Exploring Japan - Kyoto's Handmade Needle Man

Most sewists researching for a trip to Japan come across stories of Kyoto's Handmade Needle Man.  Almost legendary, his location is reportedly hard to locate with only a few lucky souls finding success at the end of their journey.

Pincushion Organiser and Thread Catcher

When you're an avid sewist it goes without saying that you, your family, pets and home are always covered in thread.  As I take the lift down from my apartment I'm often embarrassed to discover there's even thread scattered on the corridor carpet outside my front door - how did it get there?!!! And I feel bad for my husband who regularly removes thread from his suit trousers when he's at work.

December Birthdays - A Happy Birthday Gift

In the run-up to Christmas it's easy to overlook December birthdays,  here's a small gift I made for one of my regular Friday night students who was spent her December birthday in class with us.

A very English finger pincushion and needle book - 

I'm loving the red, white and blue.

If you'd like to make your own finger pincushion click through to my tute below:

Wishing a very happy birthday to all December birthday people out there, including my husband xxx :D

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Linky Parties

This post may be linked to some great Linky Parties, always a great source of inspiration too.  If you click through to my 'Fave Linky Parties'  page you can see where I like to share my work.

Guess Who I Caught Making Something!!!

Check her out - yep, that's Flicky, I walked in and caught her busy making a drawstring bag as part of a present for someone very small that she knows quite well.  The truth is she's incredibly creative but it doesn't really interest her at this point in her life - so I loved finding her busy at the machine and it gives me hope that one day we can maybe even quilt together!!!  

As soon as she headed off to school next morning I snapped a few photos of the bag to share with you, I think she did a pretty great job ...

I've been out today with my good friend Annette - it was another fun day starting off at my LQS (obviously!) and then we had lunch at the Rubin Museum of Art - fabulous Himalayan cuisine, absolutely delicious.  The day was tinged with sadness for me though as Annette is going back to live in Vienna and this was our last day out together before she leaves.  I'll miss attending quilting classes and events with her, pouring over fabrics together, admiring each other's latest projects and also our trips to the NY Philharmonic Open Rehearsals.  Of course, we can facebook, email and text and Annette will be following my quilting adventures via my blog but I so hope that one day our paths will cross and we'll meet in person again.

I know just what it's like to pack your life into boxes and move across the world so I wanted to give Annette something that would easily fit in a tiny gap in her suitcase but that would remind her time in Manhattan, of our LQS and of our friendship.  I know she's setting up her own sewing room when she gets back to her home so I decided on a pin cushion made with our LQS' exclusive NYC fabrics.

I hope she'll have wonderful memories of her time here each time she sits to sew.

 Goodbye, Annette, I'll miss you x

And there's nothing like buying fabric to cheer you up so here's a look at what I picked up today at my LQS with 3 new projects in mind

Yuwa Live Life Collection Premium 'Laundry', Robert Kaufman Essex Linen

Melody Miller Ruby Star Sparkle 'Phones Ring A Ling', Echino 'cycling'

Amy Butler 'Alchemy', Dear Stella 'Petal Pusher', Alexander Henry 'Rivoli Curl', Moda Aneela Hoey 'Carnation French Knot' Sew Stitchy, P&B Textiles Bear Essentials, 'Spot On' Makower Basics

and finally a sneak peek at another baby/lap quilt that I made yesterday

I'm really hoping for some sunshine on Sunday so I can get outside and photograph the pile of quilts I have ready for my Etsy store - according to Weather.com I should be lucky though looking out of my window right now it's pretty hard to believe!

Oh and just before I finish I must mention a pressie that Flicky received today from someone that Simon works with - a St Andrews Tote Bag along with a congratulations note - how wonderful is that?  And Flicky, true to form, immediately set about putting the bag to good use carrying our dog Thatcher 'Tatty' around the apartment (apols for the photo quality I snapped them with my phone)!

Enjoy your weekend everyone :)


Disclaimer: 
This post is for informational purposes only, no payment or commission is received on click-throughs and opinions are my own.