Outgoing...

Tomorrow I will be off to the Post Office to mail a few goodies including Bee blocks and my #UKminiswap parcel…

The postmaster doesn't even ask me what I am mailing anymore, just says '"Fabric, right?"

I am nothing if not predictable!  One day I will surprise him with a book!

Happy weekend everyone xxx

Oooh a Wednesday WIP...

Cracking on, albeit at snail's pace…

I love how the front accordion pocket(s) turned out, the back inset zip, not so much.  The thick layers are making my stitches all kinds of random, despite the topstitch needle and walking foot.  I unpicked once already, that's my limit.

I think my biggest problem is going to be the shoulder strap, as I added some extra 'padding' already; there may need to be a bit of a rethink, when I eventually get to that bit.

Sunny Success!

What a beautiful day - I cracked on with some stitching, caught up with last night's Ordinary Lies on my iPad all while the conservatory was still cool enough to sew.

So I go me a FAL finish already!

I finished up my #UKminiswap extras, I will get a group shot before I pop the lot in the mail, but here's the FAL item, an Anna-Maria Horner Lola pouch…

I have loved all the Lola's I have made, and this is no exception, and the Cotton & Steel binding has to be one of my favourites.

I also made a good start on my Betsy Travel Bag, not quite caught up with the Sew-along, but a good start nonetheless…

I could have achieved more, but I spent an hour or so soaking up some vitamin D, because I am sure the lovely weather won't last and I've really got to keep those rickets at bay xxx

Crosspatch!

I know I may have been coming over a bit distant, with all the short blogposts and minimal commenting.  My response rate to emails has been shocking also, but please it is nothing personal!

Keeping up with everything has been a bit of a juggling act of late, but it's all good.  I even got a bit of sewing in on the weekend, and no-one complained, starved or got lost!

Here are the blocks I whipped up for Cindy's round of Stitch Tease…

Oh too much sunshine!

Bright crosses on LV background to make an 11 3/4" block - yep there may have been a panicky moment when I measured the assumed 12 1/2" blocks at the end!!

I also finished up some more secret sewing today, and tomorrow will see me finish up the #IGminiswap extras, and be free to crack on with my Betsy Travel Bag - woo hoo!!!

FAL Q2 2015 - Just a little list...

After the rather pleasing successes of Q1, my WIPs are now rather thin on the ground, which I suppose is a good thing!

So this quarter I will begin with listing these two old chestnuts…

1.  Hexies...

2.  MATO…

I suppose if I don't put them on my list it will be sod's law and I will actually progress them, even if only in my dreams!

And these are the only other things I can list…

3. The super awesome Cotton & Steel Betsy Travel Bag, which I am soooooo excited about...

4.  Another Lola pouch for my #IGminiswap partner; the mailing deadline is next week, so I have no excuse not to get this one in the bag this week...

Everything else that I have to do currently comprises of secret blocks, BOMs and contributions, which don't really count, but will keep me busy none the less.

So let's hope the sunshine and productivity continue through this quarter for everyone x

Parking...

Well if the news/weathermen are to be believed, we took our lives in our hands to brave the outdoors today and spend a couple of hours in the park!  Fresh air may have been in short supply, but the kids had fun on their bikes, and I was able to do a little Amitié BOM stitching…

When we got home I finally got round to making the bias strips I had planned on prepping a few weeks ago.  I always get round to things eventually!  I didn't take any pictures but they turned out rather well.

I ordered some Aurifil 40wt for my Betsy Travel bag too, so I have parked that project until it arrives; I figured the slightly thicker thread, in 2310, creamier than my usual 2021, and some new heavy-duty needles will see me right.

I have a list for the nest few days, Bee blocks and other 'must-dos', it's all good.

Have a great and smog-free weekend everyone xxx

Betsy vs the Egg...

Apologies for the absenteeism; the kids were with my parents for a few days, and so dear hubby and I made the most of the peace and quiet, and quite frankly computer-time was the last thing on my mind.

