inserted another fabric

 in the space.  Onto this fabric I added different elements: some threads, some
other fabric and then covered them with organza and secured the lot with free machine stitching.

To make the needlebook I lined the fabric with some batting and then some fabric I had in my stash.  I made a cord to finish the edges and used some pink felt to accomodate needles.  The edges looked a bit bland so I stitched on some lace that I had dyed some time ago.  This seemed to finish it off nicely.  To fasten the "book" I made a cord on my machine and that just completed the project.

Now to finish the ironing!!!!

MORE PRETTY BITS & BOBS

Last night I managed to iron the items I dyed. I am really pleased with the results. The colours are clear and bright.





I do like to have a supply of lace and fabric on hand: you never know what you are going to need.







Sometime I will have to figure out
what I am doing wrong with these
pics. Not today though. There is just too much to do.

I am still having problems with pics
so here are a couple more. It was lovely to have weather warm enough to dry these bits and bobs outside. I was pleased with the results of the dying. These colours are much stronger than my previous batch. Lovely golds, blues and pinks.

IT MUST BE SPRING

There is that unmistakable warmth in the air, the baby birds are calling out and new buds are bursting through.

I feel a burst of creativity at present and would like to shut myself in my work room, forget the book keeping, forget the housework and just work on my ideas.

Reality however does intrude so I have to fit my creativity around my other responsibilities. I am sure many of you feel this way. However, we manage to keep on doing what we love. During the weekend I soaked some silk, cotton, and lace and as I found a few minutes I mixed some dyes and finally yesterday I managed to rinse, wash and dry the results.

Last time I did dying I used zip lock bags; this time I used polystyrene coffee cups. I have about 200 of these cups so I can just throw them out when I have used them. Usually I don't like to throw things away but it makes for a quick and easy clean up.

Using cups works very well because I only dye small amounts at a time.

NO PICS

I am having trouble with my blog just at present.  It doesn't want me to add pics.  Not sure why.  Is any one else having problems with it.

TIME ON THE WING

Well I did write a post and then it disappeared into cyber space so I will try again.

It has been a busy week and the book keeping, the household chores and the garden have kept me well occupied.

 I have decided I must try to catch up

with my needlebooks.

Last night I finished this one.  It is silk and each little section features embroidery, buttons, charms.

The inside is cream silk, the felt is pale pink. 

Tonight I hope to finish another one.  I made the fabric  while participating in a challenge on the Embroiderer's Guild UK Forum last year and wanted to make something special from the last piece of fabric.

It is almost done.

Thanks for the comments on my posts: they really do give me encouragement.

 

RETURNING TO BASICS & A GIVE-AWAY

I just realised that this is post number 100 on this blog.  Time does fly as they say.  In honour of this momentous achievement I have a bag of goodies to give away: it will contain some hand dyed fabric & lace, some beads, ribbon and maybe some buttons.  Something to excite the imagination!  If you want to win this just leave a comment on one of my October posts and I will ask my grand daughter to draw a winner early in November.

I have tried to to capture some of the neighbourhood wisteria but couldn't get very close without trespassing.  Anyway I hope you like them.

 This picture is of my middle daughter's dog
Schnuza: he is a Schnoodle and I think he is about 6 years old.  Obviously he would not stand still to have his picture taken.

They have added another puppy to their family: this one is called Pepper and she is a miniature Schnauzer.

Tomorrow I will post something about stitching.   I resumed attending embroidery classes with Bev Tully.  I feel the need to refine my basic embroidery skills and Bev is a wonderful teacher:  very generous and helpful but expecting a high standard.  Stand by to see how I progress.

THINKING OF CHRISTMAS

Last October Anne (Juliet Cherry) came to Australia to visit her family and I was lucky enough to spend some time with her.  We visited several needlework shops: one of which was Sovereign Hill Needlework in Ballarat.

