Newer Post Older Post

Finally...a finish!!!

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, I really have finished something - my Summersville house is now a pincushion!

Before the big reveal I just want to say "thank you" to a few people as I've received more splendid post this week.  



I bought the fabric in the first photo (it doesn't belong in my 'thank you' mosaic but it filled a space!) - two fat quarters that I'm planning to add to the pile 
set aside for my ET phone home quilt.  The fabric is from Brighton Sewing Centre - it's the first time I've used this site and had fabulous service (and free UK postage on orders over £30) and would definitely shop there again.  They also sent a mini Moo compliment card with a couple of snippets of fabric they thought I might like (presumably based on my order) and they're right...I do.  I won't be ordering them but I think it's a good idea.

Item two is from Nicky - the hardware needed to make some key fobs (you can see some fine examples on Hadley's blog).  Apparently I need a hammer...I have a toffee hammer (not literally but that's what my dad calls it, I think it's a 4oz one - do I sound like I know what I'm talking about?!), I wonder if that'll be up to the job?  More importantly, I wonder if I'm up to the job as I'm not known for my ability with a hammer...(I'm not sure what I'm known for but a hammer definitely doesn't come into it!)  It's a pair of pliers I need, not a hammer - I think I stand more of a chance now.  At least I hope I do!  Thanks to Jan and Katy for setting me right!

Next up is the wonderful Zakka book I won in John@Quilt Dad's giveaway.  I can see why it's been so popular - it's stuffed with lovely things to make (or look at, depending on how motivated you are!).

I also won something else recently, this time from The Sewing Directory and today I received a bundle of five 'Katherine's Wheel' fat quarters from Nel Whatmore's new collection for Westminster Fabrics.  The fabrics are beautiful and feel absolutely gorgeous.  I haven't been able to bring myself to dismantle the triangle bundle yet, I'm still at the 'Is this really mine?  It's gorgeous!' phase of fabric ownership!

Sheila went on holiday recently and brought me back a lovely present - some absolutely gorgeous vintage-style text/label fabric, a really unusual notebook that's crying out for something special to be written (or sketched) in it and a bonny purse/tissue holder that's going in my handbag the moment the label is removed!  (Which is any minute now it's had its photo taken!)

My final thank you is to Nic who very kindly offered me lots of fabric that she had sorted through for her recent house (and job!) move.  As well as the fabrics in the photo (the blue and white fabrics are already petitioning for inclusion in Mam and Dad's blue and white quilt) I also choose some solid white and black cotton sheeting-weight fabric which will be really useful for quilt/cushion backs as well as for stabilising fabric during embroidery.

Thank you, one and all - I really appreciate your generosity!  As I've said before, there's nothing quite like a kindness of quilters!



Right, I think it's time for a reveal, don't you?!

Last time you saw my Summersville house it looked like this...

 And I've been working hard on it recently.  (Not really, I've just picked it up for a few minutes here and there!) I tried to remember to take a photo after each session (or two!) of embroidery...


Yes, despite being stabilised and stretched tightly in a hoop, it's a little distorted due to all the embroidery I've done but I knew that wouldn't matter for a pincushion...stuffing helps to straighten it/make it less obvious!



And now it looks like this...

Stitches used include satin and back stitch, long/short stitch and couching.  And a colonial knot for the door knob!

I love it!  I think that Summersville and Pezzy go really well together and my charm pack from Lucy is perfect for projects like this.  Don't worry though, pins will only be permitted in the Pezzy Print border - if they go anywhere near the embroidery they'll be thrown back in the pin tin that lives by my sewing machine!

I'm now going to make a coordinating thread catcher - I've chosen a section of 'Town' that has three terraced houses, a detached house and a tree on it...I may be some time!!  Goodness knows how long the cushion (or two) that I've got planned is going to take me!  And I'm already eyeing up a little house from 'Avenue' for a mini pincushion (to put in general sewing kit).   At this rate my pieces of Summersville are  going to look like the quadrilateral moths have been at them! 



Archie had a busy day yesterday and now looks like he's had a run-in with a lawnmower.  Or perhaps the shepherd from the Specsavers advert!  (If you haven't a clue what I'm talking about go and take a look - you won't regret it!)

