TUTORIAL - easy tie top pillow...

 

If you're like me (someone who loves to embroider and has a huge pile of completed stitcheries packed away in a large plastic tub in their sewing room) then you're probably often on the lookout for simple project ideas which could delightfully feature a few of those orphan hand embroidered pieces, right?

This past year I've made three tie-top pillows from some large stitchery blocks and every time I've been incredibly happy with the final display!

As many of us are now in gift-giving mode and perhaps don't have too many pennies spare to go shopping this Christmas season, I thought it would be a good idea to share a simple tutorial for making  your own tie top pillow from one, two, three or a dozen orphan stitcheries. Now, I only use fabrics which are already in my sewing room and I encourage you to do the same because apart from purchasing a basic cushion insert for a few dollars the rest of the pillow project won't cost you a cent - though it will require half an hour of your time. 

The stitchery I've used for my latest pillow is one of three in December's "Faith In Hand" set (over here) but you could use any stitchery you like - in fact if you're more of a patchworker or English paper-piecing gal either of those would work just as well.

 I'll share the measurements for my pillow, but you'll soon see that it's easy to use any measurements depending on the size of your pillow front.

For this pillow I trimmed the stitchery to 8.5" wide x 9.5" high and bordered the block with 2.25"wide lengths of leafy fabric. This gave me a pillow front of 12" x 13" which I then fused Pellon behind and machine quilted in straight lines (you could use quilt wadding, but I had odd shaped pieces of Pellon in my scrap wadding box and chose to make use of one)...

Cut a piece of backing fabric the same size as the pillow front (my front is 12" x 13" so my pillow back is 12" x 13" as well) and two pieces of contrast fabric 2.5" x 12" (the width of the pillow front) to sew across the top of front and back later...

You'll also need four pieces of fabric 2.5" x 12" for the ties.

We need to make the ties before we go any further. 

Fold each of the four ties in half along their length. Sew across one narrow end with a curve and continue down the side with a 1/4 inch seam  - leave the remaining narrow end open.

Trim away the excess on the curved end.

Turn the tie right side out and press flat.

Here's each stage...

Pin the raw end of each tie to the top edge of the pillow front and back. Mine were spaced 3.5" apart.

Lay the contrast pieces you cut earlier over the ties so that the ties are sandwiched between the pillow front/back and the contrast fabric. Sew across the top with a 1/4 inch seam and press the contrast fabric away from the pillow front/back.

Lay the front and back of the pillow right sides together and sew around the sides and bottom with a 1/4 inch seam.

Fold a double 1/4 inch hem along the raw edge of the contrast facing fabric and sew in place.

Turn your pillow right side out, pushing the contrast facing inside and pressing the ties away from the pillow.

Now all you need do is pop in an inexpensive cushion insert (I buy mine at Spotlight), tie the top, and you have a really cute tie-top pillow to keep or gift.

I usually tie bows across the top of these pillows but for this one I liked the dangling ties. Do what you love!

Here's one of my other tie-top pillows which sat on our bed through autumn and winter. I added three green/white spot ties because they contrasted beautifully with the rich red...

The pattern for the "Potted Sampler"stitchery used in this pillow is over HERE in my shop. I actually made that design twice because I wanted to show it in two different colourways (both are included in the pattern).

The deeper reds work well with our autumn/winter bedspread...

But the softer colours are very shabby chic and perfect for our spring/summer bed coverings.

Of course this means I'm late making a new pillow because I haven't even begun this one. 

Adding it to my to-do list right now...

Just out of curiosity, which colour palette do you prefer for this design?

Well, I'd best be off and get dinner for my darling man as this tutorial was written up later in the day than I'd planned, but for a jolly good reason...I spent a few wonderful hours with Blossom and the girls this morning and rather than having her usual nap when the girls do, Bloss asked me to stay an extra hour just so we could chat without interruptions. What a blessed day I had. 

She's still hanging on and though there are signs the baby is not far off making his appearance we all know that the more babies you have the more you 'feel' things sooner rather than later. If he hasn't arrived in a week Blossom will be induced so would you pray her little lad makes an appearance before then please? (thank you xx)

Shall you be making one or more of these pillows??

I have some wonderful garden pics to share with you next time...

Loving hugs

Another slow week and lessons learned...