While there I saw a beautiful Santa Claus created by Helan Pearce.  I have a book in which this project is featured and I had wanted to try to make it but was a little daunted.  Anyway, on seeing the completed project I was convinced I should try it.  I needed to order the head and hands, which I did there and then.  As usual this project has been put on the back burner - until now.  I have made a start - I have traced the pattern onto some interfacing.  I have selected the fabric and the pellon is ready.    Mike will make the stand for me.  Perhaps it will be finished by this Christmas.  Stay tuned for the next episode.

SPRING IN THE GARDEN

I picked this gorgeous rose last evening just before a storm blew in.  It is the first rose of the season and is called Just Joey.  

Several other roses are budding now so lots to look forward to.

This baby Galah was sitting on the bird feeder when I woke up yesterday.I was really worried because it didn't move when I approached: well it moved, and looked at me but didn't fly away.  Galahs are pretty timid and although they will come down onto the lawn to feed but if you move at all they fly away.  I thought I could catch it and take it to the wildlife rescue centre but when I moved really close it flew away.  Not far but higher in the trees.  I haven't seen it today so I trust it has survived.

All around us our neighbours' gardens are bursting into bloom.  On one side there are beautiful echiums.  We have some too but they are not blooming yet.

I noticed wonderful wisteria's up the road yesterday but didn't have my camera with me.

As you might guess I am not stitching much at present.  Too tired still.  Never mind I am sure to catch up eventually.

I am just watching the rescue of the miners from Chile.  Just one out so far.  Fingers & toes crossed.

FLOWERS

I am home from hospital now:  all good.  When I arrived home I discovered my friends in Indonesia had sent flowers.


 The pictures show the colour and arrangement: the lovely thing is that the roses actually have perfume. 

RAINY FRIDAY

It is Friday morning and I am waiting for the doctor to come and send me home.  We have had lots of heavy rain and everything outside looks nice and fresh.  I can't wait to see my garden again.

There are rabbits grazing on the lawns outside my window here.  They look so sweet but of course can be very destructive.  I believe they have foxes here too.  


Hoping my next blog is from home.  Keep stitching.
 

TIME TO STITCH

 I have spent the last few days in hospital: nothing serious fortunately.  It is amazing how much technology you can bring with you these days:  the laptop with mobile broadband modem, mobile phone & camera.  It certainly helps to pass the time and gives me a chance to read a few blogs and websites.

My dear friends Linda, Karyn, Julie & Laurel sent me the beautiful flowers in the pic.  The are proteas and irises which are just gorgeous.

I made myself a little phone pouch to bring with me.  It is well padded and lined with felt as I am such a clumsy person and am always dropping my phone.  I was quite pleased with the way it turned out and I made a journal cover to match.  The next project, when I am home again, will be a bag for my laptop. 

The hospital is near to home which means Mike can visit me and bring me what I have forgotten, which is handy.  The gardens are lovely and I sat outside this morning under the blossom trees - just after the lawns had been cut.  It was gloriously warm, about 25 degrees, and peaceful.  Since then it has thundered, and rained, so I am glad I took the opportunity to be outside this morning.

Apart from the medical stuff that is happening here, this is a great place to rest.  Happy staff, great food (that I don't have to think about), and plenty of time to sit and stitch.  I did suggest Mike might like to bring in my sewing machine but he declined!  Anyway I will be home to dishes and washing again on Friday - I really am looking forward to that too.  I do miss my own place and of course my dear Mike.

Wishing everyone a happy week full of inspiration and creativity.

DAYLIGHT SAVING

 Tonight we set our clocks forward in this part of Australia.  This is good for those who like to stay up late in the evening but for those of us who are early risers it does take some adjusting to the dark mornings.

The weather is quite springy at present although the overnight temperatures are quite low the days are still and sunny.

 The gardens are so beautifully colourful and the birds are filling the air with their songs.  The perfume of the grdens is really gorgeous in the early evenings.

t