Vintage linen applique collage

Anyone who knows me, knows I love embroidery and I especially love vintage linen with hand embroidery.  I always wonder who sat and stitched all those perfect little stitches.  Did they love stitching as much as I do?  Did it bring them joy and peace or was it something that caused them no end of stress!  

But what do you do when you find a whole lot of vintage linen pieces that are worn, stained, holey and unraveling?  Chop them up of course!  I decided to make some felt backed notebook covers and bookmarks.  

It was so much fun just applying Vliesofix to all the pieces then cutting them up into rectangles and squares and then just fiddling with the layout until I was happy.  I don't muck around too much, I just go with my gut instinct, when I like something I know it immediately.  

I have a great little blanket stitch on my Bernina and a nice open toe foot so I can see what I'm doing.  So quick and effective.  A pinking blade on my rotary cutter made trimming the felt so simple.  I want to make more of these.  Love just winging it in my sewing room.  

Even tiniest scraps can be used.  I hate wasting anything!  How could anyone throw out gorgeous hand embroidery seriously?  

So good to be surrounded by so much inspiration

How could I not be happy returning to work at Steph's in Moruya yesterday.  I had worked for Steph for almost 10 years when I left to return to my former life as a Registered Nurse almost 4 years ago.  I have to admit it was a bit daunting getting behind the counter with a black apron on ready to greet the customers and help with their shopping whenever  and wherever I could.  When I returned to nursing I just never made time to be terribly creative so I am a bit rusty when it comes to all things creative but somehow it must be a bit like riding a bike, it just came back to me and I thoroughly enjoyed myself for 4 1/2 hours that simply flew by.  

For those who know me they will know why I featured this quilt above.  It's made from Kaffe Fassett fabrics and made by the very talented Cheryl who has worked at Steph's for many years and she's fabulous at getting the colours just right.  I wish these photos would do justice to this shop and quilts but indoor photos without flash are always a bit washed out.  This quilt is simply stunning IRL.  

If you haven't visited this shop then you are truly missing out.  It's a 'to do' on any Australian or visiting sewer to pop in with an hour or so to spare and I'm certain you won't leave disappointed.

Fabulous hand screen printed Ink & Spindle fabrics and kits.  

A profusion of gorgeous coloured quilt making fabrics and so many patterns to choose from.  There is a very big point of difference with this shop, there are so many pattern samples made in-store to inspire and assist you in choosing your next creative project.  In my humble opinion there is nothing worse than a fabric store with loads of fabrics and no samples to get you motivated and it also says to me that no-one at the shop can actually sew.  Not so at Steph's, every single person who works there can sew beautifully and they all makes quilts of the highest standard and love nothing more than designing their own amazing projects.  So ask away, everyone can help you with great advice which will boost your confidence no matter what level of sewer you are.  

I really love the look of this simple quilt design, and soft dove grey makes a wonderful neutral to tie it all together.  You can buy the pattern or attend a workshop if you need guidance to get you started.

Love this contemporary quilt and the machine quilting is absolutely sensational.  I really feel I'd like to give this one a go myself.

So many little projects if you just don't have the time or space to be working on a quilt. Summer sewing for little people and ladies who are preparing for frock wearing this summer.

I haven't managed to retain the names of the newest ranges of fabrics just yet but this one was stunning and would work so well for summer skirts and dresses, really soft and drapey pure cotton.  

When you walk in the door you will just exhale and then start to breath it all in, it's a truly wonderful shop for anyone who loves to sew, embroider, quilt,  knit or crochet. The latest newsletter is hot off the presses so check out the upcoming workshops you never know what might be waiting for you, a new craft and most probably new friends too.

So happy to be home

I've started to sew again,,........that's a good sign.

Spring is coming and my garden is starting to burst out with it's fresh coat of green.

It's been a bit neglected this year, I've been away for 7 months.

Our wood pile is still there, Darling Daughter just couldn't be bothered lighting the woodfire.  I love my woodfire and I have lit it a few times since I've been back and it makes our home so cozy and homely.

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A cheery little mosaic catching a bit of morning sun.

Our family sculpture from the year 2000, hand prints carved in stone...............a family lasts forever.

