I am very attracted to all things vintage. My piano is a vintage Broadwood - it used to have candle holders on it, but unfortunately they were removed in an attempt to modernise it before I bought it. Much of my furniture is walnut and in the Victorian style - velvet and deep buttoning etc.
So you can understand how pleased I was when I was asked to contribute to Patchwork & Stitching Magazine's Vintage issue! I love making beautiful stitching accessories so I chose to make the Vintage Dreams Sewing Folder:
It has pretty embroidery, a lace motif, sweet charm, beading, and plenty of pockets and places for sewing bits and pieces:
You can find it in Australian Patchwork & Stitching Vol 15 No 4:
I could happily make vintage sewing accessories as a full-time job!
However I have a long 'to do' list and last week I needed to start thinking about deadlines. A sweet stitchery has been posted off to a magazine editor (forgot to take a photo!). I rejected my first attempt at a patchwork bag I had to make. I've never made a bag which includes a quilting block before and I soon realised that the block I had chosen for it was far too big and was never going to look great, no matter what I did with it! A change of fabric, a change of size and sudden inspiration ... and I now have a bag which I really like and will be happy to have my name on!
I seem to be stepping out of my comfort zone a bit this year! I've committed myself to making a Christmas candle mat and I want to try out a new technique. I've never made a candle mat before and I'm not sure how my ideas are going to turn out, so I am having a trial run with this design. So far I think I like it but the jury is still out!
Back in my comfort zone, I boxed up some more charity projects for our Church market stall:
Some key rings:
A sign:
A cot quilt:
We are having absolutely perfect weather for Easter and hubby and I took advantage of it yesterday to go for a long walk in our beautiful Australian bush which sits on the edge of the Bay. The cassias were making a beautiful sunny show:
the birds were delighting us with their songs, the water was crystal clear and the company was great!
I hope you are enjoying this wonderful season, celebrating the fact that Jesus is ALIVE!
Val