Chookshed Challenge #10

 This is not a finish but, I am much further forward than I expected to be! All quilted now and ready to have straps added and binding across the top sections before closing up the sides.

I have a lovely wide Laura Ashley selvedge from the lining fabric which I am going to incorporate into the straps and more of the script fabric I have used for the gusset. I also have scraps of leftover binding which I can use along the top but will need to cut something wider for the sides to contain the bulk.

Happy to set this aside now for a little while and looking forward to getting started on next months challenge.

FNSI February

 I have spent the week mainly working on my selvedge blocks and finished the last one on Thursday evening. Just in time for me to spend my Friday afternoon trimming them and machining them together.

These are the two sides of my large tote bag - the blocks are 8" square finished so 24" x 16" - and I managed to get the base strip attached and everything layered for quilting before it was time to clear up. Lots of quilting to do next time I get the sewing machine out, but happy with my Friday progress.

My stitch journal progress for this week.

Earlier in the week we had a sunny day promised so set out for Killerton House where there is a new 20's costume exhibition. Also it's a good time to see the spring flowers in the grounds. However, the weather worsened the closer we got and we decided to stop off at The Antique Village We had a lovely time wandering round looking at the antiques, vintage and retro items. And sampling the soup and cheese scones from the cafe.

I came home with these delightful little items for my collection.

This gorgeous little pin cushion is mosaic Tunbridge ware from around 1860. The collar around the middle is beeswax, a feature I have not seen before.

The acorn thimble holder is also Tunbridge ware from around 1820 and it came with the thimble although that is of a later date.

The thimble is an early Charles Horner steel lined thimble, something I had not heard of. In 1884 Charles Horner patented the steel lined silver thimble which later became known as the 'Dorcas' thimble. The early ones were marked with PAT which you can just see on the side of mine.

That's all my news for now - hoping to get some knitting done this week - I have cast on my second Trailblazer sock and would like to make some progress.

Wishing you all a good week.

Skipping over the weather....

..... we will start with my Stitch Journal for the week, and playing with Fly stitch variations for a few days.

A bit of lace going on today but I might fill in that gap around the heart and semi circle as well.

I finished the first of my Trailblazer socks (Winwick Mum pattern) and am very happy with the pattern and colour. It helps that it uses the Winwick Mum basic sock pattern which I pretty much know off by heart now.

But mainly this week I have been focussed on my Chookshed Challenge - selvedge blocks. I now I have eight blocks complete - 4 more to go!

Happy with how these are looking and I have a plan in my head for turning them into a bag - maybe next week.

We did pop out one day and stopped at the church of  St Etheldreda at St Audries.

 

After a browse round inside - this window glowed beautifully

and I loved these decorated organ pipes -

we couldn't decide if it was warmer out or in! Whichever, we decided against heading to the coast and headed home instead! At least the temperatures are set to increase next week.

Happy stitching

FNWFs February

 As usual thanks to Cheryll for organising our Friday night cyber stitch - you can see who else took part here.

First up for the afternoon was my stitch journal and I added these little snowdrops.

Earlier in the week I came across this delightful snowdrop tile design by Christopher Dresser which I knew would be perfect for my journal.

The first week of February is looking like this

After visiting a friend in the afternoon I settled down with some quilting for the evening. I have been cracking on with Wings this week and have almost finished my quota for the month.

Which will leave me plenty of time to play with my Chookshed Challenge. I had a practise run earlier in the week and have made my first selvedge block.

I used a 9" square of batting and will trim to 8.5". I will need 12 of these to make a tote the size that I want so I need to get busy. Sadly I can see that I shall not be making a huge dent in my selvedge stash!

Also this week I completed my little tree skirt embroidery. Another cute little design.

So that is me up to date - happy stitching everyone and I look forward to reading lots of FNWFs posts.