Sewing Notions

 This week so far has been sunny and bright, with new flowers opening in the garden every day......

 ...........i've been busy sewing again, and also working on new chart commissions which means spending time on the computer...........but i still make sure i spend some time outside while it's so lovely............below is a picture of sudeley castle which we visited while in the cotswolds last week........

.............such a fascinating place steeped in history, there is so much to see and learn about there......I was especially interested in the exhibition there called *threads of time* which showed examples of textile techniques spanning 400 years..........so inspiring, i loved seeing the stumpwork casket from the 17th century, sweet old samplers, tudor dresses, lace and tapestry.............

 ............the gardens were gorgeous too.........and they even have a *secret garden* of their own there :)............in the gift shop is a vintage corner where all kinds of treasures appear each week.......(i did buy something but will save it for another post....)...............

 .............some of the loveliest vintage textiles for me are the humblest sewing notions like pin cushions and needle cases....they have a special quality because they were made and used by needle workers of the time, not just for display................i often make little fun projects like the pin cushion shown here for the magazines i work for.................

 ...............a patchwork pin cushion on a nautical theme, with matching scissor keeper....

.................and a bright seaside-y greeting card complete with cross stitched seagull card topper to go with the gift..............i enjoyed using my one of my favourite colour ways for this project.....

 ...............the project can be found inside the new issue of crafts beautiful............and you can read more about the magazine and find projects to download here..................

 ..............i was very lucky again recently when i won julie's lovely giveaway over at k c's court......

 ................in the parcel was this adorable vintage style embroidered needle book............it's so beautifully embroidered and a real treasure.............julie makes all kinds of amazing vintage and retro inspired projects, and in my parcel was also the wonderfully intriguing magic wallet with fab retro embroidery..........and some lovely buttons, yummy chocolate (not in the pic, guess why)....................

 .............as i said recently, i am amazed at the talented people i meet through blogging :).........you can find julie's work at her shop here, and visit her two vintage inspired blogs here and here..............

...........and still on the subject of sewing notions, i bought this little bunny on our trip last week, and i have a plan for turning him into a sewing notion too.......can you guess how?..............

 .............this is one of my scissor keeps from a magazine project from quite a while ago.......i always try to make things i really like so that when i have them back after publication i can enjoy using them :).........................

...........lots of flowers to pick at last, and how welcome the summer sunshine is this week.........i hope you are enjoying it too..............thank you so much for the lovely comments and visits, it's a pleasure to see you here in my little bit of blog land.................wishing you a wonderful week............
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