Must have stitching book...

A Rainbow of Stitches has magically appeared on my bookshelf. It is written by Agnes Delage-Calvet, Anne Sohier-Fournel, Muriel Brunet and Francoise Ritz.

It is a devine collection of small cross stitch and embroidery patterns. Already I am planning to cross stitch a white feather onto linen and hang in on my bedroom wall in an embroidery hoop!

Thanks for visiting thread garden...

Jan

Meet Bob...

Bob is our 7 month old British Blue Shorthair. We have never met a more friendly, baby-loving and adorable kitten. We are totally in love...And yes, my craft supplies are always an item of fun for Bob!

On my craft bookshelf...

My sewing room bookshelf has expanded somewhat lately. Here is one new baby:

Lena Corwin has put together a gorgeous book Printing by Hand. I soaked up the section about making handmade stamps and how to put them to use around the home, on clothing and for cute gifts.

The silkscreen printing section was fascinating also. I vaguely remember doing silkscreen printing in high school in art. Why oh why didn't I pay attention to it back then as it could have relevance now in fabric design!

Winter vegetable pickings...

So proud as I have grown the lettuce and turnips from seed sown directly into the vegie patch.

Thanks for viewing,

Jan

New vegetable garden...

The lawn before it was dug into a vegie patch:

The new four bed "rotation system" vegie patch as according to Peter Cundall:

Hubby and I are thrilled with how many vegetables we have grown since it was planted up in February of this year. It cost about $300 Aus. I have bypassed the vegetable aisle in the supermarket regularly in the last 3 months so I know it is worth the effort. Besides, the vegies it produces taste so much better than bought ones.

Thank you for visiting, Jan

I heart my new home...

Last year I contemplated a house move from my weatherboard cottage . Hubby and I took the plunge moved and bought a new home in November last year. 2010 was crazy with major events happening: a premmie baby, husband sitting professional exams and a house move! We survived it all and are really enjoying the change of home. The house is only 8 years old compared with our previous 95 year old cottage. Looking through eucalypt canopies we have a beautiful view of our local harbour.

What's more? I have a large block to transform into a beautiful garden. I am loving the challenge! More photos to come of this transformation...

Hope you enjoyed visiting my blog, Jan

Fun Hexagonal Quilt

I delighted in paper piecing this quilt last year. I handstitched it for my then baby son as a floor mat. Happily it has progressed from the floor to the sofa as Tom has become a toddler. He now sits on it to have a bottle or quiet time. It is made with a combination of retro prints, fun kiddy prints and scrap fabric. I couldn't believe how quickly it hand quilted. I had fun designing the star design used to quilt the border.

Thanks for visiting, Jan

Cute cross stitch sheep...

Aren't these sheep cute? They're so quick and easy to stitch. They graze on the "Reed'" (which will be "Tom" when it's finished) Shepherd's bush Christmas stocking. I am delighted the stocking will be finished soon with plenty of time spare before it is hung for Christmas.

Spooky...My First Halloween cross stitch sampler...

Isn't October a fun month with decorations of Jack-o-lanterns, witches' hats and owls? In keeping with this fun I have finished my inaugural Halloween cross stitch sampler. It is called Hallow Sampler by The Primitive Needle. I stitched it using 32 ct linen with Weeks flosses.

It is the first sampler of many. My plan is to stitch one every year. I can visualise the collection of Halloween samplers that will decorate my wall every October. My next sampler is by The Prairie Schooler in my hot little hands called Pumpkin Patch.

My Halloween obsession began in England 2006 while touring during the witching season. Every shop and house we visited were decked out. My eldest two children are also in love with the season (probably cos they were also there in England). We always try to have a little H'ween fun in our house and it coincides nicely with DS's birthday!

Progress on a Shepherd's Bush Stocking

Now I have an iPhone it's so much easier to upload pics. I don't have to look all over the house for the digital camera cord. Here is the progress of baby Tom's Xmas stocking. I'm not quite prepared to say he is a toddler quite yet as he's not toddling independently. I'll keep him a baby for as long as possible! I love the periwinkle blue with the fresh greens. Half way there with the stocking. The large cross stitches of these stockings make it so easy to pick up in front of the TV. Yes I do watch a lot of TV in the evenings as my last two posts have exposed.

Back on blog

I get so caught up in the excitement of a new project I start lots and don't seem to get many finishes. Therefore I'm being hard on myself; no new quilts or craft projects (except Lynette Anderson's Scandinavian Xmas quilt but that was an exception) until I have 5x finishes.

So here is a piccie of the progress I have made on one of my "to finish" quilts. I have finished the quilting on the 64 blocks. It's "Shaggy Linen Quilt" by Quilters Barn. I love the Frenchy linen look. It will be a throwover on wintry Tassie nights watching TV.