needlebook

 At the recent exhibition at the Frankston Waterfront Festival I was asked to make a needlebook for a lady who loves pinks and lilacs.

 Fortunately we were able to discuss the fabrics and colours and these are the ones that took her fancy.

The fabrics are hand dyed by Tina Whitely.
 
 

 It is to be a small folder with some pellon for padding and some hand quilting and embroidery and beading.

The pages will be made from this pale green felt.

As well as this I am to make a matching scissor case too.

I do hope it pleases her. 

This pretty button is silk ribbon on silk dupion.

Very sweet I think.

cutwork with silk ribbon flower

This little silk ribbon flower on satin seemed just right for popping in behind some cutwork: it was just a little practice piece which I did years ago and the lilac fabric is part of  a recycled bed sheet.  The cut out circle is finished with button hole stitch and chain stitch.  

a little bit of stitching

 I bought this pretty little doiley some time ago and had intended to dye it as the fabric in the centre was very worn with some small holes.

It was so pretty that I really didn't want to add colour to the lace so I decided to add some embroidered  silk flowers and a few beads.


I am quite pleased with the results.  

 On Friday, after lunch at the Tanti Mornington Hotel I took the grandchildren to Sunset Beach which is nearby.  The water comes right up to the wooden steps when the tide is in.

The children would have stayed for hours but I was freezing so we set off to the mobile library in Mount Eliza to stock up on reading matter.

Silk Ribbon Embroidery

When I started stitching for pleasure a few years ago I didn't have books to refer to and most of what I did was pretty basic: I learnt a lot along the way.
This cottage is something I made early on, when I was exploring different stitches, materials and ideas.  The perspective is shocking but all in all I do quite like this piece.  It hangs on the wall in my workroom so it always around.  Of course there are lots of things I would do differently now but it was a good start.

I haven't forgotten the giveaways I promised for all those who commented during April.  They will be sent out by the end of May.  Thanks to all those who read my blog and leave their thoughts.

Speaking of thoughts: the broken vase is still in its box.  I cannot bring myself to throw it out (the seller didn't want it back) so I am thinking of smashing it up a bit more and making some sort of mosaic thingy with it.  

The weather here is cooling down as we approach winter and I am hoping to settle into some serious stitching soon.  I have managed to do a little bit while babysitting the last few days so I will show you what I have been doing soon.


I noticed on the news that there are forest fires in various places in the UK.  This seems so unusual, but I understand it has been particularly dry this past month or so.  Keep safe everyone.

I had hoped to have something to show before I blogged again but a bad bout  of bronchitis has really given me a hard time. 

I have been fiddling around and not achieving much.  I have just made up a lingerie bag using some embroidery I did several years ago.  Another thing finished if not exactly new work.  


I am hoping to be feeling more active and creative soon.


In anticipation I have made up a batch of soda ash and water and have some lace and doilies soaking so that I can do some dyeing soon.


I also have some paper & board which might turn into a book if I can conjure up some enthusiasm.  Those wood stamps and the steel ones also might come in handy.  


In the meantime I am enjoying reading lots of blogs and storing up ideas and inspiration.

Watching Cricket & Stitching

During last week I dyed quite a lot of lace and some doileys.

I often buy linen and doyleys from op shops and if they are stained or torn they are ideal for a change of colour.

I am continuing to work my way through my stash and pieces that I have stitched but not used.
This is one of the first pieces of silk ribbon embroidery that I attempted. 

It turned out to be ideal for the front of a needlebook.   (yes I know I have plenty of them).
This was fun to do.  I used up lots of peices of felt and the inside is a piece of cotton I have had for about 10 years.  I really like the colours and shall probably keep this one for myself.