Heart & Home Quilt

Well, despite having a shorter weekend (having worked overtime on Saturday) I managed to complete 5 more blocks on my ‘Heart & Home’ quilt over the weekend , which leaves just the one block to do (I’ve left my favourite one until last!!) – the appliquéd flower block! And then borders etc. etc .......... I shall have a little bit of filling in to do too with the neutrals, as no matter how hard I try (and I am using my ¼ inch foot), the blocks still don’t match up exactly and, I’m afraid I made a bit of a hash of the tree block, which means it’s ended up a smaller than it’s meant to be ...... but, hey, if you don’t tell, I won’t!!!!!

Sorry about the top photograph - it was taken at night!!

Giveaway!

Brenda over at Pumpkin Patch Primitives is hosting a 'Giveaway' to win a kit to make this gorgeous little 'Woolley' quilt - isn't he cute?!! Brenda will be choosing a name on 7th August, so hurry over to her blog and leave a comment ....... and let her know that I sent you too, 'cause that way, I get an extra entry!! Good luck everyone ..... including me!! LOL

Strawberry Bear!

When I was in one of my favourite fabric shops recently (one of a growing number!!), I noticed a really cute little teddy bear which had been made out of a small gingham check fabric - quite simple, but effective. So, duly inspired, I've been sourcing a pattern for a teddy and eventually found one in one of my books.

I've changed him a little bit by slightly exaggerating the size of the arms and legs................. and why the strawberry? Why not, I don't know, but it does look nice, and I always like my rag dolls to have something to hold ..... adds a little more interest! And if you had smellyvision, you would be able to catch the gorgeous whiff of cinnamon ... I've dabbed a few spots of cinnamon oil here and there on the fabric ...... mmmmmmmm, a lovely hint of country!! And the strawberries look good enough to eat too - the fabric ones as well as the real ones!

catch ya later!

Heart and Home Quilt

Well, I've finally managed to make a start on my third quilt - I've been raring to get going on it for weeks now! The pattern (below) is called 'Heart & Home' – fell in love with it as soon as I saw it last year!!


............ it will test not only my patchwork and quilting skills, but also my ability to do appliqué! I've done the iron-on type before, but with this, I want to do the proper needle-turn appliqué ....... iron-on is fine for a wall-hanging, but as this is a quilt and will be washed (occasionally!), I think it needs to be sewn on. The pattern version has been made with a range of fabric called 'Madeira', but the shop had sold out of that when I bought the pattern, so I bought 'Wildflower Serenade' instead, which is fairly close to the Madeira range in its colours.
........... and here are the first three blocks completed



....... looking good so far!

Back to work!!

Back to work today for me :0(


Still; no work, no money for fabric, and we can't have that can we? After a whole week off work, I have very little sewing to show.What with days out with family and friends, catching up with those little jobs I've managed to put off, having family over for dinner ....... and so on, it was Sunday before I sat down at my beloved sewing machine! But, eager to catch up a bit, I produced two things. Firstly, I made this with a charm pack I bought a few weeks ago. Wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do with it at first, but then decided a mat for my sewing machine would be a good idea - save me scraping the machine across my lovely pine table!

The fabric is from Moda, called '9' by Sanae - I really love the muted tones.


Secondly, I made this little brown bag from various scraps I had. I wanted something less cumbersome than the bag I use most days, which is big enough to carry the proverbial kitchen sink and often feels as though I am carrying a kitchen sink in it!! I made it with a very long strap so that it can go across my body and thereby leave my hands free for all that rummaging I need to do when I'm in a fabric shop!! It's just big enough for a mobile, purse, car keys etc. Not bad really!



I can't decide now though what I'm going to do next. Will it be one of the two quilts I have the fabric for, or my next rag doll project, or the BOM that I'm behind with, or, or, or ..... I just don't know. Time will tell!!

Anyway, that's it for now - I'm falling asleep at the computer!!

Bye for now peeps!

A week off work ......

