UPDATES

Oh my, how time does fly when you're having fun. Things have been rather hectic here recently with one thing or another - although there's nothing at all unusual in that now is there.

I finished my swap pincushion, and after a slow start due to missing emails eventually sent it to my partner. I decided to hand sew a felt cushion which took me most of a day to make, however I was really pleased with the results.

The pincushion I received is absolutely beautiful, unfortunately, my camera isn't working at the moment so I haven't been able to take pictures. However, my brother is visiting at the weekend and i've already asked him to bring his over so hopefully I'll manage to take some then.

Gen was extremely happy with the 4 letters that she received. She does keep asking why she hasn't received the 5th letter, which I haven't been able to give her an answer. She's hoping to write back to the children that have written to her, hopefully she'll manage to do this soon.

Last weekend, I atttended a workshop at Jo's http://hobbyholidays.blogspot.com/ . The tutor that she had invited to run the workshop was the fabulous Ferret http://ferfab.blogspot.com/. She was an inspiration to all who attended. I will post a seperate update regarding this, hopefully with photos.

I was back at Oasis Academy this week to complete a tile project with the Year 6 transition students. I had a great time meeting everyone, and am really looking forward to seeing all of their glazed masterpieces displayed when the school re-opens in September after the Summer break. Again, I will post photographs when I can take them.

I've received 2 orders for PE bags from customers who have found my website following a Google search which is fantastic news.

ooooooh .... last but certainly not least ... I've finished the top of Gen's quilt this week!!! I just need to buy the wadding and backing and then quilt it up. Again, pics to follow soon.

Embroidered Blocks Galore!

I know there will be some reading my postings who aren't sure of what a Tripple Irish Chain looks like. The pic above shows a plan that I worked out on my computer using Excel and colouring in the squares - easy peasy. The middle 'chain' should actually be a darker shade of blue, but it printed out the same colour as the 2 chains either side. This centre chain is the one that I'm making with the lighter fabric instead of a darker one.

Here is the first block finished (I've made 4 so far but need to purchase more material before I can make more). I think that the centre pale chain stands out really well against the other fabrics. Although, you won't get to see the 'chains' until I have put quite a few blocks together.

These are a selection of the embroidered squares that I have done to place in the middle of the second blocks. I've used about 4 different designs and stitched them in various colour combinations. I didn't want these to detract from the chains, therefore I have only used 4 colours (lilac, purple, fuschia and green). Unfortunately I did make an error when cutting the blocks. I knew that I needed them to be 10" finished square. So dutifully I cut them all to 10 1/2" to allow 1/4" seam allowance. As I put the first one in the embroidery machine, realisation hit me - I should have cut them slightly larger as the embroidery will pull the material in slightly. Unfortunately, I was right (for a change LOL). The squares are now measuring approx 10 1/4". I think what I'm going to do to rectify the problem is cut them down a little more and add a border around them in one of the other material. Hopefully, when I've finished, it will look as though this was my intention from the beginning!

This last photograph gives a bit of insight as to how the second block will look when it's put together. The squares aren't in the correct order around the sides as I just laid the embroidered square on top of one of the block #1's. But at least it gives an idea of where I'm going with this one.

All stripped and ready for action!!!!!

woohooooo ... how many men have peaked because of the title??? LMAO

I've made a start on Gen's quilt (shush don't tell her as it's a surprise for her birthday). I've cut up plenty of strips and am ready for action. This quilt is going to be a Tripple Irish Quilt. She saw the design I had made on the computer and said she liked it. I innocently asked her what colours she would use if she was making it and 'PURPLE' was her answer. I was hoping she would choose blue as that seems to be her favourite at the minute and I didn't relish the thought of another purple quilt this quickly, but if that's what she wants, then who am I to argue.

I'm not going to write too much detail in this posting, as I'll do a full one when I've actually finished the quilt. However, as promised to Kerry, I'll post a quilt teaser of photographs below to make sure you come back to see the finished item (hopefully not too long away).

I needed 4 fabrics for the design, I found a wonderful batik fabric (http://www.hobbyholidays.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=FQ4355) and decided that this was going to be the material I would base the other colours around. It was a struggle, we had almost every purple fabric off of the shelves to compare them together and spent a lot of time, but we got there in the end. I chose http://www.hobbyholidays.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=ST3329509 and http://www.hobbyholidays.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CC575111t. After a suggestion from Jo, I decided that instead of a darker colour in the middle of the chains, I would use the light colour again, therefore only needed 3 fabrics.

