Five new projects...

I promised my Stitchery Club members this month that we'd not only have the five new patterns to embroider but I'd include five lovely projects as well. 

And this is what has kept me extra busy the past few weeks.

But you know, I enjoyed every minute. 

I design embroideries for a living, and that's pretty time consuming because each one is a long process starting with a vague idea and a sketch pad. 

One design can take between an hour or a week to fine tune on paper, then I need to choose background fabric, feature fabric and thread colours. 

Next, the hand drawn design is scanned, cropped and cleaned before being printed out to check the size and quality for preparing later as a PDF pattern. Then I trace it onto fabric, applique pieces may be added and stabiliser is fused behind the block in preparation for hand embroidery. 

Finally the the stitching begins. 

Depending on the size and intricacy of the design, and also how much free time I have during the daylight hours, this can take two days or a week. A large design I'm working on at the moment has already taken a week and needs another before it will be ready. 

When the design is completed I press it, check for errors or missed stitches, and set up the photographs.

I can take 50-70 photos in different settings per project and from there I choose about three or four I like which will then be formatted and made ready for the webpage. 

Final step is to bring my notes together with the stitchery, write the pattern and format everything into a PDF file ready for customers to download. 

Adding in five projects this month kept me on my toes more than usual, but I truly enjoyed creating each one because most of my stitcheries live in large containers waiting for a one-day project to house them...my intention to do so is real, but the time rarely eventuates. 

Anyhow, let me show you what I've been making from the December stitcheries. I'll take you through each stitchery design and show you how it's come to life as a project...

"Sweet Dreams" became a lavender sachet.

I love the idea of this hanging by a ribbon over the bed head, the scent of lavender wafting around my head as I drift off to sleep...

"Dream House" was bordered to create the house effect and then bound in lace as a mini quilt before being sewn to the front of a simply made cushion.

This will be wrapped and waiting for Cully May under the Christmas tree...

"Buttons" is such a cute design when displayed as a wrapper for a large jar of, you guessed it, buttons...

"Hope" is a beautiful quote by Lady Bird Johnson and needed only a lovely ornate frame...

"Flourish" transformed into one of my most useful projects for the next year. I think many of us have unfinished projects so you may find this notebook cover with a reminder message stitched along the spine just what you need too...

Which one was your favourite design or project?

All of these stitchery patterns PLUS the project patterns will be inside the December 17 issue of The Stitchery Club.

And there's more.

If you join before the 16th I'll send you one of my older issues from November 2015 (which has 7 Christmas patterns inside) within 12 hours of receiving your membership notification.

Go HERE to join today or to find out more.

Well, I'd best be off from here and attend to the lasagne I'm making for dinner tonight. 

Mr E loves his pasta, especially ravioli and lasagne! Today was his final day of the 2017 school year and we're celebrating him having the next six weeks of summer break so a special dinner was most important. 

There's a bit more work for him to do on the Jeep but it won't prevent us from heading off on a few overnight trips here and there...which means I need to prepare some new stitcheries to work on in the car so back to the sketch pad for me. 

God bless you all, and may the weekend ahead bring you laughter, peace and rest. 

hugs

The wonderful wet...

After four long years of drought where I live in the tropics of Northern Australia the rains came. It began on the weekend and is still raining. Glory be, this is a blessing and could mean we'll have a proper wet season this coming summer after all. 

Funny thing though, I'm so used to it being perpetually sunny and clear now that I had forgotten about endless days of rain and the need to get washing dry. In the old house the clothesline was under cover but not so in this new home, which meant after spending the morning at Blossom's yesterday I needed to drop in to KMart and purchase a simple drying rack to place on the verandah. 

Lucky me, I got the last one! Seems there's been a rush on them this week.

It doesn't hold a lot but there's only the two of us at home now, though I'll need to use the dryer (after sweeping away the cobwebs) for sheets if I can't get a sunny day in between the wet ones.

I change sheets every 4 days as they tend to 'wilt' in our hot and humid climate. Besides, there's nothing quite like slipping between crisp, clean cotton sheets, dried on the clothesline and smelling of fresh air and sunshine.

