New embroidery patterns!

I'm in the midst of so many sewing projects here, and full embracing it....there is a sea of cushions going on in my studio space, getting orders ready for posting. I will share a photo of the mountain when I'm not too lazy to get the camera out of its case! (disgraceful!)

There has also been a whole lot of sewing related stuff going on over on my new spangly website...Did I tell you I'd had a re-do?! I've gone all fancy pants and  got a rotating photograph and all! oh lala!  Here is the link! 

With the introduction of my embroidery kits, I wanted to create a little online sewing classroom which offered links to the sewing related tutorials I've done, and pdf's to download. A great place for those who are new to embroidery and a little nervous! There are some free embroidery patterns too which you won't have seen before:

If any of these take your fancy you can download them here.

Last on the sewing front is a new kit without the "Frills" which I've added to my etsy shop (here).

Unlike the other embroidery kits I showed you recently, this kit comes minus the packaging and guides/instructions, needle and embroidery hoop. I liked the idea of this as it not only makes it cheaper, but also giving the freedom to stitch with your own choice of colours and stitches, and letting you use your already existing large pile of embroidery supplies! The finished piece fits a 4" hoop. Sweet!

 Phew! I think that's enough stitchery news for one day.......time to dive into that cushion mound x

Kitschy Stitches!

Just coming up for air before I dive back down again...... this part always catches me out...the run up to a Trade Fair and the long list of things to do! Trade Fairs always seem to fall just after a school holiday...which I NEVER remember to factor in when it comes to getting things done.
*Sigh*
Stu has been a master child entertainer while I have been expanding my own repertoire of skills....the beginning of the week saw me as " instruction booklet maker".....yesterday I was "in-house  photographer"....today I'm "machine sewing expert" and "PR guru"!  Still got to own and wear the "Display officianado" badge.....which is the bit I've been putting off most......You see I need to come up with a design to display and showcase my items that I can carry with me on the train in a suitcase! ......
I just KNOW I am going to regret leaving this one till the end!

Anyhoos, today I wanted to share some new embroidery kits I've added to the items I'm taking down to London..and soon to offer in my shop. I'm so happy with how they have turned out.... kitschy stitchery kits! 

These couldn't suit me more! I love embroidering but am hard pressed to find designs that a) are my kind of style and b) can be used/displayed in some way that would work in my home.

These kits come with a piece of fabric with a colourful design already printed on, and parts of the design left blank to be filled in with stitches.The end result is a co-created textured piece of wall art! Yes!

I hope you love them as much as I do!

So back to the multi tasking...best go do some child entertaining for a while....the walls are being climbed!x

Come join my sewing corner! ...freebie Elephant pattern!

You know, I've always had this dream of setting up a "Sewing Corner", a chance for women to get together and do what they do best - share stories, support, love and a whole lot of laughter... all while stitching away!

You see, while I love getting messy with the paints, seeing colours splash across surfaces...its the sewing that gets me the most. Part of it's the satisfaction of putting idle hands to good use, but more than that it stills my mind, keeps me present and at the end I can directly feel and touch what I create, the texture, the lines.....oooohh I think I may even be salivating as I type :)

Anyhoos, I'll get to the point! I've gone and opened a little etsy shop selling pdf patterns that can be printed and sewn up, for anyone who wants to give it a try. I've got a lifetimes worth, and a drawer full of them waiting to be shared :)

But I also want to make it a regular thing to share freebie patterns that you can print off yourself and again have a bash at.....my own little sewing corner here in bloggy land!

So todays freebie pattern is "trunk to tail".....and incase you're new to the whole sewing shabang here is a wee tutorial.......

After clicking on the elephant picture above, copy to a new word document and print off the desired size. (if this sounds way too complicated leave me your email address and I'll mail you the pdf) I use the good old fashined window "lightbox" technique as seen below, and draw on the lines with a water-soluble pen...but you could simply use a pencil, pen, whatever you have to hand.

Now I've got the outline all drawn, I've got some black embroidery thread, you could use thin wool, or sewing thread if its what you have lying about (all of which I use too!) I'm using stem stitch to basically fill in the outline with black thread. Stem stitch is described below.

When it comes to the bits I want filled with colour I use satin stitch which is detailed below.

I'm still sewing away on my piece...I've got this far...

I'm going to make it into a box pouch ....guess I'll save that for the next sewing corner session! :)

Today I'm linking this to the gorgeous Em at Mimi and Tilly's who has a Favourite thing on a Friday. Hope you are all having a fandoobly day..I'm away to hang with my gorgeous sis and her little girl yay!xx