A Gift, a challenge, a frog and a Queen

I got the most amazing gift in the post last week. Barb had posted about a book, Jane Austen's Sewing Box:-

I was curious about it, and asked what it was like, and the next thing I know Amazon had delivered me my very own copy as a gift from Barb.
It makes fascinating reading, with loads of history about Regency women and the sort of sewing they would have done, lots of sumptuous photos and some intriguing projects based on sewn items, such as huswifes and letter cases, mentioned in Austen's novels. Thank you so much Barb. I'm thrilled with it.

In other news, yesterday was reveal day for the monthly challenge at Stitch and Stash. This time we did this free design from Les Chroniques de Frimousse. I loosely translated the original French text and finished mine as a weighted bookend.
Look how lovely my Apothecary's Rose is in the background. It has gone mad this year with too many blossoms to count.
The album is here, though there aren't many finishes this month, I think everyone has been too busy enjoying the sunshine.
The sunshine has obviously been too much for one poor little frog in my garden though. Last night we were watching a movie (Die Hard 4 as it happens), and he appeared, hopping across the lounge floor, and hid under the tv before we could catch up with him! Must be a Bruce Willis fan! Anyway today we have a big bowl of water in the middle of the carpet in the hopes of tempting him out....
Finally, check out this picture of my "Queen elect". So grown up looking!

A Tale of two Pincushions

One cute and one subversive

First the cute one, a teeny little crown, which I made using the cap of a 2l cola bottle as the base. The top decoration is a flower bead threaded onto a pearl headed pin.

Now the subversive one (read no further if you are of a nervous or easily offended disposition). You might recall a few weeks back I posted a picture of a long pincushion I made for the Monthly Challenge. In true Victorian Style I lovingly spelled out the word "PINS" in pins . Last week I came to use it and I found this:-

I think I have a poltergeist (or a teenager)

A gift, my garden, and a new release

I had a lovely package in amongst all the bills in the post last week. Heidi had run a surprise giveaway on her blog and I won this gorgeous scissor fob. Look at the little tape measure charm, isn't it adorable?

The lovely warm weather we've been having has had quite an effect on my garden, which is now chock full of weeds, or a haven for wildflowers depending on your point of view. Here are some campion, buttercups and foxgloves which I have cunningly prevented from seeding all over the place, by bringing them into the kitchen (and my Jamie Oliver jug).

And finally ...

(wait for it)...

My new release. Presenting "Adventures" a sampler and matching needlework accessories based on a quote from Jane Austen "If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village she must seek them abroad".


Sampler and Accessories












Inside of sewing pocket

















Back of sewing pocket and fob
















(list of stockists available on website)

May Challenge, a Gift, and Some Bags

Its reveal day for the May Challenge at Stitch and Stash, and this time we stitched "Tulip Time" from Primitive Betty's.
I made mine into a large pinkeep with a band of vintage braid at the bottom to hold a pair of scissors.

Check out the other finishes in the album here. As usual there are some beauties

I've heard from Sally that she has recieved the blogoversary gift I sent her, so I can show that now, a tiny sewing pocket and scissor fob. (Keep your eye out for more pictures and the charts for these as part of a new design coming soon)

And finally, both my girls are of the " you can never have too many bags or shoes" school of thought, (can't imagine where they get it from) so I tend to make a lot of bags, and since I was inspired to new baggy ideas by a beautiful cushion I saw on Su's blog this morning, Su asked if I could post a picture of some of the bags I've made in the past. I'll be sure and post a picture of the new ones when they're done.

Sun, Sea and Strawberries

Today in Port Quinn and St Endellion:-

Sea

Sunbathing

Yellow Flags

Dragonflies

and Strawberries!

Birds and Bluebells and Birthdays

Hello, poor neglected little blog! Life has been a bit hectic round here lately, so no stitching to show, though I have a "nearly finish", which is a new design I created for Eloise's birthday. The stitching is finished, I just need to get it written up and photographed so I might have something to show you by next week. In case you are wondering, she was 16 last week, which is actually pretty scary, so heres a picture of her when she was much younger...

Here are some bluebells I saw in the Valency Valley last weekend, and some lovely little birds who have the very boring name of grey wagtails. They deserve something much nicer don't you think? Sorry its a bit grainy I had to use a lot of zoom

A Regal Reveal

Today is Reveal Day for the Stitch and Stash Monthly Challenge. This month we chose Lizzie*Kate's Hello Spring. The album can be found here. I chose to finish mine as a long pincushion, mostly because I wanted an excuse to use some of this wonderful funky lime pompom trimming. Yes, this is "The Trimming that Taste Forgot", I love it, there is a very real danger that I will stitch it to anything that sits still for long enough...

And why "regal" you are wondering as you look at my decidedly un-regal pincushion, well we just found out that Naomi will be Carnival Queen for 2010/11. She is as excited as a dog with two tails! Expect LOTS of pictures (be afraid, be very afraid...)