Friday Night Sew In January

 Our first FNSI of the year - thank you Wendy for organising us. You can see who else took part here.

Earlier this week this lovely book arrived in my library.

I have had my eye on it for some time! I am a great fan of Jennifer's books - her Foolproof Crazy Quilting was my bible when I was learning to crazy quilt. Lots of lovely clear instructions and beautiful examples to inspire.

This new book is equally inspiring and beautifully laid out with different sections on stitches that can be used for stems, leaves, flowers, buds etc. All of which can be combined to make your own individual, whimsical flowers. There is also a section on combining fabrics to make backgrounds.

I had decided to put this book to one side for a while until I had cleared some other projects out of the way but I had no will power!! Consequently on Friday afternoon, out came my box of solar dyed fabrics and threads and I spent a happy few hours layering fabrics and starting to stitch the layers together. I had to force myself to put everything away at this point so that I have a portable project to take to my quilting group next week!

For once the colour reproduction seems to be good - but you can only just spot my stitching across the centre!

In the evening I worked on my Red Manor House quilting - really need to crack on with this if I am to finish before the summer!

Happy Stitching.

FNSI May

Yesterday was Friday Night Sew In - many thanks to Wendy for hosting us. You can see what everyone got up to here

A few weeks ago I came across Jennifer Clouston's Boro Inspired Sewing Caddy and I immediately thought of my solar dyed fabrics from a couple of years ago.

I pulled out my box of fabrics and had lots of fun choosing the fabrics for the outside of the caddy, working the little embroideries and then 'boroing' it all together. Sorry - no work in progress pics! On Friday afternoon I was able to sew the drawstring bag into position and add the ribbons. So here it is.

The yellow side - fabrics dyed with rosemary, walnut husks and onion skins.

The blue side - fabrics dyed with black bean soaking water, morning glory flowers and elderberries.

The inside

I still need to find a suitable cord to cover and then attach around the outer edge of the bag - it also makes the loop for a button closure. So far everything was from stash but I think I am going to have to go out and buy some suitable cord. I love this little bag and - it goes beautifully with the log cabin pincushion I made last year which sits very neatly inside the drawstring bag.

I have also recently acquired a copy of Anni Downs 'A Gardeners Journal' and have been looking forward to starting on one of the embroideries. I am not planning on making the quilt but the designs will make super minis for gifts - and me! I decided to start with the Dovecote and here is how much progress I made yesterday.

The sun has been shining here for the last few days which has made a pleasant change - last weekend was awful! So I am off outside with my embroidery - hope you have a great weekend.