Needlework Accessories

This is the latest thing I'm hooked on - needlework accessories! Apart from scissors, I'm now interested in all types of items to compliment my sewing. I received a parcel during the week from Down Sunshine Lane with some lovely goodies in it.

Scissors attached to fobs, previously purchased.

The mini Lift 'N Snip silver scissors are a smaller version of my favourite scissors. This type I use all the time for my needlework as I love how the little hook at the end lifts up your threads away from your stitching for ease of cutting.

The needlework magnets are so cute and the magnets are quite strong on them. A great idea to keep your needle handy. The Made With Love charms I've seen on other blogs and have been wanting to get some. These will be great when I get more in to the finishing side of my stitching.

Fobs are a major attraction to me at the moment. I have lots of kits to make my own out of linen and threads but the jewelled variety appeals to me also.

The Patriotic Fob is my favourite.

I'm now moving along with Summer Iris. I got some stitching done today and can see the finishing line not being far away.

Scissor Collection

For those of you who don't know, Nina's having a giveaway on her site until 30th April, 2009. Included are a pair of scissors, a fob she's made, thread, and a gorgeous wooden box with a design she's stitched on the top. She is certainly a very talented stitcher.

To enter her competition she'd like you to show your collection of scissors, be it small or large. I thought it would be a good opportunity to show you mine. I'm sure I have some others somewhere but these are the main ones I have.

I have three pairs of Gingher scissors with Shepherd's Bush engraved one side and the year on the other. These were purchased direct from them. They release a fob kit each year and you can get the engraved Gingher scissors to compliment it. I got this year's recently which are the green and blue handled ones. The white handled ones with flowers have their 2004 fob attached. This was the first fob I've ever finished! The other Gingher pair I have are called Glory which have the US flag theme on the handles (I just love these ones). The scissors I use most of the time are the Lift n Snip type with the cat fob, top left of the picture.

I haven't really started out to collect scissors, but it's already turning into a collection. If I see a pair I like I will usually get them. It's not an obsession though! I have it under control... lol

SB 2009 Fob & Scissors ~ stash

So I've mentioned before that I liked the Shepherd's Bush 2009 Fob kit. Is it any surprise that I caved in to temptation and ordered it? Probably not. :) I phoned an order through direct with SB and along with the Fob kit, I got the engraved Gingher scissors to go with it, and also some nail files which they have pictured on their website. Yesterday my order arrived in the mail and here's some pictures of it all.

SB 2009 Fob kit, engraved Gingher scissors, four nail files (the front one shows what is on the back of them all).

SB 2009 Fob kit - front and back

Gingher scissors - engraved with Shepherd's Bush on one side of the scissor blade, and 2009 on the other side.

I've now got three of their engraved scissors - 2004, 2005, and 2009. I was going to get last year's but never got around to it. For a SB fan they're very special to have. A real collectors item too!

Florentine Border

Florentine Border on French Heart

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I'm quite enjoying French Heart and have been stitching most nights this week on it. I'm yet to get into the cross stitching side of it as so far I've been doing different forms of needlework. It's a nice change. I love how the range of techniques can look quite hard to do, and yet they're not.

So last night I finished the inside border which is a combination of Smyrna Crosses in the corners and a Tall Cross Variation in between. The tall crosses are stitched using the gorgeous Old Lace silk from Thread Gatherer. The other thread used in both borders is called French Stucco also by Thread Gatherer.

French Heart - 9 January 2009

I was also able to get started on the inside design with a Florentine Border in a combination of blues. This is done with a Satin Stitch in pale blue, and Backstitching with the darker blue.

The night before I managed to start on the inner border and got about half of it done.

8 January 2009

Doing these types of designs makes me realise why I like Shepherd's Bush so much.

A special gift

Yesterday I got home to find a small package in the mail box from my dear stitching friend, Nicole. It had inside some goodies (not all I knew I was getting) which put a huge smile on my face. I was so overjoyed to receive them.

I adore the fobs she has shown in her needlework photos on her blog. Now I have received one of them in the post. Thank you so much Nicole! It is so gorgeous and I love the pink coloured jewels. She also included a couple of charts, two DMC thread skeins, and a sweet card. How special I feel :)

A gift from Nicole received on 23 July 2008.

CCN The Needlework Shop chart, LHN Quilting chart, DMC threads 335 & 3716, and a pink jewelled scissor fob made by Nicole.

Pink scissor fob displayed with my own scissors

Now I want to make her something in return. I think I have an idea, but it's going to be a surprise. I'm hoping my limited finishing techniques will be sufficient for this special project. I'm looking forward to making it.

More Green Snowman

I worked a bit more on Green Snowman late yesterday and there's now some colour in it. The hill is taking longer than I thought it would, but will look lovely when finished.

SHEPHERD'S BUSH - Green Snowman progress 22 Mar 2008

Below is a photo with my usual scissors I use for needlework. It's a cat fob which I bought from a needlework shop in Malvern, Victoria, years ago called The French Knot. It's no longer under the same owner which is a shame because it was the best shop I've come by ever. The lady that ran it knew about running a shop. It was well stocked and presented. It's changed owners a couple of times now. It became Bustle & Bows (they have a shop in Surrey Hills too, which is still open) and now it's called The Needlepoint. Haven't been back there since it was known as The French Knot. I should go there one day to see what it's like, though the memories of what it used to be are holding me back.

Green Snowman with my favourite Lift-n-Snip scissors

I love using these scissors because they have a little hook at the end that you're able to lift up threads quite easily when cutting them. The cat fob is filled with dried lavender and even after having it for a number of years, you can still smell the lavender slightly. These were the first scissors I bought and are definitely my favourite pair.