Simply Stitchy

Hi there, This kit is by Craftways and is called Signs of Spring.  The kit comes with everything you need to complete it including the 4" coasters. Each flower design is worked in counted cross-stitch onto a piece of  14 count aida measuring 4" x 4".  It's a nice easy kit to work, and stitches up quickly with one square on the chart being equal to one square on the fabric. The instructions are clear and the chart is printed slightly larger than the finished stitching. This makes it easy to see the difference between the symbols leading to greater accuracy in stitching.  The different shades of blues, greens and purples within the kit are also easy to tell apart. The coasters themselves are made of a durable plastic and are large enough to fit the base of most standard sized mugs. I loved working on these coasters.  They are quick, simple and the finished results are both functional and pleasing. My only slight negative is that, although finding t

Hi all This is a soft toy kit from Minicraft.  I bought it from ebay for £5.99. I've seen these kits around for a few years now and finally decided to take the plunge and try one out. I picked the bat kit for a couple of reasons. The first is I've written a children's book about a bat and this little guy looks just like my main character Dingbat. So much so that I just couldn't resist him. The second is because he looks so cute. As regular blog followers know, I have a huge soft spot for all things cute. Anyway, the kit is pre-cut and comes with instructions on how to put it together. The only things that you need to supply are the stuffing and a needle and thread. It's nice and easy to sew although it is a little fiddly around the face, ears and nose section.  Once the body is stitched together and while it is still inside-out, the eyes are fitted.  I must admit I struggled with the eyes as I haven't used proper toy eyes before.  I had no idea

Hi there,  I was having a bit of a nose around a local second hand shop over the weekend and came across this: It was tucked down the side of some furniture, looking a bit sorry for itself, just sitting there all alone. Well, I couldn't leave it there.  Poor thing looks like its had a bit of a hard life. It's a Mundlos machine, originally designed to go on a treadle table judging by the lack of a tool compartment, little holes in the base just under the hand crank and the small groove just behind the wheel. The little holes and groove would have been for the belt attaching the machine to the pedal.  The tools would probably have been kept in the table. The golden badge is the Mundlos company's trade mark and the portrait is of Heinrich Mundlos, one of the company's founders.  The little switch to the side is a handy little gadget that pops the shuttle out of the bobbin compartment. Originally, this machine would have been decorated with dec

Hi all, I hadn't realised that it has been such a long time since I uploaded anything.  I have a really good excuse. We're moving - yet again! We seem to have a knack for finding long-term lets which the landlords don't want to long-term let anymore. For what must be the fourth time in two years... actually it might be the fifth... we are dusting off the packing boxes, re-applying the packing tape and popping the bubbles in the bubble wrap. Well, there has to be a bit of fun amidst the chaos and besides, it's a good stress reliever! So, with all the packing, unpacking and re-packing, stitching projects have fallen by the wayside.  In fact, I'm not even sure where half of the projects I was working on are any more - apart from being in a box - somewhere. Anyway, one of the things that becomes second nature, when you move as often as I have, is clearing stuff out.   Moving stuff from one place to another is a brilliant motivator to de-clutter and hone your p

Hi there, The great thing about moving house so many times is finding things you had forgotten you had. The fabric in this quillow was purchased years ago.  All of it, to make something for Eldest or Youngest.  The sun and moon fabric was for PJs; the Winnie the Pooh fabric was for a duvet cover; the teddy panels were for nursery cushions. For one reason or another, I never got around to making any of them. So when I came across the fabric in a box I was unpacking, I decided to put some of it to good use. I even found some fabric that my Mum purchased when I was small.  Its in the bottom left corner of the picture above.  I have no idea what she was intending to make with it but I know she never got around to it.  I guess life just runs away with all of us sometimes. This is the Quillow of good intentions.  A reminder that when Plan A falls flat, there is always Plan B! Bye for now Olly