Finishing...

Last night's blog post heralded the famous last words on getting things finished.  No sooner had I put the Mac to bed, and buried a few threads, than I began to feel rather ick, and not long after, I was hugging the toilet.  I remained that way for much of the night.

So an unscheduled day off for me; with boy-child for company.  Fortunately his feeling sick did not amount to anything.  So we watched The Hobbit, well it was on; I slowly stitched away, until I was done.  I also managed to put together a couple of key fobs on top of yesterday's starts, and I have just finished the final non-family present, but that missed out on the photos today.

So here's what we'll be giving...

Reindeer brooches for one of the Rainbow's leaders, (aka Reindeer) and the other for the Cubs leader...

I used a template from the Plush Addict bunting, and the girls chose the heart; sleepy eyes copied from the Mollie Makes foxy brooches.

Key fobs for the two Young Leaders at Rainbows...

Quick and easy with ribbon, the YLs go by the names Ladybird and Butterfly, so it seemed apt.

Covered notebooks for the Teachers and TAs, and one of the Robot ones for my Dad's birthday...

And a retirement gift for the Headteacher...

My original plan was for a laminated cushion, to keep his butt dry when he was out and about doing the artist stuff he is planning on filling his time with.  The laminate was basically pants; the corners started to crack and split no sooner than I had turned the cover through; trust me, the swearing and stamping of feet closely followed.  Hey ho, live and learn... not to use that again!  So a covered sketchbook will have to do.

And finally I stitched closed the 2 Valori Wells/AMH voile infinity scarves, one for me, and one, well, come back Monday.

So how's that for productivity in the face of adversity.  Typically, the MacBook is working absolutely fine again, whilst I don't have the energy left to look at anything more today.  So love you and leave you, with a less anxious look on my face, but hoping the lingering ickiness goes on its merry way really soon, I still have loads to do!

My Day!

Having sacrificed the last couple of non-working days before the summer to FQR and the end of term, I don't think I managed to be alone for more than an hour at a time, and in total for about 5 hours during the last 8 weeks.  I do love my family dearly, but sometimes the lack of silence is overwhelming!

Today I dropped the kids at school, nipped to Waitrose for essentials, including my free cuppa, and by 9am I was back home and sewing.

First I made the notebook cover for my friend.  I had to trim the ends off the cover by 1/4" so that it all fitted perfectly, but I am sure she will understand and be able to cope with doing likewise should she get to the re-fill stage!

I think it looks very spring-like on this grey autumnal day, so I am hoping it will put a smile on her face.  I will be helping her at Rainbows (she's a leader), and doing sewing with the girls on a couple of Fridays soon, so I hope she doesn't decide she won't need my help after all!

So then I finished my Holiday Memories quilt top.  It looks great, to me.  I have tried to explain the abstract nature to the kids, and they are humouring me by saying 'oh yes I see'; I am sure you will all do the same in due course!

That done, I grabbed my KISS tapestry and snuggled up on the sofa and watched the first two episodes of Top Of The Lake.  I would have loved to have been able to grab some garden time, but that was not to be, damn clouds, but as far as a day off goes, it was wonderful.

I am feeling a little more energised, and I even pulled out all my Cherry Christmas and have decided on a plan of action!  Go me!!!

Flo-Jo!

Happy to report that my mojo is back in full flow this evening, and on a working Monday to boot!

I spent a happy half hour with a 6 year old assistant laying out mini charm squares of Honey Honey and Glamping to make another notebook cover, this time for my best school-mum-friend's birthday this week...

Trying to avoid the same pattern and/or same colour being next to each other made my little helper make the observation that now she knew why 'doing my quilting' took so long!

We saved our row selections, minus the freaky lady with my lovely pins, from this talented young lady, and am all set to sew it up on Wednesday - my day off, alone, no children, me, in the house for 6 hours, that's more time than I have had to myself than over the last 8 weeks combined!

So enthused I have spent this evening making improv 'blocks' for my Holiday Memories mini.  I made 8 to add to the three I made as soon as we got back from Menorca. 

It is shaping up nicely, I think.  Very out of my comfort zone, but I have all the pieces pinned to a noticeboard now and it honestly looks like nothing I have ever attempted before.  I am quite excited to get on with piecing the top together.  I am trying to save it for a grand reveal at the end of the month - but I am sure that a few sneaky Instagram pics may become necessary, just to stop me exploding!

The weather may have gone, but I am back on form which of course means the emails and blog reading are backing up, hey ho; you win some, you lose some xxx

Can't think of a title that's not rude!

In the run up to Retreat, well more specifically Quilt Market night, I knew I was going to make a bee-line for Leanne Fanny and her hand printed fabric.

Ange and I lucked out and got the last 2 scrap packs, which are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. and beautiful and all sorts of pretty.

There were many c. 1.5" x 5" strips, which I pulled with my Mum's birthday in mind, and pieced into a couple of orderly mini-panels yesterday.

This morning I turned them into a covered notebook...

I love how quick, simple and, even if I do say so myself, superbly it turned out.  I also made the covered button, because none in my tin worked well enough, and I think it is the perfect finishing touch.

I knew these would become an addiction, and I think I need to make one for myself next, especially as I have finished everything on my 'must do' list, (and made it to the end of this post without any fanny jokes!).

Sew hot dammit!

I bit the bullet and got out my sewing machine - the conservatory may have hovered above 30 degrees until about 7pm, but having received great school reports today from the kiddie-winks' teachers, it only seemed fair to get their presents made.

I used all the best bits from various online covered notebook tutorials; I had selected some spiral bound books, so had to measure them closed, and they fit perfectly.

This one was finished whilst there was still a little natural light, for the girls' teacher...

Then I finished up another one for dear son's teacher...

So simple, and I have tried a couple of similar sized notebooks in them, and because the height remains pretty much the same for A5 books, they are going to be suitable for replacing with thicker pukka pads and the like too.

So that's my last intended 'to do' done for pre-Retreat, but I might have to whip up another for the girls' swimming teacher, because she is nice, and I think I may have a little addiction to these covers brewing already!