Wednesday, 31 December 2014

Happy New Year .... Welcome 2015



Happy New Year!

May 2015 bring you all health, happiness and vintage goodies!

My blog returns on Monday 5th January 2015

In the meantime have a great evening, I will be opening my vintage kilner jar.
I started it last December and every great thing that happened to me and
memory bits and bobs went in.  I will be reading them tonight to remember all the
good things that 2014 brought my way!







Wednesday, 24 December 2014

Happy Christmas!







Happy Christmas to you all!


I would just like to wish you all a wonderful time.  I feel you have to be careful because for some this is a lonely time but hope that whatever you are doing over the next few days that is is peaceful and happy.

Thank you to all my regular readers of my blog for your support and encouragement along the way.  To my members who always comment or email me, it means an awful lot to me knowing you are out there reading my ramblings and sharing my excitements along the way.

If any of you have any suggestions about my blog please email me homespunstitchworks@yahoo.com I would love to hear any thoughts that you may have.  I will still continue with book reviews and stitch of the week (until the stitch library runs out!) and of course bringing you all news on any vintage fairs for 2015.

My blog will be back on the Monday 5th of January, giving me a little break and to tidy after Christmas... I will be back with lots of news of up and coming publications and any new designs that I may show you before hand.

Happy Christmas and may your stockings be filled with lots
of vintage stitchery goodies......



Let it snow!



Silent Night

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth 

Monday, 15 December 2014

It has been a great year!

Good Morning dear readers!

Well this will be my last post of 2014 as I have finished my stitching for this year.  I am ahead of myself which has pleased me in one way but it is sad too.

I will of course keep designing this week and have set aside time each day to do so but I am going to throw myself in to the enormous task of getting ready for Christmas.  I have a lot of wrapping and baking to do and beds to get ready...

I would like to thank you all for being here and reading my ramblings, I enjoy so much your interaction and emails that I get from all over the world...

I will be doing a Christmas message on Christmas Eve and one on New Years Eve but will be returning to my work and blogging in the New Year.

I have a list of dates for your diaries with vintage fairs for 2015, There is also the matter of the stitch of the week and my vintage finds and purchases.  I have some commissions for next year already come in for not only individuals but for magazine work as well so that is a great start for me and 2015.

My blog will start again on Monday 5th January 2015 and I hope that I can share with you by then some of my new designs and work.  I will give you a little taster, I am going to be doing some work with vintage felt ( that I will be making myself from vintage sweaters) and some needle felting (vintage wool that I have purchased).

As you know I  have purchased some amazing fabrics over the last few weeks and this will be used in my up and coming stitch projects, I am very excited and raring to go but have a little matter of Christmas to contend with first.  Christmas Day for us will be just me and my husband, which we are very much looking forward to BUT Boxing Day onwards we will be packed to the rafters!!!

I have some present wrapping to do today and I am awaiting parcels in the post so therefore I should get lots done today as I am grounded.  The sun is nearly up (well its getting light now) so I am off to start my day.

Do not forget to pop in here on Christmas Eve .... very pretty picture too!

I am looking forward to 2015 and looking forward to the vintage fair circuit as well, I am already getting withdrawal symptoms.

So take care of yourselves and have a very Happy Christmas, I hope your stocking is bursting with vintage stitchery items and that you all have a peaceful and happy time.

Thank you all very much and Happy Stitching!






Saturday, 13 December 2014

Portuguese Knotted Stem


The stitch of the week is this very pretty Portuguese Knotted Stem stitch by the talented Mary Corbett.  This is such a stunning outline stitch and can be used as a beautiful border maybe to a sampler or simply decoration.

I really hope you enjoy learning this one.....

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Stitching!







Friday, 12 December 2014

Christmas prep and a design afternoon.


Good morning all

Well yesterday I managed to finish all my cards and post them! Also I made a start on wrapping presents and managed eight.

So today I am going to wrap some more and then I am going to get my new design book out for 2015 and make a start on some things I want to do.  I have some great ideas for Christmas next year and also Valentines as well so I thought I would give get it into my new book and start to plan ahead.

