2016 - lots to do.

I am still doing a few bits of playing with rust dyeing, then embroidering them a bit for the travelling books. Currently about 4 months in front.

Did a nice embroidery on linen, with bullion knots, feather stitch and french knots, it came out well, not sure what to do with it, but have mounted it. I have also knocked up a scarf  from fabric a friend gave me for Xmas, with a multi colour wool curled onto it and sewn in place.

I posted a photo of a french knot blossom tree on the Textile Arts group on Face book and got 491 likes - so that was nice - we do these things because we like to embroider and have "something on the go" so to have fellow embroiderers approve of your work is a lovely boost!

Talking of having something on the go, I have just started another flower, leaf, ribbon bouquet embroidery on old linen, so far I have done the bigger leaves in a long and short shading, using stranded cottons. The pattern is scaled down from an old copy of Inspirations magazine, but I will change the threads, stitches and colours and as usual do my own thing!

Christmas

Finally having a break from all the festivities, and realised that although I made lots of presents, I did not take many photo's before wrapping them up! I did a hardanger piece for my daughters future mum-in-law, plus 2 hardanger xmas decs, 3 heart shaped woven ribbon hanging lavender bags, a embroidered Christmas tree picture, some bunting, 2 Alice in wonderland tree decs, a pom-pom wreath, several appliquéd cotton shopping bags, and a dressed rabbit, made of felt (kit from http://www.coolcrafting.co.uk/ called Luna Lapin) complete with dress and coat, which was all top stitched with tiny button and button holes!!!!

This was taken before I made the coat.

I probably made a few more things too - sort of lost count!!! Still now I can settle down and get on with a few more projects.

I have a child's quilt to quilt, for the Linus project (http://projectlinusuk.org.uk/) a member of my little quilting group started it, for a grandchild, but gave me a load of blocks and fabric and said she hated it and could not work on it any more! So I trimmed the blocks and put it together with some sashing,

 made up the binding and hoped she would want to finish it. She didn't and thought Linus would be a good idea - I might even use it to practice a bit of free motion!!!

My current project is some embroidery for a joint Embroiderers Guild competition, just finished them.

 I have enjoyed the small bits of hardanger I've done lately, these are 2 recent embroideries.

End of November

How is it nearly December? This year seems to be rushing to the end so fast!

I went to Manchester on Friday night, driven by my daughter on a very cold and snowy night over the moors, where we had a very nice Thai meal and then stayed in a Premier Inn so as to get to the Kristy Allsop Christmas Craft Show in the centre of Manchester nice and early on Saturday. It was a nice small venue compared to the places like the NEC, and had some interesting stands where I managed to get a couple of presents. I treated myself to some new hardanger scissors, but I did avoid buying any more fabric, as I currently have the fabric laid out for a least 5 quilts on my craft room table, all ready to start, and drawers full of my stash too!!! 

I have been doing various little bits of hand sewing and have cut out a White Christmas Luna Lapin Rabbit from a  http://www.coolcrafting.co.uk  kit (from Manchester Show) that will be a present for my daughter. The kit comes with a dress and lovely red winter coat which will be much more difficult to sew than the rabbit!

I have nearly finished a berry and leaves freehand embroidery on hand dyed linen - not sure what I will do next - I need some hand sewing to take to the embroiderers guild next week, I suppose the rabbit will do, if I do not find something else!!!!

Various crafty things

Been a funny few weeks craft wise, working on a Hawaiian quilted bag and a few bits of hardanger as Xmas decorations.

Completed some bits for travelling books for Embroiderers guild. Also took a hardanger angel I did a few years ago to the guild to go on the groups tree in a Xmas tree festival.

Had a go at a felted and embroidered polystyrene ball, did a peacock feather embroidery and finished a large layer cake quilt with machine quilting,

Camels finished!

Well I am pleased to say I finally finished the third camel yesterday, and spent half the afternoon and evening lacing it onto a mount board padded with some Hobbs wadding.

 It ended up 30"x 9.5", so now I need to decide how (and where) to display it. At the moment I am thinking a bigger piece of MDF and paint it to match the room - whichever that will be. Not sure how I can then put them together!

Just before I hang it I have a few additions to tack on, a ceramic pot and cooking pans. I must admit it is looking good and even my hubby keeps going on about it!!!

Well, back from a family road trip in USA. We toured 6 States in 2 weeks, highlights included Yellowstone, Deadwood, Little Bighorn and Mount Rushmore. I did manage to visit 4 Quilt Shops and got lots of lovely fabric!!!

All that touring meant I did not get much sewing done, a piece of variegated Hardanger while sitting by a pool and a piece of chain stitch - both of which I will probably use in travelling books.

I got home Sunday Lunch time and have been busy putting together the 35 x 9" blocks, layering up and machine quilting in the ditch. started doing hand quilted circles and round the appliquéd parts - my deadline is mid October, so on track. I would like to finish by the end of next week when I have a cataract operation.

Been so busy with latest quilt for Linen and Lace, not had much time for other sewing. I did go to Embroiderers Guild meeting last Tuesday, and had managed to get a few things ready for the travelling books.

Can not wait to get back on with my camel project, so nearly finished!