…what Sari shared with me today. I love it when someone gets creative with my patterns, isn’t it wonderful what she did with ‘Under The Willow Tree’!
Nothing else to share at the moment, I know it has been quiet, mainly because I’m working more hours and I’m just too tired to do anything else. Hope I can share something new soon.
Meanwhile I hope you are all enjoying the Christmas holiday preperations at home and in your towns… don’t you agree that it is by far the most joyful season.
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Confucius
The past 4 weeks have been so busy at work that I have not been able to put a needle into fabric. So many project waiting, so little time…
Last month I finished the monogram pincushion included in the Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers #36 “The Simple Things”. I stiched it on 30ct Old Java Mill by R&R and WDW threads as suggested. For finishing, the pattern asks for a hand turned walnut base, which I don’t have at hand ~smile~.
I decided to use an old wooden bobbin as a base, which I painted with and instant rust antiquing solution (modern options) to make it look old. I then glued the pincushion on top… e voilà… I’m happy with the result.
The Berry Emery, included in the BBD Loose Feathers #37 is a work in progress…
Also….
I’m working on a new Cosmic Handmade pattern, only a little one… not finished yet but here’s a little peek…
I do hope I will have some time to use my needle again to finish some of my work in progress. Fingers crossed that work will slow down a bit for me to do so :)
The new webset and wordpress theme is finally finished. With the launch of this new set I also finally started the sale.
Until October 21st the new set is available for a special price and all websets and wordpress theme’s are half price!
The celebration give-away is now closed.
Wow, this was fun! Thank you all for participating and most of all for your warm and kind comments… I’m over the moon with the response.
As it is a special celebration I decided to make 3 people happy :) Here are the lucky winners…
The Autumn pattern plus the extra’s goes to Hilda.
Also receiving the Autumn patterns are Nela and Lauren.
I will be contacting the winners for the address details shortly. Congratulations!
Don’t you just love the smell of sweet Lavender!
“Here’s your sweet lavender
sixteen sprigs a penny
that you’ll find my ladies
will smell as sweet as any”
Lavender Sellers’s Cry, London England CA 1900
The Victorian Era
Queen Victoria enthused in the use of lavender, appointing Miss Sarah Sprules ‘Purvey of Lavender Essence to the Queen’. Lavender was very fashionable amongst the ladies. They bought it from street sellers who brought the lavender up from Mitcham. Fresh lavender was dried and put into muslin bags for wardrobes, used to wash walls and furniture and for lavender bags which were stuffed between sheets in linen presses.
It was used to repel insects, treat lice, to perfume potpourri, in furniture polish and soap, as well as a cure-all in household medicine cupboards. Smaller bags were worn in the cleavage of young women in the hope of attracting a suitor. The overuse of lavender contributed to its loss of popularity in the early 20th Century, when it became associated with old ladies.
Mitcham, a London suburb, was the centre of Lavender Oil production, English lavender products becoming well known all over the world. Production almost died out because of the pressure high land values in Mitcham, Wallington and Carshalton.
Lavender Sleep Pillow
Sew the mixture into a bag made of thin material which will allow the fragrance to escape, for example, organza or muslin, silk is ideal. Make a pillow slip to contain the sleep pillow.
Cosmic Handmade 