Hoops!

I love to stitch, or embroider, or whatever you call it. When I was younger I used to say I'll learn to embroider when I retire, but the opportunity presented itself before then so I took it. I find handwork really relaxing. I also like the look of machine free motion embroidery. I often think one day I'll try that. I'm not much into trying new things. Earlier this year I joined a swap on Instagram. A hoop swap. (Are you in love with Instagram? I love all the pretty pictures there!) I decided to make a pretty hand stitched scene for my partner and that was that.

I also tried a crocheted covering for the hoop. I had pinned this on Pinterest ages ago and was thrilled to have the opportunity to try it out. I don't usually try these things for myself. I have to be "pushed" into it! After the swap date had come and gone I got a message on Instagram asking if I could be an angel for someone who had sent a hoop, but not received one in return. I was happy to do it and felt the pressure of a self-imposed deadline. It was sad that this person didn't have a hoop and I wanted to make one as quickly as possible for her. So I began to consider making a free motion embroidered scene for this second hoop. (Quick, right!) With a little hand embroidered embellishment. This is what I came up with. 

It was so much fun to make! I also crocheted a hoop cover for this one (It was easy to do!) and I really loved this one. I liked the first one, but the second one is my favourite. I (almost) wished I kept it. I figured I could easily make another for myself, but I haven't quite gotten around to it yet. I am keen to try some more free motion embroidery. Hopefully I'll try it again soon.

It's the little things in life that make all the difference.

This is the baby's coat I have been working on. It is from one of Simplicity Patterns' vintage range. I love that they have introduced a vintage range. This is from a layette pattern which includes a dress, petticoat, and booties. I am all about dressing babies in a vintage manner. I love that babies all used to wear "nighties" no matter their sex for the first few months. It seems infinitely sensible to me and something I did for babies number 6, 7 and 8. Long live nighties! The coat is a soft green, but not quite as pale as my photo would have you believe.

The coat itself is finished and I am just working on embellishing it with a little embroidery. I was having a chat with Miss 24 the other day and we were discussing how it is the little extras in life that make all the difference. Nice to have a coat, even nicer to have an embellished one. What are the little things that make a difference in your life?

'Hook, Hook, here's the Hook!'

Although I haven't seen this movie for a long time, I remember really enjoying it at the movies when I first saw it. I very rarely go to the movies because I am a migraine sufferer. There's nothing worse for my head than a dark room with bright flashing lights! But for some reason I went to see this with a 3 year old, a 2 year old and a newborn. Perhaps I just really needed to get out! I was late to pick my 5 and 7 year olds up from school too because it was such a long movie. I loved the grown up Peter Pan. I loved his efforts to fly. He had to think his 'happy thought' in order to fly. It turned out to be his children and he flew. Maybe that appealed to me (as my life was very full of my children at the time!). Ever since I have considered what my 'happy thought' is in different contexts of my life.


My 'happy thought' in life is Bradley and my children and now I guess it includes my grandchildren too, but I also think about it in the context of just being happy. On Thursday as I sewed nappy covers I felt so happy. I really haven't done much sewing of late and was surprised just how much my spirits were lifted by sewing. I love sewing. Really love it. It is my happy thought. It can change the way I am feeling and change my outlook on life. If I could bottle what sewing does for me I could make a million! I just have to sew more often!!!

I decided to make a wall pouch from Tone Finnanger's book 'Sew Pretty Homestyle'. I decided to embroider a rose on it too. I learnt bullion embroidery in hospital when I was pregnant with Miss 11. I had high blood pressure and was hospitalised until she was born. The Women's and Children's hospital had a craft room and it really broke the boredom for me. I chose to make some things I had never done before. I made a teddy bear from fur fabric (which I had never sewn with before) and decorated a bib with bullion embroidery. They had volunteers in the craft room who helped me learn those new skills. When Mrs 23 had her baby we walked past the craft room several times and it was never open. It made me feel really sad.

I am also working on a cushion at the moment too. I love pink and green together. Just so pretty! Hopefully this week holds lots of sewing. I want to be happy!!!