Some Kind of Wonderful...

..is the name of a book by Anni Downs which I had seen mentioned on several blogs. I liked the work that I saw which had been produced using the book and although it is totaly not my usual sort of thing! I sent for a copy.
And I am very pleased that I did. There are some really lovely ideas in the book which will be great starting points for projects. The instructions are clear and easy to follow and Anni's embroidery designs are quirky and original.
These two items caught my eye and as I needed some handwork to take with me to UK last April they seemed and ideal project.

Sewing bag with matching pin cushion.

The bag is about 7" x 9" and 3" deep. The little sqaure patches are 1". I enjoyed doing some embroidery again and hand piecing is always relaxing. It is the first time that I have constructed a bag like this so it was good to learn.

I do wish that I had padded the handles and a little quilting on the gusset would have been good. I did machine quilt the sides of the bag to the lining as I felt it needed it to be firmer.

Having completed these two projects I spent some time tidying away the leftover scraps of fabric from my Mystery Quilt. Some of them were cut into squares for my Scrap Therapy collection, others machined together into 4 1/2" blocks to add to my collection for a Super Scrappy Quilt.

We are having a really horrible cold, wet spring here - this afternoon we have had  torrential rain although it is brightening now. Maybe we shall see the sun tomorrow.

Thank you for dropping by.

Lin

Another Mystery - solved!

Clues 5 and 6 are now finished and I have my quilt top complete.

Fortunately it has been dry today so I was able to spread this outside to photograph - it is quite a large quilt.

The photographs do not really do the colours justice but I am mostly pleased with my choices and I do like the design.

The outer border was a close run thing though!

Putting this away now for quilting next winter - lots of other projects to complete and lots of new ones in my head!

Thank you for dropping by.

Lin xx

Another Mystery - Clue 4 and Bourdeilles!

This clue took quite a while to complete and now the end is in sight. Do wish I had some more of the light bamboo fabric.

Family visiting, so dodging the showers, we went out for a drive this morning. Bourdeilles is about 15 minutes from here and on the river Dronne - the same river that we overlook. 

The Chateau dates from the 13th century and the small attractive town overlooking the river is worth a visit.

Thank you for stopping by - the mystery will soon be revealed!

Lin

Another Mystery - clue no 3 complete

Another Mystery - clues 1 and 2 complete!

Another Mystery

Heather Spence is organising another Mystery Quilt which I have signed up for. This time she is raising money to help Wyatt who is 3 years old and is having long term treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Click the pink button on the right to find out more about Heather's Mystery Quilts.

I am running behind as the first clue came out whilst we were in UK but I have all my fabrics

which have an oriental flavour to them, and I have now cut out and machined together clue #1. Not pressed yet so I cannot show you a photo but I will post one as soon as I have a chance to get the iron out. I have two more clues to do to catch up - #4 comes out on Friday but I doubt if they will be done by then.

While we were away I was browsing in a small haberdashery in Burnham on Sea when I came across a small basket of exquisite, wood turned objects which turned out to be thimble holders. There were several styles but the one I fell in love with and had to have was this beautiful acorn.

They were made by a gentleman called Roy Bruce and as the ladies in the shop could tell me nothing about him except that he is 'local' I was hoping I might find him on the internet but unfortunately not.

Well, it is raining again here - two days of warmth last week followed by two frosts and now rain. What a change.

Best wishes

Lin

Purple and White

Good to be home again especially as the weather has been amazing! Clear sunny skies and temperatures of 20+, such a contrast to the mostly grey and damp of West Country UK.
There was some rain while we were away and also high temperatures so the garden has run riot - spring has definitely sprung!
It was very noticeable as we drove down through France how much greener it was compared to UK and also compared to how it looked when we left two weeks ago.
What I noticed most in the garden though was how much purple and white there was around. So here are a few photographs of our garden looking at purple and white.

Almond Blossom

Burnt Orchid

Iris and Honesty

Honesty

#

Iris

Judas tree

Lady Orchid

Quince

Quince

Another sure sign of spring is that the nightingales have arrived and have been singing all day and we also have at least one hoopoe looking for a mate.

Hopefully I will be able to get on with some sewing soon!

Lin