A Blogging Gift

Last week I received an absolutely amazing surprise, and felt I would love to share it with everyone.  It was something I'd never seen 'in the flesh', and for me, like finding gold I suppose.  This beautiful little antique needlework book was sent to me by a fellow blogger, Jan  and I really am humbled by her generous gift.  

There are some really interesting techniques in this little book, especially the section on linen work.  I know I have dozens of books related to needlework, but I don't have many really old ones, so this has really made my week.

Thank you so much Jan, for your generosity not only with this lovely book, but your support on my blog.  You are always interested in what I call the mundane part of my life.  But, reading your blog I can see you are interested in so many things, a real glass half full girl, that's for sure.  It is a pleasure to 'know' you.

Planning Ahead

I have been absent from blogging this week for various reasons, some not so good, but thought I'd share a few of my book/project purchases with readers.  I didn't embark on a monthly project this year, but silently resolved to try some new stitching techniques, as well as some things that are totally out of my comfort zone.  The above photograph shows a DVD I purchased early in the year, and the combined silk/wool in order to try some wet, and nuno felting.  I purchased the DVD here  but to date haven't even put it in the player to get my head around the process.  The beautiful silk/wool combo came from Dale at http://www.thethreadstudio.com/  This colourway is called Kimberley Dreaming and has been dyed for The Thread Studio by Jacinta so I hope I can do this justice when I eventually make the time.

Another technique that has been on my to-do list is Filet Net Darning.  I had been sent some filet mesh by a friend quite some time ago, and then earlier this year, another lady I've met via stitching sent me this lovely book and some more filet net, plus the needle, plus a little gift made using the technique.  I'm still whimping out on this one, but hang in there girls, I'll get to it ASAP.  I need to purchase some rectangular stretcher frames before I embark on this one.

For years I've admired the needlelace technique called Reticello.  Through the help of a fellow blogger Jenny I managed to purchase this lovely book in the hope of learning some of the filling stitches required.  Jenny kindly gave me a website address - http://www.filofilo.it/eng/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=29  and after a few emails, and despite a language barrier, the purchase was set in concrete.  This book is wonderful, easy to follow, and printed in three different languages!!  Again, watch this space.

And, last but not least, are two more book purchases I made earlier in the year, with two more techniques I fully intend to try.  Both fall into the counted thread category, which suits my frame of mind at the moment.  I'm a little fickle in that I tend to work between classic needlework and techniques that are a little more flamboyant.  Who knows where my head will be in 2012!!

At this very moment I'm knitting my first ever lace tablemat on four needles, plus continuing the hardanger.  The days are getting shorter, but thankfully, both of these projects are okay for me to do at night.  I would like to have the hardanger finished for late July, as that is my daughter-in-law's birthday.

I hope Blogger will publish this post for me, it wasn't being very helpful yesterday!!  I notice other people have had issues as well. 

One Year Already!!

I realized late yesterday that my blog is now one year old.  Goodness, where did those 365 days go??  I won't make a big deal out of it, but will say a quick thank you to all those who have helped and supported me during this time, it's been fun.  I've learnt so much about my computer and camera, not to mention stitching, but most importantly, the friendships I've made because of my involvement in the blogging community are by far the most important aspect of this pastime.  I will share something with readers just for a laugh.  I have been a stitch addict for all of my adult life, and have never missed the opportunity to buy books on the subject, so the following photographs will show my collection of Stitch Dictionaries [some have a more varied content].  These are by no means the end to my obsession, I have many more 'stitch specific' publications, but I doubt Blogger, or you would want to see them all..............

These two were the earliest in my collection.  The smaller one is by Barbara Snook, the larger the Golden Hands Encyclopaedia of Embroidery, opened at the page which shows one of my favourite stitches, Sorbello Stitch.

I think these were the next addition to the bookshelf, both purchased from various 'sale tables' in the early days.  Both have been well used.

Some time later came this collection of Anchor books.  They are small and easy to take with to stitching days, and are all well written and illustrated.  The Judith Baker-Montano 'Elegant Stitches' is a great source of reference for stitch combinations used in crazy patchwork.

Somewhere in between I managed to source these Mary Thomas books, the older one scooped up for me by a very kind friend [an eBay purchase].  Again, these books are two of my favourites, and a go-to when in doubt.


I hope you enjoy seeing some of the books that have made my stitching journey so enjoyable.  Books are a part of my needlework life, and I have special memories associated with many of them.