Ideas ideas ideas

more stuff to add to my neverending list:-

• a rag rug. not crocheted but knitted....
• a new needle case.
• a disappearing 9 patch quilt (by Helen at Quilts & ATCs)
• photographing my day... or at least my daily walks with Baby Girl, and posting the photos. My brother gave me a fancy dancy phone that allows me to take a picture and blog it directly. So no editing, no critiquing. Trouble is I don't have a fancy contract that lets me do this! Just plain old pay-as-you-go.
• bake a cake every Monday (not stitching related but very satisfying)
• paint bench and plant stands in garden (again not stitchery and not very satisfying but necessary)

in fact I could probably have a dedicated blog to my neverending garden list.

but I won't

not yet.

inspirations from nature - part 6

Still water


I was struck by how still the water was in the outdoor pool where I live. The tide was fast approaching but the water contained in the pool was perfectly still. You can see underwater but also the reflection from the sky above. It was a grey windless day.

inspirations from nature - part 5

Orange and green rocks

fabric book inspirations

Some ideas from Baby Girl's fabric books

Encouraging interaction with the reader:-
*Holes and something to pop through them
*Move and pull
*Spin (a stud popper holds the spinner on and lets it spin- genius!)

pop ups (cardboard sandwhich)

and of course the usual crinkly fabric, flaps, squeakers and texture

to do - seam treatments

to do

Bonnet Stitch Sampler

Take a Stitch Tuesday week 14 - Bonnet Stitch. I've never tried this stitch before, so I concentrated on getting it 'right' and just varying the width and height. I then added a little embellishment...

I particulary like the leaves at the bottom and the wandering backstitch in the middle band. I also like the 2nd row where I created a loop (by mistake!) and added an eyelet cross.

Knotted Cretan Sample

I'm catching up with Take a Stitch Tuesday. Week 13 - knotted cretan.

I really wasn't sure about this stitch. It took a while to get the hang of it and to be honest I'm not sure I'm doing it right! I wasn't impressed by this variation until I ran my fingers over it - lots of texture!


I liked layering the threads and weaving them in and out. I'm also pleased with the fabric. I was going for an underwater effect. I used procion dyed cotton and a chiffon and folded the chiffon over the stitching at the right hand side.

Couching Sample

Take a Stitch Tuesday. Week 12 - Couching. Yellow is not my favourite colour but I think the dash of orange makes it bearable. I used a variety of threads and papers. I also wrapped a pipecleaner with a yellow duster which has given a nice raised effect. Couching stitches include - cross, detached chain, herringbone, blanket and straight.

Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch

Take a Stitch Tuesday week 11. Up and Down Buttonhole. A variation of buttonhole. Stitched onto a chunky piece of handmade felt.