August bookmark and what I've been sewing...

 

The weather is warming again, as it normally does once we pass the middle of our tropical winter, so I have put the crochet hook down for a while and been busy in the evenings with my remake of Phyllis May's Kitchen (see the original pattern here). 

This time the blocks will become a quilt, and I've changed the main block to 'Jennifer's Kitchen' - which I am sure my sweet Nana, Phyllis May, would not mind at all. 

The applique fabric is Cook Book (a Lori Holt fabric), and once all the blocks are complete I'll decide how to border them in a quilt layout. 

I'm really happy with the remake so far, a change from the original vintage florals of the memory book.

Slow stitching without a deadline is very relaxing after busy days around the home and garden. 

Do you remember early in July when I showed you my damaged pillowcase, and the first steps of mending it? 

It's completed now, though there was more mending required than originally thought. Perhaps this will give you an idea for pillowcase makeovers?

I drew a basic flower design, and used needle-turn applique to cover a hole which had marred the pillowcase.

Then I saw that the edge was fraying, and a side seam had come away, so once the side was repaired with a simple French seam, I covered the end with some treasured Cabbages & Roses fabric and a bit of cotton lace. 

I think I'll make pillowcases for all my granddaughters next, using brighter colours and more flowers. They will love that!

The August bookmark was a rush job this time, as I had forgotten all about it until yesterday. I'm still very fatigued and forgetful from Covid, as are other members of the family who caught the B5 variant. 

((It really knocked us hard, but not as bad as the children. Blossom's three children here, and Anita's three children down in Sydney (2000 kilometres away from each other) had Covid too, and now all six grandchildren have lost their fingernails, and little Charlie has also lost his toenails as well. ))

So when I realised how close August 1st was, I drew up a design, stitched it last night, and made the bookmark today. I chose two lovely Tilda fabrics for my thread colour inspiration, and was happy to find ribbon in my stash which also blended perfectly. 

Use the link below to download the free pattern.

DOWNLOAD August Bookmark Stitchery

If you've missed any of the previous month's patterns they are HERE

Look after yourselves, okay, and look out for those around you. I ask God at times like this "what is my gift, that I can help others?" and usually the answer is cooking and baking...so that's what I did over the weekend and early this morning. 

You see, Blossom's really struggled since she had Covid, especially with the children having been so sick with it too, so today I took over enough meals and treats to last a few days...it's a simple thing, but it meant a lot to her. 

Is there a simple thing you can do to help out someone who is feeling poorly, or is in need of a blessing?

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'  Acts 20:35

Big hugs and many blessings,