I miss not working on things, as all is finished and so I am getting withdraw symptoms!!

So my day is planned out. Have a good day yourself and Happy Stitching!








Thursday, 11 December 2014

Christmas vintage wish list!



Good Morning All

Well the big day is not that far away is it and really the preparations are well under way in this house. The stitching in this house has almost come to a stand still so that I can concentrate on the shopping and decorations.  All the lights are on outside our home and twinkling white lights brighten the dark cold evenings.

I have been thinking about some gifts I would like to receive and probably given my dear Husband a huge task.....

Some of what I would like is vintage and therefore a little hard for him to find really.  These are the things that can not be purchased on Amazon but at little independant vintage shops.  I really prefer to support local small businesses..

I have a awful lot of wrapping to do and a few more cards to write... I would like to make some of my own tags as well today.  When we wrap we start to pop it under the tree.. I must not go and shake any and be very patient!...

Have a lovely day and Happy Stitching!






Wednesday, 10 December 2014

Vintage Bazaar Fair .... More of my finds!

I am more vintage than
high fashion..... I adore it!
They do not make this quality anymore!


When I was at the vintage bazaar I bought a fabulous little gift for myself, well you have to I think.  It was an early Birthday present to myself.  A lovely couple called Laura and Phil simply adore Art Deco and amongst an amazing display of goodies was the most stunning compact.  Inlaid with mother of pearl which is a weakness of mine (one of many when it comes to vintage me thinks!) Anyway the compact in question is Regent of London and this beauty had to come home with me!!



Isn't it stunning!

This lovely couple also run vintage fairs 'Vintage at the village' and I will list two of the first dates for you for 2015.

Sunday 26th April 2015
Puriton Village Hall
Puriton Somerset TA7 8AF

Sunday 24th May 2015
Walton Village Hall
Meadow Lane
Nr Street
Somerset
BA16 9LA

Then I bought some lovely threads in their orginal boxes! oh my.  These were bought from Blue Zinnia Vintage.


The original Italian threads in their original box! 




The threads in their glorious splendour!

Then when you think you have been so lucky and there can not be possibly any more wonderful goods in original boxes you spy more, well you try to walk sedately and not run but I am not sure if I succeeded ladies!


Original French threads box!


Look what was inside!


I really was so pleased with my purchases.  I love to use original vintage threads if I can so I am collecting when I see them.  Other than that as you know if you are a regular reader of my blog, you will know I get the hand dyed shaker threads from America.

So to finish my day and make it complete I found these really pretty tiny vintage Christmas baubles on Vintage to Victorian stall and the owner is lovely Sue and I had to just pick these up and take them home for this Christmas...

So beautiful and now in pride of place!


I hope you have enjoyed a little look as some more vintage wonders... look out for later on and I will be showing you some other fabulous finds of the vintage fabric kind!!

Happy Stitching!











Tuesday, 9 December 2014

My Birthday!



Good morning all

Well it's here again!!! my Birthday.  This time last year my friend Joanna came over from Australia as a surprise... It was wonderful, I miss her this year very much!  But so it is.

So today I am having a day off doing what I would like to do.  Firstly this morning I am booked in for a facial and back massage... well start the day correctly!

Then I am going to come home and sit by the log burner and stitch! yes I am.  But the difference is, it is stitching for me!! ha ha

My husband has to work today and I did go to Bath for the weekend so he has to work but will be taking an early mark.  When he is home I will open my presents and have a glass of wine and tonight it is either go out for something to eat or order in..... depends on the weather later and if I am to cosy to move.

So I leave you all now and prepare myself to be pampered!

Happy Stitching!



Monday, 8 December 2014

Victorian glass beads



A while ago I found some Victorian glass beads for my collection, they are great for eyes especially seahorse ones.

I have a box for them to segregate them into colours and then it is very easy to get what you need quickly when stitching.  Those type of things I do not put in my sewing baskets as they have a habit of getting lost, which is the same for buttons as well.

I was able to find some more of these beauties, which surprised me as they are fairly rare and so today I am going to sit and put my two bundles of them I bought back in the summer, into the box.

