It's A Mystery...

I finished this ages ago, but what with one thing and another I never got to blog about the fate of the Mystery Quilt.

So, to recap... I made a number of blocks under Sheila's excellent tutor-ledge, but at the time I wasn't all that at or about paper-piecing and so by the latter blocks, I just gave up.  My blatant hatred of my chosen fabric didn't help, and so the Mystery Quilt sat neglected for the whole of last year's Winter Stitching Plans and the first two FAL quarters!

I had tried some white sashing, that didn't work, so I cut it up, yep, all the blocks except one, into 4.5" squares and then just sewed them randomly back together again, along with a few extras' simply backed it with the last of the yellow peril, didn't bother with batting and was done.

It has found love as a garden/picnic blanket for the kids.  To be honest, it no longer fills me with a feeling of nausea, and the fact that it is finished, and used, makes it all the better.

In some light, I have to admit, it actually looks quite nice!

This was not taken today!

Sheila, please don't 'un-follow' me!

Ding Ding Round 3 in the FAL...

Well it's my turn to lay my virtual cards on the virtual sewing table and tell you what I hope to achieve in the third quarter of 2012.

Now as this spans the summer holidays, I am going to average my time out as just a little less productive than usual, as despite being off work, I will have constant 'companions', time away and who knows, maybe the chance to crack on with the 4 novels, (to read, not write), I have sat on my bedside table!

So I am going to go with my big three...

The Mystery Quilt, which has gone a bit more mysterious - I want this one DONE!!!

My Retro Flowers - I love everything about this too much to let it fester in pieces...

...and my Spring Carnival mega-cushion...

I also have my In The Frame Purse package and Brit Quilt Swap mini to complete this quarter.  But as I have to finish these, they don't really count; I only have myself to answer to for the 3 above unless I commit to the FAL, and my days of being lenient are over!

Linking up with Rhonda and the gang, how about you?

FAL a La La La!

Time to link up with Rhonda's Finish A Long Q2 before I get stuck into the chocolate again...

I have a double roll-over from Q1 with my Hexi cushion...

... and the Mystery Quilt is still haunting me!

I thought I better chuck a couple more into the mix.  OK, so one of these will be a guaranteed finish, as I am almost there.

My Stained is up at the top of my 'big makes' list just now, and will hopefully be done and dusted this week, the quilting has begun...

And I have just started my Retro Flowers Quilt, and this is not one I want dragging on; I want it to be finished, like yesterday!

The final goal is the last FPPFTT block...

I finished the rest, so I want to complete the course; just like anti-biotics, if I want to get better, I can't give up before the end!

So that's my 5; however I also have a lot of things that I've not even started, like my FQ Retreat swaps, Katy's Stitch Tease block and I can't bring myself to think what else right now.

Today though, is typical bank holiday, it's pouring with rain and perfect for sewing, every cloud and all that xxx

F-ing Friday!

I am linking up today with Rhonda and the first quarter mid-term Finish-along and Thank Goodness It's Finally Finished on a Friday... got all that?

Back here, when the New Year was still, um, new, I laid out my first quarter hopes for some long hoped-for finishes...
i) My Brit Bee Constellation quilt,
ii) My Mystery Quilt top, and
iii) My Pips Hexie Cushion.

Well I think you might have noticed that I managed to get the Constellation completed, I've harked on about it enough!  Ooh look, here it is again...

I love this quilt so so much, it is on our bed keeping us cozy each night, and it is just such a joy to have finished.

The Mystery Quilt has moved on a teeny bit; I sashed all my blocks, played about a bit, then popped it all back in a box, a couple of times...

OK they really do look in need of a bit of a press, sorry!  I hope to get this all finished by the end of the quarter.

And during this weeks' ballet lesson, I managed to complete the hexie panel, which I now need to turn into a cushion cover, pronto...

I am going to have to get myself a new half-hour hobby for those dreaded lessons!

So there you go, I have had some success, and not forgetting that I have made a tonne of new stuff too, and started others things which may well end up featuring in the second quarter.

How have you got on?  You can't beat that 'finished feeling' eh!

Well I have to get my Mouthy Stitches parcel all wrapped up this evening, more on that tomorrow after I have laid out all 900 or so pieces that I cut for my Stained quilt, as I know for sure I mislabeled some, and possibly forgot to cut a couple of the others, oh it was a late night!  

Race to the finish!

Not going to mention the Olympics yet (doh!), but the finishes I am most looking forward to this year will be in conjunction with my old friend Rhonda!

Are you joining in the FAL?  Committing each quarter to finishing some of those WIPs, UFOs or whatever you want to call them, telling the world and being prepared to be get your butt kicked if you don't?

Well I am.

The inaugural quarter will see me aiming to finish 3 things:

i) My Brit Bee Constellation quilt. 

I have all the main stars ready, but I still need to make the siggy stars and some other smaller stars to complete the back, then I can turn this baby into the quilt of my dreams!

ii) My Mystery Quilt top. 

I fell off the magical Mystery bus about three-quarters of the way there.  Having fallen out of love with the fabric, I was finding it hard to re-motivate myself.   This is a prime example of using cheap 'n' cheerful unloved fabric when, had I the confidence to use something I was more emotionally attached to, this quilt would have been finished ages ago.

I am not promising to complete all the blocks posted by Sheila (sorry Sheila), but I want to make a quilt top that I can back with a fleece blanket and be finished.  I have leant a lot from making these stars, and will definitely use Sheila's instructions again in the future and I don't want to leave it languishing.

iii)  My Pips Hexie Cushion. 

