Tudor Bedspread-2

I reached my target, and  completed the central panel Wednesday.  I then went on to the next section.  The border is all completed and the motifs are in place. I am now onto filling the background on this section and would like to do that by Saturday.

DS2 came in yesterday and has decided he liked this.  He even went as far as asking for me to do one for his bed.  I think you can guess my reply!

Tudor Bedspread-1

When we were at a craft fair a month or so ago, a lady came and asked if I would like to stitch some items for a doll's house.  Me being me, I said yes.

A couple of weeks ago, I spent a lovely couple of hours at her house, looking through magazines and books and picking out different designs.  I even got to look at some of the doll's houses she already has.  The items I am making are to go into a Tudor castle which she is yet to make.

The design for the Tudor bedspread is from Sandra Whitehead's book, Medieval and Tudor Needlecraft, Knights and Ladies in 1/12th scale.

It is stitched on 32 count Belfast linen, over one using DMC threads.  I started stitching on Wednesday or Thursday last week and finished the central motif last night.

I will now do the outer border of the motif and the borders of the panel.  I would like to get this section completed during the first half of this week. 

More Crochet Squares

Over the weekend I managed to catch up with some of the crochet square.  When I saw the picture of the lacey pattern, it looked as if it was too complicated.  However, I stopped looking at the picture and concentrated on the pattern.  Taking it step by step, it was much easier to do than it looked.

I now have to wait for my next delivery of magazines before I can do anymore.

In the meantime, I have a bed covering for a four poster bed to stitch.  It's to go into  a Tudor castle, doll's house size.  The stitches are tiny.

Enforced Absence

Whilst happily browsing blogs on Sunday, there came a smell of burning, electrical burning.  To my dismay, it was coming from the laptop.  Unfortunately, it was terminal.  However, a new tower for the desktop has come today and we are back online.

It was a pleasant hour or two catching up with lots of blogs this afternoon.  All being well, I shall be back to posting tomorrow.

If I have missed replying to comments, please forgive me. I will try and make up for it in the days to come.

Blue Bee

I have found I am enjoying doing more embroidery, I find it very relaxing, even if the some of the stitches can be a challenge.

One of the forms of embroidery that I have always admired was crewel work.  Many years ago, before I had the children, I bought myself the Anchor Book of Crewel Stitches and Patterns.  Finally, I have taken it out and am having a go at some of the designs in the book.

The first one I have done is Blue Bee.  I've used a variety of threads-DMC and  Madeira stranded cotton, Anchor Pearl No 5 and 8.  Stitches used-chain, back, satin, stem, french knots, basque stitch, and couched threads.

I now have to decide how I will incorporate the finished piece into something.  The next one I do will be done using wools, which is a bit more traditional.

Friday Night Sew In

I didn't decide until the last minute what I was going to do this week.  There was so much choice that I couldn't make up my mind.  I finally decided that I would stitch these two teddy bears on some calico.

They are stitch using madeira thread, three strands throughout.  It is mostly satin stitch, with backstitch outlining the ball and collar.

I started tea time, and carried on stitching until it was finished.  I was determined this was going to be done before I went to bed.  When I get the opportunity, this will be the front to a nursery bag.

Creative Tuesdays

This is my first submission to Creative Tuesdays.  The theme this time is travel. 

I chose hot air balloons as I spent a good number of years living in Bristol.  Every year the city hosted the International Balloon Fiesta, which we would attend most years.  It was always my dream to go up in a balloon, and I am still dreaming.  I think it would be the perfect way to view the countryside.

This may be the closest I get to the dream for a few  more years.

I finished this embroidered and quilted piece as a wall hanging.  All I need to do now, is find the perfect place for it to hang.                                                                                                                                               

Catch Up

With other things that have been going on here, I had got behind with the Jelly Roll QAL.  Yesterday afternoon I manged to catch up and did blocks 3 and 4.

These are either simple blocks, or else I am getting better with what I am seeing.  The cutting out and putting doesn't seem to take as long as it used to, even though the mistakes do creep in.

I didn't notice until the whole block weas completed,m that I had put one of the strips in the other way, but I'm not changing it now.

I'm all caught up now for a couple of weeks, so now to catch up on some other projects.

First Humbug

After spotting the omissions after the last photo session, I went back and completed the back stitch, added the beads, and then stitched the joining border.  All in all, it didn't take too long to do.

Then came the fun part. Actually, these are easier to do than biscornus. The side and bottom are joined flat and then the inside is stuffed. You then close together with the last seam going at right angle to the first one.

 This gives you the lovely humbug shape.

This is quite a large one, but these would be fun in smaller sizes too.  I got the pattern for this one from Creative Poppy.  They have lots of lovely patterns from different designers, well worth a browse.

This humbug is destined for Australia.  DS2 said I should have made it flat if it was going to Australia, but then it just wouldn't have been a humbug!  Like his logic though, thinking of how to save on postage, lol.

Hope you like it Gina, I'll try and get it in the post later in the week.

Late Daffodils

Daffodils in the garden have been late this year, so my March flowers can be excused for being a little late.  I really enjoyed this one, I think it was the spring feel.

Stitches used this time-stem, back, straight and satin stitch.

April's flowers have been printed out in preparation, hopefully, they might get done before the end of the month, but I wouldn't hold your breath.  This month seems to be flying by.

How to impress the boys

It's not been all sewing here.  Now we have some settled weather and after clearing the garage the other day, I thought I'd better turn my attention to the garden.  It needs a good clear up after the winter, and pots need to be emptied and got ready for planting. 

D wanted to grow more vegetables this year, and as we don't have any garden for digging, we needed planters.  We managed to get a couple the other week, but I made this one yesterday while the boys were out playing.

I used two planks of  wood that had been hanging around in the garage.  I made two squares then fixed one on top of the other to get enough depth.  We now need to get some more compost to fill it up, but the boys were impressed that I could do it.

On the sewing front, this is going to be a humbug.  I thought I had got everything done ready for making up then realised, I haven't added the beads, and I've missed the back stitching in two of the poppy centres.

After some more spring cleaning and gardening, I think I know what I will be doing today.

Scented Sachet

This was a simple and relaxing project to do. I saw the instructions here- http://tipnut.com/paper-sachets-tutorial   and thought they would be good for scenting drawers.  Half of them I filled with lavender, and the others are done with vanilla pot pourri.

I shall be on the lookout for some more pretty papers to do some more, and some nice scented pot pourri.

I have a nice peaceful day ahead.  The workmen have arrived to do cavity wall insulation.  It is reminding me of why I don't like dentists.  The whole house is vibrating.  Wonder how many hours this lasts?

Smoking Needles

I am still here, even if I have been a bit quiet. Believe me, make the most of it while you can, lol

Last weekend I went to a craft fair and a lady wanted one of the waistcoats for her daughter, but I didn't have one in the right size, so she put in an order.  These waistcoats are fairly quick to knit up, so I didn't mind and I was able to get more of the same yarn, which is what she wanted.

I started knitting, and once the first square was done, I didn't think it looked big enough, so did the next size up.  Once that waistcoat was done, I thought it looked huge, so went back and completed the one the next size down.  That had meant, I have done two waistcoats this week, not that I mind, it may mean I get to keep one for myself.

The sun was shining yesterday, so I took them outside to photograph. Even in the sun, I can't get a true colour. It is darker than the camera shows.

Now these are done, I can go back and get on with some of the other things that have been waiting for me so patiently.  Trouble is, what do I do next, so many choices, so little time.