Bits and pieces

One of my little grandaughters is about to turn five soon. One day when her Mum was sitting and stitching, she expressed her need to do the same but a four year old with a sharp needle isn't the best idea when there are younger ones hanging around.
I remembered the sewing cards we played with when we were young and on one of my excursions, I scored this adorable Moda set complete with two plastic needles and some wool. Perfect for popping in the birthday parcel.

My daughter has since found this site that has some colourful cards you can print out for the young ones. They can use a large tapestry needle which doesn't have a sharp point.

Check out these ribbons I couldn't leave without, I thought they'd be great for the gathered clutches so many are making. The tutorial is over at Noodlehead. Or maybe something else?

I've also had some lovely mail after some button pushing lately. This fat quarter collection is McKenzie by Dena Designs.

I love how the black plays with the pastels, it takes the sweetness level down a notch.

I'm all for some of the simpler patchwork designs with a scrappy look and wow fabric so also felt the need for some reading material to inspire me.

I did promise myself  free motion Fridays and today I have been playing with leaves and filler designs in the one piece. It's starting to feel like thread doodling with a needle. I didn't find the leaves hard to do at all and just followed the instructions on the Patsy Thompson Vines And Leaves Vol 2.

I hatching a plan and that's to make the next piece cushion sized, I think it's about time these threads went into something other than practice now.