 My heart has improved since I blogged last week (thank you for your very kind prayers) but the migraines just keep building so this season of enforced slowing and rest has been extended. You know, during these quieter times there's so much opportunity to observe life, to cherish the loved ones God has gifted me and to encourage each of them, to appreciate more fully what is right in front of me and to genuinely discover that slowing offers far more than I'd once imagined. 

Slow hand sewing has brought much satisfaction this month so after completing a couple of hand quilted projects last week I decided to bring out my tin of more than two hundred one inch hexies which I basted during numerous road trips with hubby throughout 2018-19 and choose some to make a new table runner.

There was no actual size or completed plan in my mind so I simply kept sewing random hexies together until I thought the five rows were long enough. All the fabrics used for my hexies were scraps that measured around 3" square and though at first I imagined some flow of colours would eventuate what actually happened was that I just put my hand into the tin of basted hexies and pulled them out one at a time.

I have another box of fabrics cut and ready to baste to take with me on future road trips and considered making a few from them so that I had a nice balance of colours, but again, that idea fell by the wayside and I kept going with what I already had.

My husband and Blossom both thought I was crazy as this (to them) looked very time consuming and tedious, but I found it wonderfully calming and easy to pick up and put down without losing track of where I was or needing to write notes the way I do when designing and stitching a new embroidery pattern.

The only time I got just the very teensiest bit bored was when unpicking all the basting and removing the papers inside. But really, that was more to do with my back aching as I needed to do this on the cutting table to keep everything nice and flat.

Choosing a background fabric to sew the rows of completed hexies onto required a few auditions ranging from solids, to tonals, to spots and finally this lovely blue check which I've had for a number of years. 

It took another couple of days (off and on) to hand quilt the joined hexies onto the soft blue background and wadding, and now I'm at the stage of planning how to finish the runner.

I shall hand quilt into the blue check around the hexie section, but not sure about adding a border or leaving it just the way it is with more of the blue for binding. For now it looks lovely hanging over the old leather armchair so I might make a return to a rug I'm crocheting before it gets too hot.

I'm still doing a meal prep on Sundays but this past weekend it wasn't as extensive due to a need to rest, though I still made a roasted vegetable rice salad for lunches during the week, scones for us and our neighbours, fresh strawberry and apple jam which was shared with Blossom and our neighbours, plus rock cakes for a treat. 

Strawberries are just $1.50 a punnet right now where we are in the tropics because this is the end of our winter strawberry season, so I hope to get out again tomorrow and buy more to make more jars of jam to tide us over in coming months. 

You'll find my simple jam recipe below. Just double or triple it for larger amounts.

These late winter mornings have been glorious. Mild, yet cool enough to offer a sense of comfort and calm. 

I woke in the early hours of this morning with another nasty migraine kicking in and even after medication it wouldn't subside so around 5am I went and sat outside on our old blue couch and watched the stars in the cool of the pre-dawn. A little while later my beloved husband came out to sit with me, his arm around my shoulders keeping me warm. Then Sophie-cat climbed into his lap and there we three were, eyes lifted to heaven in quiet stillness, not saying a word, just looking at the stars. 

Regardless of the pain, this is a memory I shall treasure. One of those special moments you don't plan but which come along and burrow a soft place in your heart for always. God gifted. 

It's only five days until I email all Faith In Hand Stitchery Club members their new patterns for September.

If you'd like to join there's still time so just pop over HERE.

I haven't shown you the new set of patterns yet, have I? Honestly, I forget almost every month and this past month has been very hit or miss with blog posts.

It has been a great blessing knowing I've designed and stitched a couple of months ahead for Faith In Hand because I have genuinely needed this break, this time of slowing and sewing-just-for-me. And even though it was prompted by health challenges I am very grateful...these past weeks have given me time to study my Bible more intently with hubby and Blossom, time to nap if I need it, moments to observe and stand in awe of what my hard working husband has achieved in the house and garden during these past 23 months since we moved into our own home, time to pray more, time to consider 'what next?' and be open to whatever path God directs me along, time to walk these rooms and make decisions about what's necessary and what can go, and time to sing. To Him.

I hope you are doing okay?

Worldwide we are all at different stages in this pandemic and in life; we are all facing unique struggles and joys, challenges and celebrations, sickness and health, love and loss. But no matter what's on your plate right now let me encourage you to slow down and heighten your awareness of what you have, who you have, and what truly matters. Give yourself that gift, for indeed I see it as a gift which only we can offer ourselves, by stepping away from distractions and a 'hurry up' mindset. Listen to the birds, music which lifts your heart, and listen to the words spoken by those in your home - really listen. 

