More of the same.

I've not been myself, I've had sinusitis for two months which I thought was allergies. After a dose of antibiotics, I got better. Then we ran out of coffee, real coffee and I've been drinking the only pods we had left which were decaffeinated. Disaster! Headaches happened and in desperation, I bought coffee. At the counter there was a sign which said 1/4 strength capuccino available. What the heck is that? Why don't they call that a "don't bother coffee"? Today, the coffee arrived and I'm ready to bounce off the walls! Happiness reigns at my house once again.

I ordered two more thimble kits from Ma Mercerie in Japan that are bigger than the last one I made. I do believe my stitching is improving.

The last one I made is tiny in comparison and I think I like the bigger size. My poor eyes are surely going to thank me. Everything is bigger including the silk thread. They take me an evening to make.

This is the other kit I bought, the pincushion insert is made of wool felt and is included but there are no instructions so if you want to have a go and order something, get the starter thimble kit which has photo instructions. I want to get going on these, I'm enamoured with them and want to learn some new patterns.

I've been getting on with my applique and  I wanted to show you this block and it's big flaw. Can you see it? Well, let me just point it out in case you don't. Take a look at the background fabric behind the stems, see the puckering? Ugly, ugly, ugly but I'm not changing anything. It'll quilt out, I hope. It will won't it?

Now check out this one, as yet unfinished and not ironed. See, no puckering. I am constantly learning with applique. The problem is with the tension when stitching and the fact that I wasn't paying attention.

I have learnt a technique to control this and I'll see if I can get Mr Quiltsalott to take some photos and show you next time.

A pause from quilting, I've been sidetracked.

What a mail week I've had, remember this toile I fell in love with? Cathy from Cabbage Quilts sent a wonderful RAK to me. I adore it and she sent some favourite chocolates and a beautiful wee card. How lucky can a quilter get?

And then I nearly had a tear in my eye because she sent me this fabric. I remember seeing it a very long time ago but it was too late, it was all gone. What a special treasure. Bloggers are among the most sharing and generous, and inspirational  people and Cathy sure is one of them, thank you heaps my  friend!

When I went shopping last, I picked up some Japanese products. I've been wanting these leather thimbles for my hand piecing of the klosje blocks. You wear them on the first knuckle of the middle finger to hold the eye of the needle while you do the running stitch.

After I paid for my goodies, I spied these cuties in a cabinet, they're going to be great for zipper pulls. Actually, do they look a bit South Park to you? I'll call them babies in hooded jackets thank you!

And that's not all, there's more I wanted to share with you. Do I sound like an infomercial? Oh sorry but I'm a bit excited about the next lot of stuff.

I'm channelling the half of me that's Japanese I think. Darn shame my mother never taught us all the language , then I'd be able to read, I could have been an interpreter, I would have loved that. Imagine working with Japanese quilters, sigh.

Anyhow, I got mail from Japan, I might not be able to read or write it but I sure know how to order it on the internet. ( now I have to go on a silly budget)

The book on the right is a pattern book for making Kubinuki, translated it means Japanese thimble.

Here's a photo from the book which shows what looks to be some antique thimbles. These were made from paper, silk padding and fabric. The author's Grandmother (or mother, don't know which but she looked like Grandmother) taught her the art to pass it on. They were used to hand sew the silk Kimono because the metal or leather thimbles were too wearing and damaging for the delicate silk.

They reminded me of Temari in their intricate stitching designs.

Step by step photos and diagrams mean that I can understand what the method is.

So being the sort of person that sees something gorgeous that involves needles and thread, I have to have a go. That's how I started with quilting, Hardanger embroidery, Temari etc. I think I'm stitching my way around the world with my needle. I ordered this kit from Chloe Patricia of Ma Mercierie. It was only $US8 so I bought two. I have to justify the postage you know.

You get the instructions along with the base already made up with two rows of stitching done for you and then you just carry on.

So here it is, my very first Japanese silk thimble stitched with very fine silk thread. Not too shabby for a first timer. I can see the pitfalls, the room for improvement but I loved doing it.

Here's the second kit I bought which is a more intricate design, I can understand how to do  it even though there are no instructions with this one. This is all that's included in the kit. The silk thread is very fine. The black wool felt form is to insert  to make it into a mini pincushion. I'll let you know how it goes.

As you can imagine, there's not a lot of quilting going on while I just satisfy this need to embroider.