Surprise Surprise.

It's been a week of lovely surprises.

Today as I came back from posting an Etsy order I found a parcel on the mat as I opened the door.

                               Inside a beautifully wrapped gift that smells divine.
                                                 Isn't the paper so pretty!

                               I have to say it took all my willpower not to open it
                                           before picking up my camera.

                                                                           

                               Inside one of  gorgeous satchets from Jillayne at A Fine Seam.
                                             Just look at that beautiful stitching.
                                           It's a real treat to get such a lovely gift.
                                       ( I'm sorry Jillayne I can't get the link to work,
                                                 might be me, might be blogger!!!)
                                                   

                                         It's just as beautiful on the back, I love the buttons.

                                             Thankyou Jillayne for such a beautiful gift.   

                                       I had another surprise earlier this week,
                                          an email from Pat Winter telling me I        
                                            had won a prize in her giveaway
                                          on her blog Pat Winter Gatherings.
                                     ( Again I can't get the link to work, sorry Pat).

                               I'm going to get the next issue of her fabulous magazine
                                    when it comes out in  December.
                              that will be sure to inspire some Christmas stitching.
                                                         Thank you Pat.
      
                           Meanwhile I've just finished my Boho bag following Pat's
                                  instructions in her current  magazine.

I love the soft pink colours and of course there had to be roses.

                                    I'm so pleased with it.
                                   Thank you so much for the inspiration Pat,
                                    I shall be proudly walking around
                                    Knitting and Stitching in October with this.

                          Blogger is a great place to meet some delightful inspiring and
                          generous people.
                          It always makes me think what a small place the world is
                          and how we can all be linked by a common interest.

                         Enjoy the rest of your week where ever you live,
                         What ever season you are in
                         and what ever your weather's like.
                         ( Well I am British, we love to talk about the weather).
   
                           xox, Angela.

''That First Kiss''

Here's the sample for the class that I'll be teaching on the last day of Knitting and Stitching in London next month.
I found this lovely picture on a blog but can't remember which one. If it's yours thank you for the inspiration.
I wanted to keep to the soft palette that I love.

Lots of aged fabric and lace finished with a little sparkle!!

Next, to make up sixteen kits as it looks like I have a full class. lots of cutting,coffee dying, printing and sorting. At last they're finished.

I made a label for each bag and tied the tops through heart shaped holes with crinkled seam binding.

I'm looking forward to all my classes after working home alone for so long.

Then again

it's  always nice to come home after a trip so I made a little collage from a vintage cross stitch picture thats been in the bottom of my sewing box for ages.

This usually hangs on my stairway and reminds me of my pretty cottage home.

Lots more to do before the end of the month and not enough time, so I'm off back to my stitching.
                                                          
                                                        Have a great weekend,
                                                                xox Angela.

New book designs.

I'm still working hard producing kits for my classes at Knitting and Stitching in London. Only a few weeks to go and all my classes are sold out.

Despite feeling the pressure of kit manufacture I've taken a few days off and treated myself to Nellie Wortmans amazing workshop.

My first passion is making books and I really wanted to learn some new techniques, I wasn't disappointed and have been completely absorbed.

With my first attempt I just followed the videos and created as I went. My theme was 'Collected Words'.

I have three signatures all with lots of fabric.

Each page is painted and embellished.

I've left space for journalling....

and added decorative embellishments to all the pages.

I love to make keepsake books for Quilters and my fabric ones have been selling very well. This is my lastest version,

I haven't used any lace but lots of lovely Moda fabrics instead, the front is hand stitched.

This also has three signatures with plenty of blank pages edged with fabric all ready to hold those quilters notes.

The spine has a linen cover with machine embroidery.

Some of the pages have there own little quilts.

I've added some quotes too...... Fabric! too much is never enough.

'The first dream under a new quilt will come true' ......

Now I really should get back to those kits ... but hang on, I have more ideas for books!!!!!!

Have a great week.
xox, Angela.