Pin Cushion Fun

I've just been doing some research on pin cushion designs. They are so much fun to make and it's impossible to stop at making just one. I totally understand why people collect them.

Look at these wonderful creations I found on Flickr.









I feel very inspired!
Happy pin cushion making!
Warmly Lenna

PS Which on is your favourite?

Favourite Embroidery Books

As a book lover I find it hard to go past good embroidery books. Especially if they offer something a bit out of the ordinary.

Hand embroidery is a passion of mine so I am always on the look out for new projects to inspire me. My book shelf is stacked with all manner of craft books and I often pour over them soaking up all the beautiful photographs. Trouble is after a few hours of indulging in this manner I feel like I have made half the projects I have looked at. It's a bit like flicking through a recipe book and then turning around to cook an old favourite rather than something new and different.

My progress and enthusiasm is also stifled by the fact that I already have far too many projects on the go at the moment and really don't need another to add to the list.
But it is wonderful to look isn't it.
If you suffer from this same addiction you'll be excited by these embroidery books I have stumbled across.
I love the whole style and fun nature of "Doodle Stitching"

Click on the graphic to find out more about this book and to discover some of my other favourite embroidery books.























Hope you enjoy them.
Warmly Lenna
www.stitchingcow.com

Project Featuring Hand Embroidery Patterns

Do you love sewing projects that include hand embroidery patterns?

When my family and I moved house a while back a few things went missing. One of them was a jewellery wrap that my mother had given to me a few years ago.

It was perfect for traveling because it was designed with lots of pockets and it kept my jewellery safe and sound. It looked beautiful as well. So you can imagine my disappointment when I could not find it anywhere.

After hours of searching I decided that it would be quicker if I made a new one. This decision coincided with a commission from Patchwork and Stitching magazine and hence I had the perfect excuse to design a jewellery wrap that included hand embroidery patterns.

Here's what I came up with.
This is one of the zipped compartments and it has a hand embroidered pocket on the front.





















There's also a middle section for bracelets.























And the best part is that it rolls up so that it can be tucked in easily with your luggage.
















If you would like more information about this embroidered project or other hand embroidery patterns head on over to the Stitching Cow website to read more information.
Here's the link to the pattern page for you.

Click here for more information about the hand embroidered Jewellery Wrap Pattern

Hope you enjoy making one of these for yourself or for someone special.
And by the way a few weeks after making this project I found my original jewellery wrap, isn't that always the way?!
Warmly Lenna

Patchwork Books

Need some new patchwork books for inspiration?

Last birthday I was lucky to receive a Moda jelly roll as a gift. You can imagine my excitement. I adored the range, the colours were beautiful and for a while I just sat it on my craft cupboard and admired it.

Just in case you think I am referring to a cake I have included a picture of a fabric jelly roll for you here, not the roll in question, but a lovely Moda jelly roll all the same.

Then one day my Miss 8 decided to have a closer look and pulled out one of the fabrics. I couldn't be annoyed with her, I had been tempted myself to inspect the fabric designs closer.

For those of you familiar with jelly rolls you will know that there is no way this can be fixed. My only solution is to find a quilt project that is worthy of my roll. And so the quest begins!

Thankfully my search has uncovered some fabulous patchwork books, which happen to be on sale at the moment. Yippeee!
I though I would share them with you. A sewing girl can never have too many beautiful books at her fingertips, especially when there is a sale on. I'm sure you understand how it is.

Here are some of my finds. Click on the graphic for more information about each book.









































And I also found these two patchwork books which caught my eye.
















































Now my only problem is that I have one jelly roll and about 5 quilts that I want to make. Guess I will just have to buy more fabric!
Hope you find these patchwork books of interest too.
Happy patchworking!
Warmly Lenna
www.stitchingcow.com

Embroidery Patterns on Flickr

Check out these wonderful embroidery patterns on Flickr. I just love looking at photos on Flickr. I could spend hours just swooning over the hundreds of images on display. If you haven't ever taken a look,then I highly recommend it. You will discover a whole new world.
Until today it had never occurred to me that there were embroidery patterns like these to look at. Some of them are copyrighted while others have been taken from coloring in books and don't seem to be labeled with any copyright. I'm assuming they could be copied for personal use.
I couldn't resist sharing a few of them with you.



If you're passionate about hand embroidery, like I am,
I'm sure you're always on the look out for inspirational hand embroidery patterns.
So have fun!
Warmly Lenna
http://www.stitchingcow.com

Discover Beetle Bots a Felt Craft Project

A cute little felt craft project is only minutes away.

While walking through the garden my daughter made a discovery...

It started with some little voices, although the language was unknown.

Then as she approached further there was a scurry and a rustle of leaves.

But she caught a glimpse of something truly wonderful.

It was a trio of Beetle Bots

They proved to be very friendly Beetle folk and agreed to come inside to have their pictures taken.






















They all had different expressions.

And they were each dressed in their own unique clothing as if they were going to a party in the garden.
























Then they scurried outside and disappeared amongst the flowers where I expect they are more at home.

If you would like to create your very own trio of Beetle Bots then click here to find out more about this very cute felt craft project.

Until next time happy crafting!
Warmly Lenna

PS For more felt craft projects visit www.stitchingcow.com