One Down ...
...one to go
The first of Uncle Trygve's table runners has been
(drum roll please)
finished!
Phew! I'm really pleased with it, and although the colours are not ones I would have chosen, I have fallen in love with them (so if he doesn't like it, no problem, I'll have it back!!!)
I haven't progressed far enough out of my comfort zone to have actually quilted it (other than my version of In The Ditch As You Go) but I followed Sandie's Binding lesson on Stash Manicure and L O V E it - the binding is darn close to perfect, and I even managed mitered corners!
3 meters of hand sewing is a bit boring, but I actually watched some TV today while I did the binding, and it does give a much nicer finish than machining.
The first of Uncle Trygve's table runners has been
(drum roll please)
finished!
Phew! I'm really pleased with it, and although the colours are not ones I would have chosen, I have fallen in love with them (so if he doesn't like it, no problem, I'll have it back!!!)
I haven't progressed far enough out of my comfort zone to have actually quilted it (other than my version of In The Ditch As You Go) but I followed Sandie's Binding lesson on Stash Manicure and L O V E it - the binding is darn close to perfect, and I even managed mitered corners!
3 meters of hand sewing is a bit boring, but I actually watched some TV today while I did the binding, and it does give a much nicer finish than machining.
Now off to finish the Stack and Slash in the same fabrics (or is it a Stack and Whack?) If you know, feel free to remind me of the differences!
catching up - and bother from my Brother
The list of stuff to be ready for Christmas (for other people) has grown rather than shrunk!
The I Spy Quilt commissioned for baby Charlie has been finished and will be delivered tomorrow,
Two Christmas sacks have been delivered, still leaving 6 to do ... when Big Brother embroidery machine seized up - totally!!!!
I've managed to get each sack 75% made which saves time after embroidery, but is a pain if it goes wrong as it's then wasted work and fabric
I tried using Lizzy's machine today, and that didn't seem to like something I was doing to it either, so I'm back home and I'll have to reduce the designs and stitch them 4x4 on the baby brother instead of 5x7 on the big brother.
First New Year's resolution - look to at least service if not part exchange big brother!
Anyway, happier news - the third Ornament Swap arrived last week and is now on the tree, thank you very much Nelly
The I Spy Quilt commissioned for baby Charlie has been finished and will be delivered tomorrow,
Two Christmas sacks have been delivered, still leaving 6 to do ... when Big Brother embroidery machine seized up - totally!!!!
I've managed to get each sack 75% made which saves time after embroidery, but is a pain if it goes wrong as it's then wasted work and fabric
I tried using Lizzy's machine today, and that didn't seem to like something I was doing to it either, so I'm back home and I'll have to reduce the designs and stitch them 4x4 on the baby brother instead of 5x7 on the big brother.
First New Year's resolution - look to at least service if not part exchange big brother!
Anyway, happier news - the third Ornament Swap arrived last week and is now on the tree, thank you very much Nelly
A bit calmer now
That lovely man managed to fix my Big Brother, so all 4 essential sacks got done today, (three collected today, one to be collected next week) and I got Trygve's second table runner photographed.
For the first time I have used some surplus blocks in the backing, and I have hand quilted some of the 'squares'
I got it packaged, (together with some felt stars Trygve and Hilde wanted), and got Charlie's quilt packaged too ready to post them both ... trouble was the snow was too deep to risk a journey to the post office!
Lisa and I did some serious clearing in her room, and have a huge bag of stuff to go to the charity shop, and I managed, at last, to do some blocks for the Block Lotto, and do a bit of much needed tidying up in the sewing room
For the first time I have used some surplus blocks in the backing, and I have hand quilted some of the 'squares'
I got it packaged, (together with some felt stars Trygve and Hilde wanted), and got Charlie's quilt packaged too ready to post them both ... trouble was the snow was too deep to risk a journey to the post office!
Lisa and I did some serious clearing in her room, and have a huge bag of stuff to go to the charity shop, and I managed, at last, to do some blocks for the Block Lotto, and do a bit of much needed tidying up in the sewing room
Stay At Home Robin Round 6
Just had a bit of fun today: Round Six of Kate's Stay At Home Robin, (see the blog here, for some amazing quilts, all to the same (ish) spec, but all very different).
This black & white version started with an orphan log cabin block, but I had its two twins waiting to be used, so for round 6 I have added them on the left. This does make the quilt wider than it should be, but I'm sure I can compensate in future rounds.
I was a bit more obedient in the pink version, and added a narrow strip of pinwheels (also added on the left). I had to force myself to do these as I'm not a great fan of triangles.