It is something that you can do sat at a table with a lovely warm drink and still feel you are achieving something important.  When I am stitching I take a break for a drink as I worry that some may get spilt on the work I am in the middle of working on and I think I would go in a corner and cry if that happened!

So I am going to do just that, make myself a cup of coffee and sort my stunning Victorian glass beads.

Happy Stitching!




Saturday, 6 December 2014

Outline Stitch .... Stitch of the week


Good morning all!

This is an outline stitch and has a slight twist to it which looks really lovely if you are stitching words.  The talented Mary Corbett takes us through this simple but very effective stitch and as always it is a great watch....

I am off to Bath to the Christmas market and actually staying the night and meeting friends for dinner.  This is my pre Birthday treat.  I really adore Christmas, I wonder without it and all its pretty lights and candles and brightening our homes with trees how our Winter months would be,  When Summer is over it is something sparkly to look forward to.

So think of me sipping mulled wine and wandering from Christmas stall to Christmas stall with a big smile on my face.

Have a happy weekend and as always Happy Stitching!






This shows you the difference in look and texture.





Friday, 5 December 2014

Vintage, Christmas and Birthday treat all rolled into one delicious package!






The above quote by Kelly Wearstler actually sums up how I  feel.  I adore history and vintage.  The vintage fabrics that I choose are so utterly charming and stunningly beautiful with their faded and muted colours, which bring so much appeal.

I have so much love of vintage and I feel that way about Christmas.  So can you imagine my excitement when my husband is taking me  to Bath for the weekend,  It is my Birthday treat.  The Christmas market is on in Bath to wander around and their is also a vintage quarter in Bath so .... Oh my!!

I do however have to concentrate on my stitching for part of the day, as I am packed already!!

I am drawing and cutting out bits and bobs from vintage fabrics to applique onto two of my new designs.  I thought I would do them at the same time and then put the appropriate cut outs into their own basket and there it will be when I want to get on with that particular design.  I am then able to just get my basket and sit by the log burner to stitch,  It has turned rather cold here and I am a chilly mortal anyway so warm hands and fingers stitch better than cold ones!

Christmas is not that far away now and next week I am going to spend a few hours wrapping some presents up.  I find it easier that way.  I really enjoy wrapping, however, if I try and do too many in one hit I start to loose my HO HO and they become a bit messy so I do say four in a batch.

My husband and I do a stocking for one another every year and open them early on Christmas day with a warm drink and in front of the fire..... whilst it is still quiet and the mayhem of the day has not yet begun.  We like to buy useful things for these more than funny.  So I may get some stitchery stuff in mine and he will get things to do with Land Rovers, which are his passion.

Well I am away to my stitchery room.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and of course,

Happy Stitching!










Thursday, 4 December 2014

Mood boards .... The Homespun way!





Embroidery is a very personal art, its charm lies in the individuality expressed by the worker.
W. G. Paulson Townsend 1899


Gathering fabrics and notions for projects has become addictive.  It is almost like doing a mood board in a basket..... You gather and pop things together, compare colours, textures and then add threads and cottons.  Add little things for ideas as well.

In addition to that it is very therapeutic, adding and taking away, placing it all together and taking a step back and looking.

I have been commissioned to make a nursery sampler for next year and I am trying to come up with something new.  Every one I stitch is different so that every mum and dad to be have a unique gift to put in the nursery and therefore that child has a bespoke heirloom to pass on to future generations.

I am so enjoying hand stitching and only ever use the machine on journal covers and needlework cases, the majority of my work is hand stitched and of course so is the embroidery.

Well I am away again to continue my day, have a great day yourself.

Happy Stitching!






Tuesday, 2 December 2014

My wonderful vintage fabric has arrived from America!!!! ... Oooh take a peek.


Morning dear readers!

It has arrived!  The postman came yesterday lunch time and I signed on the dotted line.

If you are a regular reader to my little blog then you will know that I am working on a mermaid design and I have been gathering what I need for a couple of months now.  When you work in vintage you can not just go to the shop and get a yard of this or that or 6 of those buttons, it is a waiting game.

