Tea, Royal Pig and Stitching

There is nothing quite like progressing a project, and by jove this one seems to be moving along rather quickly, I think that may be down to having completely settled on the stitches, normally I tend to change my mind. So not wanting to leave it another day to show you where I have gotten to I thought I would talk you through the following shots...

I do love a bit of metal work and on the beak I have introduced a thin layer of padding, and began to couch silver passing using a coloured thread to give it a different feel and drew in the deep purple of the silk used for the bird's head.

To help with the sharp bends in the beak I used a trusty pair of tweezers to help force the passing into the shape I wanted before stitching it down. 

At this stage I had begun to plunge the passing to the back, it's both a satisfying bit of the job but bloody infurating at the same time. Anyone who thinks embroiderers are patient folk I assure we are not. Or at least I am not. It takes time to do this bit, it's fiddly and can drive you to distraction....and yet it looks bloody good when done. 

The job isn't over when you plunge the thread to the back, you have to sew the threads down so they don't shift or pop back up. I've done this bit now since coming to write this post. If I remember to I'll take a shot of that too so you can see what I have done, though I slightly cheated...but hey its a perk of being shown how to do it properly you can find the loop holes.

Of course, I didn't just sew over this lovely bank holiday (yeah despite the rain!) I had a wee tea party with a couple of good friends, watched the pageant and the concert (bitched about the crap bits and whooped with delight at the cracking bits).  I have to say this was the best jubilee ever and long may her Majesty reign that's all I say. Though I do hope the DoE gets better real soon..perhaps he wanted to get out of watching the concert.

Calico got the Royal treatment, a little wee felt crown and Union Jack Ribbon (thank's to my best mate's mum)

Can't beat a Victoria...Elizabeth Sponge (by the way not bad for a 22p sponge mix from Sainsbury's basics! The Fortumn jam and fresh buttercream helped too)

I hope everyone else had a thoroughly good time, even the non-Brits! 

Right on with the tea drinking and the stitching!

Want it Wednesday: Thank you Ma'am (Jubilee Spirit)

Its a somewhat belated Want it Wednesday, I didn't get the chance to sort a post out last week for one reason or another, things have been catching up with me, basically a lack of energy. But thanks to her Majesty the Queen, I have a wee break coming up.

So I would like to dedicate this post to the Queen!

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Mugs Limited Edition 2012 - rachelkdesign

Queen's Jubilee Screen print - Taylors Type

3 Pack Greeting Cards for Diamond Jubilee Featuring Corgi Dog - Doggydesign

Diamond Jubilee Celebration Biscuits - Dollhouse Miniature Food Handmade - Sarahmolney

Diamond Jubilee Print - visualphilosophy

Jubilee Bunting - papergravystore

Diamond Jubilee Alternative Commemorative Plate - Oh the Jubilee Flotilla Plate - Katiespragg

Diamond Jubilee Royal Corgi Cup and Saucer - Emma Smith

I know a friend at work will covert the Corgi pictures! I hope you get the chance to get into the spirit of it all. Whilst I won't be going into London to see any of the pagentry, I am certainly loving my little flags in the window. Sadly bunting is down owing to having the windows done, and until I get the curtain poles back up I can't get the bunting up...well perhaps I'll figure something out at the weekend.

Why not show me your favourite Jubilee items, or pictures of your own bunting!

Jubilee Spirit

Yesterday I shouted out on Facebook that I really wanted bunting, and I wanted it then. So, I got myself sorted and went out into the beautiful sunshine on a mission to get bunting, flags and napkins. The latter might seem odd but I am planning a bit of a tea party/jubilee picnic next Sunday with a few lovely friends. Fingers crossed the weather is good. Or have I tempted fate?

Anyway, as you can see it was a success, bunting was found as was flags and yes I got jubilee inspired napkins.  It didn't take long for everything to go up, bar the napkins and now I am feeling suitably in the spirit of the Jubilee. Yes I am a bit of  Royalist, not a fair weather sort but more that I think the Queen is the best female role model out there. And well she reminds me of my nan who passed away when I was a little girl. And Prince Philip just makes me roar with laughter, he's awesome.

Need to find calico some British inspired ribbon, anyone got a slither?

My little travel shelf, New York, Washington, Venice and London.

Is anyone else getting into the spirit of things? 

If you are then you might like my latest free pattern:

Available to download, for personal use only, from my website. Click here.

Don't forget to show it off! Either link me to your version in a comment or upload it to the Flickr group and participate in my latest competition!

Waving the Flag and Phew I am done

So some what of a busy couple of hours, just finished off making up the four clocks (see above) and even photographed them, several times over. Damn this ever changing light, one minute sunshine the next overcast and raining. Anyway, battle done and a well deserved cup of tea is in order. 

Only thing left now is for me to purchase a few more bits of packaging, clock hands. Miss Burton all the way over in Cambridge is just working on the copy and labels, as I type this blog post. It's all coming together nicely. And then in May they will be available to purchase along with the other collaboration piece.

I really do think a cuppa is in order. 

Before I toddle off to make one, I have to show you what I purchased this weekend, I couldn't resist the Jubilee edition of Marmite (Sainsburys) and this little patriotic tin (from Marks & Spencers - chocolate wasn't to bad either). This is really making me want toast and put up bunting!

Regal Stitching

So following on from the mystery shot earlier on this week, here is the progress of a new little clock. I wanted a fairly quick project to do, to be able to do in between working on my bits with Heidi. So this is one of these such projects. Nice and simple in both design and stitch (running and a bit of back). The stitching part is all done, now its the making it up into a clock and then adding the finishing details.

I don't often work on one section at any given time I switch it up.

Hey look it's a crown..and another

Now the making up begins....