Another project, ticked off the to-do list. This time, two "pretty potholders" I made using NanaCompany's tutorial (here).


I've been making these in stages, a little at a time after work: first, the cutting out of fabric. Then, a few days later, the wadding and the InsulBright. Then, the ruffles, the quilted panels and the pinning. So many pins. Then, the binding. I hand-sewed the binding on the reverse instead of machine-stitching, so it took a little while longer.


My favourite thing about these two quite-different-but-the-same potholders is the details. 

A postage-stamp heart.


A charming French label.


Quilted lines, first measured, then drawn in disappearing cross-stitch markers, then stitched. Perfectly square.

And finally, done.

Making gifts for people is always a gamble. Will they love them as much as you do? Will they appreciate how much effort went into every stitch, every fabric piece? I think so.

I've been awful with birthday presents this year, everything has been late - but I'll get there. It's been a funny sort of year, 2013. With only two weeks left in December, I'm spending a lot of time wrapping up - projects, ideas, work. 2014 is already alive with possibilities and energy. It's going to be good.

Today I appreciate buttons - and small things that make me exceptionally happy. I've got a good collection of buttons in all manner of varieties - antique buttons, ancient buttons, plastic buttons, wood buttons, coconut shell buttons, polymer buttons, glass buttons - and they add such a burst of personality to projects. It's the final finishing touch that makes it a Stacey-made-this thingamajig.

This is a little patchwork cushion cover made from a small pile of some of my favourite fabrics. I've appliqued a raised heart in the middle (it has extra wadding in the middle to make it poof) made from strips of lovely contrasting fabrics. I haven't yet decided what's going on the back - although linen takes my fancy.


The buttons are the finishing touch. I've got to go through and remove any errant threads, and then I plan to stitch them on using hot pink embroidery thread.

Because I can. It's the small things that matter.

This is for my lovely friend Anne. I'm sorry it didn't get to you in time for your birthday. xx

I did a bit more stitching last night, slow but steady progress! My birdie now has a perch and is looking quite cheery. This whole design is done mostly in a combination of back stitch and long stitches, with some added detail in colonial knots (so much more reliable than french knots), running stitch, lazy daisies and feather stitch. Appropriately.

Kaffe Fassett, says Wikipedia, rhymes with safe asset. That settles it. Kafe. I was wrong. It's not Kaff-ee.


Still. The activity sheet made up for my disappointment.

I met up with the lovely Miriam and went to see the Fashion and Textile Museum exhibition on Kaffe Fassett: A life in Colour.

I've been stitching up some more HSTs for my quilt, which has now been named the Gypsy Blue Quilt. It's blue. It's made from FQs of Valori Wells's Karavan which full of fun and a bit of magic. The name seems right.

I was tempted to mix it with a range of purples and greens, but I managed to hold myself back. Instead, I decided on a light grey - it's called Ash, by Kona. The Karavan range is a collection of swirls, dots, flowers --- and elephants. Oh the elephants! Ash grey is very appropriate.

And then, my few hours were done. Just like that. I have about twenty completed squares made up of HSTs. I have another fifty or so waiting in the wings. Until next weekend.

I have food poisoning. It's awful. I'm forced to sit still here on the couch as I look wistfully towards the pile of sewing waiting to be made into something amazing. I haven't cooked in two days. There a honey cake recipe I'm desperate to try but the thought of food is just ugh.

And so, let's focus on something else, shall we? Something happy.

I mentioned last week that I would tell you about the Abbey Gardens Community Patchwork Rug project. It was started by the talented Lydia from EEWI and Abbey Gardens, and the idea was for the local community members to each take a patch (provided) and to add their favourite fruit or vegetable in a crafty manner. You could draw, appliqué, embroider, paint: anything. Then, you needed to return the patch along with your 'veg story' or join in on the spot at the Abbey Gardens Summer Fair (it was on the 9th of June - you can read more here.)

I loved the idea of this project, not least of all because I've been working (slowly) on a collection of vegetable-themed brooches and buttons.

So, I asked for three patches, and here they are:

















This is my crochet apple block. This is a block for me: apples remind me of my mom. It feels as if we're millions of miles apart, even though it is only thousands. She bakes the most amazing dishes, but her apple crumble has always been her 'go to' dish for desserts or baking emergencies. I haven't had apple crumble yet in the UK, and despite being fairly adept in the kitchen, I haven't yet attempted her recipe in case I don't get it just right.


















This is my crochet pumpkin block. When I was little, I would go with my older cousin to our day-mother Ouma. She would make us eat all of vegetables before we were allowed to play. I remember being appalled at the amount of pumpkin and squash we had to get through (and sadly, not much playing) - and I .must say that I didn't eat pumpkin ever again until only a few years ago.


















My final block was a set of cross-stitched cherries outlined with embroidered chain stitch. This block took ages to complete and I was up for many late nights cross-stitching away to try and get these done on time! This block was for my OH: he shares an unrelenting love of cherries with his mother, and will always pick up a punnet of his favourites when we go shopping. They're not as readily available at home in South Africa as they are here in the UK, so he's really spoilt that they're available in shops, in markets and in all of the fruit & veg stalls along the high road too.























I was worried that I wouldn't finish up in time, but I did. I even had enough time to work up a pretty carrot brooch which made the perfect finishing touch to the parcel of patches!

I love this kind of community project where everyone can get involved and share their stories. It's a wonderful way to share some 'crafty goodness' with neighbours and to see what everyone has done with their squares, and it's a great opportunity to hear everyone else's experiences of our favourite fruit and vegetables which is always so different from your own. I can only imagine how big this community rug is going to be when it's finished! You can see the flickr group of all the patches and the progress here.