Saturday 23 February 2013

A little bit of thriftiness

I have been sewing on this and that the past few weeks, and trying to get a bit of freshening up done. I love to spruce things up, but I enjoy even more going through my stash of materials and changing cushions, cloths and throws to say hello to Spring. Sort of reminds me of little mole in Wind In The Willows, by Kenneth Grahame one of my favourite books as a child, still is now come to think of it!





A couple of cushions for the sofa, the main fabric bought from  a local fabric store www.abakhan.co.uk  was originally made up as a table cloth, then transformed into these covers with the help of fabric I already had. 

I then put to good use some shirts that were no longer being worn into a tablecloth, leaving on buttons and pockets as decorative features.


On a country ramble signs of  Spring on the way,






Here are some images of a quilt first shown being pieced together in an earlier post that I have just finished, which will be on its' way to Australia shortly. This was sold through hastings-crystal.co.uk






These pieces of fabric below are  a mixture of pinks, blues and peaches with added darker tones which will be made up into a square shape, machine pieced and handquilted. Not sure about the borders yet. 



Great excitement as I have been lucky enough to secure a  place on a seminar in July by Kaffe Fassett, http://kaffefassett.com/Home.html organised by the people at Toft thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/Article_Pages_AboutToft.aspx 
Quilts and wool what a glorious combination!

I have been reading posts on http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/ so many busy creative people! So please take a look at all the activities going on.
Wendy x 
P.S.

A big thank you to all my followers, and visitors to my blog, and of course I love to read  your comments.  

Thursday 14 February 2013

Heartfelt sewing

Today I was given a gift that is both beautiful and useful. It came in its' very own box.




The box has a tiny clasp...




Inside there is a  lining of silk on one half, and velvet on the other, in a very rich cerise colour.



There was the gift of a silver thimble, in a pretty daisy design.





There is the tiniest of pin holes in the top.  So far I think it was made in Halifax by a Charles Horner, and sold by Constantine and  Floyd based in Birmingham and Chester. The design was for Princess May, and the pattern was simply named Daisy. This means such a lot to me for our family history.
I would love to know who were the previous owner/owners of this thimble, and what things they may have made and sewn. The thimble fits perfectly, and I shall treasure it, use it, love it, then pass it on.

A lovely card by www.belleandboo.com 



was gratefully received. I love the style and colours!

Here are some pictures of a quilt I made that will be up for sale shortly. Showing hand quilted hearts just for today.



and some hand quilted daisies to keep with todays' theme.



Hope your week is going well, I shall try and catch up with some of my favourite writers, and makers.
Wendy x 

Saturday 2 February 2013

A fresh start

Today I took my dog Maddy for a walk, and decided I would write a blog post after what has been a difficult month, in fact I can't help but wonder where did January go?



Someone very dear to me has been through a worrying time health wise,  but hopefully  things are on the mend,  and with a few adjustments normality will resume.  (Whatever normal is)! Here are a few photos of  some crafty makes.







I made a few little notebooks for crafty thoughts, and some bunting to drape across the dresser, and added  some fabric  balls to the cake stand.


With a certain date in Febuary coming soon I made up bunting with hearts sewn on...






and some felt heart coasters.

a couple of love birds.

and some button hearts,





I made a pot holder based on an idea from a book 100 pretty little projects



One cannot have too many pretty vintage style coat hangers for your best dresses.


I am making up an order for a quilt that will be going to Australia.

fabric squares are joined up to make horizontal rows.


This quilt will be machine sewn and quilted.

I found  a tiny clump of snowdrops in the garden, and primroses are beginning to open too.  Spring is on its' way.  My favourite time of year.
I am now going over to look at the crafty makes on HandmadeMonday

Belated congratulations on the 100th post!

Hope you are all happily  engrossed in whatever you are making, thank you for reading my posts, take care,
Wendy x