The fabric scrapbook I made four years ago to collect memories of Tolkien events is full. I could take out some of the pages and replace them with new ones for this year, but I know that people love to page through past memories. I decided to make a new book for the events coming up in this and the following years. Since I don't repeat myself unless absolutely necessary, this one is different: blue instead of green, and it uses the Earendil heraldic emblem designed by Tolkien, machine-embroidered by a friend of mine. I will hand-embroider Tolkien's initials logo on the back. I am using the "Road goes ever on" poem for the inside cover again, since that accompanies me throughout my life. I've printed it (mirrored) onto transfer paper and will iron it on white fabric. Inside I'm using key rings to hold the loose-leaf pages. That allows me to add new ones as long as the book has space for them.

I've been trying out various methods and materials for embroidering the book titles - not very successfully, so far. Machine embroidery is not always even, and I don't want to use the one style of letters that my sewing machine has for everything, so I've limited it to the "CD" covers, so far. I haven't hand embroidered in a long time, so trials with threads and needles and marking pens are taking up more time than I wish they would. I'm feeling discouraged - is there any chance of finishing this project by August? Is it more sensible to face reality and quit, or should I not give up too soon? I don't know.

I've finished the music CDs for my bookshelf quilt, four different cases with one "CD" in each:

Today's work on the project: buying fabrics* and interfacings. Washing the fabrics. Maybe ironing them if they dry quickly, but that may happen in the morning. G'night! *I needed black fabrics, slightly patterned/marbled so as not to be boring (I don't sew with solids unless for some special reason), because so many of my Tolkien books have black covers.

First items

I've sewed the first pieces for my bookcase quilt.

CDs/DVDs - can you tell which is which from the stitching? And a book cover for "Tree and Leaf", which needs innards.

New Project

I don't often combine my two interests, patchwork and Tolkien, but on occasion I am inspired to do so. This time the incentive arose from the fact that I will be attending the big event "Return of the Ring" in England this summer. I've already shown the appropriate pieces I have at previous Oxonmoots, so I decided to make something new.

Drawing is not my specialty, so I usually go for geometric, abstract designs. On a solitary walk at the beach (my best place to get ideas!) it ocurred to me that I could use the technique for sewing fabric books (which I love!) to make a Tolkien bookcase. I immediately knew how it would work, because of course I want to be able to play with them. Each book will have a cover and a double page inside. There will also be CDs/DVDs for the radio plays, movies, and music inspired by Tolkien's books. The bookcase "rear wall" will have slits for the books, so that only the backs are visible when in place.

The above photo shows my sketch.

The lack of activity here is less due to lack of sewing than to a tendency to post pictures to Facebook more frequently, neglecting my blog activity. I shall endeavour to catch up and show some of the projects I completed in the past months. For a starter, here's a fun craft I did - I had quite a few small thread spools, all same size, various colours, too old to use for actual sewing. When I realized that they were essentially shaped like large oblong beads, I decided to make a necklace that I can wear to patchwork classes and other activities. Here is the result!




I have the workings for some matching earrings waiting for me to sew them together...