A Nice Surprise

 

 

I had a nice surprise earlier this month as I was the winner of this lovely pack of fabric as a giveaway on Janet's blog . It is sea themed and named "More Hearty Good Wishes" by Janet Clare who makes gorgeous quilts and has a book with this same Title. Since receiving my prize I have been busy designing and making this little quilt. After finished the hand quilting and sewing on the borders it was finished and here it is photographed in the garden today.

My other surprise was this butterfly in the house. I gently carried it outside to let it go, but not before I spent some time Capturing a drawing of her.

Back to the quilt. I set up in front of the upstairs window and that way I could enjoy the views of the shore. As I was cutting, sewing and ironing I would have a break and glance down to the shore. I would watch the tide creep in and out of the estuary as time passed by. As I sewed I would look at the seagulls on the fabric as I would also watch them soaring above in the sky outside. It was such lovely fabric to work with, with designs of Boats and fish and grasses, lighthouses and other related coastal subjects. I loved the colours too of this sea themed fabric range.

I spent lots of enjoyable days with lovely views from my window as I quietly and slowly stitched it. When the sun set I would put it away again.

 

 

 

And then after it was all complete I have my little seaside quilt to treasure.

And it will always remind me of those lovely sunsets and the rainbows that appear

 

Outside the bluebells are starting to open up and make a sea of blue in the garden.

Inside I have my finished sea quilt.

Guess what turned up in the room as I was sewing one day. It just came and sat on the tissue paper which was wrapped around the spare material. It opened its wings and flapped and fluttered on the window sill. I opened the window but it never left, it kept me company for several days. Perhaps a lucky charm.

And the rainbows made me smile, as they magically shone on my quilt ,.....moments later gone.

 

Hope you enjoyed seeing my sewing.

Thank you for visiting and for the comments which I always enjoy reading.

See you soon, Millyx

 

 

Easter

The sun is out and it is a beautiful day. I have been in the garden and the birds are singing so loud, they are enjoying the day too. I hope you all had a lovely Easter.

 

I had a little display on my kitchen table. A jug of primroses I picked from the garden and some daffodils and my favourite coloured hyacinths called Woodstock. I made a new bag , featuring my hare drawing and the blackberry coloured spots from the peony and sage fabric. I spent all day Saturday making it and it was finished with the perfect coloured button I bought once on holiday. I always find my way into haberdashery shops and I buy bits and pieces, then one day it is just what I need after storing it for several years.

EILEEN POSTLETHWAITE

copyright of all images, all rights reserved.2015

When I had finished it I was really happy, I brought it downstairs to show the 'interested' husband. He actually likes me sewing, I am quiet for hours and hiding away with my sewing machine. Easter was the perfect time to make a hare bag.

I have lots of flowers out in tubs and around the garden. The birthday present of 60 bulbs is looking and smelling wonderful. My sister planted them last November and on Sunday I picked her a bunch of the sweet smelling daffodils and told her how lovely they are. I have enjoyed watching them grow, the are just outside my kitchen window. Soon the pot of tulips will be out, another 60 bulbs all blooming, what a lovely present they have been. She also gave me the maroon hyacinths wrapped in brown paper.

Now for a tour of some of the flowers in my garden, all taken this afternoon.

Cowslips and the first camellia. Then a few snapshots of my snakehead fritillaries. They are growing at different stages, see the many colours, shades, Chequered patterns and some of them have appeared white ones.

 

 

 

 

I am going to try and capture some in my drawings as they are so beautiful.

A secret little glimpse of a little chequered pattern of my own. This is the little mouse quilt I made with the elderberry dyed fabrics.

Milly mouse under her elderberry quilt, homemade from elderberries picked along the hedgerows in our village, dyed fabric and hand stitched by me.

The sunshine at this very moment as I say good bye. It is just catching the garden, the midges are waking up and we have seen a butterfly and several big bees collecting pollen from the fritillary. It has been such a warm day for getting out into the garden. Thank you for your comments, for the people who tell me I inspire them to draw and others who tell me it is a nice calm place to visit. A little taste of spring for all of you still waiting

See you soon......Millyx