Ive got a few makes on the go and these will feature on Instagram and in Preloved Magazine over the next few months. I thought I would show the progress of the makes here for anyone who wants a bit more information on how I'm putting it together.
This first project is all made using the James and Joanna Printed Inspiration Box. Link to purchase this is here If you haven't seen James & Joannas products before then you have a real treat in store. All the printed items are made from hand carved blocks by James and the sewing is all by Joanna, they have a gorgeous shop in The Swan at Harleston Norfolk, but you can also order everything on line or drop them a message on instagram.
The shop is full of all kinds of hand made homewares and French brocante items, everything from little lavender bags made from antique linen, to furniture and cushions. Using old recycled French linen and grainsacks, there is a great ethos behind this family business.
These Printed Inspiration Boxes really do inspire your creative mind, great as a gift for yourself or a crafter, the box contains many printed pieces of linen and also plain scraps of different sizes. Theres everything here to make a large patchwork piece, the grainsack strips could become bag handles or bracelets, the printed pieces can be embroidered or left plain, you could make cards, pictures to be framed, sew into the bodice of a dress, make bags ... the list is as long as your imagination.
Ive chosen to embroider some of the squares, the urn has a blank above for you to create your own bouquet of flowers or branches. Ive used stem stitch and chain.
The butterflies square is a combination of chain stitch and satin stitch and the circle around the words was made drawing around a small bowl to give me a circle shape and then free-styling stem stitch, lazy daisy and fishbone stitch. I may add to these or leave them more minimal.
As I often tell people I did actually do exams in embroidery but let's just say it was a few years ago, well a lot of years ago to be honest, it was in the 1970's when you could take O and A levels in embroidery at school. These days I need to refresh my memory quite a lot so I check out online for a memory jog, and hope my eyesight holds up. It is certainly helped by the Daylight Lamps from Native Lighting UK, which show you the true colours of the threads when working in artificial lights.
My favourite relaxing Sunday is sitting by the fire with a pile of sewing and my cat. A big stock of fire wood from Lekto Wood Fuels for my log burner, I use a combination of their hardwood logs, Fire Logs and fire lighters get it going really quickly, fast flame and heat so you can settle down without lots of faffing, find a good book on Audible and you are in heaven.
Thanks to all the gifted items from my favourite collaborators, Lekto Wood Fuels, James and Joanna Design and Native Lighting UK.
Check in again soon to see part two of what I make with this box of treasures.