Lay in bed an extra five minutes and give thanks to God for having another new day before you; give thanks for having a bed and a home and a place in this world. 

Pray for your loved ones. Pray for your leaders. Pray for God's direction in your life to be clear and evident.

Be kind to yourself. Remember that when our world seems upside down and we're being pulled in too many directions our attitude can be a little harsh and may rub those close to us the wrong way. By being kind to self I mean choosing to let go of anything unnecessary and making time to truly 'be' with those you care about. Even the closest and most loving of relationships need to be refreshed every so often and that requires quality time and open ears, eyes that truly look, and hands that show love. 

Aaah....my goodness, that surely is enough for today. It's time for me to go rest a bit and try to keep this dulling migraine from returning. Plus I have dinner to plan and a husband to welcome home because today is his early return - a most joyous gift. 

God bless you dear ones,

loving hugs

PS: I have added a few more pattern to my shop if you'd like something new to stitch...slowly of course.

A new season, letting go and The Homemakers Heart...

Peace in our home is welcome, and so is peace in our heart.

I recently had a long encounter with God which began around 3.30 am one morning and continued for many hours and on into the next day as He began to peel away things in my life as one would peel away the layers of an onion.

It's been quite a wild ride in many ways since we bought our first home in September 2018. A new experience for us, these past 18 months have brought many surprises along the way - much joy, muscle-fulls of hard work, a flood, a productive food harvest during our tropical winter, a string of house repairs, health challenges, and many other highs and lows scattered in between. 

To be honest, we never realised what owning a home of your own entailed, having previously been renters all our lives...and I doubt anyone could have adequately explained this to us as it's something which needs to be experienced to truly grasp. But we wouldn't have it any other way.

Sitting outside each morning to share breakfast before my husband leaves for work we marvel at the gift of having this small patch of earth to ourselves...though of course we do share it with a variety of feathered friends!

Yesterday we watched red backed parrots in the feeder, while a flock of cockatoos waited their turn.

The yard was full of over twenty cockatoos as one stage, the tree branches bent with their weight and the newly mown grass almost white with so many.

Once everyone had their turn at the bird feeder and filled their bellies the sky filled with the flapping of white wings and we bid them farewell for another day.

But I digress...back to my time with God that morning.

It was like watching a slow video of life, with all the responsibilities and exhaustion I sometimes feel becoming vivid in a different way...not the feeling of it, but the observance of it.

Little by little He led me to understand that it was time to peel away some of the things which have a hold on my time, time that for a homemaker and small business owner can be quite precious due to not having much of it to spare.  

A number of things are already been removed from my every day and business life, and the sense of release and freedom which is settling in my heart is indeed peaceful.

On Sunday I deleted my Instagram account, and tomorrow I will be deleting my Facebook business page. Over the next week I will also be deleting the two groups I run on Facebook - these take time because I must delete each member individually before FB will allow me to properly delete the groups, and one group has 3000 members...sigh, they make things hard. And the last thing is to delete my personal FB page which will then leave me totally free from social media...and my heart is so joyous about that.

You see, even though these avenues have been how I promote my designs and earn a living from them, I've not enjoyed being on social media. Now that I am almost done with their hold, I will be placing my trust in the Lord to bring customers to my pattern shop or to the new stitchery club...and you know, there is such peace in that.

This 'new' season of life will free me up to do what I love most - blog regularly, encourage homemakers, design for God, and share tutorials for simple projects around the home.

I an excited to focus more on my Faith in Hand Stitchery Club, bringing more of the Word of God to life as needle and thread pictures...and very excited to have extra time each week to devote to this blog where I can share so many home-inspired ideas, projects and topics with you all. 

I'll also cancel my regular free newsletter from Friday 6th March as with the $ exchange rate these days it's costing a whopping $72 AU per month and though I've enjoyed giving the 5000 subscribers who receive it every week or two an easier way to stay in touch with what's happening on the blog and access to my free patterns or tutorials, financially it's just not wise anymore. 

You can always find me here on the blog should you want to continue following along, and in the blog sidebar there's a 'contact me' button if you genuinely need to email me. 

(please note you cannot see the sidebar on a phone...you need to be at a computer or using a tablet)

The "Peace to our House" stitchery you've seen in photos above was completed as a door stop over the weekend, because I do love doorstops and once the sting of this long hot tropical summer passes around early May we'll have doors flung open until mid-October when it returns...and door stops are marvellous for avoiding door slams during the season of trade winds.

