January

 I know January is not finished yet but I am really pleased with the amount I have managed to do this month.


The fabric in the first pic has been in my stash for years and I decided it was no use

to anyone while it was in the cupboard.  I cannot remember why I bought it in the first place - probably because it was a bargain.

My eldest daughter gave me some of her stash recently.  I know, it was just what I needed - more fabrics.  Anyway there was a large piece of high quality polar fleece.  Unfortunately it was a very dull colour,  like the colour of milky coffee but as you can see in the second pic it matches the cotton fabric perfectly.  Once I saw the two fabrics together I just new I had to make a couple of cot covers for the twins.  They are very light weight but nice and cosy too.So the stash is a little thinner.

This gorgeous embroidered satin fabric was also in the bag.  When Meaghan bought it she intended to make a cushion so today I made it for her.  It is appropriate to make it now as it is the beginning of the year of the dragon.

These pieces are from my own stash.  I have decided to make a mini quilt or collage or small piece of crazy patchwork each month and have put a some fabrics and trims in zip lock bags for each month of the year.  These ones are January.

I have just a few days to complete it before the end of the month.

The cricket will be on the TV tomorrow - it is the Australia Day Holiday - so I will have time to do some stitching.

I hope everyone is having a terrific week.

blossom

progress - slow but progress

I am still working on my wall hanging. It has been a challenge as I have found it very difficult to do the machine stitching on such tiny pieces of fabric. After much thought I have decided to try a different approach - using felt and beads etc to build up the small stitcheries. I am determined not to give up on this and Carol has been very helpful with ideas and encouragement.  


Visit Carole's blog here 

books in the post

This week I have received 4 books in the post.

The first one was a gift from my friend Julie.  It is really gorgeous - the title is "An Elizabethan Christmas" by Sheila Marshall.  It provides detailed instructions for the creation of Elizabethan Christmas Tree Decorations.  I intend to put this one away until the winter.  These are the kind of projects to work on when the weather is cool and and house is warm and snug.  Thanks so much Julie for thinking of me and sending this book.

The other three are ones I ordered last week.  They are "Fabulous Surfaces" by Linda Monk, "Mixed Media: new studio techniques"
 by Isobel Hall and Maggie Grey and "Contrasting Elements" by Jan Maries.


I have plenty to read and to inspire me now.  I really don't know where to start.


I bought these books here

We are so lucky to have such beautiful books available at reasonable prices.

Thanks also to Linda for helping with including links in my posts.

Relection

I am having trouble with this post.  Not sure why.

I have been sorting through some old photos and thought I might make a collage of the place I previously   lived.   Our house was by a fresh water lake and the reflections and scenery were different every day.
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another project finished

 It has been another cool day today so I have spent this afternoon watching the cricket test match from Western Australia and stitching.

 I am really happy to have finished this journal cover.  It is something that has been on my mind for some months and I haven't had time to spend on it.

 I have to admit that I had a few difficulties with this - only because I was not concentrating.

Once I settled down it came along nicely.

I have used an organza ribbon to tie around it and a little loop & toggle which is designed for jewelry but suited this perfectly.

Everything I needed for this was in my stash, even the book, so that is very satisfying.  

Too cold to swim

The weather has turned cold and and blustery but of course the grandsons must go to the beach when they come for a sleepover.