Patchwork Note Book

A while ago, I offered to make a hand stitched patchwork item as a Blog Candy prize for whoever guessed how many squares I had completed towards my Japanese folded patchwork quilt. At that time I'd only made just over 100 and I'm so thrilled that I've now finished 180m squares and stitched them together so the quilt is complete. Watch out for the pics on my next post.

Sam (Samski) was the first to enter for the blog candy prize and the only person who guessed correctly and, as she isn't a sewer, she chose a covered notebook in preference to a needle case.

 She received it last week so now I can safely show it here without spoiling her surprise.

I used Batik fabric for the paper pieced diamonds ... big mistake as it is so hard to push a needle through but once prepped I plodded on and ended up with a painful hole in my finger as I hate to use a thimble.

Front View

Sam chose shades of green but I added a few contrast segments.

Back View

Inside there are handy pockets to slip things in but it also means the cover can easily be slipped off and onto another note book once this one is full. 

The beaded cords are elastic and provide decorative place markers.

I'm so pleased Sam liked her prize as much as I enjoyed making it.

Here's a great idea that my DD2 sent me recently as a birthday greeting. I forgot to post it when I posted my hand crafted cards, last week, because I had hung it up on the wall. I love it and, as I am totally off making paper cards, this will be a great idea for me to poach to make for friend's birthdays.

DD2 isn't an ardent crafter but everything she does make is quite individual and she always has good ideas.

Now I must find another project to stitch "on the go" or I'll be wasting too much precious time!