AN IDEA EXTENDED

Thank you all for your comment on my heart pieces, following the hearts with black work and beading I wanted to see if I could use the same idea for a decoration, I had a shape in mind and thoughts on how I would divide it, first up was a play with silk and beads using the shape.

 

I was pleased with the result, however if I was to use this design the area on the side was too narrow to allow for much of a black work pattern.  So a change of design idea and this is the result.

I found some earings at the bargain shop that I was able to use, here they highlight the shape and in the one below cut up they add some bling and on all three they provide the hangers.

I look forward to collecting some more bits and pieces to make more at Christmas time.

SECRET SQUIRREL SHARED

I can now share the secret squirrel project I had been stitching for so long..... Having been asked to design something suitable as thank you gifts I came up with a variation on the scissor case I had made for Coromandel Guild's Anniversary gift.  That was a while ago so here is the photo again.

A pocket at the back for scissors. a matching fob and it also serves as a pinholder with the pearl headed pins round the edge.
The latest ones took some time to stitch the black work background, having finished one I sent it off for approval before completing the rest.

That done, four more were needed..... I was given one skein of thread for each to give me a colour scheme, these had been chosen with the recipient in mind. It was also great having the Bead Hold shop in town as I could take up my work and find just the right beads to fit in, I was also introduced at this stage to using jewellery findings as trims, which I have used since on my fobs. Another useful find was the metal butterflies, these came off earnings from the bargain shop, a $4 pair of earrings gave me 20 butterflies, I bought all they had and will be on the watch for more. The finished hearts.......

Do I have a favorite, I think it was the one I was working on at the time.

WISH UPON A STAR

This is my fob for June I have adapted one of Margaret Sherry's mice, I wanted a mouse that would fit in a circle, all I did was change his tail. When I found the backing material with the tiny stars on it I remembered there was a star charm in my collection and so the theme was decided on.
This fob might end up on the small back pack I use when travelling, I don't just have fobs on my scissors they are also on the Zips of my embroidery bags. My little grey rabbit is at present on my grey jacket, I have looped the cords into a bow.

I have yet to stitch my fob for this month, ideas are there but am still sorting out threads and a chart to keep with my woodland theme.

THE BOX GOES TO.........

I had decided as I was celebrating seven years of blogging my gift would go to the person who left the seventh comment on that posting. Congratulations Lori (Meridle)  please leave a comment for me with your address, I am already stitching in pink and Aqua for you.

Welcome to some new visitors to my blog, I hope you will drop by again sometime, and thank you to everyone who visit so often I am glad you find something of interest in my notes, one person who left a comment on my last posting has been visiting my blog for all those past seven years, I felt that was very special, so for Annie ( of Annie Bebop's colouring book blog) I will send you a little token to say thanks for being my blogging friend for so many years.

Distance means we seldom ever get to meet our blogging friends, I am very grateful to one special blogging friend Annette of California Stitcher, I wanted a certain chart recently and no I could not find it here in NZ, Annette to my rescue and in no time at all she had emailed me back to say she had found it and would have it on its way to me shortly, it is a Noah's Ark birth chart that I wanted to stitch for Finn.

It arrived with other goodies included in the parcel

There were a collection of fabrics and threads in purple tonings.

Lovely tawny Browns.

And some DMC threads to fill some of my gaps thank you Annette for such an exciting parcel.

With winter weather here its time for me to enjoy sitting by the fire and stitching, will be back soon to share with you what I have been working on

 Happy stitching everyone.