Do you mind not pointing out my humiliation to all and sundry?

Look at the clip of that!!!

He had to have an ultrasound on his liver (and a bile acid test) to see how his liver is faring so he spent the day at the vet.  I don't think he slept a wink all day (too much to see!) as he was snoring by 7pm last night.  He didn't have a sedative (how on earth did they get him to lie still enough to shave his tummy and do an ultrasound on him - hypnosis?!) but he was definitely more tired than usual.  I won't get the results for a fortnight or so though as they have to go away to a lab - please keep your fingers crossed!


He still looks handsome though, even with a ridiculous 'I had an argument with a pair of clippers and they won' tummy...

I still have my dignity...and my fans!

And he's the same old Archie...

Did you just open the fridge?  You did, didn't you?!
I know she went in the fridge.  I bet she got the cheese out...I didn't get any...again!


I'm off to pull some paper off the back of some fairly small foundation piecing - I think I'm going to need a pin to get to some pieces!  It's a good job I didn't hoover today!!

*
*
*
*
*
*

STOP THE PRESSES!

I forgot to mention that Lynne is hosting an(other!) amazing giveaway - you won't want to miss it!  Really you won't so get yourself over there and enter!  After you've left me a comment, naturally!

Edited to add: I'm in the middle of faffing with my blog layout/templates - I'm waiting to take some good (outdoor) photos of Archie and some quilts for the header but what do you think so far?

Comments

  1. what a cute house you made. Love Archie like usual :)
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow what a great lot of gifts and goodies! You're one lucky lady!
    The pincushion is gorgeous! You're not wrong about those fabric lines being perfect for each other =D

    ReplyDelete
  3. That pincushion turned out a treat - great idea using the pezzy prints. Oh and what fab mail you're always getting. It's so fun getting surprised in the mail. BTW I think larger pliers are the way to go with the fobs. I've not tried the hammer way and small pliers are not good because it's hard to evenly crimp the fob hardware together.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the pincushion and what lovely post!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That pin cushion is far too good to have pins stuck in it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fab mail, although you'll be needing pliers for the fobs, not a hammer! cute wee pincushion and the bears have all got their paws crossed for Archie.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your pincushion is really cute. Loving your post. Have fun with your hammer and players! Di x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Poor Archie!
    Love the pinnie!!!

    AND STEP AWAY FROM THE HAMMER!

    You just need a pair of decent pilers, not pointy ones, and a bit of cardboard - cereal packet will do, to protect the metal - and pinch each edge - simple, trust me!

    ReplyDelete
  9. poor wee archiballs! Must be a wee bitty draughty for him with the shaved belly and all. Hope he passes the tests okay :-)
    Love your summersville pinnie and I'm glad you're being spoiled with lots of lovely post too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Don't you just love having a white dog until you shave him and discover he's a black dog incognito? I have one too. Makes me suspicious what else mine is hiding!
    I love Archie and check your blog every day to see what he (and you) are up to.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the refit so far! Archie is even more cute and adorable with a shaved tum. Hope the results are good news. And your pinnie is out of this world stunning H! Oh my word! Your are a stitchery queen! Enjoy all your lovely gifts and winnings. Jxo

    ReplyDelete
  12. That's a lot of wonderful giftee love! Your pincushion is precious! Hugs to Archie!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That Archie can't take a bad photo- he's so cute! I hope his health is ok. Poor guy. I love your pin cushion!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love your pincushion - although I don't think I could bring myself to actually stick pins in it :o)

    ReplyDelete
  15. great finish!!! And Archie wants some spoiling I think.....he is too cute

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love your finish.

    Poor Archie! I hope he feels better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cute pincushion :)

    I don't think Archie did stay still for the vet to shave him - he looks like he's been hacked at with the clippers rather than smoothly shaved. He's still cute though.

