It Started With a Stitch

…..  just a cute cat that took my fancy in a craft magazine (Australian Homespun);  I really didn't know what it would become, which is not unusual for me when starting into these little stitchies …. so after I had worked this cute pussy cat onto a piece of linen my brain began to work overtime, just a little bit quicker than usual, you know, and I found myself looking again at the lovely piece of fabric Gilly included in my package along with the giveaway Kate pattern. 

It just came to me - "Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?" I'm sure you all know the nursery rhyme …. "I've been to London to visit the Queen", and so on …. so then I stitched a wee chair and mouse into the picture, added the lettering, and started to frame the piece with that lovely London fabric. Then of course came the quilting. Thanks so much Gilly! By the way I used back stitch for most of this, apart from the butterfly's head and the cat's ears and cute little nose which are done in satin stitch!

As you can see in the above left pic, I've stitched a sleeve through which a rod will fit in order to hang the piece. I'm really happy with how this has turned out and do think that that cat has the cutest face …. oh, and the piece measures about 18 x 20 inches, not big, just nice!

So, what else have I been busy with? Well I thought it would be a good idea to make a few little things to put away for gifts so I now have a few pincushions and a couple more lavender hearts in the stash ….

…. those pincushions with the ribbons around are inspired by Helen Philipps' books 'Simple Sewn Gifts' and 'Pretty Patchwork Gifts' - both lovely publications - and the others are just patchworked scraps from other recent projects that have kept me busy and out of trouble! 

You want to see more? Well, I made a couple of fabric storage bags which should be really handy to have - in fact the giraffe one would be nice for a child - and might encourage tidiness from an early age …. !!! I interfaced the fabrics and backed them with wadding before lining, so they are standing up quite firmly. I have some ideas for more of these so I may keep going with them for a while.

I have been making cushions as well, but haven't photographed those yet so they'll keep until next time. I know, it probably sounds like I do nothing else but sew these days but I actually have been busy with the crochet hook too - another thing for next time - but we have had a few days in a row when the weather was so bad the only sensible thing to do was lock myself in the sewing room and keep stitching, and boy did I have some fun.

But of course we are fortunate that we have pleasant weather in among the bad and so we have been out and about a couple of times so let me show you some more of our local countryside, all within less than ten minutes drive from home.

These pretty scenes are from up Mount Shadforth Road - and there's some old farm machinery for you to peruse again, just for a bit of variety.

And our local walk down by the river always presents a few opportunities for the odd pic or two ….

Nice and peaceful, take it easy, enjoy a leisurely stroll just as it takes your fancy ….

Last but not least, a pic from the garden - these gorgeous leaves are the new growth on the Lilly Pilly tree, the colour is out of this world; and the bottom pic you would recognise as a daisy - please don't ask me which one - I just enjoy them, isn't it so pretty!

Thank you so much for visiting me again and leaving your lovely messages, and special welcome to my new followers. I trust that life is treating you all well, and for those of you with kiddywinks at home during school holidays, enjoy the special time with them for they grow up much too fast - and if you don't have opportunity to blog as regularly as usual don't concern yourselves about it, we're a loyal bunch and I for one, and surely most others', will still be here when you do have time to share again.

Wishing you all good, happy, and healthy times!

With my love,

❤Joy xoxo