...... and I’m having a lovely time so far, even though it’s rained mostly: it’s simply great to have a break from the daily grind!!

I have finished some sewing, but I’m afraid I’m unable to show it yet as it’s a pressie for ....... oops, nearly let the cat out of the bag then!!! Will show it once it’s in the hands of Madam X.

Today I went to a lavender farm at Snowshill near Broadway in the beautiful Cotswolds. If you shut your eyes, take in the scent of the lavender and ignore the rain, you could almost believe you were in Provence in the South of France – I love to see a mass of lavender together and also love to have it hanging up drying in the house. There’s a nice little gift shop there where you can buy cut lavender (you’re not allowed to cut your own, which is a shame I think) and lots of lavender gifts.

Then we stopped off at the village pub for lunch .... as you do!! It’s not my fault if everything is served with chips is it??!! This is the village:

... it’s a proper ‘chocolate box’ English village, where the houses are all made from Cotswold stone – so attractive, although I don't think my photographs do it proper justice - it's very popular with tourists!

Tomorrow I’m off again for the day with a friend (don't know where yet, but will no doubt include chips somewhere along the way!!), and then I’m determined to get some more sewing in before I’m back at work next week!

Bye for now

Quaint Old Tradition

..... just thought I'd show you a photograph of where I went to last Saturday afternoon with my good friend Sue. The Bournville Maypole Festival has been running for over 100 years and always takes place on the last Saturday in June (never quite understood that when it's called a MAYpole!!). It's held at the recreation ground within the grounds of the Cadbury's factory (only about 4 miles from my house - yum!! Can you wonder why I'm fat!!). It's always such a lovely day, especially if the weather stays nice, which it did most of the time - all the little girls in their pretty white dresses (except for the one little boy!!) dancing around the maypole. My aunt, who is now 75 years old, danced in the maypole when she was just a little tiddler!

There are also side stalls, craft stalls, a bit of a fun fair, exhibitions from youth military bands etc. and then the evening is rounded off with a firework display.

There wasn't any sewing crafts, but I did buy this:

which opens out into this

....... really lovely isn't it?

Apart from the fact that it's really nice, I bought it because I discovered that it was being sold by Trish, who is the sister of an old school friend and us crafters have to support one another don't we. The prices she charges are ridiculously low, but we all know what it's like trying to sell our crafts to anyone who hasn't a clue how long we labour over them - still, I think she made a reasonable amount on the day.

Anyway, I don't like to complain, but we are melting over here at the moment in the UK - we're never happy are we? We moan about all the rain and cold, but can't cope with the heat when we DO eventually get a bit of sunshine ...... or a lot actually - it's hitting 30 degrees in some parts and that's hot for over here - I know, we're just a bunch of wimps!!

Bye for now!

And then there were five ...........

.......... rag dolls that is!!

It all started very innocently when I entered Julie’s Secret Easter Swap in February. I had to make a gift for Katarina in Sweden and as she mostly makes very lovely hand-made cards, I was stumped initially as to what I would make for her. Eventually, (much brain-ache later!!) I had the idea of designing and making a rag doll based on one of Katarina’s favourite Rubber Stamp images of a little girl called ‘Tilda’. Tilda has quite a distinctive kind of face as can be seen from the Rubber Stamp pictures below, and although I wouldn’t normally make a doll that looked like this, I was pleased with the likeness to the Rubber Stamp image.

Katarina was, thankfully, over the moon with her doll, but little did I know that I would end up with requests from other ladies asking me whether I would consider making them a rag doll – Tilda, it turns out, is a very popular little lady in the Rubber Stamping world. Consequently, most of my spare time in the last 2½ months or so has been dedicated to these dolls. So now in addition to Katarina in Sweden, they have gone to:-

Vivi in Brazil
Kerry in Massachusetts, USA
Judy in Michigan, USA; and
Cami in Hawaii

talk about going global or what!! I have been very flattered by all the lovely, kind comments paid by the ladies in the Rubber Stamping community – you won’t believe just how much my head has been swelling!!! However, I am glad to get back to ‘me’ things again ..... and I’m sorry to the other three ladies who have since asked me for a doll, but have been refused – they just take up so much of my time I’m afraid. I’ve added the name of the recipient of each doll on the collage photograph above.

