Needle Book

Having finished refurbishing my Needlework Box, I wanted to keep it tidy. I found I had accumulated, over the years, a not inconsiderable amount of needles, of varying sizes.

So, first new project - a Needlebook.

I did a quick search on Pintrest, to see what inspiration I could draw from other peoples creations, then set to work on my own.

I had some fabric from the refurb of the box left over, so it made sense to make it match, since they'd be spending a lot of time together. Then I went through my button and ribbon box for some extra embelishments. A piece of white felt and an off cut of brushed cotton and I was set.

Quite pleased with the result, does the job nicely, looks pretty and will keep my Needlework box nice and tidy.

Also kept me out of trouble on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Getting into crochet.

A couple of years ago I found some lovely wool in a craft shop. I've been able to knit for years but have always struggled with the two needle thing, I've always had to rest the right hand needle on my leg as I can't hold it in my hand, not sure why. So I thought I'd like to have a bash at crochet, one needle has to be easier?

As is usual with my great ideas... I did nothing about it!

Then I saw an advert on the telly for a new weekly magazine "The Art Of Crochet", starting the following week... well it was meant to be. I'm not one to usually go for these weekly subscription things but on this occasion I figured "why not", it's something I wanted to try. So I subscribed and started crocheting four squares a month.

I really enjoyed it. Yeah Ok, it's a really expensive way of crocheting a throw, but it's done the job... I'm hooked (excuse the pun!).

In the beginning.....

About two years ago I found a Rosewood Needlework box on an antique/car boot stall in Wells-Next-The-Sea. The base and interior dividers were disintegrating from the old habitation of some very hungry wood worm, but I bought the box and set about restoring it.

I removed all of the wood effected by the wood worm, and treated the rest of the wood with a treatment, just to be on the safe side. I cut some ply wood to replace the parts that I removed. This was good but I was unhappy with the finish on the bottom of the box. Unsure how to proceed I popped a couple of cotton reels in it and sat it on a shelf....

Now two years later and inspired to start a new needlework project I thought it was time to finish the needlework box.

In order to cover up and finish properly the new ply wood on the base of the box I purchased some pine angle from the local DIY shop and mitred it to fit around the base. I fixed it to the box with some wood adhesive and stained it to make it darker, a little wood filler and some varnish and it was complete. I was much happier with the finish now and ready to line the box.

I had previously purchased some rather lovely vintage rose fabric, from the internet, which I intended to use for the very purpose of lining the box. It took me some time to find a contrasting plain fabric, but in the end ended up with a green and a dusty pink which both did the job.

I also located, from an online model site, some short brass tacks for securing the lining. I decided, in the end, to use the fabric to cover sheets of card, cut to size, to give a crisper finish to the lining. I'm rather happy with the result and really pleased I've finally managed to finish it.

Now I'm really ready for my next project....