Swap time again

I took part in another wee swap. A secret swap, so, I am afraid I did not post pictures as it went along, but now that my partner has received her package, I can show all.



 The swap criterion was tiny! No more than 6 inches in any dimension.  I had several ideas, and eventually settled on this version, using strips, and portholes and applique.
Strange, I do not think I am fond of doing applique, but I do like the end result, so I seem to do it rather more often than might be expected..
Now, this wee cat is reaching down, and she needed something to reach for..Perhaps a butterfly?

And then, any mini needs a back... 

 This back felt about right, and that is the label there at the bottom corner.









My partner had expressed a fondness for needle books, in her details, so for a wee addition, making a needle book felt rather apt. I had seen Lucy's 'Stitchy pie'

 but I did not really want to use someone else's pattern. So, I thought I might adapt the concept, and devised this one. It started as a circle, and then I scalloped the edges, to make more of a flower shape.

Felt on the inside, and a Kam snap to fasten it closed,

 and I felt it was a usable needle book.
















A few more tiny extras and we are done!

I am eagerly watching the post, to see when I get a surprise mini quilt... Hurry up Mr Postie!

Presents..

To me!

I arrived home from work on Friday to find a package awaiting.. Inside beautiful flowers, all in shades of yellow and white. I added some Lady's mantle and some osmanthus from the garden, and filled this vessel, which now sits in my hallway, and also....





This one, which is currently cheering my living room.

These were a thank You, for having made the bridesmaids dresses for that recent wedding.

I had the joy of making, and I also got flowers! Win-win!

 Then yesterday, at work, this amazing piece arrived!



A candle tree made by an elderly gentleman, from bits in his garden, just for me!

You must excuse the background, my usual chaos reigns... 

I am impressed with the loving patience this man put in to make something just for me! He has varnished it exceedingly thoroughly, which brings out the colour of the wood.

I think it is likely to come out at Christmas, for the future. Once I have stopped smiling every time I look at it, it will go away until then!


I have had a good week! I hope your week was equally good!


Sewing?




Oh! sewing!

Only a little and sort of secret...




here is a little sneaky peek!

All will, eventually be revealed...

Ducks

 I have started playing with the fabric I received form Terry's, You remember this post?
This is just the first little bit of what I have  planned- but I am rather pleased with the result!

 Stuffed with a teapot, it looks rather smart, I think!

 and I made the outer layer long enough to turn over the edges and use as a self binding!










Next I wanted to make oven gloves. So, I looked at the ones I have. And measured them, and thought about possible improvements. Not many improvements spring to mind. An oven glove is an oven glove, really.

And with the help of a couple of ducks...

We now have fun ducky oven gloves.









These have been followed by a table runner. Nicely sandwiched with heat resistant wadding, so pots can go straight on top, on the table.

I love these co-ordinating kitchen bits. It has just taken me a little longer to get to them, than I had thought!


The next pieces are planned!  soon, very soon...Just wait and see...

Quick notes!

 What is the nicest compliment you have received recently?

I can tell you mine!

' You are just as mad in real life as you are on your blog!'


Well, I thought that was perfect!


 Did we have a good time? Yes, we did!
I was escorted by my lad, who came with me, to meet a fellow retreater, with whom I went to lunch!

Sorry about the blurry picture...

She was everything I had hoped, from previous correspondence, and we laughed, and chatted- well, I chatted, she laughed, and we had lunch. She had warned me, she is very quiet... and does not talk... so I was warned! but I think... she is a little more chatty than she may have led me to believe!  But a lovely person, just as mad as I am, in the loveliest way!

And so, we attended the retreat. Table tops, and workshops, and met new folk, and did different things, and just got on with this and that.

and my lad came to fetch me at the end, and we all went for a meal, and he escorted me back to his place for the night, afterward.



And brought me back into London the next day, with sewing machine.... which was immediately pressed into use!

But not by me!

In the afternoon, we made 'Portholes' Not 'gloryholes' , we were told- there seems to be some nuance there that I may be missing...

That evening, there was the sample swap.

My little group was lovely, and I received the wonderful zippy pouch, which has been pressed into immediate service, to take a little hand work on holiday tomorrow..

Porthole, the first

 I also received the gorgeous purse from Nicky, which I had been coveting! and a pretty, oh, so pretty, mug rug, from Gertie Pye! But it is white! how can I plonk a cup of tea on that?

I will have to think that one through!

Porthole, the second

Yes, I used variegated thread on this one. 

Porthole, the third!

 Then, the last day, precision piecing with Lynn!

Well, some of my seams meet where they are meant to,  but I consistently make my blocks 1/8" too big.. A small fault perhaps.. but..

At least I am consistent ( silly grin)

And my lad came to bring my machine back at the end. He is not a bad lad!

And she had the dies for cutting Drunkards path! so I borrowed her Sizzix, and cut my pieces, and then did two versions. One with pins, one without.

And there was not a pick between them. So, I shall continue to sew these with no pins, and cross my fingers and hope they work!Two of these illustrated are non pinned, and one pinned!

Guess the odd one out!  No prizes, because I do not know myself.

Now, I am off, and may be back in a weeks time- perhaps.. And I may tell you more- but then, you may be bored by all of it by then, so what I have omitted, may stay that way!