Bits and bobs

The jacket is done...

 and I am pleased with it. Simple, but with that shot taffeta lining, and lack of fuss, I think it will look classy.  And how the silk glows! ( shame about the body it will be going on, but hey, you can't have everything!)












And then, of course, I had to take part in another small swap.. Triptych.


Three  linked tiny quilts, whatever you were inspired to do, you do, and send to a partner, who has no idea who is making what for them. And they are making for, someone else, of course.

I have explored this theme before, but nevertheless it felt appropriate for the partner I was assigned. So, I went with it- yes I thought about and rejected umpteen different ideas before this one happened, and felt OK.

and there had to be some variation, and a link, so other members of the wildlife community came into play. 

Finishing with this fellow, out on definite business dealings... Very purposeful. 

 I think the three follow through nicely.

And then, a small something? Well, let me not let a good theme go past...  Let us have a basket,





 The deer again

 and some hares,

And Mr Fox has to come in again, too

This was sent about a week ago, so sometime soon, it should land at its new home...

A few finishes..

 Brown is not everyone's favourite colour. I know that. You know that. But put brown with pretty turquoisey blue, and the brown makes that blue sing!

I think this looks really pretty, and I am very pleased with the result. Just a straightforward and completely unbiased opinion, you understand. Seeing it cold and clear, and without prejudice of any kind.


And this is a lovely rich warm brown, too, and I totally love the combination.

Let us hope the mystery recipient likes it just a little bit too!

Well, I added a little extra. I made this little fabric basket, piping it above and below the panel, just do not look too close at the stitching round the piping... It is fine from the inside, perhaps because I did it from the inside. The outside is less neat.. But such is life!

And it has been posted off to pastures new!

yes I did take those threads off, and press the whatevers out of it first!

And yes, that ironing board cover is starting to look sad. again. Hmm.




And for my next trick?

Wait and see!

I am a winner!

 A parcel? For me? What can it be?

Pretty stamps!

 And inside that parcel, a fabric basket! filled with goodies!

There are two, oh so pretty, hand towels, and some delicious smelling soap! and a small pack of tissues.

those dainty squares are Honey honey, by Kate Spain. ( I rather like Kate Spain...)

 A hand towel in blue!



and





 a hand towel in green!

 The basket sits so prettily on the windowsill,

and those hand towels are perfect in here  

hasn't Julia  done a superb job for me!

I love this basket, and those little extras are so special!

Shall I tell you? Yes, She made that soap herself! and it smells divine!

Now- how can anyone top that!

Sorry now to my partner! I cannot do as good a job for you! I am doing my best, but...

a basket case...

 The basket swap is starting to throw up some very nice baskets. A lot of work is going into some of these, and I had to put on my thinking cap, to decide which I would make. There are lots of tutorials and instructions out there, for various baskets, but from the information available about my partner, I get the feeling she likes things kept quite simple and elegant. I found this lovely fine flame orange linen, only a small scrap of it, and some fabric for a lining, and looked for a simple organic design to work with it. These stems and leaves I have done before, and with a pretty, variegated thread, I thought it would look OK.

 But, just suppose? if she is not a fan of orange. Well, in the abstract, I am not the biggest fan of orange... this orange I love, and soft coral oranges I love, but raw orange? Not for me.

So, I had a very pale yellow. So pale, it almost doesn't look yellow. And the same simple, variegated thread design- A different colour of thread, but same style- and a matching version is born.

 But, perhaps she would like something a little more fun?

I already had these chevrons, which make a fun lining...

Simple strips of red prints turn into a basket




this picture shows it inside out, just for the sake of keeping some confusion!

And, no handles on this one!

So, which of these will I send?


and I have folk who want each of them- so good homes will be found for any left over....


I am thinking hard, what to do!

I will show the whole of the red one soon.Just not yet  as that might tell someone too much...

Criminal activity

I confess all. It was me. And I am really sorry, I did not mean to do it, but cannot take it back. Sorry.

Well, it was a lovely day. And I have almost been all round the back garden, so the greenhouse really needed some attention. It did! I had just thrown stuff in there, and left it, and it all needed washing and tidying and a right good sort out.

Did you ever get one of those upside down tomato planters? Well, I was given one. And it sort of worked. After a fashion. Two Years Ago.
So that was thrown in with the rest. And, having a throwy outy fit, I thought,I would just throw it out.


And then I found out what I had done. In that tomato planter someone very small has built a nest. And laid eggs. Tiny weeny eggs. All safe and secure in that forgotten corner of the greenhouse. Ouch.

So, I have tried to put it back where I found it. I have stopped clearing the greenhouse, and I will hope that Mr and Mrs Robin ( I think it is the Robins, but it may be the Wrens) will come back and not be too upset.

So, There, I have confessed. And I will keep a sideways eye on things and let you know if anything sensible happens, or if it is the disaster I am expecting.

 And as you may know- or not-  I have joined a basket swap. Well, I wanted an excuse to make one, and someone nameless put me on to it, so I did. And thought a trial run was in order. So, offcuts from other stuff, and a basket appears.


Quite small, but a fun size to make, and I hope it will be usable.






Only small problem, was getting an accidental pleat in the bottom.











This is how it ought to look.

So a little seam ripping later, and I managed to ease it out OK!


But that is all the sewing here lately! Garden has had its attention!

What a shame, I cannot offer this alternative accommodation to Mr and Mrs Robin... But I think they prefer to choose their own.