‘Bee Contained’ Etui by Betsy Morgan

When I started this project back in August 2023,  it was on the back of finishing the 'Virgin Queen's Stitching Wallet' , from the first ‘Willing Hands’ book.

There were so many beautiful Etui and Sewing Box projects in there, and I wanted to stitch them all.

Then I saw somewhere on line, a photo of the ‘Bee Contained Etui', in the Willing Hands Book 2, and knew I had to stitch it too!

I can really recommend these two books if you are looking to stitch a sewing box because there are so many beautiful designs in them.

I collected all the materials together and started stitching, but what I hadn’t realised at the time was that the designer, Betsy Morgan was inspired to design it by my wonderful and very talented ‘on-line’ friend Stasi Buhrman, who is a long time friend of hers.    

Stasi is better known in our community on Instagram as  #stasibee  and she has a blog, Bee-mused and Bee-stitching.

I stitched the larger piece for the box itself first

and put it away for a while, but then in February this year I decided that I needed to get it finished and quickly finished all of the remaining pieces.

After that, it was put away again because I was worried about the detailed finishing that was needed, but this past weekend, I took the bull by the horns, so to speak.

The Etui consists of a six sided box, topped with two sweet Bee charms.

A Needle case

A Scissor Fob

A Thread Winder

Two Measures, one in centimetres and the other in inches

And last be not least is the cutest little Pin Cushion, in the shape of a tiny Bee Hive.

All that remains to do, is to acquire a couple of 'Bee' counting pins and I'll be extremely happy!

I already have another Sewing Box in progress but it’s not from either of the books. 

This one is from Jeanette Douglass, so I’m going to start working on this one again!

 

Happy Crafting!

Sue

x

 

Chart – Bee Contained – from Willing Hands 2

Designer – Betsy Morgan

Fabric – 32ct Linen – Lemon Squash – Nicholas Flamel Designs (Etsy)

Threads – Gloriana Florimell Silks

 

 

 

My Sewing Box

Started 29/2/2024

Designer -  Jeanette Douglas

Fabric – 32ct Murano Linen

Threads – Called for Classic Colouworks Belle Soie, NPI Silk, Gloriana Silk & Rainbow Gallery Splendor

Beads – Mill Hill

 

Bee Contained - Etui – Betsy Morgan

 I have a little bit more progress on my Etui this week.

This is where I left it,

And this is where I am now.

I hadn’t realised there’s so much one over one!

Happy Stitching!

Sue

x

Chart – Bee Contained’ from  ‘Willing Hands 2

Designed – Betsy Morgan

Fabric – 32ct Linen  - Lemon Squash

Dyer - Nicholas Flamel Designs (Etsy)

Threads - Gloriana Florimell Silk

Etui Or Not Etui, That Was The Question……………

After being in a quandary for a day or two, trying to decide if I should finish off my Stitching Wallet or give in the nagging whispers coming from ‘The Song Bird’s Garden'  saying “go on start me, you know you want to” , I finally knuckled down and finished what I had already started. ……

What a good girl I am!!

Right from the start this was a project I wanted to have a go at but was very apprehensive about, given that I have never in all my years of stitching attempted anything of this nature.

But some 110 hours later, I’m pleased to report that the  ‘Virgin Queen’s Stitching Wallet’ is finally complete.

Exterior

Interior

Needle Case

Thread Winders

Scissor Fob

The instruction for this can be found in a beautiful book,

Willing Hands,

The Counted Thread Embroidery Of Betsey Morgan

Please all stay safe and well

&

Happy Crafting!

(Whatever you passion may be)

Sue

X

The Songbird’s Garden #12

So it’s isolation day 50 for me thanks to Covid 19 and it been pretty lonely with just me and BoJangles the cat for company.

But at least I’m thankful to still be fit and well and having plenty of time to indulge myself in my crafting passions.

  

I hope all of you out in blogland are safe and well too.

This week, I’ve put my sewing machine away for a little while, as I really do need to have a good clear up in my craft room.

 

The carpet in that room was all the colours of the Rainbow, literally, thanks to the trimmings from the pompoms of the Rainbows I made. 

Not only that, those tiny bits of wool seem to have traveled everywhere else too, the living room, the bedroom, even the bathroom…..don’t ask me how, lol.  Plus, add to the mix all the cotton threads from the toiletry bags and hearts.

Well, I think you get the picture.

Anyway, as I said, I decided to put the machine away and thought it was about time I made an effort to finish off The Virgin Queens Stitching Wallet that I’ve been stitching for I don’t know how long.