I'm glad I've finished but wont be doing such small pinwheels again. I have seen instructions where the clumpy bit in the centre of each (where all 8 triangles meet) is arranged differently so it is less clumpy, so having been inspired by Plum's blue and white pinwheels I might try bigger ones, once I've found the instructions I want
There is a pale blue SAH Robin too, but that will have to wait until another time.
I think tomorrow may be time for either the log cabin Christmas tree or the raw edge trees and cottages. I shall see how I feel - both feature snow, and I might need to work on something without snow!!!
This black & white version started with an orphan log cabin block, but I had its two twins waiting to be used, so for round 6 I have added them on the left. This does make the quilt wider than it should be, but I'm sure I can compensate in future rounds.
I was a bit more obedient in the pink version, and added a narrow strip of pinwheels (also added on the left). I had to force myself to do these as I'm not a great fan of triangles.
I'm glad I've finished but wont be doing such small pinwheels again. I have seen instructions where the clumpy bit in the centre of each (where all 8 triangles meet) is arranged differently so it is less clumpy, so having been inspired by Plum's blue and white pinwheels I might try bigger ones, once I've found the instructions I want
There is a pale blue SAH Robin too, but that will have to wait until another time.
I think tomorrow may be time for either the log cabin Christmas tree or the raw edge trees and cottages. I shall see how I feel - both feature snow, and I might need to work on something without snow!!!
A creative day - and boobs
[4 posts in 4 days - what's going on?]
Today Niki chose the Santa's forest wall hanging for me to work on in between taking her to, and collecting her from work - so I did!
The blocks had to be joined into rows and then the rows joined to make a flimsy. Then the backing fabric and the flimsy had to be basted to the wadding, and then I started quilting (shock, horror!)
I have slightly overdosed on swirls, and I've not yet finished the quilting, so it still may not be a wall hanging by Saturday, but it's getting closer all the time!
(and talking of closer - here is a closer pic of the quilting...)
In between swirls, I have been taking an occasional break to make boobs!!!
Yes you did read that right!
Today Niki chose the Santa's forest wall hanging for me to work on in between taking her to, and collecting her from work - so I did!
The blocks had to be joined into rows and then the rows joined to make a flimsy. Then the backing fabric and the flimsy had to be basted to the wadding, and then I started quilting (shock, horror!)
I have slightly overdosed on swirls, and I've not yet finished the quilting, so it still may not be a wall hanging by Saturday, but it's getting closer all the time!
(and talking of closer - here is a closer pic of the quilting...)
In between swirls, I have been taking an occasional break to make boobs!!!
Yes you did read that right!
A fellow blogger, Nina Lise, known as Mrs Moen, is running a community project called 'make a Boob' - click here for the website and more info.
The idea is to offer breast cancer patients a little art therapy and to create awareness and involvement.
The project has two main goals:
Offering people with breast cancer the opportunity to participate in workshops where they will decorate boobs. These workshops are set up in co-operation with the local chapter of the Cancer Association. Participants can decide to keep their work or to donate them to Make a Boob Art.
.
To create awareness and involvement through
- making circles for workshops
- participating in workshops and decorating boobs
- exhibition of Make a Boob Art
Nina Lise has asked for donations of boobs to take to the workshops: there can be plain, or already decorated.
The plain ones will be decorated at workshops, and decorated ones will be used as inspiration at workshops and stitched into Make a Boob quilt(s). The quilt will be donated to the Norwegian Cancer Association at the end of the Make a Boob project. In case there are several quilts some might be donated to hospitals or other organisations that deal with beast cancer.
The boob is made using three layers of fabric (and sandwich with wadding in the centre) and is based on the size of a CD. The instructions show how to make them using a sewing machine - but I simplified it even further by designing an embroidery design the same size as a CD ... and made loads!
One final photos - one of Niki's friend's mum made this today with the snow we have here - awesome or what!!!
- making circles for workshops
- participating in workshops and decorating boobs
- exhibition of Make a Boob Art
Nina Lise has asked for donations of boobs to take to the workshops: there can be plain, or already decorated.
The plain ones will be decorated at workshops, and decorated ones will be used as inspiration at workshops and stitched into Make a Boob quilt(s). The quilt will be donated to the Norwegian Cancer Association at the end of the Make a Boob project. In case there are several quilts some might be donated to hospitals or other organisations that deal with beast cancer.
The boob is made using three layers of fabric (and sandwich with wadding in the centre) and is based on the size of a CD. The instructions show how to make them using a sewing machine - but I simplified it even further by designing an embroidery design the same size as a CD ... and made loads!