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Most of the potted plants have survived with very little TLC.

I think I could go into business selling Grandfathers Beard, it just thrives in our silver birch trees and on our fences.

Finished my Malabrigo Finito scarf from Jellywares, my first fine crochet project reading a real pattern and I did it!  Such a shame the weather has been way too warm to wear it.

The local possums still visit and they're enjoying feasting on the bottlebrush flowers at the moment and I hear them bouncing around on our tin roof at night so they can get to our strawberry patch out the back.

I finished the binding on the latest baby quilt for the shop and thoroughly enjoyed stitching these little wooden cross stitch pendants yesterday.

Not much in the vege patch yet but the asparagus is thriving.

I'm back living in our coast house and I start work again tomorrow at our local fabric store and I can't wait, Steph's is a very inspiring shop, mightn't be good for my pay packet!  Also going back to my nursing work at the local day surgery in a few weeks, a bit nervous about that, had too long away from clinical nursing but I'm sure they will be kind to me and I will find my feet very quickly.  

So good to be home and you can look forward to more regular posting once again.  It has just taken me a while to sort myself out and even feel like taking photos and to think about blogging.  I'm sorry for the long break since my last post but I just needed a bit of me time.  

Quick Kindle cover

From the sleeves of a thrifted and previously felted 100% Shetland wool jumper I whipped up a very easy protective cover for my Kindle reader.  Literally it took 10 minutes and it was done and it fits like a glove and will protect one of my favourite gadgets when I'm out and about.  Since I had surgery on my right index finger almost 2 years ago I find holding books in bed very difficult but my Kindle is so easy to manage I'm a very happy convert.  I bought 3 new books this morning so I've got plenty of reading to keep me busy over the next week or so.  If you are going to sew felted knit fabric I would strongly suggest you use a walking foot on your sewing machine, it makes it feed so beautifully and copes with the bulk very well. 

Who uses a ereader?  Where do you buy your books?  What are you all reading at the moment?  I'd love some recommendations and new authors to inspire me to read a bit more than I have been lately. 

Vintage pillows

You might have noticed the vintage hand embroidered and appliqued tablecloth sitting on my cutting table in the last post.  I picked this up at a charity store this week, it was stained and one corner was all ratty from use.  Last week I had seen The Crafty Minx had posted about how to revitalise vintage clothing and one of her tips came in very handy.  I soaked the cloth in Napisan for an hour then pegged out on the washing line in full sun without rinsing the Napisan off.  Apparently the sun acts on the chemicals in Napisan and takes out all the stains.  I brought it in after a few hours and gave it a machine wash in normal washing powder and then line dried it.  It worked so well, no stains at all now, very impressed with this method. 

I decided to make some European pillowslips for Darling Daughters vintage linen themed bedroom.  They were super easy and Darling Daughter loves them, either on the bed or as floor cushions. 

My new sewing studio ta da!

It's big, bright and great to work in.  I share this new room with the family as it has a computer area and a tank full of tropical fish.  So glad I've moved but I still don't have everything stowed away, must get onto that!  I like having my cutting table out to full size and being able to walk around it makes cutting much easier.  Having the ironing board and iron nearby is great too.  It is a vast improvement on my old tiny 2m x 4m room.  No excuses now, I have the perfect home sewing studio, thanks to Surfer Boy leaving home I could reorganise our rooms and indulge myself.

Vintage sheet room makeover

When Surfer Boy left home to join the Navy, Darling Daughter decided she wanted his larger room!  So a coat of fresh paint (Dulux Whisper White), new super soft carpet, new Luxaflex plantation shutters and new white furniture where needed.  After all that Darling Daughter and I went hunting for the perfect bed linen.  This proved to be a difficult task.  We picked up some beautiful white Sheridan pure cotton damask striped sheets but finding a quilt cover set was more problematic.  As you know I'm a keen thrift shopper and I mentioned to Darling Daughter I had a collection of pure cotton vintage sheets stashed away.  So while she was at school one day I ripped and sewed, and now she has a reversible striped quilt cover with a button opening at the bottom and a pair of quilt as you go pillowslips.  She loves this quilt set better than anything we saw in the shops and then we started adding some bits and pieces to her room make it more personalised.  Picked up the great lamp at Freedom and string of paper lanterns and Paris inspired canvas artwork at Typo.  The pair of turtle doves ornament was particularly revolting when I found it at a local charity store so I sprayed it pale turquoise and it looks great now.  My 17 year old loves her new room and that is all that matters!

