Pins and needles

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments about my chair.  You've all helped me feel a lot less guilty about my little bit of luxury.  I'm enjoying it right as we speak in fact!


I'm feeling pretty good today though.  This week I've managed to finish off a teeny tiny project that, for all it's teeny-ness and it's tiny-ness had taken me quite a long while to do and given me a great deal of satisfaction.



I'm really starting to love sewing and my sewing machine these days.  It's been a very slow burn, this new love of mine.  I've sewed since I was a teenager, in fits and starts.  Well, I say 'sewed', it was more 'cobbled together' in the early stages, but gradually I've improved.  I'm completely self-taught, which basically means, I don't know what I'm doing but I make it up as I go along.  Which has no doubt meant that I rarely do things in the easiest or best way, but I'm learning a little at a time.





This last couple of years though, my love has been growing deeper and stronger.  A nice new sewing machine a couple of Christmases ago really tipped the balance for me and completing my first quilt last year was one of the most satisfying things I've done.  I think because I never really believed I'd ever achieve it.

Now I have a bit of sewing confidence under my belt, I'm really enjoying exploring the possibilities.  Beautiful hand made things that seemed out of reach before, now seem a bit closer and a little bit more attainable, especially with the glorious internet and wonderful, generous crafty bloggers and their clever tutorials!



Which essentially, is a long winded way of saying 'look what I've made, from a really great internet tutorial'.  The really great tutorial is from my sewing heroine, guru and daily inspiration, Amy of Nana Company.  I've waxed lyrical about her before, so it'll be of no surprise to most of you!

The tutorial is for one of her darling little Needlebooks, and here's my version.





 I do adore how it turned out.  Finding all the itty bits of fabric and embellishments was great fun.  One of the things I really love about Amy's work is the way she find great uses for even the smallest pieces of fabric.  So using her scrappy easter bunting idea I made a little heart with some of my offcuts.



 I've loved this fabric creation very much, the making, the completing and even the wrapping of it.  On Sunday (the 'Mothering' one) it's off to a new home and I've not been so excited about giving a present for quite some while.  There's something very special about giving and receiving a homemade gift isn't there?


Now, I only have to hope that my Mum loves it as much as I do. 



S x





Comments

  1. Such a lovely gift for your mum. I think there's nothing better than giving a homemade present. I'm sure she will love it.x

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  2. Oh my goodness you know she will adore it! It is really very beautiful :)x

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  3. Beautiful! I love the little patchy heart. You've inspired me, i've had the link bookmarked for a while, but I'm going to make one!!

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  4. OMGoodness that is gorgeous - im sure she will love it!

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  6. Oh they will love it. So magical.


    LG

    Kristina

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  7. It looks soooo adorable! Anyone would be stoked to get this as a gift :D And you've inspired me too - I recently made a 'scrappy book of awesomeness', where I used paper sewn together to make a book cover, and I'm thinking I need a fabric-page for my book! :) Check it out here: acreativebeing.com
    xo,
    wink

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  8. Such a lovely case. Perhaps I can make something similar for my Dairy.To make appointments in style.
    Thanks for inspiring me today!

    Adrianne

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  9. Magnífico trabalho...
    parabéns, com abraços de MF

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    Replies
    1. The needle case is beautiful, your sewing is gorgeous.
      Anne xx

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  10. Your Mum will Love it! Teeny Tiny = Delightful!

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  11. This is so pretty! I've been inspired by Amy's needle books too, and made one a few months ago. I like your scrappy little heart.

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  12. Hi sweet Sandra! Don't you dare feel guilty about your gorgeous chair! It was such a great price, it is beautiful, comfy, fits perfectly in your room and makes the perfect place to sew, read, drink tea and just relax! I am happy for you! I LOVE your gorgeous needle case!!! You did a beautiful job and I love the fabrics you used! Your photos are gorgeous too! Thank you for sharing the links for the tutorials. I loved reading all you shared about sewing. You are so inspiring! I am always learning new things and enjoy sewing and creating things so much! Your mum will love the needle case!!! Love to you~ Paula xo

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  13. This is soooooo cute! Your sewing skills certainly look to be very good! (I have a habit of sticking my foot down abit too hard and ruining the edges hehe!) I love all of the different materials and textures you've used :) big thumbs up! x

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  14. simply stunning project. i would certainly like to receive that gift, so i'm sure it will go down a treat!! x

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  15. Oh my goodness, that is so adorable! I imagine your mom is going to love it!

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  16. She'll love it.......I love it, I need to make one asap cos I keep stabbing my fingers on mine, the're in a tiny pincushion loose in my hook and scissor bag. (I know health and safety!) So to save my fingers I shall craft one of these, and I might make one for my mum too! Have a lovely weekend. ♥

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  17. Sandra!
    This is the cutest homemade sewing creation I have ever seen!
    The fabrics, the colors, the lace, the heart, the button, the embroidery!
    It is sooo pretty!
    What a work that must have been, all those teeny tiny pieces of fabric!
    Beautiful :)
    It is always a great feeling to give someone a present you have made yourself...
    But my presents are usually crocheted.
    I am learning how to sew as well, (I have lessons every friday) and I just finished my first dress! Maybe I'll dare to make a case like yours when I get to know my sewing machine a bit better :)
    Have a great weekend! xx

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  18. So lovely,Your Mum will love it.xoxox

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  19. This is beautiful! I really want to make it myself. Where do you get your lovely fabrics from? Do you buy any online? I really want to find a nice site to get some fabric. xx

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  20. Seriously I am addicted to your blog. I absolutely love this needlebook. It's so beautiful. And checked out nana company which I am now a fan of but I love your needlebook more. I hope it's ok to say this as I wouldn't want to offend anyone but I just love your ideas and how your mind works. I really want to make one of these. And any tips on where you get your fabric as Sarah above as asked would be really great!

    Loving your work!

    Helen xx

    PS I just finished my own granny heart bunting, thank you soooooo much for the tutorial xxxx

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  21. Oh my, that really is lovely. I don't do much sewing any more - in fact I sold my Bernina and get by with an old machine of my Mum's - but if I did still sew Amy's patterns would be top of my list, I love her work!

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  22. OMG.This is adorable! Love the fabric prints. What a great gift!! She will Love it..

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  23. Oh its sooooo pretty - Mum will love it! Its so true that small things take and extrordinarily amount of time compared to their size. But they are all the more delightful for it. Thanks for finding this tutorial - its perfect for my Mum's birthday in June...... so I've plenty of time to get it done!!

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  24. Really sweet, lovely!!♥
    Many greetings from Finland,
    Marge

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  25. I hope your mum loved your present, it was very beautiful.

    Fleur xx

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  26. Thank you for this nice idea!! I loved making one for a friend

    http://wp.me/pK2DW-MH

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  27. Truly beautiful,I love it :) Denise from Coffeeberry Cottage

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