I like to design and then hunt and gather just the right materials for whatever I am making.   I know it probably takes longer but I like it all to be as I have envisaged in my minds eye.

I want some paisley for the Mermaids tail and I was browsing on Ebay and there it was!  so excited was I, as I have wandered vintage fairs too and could not quite find what I would like.

This is how it came when I opened the padded envelope.  The lovely lady
that I had purchased it from had put some other vintage fabric around
it as a gift and tied it with ribbon! .. it was like Christmas.


Here it is in its glory, I think it is so beautiful and 
exactly what I had imagined!



A close up of the fabric for you to
look at it is stunning I think.

The fabric in question is a 1935/40 rare paisley and I am so thrilled with this, I do believe my mermaids tail will be exquisite!!

I will be cutting out the tail this week to pop into the mood basket for the mermaid picture.

Have a great day and Happy Stitching!


All the fun of the Vintage Bazaar! A stunning English fair...



I have eclectic taste, and love vintage style
mixed with glamour and old world charm!

If the above describes you then, you really, next year ought to try and get to a Vintage Bazaar!  They are held every few months and boy oh boy they are so good.  This weekend just gone is no exception. They are well thought out and attended by some great names of vintage, for you to buy from.

This bazaar was held in the pretty town of Devizes, the town itself is very pretty with lots of beautiful little shops and antique places to explore.  The vintage bazaar was held in The Corn Exchange.  The entrance fee is only £2 and is well worth the money, believe me.


The Corn Exchange Devizes ... The Christmas vintage bazaar location.

Parking was not a problem at all and you go through the doors on this wonderful historic building in to vintage wonderland! Packed with stall holders with their tables laden with stunning things for you to purchase, all under one roof! bliss!!!



Emma,s vintage wonders!
This lovely lady sells all manor of goodies and always dresses the part.

There were so many stalls and so much choice.  Stunning fabrics, buttons, wallpapers, books, china, stitchery, clothes and hats to name just some of the stock from these great people that was on offer.

I found an amazing lady who was selling old books and she has such a passion for them.  To stand and browse through was just a relaxing thing to do.  The choice was great and I bought a beautiful book from her.  Her business is called kiss the book and her name is Jane.  Jane has a blog called life of an eccentric book lady .... my new must read.

There was a wonderful big stall from the lovely Liz (the washerwoman) and I bought some wonderful fabric just stunning.  There was a half meter of it and it all came home with me as well as a beautiful white, almost voile like piece of fabric with white embroidery that will be for myself to keep and make into a blind.

This piece of fabric is quite stunning and it is safely home here with me
tucked up ready to be made into something lovely very soon.

The atmosphere of one of these events is so lovely, everybody there is smiling and happy to help you. They are all very knowledgeable as well.  I always need to know the age of fabrics and buttons as I have told you before, on the back of my pictures is a hand written card of the ages of fabrics use. This is one of my trademarks, if you will, and I think lovely for the person who buys it or gives it as gift for someone.  

At these kind of events it is crucial to me that I can ask questions of the stall holders and be able to know that I have the correct piece for my business and safe in the knowledge that what I write is correct.


Victorian to Vintage had a wonderful stall again.  The lovely Sue
always knows how to tempt me!
I purchased some beautiful bits from her including vintage wallpaper bits and
some really beautiful vintage French monograms.


See what I mean!!

Then I found a stall and a lovely lady called Anne Marie Joyeux and her business is called Sky Blue.
This lady and I had a lovely chat, talking about our sheer love of vintage of all kinds.  She had a beautiful Art Deco brooch and that was a present for me!




 Sky Blue stall........


This is the Art Deco brooch I bought.  I do not wear them as you would imagine
but put them in my hair when I where it up.


Will and Bea had a stall at the VB and as always her stall is set out in the most beautiful way.  There is normally a scented candle burning and that in itself is a magnet for me.


