New Book and New Class

This is my latest book - Country Bumpkin's A-Z of Stumpwork Embroidery

I have always loved the look of the embroidery but thought it looked really difficult.

Our quilting teacher has decided to run a new class from September - teaching stumpwork - unfortunately I won't be in a position to go as it is an evening class.  However I decided that I would get the book and see if it was possible to teach myself with the occasional help from Jill.

The embroidery that this process uses give absolutely outstanding results - I can't wait to get started.





Time and the need for more of it!!

Just dropping by to say that I am still about - got my salad quilt in Joel Dewberry's Modern Meadow Berry collection all stitched up - photo later - just waiting for the wadding to arrive but will probably be a couple of weeks as it is from America.

Still loaded with cold and really struggling to concentrate and find the right words - was at craft club today but really think I should have stayed at home.  Never mind - will know next time when I am not well to just stay in bed.

Went to see the new Johnny Depp On Stranger Tides film yesterday with James and Borge.  Nearly fell asleep for the first 45 minutes but then the action kicked in and it was good.  Didn't get home until late which is unusual for me - then paid for that with a bad night and a bad day.

Going to try and get stuck into some serious crafting with help from darling daughter as she finishes school very soon so plenty of time on her hands for revision and a little Mother/Daughter time - don't get enough of that so I can see pedicures, swimming and crafting on the Horizon.

Will catch up again soon with pictures of my quilt. 

Loaded, Absolutely loaded

The teens have started their exams this week, last week they were both off because they were loaded with a horrid cold.  They are fine now and into school but Borge and me are fully loaded with one rotten stinking hell of a cold that we can't seem to shake - since Friday - fine one minute - down and out the next.  Nothing getting done - I can't even get out of bed today - feel that lousy - Borge is having to work as he is about to move jobs so needs to be in.  I feel wretched - no crafting, no baking, no cleaning and all the housework is just backing up.  Totally fed up.  Sorry I haven't been about much this week - once I feel better I will make up for it. :)

Heirloom Sewing A to Z

New book for my Heirloom Sewing



This is a brilliant reference guide.

Loads of great photographs and well written tutorials with clear instructions.

I am sure they would be great added to any collection and useful too, of course :)

Raspberry & White Chocolate Cupcakes

These beauties are on their way to Grimsby - Raspberry and White chocolate cupcakes - to celebrate my SIL's 47th Birthday and BIL's 60th Birthday

They are as delicious as they look with lots of raspberries in the buttercream icing and white chocolate tucked between the sponge and buttercream

Black Party dress

Black beaded and smocked party dress

Tie straps at each side

Smocked around the whole of the top of the dress.  Floor length.  This has been worn by a couple of different girls that wanted something a little different to everyone else at discos and nights out.



Ruffled Feathers

This is my niece Emily wearing AS&E Ruffled Feathers dress - I made it for my daughter when she was 7/8 years old.  It uses counterchange smocking on the whole of the front yoke.  Cotton Pique collar and sleeve cuffs with bullion roses and embroidery.



Heirloom Christening Gown

This is a christening gown I made for my darling niece Emily when she was born in 2000 and then her sister, Mathilda wore the same gown in 2009.

Ivory organza overlay

Ivory silk dupion lining

Scalloped organza hem over lace edged silk dupion.  The point of each scallop has a bullion rose embroidered on it

The bonnet which was also smocked and then scallop edged.

Close up of the bodice - layers of smocking using DMC embroidery thread, bullion roses and detached chain stitch for the leaves.

Showing the stunning gathering that the fabric made by pleating and smocking

Close up of the stitches which on the bottom row make hearts with a bullion rose in the middle of each one along with detached chain leaves

The neckline is matching handmade binding with bullion roses in rows on the yoke - four each side and three in the middle.

The sleeves were also smocked and inlaid with silk ribbon which was alterable allowing the gown and matching bonnet to be worn by more than one baby.

Heirloom Smocking & Embroidery

I thought I would put a few pictures of my previous handmade dresses that I made for my gorgeous daughter when she was younger - she is now 16 years old so not much smocking needed now.

The dress is from a pattern by Australian Smocking & Embroidery called 'The Perfumed Garden'.

Fourteen flower pots each with their own embroidered flowers.

The embroidery theme carried on through the sleeve cuffs

Handmade matching fabric piping was also used on the collar, cuffs and front of the dress

Rachael wore this for her school photograph when she was 7 years old.

Somerset Folded Cushion

I started to make this cushion at a workshop last week - it was very easy to follow - alot of ironing which a friend kindly helped with - you have to get the points perfect or it won't look neat.

The fabric I used is called Classic Rose - six fat quarters in total which included making the binding to match in with the black rose fabric I used towards the centre of the star.  I used a button fastening on the back with a 14" cushion pad for the interior.

A close up of the centre.

Moda Lily & Will

 

I made the decision – finally – to go with the Art to Heart Winsome Baby book and Moda Lily & Will blue fabric for my new great nephew due in June.  I like the quilt, bibs, name display and wall hanger.  I think it will look absolutely stunning when it is finished and can’t wait to get started. xxx