Smalls SAL April Key Holder

Good morning all,  Today is the last Wednesday of the month, making it check-in day for the Smalls SAL hosted by Heather at the Stitching Lotus.

I decided to stitch and sew a key holder for those mysterious unfamiliar keys which make an appearance and refuse to tell us their origins.  Best not to throw out what is probably the old spare front door key to granddad´s long demolished house, in case it might in fact be that elusive missing storeroom key, hunted for during years.

I am continuing to use up fabric from my stash.  The little cartoon is by Scott Nickel and I thought it appropriate for the cause.

I mixed cross stitch and applique, the black french knots for the fortune teller´s hair are inappreciable and I added a little charm to the zip.

If you would like to join the Smalls SAL and stitch a design each month, pop over and see Heather for the details - you can join at anytime during the year.

Double Wedding Ring Quilts

My gorgeous book has arrived.  I was lucky enough to win a signed copy of this wonderful book by Victoria from Bumble Beans.

Full of lovely photographs and well explained instructions.

I just need more time to make a quilt.  Thank you very much Victoria.

Until next week, happy stitching.

Sheryl

Stitching again

I do hope that everyone had an enjoyable Easter and found a relaxing moment to do some stitching.  While trying to get some gardening done and wobbling about at the top of a ladder doing some well needed decorating, I managed to get some stitching done and took a few photos of a bag/purse/bourse that I made for my daughter.

The pattern is part of a free design called Rose Garden by Manka Mintai.

I used fabric from my stash for the backing and added twisted cotton cording and a couple of beads for the drawstring.

I also took  photos of the goodies that arrived in the post.  I won Kim´s blogoversary giveaway last month and she not only sent the pretty pincushion that I won, but also included an array of useful stitching delights.  I really like the thread holder as I have never seen them here and so hadn´t got one.  Thank you Kim.

and while on the subject of Kim, she has organized a decorative thimble swap and so if you are interested and would like to join in, you still have time until the 20th of this month to sign up at Wisdom with Needle and Thread.  I love thimbles and have collected them nearly all my life, have loads and loads, mainly indicating the place where they are from.  Here are some.

And an example that spring has arrived here in Spain at last.

Until next week, happy stitching.

linking to Super Mom-no cape  Monday Stitchery Party.

Sheryl

Easter Treasure Hunt Hop

Hello and a very Happy Good Friday,

This year I am taking part in Jo´s Easter Treasure Hunt blog hop. You must start at her blog Serendipitous Stitching and then visit, in order, each of the participants listed who will display a letter.  These letters will form a short phrase and when you  know what that is, visit Jo again and leave her a comment mentioning the phrase and you might find some treasure.

For Easter I made this bunny tissue box cover and although at first glance it might appear to be a dead bunny in a coffin, you can appreciate in the second photo that there is an opening for the tissues and that Mr Bunny is just asleep in bed.

As it doesn´t look as if he is going to help us show our letter, one of my knitted egg cosy bunnies from my last post, will help.

.................. or does she need help from her friends?..............

Here it is...................... this is my letter for the mystery treasure hop phrase.

...........the letter `A´   Now you must go and visit Noni at firefliescatsinthegarden  for the next letter.

My thanks to Jo for including me in this delightful hop and wishing all visitors a very Happy Easter.

Happy Stitching.

Sheryl

Smalls SAL Bunny - March

Just about everything has got in the way of my stitching this month and I am having to check in to the Smalls SAL today with a little knitted design instead of an embroidered design.

I wanted to make this little bunny egg cosy as soon as I saw it on the Internet.  It is a design by Julie Williams and you can buy the pattern, which includes very clear instructions, from Julie via her Ravelry page.

Of course, not much use just one lonesome bunny cosy when you  have three grandchildren, so I had to make another two.

Great fun making these as the pattern knits up super quick and I managed to use more of my stash, therefore keeping to my self-imposed new year´s resolution of ....reduce stash levels urgently before scrap bag bursts.......  and I made one other bunny which can be seen next week if I manage to wake him up for a photo.

The Smalls SAL is hosted by Heather at Stitching Lotus, so if you would like to join us in stitching a little something each month, just click on my sidebar button and visit Heather.

Linking to The Enchanting Rose.

Until next week,

Sheryl

Sunshine thanks

Someone definitely did it, not sure who, but a big thanks to all who sent their surplus sunshine to the north of Spain as we have actually had three beautiful, rain free days.  The same day that the sun decided to grant us its presence, I received a message from Kim at Wisdom with Needle and Thread telling me that I had won her anniversary giveaway of a lovely little scissor fob.  I´m sure you all know Kim´s blog but if you don´t, do pay her a visit and admire her pretty work and beautiful needlepoint shoes and tiny doll´s slippers - amazing.

I told Kim that I had made quite a few scissor fobs as gifts and had made one for myself, which got me wondering as to exactly where the thing could be hiding as I haven´t seen it for ages - years.. Deep in a drawer I found it, too pretty to be in hiding don´t you think?

I´m sure most of you recognise the `Stitcher´s Favorite¨ fob from The Sweetheart Tree. Here is the back view.

I stitched an `S´ in the middle instead of the cotton reel which was indicated in the pattern.

I added the four buttons and the tiny beads around the outside edges.  The pattern has a tassel which for some reason I didn´t make at the time, perhaps I will add it one day.

Such a pretty design, love the bright Spring colours... must get moving on my Easter stitching, I´m behind as usual..

 Until next week, happy stitching everyone.

Sheryl

February Smalls SAL

I didn´t do a post for the January Smalls SAL as I got railroaded by the winter blues which monotonously insist on visiting me each winter and have me dragging myself about until the arrival of Spring. This month I did manage to finish off a couple of designs that I started many years ago.  One is the Lord´s Prayer.

and the other is of The Ten Commandments.

 I found a couple of old frames which I thought ideal although perhaps a bit small.

The Smalls SAL is hosted by Heather at  Stitching Lotus, so if you would like to stitch a little something or other each month, just click on the link  and join us.

For those of you who have a surplus of bright happy weather and sunshine, please send some to Gijon, Asturias, Spain,  where it has been raining since Christmas - many thanks.     Until next time

  Linking to Roses of Inspiration.

Sheryl

Crochet hook case and Giveaway winner

When I made a couple of knitting needle holders a couple of weeks back, I also made a little case for my crochet hooks but couldn´t get it photographed in time to include with that post, so here is the case.

I used the same fabrics from my stash and made little pockets to hold the knitting needles and a flap to prevent them falling out.

I finished off the holder with the same horrible button - well it´s not horrible really, just not what I want but I will change all the buttons when I find ones I like better.

 I also want to show you the threads that I received from Gillie at British Lady by the Lake.  I won her generous giveaway in December of 15 DMC threads.  The giveaway was only for people living outside the USA where our embroidery threads are more expensive.  Here in Spain they cost 1,5 euros a skein.  I left the colour choice up to Gillie and here they are.............. Thank you Gillie.

and on the subject of giveaways.......Who won my Grow Your Blog party giveaway?   This lovely little velvet pouch?

I´ve used Mr Random Generator.....

.

...and he has chosen Nº 5 which is  PATTY at Patty´s Pretty Things.........Congratulations Patty.  I will be contacting you today for your mailing details.

My thanks to Vicki at 2 Bags Full for having organised this Grow your Blog event and to all those who have spent time visiting me, leaving very kind appreciated comments and to those who have become new followers.... Thank you. 

     Until next week.

Sheryl