Wednesday 20 November 2013

Stitchin'


Still feeling like I'm hanging around, marking time waiting for yet another hospital appointment, I have felt oddly dislocated from everyday life. Obviously, some things get done because they have to - bit of shopping, bit of housework, mum's life to organise, but otherwise partly due to not feeling great, and partly because of the weather, I have hunkered down and just gone with the flow. So I've been reading a bit, planning new stitching projects, playing a bit of music - and stitching. Oooh, lots of stitching. But before I got into the stitching I was having another little tidy and decided, with all the new pincushions I seem to have acquired, I should really ditch this old one, which was beginning to shred on the underneath.


I've had this for goodness knows how many years. I always felt awkward to be honest, sticking pins and needles into it, I always avoided the face bit. Yes, I know, I'm daft. Anyway, as I'm about to throw it into the bin I can feel a needle buried deep inside the  mouse. So I think I'd better get it out, don't want the bin-men getting a needle-stick injury, do we? So I cut it open and pulled out the stuffing.


And discovered not one, but THIRTY ONE needles buried inside! Count 'em!


Incredible, isn't it? And some of them have been there a long time - see those really tiny sharps quilting needles? They are the very finest, and I haven't used them for years - I doubt I could see the eye let alone thread it!

Then I sorted all my little sewing baskets out and got rid of a load of rubbish. After which I got out the two felt projects I'm currently working on. Both are commissions, and I'm thoroughly enjoying working on them.



A new bangle, in Someone's favourite colours. Very much smaller than the ones I've already made as she has such tiny wrists. I think I may make a second version in slightly different colour combinations.

The second commission is somewhat larger than the bangle, you saw the beginnings of it in my last post. Here are some snippets to whet your appetite!


Loved stitching the holly and berries.


Now I love the effect of the stippling, especially with the variegated thread. But OH! It does take an age! You really have to be careful that you keep the depth of stippling  even , it is easy to over-work one area .


So there you are. I'm quite excited planning the next angel - I'm refining my ideas all the time I'm stitching, and gathering ideas from many folk - art sources. I'm having another stitch day tomorrow, hoping to have finished the angel by tea-time.

The weather is getting colder, it was 3 degrees this morning when I went into town. Fingers crossed it says reasonably OK on Friday as Yvonne and I are going up to Harrogate for the Knitting and Stitching Show. I'll tell you how it went next time.




22 comments:

  1. I so love your felt work - the colours, the embroidery and the simplicity of the designs it's really beautiful. Do hope you stitched that poor little mouse back together after his operation - he must have felt poorly with all those needles inside him!

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    1. Hahaha! I'm afraid the poor little mouse is in the rubbish bin, he was falling to bits and the fabric had worn so thin - it is quite old!

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  2. I'll be at the show tomorrow, Thursday, so let me know if we co-incide and we could say a big "Hello". It would be lovely.
    Immerse yourself in your beautiful crafting and music whilst you are getting your health sorted. Keep smiling.
    I look forward to seeing this latest project finished.
    love Jo x

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    1. Oh Jo - what a shame, we are going on Friday, it would have been lovely to meet up. But do go along to stand A140 - in the makers/designers hall at the back, and there you will find my bloggy friend Sue of Crafts @Home blog; we are finally getting to meet each other when I manage to find her stand! Be good to exchange notes on the show. Lxx

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  3. no I would have not pushed pins into his little face either :-)
    Loving the colours in todays post!

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    1. Hi Kath! I know, we are daft aren't we, talk about anthropomorphising your work tools! I am so in love with these felts, but I do have some subtle colours as well - I shall be moving into more dignified colourways at some point!!

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  4. Love all these colourful sneak peeks ! (and please don't chánge
    your colourways !)
    You're working very hard !!! I so want to see all of that angel ....
    Btw I clearly see my name on pic nr. 8 .... (though I think that
    "Ang" is in front of that ;-) .... )
    Lóóóóve those fine quilting needles ..... HATE to thread them
    though !

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    1. Ha! Els! You spotted the ....els bit didn't you! I don't think I could use needles so fine any more, either. I suppose I shall always go for my favourite colours, but if I want to appeal to other people I have to be prepared to work in different ones. And I do like pale shades sometimes..... I can do sophisticated, you know!!

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  5. oh no you didn't want to stick pins in his eyes but you cut him in half and threw him in the bin - you are a stronger woman than i am!!!!!!! i don't know whether i've always been like this BUT i am stupidly sentimental these days - i really hope you are "sorted" out soon - i am enjoying the lovely felt colours and love the variegated thread - enjoy your day out on friday xx

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    1. Hi Lynne, yes, I am quite brutal, aren't I ? But you know, I did have to work up to doing it!! I'm sure Friday will be wonderful (and probably on the expensive side!) but I am very anxious about the weather - it is a good 3 hour drive and only to be undertaken in reasonable driving conditions. Lx

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  6. Good Morning Lynne, I was amazed at all the needles hidden inside that poor old mouse. He certainly had a little secret, didn't he? Your work with felt is always so pretty. I love all the little details and color combinations. Here's wishing you and Yvonne a lovely day together on Friday and a safe drive. Keep your chin up and wear that delightful smile of yours, that should send the gray skies a running :)
    To good times,
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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    1. Hello Connie, I know! Amazing, sadly a lot of this needles are next to useless for me now as those tiny ones are difficult the thread and handle. We are really looking forward to our day out - the K&S Show is always very good value, whether we go to London for it, or this time to Yorkshire.Thank you for your lovely comments! Lx

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  7. Lovely stitching there Lynne, just gorgeous. I love how you layer up your creations, put together the colours and different stitches, super! :) x

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    1. Thanks Ada, that actually is the fun part -deciding on the colours and how they will go together. Lx

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  8. Such lovely pictures (and colours!!) as usual, L. So sorry to hear you are still under the weather. Sending a lot of Love and wellness-thoughts to you, stay warm and hope to see you soon in good health. xxx

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    1. Thanks Lizzy, am pootling on as usual, just need to get that ENT appointment and get the thing treated. Not loving being on yet MORE antibiotics! Lx

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  9. p.s. our puppy ate a sewing book of needles a few months ago, rather like your mouse. she also was cut open - thankfully totally fine now! :-/

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    1. Good grief! That could have been very nasty! Glad all is well. Dangerous things, needles! Lx

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  10. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...itching to see that finished angel...and the voodoo mouse deserves a second chance! EE xx

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    1. Alas, Ethel, the mouse is deceased. He has gone to be recycled, which is all any of us can hope for, when you think about it! Yes, I'll put some piccies of the finished angel up next post. Thanks for popping by!

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  11. Hope you're feeling better soon Lynne.

    I amazed that mouse hadn't given you a needle stitck!

    Looking forward to the stitchy reveal ... I do love your work :)

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    1. Thanks Annie, yes, I'm amazed too! But it was a good haul I recovered so I have needles to spare now! Lx

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