I'm back, with 2 August finishes

Hi everyone

Even with lots of time devoted to enjoying  the Olympic Games and admiring the efforts of all the athletes, I have managed to complete 2 items so far this month.  The first is my third oven mitt [of the 3 started in 2010, and mentioned in earlier posts], and this only needed hand-stitching  of the binding this month, as I'd finished all the sewing at the end of last month -

   

My second,  much more significant achievement to me, is the lovely "Geisha girl" panel called 'Tea ceremony'.  I bought it 2 (or 3?) years ago at the Adelaide Craft Show, and enthusiastically thought it would be quite straightforward to applique fabrics on to the printed design.  By the time I'd pinned some fabrics from my stash in place, fear of machine applique took over, and it wasn't until April this year, when some friends encouraged me, that I decided to try again.  All the fabrics are from my stash, apart from one new purchase, for the obi sash, but it still hasn't made a dent in the stash, of course.   I have made some slight modifications to the original design, given the machine applique my best shot  and am really pleased with the finished effect - she will have a special place on one of our bedroom walls.

                                       

Now to decide on my next item from the never-ending deep hole of unfinished projects -it's like opening presents each time I look in the cupboard, as there's such a choice of  lovely items to complete!
Happy stitching ladies
Liz