More stitching

Just popping in to say a big thank you for the nice comments you left last time and also for visiting my new Etsy shop. My shop shelves were a little empty by yesterday morning so I've been busy again.

Here are two more pencil cases with applique and a profusion of freestyle machine embroidery. These designs were great fun to create. I'm a constant doodler with pencil and paper and this type of embroidery is very like doodling with stitches which is why I love it.

My 'work-space' is littered with doodles like the ones below. Little dollies with happy smiling faces are scattered on all available surfaces. Yesterday I looked through  hundreds of pages of 'scribble' and reintroduced myself to some of the little characters that had popped off my pencil over the years. When I came across this little cutie I knew she'd be just right for one of my freestyle garden scenes. 

Most sensible people would plan what they were going to do before they started stitching but I tend to launch myself into a project and wait for something to appear. The stitched outline came first of course. Next I had to choose the fabric for the little wristlet bag I planned to make. My Moda jelly roll 'Tropicana Batik'  contains sumptuous colours which I knew would be perfect  for the flowers and butterflies. So out came the dyes and paints and the little scene was tinted in colours to match the fabric.

When fully dry it was time to make the bag. The jewel-like shades of the batik combine really well together and are always a joy to use. 

This is the back of the bag.

So now with a little more stock in my Flutterby Stitch shop I have some clearing up to do before I begin another project. I have a few ideas but I'd better leave that until next time.

As always, thank you for popping in.

Freestyle machine embroidery

Greetings friends. I've been as busy as a bee since I last popped in to say hello. My sewing room has been a hive of activity whilst I created little bags and pencil cases to pop into a new Etsy shop I opened recently. What better way to cheer up dull wet days than working with brightly coloured fabrics!

I've always loved freestyle machine embroidery and use my trusty 'vintage' Bernina exclusively for painting pictures with stitches. Once the picture is complete I use my 'modern' Elna to construct the item. Using two machines in this way means no time is wasted changing settings, lowering and raising feed-dogs etc.

This little elephant was inspired by a tiny button I have in my stash! The tail is made from twisted yarn.

I always love using this toadstool fabric and having been searching for a little someone to put with it. 

One evening, whilst I was doodling, this little gnome popped up. Of course he insisted on catching a goldfish in the garden pond!

Although I love the toadstool fabric, I love Liberty Lawn even more and usually return to my cheerful little dolly girls when using it as they always pose obligingly. This one as you can see is gathering flowers.

And here is another little cutie. These small pouches are just large enough to hold a few essentials such as phone, keys, credit card etc. 

Nineteen different Liberty Lawn florals have been used for this needle case.

Most of the fabric contains red or dark pink (including dolly girl's dress).

The contrasting lining is covered with tiny blue flowers.

I have more stitching to complete today and one or two more pieces to pop into the shop. I've named the shop Flutterby Stitch. 

I hope you are all having an enjoyable weekend wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

Until next time x

Cosy daffs and cottage bags

All I said was, "I bet the daffodils are feeling cold, poor things" and the dolls in the playroom went into action. Scarves were hurriedly collected and then a happy little rascal braved the cold weather to bring the chilly blooms a bit of comfort. What a kindhearted lot they are!!

My sewing room here at Flutterby Patch has been buzzing with activity this week. With such a cold, dull start to spring I desperately needed to surround myself with bright sunny colours. After much planning, snipping, and stitching the result was . . . . . . . . . 

 

. . . . . . . . .  three colourful little 'cottage' bags for tiny tots to enjoy.

Each crooked door has a button knob and a tiny bell (that really works) for visitors to ring. The little girl looking out of the window was created with freestyle machine embroidery. She is looking for the friendly gnomes who live in the wood behind her cottage. Every day they bring nuts and berries and she thanks them with a cup of tea and big pieces of home baked cake.

You can turn the bags over to reveal the friendly gnomes in the wood behind the cottage.

Such happy little fellows.

 

I hope you have a happy weekend and the sun shines for you.

Easter Wishes

Just popping in with Easter greetings for you all. Here at Flutterby Patch in England's north-west corner the sun is shining but the wind is still bitter and our garden birds have very ruffled feathers as they go about their nest building business.

They look so chilly we've been tempted to knit them little coats. Don't you just love this picture of a cutie knitting coats for the birds who are all waiting patiently for the little garments to be completed. I'm not sure the clothes on the line are bird-shaped! 

The pictures are from a 1985 calendar which of course was much too cute to throw away when the year ended. I've tried to find out the name of the artist but the only clue I have is the name 'Nina' marked in the corner of some scenes. If you think you know the creator of these sweet pictures I'd love to hear from you.

Here is the page for April showing two little children painting eggs for Easter. They've gone into the barn and taken mother hen's eggs for their paint dipping experiment. A little bluebird is acting as their assistant. Mother hen looks on as her white eggs emerge from the paint pot a lovely shade of red.

Wherever you are in the world, north, south, east or west

 I wish you a very Happy Easter.

Cottage garden fairies

I've been busy making little fairies this week and was hoping to show them having fun in our garden but unbelievably we are still in the depths of winter. The garden remains cloaked in white and the wind is bitter and so my little girls are posing beside their favourite cottage pictures.

 

Each fairy measure just 6ins (15cm) and wears a little knitted sweater, stockings and shoes.

 

An apron with pocket is worn over a pretty floral skirt. 

 

The wide brim on the felt hat is pinned back with tiny beads.

 And imitation leaves have become fairy wings.

I know many of you are experiencing similar topsy-turvy weather conditions at the moment. Unbelievably at this time last year Britain was in the middle of a heatwave and water supplies in several areas were running dangerously low. What a difference a year makes. Let us hope things warm up in time for the Easter holiday.