I'm a sucker for the pretties

Oooh, this caught my eye when I was at the Springwood Quilt Show on Saturday. It's a whimsical piece; a brooch fashioned from reclaimed wool fabric, and cotton and lace, and all hand stitched with Turkey red thread.

I adore the gorgeous little Wind In The Willows style vintage button sitting atop this circular bundle. I bought it from the maker and designer, Alexandra Callow. I keep looking at it and picking it up and wondering whether I could possibly part with it. I know it's only a little thing, but I did buy it with the intention of giving it away to one of you.

So, just because I am a generous soul, and I would like to spread some friendship around, I am offering this brooch to the world. Well, to one of you (I don't know who yet). So please leave me a comment in the box below or on my facebook page, and I'll let Watson pick me a winner at the end of the weekend. I don't mind whether you live around the corner, or across the globe, if you think you could give this little trinket a loving home just drop me a line.

I did take some photos at the quilt show, but I was unsure about whether I could post them without permission (plus they turned out to be pretty dodgy in any case). I would link you through to Alexandra Callow, but I can't find her anywhere here in cyberspace. I would like to see more of her work, I might see if I can track her down for future reference.

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I have been working at reorganising my sewing space and all my "resource materials" [read hoard of stuff]. It's taken much, much longer than I had anticipated, and I'm not there yet ... but nearly (very nearly). I've also been reflecting on how much pressure I put on myself because there are so many things that I want to make and to do, and yet so many things that remain unfinished. But I had a bit of an epiphany yesterday (while knitting in the car), and I realised that it doesn't have to be a race. No-one is standing on the sidelines with a stop-watch, and there is no prize at the end. So, now I am writing lists:

• things that I have started and not finished; [trying not to feel overwhelmed here]
• things that I have not started but need or want to make for other people;
• things that I want to make just because they are beautiful or inspiring;
• all the upcycled projects that are running around in my head. (that's partly why my hoard keeps growing)

 So, it will need to be steady-as-she-goes Evie. As someone famous once said, "Rome wasn't built in a day, and they had slaves" ...

Don't forget my little brooch giveaway!

Yours in peace and calm,

Evie xxx