I have made a start

on the Bohemian Rhapsody Crochet Wrap and I finished the first unit (or block).

There will be 18 units all together, 

crochet in lace weight fine lambswool,

using hook size 3mm.

It is wonderfully soft to the touch.
For more details about the wool and pattern see my blog post on the 19th of May.

It is a long time since I did any crochet, so it took me the first square to get back into it, but I am well away now.

Unit 1,

not yet blocked out or pressed.

The squares are joined together as I go along, which means that there is not going to be any sewing together at the end,  I like that.

It is the last day of May, a confused month, which thought it was April, judging by the weather we had.
Today is not much better; we did well to have some sunny spells during the week.

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2015

day at the seaside

Glorious sunny day and a break in a daily routine - a drive to the south coast of Dorset.

West Bexington , a quiet settlement with one hotel, small car park on the beach and a cafe.

Considering it is the school holiday this week, there were only few people about.

This is a part of Jurassic Coast , UNESCO World Heritage Site, which runs along south of Devon and Dorset.

Spring flowers are everywhere.

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2015

beautiful new book

First BBQ of the year; has the summer arrived at last?

It has been a beautiful day, a real pleasure to be outside; I even managed to do some "stitching in the garden".

 Unfortunately, not so good forecast for the rest of the bank holiday weekend, so DH and I made most of today.

This lovely book arrived in this morning's post.

For some time I have been trying to find a pattern embroidery book with designs from my part of the world, it is not so easy. 

Published in France somewhere around 1920 - 1930 for D.M.C. Library, the book has 20 pages of very familiar designs, and also a section of patterns "to reproduce, enlarge or reduce" for some of the designs in the book.

Below each picture is also a suggestion for a D.M.C. thread to use, including a shade number. 

It will be interesting to check how many of those shades are still in existence.

I came across the book on Etsy, on Sew Much Frippery , vintage patterns and notions.

  

This is a real gem and in very good condition, considering the age of the book. 

I am very pleased I have found it.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2015

slow month, but a new challenge is here

Being spoilt by warm April, we are now shivering in cold winds and heavy rain showers and only dreaming about stitching outside. 

When the sun comes out, it is wonderfully warm, but only short lived. 

It looks much better looking from inside out.

My stitching has slowed down also. 

Oh, I have plans and intentions, but just can't get going.

All that rain has made our little garden look very green, 

but now we need to add some colour to bring it alive.

When I finished my Afghan Knit-a-Long, one of my lovely followers said that she too always looks forward to finishing a project, but then she miss it.

And that is just what has happened to me this time; not having knitted for some time, I forgot the enjoyment of handling good wool. The Afghan was a large project and I surprised myself how quickly (for me anyway) I finished it. I still have another knitting piece on a go, but I have arrived to a rather boring part, which is not so much fun, so the going is slow.

But a new challenge has arrived in a form of a parcel from France, from Renaissance Dyeing,

"the home of naturally plant dyed yarn and threads".

I bought embroidery threads from them before, so I knew how lovely they are.

This time I decided on a rather large new project, and a true challenge -

 crocheted "Bohemian Rhapsody Wrap" .

The design is using all 75 naturally, hand dyed shades of very fine, beautifully soft lace lambswool,

and crochet hook 3 mm.

I used to crochet quite a bit, but that was years ago. Now well out of practice, this is a real challenge for me, so don't hold your breath, it will take some time!

The design is by Mary Lena Lynx and you can read more about it on her blog .

How is your month going?

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2015

FNwF

Big Thank you to Cheryll for hosting another 

Friday Night with Friends

What did I do on the night?

I picked up the rather neglected Mrs Beasley's Sampler quilt and finished the alphabet embroidery on the second block.











There is still a lot of work to do on this block,
 so maybe I will finish it next FNwF?

I hope to see you there!


I am linking this to Stitchery Link Party .

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2015

  

spring

spring walk in the forest

followed by cream teas at the Cole Manor Tea Rooms

today wasn't a day to sit outside, but have a look at their website for images of "warmer days"

and spring in our young garden - all planted during past 14 - 16 months

crab apple tree, covered in blossom

olive tree survived the winter well and is looking good

and so has quince tree, with its large but delicate blossom

lilac bush, planted only a few weeks ago, has produced flowers too

and tiny fig even has some fruit already

more colour on the rock garden

and my herbs are doing very well too

I am spending very little time in the garden at the moment, the weather has turned cold again,
the long warm spell already forgotten :-(

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2015