The Vintage Kitchen - Block of the Month

In January this year I decided to participate in a 9-month Block of the Month program designed and published by Jenny of Elefantz called "The Vintage Kitchen". Each month from January to September, Jenny released a free embroidery block.  There were a total of 9-blocks which could then be sewn together to form a lovely wall hanging.  

Block 1 - Baking 
I must admit it has taken me numerous attempts at sewing the lazy daisies.

Block 2 - Apron

Block 3 - Scales

Block 4 - Oven Mitts

Block 5 - Vintage Kitchen

Block 6 - Canisters

Block 7 - Preserves

Block 8 - The Vase

Block 9 - Cookie Jar

My completed blocks prior to being sewn together

The finishing instructions were released in September with the final block, however I chose to use different fabric to Jenny's finished design and I made it up as I went so that it would fit the 17" x 21" space on my kitchen wall where I wanted to hang it.  I had originally intended to use Milk Cow Kitchen by Mary Jane Butters for Moda Fabrics to frame my blocks but decided last minute to use What's Cookin' by Dan Morris by RJR Fabrics instead.  
I am also proud to say that I have finally mastered the lazy daisy stitch

My completed version of "The Vintage Kitchen" now proudly hangs in my kitchen.

This design is original and copyrighted by Jennifer Reynolds/Jenny of Elefantz. Permission is given to use this design as a gift or for personal use, but you are not permitted to sell the pattern, or sell the finished project. The nine red work embroidery blocks featured in "The Vintage Kitchen" will remain as a FREE DOWNLOAD in Jenny's pattern shop until December 31 2015.
http://www.craftsy.com/user/1146564/pattern-store 
From January 1st 2016, the full pattern will be available as a purchase only.

My Aussie Hoop Swap "Parcel of Awesomeness" Arrived.

On Saturday I posted about the Aussie Hoop Swap and showed you the parcel that I sent to my swap buddy - Kristy Monaghan.  Today it gives me great pleasure to share with you the AMAZING parcel of awesomeness that I received from the super generous Faye Peresipkin @mysewbusylife from New South Wales.

 

Firstly these are the inspiration mosaics that I posted for this swap:

 

Dear Partner, if you decide to make something for my kitchen, could you please use red / white / black / grey or orange tones.  I have 1970's orange benches and white cabinets but I have red & white as the main colour scheme.

Of course I had to add some options for my sewing room.  The secret squirrels reside in the sewing room.  The first picture describes my personality to a T - I might now be mostly housebound, but I haven't lost my spirit of adventure & I love old buttons & the movie "Up".

 

But before I show you what was IN the parcel, these are the teasers that Faye had posted on Instagram:

 

 

 

 

 

When the postie delivered the parcel, Gemma the cat decided to join me as I opened everything:

 

Aren't they beautifully wrapped!   I am just waiting for my Security Inspectpurrrrr to finish her "Cat Scan" before I have purrrmission to open them.

Brown paper packages tied up with string (& a lion sticker), these are a few of my favourite things!

Gemma likes coffee because she knows that when Mummy drinks coffee she gets to sit on Mummy's lap.

Gemma says hello to the Super squirrel hoop whilst I weep tears of joy!

 

This is the entire parcel of awesomeness that I received from Faye who completely spoilt me rotten!!!!  In addition to not one but TWO awesome hoops, Faye also gave me some quilting pins; Tim Tams; Robert Timms coffee bags; a cute wooden pen (I thought it was a kangaroo but it is actually a squirrel); a kitty notebook; and yes they are sitting on a fat quarter of Cotton & Steel "Tokyo Train Ride". 

A close up of the beautiful hoop which is now proudly hanging in my kitchen. 
I absolutely LOVE THIS!!!!!

Faye told me that this handsome fellow was machine embroidered.  I was totally blown away when I saw it as everything about it is pure perfection!  This is now hanging up in my sewing room where my secret sewing squirrels reside.  And yes I honestly did weep when I saw this!

More photographs from this swap can be viewed on Instagram under the hashtag #AussieHoopSwap

Aussie Hoop Swap

 

 

Earlier this year I participated in the "Aussie Hoop Swap" which was hosted by Jas McMahon @jasminesews

 

Participants were asked to create a piece of hoop art for their assigned swap partners. 

 

Our partners were secret so we did not know who was making for us - at least we didn't until our parcel arrived.  And who we made for may not be the same person who was making for us.  Our dispatch deadline was 31 March.

 

My assigned swap partner was Kristy Monaghan @misskm89 who lives in Western Australia.  I was told that Kristy likes blue, aqua, turquoise and navy.  Kristy does not sew but does do embroidery.  