I have been slowly sewing hexies for what seems like a million ballet lessons and I think the other 'ballet mums' will be as happy to see these finished as I will be!  It will only be the front of an 18" cushion, but I really want it this one ticked off.

I have many plans for new makes in the near future too; quiltalongs (at least 2), presents to make for my sister's birthday, the multitude of obligatory handmade goodies required by any discerning quilter for the Fat Quarterly Retreat in June and dare I say a swap, or two; these will definitely roll into the next quarter and keep this ball rolling.

I'll have to save yesterday's sneak-peak reveal until tomorrow now,  as I have school bags to find never alone pack!

Productive!

***Firstly, the missing book bag was ready and waiting when we arrived at school this morning, so it was all smiles as I left the girls for their second morning.  Phew!***

The last couple of mornings alone have resulted in a mass of making and a haircut!  After yesterday's delightful weather and complete bad hair day, I got chopped back into shape straight after drop-off today, just like the photo of me here in Vogue Jennifer's Saturday Spotlight; so I feel and look much better and actually got what I asked for, always a result!

So on to the making...

I have finally finished this...

...Lining it, as I'd hoped, with the aqua crosshatch and making quite a good job at the seams where the lining and the open-edges meet, even if I do say so myself. 

Sewing up close to the handles, even using the zipper foot was a little awkward, wood does not bend, who knew?  So if I were to make one again, I would leave longer pieces of fabric at the top; but all in all I am rather in love with my hexie bag; now I just need to go somewhere that requires me to take along some sewing!

Then I got cracking with my Across The Sea quilt top, managing a finish before the peace was well and truly broken...

I decided not to cut into the remainder of the layer cake squares that I had put aside for the border, as they were going to introduce new patterns, rather too many colours and generally spoil the purple and green vibe I had originally opted for. 

So my border alternates between pattern and background fabric - obviously it wasn't going to work out perfectly, but I hope I 'bodged' the opposite corners with enough aplomb to carry it off.  Thinking about it afterwards, this quilt will spend it's life crumpled and used, not pressed flat and hung to scrutiny, so I am more than happy to have it like this. 

I've got a mild case of 'quilting jitters' already though, it is rather large!

I have made Susan's siggy block so I can get her Bee blocks in the post and now I need to concentrate on my remaining makes for the Mug Rug and Goodie Swap.

There is the little matter of the Mystery QAL that I have definitely not forgotten Sheila, honestly, as well as a tonne of other things, but I've made a start.

I have begun my Japanese Scrap Bag Challenge though.  I needed to get a few made before school started as the PE Bags disappear into oblivion until Half Term and I wanted them on the girl's book bags from day one, (fat lot of good that was eh!), but not so sure I want to post pics yet. 

Not that the competition can copy, but I want them to imagine something so fantastic, get in a panic and muck up with nerves; however, I fear any wobbly seams will be the result of laughing too much at my meagre efforts!

So there you go, back to work again tomorrow and all 3 kiddos will be in school for the full day, so here's to the next 12 years or so!

Awesome August!

A whole month of school holidays passed by in a flash!  So here I am again linking up with Lily's Quilts and Fresh Sewing Day.

We took a week away near Weymouth and had another week of family time, but I still managed to clock up a few finishes in August.

Firstly, I was able to reveal the mini-quilt prize I made for Rhonda at the end of July...

There were Bee blocks for Sarah...

... and also an eventual finish with a zip! ...

Phone cases...

Hexies...

... and a little Mystery...

A mini prezzie for Lizzie...

FWQAL blocks at long last...

... and my first 241 Tote...

I was lucky enough to win some lovely fabric from both Lizzie and Renee & Yvonne, plus a Jelly Roll from Mandy at Simply Solids; I got a spot on Rhonda's podcast and Cindy's Name Game, and also won a place in Pings' Japanese Scrap Bag Challenge!!

Some wonderful pressies came my way too...

There was the start of the Across the Sea QAL...

... and also a little shopping and behind the scenes preparation for my November Bee blocks (Mwaah ha ha - so excited!), and quite a bit of secrecy with Project 51, which I am so proud to say can be revealed really soon.

Oh, and this bargain baby...

I have to admit that even I am surprised at how much I was able to fit in!

September is going to be an even busier month, with Goodie swaping, QALs and the competition to make for.  School will be back and the girls will be starting for the first time on Tuesday!  I go back to work next week too and I'm shattered just thinking about it. 

Anyone got any energy going spare, I think I am going to need extra!

Colour me up!

Guess who's over at Live A Colorful Life today!

After yesterday's 'colourful' post, quite apt don't you think? 

Please go and take a look.  If you are not familiar with Cindy's blog, please have a look around whilst you are there, it's lots of fun, and I was obviously chuffed to bits to be asked to join in - thank you Cindy.  If you have popped over here from there, 'Hello to you'!

Well just a couple of pics to prove I have actually been doing a little bit of sewing, and not just talking lately...

Yesterday I put together some little hexies, I'll tell you more about those soon...

I've also started trying to catch up with my Mystery blocks...

Two down, a tonne of paper-piecing to go, so wish me luck with those!

Then when it got late and dark, I also did a little more playing with the Mosaic Maker...

... this one is pre-empting the up-coming Mug Rug and Goodie Swap over with the other Cindy in my life at Fluffy Sheep Quilting, there's still time to sign up folks - you know you want to!