One final photos - one of Niki's friend's mum made this today with the snow we have here - awesome or what!!!
What a lovely Christmas (and an awesome surprise)
As well as having 5 lovely days of Christmas with my mum for the first time in in about 25 years, we had a really unstressful time with family and friends (and we managed to assemble at least 4 items from Ikea - thank you mummy!)
I got some lovely pressies (including the box set of Lost :-) but I want to share my crafty pressies: I did two Secret Santa Swaps with the members of the Yahoo group; BQL My 'purchased' gift was this cup that I can make a quilted block for, to put between the two layers - it came wrapped in this great crazy patch paper, so at the moment this is the design! Thank you Secret Santa
This is the BQL 'made' gift - a tardis-like toile bag with perfect length straps and an inside pocket - lovely :-), thank you again Secret Santa
We also do a Secret Santa with husband's family - but not always quite so secret!!! From oldest nephew I got this book - he was drawn to it by the 'with attitude' part of the title! Thank you Scott!
From Plum I got this lovely Rug Mug (thank you Plum)
And Niki got me this lovely Sew and Save sewing kit. Ideal for hand sewing - especially as I need to get a project ready as we embark on 89 (!) hours (plus bonus footage) of Lost!!!
My lovely Jackie sent me a goodie bag of treasures ...a felted necklace, a to-be-stuffed-and-decorated Christmas tree, and a very sweet snowman mug rug ... all of which I will show you when the camera has new batteries!
And now for the surprise ....
I have been a follower of Stash Manicure for ages. It's one of the blogs I look at each morning before I get up - it has some great ideas from guest bloggers as to how to use up scraps etc. When the blog editor, Madame Samm, posted some Christmas giveaways, I added a few comments, and today she announced the winners --- and one of them is ME!!!
BONUS DAY IS YOURS.
Lot's of extra goodies to you...
Congrats...#2
Layer cakes, extra patterns, notions,
cuppa cozie, thimble its ( love those)
Not only have I won two quilt patterns ... 'my' day was the bonus day - so there are other goodies coming to me too. I think I need to lay down, in front of the letter box will be the ideal place! My only previous memories are of winning a jar of hunny when I was 8, and winning a bottle of wine when I was so young that my mum had to go and collect it - and drink it!
What a way to end the year :-)
I got some lovely pressies (including the box set of Lost :-) but I want to share my crafty pressies: I did two Secret Santa Swaps with the members of the Yahoo group; BQL My 'purchased' gift was this cup that I can make a quilted block for, to put between the two layers - it came wrapped in this great crazy patch paper, so at the moment this is the design! Thank you Secret Santa
This is the BQL 'made' gift - a tardis-like toile bag with perfect length straps and an inside pocket - lovely :-), thank you again Secret Santa
We also do a Secret Santa with husband's family - but not always quite so secret!!! From oldest nephew I got this book - he was drawn to it by the 'with attitude' part of the title! Thank you Scott!
From Plum I got this lovely Rug Mug (thank you Plum)
And Niki got me this lovely Sew and Save sewing kit. Ideal for hand sewing - especially as I need to get a project ready as we embark on 89 (!) hours (plus bonus footage) of Lost!!!
My lovely Jackie sent me a goodie bag of treasures ...a felted necklace, a to-be-stuffed-and-decorated Christmas tree, and a very sweet snowman mug rug ... all of which I will show you when the camera has new batteries!
And now for the surprise ....
I have been a follower of Stash Manicure for ages. It's one of the blogs I look at each morning before I get up - it has some great ideas from guest bloggers as to how to use up scraps etc. When the blog editor, Madame Samm, posted some Christmas giveaways, I added a few comments, and today she announced the winners --- and one of them is ME!!!
Day 2 Winner
#48 SlikStitches ( from England)
you have won Carrie's patterns, Carrie Nelson
#48 SlikStitches ( from England)
you have won Carrie's patterns, Carrie Nelson
BONUS DAY IS YOURS.
Lot's of extra goodies to you...
Congrats...#2
Layer cakes, extra patterns, notions,
cuppa cozie, thimble its ( love those)
layer cake...Value PRICELESS..!
Not only have I won two quilt patterns ... 'my' day was the bonus day - so there are other goodies coming to me too. I think I need to lay down, in front of the letter box will be the ideal place! My only previous memories are of winning a jar of hunny when I was 8, and winning a bottle of wine when I was so young that my mum had to go and collect it - and drink it!
What a way to end the year :-)
