Embroidery Book

I got a book in the post today. Mum had posted her mum's embroidery book to me. From a quick google search it seems that it is a classic text. So much so that you can see it for free on the web. It's called Encyclopedia of Needlework by Th De Dillmont Link. Published by DMC (Dollfus Mieg and Co)  in 1884. I doubt my copy is from then as it says at the front that over 1,260,000 copies have been sold and translated into French, Italian, Spanish and German. It's written in the most fantastic victorian english, and in tiny text. Lots of diagrams in black and white and occasional colour plates.

I haven't read much but thought that one passage might be appreciated: From page 2- which talks about needles:
"To preserve needles from rust, put a little asbestos powder in the packets. People with damp hands which make needles sticky in usage, will do well to keep a small box of the powder by them and dip their fingers occasionally in it."

Must go out and get my asbestos!!

It still has an original box to store it in. I suspect that I will make nothing from it but will enjoy dipping into it for enjoyment.

New Nappy Bag

Hurrah, the sewing machine has been dusted off. This is my second Hip Mama Diaper Bag. It's such a great bag, I hope that M likes it.

I've got a choice of 2 pretty charms for the zip. I'll have to wait until the babe is here before I decide. One is a pink baby shoe and the other is the sparkly black flower in the picture.  I am sure I'll find a project that will use the remaining charm.

You can find the pattern for the bag here: Click me....

Adventures part 2

Well, the intention was to have post for each day and end up with the pics of london. As they say all the best intentions go astray at some times.

So here are some pics to explain my lack of sewing:

The crown jewels in Copenhagen were fantastic, I can't believe that they let you take photos. Even the most ornate pieces were pretty and not garish.

From Denmark I headed to Scotland to catch up with friends and family. The weather was pretty good, although these pics don't do it justice. The castle is Kilchurn castle at the top of Loch Awe, the carving are part of the Kilberry stones in Argyll- at the top end of the Mull of Kintyre. The wooden hut is a crannog, a iron age style dwelling, it has been built in Loch Tay where they have evidence of 15+ such dwellings. They had a loom set up, and showed us basic hand spinning of wool and linen. It was pretty coarse but it was interesting to see how design and fabric had come in a couple of thousand years.

More soon (and some fabric crafty bits too)

June's adventures Part 1

No sewing for the last few weeks, I have been on my hols. It's odd coming back to the southern winter, curtains closed and lights on by 5pm today. This time last week the sun set at about 11 o'clock.

I saw some lovely crafty things during my travels. The range of wools available was fabulous in Finland. Thankfully the need for warm woolly jumpers doesn't last long here in Queensland. There is a strong emphasis on design, with tourist walks around design oriented shops mapped out within Helsinki. I took a day trip to the small town of Porvoo - about an hour from Helsinki- and there were lots of craft stores. Bliss.

Here are some pics:

Take home things included an necklace from Aarikka, a handbag from the Kapatori Markets and a freefrom bowl from Iittala. A stylish country.