As promised yesterday, here is the latest chart from iStitch Designs - Sew a Quaker Pinwheel. It's stitched 1*2 on 40ct raw Newcastle linen with Au Ver a Soie silk threads in green, red and blue. A white Quaker flower forms the base for the letters which can be stitched in any colour of your choosing. All 26 letters of the alphabet are included with the chart and there is also a blank flower for personalisation. I have posted a finishing tutorial *here* or click on the Tutorials button on the sidebar. These Quaker Pinwheels are both quick and easy to stitch and finish and will make great gifts for your friends and relatives as well as for exchanges. 

This chart is available *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar.

Thanks for visiting 

Take care

Elisa of Old Ragged Threads recently sent me two pictures of her lovely finish of Sew Sweet. Elisa stitched on tea-dyed 32ct Murano linen with Carries Creation Thread in Black Cherry and finished as this wonderful pin pillow using plum and bronze beads for the edging. Isn't this a wonderful stitch and finish? Thank you Elisa for allowing me to show this here.

Sew Sweet is still available to purchase *here* or by clicking on the CHARTS button on the sidebar

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The Sew a Quaker Pinwheel models (A, B and C) are stitched and finished and the finishing tutorial is almost done and will be posted on Tutorials *here* or click on Tutorials on the sidebar. Sew a Quaker Pinwheel will be released tomorrow so please come back and take a look. All 26 letters of the alphabet are included together with a blank to do your own thing. These can be stitched on any count linen and will make delightful gifts for your friends or for exchange pieces. The finishing tutorial gives you step-by-step instructions in words and pictures on how to make these enchanting pinwheels. There are pictures of A and V on my previous post.

My JHA 1905 SAL with Simone of Soed Idee is now finished. Yesterday I decided to distress and stain the frame I had purchased for it but I made the mistake of letting Ken loose with the sandpaper and he went over the top and now the frame is unusable so I shall have to get another one when I go into town next! If you want something doing ... I will post a picture shortly.

It's extremely cold and very dark here these past few days and I cannot seem to get warm despite wearing layers. Earlier today (just after lunch) I filled a hot water bottle to watch the tv!   

Thanks for visiting

Take care

Valie and I exchanged gifts on my recent trip to Paris. Antique spools with thread and lace, SEW pins - ideal for my 'Sew' patterns, a ceramic heart for Valentine's Day in my favourite shade of blue and Loccitane Hand Cream to sooth my Winter stricken hands.  I also received a beautifully made bag just perfect for carrying my stitching to my group meetings. There are more pictures of this gorgeous work on Valie's blog *here*. Thank you dear friend for spoiling me!

Photo with the permission of Valie

I also took gifts to Valie - a Quaker Pinwheel embroidered with her initial and a teensy teddy bear. The pinwheel is stitched on 40ct raw Newcastle linen with HDF silk threads in White and Examplar Lark's Tongue.

Photo with the permission of Valie

Amongst other gifts, I gave her a Cathedral Window pincushion in some of her favourite colours. This is my first attempt at this type of sewing and although it's not perfect I know she appreciates that I was out of my comfort zone making this. Will there be a second attempt? As yet I have no idea but never say never!

Whilst I was away it was Angela's birthday so she also received a Quaker Pinwheel with her initial. This is also stitched on 40ct raw Newcastle linen with HDF silk thread in white and Hibiscus. Pink is Angela's favourite colour so I knew I would be safe in choosing this vibrant shade of pink. 

A closeup of Angela's Pinwheel - the back is a plain silk fabric. I hope to release the whole alphabet (plus an online finishing tutorial) on iStitch Designs so look out for Sew a Quaker Pinwheel in the near future.

Click on the picture for a closeup view

I promised more pictures of my Parisian trip so rather than post separate pictures I made a collage. We visited the fabric stores at Montmartre and then climbed the many steps to the Sacre Coeur. The walk down was far easier than the climb up! It was a beautiful sunny day although a little cold - poor Kirby (in the centre picture) looks absolutely frozen despite her gorgeous faux fur jacket!  On the journey to Valie's home we drove through the streets of Paris glimpsing the Eiffel Tower and the Moulin Rouge and despite there being no 'lanes' we arrived safely at our destination where we had a most enjoyable meal at a local steak restaurant and I ate snails for the first time. Kirby turned up her nose and skipped the starters LOL 

It was again a very successful trip but was over far too quickly. It was good to meet with Valie and spend time with her and her delightful family. As before I was quite impressed with the Eurostar service - the trains were on time and the carriages were clean. We arrive back at Ashford International where Kirby's boyfriend was waiting for her with a large bunch of red roses. Ken was also waiting for me but ... no roses. Who says romance is dead?

Before I finish for today, there is more stash for sale of my aptly named 'Stash for Sale' blog click *here* or on the Stash Sale button on the sidebar

Thanks for visiting

Take care