The rain has also brought cooler weather, days of around 27 C (80 F) and nights a refreshing 21 C (70 F). Those sort of temps lead me to cook comfort foods like chicken pot pie, lamb and vegetable soup, Banana Parkinson and Anzac cookies.

Mr E loves chicken pot pie...

...and I love soup and fresh baked bread.

The Banana Parkinson was for Blossom because it's a long time favourite of hers, and the Anzacs for my darling hubby who likes them crisp and thin. 

There's a little story about the Banana Parkinson. Originally it was a recipe I found in an old cookbook many years ago called Banana Parkin. 

My maiden name is Parkinson so right then and there, once we'd baked and tasted that it was delicious, it was renamed in honour of my paternal family. 

Both it and the Anzacs are packed with healthy oats, an ingredient we all love.

Sophie is also loving the cooler weather, snuggling up to Cully May's stuffed ballerina mouse on the spare bed during the day, and snuggling up to Mr E and I in our bed at night. 

What a life.

On Monday evening Mr E arrived home from work with a bunch of flowers, my first in the new home! I felt so cherished, not realising how much I needed the boost. The previous 24 hours had been taken up with doubts as to whether I should continue the Gentle Domesticity Facebook group or close it down and he'd picked up on my sombre mood without asking any questions, bless him. 

If you're a member of the group you will know that out of that big question I asked on Sunday afternoon came something so lovely, and so caring. A real community of women who love home, family, sewing, and living a gentle domestic life, gathered together and began to share about their lives. 

I tell you, the chatter hasn't stopped since! What precious ladies they are, all ages and walks in life, having a variety of talents and experiences, reaching out to each other, knowing they are being accepted and not judged. They have even started a stitch-a-long and a few good artisan bread recipes have surfaced too. 

A sweet bonus for me is that it's not about the members waiting to hear from me anymore, which was never my intention but apparently I hadn't made that clear (message to self - be clear about the purpose of such a group), it's now flowing beautifully from their own input. 

And you know what? My dear daughter, Blossom (Elizabeth) is joining me as an Admin for the group so we'll be hearing more about her gentle domestic life too. That blesses this proud mama! 

If you'd like to join, or if you're already a member but have missed out on the doings of the past few days and want to catch up visit the Gentle Domesticity Group here. 

...SEWING...

I've missed sewing on rainy days so am thoroughly enjoying the pitter pattern of rain on the roof as I ply my trade with needle and thread.

Over the weekend I finished another block from Jen Kingwell's "Pollen" table runner pattern. There are five blocks and I'm planning to do one each weekend so another three weeks and I can begin the quilting and finishing, which means I could have it done early to mid November at this rate. 

Block 2 prepared.

Blocks 1 and 2 completed.

It's been a while since my last Scripture stitchery, but I do wait for inspiration and don't rush those things. Recently this design for Galatians 6:9 flowed from my pencil early one morn and is now almost finished, just the wording to do...

As well as that I have been stitching new Christmas patterns for the November issue of The Stitchery Club.

I'll show you one of them today and the other four next time. This one was designed to be displayed inside a hoop...

...and can be stitched any year by simply changing the date. 

The theme for this year's Christmas designs are a star. In each one you'll find a star somewhere, reminding me of one special star high in the night sky which signaled the birth of Jesus over two thousand years ago. 

"Star of wonder, star of light, star of royal beauty bright..." I love that carol.

Would you like the recipe for Banana Parkinson?

Let me know and if you do I'll prepare it as a recipe sheet for your Living the Gentle Domestic Life Cookbook folder. 

I'd best be off now, having avoided the mopping of my vast hardwood floors for long enough. Sigh. 

Is there a chore you dislike or try to avoid? Blossom tells me hers is washing the dishes (which I love) and mine is mopping floors (which she loves). 

If only we still lived around the corner from each other we could swap those chores and both be cheered.

I'll leave you today with a photo of Cully May exploring her backyard after a rain storm. 