Anyway, I’ve been playing around with something called ‘Drawn Thread’ embroidery the last week or so – anybody had a go at this? Maybe I’ll have something to show soon – watch this space!!!

Postscript added 29th June - I've had a comment left by BethenyJ enquiring after a rag doll. Betheny, I can't find a link back to you. I'm afraid I'm not making anymore dolls - if you read above, all will become clear!! Thanks for asking though - I'm flattered.

A finish & Sheep in the Willow BOM

Ooooh, it's good to make some 'me' things again after the last couple of months or so making the 'Tilda' rag dolls!!! Once the last one is received by Judy (no blog), I shall show photos of them all just to prove that I have been busy.

I don't have much to show at the moment, but what I have is better than nothing. I've finally finished my Nancy Halvorsen 'Star of Wonder' Christmas wall hanging - only 6 months late, but what the heck!! I suppose the proper way to think of it really is that it's 6 months early - that sounds much better doesn't it? Heck, who am I trying to kid?!!!

And secondly, my 'Sheep in the Willow' BOM for the month of May - only one month behind with this, but I'll catch up soon.

I did a bit of work in the garden this morning and now my bones are aching, so it's off to bed for me!

Bye for now

Paper roses, paper roses

.....cue for a song, or am I showing my age!!!

Long time no blog post!! The rag dolls I’ve been making have taken up so much of my time, but the last one is finished now – phew!! I did have another enquiry, but I said no because of the time they take. So now I shall be able to get back to my next project for me! I do have something to show you however! This really lovely quilled message holder was sent to me by Vivi from Brazil who I made the second Tilda rag doll for. Isn’t she talented? She also sent a quilled magnetic fridge note holder and even the little gift card that came with it has a quilled flower on it. Vivi recently made 500 of these rose message holders for a nurses convention! Vivi does loads of quilling and even has her own website here – why not check it out!

Thanks Vivi – I’m thrilled with it!

Meet Rosie!

I’d like to introduce you all to Rosie (Rosie Posie as I like to call her!). She’s not mine though, she belongs to my aunt and uncle who have gone away for the weekend and so I’m doggie sitting!! Rosie is a Bichon Frise (a breed of dog I had never heard of until she came along). She is a bit of a 'pampered pooch', but has the sweetest of natures and I love her to bits!! My uncle will soon be 80 years old and their sons and partners/wives have taken my aunt and uncle away for a lovely weekend. They are staying at a posh hotel and having a day at the races today (horse racing) at Newbury, as my uncle really enjoys the horses! The weather is beautiful here this weekend, so it couldn’t be better for them. Looking after Rosie is going to mean virtually no sewing for me as she likes to sit right by my side most of the time – add to that ‘walkies’ and playing with her etc. I also have a friend coming for dinner tonight, so I have some cooking to be thinking about – I’ve made a start on the pudding (I’m making lemon syllabub) yummy!! Isn't it strange: as much as I am a complete chocoholic, my favourite puddings are lemon ones and lemon syllabub has lots and lots of sugar and cream in it – naughty, but nice!!

Anyway, I hope you are all having a great weekend and if in the UK, enjoying this gorgeous sunshine we're having.

Bye for now

Log Cabin

I’ve had a little shot at the Log Cabin pattern – I’ve not tried it before and it can look really effective when you use the right contrasts. I wouldn't mind doing a whole quilt in this pattern one of the days ................. but then again, it might make me go 'boggle eyed'!! This is only a small sample using some ‘Portabella Market’ fabric that I had (that's the greens, not the red), but it might make a nice mat for my sewing machine to sit on perhaps! I needed to have a break from making rag dolls!!! I have orders for two more dolls, but I’ve decided that I will definitely not be taking orders for anymore after these – I need to get back to making ‘me’ kind of things!!! Know what I mean?