To ensure that I was on the right track, I showed Gen the colours last night and she loved them - Although I did fib and tell her that it was another quilt for Jo! lol

FABRICS

EMBROIDERY

Tasks completed today - not as many as yesterday, but then I haven't been sewing as much today.

1. Finished of a 'Mrs' Cute Monster to go with the one I did yesterday


2. Finished the top of Jo's quilt as far as I can


3. Unpacked my ceramics delivery


4. Watered the plants!

MR & MRS ... now wasn't that a TV programme??

Further to my posting yesterday, I decided to stitch out a 'Mrs' Monster in cute pink colours. As I thought, I wasn't at all disappointed by the outcome - quite the opposite in fact.

The darker colour on her looks blue in the photograph, but it is actually purple.

I think she looks just as cute as 'Mr' Cute Monster ... don't you think that they make a fine pair together?

In hindsight, I should have flipped the Mrs so she was facing the other way - just to distinguish her a little more from her mate.

Both of these are available for sale as PE bags immediately or I can do them onto towels / facecloths etc. Due to the amount of embroidery, they are unsuitable for baby bibs.

OFF-CENTRE LOG CABIN

Spot the difference!

When I first looked at a picture of a quilt made with this technique, I just couldn't work it out at all. I mean, if you put thick strips down one side and thin strips down the other - how can it make a square??

I must have pondered the question for about 40 mins, and drawn it out on paper twice. But I kept coming back to the same conclusion - my drawings were square (well as square as my drawings can be).

When the penny dropped, I felt so stoooooopid! I realised that I kept looking at it from the point of view of the log cabin that I had just completed, which was all central - this technique isn't central. You sew thick strips down two sides and thin strips down the other two sides - wayhey that's how it makes a square - the centre square isn't in the centre when you've finished! LOL.

By the way, for those who haven't noticed, the one on the left shows thick pink strips, whilst the one on the right shows thin pink strips.

The picture on the left shows all of the 16 squares sewn together. It gives the effect, however I'm sorry that my photography isn't as it should be (that's the problem of not having a digital camera - all pics have been taken using my mobile phone)

The picture on the right is a close up of the centre four squares.

If you would like more information on sewing / quilting techniques please check out Jo's website : http://www.hobbyholidays.co.uk/ .... believe me, you won't be disappointed after attending one of Jo's workshops.

Tasks for tomorrow : -

1. Get up and see what the day brings! LOL

Spring or not?

The weather has been absolutely wonderful here this afternoon. Has spring sprung or do we still have a lot of cold spells to get through before it finally arrives??

I've spent all afternoon pottering around in the garden. I've got a few more tubs planted up with seads and been generally tidying around - including the mess that the dog made this morning when she decided to play with a shrub!!!! The little monkey had dragged it around the garden .. there was compost EVERYWHERE :-(

MY FIRST FINISHED QUILT TOP!

Eventually, I've managed to take a picture of my log cabin quilt

The picture here is of my log cabin quilt. I've only finished the top, I still need to add the wadding, backing and then quilt it. I've laid it out on the bed and it really does look stunning. The photograph really doesn't do it as much justice as they should. The technique is so simple to do, but looks beautiful when finished. The one I have made is for a king sized bed. The feeling when you sew on the last square is absolutely amazing!





Here is a pic of a single square block and the centre squares.

I'll try and take photographs of the Bargello lap quilt that I've made and post soon.

I got through quite a lot of sewing last night, and I've almost finished the square blocks on the off-centre log cabin quilt I'm doing for Jo. I need an extra strip of 2 colours in order to finish off the last 2 squares. I'm going to try and sew it together over the weekend, or rather sew as far as physically possible whilst waiting for the extra strips.

On the agenda for tomorrow is to cut up some canvas for PE bags. I've sold another 2 on eBay today which is absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!! I also want to make up a couple to take with me to the Pottery Painting Workshops I'm running during the school holidays, fingers crossed I'll be able to sell a few then too. I PROMISE faithfully that I WILL put photos up when I've made them .. HONEST I WILL!!!!

I've finally managed to get a stock take done of the pottery I have on hand. I know it's a bit of a close call as my first holiday workshop is on Tuesday and I need to make an order with my supplier ... talk about leaving it until the last minute as usual LOL. Jon has taken on the task of phoning it through tomorrow so I should have delivery either on Friday or Monday next week at the latest. Which will give me the time to crack on with my sewing :-)