Why don't you and I take some time to stir up a childlike wonder for the simple things in our lives.

 It would be good for the soul, yes?

hugs

Reason to smile...

Just a quick note to thank you all for your prayers during our move and to let you know we're over the hardest part.

Moving house went very well, though exhausting both physically and mentally. We're about 90% unpacked after four sleeps in our new home and feeling quite satisfied even amidst the groaning from aching muscles and bones. 

A sense of 'home' is already filling our hearts and gratitude overflows because the Lord has carried us thus far with much grace and provision. We could not have done this without Him. 

Just for normality I christened the new oven with a roast lamb dinner on Saturday night and made pasta and sauce the following night to try out the gas stove-top. 

Yesterday (Monday) I baked a fresh batch of fruity rock cakes to have with our cuppas, but then by mid afternoon my body wound right down and a lack of adrenaline told me there'd be no more cooking, unpacking or cleaning for the rest of the day so Mr E and I opted for take-out chicken and an early night instead. 

My beloved has worked like a Trojan, but always stops to check if I'm okay and encourages me to slow down and 'breathe'. How blessed I am to be his wife. 

Another few days and I'll share some photos. Some things probably won't stay in the same place as I have them now but over time, as we become more acquainted with these new surrounds, it will become clear what needs to go where, and why.

The new design above is one of the patterns inside October's issue of The Stitchery Club.

As I sit here at my desk, looking around at our familiar things in these unfamiliar surrounds, it's not difficult to find a reason to smile.

May you be blessed with your own reason to smile today.

hugs

Interested in The Stitchery Club?

Visit the Club webpage here.

A simple tablecloth with tutorial...

The other day I showed you the two embroidered and trimmed kitchen towels I'd made for the kitchen in our new rental home and mentioned plans to sew a few more.

Well, that plan altered slightly.

I had another extra large flour sack kitchen towel ready to cut into two smaller towels when an idea popped into my head that I could trim the towel slightly to a 30" square and make one small tablecloth instead, the kind used for relaxed afternoon teas with friends.

So that is what I did. 

After cutting the flour sack to a neat 30" square I added a lemon floral fabric trim around all four sides and then traced a vase of tulips and daises (from my Vintage Kitchen pattern set) into each corner to embroider.

I think once my tablecloth has been stitched it will look very pretty laid out under a basket of fresh scones and a pot of steaming tea, don't you?

As I was preparing to trace the design into the corners it occurred to me that I needed each corner placement to be the same and needed to find a way to do this.

It worked perfectly so I thought you might have use of this simple process as well (or perhaps you've thought of this yourself already) so here it is.

1. Print the design you wish to embroider and gather a pencil and quilters ruler. Because my tablecloth is a square the corners are a perfect 90 degree right-angle.

2. Decide how far into the corner you want your embroidery and after positioning the ruler over the design use a pencil to trace the corner under the design.

3. Place your fabric over the pattern sheet and line up the corner pencil lines with the corner of your fabric before tracing the design.

I decided not to add the doily under my vase stitchery as I have another idea for some extra embroidery along the sides. This will be a nice easy project to stitch in the evenings next week after packing our moving boxes each day. 

I've even sketched, traced and prepared the new designs for November already! This means no rushing once the move is complete, everything is in one place with correct threads, scissors and extra needles. 

I have a feeling that a few quiet weeks will be needed to restore energy once the house is unpacked and we find our feet again, and my remedy shall be a comfy chair, old movies and these stitcheries just waiting to be brought to life with thread.

As the move draws closer I am becoming even more resourceful than usual in the kitchen. We're eating our way through the freezer and fridge so that we have nothing in either by moving day.

The same process is happening with pantry staples. Planning meals with what's on hand is important but it does mean extra creativity will be needed sooner rather than later.

This morning's breakfast was tiny pikelets made from leftover pancake batter I made a couple of days ago, with jam and butter. We also finished the last of the yoghurt, frozen blackberries and canned apricots. 

