Post-op Crafting re-cap!!

I shall be going back to work on Monday next week after 10 weeks off following my knee replacement surgery – rather glad to be getting back to normal actually!! So I thought I would do a little re-cap on what ‘crafty’ things I’ve achieved during my enforced rest!

No.1: Cross-Stitch

I love this - Jolly Happy Soul cross-stitch by Brenda Gervais – very rustic in style

No. 2: Christmas Stockings

These two stockings were from some free fabric I received from the Home Shopping channel ‘Sewing Quarter’. I was placing an order anyway; and this was a free offer on the day – there were 4 half metres, plus a couple of other things. The fabric was unknown, but I was really pleased with all of it when it arrived. The stockings were made with two of the pieces of fabric and I gave the stockings to 2 lovely little boys I know.

No. 3: Baby Quilts

I made two special quilts for two very special little boys – although the sex of the babies was unknown when I set to on them. I love that the parents didn’t choose to know in these days where most young couples want to know – I’m clearly rather old fashioned!!  My Great Nephew, Mika was then born on 2nd December – my nephew’s wife, Hafsa, chose the ‘elephants’; and then William Owen was born on 27^th December and his quilt ‘the bunnies’ was sent all the way over to Australia where he lives with his mommy and daddy, Ross and Amy. Ross is my nephew’s cousin (not blood related to me); but he did grow up calling me ‘auntie’.

No. 4: Padded Christmas Trees

I made two of these and gave them both away. I made a couple a few years ago from (I think) a Simplicity pattern. I no longer have the pattern, but I remembered how they were made, so they were easy enough.

No. 5: Triangle Christmas Tree

I also made two of these! I didn’t know what else to call it, but ‘Triangle Christmas Tree’ seems appropriate. I made a couple some years ago; and I really don’t remember where I had the idea from – all I know is I couldn’t have come up with the idea myself. I’ve clearly ‘nicked’ it from somewhere - probably Pinterest!!One has been given away and the other will be.

And no Artist Teddy Bears!! I haven’t stopped making them; it’s just me being me and getting distracted by so many other things to make. In fact, I do have two bears prepped (thank you to Wendy for suggesting it), but haven’t gotten around to them yet. My next project, apart from finishing off some hand quilting, will probably be my next Waldorf Doll ………. can’t wait to make that!!

So, my stitching will likely slow down a bit once I’m back at work – I anticipate being a wee bit shattered at first, even only working half days – so wish me luck!!

And I’ll take the opportunity to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Baby Quilts x 2

I can now show you all the two baby quilts I've been busy with lately! They're almost identical with the exception of the top panel, which have different animals. The 'elephant' one is for my nephew Jonathan and his wife Hafsa, who made me a Great Aunt on 2nd December with the birth of their gorgeous little boy, Mika (pronounced Mee-ka).

Isn't he just beautiful?

The 'bunnies' one is now in Perth, Australia, which I made for Ross & Amy - Ross is my nephew's cousin and he also grew up calling me Auntie. He married an Australian girl a couple of years ago and is now settled over there. Their baby is actually due tomorrow and we don't know what they're having yet (and neither do they!)

I designed the quilts myself and then managed to source a gorgeous selection of fabrics - they're mostly vintage/retro child/nursery themed designs. It's not a true rainbow of colours, but I chose 3 different fabrics in each of 7 colours. I knew exactly how I wanted the quilts to look and I have been chuffed to bits to be honest with how they've turned out. I didn't have a clue what size to make them though and 'Googling' didn't really help, as I ended up with a variety of sizes!! In the end, I opted for 'on the larger size' because they will actually be big enough for a child's first bed. 

They're both labelled on the back in the hope they might be kept and treasured and become family heirlooms - that's if they survive the baby treatment!! LOL

I hope you like them!

Another completed quilt!

I've finally finished my Summertime Delight quilt and I love it! The colours are so refreshing and summery. Although I finished the patchwork top around Christmas time, it was a while before I had it quilted and then I just had to complete it with the binding. This was bought as a 'Block of the Month' from Totally Patched; and what I loved most of all, is that everything comes pre-cut with the instructions. The pre-cutting is what takes so long and is usually what puts me off. As soon as the monthly block arrives, you can sit down and start to sew! And I was very strict with myself, because I know it doesn't take long to lag behind with BOMs - it was completed on time over 10 months.

I was even very good and labelled it!

I know it's way, way too hot at the moment, but it'll be lovely come the colder weather!

Month 8 - Log Cabins

I'm back again! I'm considering these 4 Log Cabin blocks as the last ones really, as the only other blocks are the 4 corner pieces, which are just plain pieces of fabric (no sewing together tiny bits of fabric!). I do love Log Cabins - one day I shall do a quilt entirely made up of them ....... one day!! LOL

So which way around do you like log cabin blocks? Not that there's a choice: I have to lay them out according to the pattern.

So, apart from the 4 corner blocks, there will just be sewing all the blocks together(ONLY!!!) and then add the borders.

It's looking good!

How lucky am I?

