Stitching on paper

12''x12'' approx

Stitching the November quiltie reminded me that I had stitched this mirror surround entirely on paper about 4 years ago. I'm not sure how well it will enlarge as the photo was taken with my old digital camera.

One previously unrevealed fact about me- I used to make bobbin lace and hope to do so again once I have more time!

Sandracing- yes again

Sandracing takes place every other Sunday at Mablethorpe on the east coast, start times vary depending on the tide but as we arrived today they were just on the practise laps. We try to get once a month, last time we were sat in T shirts today it was woolly hats and gloves. It was still quite windy and for once the sea looked quite dramatic!

some people make riding on the sand look so easy

Competitors of all ages wait in the pits

The sea doesn't usually have waves like this!!

The next time we go will probably be Sunday 23rd December ( must remember the mince pies) so if anyone reading this is going, look out for the guy with the red MZ hat.

November quiltie

This is my November quiltie for Unlimited Textile Internet group, the theme is Autumn. briefly it has a background of handmade paper (purchased) computer printed vilene, leaves, hand stitched with beads with a border of handmade felt. It is on the way to Suz in the states.
Click to enlarge for greater detail.

This was a personal challenge to myself to use less fabric for this months quiltie.

Work place part two

This is my 'workstation' chair facing computer, table in front of window extends to hold sewing machine, drawers contain thread for hand and machine stitching

workplace challenge

The Challenge fram Alma and Allie is to expose the state of your studio/workplace- well this is mine this morning. I've never been a tidy worker.
The cupboards hold paints and papers etc. The crazy patchwork heart was a runnerup entry in thus years sewing magazine challenge. Indonesian puppets from a car boot sale ( I always seem to rescue something)
Main part of book library with indian puppets again rescued from carboot sale
Fabric stash!!

Problem is that I also have shelves of city and guild sketchbooks etc in another room!!

Disappointing

I often shop at charity shops, flea markets and car boot sales. usually if you buy a jigsaw at a charity shop it has been checked to make sure all the pieces are there. This would have been a nice picture of a 500cc Honda but......................

Bookmarks and Inchies

These are the Bookmarks for Suz and Mrs Nesbitt, Sari yarn stitched on velvet and hand embroidered

Do you remember the Inchies I posted a few week ago? well I sent them to Quilting Arts Magazine to be swapped at Houston Quilt Fest and last night I had an e-mail from Odile in France to say that she had picked up one of mine! Sometimes I feel that the world is getting smaller and smaller.

Itsy Bitsy Purses

Ian has drawn four names out of the hat. they are Julie, Calamity Jane, Ikkinlala, and Doreen K with the Harleys. I will be e-mailing you all tonight for your address.

As Ian felt that the other two had been left out, bookmarks will be sent to Mrs Nesbit and Suz


Doreen- I don't seem to have a blog or e-mail addi for you so could you e-mail me at the link on my profile- many thanks

Lovely Bike

OK, This is one for the bikers, Ian took the photo at a local garage when he stopped to fill up the suzi knowing how much I liked these old american bikes. To me they have more character than bikes that are available now. Maybe I am just showing my age.

ATC for Neki

Strange, just noticed blog now say 46 post on one screen and 50 on the other- oh well, I reckon I will go with the figure of 50. Anyway, this is an ATC to trade with Neki.

(just noticed that photo) is upside down!!!

50th POST!!! and giveaway

When I first started this blog, the intention was to post just once a week with whatever sewing or biking I/we had done. Maybe I underestimated the pull of blogging and the encouragement of others:)
Anyway, here I am, 50 posts down the line, feeling very pleased with myself.
As a thank you(assuming people are still reading), I am giving away 4 Itsy Bitsy purses, approx 2 inch in size made from hand rolled felt with beads and stitching. Names from comments will go in the hat on Tuesday and I will list the names and ask for usual address details on Wednesday.

Retail therapy

Thanks to a small share out our works lottery syndicate, I was able to pop into Nottingham and treat myself to a basic MP3 player to use when walking to work. It turned out to be an entertaining afternoon with a fire eater entertaining the crowds, being invited to taste test cream cheese ( and getting free cheese and money vouchers for a high street shop) wandering round the Afro Caribbean Market in the square and watching the Native American style busker.


Needless to say, this was all a distraction from sewing.

Mangosteen

Looking for a simple design motif, I have been searching through the many photos now on stored on my computer ( a good friend transferred all the file from both our our ageing computers to the new one)
I came across this fruit in the local supermarket a few months ago and took photos as it dried out. The outer skin dries into a thick casing which is sat on the computer desk at the moment. If you knock the two halves together, they sound like the coconut halves that we used to play with at school.
Inside fruit ready to scoop out with a spoon.
I love this little flower type shape and will make it into a stamp.

Inside dried shell after the fruit has been removed

Bookmark swop

I love it when you get home to a pile of post which is not all bills. Today I received this gorgeous book mark from Susan who is part of the Unlimited Textile Internet group. Made on her new embellisher , it is wonderfully soft to touch.

Hello

I noticed that I had a few more visitors to my blog yesterday so a big hello and thank you all for dropping by.
Confession- no stitching last night as watched Heroes instead.