 

Kristy's inspiration mosaic

 

When Kristy mentioned that "the ocean is my place to be happy and sooth my soul" I immediately knew that I would run with this theme. I was inspired by the image of the lighthouse in her mosaic so went searching online for suitable images to use for inspiration.

 

This is the hoop that I made for Kristy.  I used a combination of variegated threads.  For the waves I used colour #1053 by ThreadWorx, #415 "Bonnie Brook" by Cottage Garden Threads for the lighthouse and seagulls; and #803 "Pea Soup" by Cottage Garden Threads for the light bulb.  I used a soft grey for the clouds.  I've used a combination of chain stitch, back stitch and satin stitch.

 

The entire parcel of goodies that I sent to Kristy kept with the ocean theme.  I included some stickers, the latest "Get Creative" magazine from Spotlight, a DMC embroidery pattern "Under the Sea", an "Ocean Breeze" candle and a selection of Semco embroidery threads in her favourite colours.

 

The candle that I included was called "Ocean Breeze"

 

The Semco threads that I sent were various shades of blues.

 

The card that I sent

 

When Kristy received her parcel

All photos on Instagram were posted with the hashtag #aussiehoopswap   There are some amazing photos in this feed so please check them out when you have time to do so. 

In my next post I will show you what I received from this swap.

Downton Swap

I recently participated in the "Downton Swap" which was hosted on Instagram by @amber_crawley and @rockislander 

 

Participants were asked to create a mug rug for their swap partner together with two handmade items of their choice, although we were asked to keep our partner's preferences in mind with regard to any particular favourites that they had specified in their application form and on their inspiration mosaics. 

 

All photos on Instagram were posted with the hashtags #downtonswap  There are some amazing photos in this feed so please check them out when you have time to do so. 

 

Our partners were secret so we did not know who was making for us - at least we wouldn't know until our parcel arrived.  And who we made for may not be the same person who was making for us.  Our dispatch deadline was 24 February.

 

I was ecstatic to discover that my swap partner was one of my quilting friends Alison White @alisonwhite31 who lives down in Melbourne.  I've known Alison for quite a while and have been looking for a way to repay some recent generosity that she had sent my way.  I was determined to spoil her rotten! 

 

I was told that Alison likes: The Dowager Countess Violet Crawley (upstairs) and Bates (downstairs).  She loved the quote by the Dowager "what is a weekend?"  She loves Christmas, the flower show, dinner parties and the early morning for the staff when the bells start ringing. Her preferences were: something decorative, scissor keep (for embroidery scissors), pincushion, just about anything.  Alison doesn't like solids but is fond of retro type designers like Lori Holt, Figtree & Co, polka dots, cutesy Japanese prints and Pam Kitty fabrics.  She also liked the mellow toned Downton range of fabrics by Andover.

The mosaic that Alison posted

Armed with this information I set out on my secret squirrel mission and this is what I created for Alison:

 

Alison's entire Downton parcel of awesomeness.

"I'm Down With Downton Abbey" is a cross stitch pattern by Lisa LeBlanc of Cottage Nest.  The finished size was 8.5" x 7.5" which I then machine sewed to a grey polka dot fabric "Flurry" by Dashwood Studios, and attached to a stretched canvas frame.  The finished product can easily be wall mounted or will sit upright on a ledge.

another view of "I'm Down with Downton Abbey" hanging on the wall

Two fridge magnets which I purchased off eBay

A cookbook, Twinings English Morning Tea, and some buttons.

 

Pincushion, Pouch, Scissor Case and Needle Book (based on the "Roses on Parade" patterns by Val Laird published in "Crafts to Stitch" No 4).  The Downton Abbey quilt labels are by Andover and I used these together with some matching polka dot fabric and some vintage lace which I tea dyed.

A key fob which I made from Downton Abbey fabric by Andover.

The Mug Rug I made from Downton fabric by Andover.  I printed the picture of the Dowager Countess onto fabric and appliqued it by hand.  The embroidered text reads "Are you drinking tea from a bag?  How middle class." 

I added a mini charm pack of Aloha Girl by Fig Tree & Co - one of Alison's favourite fabric designers.

I used this washi tape to decorate the parcels as it reminded me of the fancy jewellery that Alison had included in her mosaic.

I added this cross stitch pattern in with the parcel.  It was one of my original ideas but I soon realised that I would not have the time to make it.

This was how I wrapped Alison's parcel, in pretty polka dot paper & decorated with schmancy washi tape & Downton fabric scraps.  The rotary cutter is hiding Alison's name & address on the envelope.

So, what did Alison think when she received it?  You be the judge: