ANOTHER ROSEBUD

I have added another rosebud to my Valentine Give away, this time it is on a small heart shaped scissor fob, I hope to add at least   one other piece before the draw on February  14th . Caitlin will do the draw when she comes to stitch that afternoon. If you would like to be included and have not left a message on my last posting you may leave one here and still be included. Here to remind you are the other items in the give away- two thread clips and a tape measure.

 

 

 

 

A HANDY HINT AND A GIVE AWAY

 A useful item for your work box and also an ideal small gift for embroidery friends is this little embroidered clip.

The idea passed on from a class with the Waikato Guild some years ago was the use of hair snap clips to keep balls of perle thread tidy, I started with small plain ones then  we found some pretty covered ones  Needing some more after having shared quite a few in classes and Caitlin claiming these ones with little bunnies on them, I found only the slightly larger ones available locally, however they have served my need and I designed my own cover… its quite easy to do.

 

The small or medium size snap clips work best and I prefer when I can get them to use the ones with a coating.

The clips I have used are about 5cm (2inches) in length

I used a fine linen and  my fabric size was 3.5cm x 13.5cm. ( approx. 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches)          This allowed a .5cm seam allowance. (1/4 inch)

The stitched area was 2.5 x 11.5 cm  (1 x4 1/2 inches) shown in the drawing as a solid line.                Stitch right round the edge of the design area with a small buttonhole stitch  over 2 x 2 threads            using a fine thread, Perle 12 is ideal.  I used DMC Dentelles  80 but that is getting harder to find in NZ now.   There is also a row of buttonhole stitches  across 1.5cm down from the top.

The dotted line further down shows a fold.

 

A small design is stitched in the centre space and the size for this will be governed by the thread count of your fabric.

 

 

Fold in the seam allowance, fold across the top section and again at the dotted line. Place a piece of firm Vilene/pellon fabric behind the front section and sew up the sides by whipping together the buttonhole stitches. Slip the snap clip into the slit at the back,  a couple of stitches to hold the top edge down and the clip will be held firmly in place.

 

  

 

As well as ones with violets for myself to match my needlework accessory set I have  found a tiny pink rose bud adapted from this chart also works well.  Of course you could make the rose bud any colour you like, so with Valentine's Day coming shortly  I have decided to stitch some with red rose buds for some friends  and I will make one with a few matching items as a give to be drawn on Feb 14th leave a message on this posting if you would like to go in the draw,

 

 

 



HERE'S HOW- COVERED TAPE MEASURES

Retractable tape measures come in a variety of sizes, Round ones are the easiest to cover and the ones I can get at present are small, (4cm)   although they come with  a key ring and chain this is easily removed. This small size is ideal addition to a set of needlework accessories and specially tucking in a husif..

For many years the ones I decorated with a small embroidery  either a every small cross stitch motif or bullion stitch roses were like the one I put in Rachel's hussif with a covered cardboard circle glues on the top
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Then I saw in a magazine how to cover the tape measure and  the first one I did to try out the instructions just had a piece of fabric decorated with beads and a few stitches on top ( photo below) from there the idea grew . Although the idea is NOT my own I have adapted it to suit what I like.

Things to Note-

The size of your Tape measure and what fabric you chose to stitch on will dictate the size of the design you can use. It is a good idea to cut a circle of card slightly smaller than the top of your tape measure and this will be your guide, also do not bring your design right out to the edge or it will be covered with the braid trim. My preferred linen is a fine 40 count which does allow me plenty of stitching space and the finer linen is not too bulky when turned in round the edges.

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 You will need a circle of good quality felt for the cover,  avoid felt that is too thin as it will pull apart when you lace it across the top. The circle will need to be just big enough to cover bottom, sides and come just on to the top, make a template and check for size. The V niche is better to be a little small as size can be adjusted. Here is what is needed for the project

Stage 1

First attach a bead,  charm or tassel to the end of the tape measure, use a strong thread, a quilting thread is ideal, It will be necessary to remove and replace what is on the end of the tape measure, a clothes peg is excellent for making sure you do not lose the tape inside the case while you are working.  Stitch through the bead at least twice to make sure it is firmly attached  then knot together the ends of your thread . use your needle to pull on one end of the thread taking the knot inside the bead before clipping the ends off.

Stage 2

Now to cover the tape measure  using the strong thread or a double thread, stitch a running stitch around the edge of your felt and draw up over the tape measure  Make sure the button for retracting the tape is on the bottom, then lace it to draw in the fabric and hold it firmly in place. Gather and lace your embroidery round the small piece of cardboard  and attach it to the top of the tape measure with a slip stitch.

Finish by gluing a pretty braid round the edge to hide your stitched. Note the embroidery on the top of my tape measure is a little larger than I would prefer but was stitched for a different size tape measure which I can no longer buy and I hate to waste it !! so I have used a very thin braid to finish

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I have a selection of braids that I can use as shown here.

 

 

 

 

Enjoy making these for yourself and as gifts for friends.

 

A NEW START

 

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning. -J. B. Priestly

 

 

When Paul was first told that the blood condition he had lived with for so many years had reversed and he then had leukaemia, we decided to make the most of the time we had and yes in many ways that last year had some very special monuments, and with together time being number 1 importance this blog was left to sit.  I have come through the first year of flying solo and adjusted to changes of life style, completed 5 years with the stitching friends group ( and plan to go on)  and I guess I was looking for a new challenge, when a request to my main blog Notes from under the Mountain for a tutorial on how to do the covered tape measurers came from. Akila ( of Mostly cross stitch and some more blog)

 

 

 

 

 

I have shared a few here's how in the past but as yet no blog tutorials so I am taking up the challenge.

 A little time will be needed to take photos but I will be back soon with a " here's how" tutorial for the covered tape measurers

 

Meanwhile may I introduce one of our tiny native birds this is the North Island Tomtit. or Miromiro, This wee bird is 5inches in length and I had the delight in watching some while sitting by Lake Rotakare last Sunday.  The bird embroidery was stitched about 10 years ago . I have made a new signature for this blog and have use a tomtit on it but as yet have to find a way to reduce it further.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A DINNER INVITATION

To Sarah and Henry,
I graciously accept your very kind dinner invitation. 

 I look forward to our next visit.
Sincerely,
Annette from California

Lee setting the table....... using tweezers.

The table is 20cm long and the lovely lace cloth started life some time in the 1930's as a powderpuff handkerchief and belonged to my mother

We made the peas and baby carrots from fimo and in the covered vegetable dishes are beans and roast potatoes, the leg of ham was bought. I'm very proud of the table setting, the tiny salts and peppers are pewter as are the serviette rings.

The table is set ready for dinner do come and join us,

Features of the dining room are..........................
The wall paper which is deep red flocked on gold foil background.
 The clock on the dining room mantlepiece is  my favourite.

The Marble topped dresser

Paul made the table and chairs, the chairs specially are beautifully done and the seat fabric is hand stitched on fine linen.