Stuart and his smocking

And would you believe  Stuart Hillard has my smocking book! I'll convert him from quilting yet...

https://www.vivebooks.com/product-category/sewing/?affiliates=14

Alexandra Palace

I wish I could say this was my taxi...

The lovely Mandy Shaw and her beautiful daughter

Me and my mate Stuart Hillard

Ally Pally

Clover bag

This is the Clover bag I'll be finishing on Friday at 1, I'll pop on the step by step pictures next week, also the oilcloth bag won't be finished till next week, looks like I'll have a busy few days!

jewellery roll

Just made this for my daughter to keep her jewellery in!

Bobbin holder

I made this handy bobbin spool holder this morning... [couldn't sleep, up at 4.30...]

It's made from a 6" embroidery hoop and a few wooden skewers.

 unscrew the hoop as far as you can, cut the skewers into 4" lengths and push through the hoop. It's quite a squeeze and I broke a few skewers, I found it easier to push them halfway through and move them around when all 12 were in the hoop.

Spread them out evenly and glue in place.

Done!

You could also hang it on the wall...

Sew competition

Sew.co.uk are running a Facebook competition whereby you send in a picture of your project and you could win £50 to spend on he site! Take a look here...

https://www.facebook.com/Sew.co.uk

Still smocking!

I've been doing a bit of smocking on gingham, [I have loads left from the book...] it's so easy to work with as the one inch grids are already there! I'm not giving too much away about the little pin cushion as that's a whole new e book in the making, but the bows design below I think is one of the most striking patterns. It takes the longest to stitch and will look stunning with a little pearl in the centre of each bow.

By the way, if any of you have bought Modern Smocking, I'd really appreciate a review on Amazon if you could spare the time!