Today the kiddos came back, chaos descended, but somehow I managed to make a start on my Betsy Travel Bag…

Sooooooo much cutting and interfacing; this has all the makings of being the most complex and expensive bag I have or will ever make, but I am loving it so far.  I have used my hoarded Cotton & Steel linen, which was waiting for the right bag, I've popped in a little old skool Melody Miller, and am using some gorgeous yarn dyed Essex linen in Flax from my lovely buddy Jude's Etsy shop.

I am not sure when I will get time for the actual sewing; tomorrow has already been earmarked for new bike practice by dear son at the park, so it will definitely be making an appearance on my Q2 FAL list.

I am slowing eating my way through the Easter treats, and a first for me, I am actually struggling, (i.e. I haven't managed to wolf the lot in 3 days!), so for once stitching, or the plotting thereof, is taking priority over chocolate!  I'm sure it'll pass.

FAL Q1 2015 - 8 out of 10 ain't bad!

Yep, 8 out of the original 10; 2 untouched as they have been for many a quarter, but hey ho, too many shiny new things!!

So for the record…

1.The MATO… no movement at all!

2.  The hexy flowers… again, nothing doing!

… but then...

3.  #ukminiswap - finished here ...

 

4 & 5.  Two Amsterdam quilts for the girls, ta-dahs here...

 

6.  #scrappylogcabinqal mini cushion here...

 

7.  Another Priory Square scarf here…

 

8. Commission quilt for a family friend, which I haven't actually blogged - so here for the first time...

9.  Two aprons and hats suitable for a pair of poor Victorian children here...

 

10.  Finally the Minecraft quilt from last week here...

  

Not bad for a bad quarter!  Must have a rummage for some other things to add to nos.1 & 2; my Betsy bag will take priority for sure.

Thank you Adrienne for hosting, and to all the generous sponsors of this virtual boot up the backside xxx

Good-o!

Well one not-so-little-anymore boy was rather pleased to wake up and find that I had finished the binding on his quilt last night…

This was a super easy, quick and painless quilt!  100 x 6.5" squares to finish up with a 60" square cuddly blanket.

20 black and 80 of various Kona greens, stitched with a little Aurifil, (one of those perfect freebees you cannot remember where is came from ones), and backed with turquoise bobble Minky from Plush Addict.

Although I didn't quilt (again), I did bind because I think that looks so much better than doing the right-sides together and turn through option, also as that is my favourite bit of the quilting process, a bit of self-indulgence never goes amiss!

Good Friday has been spent getting all the chores out the way for the long weekend, being flummoxed by the TV trying to set up the internet, and a little Amitié BOM hand stitchery in front of The Book of Life on DVD.

Dear hubby has an Easter egg from his boss begging to be shared, so I am headed for a smashing weekend; hope yours is full of love and chocolate too xxx

Bunny Boilers

The girls and I made bunnies today…

Based on the peculiarly-templated Martha Stewart pattern, and having been to the local fabric shop for supplies, it was a little bit of stress-free Easter fun...

I made the red/orange floral one for my cousin's daughter, who we will be seeing on Monday, and the girls made a good effort at theirs'.

Easy fun makes, and less calories than chocolate xxx

Quick March...

I thought I was being so organised, eagerly sitting down to do my March mosaic, shame my output didn't match my enthusiasm!

I will have at least 2 finishes for April by the weekend, in fact we are planning a girly sewing session tomorrow, so that should be another thing off my list.  I hope this heralds a new lease of sewing life!

So no falling for April Fools's day jokes today, just a nice walk round the village on the Egg trail, collecting stickers and chocolates on the way, and a little pressie making.  All good xxx

Gusty!

I wanted to get a few pics of my #IGminiswap in the sunshine, as I have been remiss in showing you it bound and all, but the wind made it a little tricky, but I managed one!

I also managed to get the Creeper ready for binding, which I will crack on with shortly.

