Under Construction

We finally got around to rearranging our Study/Craft room. It is quite difficult when you have to share your creative space with tech geeks, but I think that we have come up with a very good layout that keeps us all happy. I now have the daunting task of culling my craft magazine collection which I started in 2003. Due to the new layout I had to get rid of my bookshelf and downsize to this one (it actually lies across the floor horizontally) so therefore there is not enough room for all of my craft magazines. I have lots of Handmade, Patchwork & Stitching, Australian Country Threads and Homespun. It is so hard working out what to get rid of, even though most of them I don't even look at anymore, I think it is the knowledge of the accumulative cost over the years but I think I need to be ruthless. I will take them along to my craft group when it starts back at the end of January and see if anyone there would like any.

Any way enough procrastinating and more doing. I must say I am looking forward to getting this all sorted and set up how I want it so that I can get to being creative again.

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Crafting my Time Away

Natalie Lymer of Cinerberry Stitches was this months Stitchery of the Month Contributor. She designed a cute little needle book with matching zippered pouch to carry your project and bits and pieces in. This will come in handy when it gets made, for carrying around future stitchery projects. For those wondering about the Stitchery of the Month Club, there is a link over in my sidebar.

I have still been busy making things for to place on the Craft Stall at Carols Alive. I designed and made these little baby bibs that I have backed using towels.

I had a clean out of my linen cupboard and found an abundance of regular sized bath towels that we recived as engagment and wedding gifts (17 years ago). As all members of my family enjoy using bath sheets these towels are all way too small. Some of the more thicker ones I have given to my beautiful sister in law, but the thin ones make great backing fabric for bibs as well as being very good for wiping faces. One towel was used to make all of these so I guess I will be needing to make some more to get rid of the excess.

I received permission from Mellanie Hurlston of Melly & Me to sell the Kokeshi Softies at our Craft Stall so made some more, I will definately be doing these again.

They were so quick to do and I think they look very cute. I really loved picking out colours in the backing fabric to use for the little Kimono and hair ribbons.

I feel it is important to mention that 10% of all sales at the craft stall are going to this charity and also, if you find a pattern that someone has willingly shared on the Internet, you should ask permission before making them to sell. It is their perogative to say yes or no. And by the way, just using a different fabric, doesn't then mean that you can say it is now your design.

Until next time

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November Happenings

Well here we are staring into the eyes of Christmas preparations and wondering how on earth it got here so soon.

This past month has been extremely full so I thought I would just give a quick summary of what has been happening in the world of Riches Stitches.

The start of the month saw this package of loveliness make its way into our letterbox

The November Block of the Month project by Melly & Me which I know I am going to love making when I find some spare minutes ( does anyone know where these can be found?)

I also had the joy of purchasing this wonderful book of inspiration by the lovely Rosalie Quinlan.

There are quite a few pages tagged in here already and once again looking for some spare minutes to attempt them.

We held a craft stall at craft a few weeks ago and I had a few items there to sell. One of which was a peg apron. This was such a hit that I have had a few orders for some more, so have been busy making these. It has been such fun filling orders and then hoping that the recipient will love the colour combinations that I chose.
I will be making more of these to sell at our next craft stall which will be held at the Oakden Carols Alive on the 13th December, with a percentage of sales going to this wonderful organisation.

I also attended the Adelaide Craft & Quilt fair and purchased these beautiful Japanese fabrics

I am looking forward to putting them to good use am thinking that they would look good made into bibs and for applique.

Lastly, I found this great downloadable pattern from Melly and Me and I am hooked.

She is so quick and easy to make and the stitchery is really fun to do. I have colour co-ordinated the stitchery with the backing fabric and I must admit that she looks pretty cute. I am almost finished 3 more and will have to show you pictures next time.