Smalls SAL - May

Today is check-in day for the Smalls SAL hosted by Heather at the Stitching Lotus. and I made these little embroidered thingys .... well the same as scissor fobs really but they are to hang from the cabinet doors in the bathroom

Not very keen on the colour of the tiny seed beads but I chose them to match the bathroom curtains and they are a change from my favourite pinks.

A quick and easy tiny design.  I robbed the two larger beads for the tassels from a necklace of mine as I thought they were ideal and the necklace is now only just a little bit shorter.

If you would like to join the Smalls SAL and stitch a little something each month, just click on the sidebar button which will take you to Heather´s blog and all the information.

Thimble Exchange

This year I took part in the Decorative Thimble Exchange organized by Kim at Wisdom with Needle and Thread.  My swap partner was Jo from Australia and this is what she sent me.

Apart from the pretty thimble from Bendigo Victoria, Jo also generously enclosed a very useful notebook and the lovely little handmade purse.  Thank you Jo.

Until next week,  Happy stitching.

Sheryl

Just a mat

This weekend I was sorting through my UFO drawer and came across some crochet edging I had made some time ago with the idea of making a couple of bedside table mats to match a favourite duvet cover.  The mats were already cut out and the crocheting done, everything just needed putting together.

I thought about this quite a bit because, although quick to sew up, the duvet cover is rather old now and a bit faded - so imagine the years that the unfinished mats have been occupying the drawer! - However I still love the design and a few years back even tried to find the fabric to buy another cover but .... No, of course not madam.... what do you expect after 20 years?

The crochet trim is a quick and easy pattern from the collection `Mil Labores´.  Well in the end I thought that as long as I have the bedcover and reminiscently use it once in a while, I might just as well have matching mats.......

......... and also one UFO less.

Until next week, happy stitching.

Sheryl

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