Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower

"The Tableau" - A combination of The Tablet and The Shepherd and Shepherdess with Jacob Sheep by The Scarlet Letter

Apologies for my absence but The Scarlet Letter Year blog is keeping me very busy and using up most of my computer time.

I have still been stitching away though. I have had a finish which is at the framers.

I took the border from The Tablet sampler

and then the pictorial section from The Shepherd and Shepherdess with Jacob Sheep

moved the figures around a bit, omitting a sheep and including Poppy and Blue and the Cove where I live.

The verse is not original but has been tweaked slightly.

The added Cupid has been stitched blind as Ray and I turn a blind eye to each other's faults. I also used treasure braid to stitch the flame of love as ours burns strong and bright.

I incorporated two hares prominently into the sampler as they can represent immortality and the gods of love. I hope that our love will be there for eternity.

A third has been stitched as a "shadow" as our love for each other is always there for us in the background of our daily life together.

I am very excited about having this back from the framers and will post a better photo then.

I have put my quilting to one side now that the weather is cooler but before I did I finished the jelly roll quilt

but have had a disaster with my "Sunshine" quilt

Here it is with the binding partially stitched.

After I had basted the quilt I put it to the side of my sewing machine and was digitizing my quilting pattern when I could smell burning and initially and stupidly thought that someone was burning food on their barbecue on the beach. 

The smell became very strong and I realised that it was my quilt that was burning !!!!!

I either had left my applique iron turned on for two days (heavens above !!!) or I turned the iron on when I switched the sewing machine and computer on.

I was left with a huge scorch mark and a small hole.

I decided to applique this cat over the burn with some left over fabric. There are kittens playing on the pink squares so it went with the theme and then I quilted it with paw prints.

I took the quilt to my craft group at the WI and the lady sitting next to me pricked her finger and the blood squirted everywhere including over my quilt !!!

Apparently the best way of removing blood is to use saliva (of the person who's blood it is) on a piece of lint and rub at the mark. Apparently the enzymes break down the blood.

I have completed a quilt for Archie which I hope will be an heirloom for him. It is by American Jane and I must say that Sandy and Stan Klop are a delight to deal with and Sandy's instructions were superb.

The quilt is a first primer story book.

I made a few alterations to the design and used some surplus fabric to make four pineapple blocks.

I quilted it with an abstract sailing boat with some waves and clouds in a variegated thread for the front and a matching red thread for the backing. I thought that there was so much going on with the fabric I did not want it to detract.

I currently have two projects on the go. Elizabeth Simon from The Scarlet Letter
 

Elizabeth Simon - The Scarlet Letter

The colours are so pretty and the satin stitched petals very effective.

I had an urge to do some drawn thread/hardanger work so have started Elizabethan Treasures by Linda Barry. I am putting in some sparkle though with Krenick Braid and Petite Mill Hill beads.

The fabric is actually a cream and the thread Soie Crystale.

When I have stitched all the panels I will go back over it with some more personalising.

Archie continues to grow  and is such a bright little boy. He enjoyed his holiday in France with his Mummy and Daddy and was very well behaved on the plane.

Ray and I have been doing a fair bit of walking each day.

I can never tire of scenery like this.

Poppy loves wallowing in mud and takes every opportunity to do so.

She hasn't been very well lately and last Thursday had a battery of tests, scans and x-rays. Hopefully we will have good news this week. Fingers crossed.


Warm Wishes from Stitching By A Cornish Sea Shore Nicola xxx