Packed and ready to go!

Well, I've got one little tiny suitcase packed and ready to go!

I got this gorgeous little suitcase as part of a set of three of differing sizes.  I thought the smallest one would be great for storing my English paper piecing things in.  However the inside looked a bit bland.  So I decided to make it a bit more inviting.

First I drew around the outline of the case and made a paper template.  I cut two pieces of white card to fit the inside of the lid and the bottom of the case.  I covered these with batting and then put some pretty pink gingham around them.  On the lid lining I added a useful little pocket.

So now I have all my paper piecing things in one little case which I can just pull out when I want it.  I also made a little pincushion especially for this box.

I can now just lift this little case and carry it with me whenever I want to do some sewing without having to hunt around for all the things I need.  Love it!

Love, Liz

Keeping track

I don't know about you, but the days just seem to be flying by, even although we are in strict lockdown! With all the days being mostly the same - no meet ups with friends, days out or other events to mark the passing of time, I'm having trouble remember what day it is, nevermind what the date is!  So when I saw this - The Needlework Enthusiast's 2021 Book of Days by Needlework Press last year, I thought that it would be just the thing for me to keep track of the days and what stitching I've been doing.

It is a beautiful book.  Each month is spread across two pages and there's lots of room for filling in what's been accomplished each day.  I decided that I would include my crochet and knitting along with my cross stitch in the book.

I've decorated January with some pretty washi tape, stickers and stamps - got this idea from fellow stitchers on Instagram and Facebook.  Just makes it look pretty.  For each month there are also some lovely old drawings and some sayings from old needlework samplers - so inspiring.

I got my book in December on a pre-order from Patchwork Rabbit.  I checked recently and it seems to be out of stock there at the moment.  (But go visit and check out their cross stitch patterns, threads and fabrics!)

So - hopefully, I'll be better organised (haaa - highly unlikely!) and able to see what projects I've need to work on.  By the way - the background crochet is my progress on my new granny square blanket.  Thank you all so much for the lovely comments and encouraging words on my last post.  I don't have any friends who craft, so it is great to "talk" to others who enjoy crafting as much as I do.  Thank you!

Stay well, stay safe and keep blogging, my friends!

Love, Liz

Cushion and Card

I've been wanting to make some cards for ages, so when I needed a birthday card for a friend, I decided to go ahead and make one.  This is what I made - hope she likes it.

Also made a little cushion with some fabric scraps and a little cross stitch piece I completed ages ago.

Amazing what you can do when in a crafty mood!

Love, Liz

Fabric Photos

Transferring photographs onto fabric was something I'd wanted to try for ages.  While I was in Wilkinson's today - lo and behold - their photo transfer paper was reduced to £2!  So I thought I'd give it a go.

image from the Graphics Fairy

I chose some pictures and illustrations then decided on what sizes I wanted to try.  I just wanted some small pictures to start with.  There's a comprehensive instructions leaflet inside the paper pack.

Its just a case of printing, cutting out and ironing.

Unfortunately I didn't have any plain white fabric which would have shown these off much better!

Please remember that if you chose an image with writing, you will have to set your printer to mirror printing.

There are lots of uses apart from t-shirts -  

Wouldn't it be lovely to use some old family photos and make a heritage quilt, mixing them with other fabrics?

Little cushions or lavender bags would be nice too.

Pictures of pets could be incorporated into a cushion.

Bunting made of baby photos to embarrass your kids on their 21st (no, that's just me being evil!)!!!

Personalised table napkins with names in fancy fonts.

I'm sure many of you lovely ladies will have used this technique already, and have thought up lots of lovely ideas of your own.  I'd love to hear what you have created.

Love, Liz

Pretty Pictures

Remember the bits and pieces of cross stitch which I showed you in an earlier post?

Well, finally got around to doing something with two of the little pictures.

Bought two frames from the pound shop, painted them, added some gingham fabric and this is the final product.

I really like them, but wonder if I should add some ribbon in a bow to top of frame.

Do you think they are good enough to sell at a craft fair?

Going to make some more!

Love, Liz

Cross Stitching Leftovers

I used to do a lot of cross stitching when my boys were young.  I suppose it was my way of relaxing after they had gone to bed.

Most of them are from Cross Country Stitching magazine (early 90s).

I have many of them framed.

I came across these little "not quite finished" projects recently, and am trying to think what to do with them.  All (sensible) suggestions greatly appreciated!

Going to start doing this again - didn't realise how much I missed it!

Love, Liz