A while back, I wrote a long series of blog posts about the Home Sweet Home embroidered workbox etui set, which I made from the wonderful book by Carolyn Pearce. The book had originally been published in 2012, but within a couple of years it went out of print – just as I was starting my blog post series. So, I was very aware at the time that if people became interested enough in the project that they’d like to make their own, they wouldn’t be able to, as the book was unavailable!
However, there is now some good news! The book is being published again, and copies will be in the UK shortly.
This is the version of the house that I made:
This is the inside, showing the inner tray and some of the smalls:
This shows the inside, once the inner tray has been removed:
And here’s all the smalls I made, set out on their own:
The book will be available from Fobbles in Cumbria, for one, and Beverley, who runs the Fobbles shop, has kindly agreed to offer readers of this blog 10% off the usual price that she will be selling the book for (usually £19.99), if they email her to pre-order and mention that they saw the offer here. You’ll then get 10% off the retail price when the book is in stock at Fobbles, towards the end of October. Just email Beverley at sales@fobbles.co.uk The offer is valid until 31st October 2016.
It’s well worth getting the book – it has fantastically detailed instructions, and beautiful pictures throughout.
Carolyn Pearce
Home Sweet Home: an embroidered workbox
ISBN 13: 978-0980876703
Publisher: Country Bumpkin (Australia)
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Janet Granger's Blog 
Now this is exciting news! I will be keeping an eye out for the reprint! 🙂
To celebrate the re-print in the latest Inspirations magazine (Issue 92) Carolyn has designed another item for the cottage work box – a bellows shaped needle case that also stores a bodkin. Their website doesn’t have issue 92 up yet but should shortly.
Ooh! I didn’t know that! I think there’s *just enough* space inside the box to get one more sewing tool……
I love it!
I want to thank you for your wonderful blog. I just finished my house. It was an amazing process and outcome. I learned so much… Your blog entries gave me hope that I could finish it and help where I was a little uneasy about instructions. Thanks again! I also want to thank your for your blog about the Victorian wooden box that is one of your most favorite items. I will embark upon that after a brief rest! I had not done too much embroidery over the years. Your blog is amazing and I so enjoy looking at your work. The doll house you are doing is amazing…thanks again! Mary
Thanks for your comments – it’s why I write this blog – I want to show people how they can make things too. I hope you’re pleased with your house as well 🙂
Hi. I am about to start this project and have been reading your much appreciated posts. It is just grand to have a trail blazer! I did have a question: did you line your large house pieces? The smalls which are photos on the reverse are clearly not lined. I find her directions on this one matter confusing. If you stitched the house walls with a lining’ what did you use? The book directions indicate an unwoven lining but the supply list quantity is inconsistent with the total size of walls. I also don’t want to end up with so much bulk that it affects assembly of the house. Thank you in advance…and I truly thank you for your record of your journey through this oroject. I intend to make it a regular companion!
Linda G.
Hi Linda – do you mean did I line each house wall piece with a padding material of some kind? Not sure what you mean…. I padded each wall piece with white felt, cut a bit smaller than each piece of mount board, and then covered the board with the embroidered panel piece, lacing it in position. It didn’t make assembly of the house bulky.
hi thanks for your blog on this project I am just gathering the materials required and am glad i looked at your blog before buying the expensive threads, could you tell me where you bought the charms required please
I didn’t use the called-for charms for this project, as they seemed a bit oversized, and they were also very expensive to buy from the UK. So, I either left them out, or found alternatives – the only ones I bought were little brass bee charms, which I bought on Etsy.com. The called for charms are from Susan Clarke Originals, I think. They’re lovely, but quite expensive.
I was unable to find any of the charms and so I made them myself out of polymer clay, painted them and fired them in my toaster oven. I think they came out nicely. Just another option.
That’s a good idea!