2024 March

An early post this month, and I think I've been quite productive this month.

Chertsey Museum ladies made pin cushions in ramekin dishes

 

And I made some simple ones to thank the friends who had cleared out kitchen cupboards and made it possible.  (I hope I remembered everyone!)

The lovely Stephanie is leading the next Chertsey class - we are making felt rabbits, so I had a play in advance:

I went down a bit of a rabbit hole (pardon the pun) on Pinterest looking at "little house" pincushions.  I made a cottage

(a cottage with a chimney)

And then I got a bit carried away: a hobbit cottage;

and then a lighthouse, a beach hut and a birdhouse 😂  I had great fun, and I'm calling it work as I think this could be another class!

Lizzie and I made Mothering Sunday Gingers with violets;

Then a Saint Robin (a marvellous friend and neighbour of mum's);

And then Easter Gingers

I started and finished a Christmas pressie (I moved the trees a bit as I felt the design trees looked as if they were floating)

I finally finished a load of I-Spy quilts and got the names on them

And got a photo from baby Rose's grandma

Another idea for Chertsey classes is a pinch purse.  I had a practice to see if I could work out how to make them, and pulled out some weird paper stuff that claims to sew like fabric.  I'm not convinced it's like fabric but it worked ok . . .

So I tried another version.  This one opens as a hexagon - absolute nightmare to turn inside out (if you use the paper stuff I suggest you make it wrong sides together to avoid the fight)

I spent some money at the garden centre: I bought a Salix - not this one, but inspired by this.

And then Lizzie and I finished the week with a few customer orders,

And that was the end of March!  Hope you had / are having a good Easter weekend

2023 November

 Hi all

I started November with some of Mum's crafty stuff.  She likes doing long stitch embroidery, using wool, but isn't that bothered about putting the finished pieces on the wall so I changed these into zippy pouches - they came out well!

Then I finally finished this quilt for a friend's S-i-L from her husband's shirts.

I didn't have quite enough of the binding fabric so I thought I'd add 45 degree sections from left over squares

It didn't occur to me until I'd finished that by adding 5 inches I also lost 5 inches so I gained nothing!  I added some more at 90 degrees and it was fine but what a waste of time!

We had started these at Richmond and Kew Quilters: the lovely Plum had made the tiny trees so we could decorate them

I went to Windsor Baptist church to do some weaving with a children's club they run - I took various types of looms 

and a regular volunteer there had made me some loom frames from picture frames and nails

I finished this one at home (tshirt yarn, next time I'm going to try recycled tshirts)

And luckily the quality inspector approved

Stitch, Crafty Church and Coffee Morning ladies made these trees for the Wraysbury Christmas Tree Festival

A friend invited me to a wreath making session - just bring your own circle!  Her parents also live in the village and have a permanent marquee which was used - she had collected loads of pine cones, holly, ivy and other winter greenery

and served mulled wine while we created!  I used the willow obelisk I made in the autumn 

Not much else for November: now I'm panicking about the Christmas making I'd like to do, and where the time is going: I'll be back the other side of the seasonal chaos and in the meantime wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas

2022 August

Is it an age thing?  Every time I go to write a blog post I want to start with a reference to how quicklty that month went! 

Anyway here is August in Crafty photos!

Hexi flowers received from a Facebook swap

Oldest daughters other half's Birthday pressie (deliberatly not symetrical!)

A fun afternoon at Chertsey Museum mark making of fabric

and mark making on hands (oops, it was gone after two days!)

I borrowed a pattern for a wrap around craft apron.  I made the lined version but it was warmer that I needed so I had another go using half the fabric and a load of bias binding - it worked great!

Mum requested a small quilt for the top of her sewing table: 

The village library was officially opened with a visit from Peppa Pig - so I had to get a cuddle!

Lots of people attend the combine coffee morning and library

A quilt for a friend's 60th - and I gave her matching fabric pens so everyone could write on it

It will probably live at their new beach hut!

I even braved the sea for a swim!

Jackie came for a visit and we did some long overdue touristy things . . .  Windsor Castle was great - we visited the Moat Garden which in 35 years of living within 5 miles of I have never been to!

Loved it!!!

We did of course do some sewing too!

And we had a family dad for Jim's birthday: we hired a boat and had a day trip on the Thames

Miss you Jackie - when are you coming back???