Will and Bea ---- info@willandbea.co.uk

The lovely Clare was there with her tempting stall, now Clare is co organiser of these beautiful events and apart from selling all sorts of vintage wonders, Clare makes some stunning things to tempt you.  One of her many talents is hats.  The hats are made in the thirties style cloche and I really wanted one in particular.  It was too big for my head soooooo Clare took my head measurement and is making me one!!!!! Oh yes.  THANK YOU CLARE!


see that burgundy cloche hat on a stand ... yes one of those!

There were so many lovely stalls and I bought some stunning paisley fabrics as well.  I will do a blog on those another day for you to see plus some still in the box threads from Italy! (watch this space)

We said goodbye to the fair and had a wander around Devize's itself.  We had a lovely lunch in the Peppermill, highly recommended!

The village of Devizes was so very beautiful and just to go there for a day is highly recommended by myself.  It has wonderful independent shops and eateries and the architecture is very beautiful.  The sun shone and it was not too cold.




Devizes is a beautiful town and The Corn Exchange was a wonderful venue for the vintage bazaar.  I would like to thank Liz and Clare for all their hard work that brings these kind of events for us all to be able to attend.

Two dates for your diaries....

Saturday 7th March 2015
Vintage Bazaar
The Corn Exchange
Market Place 
Devizes SN10 1HS   9.30 - 3.30

Saturday 18th April 2015
Vintage Bazaar
The Cheese and Grain
Frome
Somerset BA11 1BE  9.00am - 3pm


I hope you have enjoyed your little travel through this wonderful vintage event.  Later this week I will be showing you the threads and fabrics that I bought as well.....

Happy Stitching!












Sunday, 30 November 2014

1st December and counting down to Christmas!!



I know I keep saying this but where oh where has this year gone!  It seems like only last week I was getting excited about going back to New England in the Fall and getting my hand dyed threads.

I have been sorting a basket of stitching for me ( personal stitching) so that when I can, I just need to pick up my basket and sit and stitch.

I have found that the baskets and container idea is really working for me, rather than things in bags.  It looks neat and tidy and you can see at a glance which one to pick up in your work room.

The log fires are almost daily here now.  I say almost because if my husband has to work late then I stay in my work room and keep going most times.... of course sometimes I light one anyway and take my hand stitching with me and that is another reason why this system is working so well.

I have done lots of my Christmas shopping and will be putting up the Christmas lights outside this week... Then it is the big decorate inside.  I prefer the decorations up before Christmas for a while because before New Years Eve we pack them up again.  We prefer it that way and only keep the white lights up outside until New Years day.

Tomorrow  my blog will be all about the vintage bazaar in Devizes that I went to at the weekend so do not forget to come back tomorrow for a great vintage read!!

Well with Christmas firmly on my mind I will leave you now and carry on with some stitching for publication early next year.

Happy Stitching!






Friday, 28 November 2014

Trellis Stitch for Hand Embroidery






Good morning!

Well this weeks stitch of the week is trellis stitch.  This is an amazing stitch to do for say a basket to embroider flowers in.  It is very clever and you can draw your shape and outline it and continue like the tutorial from Mary Corbett show you.

You could do all sorts of baskets with standard daisy tree in or a basket of roses say, the possibilities are endless.

Have a great weekend and I am off to the Christmas Vintage Bazaar, more on that next week.



Happy Stitching!


The Christmas Vintage Bazaar in Devizes



Good Morning all!

Tomorrow is the Christmas vintage bazaar and I will be attending.  I love the vintage bazaars as they are always well attended by both stall holders and buyers.   I know for a fact the lovely Donna Flower will be there tempting people with lots of vintage fabrics and goodies along with the equally lovely Victorian to Vintage! who also has lots of vintage goodies on offer.  Daisy Darling and the Washerwoman will be there with vintage wonders too! .. plus lots more stalls.

I am not sure of the whole line up but I have seen pictures of some of the items that will be there to buy and I will not only be buying for my business but picking up some Christmas presents as well.  I would rather support this world than the high street with mass produced things.

