Fabrics & Trims

I'm sorry to say that I don't have any progress pics of my Wips to show you. I haven't done any work on them since last weekend. The weather here has turned really cold (since we're in the middle of the Winter season), and my motivation hasn't been very high. I've had other things to attend to also which has left my stitching neglected I'm afraid.

Even this afternoon I have to go into Melbourne to stay overnight (pussy cats are going to miss me, or is that I'll miss them?), then tomorrow I have to go to a roadshow (product presentation) for work on the other side of town. I'm not really looking forward to it, but I was requested to go.

Anyway, onto something a little more interesting. Yesterday I was at the doctor's to get some immunisations for my trip to the Cook Islands, and while I was out I dropped into one of our craft shops, Lincraft. I really wanted to just get a scarf as I can't find where my black one has gone, and this is what I ended up buying. Oh, I did get the scarf too!



The materials I will use sometimes as a backing for my Wip pictures, but I'll also be able to use it on my projects in the future. The trims will be handy as I thought the colours would go with any Americana things I do.

After I'd purchased them I thought, 'didn't I tell myself I wasn't buying anymore stash until after my holiday?'. Then I told myself that this wasn't true needlework stash as in charts, kits, threads, etc.... you know what I mean:)))) There's always another way you can justify things in my opinion.

A day of shopping

What a full day I've had. First I went to try on the pair of shoes I had put aside for me. Big disappointment! They didn't fit, which is the usual case for me since I have small feet.

Oh well, on I went further towards Melbourne to East Malvern where The Needlepoint shop is. This shop used to be terrific. Not quite the same these days since it's changed owner. I asked the lady there if I could take some photos inside her shop to put on my blog, but she couldn't understand why I would want to, so I gave up on the idea (though I did take one of the outside). There wasn't much that grabbed me, as she didn't have a lot there but I did get a couple of things.

32ct Summer Khaki fabric, Fray Stop, and a wooden thread holder.

The Needlepoint shop

Next stop was down the road to Patchwork On Central Park to look at their fabrics. The last time I went there they had some beautiful fabrics, but again not much this time. Though I was able to pluck a few out that I liked.

Fabrics from Patchwork On Central Park

Then I thought I would go a bit further (about another half hour away) to a needlework shop called Lazy Daisy. Been here before also and remembered they had a bit more of a selection of linens than elsewhere. Another disappointment! They had some stock of which I got a few pieces of fabric, but there wasn't much in the way of other items. A lot of tapestry, which doesn't interest me.

Two pieces of felt, 32ct Permin Prairie Grain linen, 28ct Permin Sandstone linen, 30ct Semco no. 83 (green), 30ct linen (light tan), 35ct linen (rich creme/yellow), 32ct Latte linen, packet of Semco 30ct Natural linen, Anchor and DMC threads from Lazy Daisy

I spent most of the day out, but now I remember why I don't bother much with the needlework shops here. They're nothing like what you would see in the US. I can get more of a selection, at a better price shopping overseas. Plus there's not many shops around here these days. Think I'll just stick to the Internet :)

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Just a short note about my last post regarding the picture of my cat Charlotte. Alison was wondering if she was cross eyed. I had a laugh at this. She isn't, but I guess because I took the picture so close as she was on my knee, it's made her look a bit that way (I think?). Or perhaps it's the dark reflection of me in her eyes that's making them look as though they're going inwards.

i

Tomorrow I may be going to the Flower and Garden Show, so my stitching is going to have to take a back seat for the moment. Can't stay home all the time and stitch, though as much as I would like to!

Ribbons and fabric

Last week I went to a scrapbooking shop to see what they had. No, I'm not thinking of making scrapbooking another hobby of mine. Gosh! - I spend so much on my needlework, don't want to spend twice as much by having another 'passion'. I could easily get into scrapbooking though because it looks so beautiful and there are heaps of items to buy for every taste imaginable.

What I came across were some lovely ribbons. My eyes glanced over every one of the rolls they had there and I ended up picking out some that I liked. There was even one there that had Merry Christmas written on it (the red one).

Ribbons to use for my needlework

I'm keeping them in an old Whitman's chocolate box. Thought I may be able to use them for my needlework in the future. No immediate ideas but that doesn't matter. I like to get things when I see them and work out what to do with them later on.

Didn't get any stitching done today (though I do want to get back to LHN My Needle's Work and fix up the counting problem I have with it). The weather was so beautiful compared to what we've been having, so I thought I would get outside and do some things that needed my attention earlier in the day. I ended up mowing the lawn, a bit more pruning, and then I did a few jobs inside the house. After all that I was feeling quite tired in the afternoon and had a small nap for about 1/2 hour.

I did get a couple of packages delivered today though. Some material and patterns from quilting stores. I want to try patchworking, making bags, and cushions in the future and am collecting a few bits and pieces along the way.

Pieces of fabric from Quilt Fabric Delights in South Australia

Bought from Gentle Threads in Western Australia

Rosalie Quinlan - Miss Melly's Sewing Pocket pattern

Rosalie Quinlan - Oma's Project Bag pattern

Floba cross stitch fabric, and a couple of fat quarters

I do have a tendency to go for floral fabrics. They always jump out at me when looking.