AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY CRAFT + DECORATING - Vol. 3 : No 2

DESIGNS

SPRING BLOOMS TO APPLIQUE & EMBROIDER - Finished size = approx. 52cm square - Celebrate the beauty of springtime flowers by stitching this joyous basket of spring blooms. Appliqued Suffolk puffs are embroidered with spider’s webs, ribbonwork and simple knot stitches on our cushion, which was designed by Merope Mills, based on an original concept by Diana Challinor. This is a lovely project to work, as the appliqué can be stitched then the embroidery worked with whatever threads or ribbons you may have in your workbasket.

THIMBLE HOLDERS TO BEAD OR CROCHET - there are almost as many styles of thimble holders as there are thimbles. Our craft editor Lisa Johnson, has designed a tiny felt thimble slipper which has been elaborately beaded using glass beads and sequins in shades of blue. It can be tied onto the handle of your work basket or could perhaps be the starting point for a very unusual chatelaine.

Margaret Metcalfe worked the crocheted carnation thimble holder in ecru cotton trimmed with a blue edging. The flower base is threaded with fine elastic forming the thimble holder and the cord has scissors tied to the end.

A PAPER-CUT SHELF EDGING - Sandra Levy has designed a Shelf Edging featuring one of her favourite motifs, the rooster. In early Australian homes, shelf lines cut from newspaper were common adornments. The Pennsylvanian German housewives also created beautiful shelf edgings cut from newspaper, when little money was available.

JONQUILS AND IRISES TO EMBROIDER IN SILK RIBBON - Finished size = 24cm x 20cm - Spring bulbs depicted in fresh bright colours are stitched in silk ribbon to make this delightful picture. Just two different flower styles form the design, making it a perfect first project for those who wish to try their hand at silk ribbon embroidery. Stems are worked in a single straight stitch using cotton a broder, and the picture was stitched on a background of textured cream linen. Designed by innovative embroiderer Merrilyn Heazlewood, our picture will add a little of the joy of the spring season to your home.

FLORAL FRAGRANCES FOR BODY AND BATH - Fragrant Bath Balls : Lavender Water : Floral Hair Rinse - pamper yourself or a friend this spring. Fill and decorate pretty glass bottles with these beautiful floral fragrances created especially for readers by Denise Greig. Most of the ingredients required can be found in your garden or around the house. Our Floral Hair Rinse combines lavender and rose petals for fragrance, rosemary for conditioning the scalp, encouraging the hair growth and aiding dandruff control and thyme to enhance the shine. Lavender water makes a delightful splash-n eau-de-cologne and is beneficial for headaches, fevers and rheumatics with our Fragrant Bath Balls are a wonderful body scrub in a hot bath. Indulge and enjoy.

Although preloved, this fantastic craft book is still in very good condition, especially for its, being very clean and legible (apart from the occasional very tiny mark), having NO creasing or folds, rips or tears, writing, scribble or notes. The front and back covers, along with the spine are also in very good, sturdy condition, just displaying some minimal bookshelf wear due to storage - see scans. I am especially over critical of my books, trying to note as many details as possible - as I know how important even minor details are for collectors/buyers.