I was at a vintage fair once and over heard a lady ask about a stunning cushion.  It had the most beautiful faded rose vintage fabric and vintage French monogram attached to it.  The back was vintage linen with vintage mother of pearl buttons on the back to fasten it.  It was truly a beautiful and unique work of art, and stitched with lots of care.  The lady runs up and says "Is this Cath Kidston" and the stall holder replies "No it is vintage French fabrics dated from early 1900" and it was said with some pride and a smile.   So what do you think bloggers?  Well the lady who was looking said Oooh with disappointment and walked off!!!  I was stunned.   She would rather have mass produced fabric made to look old than the real deal....... I wondered at her being at 'a vintage fair' at all.

Where possible I always buy handmade and the exception to the rule for my lovely mum is her beloved perfume Chanel No 5..... If any is to be found in a bottle now from say the forties or fifties, I am afraid it does not smell the same and she loves it so much, as do I.

I will be taking pictures of the event so will be doing a blog next week on it.

In the meantime have a great weekend and Happy Stitching!













Thursday, 27 November 2014

Happy Thanks Giving!


To all my wonderful American readers, Happy Thanks Giving and have a wonderful day with your family and friends.....


Hare design dilemma



My soul is fed with needle and thread.


A while ago I told you all about my my new design for a hare.  He is to be dressed in a waistcoat made of vintage tweed.  Well I want him to have a pocket watch and of course I have had to buy a charm for this and could not decide which one.

So this is where you all become involved, and I hope that you will..... Which one of the following pocket watches should I use.. sorry one of the photos is slightly blurred but you will get the general idea.





There is this one which is very cute indeed with a hare on OR






This little silver one  I love both..... Help!!!!


Please leave your comments and views on here and help me decide, I really hope you get involved.

Happy Stitching!

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Vintage ribbons and threads

Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing..
.the days pass quickly when I am sewing!



Whilst sorting my stitching baskets and containers out with the items I need to complete each project, I was sorting through my vintage ribbons and threads (above ... well this is a drop in the ocean really!) I was trying to decide on blues and greens for the mermaid sampler that I have designed.  As you know I am patiently( well trying to be patient) for some stunning paisley fabric I have ordered for the sampler...... 

It is a little difficult without the piece of fabric in front of you but the above is what I have come up with so far and I have also sorted the embroidery hand dyed threads as well.

The interesting thing will be when the fabric arrives is if I was near the mark at all OR not even close to the colours contained within its most wonderful weave!  We shall see.  As promised I will put a photo up when my precious fabric arrives.....

Have a great day and Happy Stitching!

Christmas makes finished.... orders gone out.


I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol


All my Christmas orders have been posted and it feels great that I am ahead of my time.  I really enjoy making the Christmas stockings and ribbons.  I am working on a new robin design for next year with my watercolour paints at the moment... I feel it is good to swap about.  Design one day, stitch another it keeps everything fresh and exciting. I might do a little for me now!! 

I have had another idea about the mermaid sampler I am working on and I am awaiting some amazing fabric to come in the post from America.  I bought it on Ebay and it is the most stunning paisley I have ever seen and so rare, when it arrives I will pop a picture on here for you to look at.  So at the moment I can do no more to this particular design, so it is change tack day and work on something else.

I will leave you with some of my Christmas work pictures...... Have a great day.

Happy Stitching!


Vintage ice-skates.



Fat fluffy robin



Shaker Christmas tree with vintage glass beads for baubles.


Sunday, 23 November 2014

Projects in a row!



From the manner in which a woman draws her thread at every stitch of her needlework, any other woman can surmise her thoughts.  ~Honore de Balzac


I have finally sorted my next few months projects, even at Christmas if I have a quiet moment I like to be able to grab a basket and sit by the fire and do some hand stitching, it is a gentle art form.  

I like to thread a few needles with colours I am using and pop them in a pin cushion, have some needlework scissor and my stitching ready.  It is then a case of pick that up and stitch.

Because you are that sorted you can afford to think whilst stitching, this is sometimes where another idea will come into my head and a new design is born, I always keep a pen and pad with me so I can jot down the idea for one of my sketching and design days.