The stitchery is HERE in my Etsy Shop now, but I was wondering if you'd like me to share a tutorial for making a door stop?? Let me know in the comments.

How did you go with your task last week? Did you clean your washing machine?

I had a few people ask for the recipe to make the washing machine cleaner I showed in last week's post...

I fill a glass spray bottle with plain white vinegar and add 10-15 drops each of lavender and tea tree oil. That's all. Give it a shake before using. If you missed last week's Homemakers Heart post it is here.

This week around home I decided to tackle the pantry. I have one really great galley shaped walk in pantry and another simple white pantry cupboard. Both of them store slightly different things and once every six month I like to go through and check 'use-by' dates as well as wiping down shelves, emptying open packets in their proper containers, writing a list of items to stock up on, and generally freshening the organisation of everything.

I've purchased some large airtight glass jars recently as well as a set of small screw top jars for spices and over the next week a lot of my non-perishables will be transferred from plastic to glass.

When I first stocked the pantry after we moved here I chose cheap plastic containers because some of the shelves are quite high (I'm only 5'1") and I was worried that putting up and taking down heavy filled glass jars would be dangerous...but my husband got me a wonderful step-stool and after making sure I would be safe we've decided to switch to glass. 

Tomorrow night Mr E and I will drop in to see little Rafaella for her 2nd birthday, and then we're going to do a store cupboard shop of non-perishables. With the corona virus crossing borders and oceans it never hurts to replenish a pantry with everyday staples which can be made into meals. Honestly, this is so much easier to do now that we don't eat meat or dairy.

A friend of mine in Canada put me on to an MD who shares recipes for natural remedies and one she recently had on her IG account (before I left) was a cough mixture made by placing springs of fresh thyme and sage into the base of a glass jar and then filling the jar right to the brim with local raw honey.

So I made up two jars, one for us and one for Blossom. You leave it in a cool dark place for a few weeks at least and use as needed.

Nana always had a jar of honey and lemon on her kitchen shelf for sore throats, which is what we have used all my life, but this is apparently wonderful for coughs so am happy to give it a try should winter coughs arise this year.

NOTE: Sage should never be used in pregnancy as it can trigger a miscarriage.

Blossom gave me a couple of new recipes last week. It's been fun for both of us trying new vegan recipes and if they are successful we share them!

Tomato Pesto... perfect tossed over hot pasta or gnocchi.

Also delicious as a large spoonful dropped into a bowl of hummus and served with rice cakes - Cully May and Rafaella 'love' this.

recipe here

Banana Bread Cookies...these are soft, morish and a great way to use up very ripe bananas.

My recipe was tweaked because I chose to use rapadura sugar (you could use raw) and spelt flour (you could use white) because that's all I had and it's a healthier option. 

These are not crispy, they are like little handfuls of yummy banana bread with plump and juicy raisins throughout.

Here's my altered recipe:

·         1/2 cup (112g) vegan butter (or dairy butter if you're not vegan)

·         1 cup (200g) Rapadura Sugar (raw, or white)

·         1 cup (250g) mashed banana (around 3 medium)

·         1 tsp vanilla extract

·         2 cups (250g) plain spelt flour (or plain white flour)

·         1 tsp Bi-carb (baking) soda

·         1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

·         1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

·         1 cup raisins or sultanas

1.    Preheat the oven to 180°C (350 F) and line two cookie trays with baking paper.

2.   Cream the sugar and butter together with a hand mixer, then gently stir in the mashed banana and vanilla.

3.    Add the sifted flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and raisins, stirring with a spoon until everything is mixed well. (don’t use the electric mixer for this part).

6.   Spoon mounds onto the cookie trays. I made 24 of these cookies from the mix. 

7.    Bake for 15 minutes.

TASK:

Shall you take up the challenge this week and give your pantry a good clean and re-order?

Next week I have a great project to share with you that may make this Homemakers Heart year even more fun and will simplify a lot of what we're doing within our homes.

Before I go, I wanted to leave you with another way to follow my blog if you've previously relied on FB posts, IG or my newsletter.

Go HERE and follow this blog on BlogLovin - it's free and you won't miss anything. 

I pray you find your own peace of heart in the days and weeks ahead.

Letting go can often free up our hands and thoughts, allowing them to explore new and wonderful things, or simply giving us back the TIME we've been missing.

hugs