Well, that was the intention until this little lot fell through my door this morning, all the way from the USA.

  Yes, beautiful, beautiful hand dyed linen and threads from Weeks Dye Works…..so lush, if I do say so myself!

Now I’m torn.

Finish the wallet or start “Heart Full Of Gratitude” from The Songbird’s Garden Series …………..decisions, decisions…..What do I do?

I know that many of you have multiple projects on the go at one time and I’m always baffled how you keep a track of where you are with them, whereas I’m more a one at time kind of girl and like to complete one thing before starting on another.

Now, will I break a habit of a lifetime?   You’re going to have to come back and read my next post to see if I cave in or not!!!  

 Please all stay safe and well

&

Happy Crafting!

(Whatever you passion may be)

Sue

X

A Future of Uncertainty thanks to Corona Virus

Well fellow stitchers and crafters, 2020 has turned into a very scary year for all of us and who knows when life will return to normal for all of us.

In a strange way it feels like we are all staring in one of those apocalyptic horror films and waiting for someone to save the world!

I pray that those working on a vaccine find one soon and my wish is for everyone to stay fit and healthy, especially those in the NHS who are out there on the front line, looking after those who have succumbed to this horrible deadly virus.

On the up side, and I know a lot of you will identify with this, I have a craft room full of stash to keep me occupied while self-isolating, (I have type 2 diabetes and need to be careful),  so you can expect to see heritage scrapbooking, knitting and much more stitching on here in the coming months.

For now I’m making headway with my Virgin Queen’s Stitching Wallet.

As I mentioned in my last post I said I was terrified at taking this next step but over the weekend I have cut out all of the stitched pieces, three different types of interfacings and all of the silk linings and am now at the stage where I’m ready to start assembling the wallet and it turned out to not be as scary as I thought it would be.

  Stay Well

&

Happy Crafting!

(Whatever you passion may be)

Sue

X

Please feel free to leave a comment if you stop by. 

Virgin Queen’s Stitching Wallet – 9 – Thread Winders and Scissor Fob

I hope it's not too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year!!

Well, I've finally picked up me needle again after a bit of a break, so this is my first post since before Christmas……..where has the time gone?

After stitching for a further eleven hours 38 minutes, I’ve now completed all the embroidery for the Etui.

All that remained were the two sides of the Needle Fob and two Thread Winders, which incidentally I managed to stitch on wrong side of the linen.  

Fortunately it wasn’t too big deal, but it was a bit stupid of me, Lol.

So after a total 65 hours 28 mins of stitching time, I’ve reached the point I have been dreading since starting this project back in October last year……….the construction of the Etui!

I’m TERRIFIED to cut into the fabric for fear of cutting too close to my stitching and ruining the whole thing.

I’m TERRIFIED fusible interfacings will crease, leaving a lumpy mess.

I’m TERRIFIED the stitching on my linings will look messy.

I’m just plain TERRIFIED!!

At this stage it could so easily end up in a cupboard somewhere and end up being a great unfinished work in progress that never sees the light of day again, so I have to be brave, take a deep breath, take my time and dive in.

Any words of encouragement or tips would all gratefully received.

Wish me luck. 

Happy Crafting!

(Whatever you passion may be)

Sue

X

Please feel free to leave a comment if you stop by. 

Virgin Queen’s Stitching Wallet – 8 – Blackwork Needle Case

Blackwork has always intrigued me and I’m in awe of people who manage to end up with the same design on the back as well as the front of their work.

I myself have worked several designs in this stitch over the years but have still never managed to achieve this, but I am getting better. 

Practice makes perfect, so they say!

The needle case of the Etui has two different panels, one with flowers and acorns and another with what looks like carnations.

With only the two thread winders and the scissor fob left to stitch I’m nearing the part I’m dreading most…..the construction, so keep everything crossed for me that I can master it.

Project stitching time to date – 58 hours 20 mins.

Happy Crafting!

(Whatever you passion may be)

Sue

X

Please feel free to leave a comment if you stop by. 

Virgin Queen’s Stitching Wallet – 8 – Apple and Carnation Panel

The Apple and Carnation panel is now finished.  

The second row of apples and flowers took another 6 hours, 30 minutes.

And then I spent a further 5 hours  30 minutes working on the Carnation border.

So, that’s all the pieces of the wallet stitched and it’s now onto the bits that go inside.

First up is the Blackwork needle case which I've already made a a start on.

Project stitching time to date – 65 hours 50 mins.

  Happy Crafting!

(Whatever you passion may be)

Sue

X

Please feel free to leave a comment if you stop by.