I will be putting a few bits down on my Christmas Wish List for my husband.... He always likes an ideas list.  I must tell you the other day he asked about this years and I said yes I will make one, then he said I have kept every list you have made for me for Christmas!! I could not believe it... Who said men are not sentimental...

So I am away to my stitchery and hope that you all have a great day.

Happy Stitching!








Saturday, 22 November 2014

Chinese Knot ... Stitch of the week


Good morning all.

So today I bring you the talented Mary Corbett and the Chinese Knot stitch for embroidery.

This is a clever little stitch and I find watching Mary easy to do and she explains everything with ease.

I hope you all enjoy this and have a wonderful weekend.  More sorting for me, I have the bug now and going into every drawer and cupboard in the house.  I am being ruthless as well, it really is a great feeling when you do a blitz!  Next weekend its the vintage bazaar... yipee!

Happy Stitching!






Friday, 21 November 2014

Book review .. Patchwork loves embroidery by Gail Pan.

Good morning all

This is a lovely paperback book and would make a great Christmas gift....


This is a wonderful collection of patchwork and hand-embroidery projects that quilters and crafters everywhere will love. Quilters, crafters, and embroiderers of all skill levels will be thrilled with these whimsical patterns from Australian designer Gail Pan. Featuring full-sized hand-embroidery designs, Patchwork Loves Embroidery is for anyone who wants to enjoy the relaxing hobby of putting needle to thread. You can choose from 15 projects, including wall hangings, table runners, totes, and fabric covers for books or folders. You can quickly learn the basics: using the correct needle, choosing threads & fabrics, and transferring the designs. You can embellish projects with sweet, garden-inspired motifs ranging from charming little birds to beautiful flowers, fanciful cottages, and more.

There a pretty pictures of all the makes and instructions for you to carry them out.  You could either do it with new fabrics as it is in the book or use some vintage ones.  Some of the ideas in the book would make a great gift for someone.

A must for anyone who who like to start making their Christmas gifts for stitcher's in the family!

You can buy it on Amazon if your local book shop does not have it or can not order it for you.

Picture taken from Amazon for you to see what it looks like.

Thursday, 20 November 2014

Little box of threads

Good morning

Well my 'big sort' at home and in my stitching room is going well.  I am re-arranging my room a little and putting things in stacking useful boxes.  Whilst this was going on yesterday I found my little box of threads that I bought in New England!!

They are perle cotton and in the most stunning of colour combination that I could not resist.  So I have made room for them in what I call my normal thread box.  I have three boxes 1. normal  2. vintage  3. Hand dyed shaker, then I know where to look when something is needed.

I do like to be organised because it really does help me clear my head for stitching and my daily routines.  I do my blog daily and all my emails and enquiries first then its down to business plus running a home too, so I feel the need to be organised, if not my head becomes like wool and I can not concentrate

I will leave you today with a picture of my New England cotton find, have a great day and ...

Happy Stitching!




They are lovely aren't they so rich in colour .....

Wednesday, 19 November 2014

Book review ... Stitch encyclopedia embroidery


This is a great little book.  It is a pretty pink colour and in paperback and can be bought on Amazon if your local book store does not or can not get it.  On Amazon it is under ten pounds.

It is illustrated guide to embroidery stitches.  It is great for beginners looking to build a a foundation of stitches and for experienced stitcher's who like a refresher occasionally, it is easy to use and is a beautiful book.  It is one of three as there is one on knitting and crochet as well.

There are different sections in the contents and one is tips and tools this covers such things as transferring designs, threads and their thickness, beginning knot and fastening off.

There is a section on outline stitches but this shows you things like working curves  and connecting beginnings and end.

This truly is a book to put on your wish list for sure.  

As much as I embroider and mostly I use outline stitches, french knots and lazy daisy in different forms I often need a jog of my memory for a stitch that I do not use frequently so something like this is great on your shelf.  When you are learning too it is good to see it so that is why I upload tutorials on here..... however once you know the stitch this little book is great to refresh you.

Happy Stitching!


It is a pretty little book with so much to learn.




Tuesday, 18 November 2014

Preparing for my last stitching of the year!