Hairspray!

Has anyone else out there been to see the musical 'Hairspray' - IT IS FANTABULOUS!!!!! A birthday treat from my friend Elaine was a trip to London to see this great show and it did not disappoint. Michael Ball, of course, was brilliant ( I am a big fan of his), but so were the whole cast - it's a real 'feel good' show and you come out dancing!!! I know it's on/been on in America - is it showing in Australia and other countries too?

If you get a chance to see it, don't miss out, although if you're in the UK and want to see Michael Ball in it, you'll need to get in before the end of July, because then Brian Conley (comedian) takes over from him.

I thought I'd better post about something as it's been a couple of weeks since I did while I've been making rag dolls. In case you're reading this Kerry, I've finished your 'Tilda' doll other than finding some shoes for her, so she should be on her way to you very soon!

Birthday treats!

It was my birthday yesterday and these are a few of the pressies I had - beautiful roses, a lovely plant holder in the shape of a tricycle (I love things like that!) and an applique book with a some fat quarters. Others pressies were various nice smellies and trips to a couple of shows, so I can't show those of course. One was last week when my brother and SIL took me to see a great british comedian, Rob Brydon - he's really funny!! And next Saturday (16th) a friend is taking me to London to see the musical 'Hairspray' - can't wait for that as I'm a big musicals fan and this one looks particulary good.

I've managed to slip in a quick bit of sewing for myself whilst I wait for the fabric to finish my second Tilda doll order - it's the next part of the 'Sheep in the Willow' BOM - I'm always behind with this - this is the 'April' block. I shall have to make a special effort to get the 'May' block completed during May ..... but don't hold your breath will you? I wouldn't like to see you all expiring!!!



Bye for now!

Birthday pressie!

I know I haven’t posted for a while, but I am still busy working on the ‘Tilda’ dolls that Vivi and Kerry ordered from me – see ‘Tilda’ doll that I made for the ‘Secret Easter Swap’ here. There’s not too much to do on them now and I hope they will consider them worth the wait!

However, I do have something to post about! Deb (from New Zealand) and I have gradually become bloggy friends over recent months and what a lovely lady she is!

Not much more than a few weeks ago, Deb asked when my birthday is ...... and probably regretted it when she discovered that it was so soon – i.e Wednesday (6th May)!!!!

I know I’m early, but I couldn’t wait any longer!!!

Deb has made me the most beautiful wall-hanging and I love it. The colouring of the stitching and of the fabrics are so very me that it’s clear Deb made it with a lot of thought and consideration for my taste. I particularly like the green fabric on the front, and, well, all of it actually! I love the wire hanger and have asked Deb where she had it from as I’ve never seen one like this before on any websites I’ve looked at, and a hanger really does add a finishing touch to hangings don’t they? And look at the fabric label on the back – it’s so sweet! Deb’s stitching is so neat and I love the picture (and the words).

And as if that wasn’t enough, Deb also made me this lovely little pin cushion; look how small the patchwork is. It’s going straight into use too to replace the one I’ve been using for a few years now, but don’t actually like, but hadn’t had time to replace, so Deb’s will be my new one!

Thank you so much Deb for your thoughtfulness; I really value your friendship. And please appreciate readers that Deb has also been suffering from terrible migraine lately, but has still managed to complete my beautiful gifts and get them posted to me before my birthday – what a star! I’ve never suffered migraine thankfully and hope I never do (a bad headache is bad enough thank you!!!), but from what others say, it is almost unbearable.

I had a small family gathering today to celebrate my birthday rather than on Wednesday when everybody will be back at work (it's May Day Bank Holiday in the UK), and I will be good and wait until the 6th to open the rest of my presents ......... well, I’ll try to wait anyway!!!!! Yes 49 years old, not 9!!!!