In so many ways this is fun, but more importantly it is helping me appreciate that we don't need to grocery shop as often as we used to. Knowing we could creatively eat for these next two weeks from what I have on hand, and that I've avoided all wastage of fresh produce, inspires me to simplify our menu once we're settled again.

Just a few things...

This may be my last blog post until after the move so I just want to remind you that membership for the next issue of The Stitchery Club closes at midnight on September 16th.

And about my knitting of that sweet bear.

One lady left a comment asking how it was coming along and I apologise for taking so long to answer.

I had wanted the bear completed for Cully May's 1st birthday last month but alas, an old issue with my hands flared up so I had to put it aside for the time being. I only have this problem when I knit or crochet and must leave my pursuit behind for a while until it settles.

The legs and the body are finished...

...and my new deadline is Christmas. I shall only do a few rows every couple of days which should see this delightful bear come to life in time. 

The pattern itself is just lovely to follow, with many different variations to choose from. 

If only I had knitters hands, eh?

I had also hoped to share a tutorial for THIS gardening book cover before we moved but time is against me so I'll do that in October.

If I am able I shall drop another line here next week, but if not, take care of yourselves and ponder your blessings until I return again.

"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good,

blessed is the man that trusteth in Him"

Psalm 34:8

hugs

Need something new to stitch? Visit my PDF pattern shop HERE!

Want to stay in touch? Follow me HERE on Instagram for day by day highlights.

New season, new seeds, new project...

When we drive around to visit garage sales at the weekend I always look for picture frames, just in case I find a few that will be perfect for framing my stitcheries.

Recently I found a white shabby chic styled triple frame at one garage sale, and the following week a very similar single frame at another sale.

That's when I decided it was time to sketch some seed packets, a set of designs I've been planning for years but never actually put down on paper. Until now that is. 

For the triple frame seed pack stitcheries I've added a vintage white button at the base...

The single frame features the "Best Bird Seeds" design and a yellow vintage button...

They have an air of beauty and calm in these frames, exactly the kind of display I love to see inside a home.

It's the second day of spring in Australia and in most areas new life will be breaking forth from the soil with the promise of pretty blooms to come.

We can't grow many 'usual' flowers in the tropics during summer, but they are beautiful through winter and spring.

However, I think these frames seed packets will add the perfect floral essence to our home all year through...and I do love flowers so very much.

These designs will be in the next issue of The Stitchery Club.

If you'd like to receive them just hop over HERE and find out how.

I also have a lovely 'welcome' gift pattern for new members who join by September 16th...

The September issue also includes two more new patterns, also nature inspired.

I have a rather old but good gardening reference book, another garage sale find, which I'm going to re-cover with "The Garden" block (above) featured on the front and I might do a quick tutorial for you. Is that something you'd be interested in?

The book is an ugly green hardcover at the moment so I think it needs a bright and cheery cloth cover to make it more enticing to pull off the shelf and read. Perhaps with a few lace bookmarks?

Anyhow let me know what you think about this.

Mr E and I have been out house hunting, not to buy yet, but a new rental.

It's time to live on one level and forgo so many stairs. We'd also like trees, plenty of shade, a double garage instead of a carport and access to a beach close by where we can take evening strolls by the water.

One home caught our eye this morning and we have an appointment to see through it next week.

We'd love your prayers for wisdom about this.

((thank you))

Mr E is putting the Jeep's transmission back together this weekend as he's finally received all the parts from across the globe. More prayers please? That this goes smoothly and after ten weeks with no Jeep he shall see the fruit of all his labour and have it back on the road very soon. 

((again, thank you))

My weekend? I shall head in to the kitchen to make bread, meatballs and chocolate brownies before playing with a few quilt block patterns. I downloaded the free app from Missouri Star Quilt Co and am all excited to make a few of Jenny Doan's tutorial patterns!

If you haven't seen this free app you'll find it here on iTunes or here for Android.

You can also watch them here on the website.

My eye is on the Sweet Petunias block/quilt...

It looks easy, and I love easy.  LOL!! 

Hope your weekend has some fun things waiting to happen too.

hugs