Three finishes and a start

I was wanting some hand sewing to do while stewarding at our Flowerpatch exhibition last August and decided to try and improve my applique skills. I started to sew these odd little flowers with no particular plan in mind. I do like sewing that just evolves. With nine sewn I put them in a block with borders of flying geese, scrappy strips, squares and "square in squares".

After sewing these together, and adding a bit more, I have this:

It measures 33" squarish and I do like the quietness of the creams and beiges.

The individual blocks look like this

and this

 I find Pinterest a great source of ideas and came across a lovely illustration of a bird and flowers by Geninne. I particularly liked the way that the bird was sitting on the edge of a flowerpot.

With a few changes this is my version measuring 8" x 9"

Sharon Blackman is someone who always inspires. She has so many ideas for her wall hangings and they are beautifully whimsical. I love the way that she frames her cottage pictures with flowers and just had to have a go at my own.

It is all raw edged applique and the flowers are applied with steam-a-seam and a stitch or two. Getting ever smaller this is just 7" square.

Another sewer whose ideas I love is Jo Avery. I find her relaxed approach to needle turned applique by hand so helpful. Click on her name and it will take you to the blog post she has written which has got me sewing my latest project. Here are two 5" blocks that I have completed ..... or maybe not as I still may add some more embroidery.

Have fun with your stitching

Anita xx