Inspired by Claire’s spool and fob set, I finished a spool using one of the blackwork patterns from Love Tokens.   I picked up a baggy of these spools from a local thrift shop along with this adorable little nesting bowl set.   I also picked up 3 old wooden cigar boxes for a buck a piece – great for keeping my HDF spools handy.  I see some box top designs coming in the near future!

Along with the new year came the release of the first bi-monthly issue of The Gift Of Stitching.  Among other things, I really enjoyed  the article “Kitchen Samplers by Pamela Lewis of Praiseworthy Stitches.

   Not too long ago I was researching design transfer methods and I was surprised to find that there was not many websites with information on exactly how to go about it.  I  found Elizabeth Almond’s article a very valuable resource and plan on keeping it close at hand.

While designing and stitching “Love Tokens” for this month’s issue – I thought about how easy it would be to take the motifs and use them separately for stitching quick Valentine’s Day  smalls.  I will take some pics and post some of the finishes I came up with in a couple of days.  Until then, I wish you all the best throughout the year!

Bobbin & fob set

Claire stitched the thread cushion & fob set using the “Tudor Garden Trivet” design - my very first design for the blackwork column in The Gift of Stitching.  How time does fly – that was two years ago this January!

Thread cushion & Fob

I love the little scissors charm dangling from the fob!

A good friend of mine has welcomed into her family an exchange student from Brazil.  Although our cold winter weather is taking some getting used to, Patrick is looking forward to our first snowfall.

Patrick has shared a recipe for Brigadeiro – a brazilian chocolate ball similar to what we would call a truffle and they are absolutely heavenly!  I spent the evening making them and then packaging them in pretty little tins.  Along with a bottle of Baileys – they make the perfect Christmas gift.

Brigadeiro

Here’s Patrick’s recipe.

1 can sweetened condensed milk

6 tbsp chocolate powder (I used nestle’s hot cocoa mix)

1 tbsp butter

Chocolate sprinkles

Paper cups – candy size

In a saucepan, over medium heat, stir together condensed milk, cocoa powder and butter.  Continue stirring until it thickens and pulls away from the bottom of the saucepan.

Pour into a shallow bowl and refrigerate until cool.  Clean hands thoroughly and coat lightly with butter.  Take about a teaspoon size and roll into ball and roll in the chocolate sprinkles to coat and place into individual paper cups.

I put mine into tins right away and stored them in the refrigerator (although I was told they don’t have to be refrigerated).

I wish you a Merry Christmas and for Patrick – a Merry White Christmas!

  ”What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.”

                                                                                                                              - Jane Austen

Jane Austin Bookmark

While finishing the Jane Austin bookmark, I took some pics as I went along to share here on my blog how I did it.  I found that this technique covers the back of the stitching and leaves a nice clean finish.  If interested, you can find the design in June’s issue of The Gift of Stitching.

Here are the general instructions that you can adapt to any size bookmark:

Measuring and trimming your stitched design:

To leave a 1″ fringe on the ends – trim ends 1 and 1/4″ from the border design. (This leaves a 1/4″ area between the design border and the fringe).

To determine the how much to trim along the length of each side of the bookmark – measure the width of the book plus 1″ sewing margin (1/2″ for each side) and take that measurement and divide that by 2.  Measure and trim this amount from each side of the bookmark.

Finishing:

With right side facing, fold in half and lightly crease the fold.  Making sure the crease runs along the center of the design –  pin to secure.

Using a 1/2″ allowance, sew a seam along the length of the bookmark.   Remove pins and trim the seam allowance to 1/4″

Turn right-side out and adjust so the design is centered in the front and the seam runs along the center of the backside.  Iron flat making sure that the inside seam allowance  lays to one side.

Top stitch about 1/4″ from the design across the width of the bookmark on each end.  Create fringe by removing the horizontal threads along the ends until you reach the top stitch seams.  I use a pin to help with this. If needed, trim fringe.

The May issue of The Gift of Stitching has some wonderful designs this month! The I Love Stitching needlecase by Loopylou Designs is my favorite along with the Mother and Daughter Huswife by West Wind Cross Stitch Designs on the cover. 

I have been quite busy and have not had much time for blogging as of late.  I have a new design that I have been working on called By My Garden Walk.  It’s a larger blackwork piece that I hope to have ready for release in July.  I hope to have my new website up and running by then as well – the “unveiling” will be announced soon.

After a discussion on the HDF forum, I’ve been wanting to try my hand at dying my own fabric with walnut ink.  The good thing is – I have a friend with plenty of walnut trees in her yard - the not so good thing is – I have to wait until Fall to harvest the hulls.  In the mean time, I have decided to try some “tea” dyeing.  I’ll do a little research and hopefully this weekend I will be able to give it a go.  Stay tuned!