    As to the layout and stuff. Ummm, it's different. Obviously I have high levels of observation.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Nice pincushion, love the bright Pez fabrics with Summersville embroidery. The blog looks great, nice and clean and simple. And poor old Archie, hope it's all good news in a couple of weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oooooo you lucky lucky person, what a fab week of winnings and goodies. I love the pin cushion - just gorgeous.
    Big hug to Archie
    x

    ReplyDelete
  20. The pincushion is gorgeous and I hope Archie's results are good. He does look very relaxed!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love the pincushion! Poor old Archie :-( hope the results are favourable!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love your pincushion, what a great idea.
    Poor Archie looks very sorry for himself: I hope the results all come back clear

    ReplyDelete
  23. awww Poor Archie! Positive vibes on there way for a good out come to his tests.
    Love your pincushion! What embroidery stitch were you using to 'colour in'? It looks like it must take ages and a lot of patience.
    Love all your goodies. I have that book in my Amazon wish list already waiting for someone to buy it for me. :)
    If no two legged creature buys it then maybe a 4 legged one will ;))
    I hope you're not developing web feet down there!

    ReplyDelete
  24. awww Poor Archie! Positive vibes on there way for a good out come to his tests.
    Love your pincushion! What embroidery stitch were you using to 'colour in'? It looks like it must take ages and a lot of patience.
    Love all your goodies. I have that book in my Amazon wish list already waiting for someone to buy it for me. :)
    If no two legged creature buys it then maybe a 4 legged one will ;))
    I hope you're not developing web feet down there!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Adore the pincushion!! Truly fab :) great lot of goodies too!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Give him some cheese Helen! Unless that is causing his health problems?? Lots of hugs to Archie and fingers crossed - what a brave boy!

    Love LOVE love your house and the mosaics of it building up!

    What are you up to HELEN??

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh poor Archie, I hope he is getting extra biscuits, keep us posted about his results. Love your pin cushion, but it's too nice to stick pins in!! Hugs x

    ReplyDelete
  28. oh poor little archie but I do love to see the black spots on his belly - just like pippi :) hope the results of his test are positive ! and love your pressies - so happy that you won a copy of Zakka Style - you'll have fun with the sweet little projects in that and also making the key fobs - and wanted to tell you how much I LOVE your pincushion - that house is just amazing - so glad you've made it into a pincushion that you'll see all the time :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Fingers definitely crossed for Archie.
    Love your pincushion, the fabric, the stitching and the shape!x

    ReplyDelete
  30. LOVE your pincushion! Good thoughts heading Archie's way too...

    Jennifer :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Poor Archie, I do hope it is good news. My Lola isn't so well at the moment, but she's 16 and has dementia - so what can we expect? I'm just not ready for bad news with her though:( Speaking of quilting with small peices we went to the quilt museum in York yesterday and they have some super exhibitions on - including the tiniest quilts I have ever seen. The skill is both awe inspiring and depressing! Love the pin cushion BTW.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Poor Archie!
    Love the pincushion and great post parcels x

    ReplyDelete
  33. Archie Archie Archie . . so dignified despite the chips being down.
    Love all your photos and mosaics Helen ./ . the blog looks great . . always a surprise to tempt us with. (Lucky I dont know where you live or that cute pin cushion might go missing! its tres adorable)

    ReplyDelete
  34. How did I miss this post?

    Love, love, love that pin cushion. And all the lovely goodness you have been receiving. Hope Archie's fur is starting to grow back. He needs his dignity. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love your pincushion and the many lovely things you have received!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love your pin cushion! I hope Archies feeling better now and his results come back ok. That specsaver ad is very funny btw

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh, I love what you created - that is wonderful! And, Archie is ADORABLE!! Don't you just love dogs?!
    xo
    Holly

    ReplyDelete
  38. lovely blog! I kept on scrolling down to read more. and i think I'm burning the oatmeal so I need to go. but I'm bookmarking you for another day.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Your pincushion is so cute! I've been embroidering some Summersville houses as well but can't decide exactly what I am going to do with them when I'm finished!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Very cute little pincushion!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I love comments, thank you for yours!!

P.S. I've had to activate comment moderation for older posts so if your comment doesn't appear, it's probably in my inbox awaiting my attention!
P.P.S. If you have a 'no reply' account (no blogger id/a wordpress blog/you aren't sure), please feel free to leave me a separate comment with just your email address in it (myemailaddress(at)wherever.co.uk to save any bots grabbing it), I shall add that to my address book so I can reply via email and then delete that comment. No worries if not, I shall reply within the comments!