2023 August

 Well this is another month where I have been astonished by the number of photos I have to show you!

I have been painting flat wooden beads to match two colourful dresses

There was a great variety of show and tell at Chertsey as the ladies brought in projects they had finished

I finished two EPP (hexies and pentagons) balls

These are made in two halves: 10 hexies and 6 pentagons in each half, sewn together like this

I then experimented with other alternatives: One central hexi surrounded by pantagons (x2) makes a flattened ball

but a pentagon surrounded by pentagons (x2) makes a very satisfying little ball (I think these were 1/2 inch sides)

that with the help of a wooden base and a hot glue gun becomes a sweet little pin cushion

I managed to get to Jackie's for a few days.  We had a go at making pouches with an internal pocket, 

but I think I must have not been concentrating as I was handing her stuff to sew that had been assembled incorrectly so some handles were on the inside

We also mode some bags that would hold projects but I maganed to pin the zipwrong on one of them too😱

These two vinyl zippy pouches weren't too bad

I'm making a quilt for a friend from her B-i-L's shirts.  I don't have space to spread the blocks out at home so take advantage for the village hall. All laid out

and the rows all stitched.

My Tula Pink EPP just about fits on the sitting room floor, but not much longer!  I've got some purple to go in the triangles

And I have been working on a smaller EPP travel project.  I've been making the flowers on and off this year and have now decided it's going to be a flower garden (my first).  I found some 'grass' fabric and have started  preparing grass hexies to be added to the flowers

Once they all have the grass I can lay them out and speed date them

Still on the subject of Hexies - I received the August swap flowers, and got mine posted just before the end of the month

2023 July

 If you asked my I think I'd say I've hardly done any crafting in July, but when I look at the photo album and chose photos for the blog I'm clearly lying!

So here we go . . .

The needle felted puffins  went from this . . . 

. . . to this

and there is SO much roving left, I might have to make some more!

Jackie came over for a flying visit.  We made a coupe of these

and some of these (two vinyl zipped pockets for projects)

and some more retreat bags thanks to amazing Kathy who found us some frames

I found a patchwork book in a charity shop.  23 of the 24 projects seemed easy, but I really fancied making this hexi / pentagon ball. I bought the book, photographed the page, and the donated the book back to the charity shop!!

And made these!

Lizzie did some embroidery for a customer

Some friends and I went to see another friend in Minehead.  We had a great few days and I snapped a few pics: 

We all had a great time

I found a stream flowing over stones - and couldn't resist!

Sadly getting home wasn't a much fun but at least we were safe and together

We mums all worked together at the village primary school, but our girls have also been best friends since they were 5.  I Love this pic of Niki and the 3 bonus daughters, and the lovely words!

I skived off work for a few days and attended a "Summer School"  I learned lino printing

 

And the beginners MahJong!  I loved it!  

2023 June

 Hello lovely people in Blogland, and future me who uses this as a reference library!

Here are a few photos of my June!

Basil came to me for repair while his 'mum' was on holiday: it was difficult to match the thread to his ears!

I then washed his onesie while he looked on!  He's now home where he belongs

Chertsey groups made thread holders

and Llamas!

Our bed went from this 

To this: lower but much less storage 😱  I have actually managed to throw/donate some stuff!

The Tula Pink blocks came with me on holiday

with these lovely ladies

We were quiet inspired by these scrappy woven bags . . . something else to add to the "I want to make" list!

The name badges for an old school friend all look good

I have a short trip to Jackie's: caught up on all the family which was great, and we made some soup bowl caddies

Some retreat bags

and a Peppa Pig quilt

We went to a local village which had yarnbombed various building and benches etc with crochet and knitted flowers - doesn't it look great!  The Coffee Morning knitters are working on a plan to do the same for our village next summer!

Jackie had a vision of some pots for wool to stop it getting tangled as she knits . . .  hopefully we made enough!

She took me to an exhibition of Borris Lace: the cross was made by her sister-in-law!!

I joined Windsor Baptist Church preparing for a Pride Soirée: three hours, 4 sewing machines and 8 ladies (plus two pizzas, plenty of cold drinks and fruit kababs!) and I think the church can be seen to be supporting Pride!  ("will we get enough to go across the church?"  LOL, yes, and half way to the river Thames!!!)

My Tula Pink EPP block collection is growing

And I went out out in a new dress - I love it!!!

And finally I've finished a felting kits project I got for Christmas - aren't they cute!  

The kit was SO generous in the wool that came with it: just look what's left!