Voile Table Runner

I was given some lengths of voile, some with flowers on like this one, each piece is a different colour flower. It's beautiful cotton voile which I backed with a slightly heavier weight of cotton lining fabric. It only took me about half an hour to do. You could see the hem showing through the voile so I machined a fancy stitch all the way around the edge to disguise it.

A Bit of Patchwork

I enjoy 'collecting' fat-quarters but can find it difficult to get myself to use them, they look so lovely just stored together in a drawer waiting for me to admire them! Anyway, enough of that silliness, get on and make something - so I made a very simple table-cloth. I enjoy this sort of project, it's nice and straight forward. The backing fabric that I used gave me a bit of a problem as it turned out not to be square, I should've checked but I wanted to get it finished. It turned out ok though and you don't notice the not very neat mitred corners.

Applique

I've done quite a bit of applique, the method I use is very simple. I draw or trace the design on Bondaweb/WunderUnder, iron it to the fabric, cut out the shape, remove the backing and iron it to the background fabric. Then I either blanket stitch around the shape by hand or use my sewing machine to sew around it. Since I got my Pfaff Quilt Expression I've been able to do a blanket stitch with my machine, it saves a lot of time for well used things like the heart runner shown here and I don't have to worry about washing it in the washing machine.

Stitching on Felt

I always thought of felt as a material that children used for crafts until I made this little purse that was part of a doll pattern. I was surprised at how it turned out and gradually have started using felt for more projects. I then saw all the fabulous bottle cap pin cushions here and had a go at making some, then I made a few needlecases too. I love making sewing accessory items and have lost count of the number of needle cases and pin cushions I've made.

White Rose Teapot

If you read the answers to the ABC tag I got from Melissa you will see that I don't have a favourite day but I do have days I dislike. They are the days when I have to go to the dentist and today was one of those days. So, each time I have to go I pass a charity shop on my way home and pop in to see if I can find a treasure. Today I found this beautiful teapot, it's in perfect condition too. There is another charity shop not too far away but they seem to think they are some sort of up-market antique shop and their prices reflect this. This other shop has a gorgeous teapot that I would love but it's much too expensive for me to consider buying - £24.99 or almost $50 US.

Canvas Work

My favourite type of embroidery is free-style but every so often I like to try something different. I've done a couple of canvas work pieces but the trouble I have with them is what to do with them when they are finished. This piece is done on mono canvas and I've also done some on plastic canvas. Never mind - it was fun to stitch anyway!

Tagged

I've been tagged by Melissa here's what we are to do - Here are the rules. Tag the ABCs about you. Each player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

A -Attached or single: Attached

B- Best Friend: ‘A sewing machine, a sewing machine is a girl’s best friend!’ Remember that song? My best friend is Jennie and my best cyber-friend is Barb.

C-Cake or Pie: Pie – Lemon Meringue, apple, apple & apricot, apple & raspberry…….

D-Day: Every day is good except the days I have to go to the dentist.

E- Essential Item: My washing machine, I remember how horrible it was when I first got married 40 years ago and had to wash by hand, my knuckles were raw.

F- Favorite Color: Blue with Lavender coming a close second.

G-Gummi Bears or Worms: Neither, I don’t often eat sweets but I eat chocolate every day.

H-Home town: Nottingham, England

I- Indulgences: Custard donuts and pork crunch.

J- January or July?: July – the garden still looks good and usually it’s warm and sunny.

K-Kids: Colin, he’s 38, married and still I worry about him!!!

L-Life is incomplete without: my home.

M- Marriage Date: April 6th 1968

N- Number of Siblings: Two sisters and two brothers.

O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges, especially navels or blood oranges.

P- Phobias or Fears: Spiders – I even find it difficult looking at pictures of them.

Q- Quote: ‘Be completely humble and gentle: be patient, bearing with one another in love.’ (Ephesians 4:2) Unfortunately I’m not always like this but strive to be.

R- Reason To Smile: My little dog – he’ll do something really silly or cute and I can’t help but smile. When someone admires something I’ve done or made.

S- Season: Spring, when everything looks new and fresh but also winter, I love to see the trees looking like silhouettes against a misty background.

T- Tag Three: Barb, Lori and Kristine

U- Unknown fact about me: I have a huge, embarrassing mole on my stomach!!!

V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: Tried being a vegetarian but can’t cope without my meat.

W- Worst Habit: I sometimes wash my hands so often they become red raw and really hurt, can’t stand the thought of germs on my hands – I know it’s silly!

Y-Your favorite food: A good dinner, meat, potatoes, veg and gravy.

Z: Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius.