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.

A Treat For Me

I've always had difficulty in the past treating myself to things I don't 'need' - I'm sure many of you will understand this. One area that I always felt was a bit over-indulgent and extravagant was buying myself a Woods of Windsor gift box. Last week I saw this box of lavender scented goodies and I just had to have it. It smells gorgeous and looks beautiful - even the box is gorgeous. So far I can't bring myself to remove things from the box, I just keep opening the lid and sniffing!!!

Colonial Pocket

The sewing group I'm in has occasional challenges. This month the challenge is to make a colonial pocket. These were apparently used before the invention of pockets in clothes. They were tied around the waist underneath the top layer of clothing, this also made them a secure way to carry personal items. Often they were richly embroidered. The one I've made is from calico with applique. The applique I used is from a piece of flowered fabric ironed on to Bondaweb/Wonderunder, then I've blanket stitched around each flower and added a few bullion stitches for the flower centres.

Lucky Find

I haven't posted for over a week because I've been away in the Lake District. We had a great time, the weather was beautifully sunny and the house we stayed in had some fabulous views of Windermere. Of course while I was there I not only went for walks, on boat trips and general sight seeing, I visited every charity shop we came across. That's where I found this very pretty set of teacups, saucers and plates - six of each. I'm not sure how old it is, not very I think, I can't seem to find one with this pattern on the internet sites, it's a Johnson Bros Old English but none I saw had this particular rose pattern on it.