This fabulous Kim Diehl complete quilt kit arrived today, costing me not a penny! A lady (a lovely generous lady) who I follow on Instagram last week decided she really needed a clear out of her fabric stash (it was very big!). She had offered the kit to somebody else who was after reproduction fabrics; and I asked that if the other person didn't want the kit, would she tell me how much she wanted for it, as I was interested. Well, how surprised was I when she got back to me saying she would send it to me (at no charge). I can't tell you how grateful I am; but of course now I need to do justice to such a fabulous addition to my fabric stash!! That'll be in between working full-time, making teddy bears etc. etc...............

I won't give the lady's name on here, as I don't know whether that's okay, but isn't she super kind?

Summertime Delight!

Just a little peak at my next creation ........ I'm half-way there! But can you work out what it is yet! 

and as well as that, Today I've also made a start on (and nearly finished) the first block in a Block of the Month (BOM) that I've joined. This pattern is called 'Dresden Plate' and I'm really pleased with how its turned out - such lovely sunshine colours!

The quilt is called 'Summertime Delight' - bought from Totally Patched. This is the first quilt I've started in about 4 years; and the first time I've ever done a BOM, but I couldn't resist and it's very reasonably priced. The real 'hook' was that all the pieces come pre-cut! And as all patchworkers/quilters know, it's the cutting out that takes the time. When on earth I think I'm going to find the time to do this as well as my bears, I just don't know, but I just love it!! 

This is a picture of the finished quilt - it's a bit fuzzy, but I hope you get the idea!

Thanks for popping by.

A Hand-y Bag!

I’ve made this handy little bag for carrying around my stitching ‘bits n’ bobs’ when I’m on the move .......... this one in brown is for me!!

and this one is for my lovely bloggy friend, Wendy over at the ‘The Quiet Room’.

It was Wendy’s birthday recently, so I had made her a few things, although I admit I was a tad late sending her gifts ….. but I think she’s forgiven me though!!

I made Wendy’s with some of the beautiful ‘Field Notes’ fabric by the very talented ‘Blackbird Designs’ ladies – such gorgeous fabric. Whereas mine (above top) was a ‘cheap as chips’ fabric I picked up in the market a while ago …… quite cute though all the same I thought.

I’ve never sewn with PVC before (see pocket), so that was a challenge, and I haven’t put many zippers in before either, so it was a double whammy!! In all honesty, the brown one was a bit of a practice run before making the one for Wendy …. wanted to make sure I got it right you see, so I hope I did!!

A hand-y bag for when you’re on the move, and just have to take a bit of stitching along!!

Say hello to …….

Humphrey the Elephant!

Humphrey was a very popular greetings card character a few years ago – not seen so much now, but I used to buy lots of ‘Humphrey’ cards. This is one of the sketches they used to use:-

I made him from a kit I bought from ‘Create & Craft’ on the Freeview Shopping channel on TV – I just had to have him when I saw Debbie Shore making him, although I didn’t realise just how many separate parts there were ……. 25 individual sections to cut out and sew together! The fur is beautifully soft, although that made it difficult to work, but thankfully he still worked out quite well. 

The dungarees didn't come as part of the kit, so I had to make those up myself – really pleased with my bargain too – yellow corduroy for £1 a metre – and I only used half of it, so 50 pence they cost to make ……. Not bad eh? I had no plans for Humphrey when I ordered the kit, and I was going to keep him for myself, but while I was making him, I heard from an old neighbour that their little 3-year old girl has just been diagnosed with leukaemia, which is heart-breaking, so I think I know where Humphrey will be heading off to – I hope he manages to raise a small smile when he’s received!

My next finish is this wall hanging. 

It’s from a pattern called ‘Pleasantly Primitive’ by Kim Diehl from her ‘Simple Blessings’ book, The fabric is a random selection, but based on a similar colour palette used by Kim Diehl. I love it, and it’s now hanging on my dining room wall. The patchwork is by machine and the quilting is by hand for a more rustic/primitive look.

So pleased I managed to get something posted – it’s been a while!

(New) Bag Lady!!

OK, so there was something else I was working on while I was away from work recently, but I hadn’t finished it, and I didn’t know whether it would turn out as I wanted it to. Now I know this is going to sound very big-headed, BUT, I have to admit to being quite proud of my new bag. It’s actually a rucksack and is made from my favourite fabric of the moment – Blackbird Design’s ‘Harvest Home’. I plan to use it for work (so long as it’ll take the strain) instead of having to carry 2 or 3 bags, plus an umbrella when it’s wet!!! Mind you, I’ll probably end up knocking people flying with it knowing me every time I turn round!!!

Here’s the front with an appliquéd front flap




........... a little zip pocket under the flap .... and get this cute little zipper with the scissors charm. I only discovered it very recently (maybe I’m behind the times), but I just had to have one for my bag! It came from Belen of Simply Patchwork. If you want to look at them (there are a few other different charms), pick up the link from her name and from there, take the link to her store.

This is the side – there's a large deep pocket each side for carrying a book, umbrella etc.

The back!

And this is a view of an alternative way I can carry it instead of on my back, as I can take the strap from the back and attach it to the clips on the sides ....... had to stand on a chair in front of the bathroom mirror to take this one!!! which is why it’s a bit dark – so apologies for that. My neighbours would probably have thought I’d lost the plot (be careful of what you say now!!!!) if I’d popped round to ask if they would take a photo of me holding my new bag ...... they’d have likely patted me on my head and sent me on my way!!!!!

Anyway, I hope you agree that it has turned out well – there’s nothing like blowing your own trumpet is there?!!!