Remake progress, a new pattern, and a freebie too...

Good afternoon everyone!

How was your weekend? Did you get into the garden, bake or cook? If you were able to sew, what did you make? Perhaps you went for a country drive, a stroll along the beach or across a mountain side? I sometimes ask this when I'm doing my own little joys at home, "I wonder what is everyone else is doing today?" Of course, there's no reply, but many ideas come to mind and I'm hopeful that whatever you're doing brings you a sense of satisfaction and delight.

It was my beloved's birthday on Saturday and after an early dinner of fish and chips by the beach we drove over to Blossom's for some wonderfully relaxed and laughter-filled time with her, Ross and the grandchildren. Relaxed birthdays, with no presents, are my husband's favourite...and we respect his preference, because after all, the day is for him. He also likes a bit of liquorice and some dark chocolate, which Blossom had waiting, so he truly was a happy man. 

Yesterday it was ghastly hot; seems we skipped spring as summer in the tropics has arrived already. Both of us were exhausted after a few garden jobs and spent the entire afternoon inside, enjoying the air conditioner. We watched an excellent sermon, then hubby had a nap whilst I wrote a very long overdue pattern, which I've been asked a lot about since the sneak peek photo last month.

Having somewhere pretty to store packets of needles is just as important as having a needlebook filled with 'in use' needles and pins, don't you think?

The fabric I used for this project is Tanya Whelan's Barefoot Roses, my favourite ever fabric line from about 2010. She recently re-released the prints and though I rarely buy new fabric anymore, I did splurge on a few half metre pieces, and I have NO buyers remorse.

The cover has a cupcake applique and hand embroidery...

...and the case closes with a pretty pink silk ribbon.

Inside there are four pockets which hold packets of needles, scissors or thread...or whatever you'd like to store in the little spaces available. 

The elegant lace trim on the pockets add that touch of femininity that I love.

I have added this new pattern to my Etsy Shop, and as with all my Etsy patterns there's detailed embroidery and sewing instructions, full material and cutting lists, photographs and full size pattern sheet for tracing the embroidery/applique design. 

Go HERE to purchase The Rosey Needle Case pattern

My other stitching and sewing of late has been re-making the blocks from Phyllis May's Kitchen BOM (the original is here) but this time I'll be sewing them into a quilt, and the project renamed Jennifer's Kitchen.

Seven blocks are complete...

I'm using a mix of Lori Holt fabrics from my stash, but wanted to include lace and pieces of doilies as well. So far I'm loving the way this is coming together...

All the patterns are in my shop (in sets of two) and though they are written for the original memory book (shown below), I also included instructions to complete each block at 10.5" square for using in  quilt layout. 

I can't wait to finish all the blocks and begin putting them together, but I'm not rushing, just doing one block every week or two, whilst I play around with other things in between.

Not sure yet if I'll add borders to separate each block...or even embroider a verse somewhere before adding a final border around the whole quilt. If you know of a lovely kitchen themed verse, scripture or quote, I'd love to hear it, and if I do decide to add one I'll simply share the extra pattern here on the blog as a freebie. 

Which version/colourway do you prefer? The original or the remake?

All the patterns for this project are HERE in my shop. I'll add the photos of my remake blocks there soon, as it helps to see different ways you can make one block. At least it always helps me! :-)

WHAT ABOUT A SURPRISE FREE PATTERN FOR YOU TODAY?!

How about a nice little stitchery just for free? Small designs are perfect for quick gifts or for embellishing an item. 

I first shared this little Make Do & Mend stitchery back in 2014, but I love it just as much today and hope you have fun with it too.

In your free pattern the stitchery comes in two sizes. I used the smaller one as the cover for a very simple needlebook, such as you can see in the photo above. Inside I placed pieces of leftover cotton quilt wadding as it's lovely and soft for holding used needles and pins.

I stitched it in place with a piece of the fabric selvedge, a Tilda favourite. Oh how I wish she still designed fabrics like this. They were so pretty and gentle back in the day...

The larger stitchery I made into a simple cushion, using more of the Tilda fabric.

You know, I just thought how sweet this stitchery would be on the pocket of an apron! And I need another apron...so guess what I'll be stitching and sewing this week? 

Use the link below to download this free stitchery pattern.

DOWNLOAD Make Do & Mend

Now that I'm sequestered inside with the air conditioner for a good portion of the day, regular blogging and stitching and homemaking will return...and that excites me. Seems so long since my blogging and sewing life have run to a lovely rhythm. 

