This is it! The Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade

Hello my friends,

Oh dear, I thought I'd be able to use the old Blogger system but it seems I am forced into using the new one as it was the only way I could access my photos!

Today I am joining Ida's Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade, you will see the link top right. Do pop over to read all the details ..... there are prizes to be won!!!

• This is my absolute favourite, I call her my Polka Dot Lady, I wonder why, but I never put a pin in her. Do you like her face mask? It's crocheted, based on an actual face mask pattern I saw on the web! It can cover her mouth but then she gets too hot!

 

I am always searching for the perfect sewing kit, and each one I make seems to be the best idea!

I find I use different pincushions in different places!

When I started making this one I was actually meaning to make a pincushion in the shape of a bag, but when I came to fill the pincushion I found I couldn’t help lining it and making it into a bag!

• Inside there is room for two cotton reels, and pockets for scissors, a ripper, and pencil. 

Then, on the front, space to keep a needle threader handy.

The pincushion and thread keeper are attached by poppers 

and can be tucked inside the bag for safekeeping. 

• I use this skinny pinnie (1.5" x 5.5") at the sewing machine: 

with rubber on the base it doesn't slip.

and it sits neatly next to the needle as I stitch!

• This is one I made this year and showed on my Instagram account (@flashinscissors). The fabric came from Zoe Mayson @zoemayson.

• and lastly two I've recently finished - 

It’s not too late to join in - pop over to Ida's to read all the details!

Hugs,

Barbara xxx

Friday's Stitching Ground

This post was inspired by Astrid "(of Dragon Stitches & Stuff)".

Here's is my favorite stitching place ......

and this was what I was working on - for the Valentine's Blog Hop, ha! when I thought I'd write this post (I know, it's been a while! I've been making pincushions and trying to finish work for my handicraft group's exhibition) .

If you visit regularly you might know I didn't finish the above in time and instead showed this as my piece for my Secret Stitching Sweetheart (you can see the Blog Hop HERE )

and on my blog you will have seen:

belonging to Carla of Alaska Wolf Pack 

*********

But back to the present time, and here's "The Boss" keeping an eye on me ..... well, I think  he's giving me the evil eye actually

as he thinks I shouldn't be stitching and he should be sitting on my lap, NOW!!

Anyway, now you know where I'll be stitching this evening with my little "helper" and I'll be working on one of these projects:

Are you stitching tonight? And if "yes" what are you making?

I hope to be back soon with some finishes!

Until next time,

Hugs,

Barbara xxx

Smalls SAL

Hi there!

This is my first link up to the Smalls SAL which is being run by Mary of Mary's Threads this year ..... sign up page is HERE.

I recently realised most of my stitching is small, don't know why I hadn't thought of linking to the  SAL before! Of course this could be included in Gifted Gorgeousness too, but I couldn't wait to show you all!

Gifted Gorgeousness - December 2018

Hi there blogging friends!

Christmas is almost here! Hope everyone is ready!

Just popping in with a quick post for Jo’s Gifted Gorgeousness (you can see everyone else's posts over at Jo's HERE).

As it’s almost Christmas there is one more Christmas tune I really love ...... Wizzard! I was especially pleased to find it doesn’t have an advert before the music starts!

Yay I have a finish!

This is quite appropriate for Christmas, in one way ..... because I think this little gift was something I received for Christmas at least 20 years ago!

Do you remember me saying recently that I thought I'd destroyed this piece! 

..... when I cut the fabric too close to the stitching .....

But look, I got lucky! The stitching went well and, surprisingly, the edges didn't fray! Phew!

Now I just don't want anyone to touch ..... the fabric
was just beginning to fray as I finished stitching

And, its almost "Squirrel time"! Tee hee!

As it happens we have a white squirrel visiting us these days:

He's quite elusive and hard to capture on "film"!

Some days he looks better than others! 

So this little piece of stitching falls under the categories of Gifted Gorgeousness because it will be a gift for one of my friends from my handicraft group, it is also one of those squirrel projects ..... one of those projects that makes you drop everything else  until its finished. (I'll be linking this post to Menopausal Melon's DReaMi squirrel party shortly)

This was meant to be a pincushion ..... but I'm not sure I can stop myself  turning it into a teeny tiny bag to hold a pincushion!

The skinny pinnie is just posing here,
there will be a specially made pincushion
for this little bag

This little bag (or pincushion) is probably smaller than you would think looking at my photos! It finishes at 9 cms tall, 13 cms if you include the handles and 7 cms wide (3 1/2", 5" and 3" approx).

Shame my sewing machine has just died ..... all further sewing will have to be by hand!


I seem to be in Pincushion making mode just lately, which is probably why I'm joining in with Bea's pincushion swap over at "Beaquilter".

Perhaps you'd like to join in? Not sure when the closing date is but you can read all about it Here.


Must go, duties to do!


Have a Super Christmas all, and I hope to "see" you again in the New Year.

Thank you for popping by, and thank you so much if you are leaving a comment too!




Many Hugs,
Barbara xxx

Slow Sunday Stitching

Hi Kathy, and blogging friends,


I was just passing by, hadn't intended to say hello, but I couldn't resist!

No embroidery, but I am using tiny hand stitches to complete my polka dot lady.

Don't forget, click on any photo to get a bigger picture!

There is a close up of her embroidered face here and, of course, if you are seeing the full web picture of my blog today she's in the header too. (Once she's finished I'll write a full post and give you all the details of where the pattern came from, if you're interested.)


Kathy asked what the weather was like, and if we are stitching outdoors ..... afraid not, not here! This is my preferred outdoor stitching area:

and my second choice, depending on where the sun is ....

Boy is it raining now! I heard on the radio that it had been a very windy night, but I didn't hear a sound, I must have slept heavily!

Oh, and you wouldn't believe it DH and a neighbour are out walking in it ..... there was a pre-booked guided walk they didn't want to miss! They are each wearing double layers of waterproofs. Poor things!

Our dear furbabies aren't too happy ..... rainy day routine! (Oops couldn't get a picture of our other cat, he doesn't show up very well being totally black!

So that's all from me, but I'm wondering ..... what are you stitching .....and are you stitching outdoors?

Looking forward to hearing from you.


And a really BIG "thank you" to all who commented on my last post!



Hugs,
Barbara xxx
Linking to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching

TUSAL - September

Hello Dear Blogging Friends,

I'm linking to Daffycat's blog for this month's TUSAL report. 

TUSAL is where we show pictures of our ORTs (leftover threads), for no particular reason (other than that they look kind of pretty)!

I’m also linking to Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitch Sunday here.

Today I’ve been stitching the second free gift from CrossStitcher (Summer Issue) No: 332 - Seagulls & Stripes ..... although I don’t have an up to date photo, this is last week’s stitching ..... I will have another photo to share on my next post (Gifted Gorgeousness), probably tomorrow.

 I’ve also been trying to finish this little lady ..... but as I’m stitching the face differently to the tutorial it’s taken me a while to decide what stitches to use.

  August’s ORTS - fabric and cotton next to new pincushion in progress.

she’s from a tutorial I found on Pinterest but I’ll have to give you the details on my next post as I don’t have them to hand at the moment!

See you soon,

Hugs,

Barbara xx