Little House Corner block 2 and some other sewing progress...

 

Did you make your bordered cloth and stitch the first house in one corner last week? Today I have the second little house for another corner. 

The little heart windows are a reminder that a happy home equals love. The four house stitcheries are all quite simple, and once you've made your supper cloth or table cloth, you could stitch them again onto any number of small projects, even greeting cards. If you have extra ideas for displaying these little houses please share in the comments below. 

Use the link below to download this week's Little House Corner stitchery pattern.

DOWNLOAD week two pattern

If you missed week one, you'll find it HERE. If you need to watch the bordered cloth tutorial, it is HERE. 

I've been designing patterns since 2009 and have loved every minute, so I still design, but not as much anymore. Slowing down my life, especially being in my 60's, has allowed me to play around in my sewing room again, rather than always working in there. 

Last year Shez gifted me one of Anni Downs quilt patterns, Gossip in the Garden, and I decided to made one of the blocks into a cushion for my daughter Kezzie. This was for two reasons - firstly, I knew she'd love the tea time theme, and secondly because I wanted to test myself with needleturn applique. 

You see I have dabbled with needleturn over the years, but my own designs are 99% blanket stitch applique simply because I love it, and the way I can 'adorn it' with chain stitch or other stitches. See below one of my Virtuous Wife blocks, how I've split the applique of the basket into two separate sections and filled the space with chain stitch...

But, I've now discovered that I love both styles of applique, so when I completed Kezzie's cushion I decided that one day I would indeed make the whole Anni Downs quilt and use only needleturn. 

Back in January I made a start, and my friend Rosie joined me, so we're both in the process of sewing our own versions of Gossip in the Garden. I have to tell you how much fun it is to text photos back and forth to each other, or to sit across the table and stitch together as we chat! 

Here's my progress so far...I am loving the Dresden blocks...

...and this is where I'm up to at the moment. The centre block is a work in progress, and I add sections to it as I go. First it was the vase and the stems, then the tea pot, then the leaves, now the circle flowers ready to be needleturned. Once I complete them I'll add the larger flowers and stitch the words. 

The fabrics used are mostly 'Blume and Grow' by Natalie Bird, with extra fabrics added from my stash. 

I have found this project very relaxing, something Blossom pointed out to me the other day. Needleturn  is a bit like 'zoning out' for me, the gentle rhythm of sewing something beautiful which does not require me to tweak, measure, write instructions for, sew, photograph and promote - well, it's rather wonderful and soothing in a way I don't quite have words for.

I'm rather sure that once this quilt is made, I shall be looking to Anni's shop for another of her whimsical patterns. 

What are you stitching at the moment? 

Bless you heaps, and may the weekend just around the corner bring you days of calm delight, gentle thoughts, laughter, love, and precious moments of worship in the presence of our Lord. 

hugs

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