Now I must be away as I had forgotten my bread dough was on it's second rise and I can see from my desk that's it risen a LOT! 

God bless you lovely ladies, and may He minister truth, joy, and goodness to your hearts each and every day.

hugs

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Allie's Own Sweet Needle-Book and a visit to the ER...

Our precious little Rafaella was rushed off to the ER early this morning. She'd woken with a high fever, non-stop vomiting and shaking so Blossom bundled her off and out the door after calling the hospital in advance.

The doctors gave her paracetamol to bring her temperature down and she snuggled into Blossom's arms dozing on and off for the morning, having little drinks here and there between naps (she is breastfed). Slowly her fever came down enough that by lunchtime Blossom was given the all clear to take her home but to stay vigilant for any changes. Rafaella has continued to sleep a lot today (unusual for her) and kept up with the paracetamol and liquids, playing with Cully between naps.

I asked the Gentle Ladies in our group to pray and from all across the world they rallied. Honestly, we are so blessed in our group to have prayer warriors right there, day and night, to hold our needs before God. 

Rafaella had her first birthday a month ago and at the time I mentioned here that I would show you the dress Blossom and I made for her.

It actually began a long time ago when I designed and stitched the bodice.

Blossom gave me the template for the size 1 bodice shape and I designed the stitchery and applique to sit inside.

Then she chose the fabrics for the dress and I used that as my guide for choosing the embroidery threads.

Once completed it was handed over to Bloss who is an amazing seamstress and she sewed it into a gorgeous dress for Rafaella.

Rafaella wore it on her birthday and didn't spill a thing on it...amazing.

Hopefully she'll get to wear it a lot before she grows out of it. 

Question: Are you interested in the bodice embroidery pattern?? It's for a size 1 but would also suit a size 2 dress.

My dear friend Allie turned 60 recently, just weeks after my own big 6-0 birthday. We're oceans apart geographically but are rather sure you could describe the two of us as 'sisters from another mother' because over the past decade we have almost begun to read each others mind (emails?) and find ourselves mirroring the other in the oddest ways. 

Late last year I drew up a stitchery with Allie in mind and when she saw the photo on my blog she left a comment to say how much she loved it! I laughed and laughed 'cause she had no idea it was for her, but I did keep my mouth shut and waited for the right time to finish it as a needle-book...

Close to her birthday it was wrapped up and sent over land and sea from my local post office in the tropics of northern Australia to her home in the USA.

Mind you, I get a tad nervous posting overseas, after all it's a LONG way and things can get lost or side tracked along the journey. Just recently it took two months for my order of Apple Butter to arrive from the Fat Quarter Shop, but bless them, they hunted it down and discovered it almost lost in a depot near Chicago. Praise the Lord it was found and sent back on the right path to my door because it's one of those things that has held up the finish of Phyllis May's Kitchen.

Inside the needle-book I made four pockets for storing packets of various needles, lace, thread or scissors. Across the top there's a couple of cotton quilt wadding rectangles for safe keeping of pins and needles currently in use.

There's true delight in the making of a gift for someone you care deeply about, carefully considering how you can add that touch of something extra...and of course, there's no touch quite like a cup of love is there?

When Allie emailed, 'squealing' that her surprise gift had arrived, I breathed a great sigh of relief. 

Thank you to the postal service in both our countries and to the angels who I prayed God would send to watch over this delivery until it was safely at Allie's door.

You can read about it here on Allie's blog.

Would you like to make a similar needle-book?

I've written up the pattern and included a full alphabet so you can stitch one for yourself and all your friends too...

You can make it your "own sweet needle-book" and bless others as well.

The pattern is ready to download HERE in my Etsy Shop.

I have also put together a handful of kits for this project which include everything you'll need to make one...

These are also in my shop but due to the high cost of postage overseas they're only available to post within Australia. 

I'm testing the waters with regards to offering kits. 

Now that Rafaella is improving my nana heart can rest and as Mr E and I settle in to watch a new movie tonight (about Agatha Christie) I'll continue with my next crochet project which is my way of using the yarn I already have, the leftovers from Rafaella's first birthday blanket "Sweet Pea" by Lucy at Attic 24.

This time I'm following Lucy's Hydrangea pattern and oh it's lovely!

Not sure how I'll place the colours but it doesn't matter because it's relaxing and pretty regardless.

I'll be back tomorrow with the next section of our book study but right now I'd best make those rissoles and mash I promised my husband for dinner.

May your evening (or morning) be restful and calm, your heart light and your smile bright,

hugs