Summer Sewing

A couple of the summer sewing projects I've been working on.

A playsuit for Naomi, using New Look 6291 in Liberty Tana lawn

This second picture was Naomi's idea to show how easy it is to move in.

A tunic for me. This is Simplicity 8141 using a poly-elastane jersey fabric.

rear view to show back detail (note to self - should have worn a different bra).

 

I love how this came out and I'm planning to make a plain coloured one as well. Full reviews for both patterns on PatternReview.com here

And just for fun - and because I bought these polka dot bag handles from EvilBay thinking they were big enough for a proper tote bag and had to think of something else to do with them when I saw how tiny they were - I embroidered some flowers on the leg of a worn out pair of jeans and made a Useful Bag For Keeping Things In.

Village Show

Yesterday was our Annual Village Show. Here are couple of snaps of some of the flowers and vegetables.

And these are some seriously impressive parsnips

No I didn't grow them. I did get a 2nd place with some rhubarb though.
We did rather better than our measly one 2nd place card on the cookery and handicrafts side though, bringing home three trophies and a few class tickets.
Here are a drawing and a pen and wash I did which came first in their respective classes

I also got the cup for Best in Show - Handicrafts for this cross stitch.

I think the judge was mostly impressed by the fact that it's done on black 32ct fabric.
Naomi and I did some of the more involved entries between us, and got the cup for Best in Show - Cookery with our "Afternoon Tea". Ours is the second one in the picture, with the blueberries and strawberries scattered through it, not the one nearest the camera.

And the trophy (it's a rather impressive cut glass bowl) for a themed display based on a novel for this Pride and Prejudice themed entry.

Naomi also did really well with her baking, missing out on the cup for most points in cookery by just one point.
Lets just say we are going to be eating a lot of cake for the next couple of days.

Gifted Gorgeousness - August

Yes it's a day late. Whoops.
For those of you new to the concept, Gifted Gorgeousness is a SAL hosted by Jo at Serendipitous Stitching, where once a month we show our gift related stitching and crafting.
This month I've got three things to share. The first is a little upcycled trinket tin I made as a Birthday gift for Julie. This started life as a tiny tin of mints. I ate the mints (sorry Julie), and then gave the tin a new lease of life with some vintage fabrics.

And here is the inside:-

The next is the gift I sent in the VSCyberstitchers Christmas in July exchange. My gift was for Nick (no blog as far as I'm aware), and I stitched him this set of a a Celtic bookmark and coaster (design by Textile Heritage) and sent it along with some local Cornish tea. Yes they do grow tea in Cornwall.

And here is the gift I received, by pure chance also from Nick, a fabulous stitched and framed monogram in beautiful teal green tones, and a set of stitching accessories in a fleur de lys design to represent his home in New Orleans.

Summer is icumen in

loude sing cuckou

I'm linking this up to the Tenuous Shoehorn Link Party organised by Jo at Serendipitous Stitching, the idea being to post some Summer holiday related stitching.
Summer, of course, is the busy season as far as weddings are concerned, so summer holidays are pretty much anything but holidays around here, and stitching time is severely curtailed.
You could stretch a point however and say that I spend my summer holidays in Cornwall every year ...
because that is where I live.
So here is a tenuously shoehorned picture of an older make, an upcycled (summer holiday)  souvenir of Cornwall tea towel bag.

And here is a picture of a bit of Cornwall that is just down the road from us