Tomorrow we should be doing an Easter Egg hunt around the village, which beats the ironing pile that is glaring at me from the corner of the conservatory, just!  And with any luck I'll get to try out the bias-binding maker that I received in the mail today - those Amitié BOM stalks need making.

For the boy...

I've started the holidays by cracking on with the Creeper quilty-blanket thing.  I got the top all sewn up today, and hopefully, by this time tomorrow I will be enjoying a lovely binding session…

I am determined to get this one ticked off as quick as possible so that I can do some serious damage to the Amité parcels that are stacking up.  I feel a mega-cutting session brewing in order to be able to hand-stitch to my heart's content for the foreseeable.

I live in hope xxx

End of term!

Hip hip hurrah!

I celebrated by not helping out at the Brownie/Rainbow evening at the local RSPB reserve…

I sat at home and finished the binding on my #IGminiswap, which was far more satisfying, warm and quiet!

Photos to follow, I promise.

So it's the end of a long week and a hectic term, I am so looking forward to a fortnight of lie-ins and sewing time.  Reality may prove a little different ;)

Happy weekend tout le monde xxx

If in doubt...shop!

I have signed up to a tonne of fabric shop e-newsletters and offers over the years.  I have to admit a lot get deleted straight away, otherwise I would never leave the house, because I would have no money for clothes or time for anything else, but last week I succumbed to a couple.

Firstly the Eternal Maker's birthday discount was a case of right place right time; I had been eyeing up the bolt end of turquoise rulers, so I snapped them up straight away, oh and a few more bits and bobs, just to make it worth the postman's while, you know, I'm all heart…

And Jo Bearpaw's all new Denyse Schmidt Franklin selection, well I didn't think twice before I had paypal'd a FQ bundle, and I am so glad I did!

Gorgeous!

So that's me all stocked up and not going to need to buy any more fabric then, ever… yeah right!

Springtime Lola...

Another retirement gift, another Lola pouch…

More Essex linen and Frances Newcombe prints, and those lovely extras, metal zipper and leather pull…

I've said it before, and will no doubt say it again, this has got to be the most satisfying pouch to make, love you Svetlana x

And with that successful start to the day, I am also now at binding-point of my #IGminiswap, and think that a little Lola extra will be in order!

Now if you will excuse me posting so early in the evening, I am off to the Guide hall to fill in the paperwork so that I can sleep over at the Brownie holiday in May.  Oh what have I done!?

Slowly stitching...

I managed a little #ukminiswap hand quilting over the weekend…

… and I hope to get the rest of the feathers completed tomorrow maybe, after a quick bit of retirement present making.  I also need to get dear son's quilt made soon, as they are going to my parents over Easter and it's only fair.

Panicing… just a little!

Split Stars...

I can finally reveal another one of those secret projects I was working on in the months gone by, a little cushion project for Simply Solids.

As a member of the blogging team, the lovely Justine and Lisa sent me an awesome bundle of Cotton & Steel, and having a design in mind, I played about on Touchdraw and the Split Stars design was born…

If you pop over to the Simply Solids blog today, you will find my tutorial, including instructions for the alternating binding.

Please do go take a look, you may even find a little shopping discount code, you know, as a reward! xxx

One Shade of Grey...

Yep, the South Coast eclipse was a total non-event…

I didn't even have to leave my desk, so no effort wasted at least.

But it's the weekend, I have done the business with the hoover, the house looks reasonably respectable, and plans for the weekend are relaxed.  Just what I need.

I do owe so many of you a huge apology for neglecting my Inbox of late.  I fear it has reached scary proportions, so to save my sanity, (but not appease my guilt), I am going to make a sweeping 'Thank You' statement for all your much appreciated words, and hope you don't hold it against me.  This half term may have been a short one, but I feel a bit like I have been through the wringer, although I am now happily out the other side.

So first day of Spring, clean slate and all that.  Bring. It. On. xxx