I've used vintage sheets before when I made myself a new cotton bathrobe a few years ago.  If you like vintage sheets too then you should pop over to this great blog The Vintage Sheet Blog. 

I'll shop for anyone...............

..........if I receive a handmade gift as lovely as this. This gorgeous apron was made for me by a dear friend who unfortunately lives on an idyllic tropical island that doesn't have a fabric store so I helped he out with a bit of shopping a while back. All the little cupcakes are machine appliqued and look yummy enough to eat, my friends workmanship is amazing, she's a true perfectionist. I was so delighted when I found this surprise parcel in my mail box this week and then to find a hand made gift inside well that really made it so much more special. My friend bakes up a cupcake storm every week for the local island markets. She also makes cupcake gifts to sell, so if you too want one her fab aprons then pop over to Lord Howe Island and find Glenys. Now, does anyone else need some shopping done for them?

More coasters

Heading off to my sewing room to stitch up some more coasters from these gorgeous Kaffe Fassett fabrics. See the tiles, these are on my laundry floor, the only room we are yet to renovate, the tiles are almost back in fashion, very retro 70's. We have lived in our home for just over 18 years, we moved in 3 days after we married, the house has more than doubled in size as the population increased, it's no show piece but it's HOME. Once we have the laundry renovated I guess it will be time to start going through all the rooms again, it's all looking a bit family worn and time for a freshen up. By chance my travelling brother-in-law is due back in the country soon and I've suggested to him that he might like to take up a paint brush on the south coast. Dear Husband never seems to have time or the inclination to decorate these days so I've thought outside the square and it is almost organised.....................now what colours do I choose??

Coasting along

Been sewing and really enjoying it too! Whipped this set of eight coasters up for a girlfriend.............much belated birthday gift. The fabric is a current MODA range named Charisma, I love it's lovely fresh cheery colours, maybe I need some at my house too! MODA's site is great for looking at fabric ranges, current and the next ones to hit the stores, another bonus are the free quilt patterns for each fabric range. Here is the free pattern pdf for Charisma, which really shows off the whole gorgeous range. The design looks tricky to make but it isn't really it's a bit of applique cheating rather than doing really difficult curved piecing, thinking outside the square to make life so much easier, now that's what I like! I've had a relaxing weekend, it's rained so have had time to sew and fiddle around indoors, got out to walk with the dogs this afternoon and so looking forward to the next two days home alone! More sewing?

Bandana bag

While it's been hot I've knitted a little bit with cotton and made a very simple bag out of 4 fat 1/4's of fabric. The outside ones remind me of a bandanna and the lining is made from a favourite Thimbleberries black fabric, the handle comes from an old bag I picked up at a local garage sale over summer. I needed a summer bag that will fit all my stuff and my lunchbox. A knitted felted wool bag just seemed to wintry for the heatwave conditions of the last week or so. I've started my new job and all is going well, lots to learn but I'm taking it all on board little by little.

New needle home

From a thrifted jumper that I felted some time ago I have cut and sewed a rolled pouch for my Knit Picks DPN sock needles. It was fun and fast. Miss Ruby is my new photographic assistant who just won't take 'NO' for an answer, she just wants to help me do everything! I don't think at the moment there is much chance of avoiding Miss Ruby making many appearances in my posts for a while. I am thoroughly enjoying her company and sweet little face following me around all day.

Vintage in vogue

This afternoon I was given a wonderful opportunity to look through a huge box of old dressmaking patterns and these were the ones I selected. Aren't they great, so stylish. Wouldn't Audrey Hepburn love some of these frocks? I hope one day Darling Daughter might want something like these for a formal dress, fingers crossed, I think I would love whipping one of these beauties up for her. Not the baby one or the aprons though, thought they might be cute made up in some of the new fabrics around in the patchwork stores.