Sunday 2 June 2013

Let's Get Acquainted Link Up..

...is here this week! I was so happy to be asked by Beth to host this week's link up. Let's Get Aquainted is one of my favourite link ups and a great way to be inspired and find some new blogs...just in case your reader isn't full enough ;-)

Plum and June

Did you know that this summer Beth is hosting another blog hop for new bloggers to take part in. If you want to take part, you can read all about it here.

If this is your first time visiting then welcome. I'm a Brit living with my family in Morocco - a vibrant, colourful, kind of crazy place to live, which definitely inspires me to create with warm saturated colours.

It gets ridiculously hot here in the summer months and that's the time when the machine gets a holiday and I do a little hand stitching.

Block 15 Camelot 
This week I continued to work on my Camelot blocks, which are handpieced and circular. I made my first block here, which came together pretty easily. This one was way more challenging! Above is a flattering photo of the block - trying to insert that star with the inset or Y seams was a bit of a nightmare to say the least - it's puckered and doesn't lie flat. So I may EPP a replicate hexagon for the centre and applique it on top as I'm pretty happy with the rest of it.

I have been wanting to make a pouch to keep all my hand stitching kit in for a while now so when I saw this pattern by Aneela Hoey I knew I wanted to make it. I bought the pattern, a PDF, but then saw that I needed extra firm interfacing for it.  This is a big pouch (10" x 12" closed) and needs the strong interfacing to keep it rigid.  Fast forward to this week when I received my gorgeous winnings from Heather's SMS giveaway (thank you Heather - I love my winnings!) as well as the interfacing.


Here's the pouch I made with some of Heather's fabrics and I love it!


It's huge and easily big enough to fit my Camelot pattern, EPP templates, an 8 1/2" embroidery hoop and other bits and pieces and still closes really easily.


So now I'm all set for a bit of summery hand stitching on the go.

Now it's your turn. Do you have a recent finish to share or something you are working on?

1. Link up any recent sewing/quilting post.
2. In your post or on your blog, please include either a text link or a button letting people know       
about this link up and link it back to this post.
3. Visit at least the two bloggers who link up before you and everyone who visits you from this post.
4. When the link tool asks for your name, enter your favourite vacation destination.






36 comments:

Beth said...

I like the fabric combo you used for the block (and it is a very flattering pic!) And that looks like a great case. Thanks for hosting.

AmandaK@whatthebobbin said...

What a cute sewing kit!

Jessica said...

The kit is so pretty! I saw that pattern too and contemplated buying it. Your blocks are coming along gorgeously, and I love the fabrics you chose :) Don't worry, we won't see those puckers!

Charlotte said...

fab pouch - I love the fabrics!

Katy Cameron said...

Handy idea for a pouch! Hmm, eyes up Prince Charming pouch making materials in a whole new light...

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Great pouch, and awesome hand-stitchery!

CJ said...

So pleased you are in the "Let's Get Acquainted" link up. Love the sewing pouch.

heart of charnwood said...

Love the new sewing folder, just fab, add that to the list, at this rate i'll need to live to about 500 to finish all of my list! :o)

QuiltCandy said...

I love that pouch, it's such a great idea, I need one! And your block is gorgeous.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

I love the pouch (but you know that!) and I adore the block (but you know that, too!) - I think I'd have started with the centre and worked out. I know some hand piecers who would piece the outer 'ring' and then inset the centre but I'm not sure that would occur to me when I was deciding my stitching sequence. I wonder if it depends on the block? I might have to try it and see which order I prefer! I think the centre looks great and a bit of steam and a hot iron will flatten it if you so wish ;o)

Judith, Belfast said...

Amazing hand sewing A! And your sewing pouch is a stunner! Jxo

Carla said...

Your block looks fabulous. I bet after quilting, the pucker you are concerned about will disappear. Looks great from here.

Karen said...

Your Camelot block is amazing! Thanks for hosting this week :o)

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

Gah, now I really need that pattern - I adore your fabric choices! Love the case too - I think I need to make one for my hand stitched BOM...

Rebecca said...

Lovely to meet you!

I've always been drawn to the rich and vibrant colors that populate Moroccan designs.

I also love the kit. I saw Aneela working from it in Houston last Fall, but haven't made one yet.

I'm about to start hand piecing more. I need more relaxing in the my sewing. :)

jan said...

Your camelot block is beautiful. Thank you for hosting this week!

Anonymous said...

Glad you could put the fabric to good use! Love the folder!

Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation said...

wow! love the Camelot block!

-Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

You have done a great job on the paper piecing

blandina said...

The pouch is great, it has been a project in the back of my mind for a while, but till now I have always carried my work around in a plastic bag. You are inspiring me to do better!

Kirsten said...

The embroidery hoop pouch is such a great idea!

Camilla said...

Love that Camelot block, I'm going to have to check that out! Can't believe it's not perfect! What a great handy pouch- so nice to have everything to hand and tidy!

Nicky said...

What Helen said about the Camelot block - or ask Alison (little island stitching ) how she did hers??

Anyway it all looks awesome and you look ready to go - anywhere! How about coming to FQR anyway!

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

I love the Camelot block and that case is great :)

Canadian Abroad said...

Great pouch and loving that block but it does look impossible to piece something like a star into the middle after everything else is sewn together. I just don't get that!

Adrianne @ On the Windy Side said...

Awsome sewing case Annabella! It looks great :-)

Lucy | Charm About You said...

The block is amazing and I love love love your case!!

Lorna McMahon said...

Love your sewing kit on the go! I have been thinking of making one for this upcoming busy summer. Embroidery or hexi's to go...

DeborahGun said...

wonderful hand stitching and I love your sewing kit :-)

Ali said...

Love your sewing kit - and the quilt it is lying on, fab colours!

fenna said...

love the case you made--and the block--I've never seen a circular block before--it's beautiful. I'd be curious how you'd incorporate a circular block into a quilt, unless you just end up sewing a lot of curves... :)

Martha said...

Wow the round block is gorgeous Annabella, beautiful handstitching. And your sewing case is beautiful and looks very roomy. Perfect for on the go.

Celine said...

Thanks for hosting! Your perfect block is absolutely gorgeous and I love your travelling kit, so nice with all the pockets

Nat at Made in Home said...

I am in love with Camelot! And great pattern!

Cathi said...

Your Camelot block is beautiful! And I love the stitching book you made -- so useful and so pretty!

PatSloan said...

What a fun idea!! Got here from Plum and june.. but I didn't read the 'fine print' and put my name in the name..ack! My favorite vaction destination is a cruise ship.. going anywhere!