summer's here

Wouldn't it be nice - a complete summer wardrobe in a packet. Not going to happen! Maybe just the stripy dress, although its bound to have darts, and I remember coming unstuck with these in school needlework classes (those were the days!) 

scandinavian inspiration

I am having trouble keeping up with my amazingly creative sister's craft books, this one came out earlier this year and is a lovely selection of Scandinavian inspired sewing ideas. It's called Scandinavian Needlecraft by Clare Youngs published by Cico Books. All 35 beautiful, original projects are perfect to be stitched in front of a cosy log fire on a gloomy wet day like today. However, I remember Clare making the thick felted wool slippers and mittens under the fig tree in 40º heat of a Spanish summer.
Clare and her family are leaving London today and moving to the Kent coast - so I want to wish them all lots of luck and I am looking forward to some seaside inspired books!

keeping busy

I love euro shops! I bought these dishcloths for 75c each and as it's raining today I kept myself busy by making a bread bag, essential here as bread from the local bakers is straight from the oven and too hot to carry. If I still feel creative the other cloths may become cushions or another bag. Today's thunder storm is very welcome as a fire has been burning through the woods behind our village and the air has been thick with helicopters scooping up water from the local river to stop the spread, the rain should finish the job.

my studio

I have been very busy with orders so here's where I am spending a lot of time at the moment. I am lucky to have the whole of the basement in our house as my studio, this is it looking fairly tidy. My sewing machine gave up on me so my ancient Singer has been called into action. I have had it since I was a teenager and it probably belonged to my granny before me. What an amazingly robust piece of machinery! I haven't used it for 10 years but it still sews the best straight stitch, if it stitched backwards as well I would use it all the time. 

things I like about Spain - La Moda

One of the many reasons to visit our nearest city, Girona. La Moda, a tiny shop that sells everything you will ever need for sewing. The shop is always busy and the service meticulously helpful so be prepared for a long wait while you take in the thousands of buttons and threads on offer. The window display is a delight, this month it was a fine display of fans.

La Moda, Placa del Vi. 13 Girona