Merry Cox Needlecase

I have eventually finished my 1st Merry Cox project. This is from a 1997 Just Cross Stitch magazine and is called 'Seek Joy Needlebook' I didn't have any plain fabric suitable for the inside but thought the floral one I have used co-ordinated really well with the colours of the DMC threads, plain  silk would have been much better but I don't have the right colour!  

I decided to do more accessories to go with this as it was enjoyable to stitch so pictured here is a wooden box I had with the design in the top. This picture also shows the lining fabric I used and the pages with the needle numbers in each corner.


I had wanted to do a little scissor fob to match the set but have had to abandon project as I really need to do 2 teacher gifts by Wednesday night but I will add that later. This shows the last page with the word Sharps onit. I did all the finishing for this by hand as it was not suitable for machine sewing.   I do love hand finishing  :-)

This picture above shows the back of the needlebook. In doing this I did some new stitches which were the Hedebo buttonhole stitch for the fastener, Nun's Stitch which was used for the edges of the pages and the Closed Herringbone Stitch that was used to edge the needlebook.

The last picture shows the button fastening...I am quite proud it came out the right size for my button. I really enjoyed doing the finishing for this as it was different to anything I have done before. I did attach my miniature needlework with 4 tiny stitches as I didn't have any glue and I have put iron on interfacing on the back as I had no stitch witchery and have never seen it here. The little needlecase (and it is tiny...just over 2"x3")sits nicely in the wooden box with a little pair of scissors.
Now to go and sort out threads and fabric for the teacher gifts I must do...wish me luck to have a turbo needle over the next couple of days!! I do cut things fine for myself...lol...

Just a small thing...

I have had a very busy week with this, that and the other...so this is just a quick update as its nearly a week since I have blogged! It has taken me ages and I mean ages this time to decide what to stitch next. While I have been dilly dallying I have changed my template for a more summery look...I am ever hopeful that we will have a return of the 'sunshine' as it has been pretty cold here, loads of rain and quite windy - infact I think it is getting me down a bit !! Come on sunshine, I need you, I am starting to crave you !! Won't you shine for me because quite frankly just what is going on ? ?

Talking cross-stitch again after all that's why you are here..... (but you could join in (while you are here) on a sun worshipper dance with me just to tempt it into action ;-) ... I have got so many really nice charts and some quite special kits and my problem is I want to do them all!! So consequently I have spent loads of time looking and re-looking through my stash. I don't know if anybody else gets like this with themselves (this is new to me)? Then at the weekend I found again a chart I have had for some time. It will be a needlecase...can you guess who by? I will post some updates of progress through the week as hopefully it won't even take me too long with my tiny bit of spare time to stitch. :-)


Have a lovely week everyone

Heartfelt Flower

I decided I would make this into a needlecase instead of the pin as I thought I would get more use out of it that way :-)

It was really quick to stitch as it is so tiny and the bee on it is just gorgeous! I used a glass bead as the fastener so it didn't detract from the design. I have also used a pretty co-ordinating fabric for the inside although it looks much brighter on this picture than it is.

I have put three little hearts on the back just to give it a little something.... and because I love hearts! I put the cream cording around it as I felt it made the little bee show up a bit more. The fabric is lovely to stitch on and I am pleased that I decided to do a needlecase (my first one) with the design...all good fun and a very nice time doing it...even though it is now really late for me!