Morning All

Sorry I am a little late this morning!  I was up early and going through bits in my sewing room and forgot the time! This often happens to me, with vintage goodies everywhere (literally at the moment - sigh) I rather get side tracked.

Yesterday I sorted and cleaned my dresser for the onslaught of Christmas and got some large plastic really useful boxes with clip lids so that some point this week I can sort my stitching room a little.

One of the things that I do is get baskets or large pretty container of some sort and put everything in there for one project.  If I have two on the go for some reason it is easier this way with threads,fabrics cut out and buttons etc all in one place and I know where I am at.  Plus if it is a cold day I can come out of my inner sanctum and sit by the log burner and hand stitch!  Then I just pick up my container and I have everything I need.

In between all my stitchery I have made a list of things to sort in the next two weeks. This time of year is very busy for me and I am sure most of you ladies.... So I am taking early marks this week and having a day off as well for some drastic housework!

So today I am getting my projects sorted into their containers ( all fabrics cut and everything gathered) and then packing all my other bits away until next year.  All my orders have gone off so now I am working on publications bits for next year.

The vintage Christmas bazaar is coming up at the end of the month so I will be going to that and getting some Christmas presents for friends and some more supplies.... Thus 3 large really useful boxes for my stitching room, then I can pop it all away for Christmas.

Well that's my day sorted so I am back up to my stitchery....

Hope you all have a great day and Happy Stitching!




Monday, 17 November 2014

Vintage china and mother of pearl buttons!



Good morning all


Last weekend I popped over to see my mum and she said there was some vintage and antiques at her local market so we walked along to look.

I bought the most beautiful china cup and saucer to complete my personal set.  I needed eight and now I have them.  I am looking out for vintage dinner plates and side plates too,  They can all be different as I love that look and it is wonderful on my dresser in the kitchen.

So before I washed it and put it in pride of place I took some photos, one with some of my treasured mother of pearl buttons!

I am sorting through my buttons and deciding which ones to stitch onto which new design.  I do get side tracked looking at them! You can see why as some are stunning.


Look at this beautiful cup and saucer, You can not see its little stand that lifts it from the
saucer, but all the ones I collect have the little heel.



Can you see my distraction with these mother of pearl vintage beauties?
How am I supposed to concentrate with the job in hand!


You will see I took the photos on my lovely vintage quilt, which is on our bed at the moment.  It seemed like a great backdrop and also safe for the lovely china to be placed on.

Have a Happy Stitching Day!


Saturday, 15 November 2014

Up & Down Buttonhole Stitch ..... Stitch of the week.



Good Morning All

We all know button stitch by now but this is a variation and I thought it was worth you all looking at. It is slightly different , more rounded some how with a double line!

Anyway take a little look at the tutorial by the talented Mary Corbett and see what you think.  I love learning new techniques myself.

This is the stitch of the week.  Enjoy your weekend and Happy Stitching!











Friday, 14 November 2014

Sarah Braithwaite .... You won the Shaker box!




Hello

This is a gentle reminder that you Sarah Braithwaite won the Little blue Shaker box competition in October....

Please email me on homespunstitchworks@yahoo.com  with your address so that I can post it to you before the Christmas rush of post, I would not want it damaged or to go missing....

THANK YOU SARAH X

Fabulous vintage fabric finds!



Good morning!

A while back I told you all that I went to the lovely Donna Flower vintage shop opening, and also that I had bought some wonderful vintage fabrics.

I bought two that are early 1900 and have the most beautiful colours with the unmistakable faded hues and two pieces of my beloved paisley's..... they are around 1940/50.

I am not sure what to make with them yet but I am having fun doodling ideas.  The two older ones are in pinks and creams and are simply stunning.


This is my beloved bundle of vintage fabrics!



This is beautiful with the tiny roses.  The fabric is nicely faded and soft.



This is the oldest fabric of all and the colours are so beautiful.


I am thinking of covering a journal with the last fabric and padding it out.  Then embroidering a design on some vintage French linen and stitching it on....... What do you think?

I hope you have enjoyed looking at these wonderful finds of mine.

Happy Stitching!