My Martha Finished!

Well this took a while, mainly because I kept putting it down to get on with other things. However, here it is and I am really pleased with it. Note to self;- use the correct yarn, needles and follow the pattern exactly, and the results will be fab. Here is the link to Ravelry for full pattern and yarn details. I will be wearing this on Christmas day.

Bow Tie Scrap Quilt 5

And so it begins, the long haul of handquilting this quilt. I just couldn't fact trying to quilt this in my machine so am doing it by hand. I tried shadowing the white bits in white and then in red, the red won. I think it looks really cheery and fresh. There is not much more done than is visible in the photo so I have a long way to go. Mind you it will keep my knees warm this winter while I work on it.

Book Cover

I bought a book for my mother for Christmas but felt it looked a little boring. So using the tutorial from Mollie Makes I made this book cover, I had the stripe in my stash and the lining and using a little pattern from The Motif Collection I embellished with a little embroidery. I'm really pleased with it and need to make one for myself.

Drawstring Bag

Well that was easy! I used this pattern I made it to put a sock knitting kit into for my step daughter, I think it's just perfect. I'm going to have to make more.

Little Pincushion for Christmas?

Isn't he cute? Saw these on this blog and just had to make one. Mine is quite small as he is a pincushion. I think I need to make a big one and put some sand in him to make a door stop.

Getting In The Mood 2

A lovely lady at Log Cabn quilters showed me her Ferrero Rocher tree decorations that she had made. I just had to make some too. This was so easy, just 2 x 2 and a half inch squares in contrasting fabrics. Sewn right sides together leaving a gap for turning. Turn, close the gap with a few stitiches and then join one pair of opposite diagonals together with a bead. Make four and join together at the top and bottom adding a little bell at the bottom and a hanging ribbon at the top. Pop your Ferrero Rocher inside. Hey presto. I don't know how only three of the Ferrero's got put into the decorations!

Getting in the Mood for Christmas!

This little stocking is big enough for a small gift to hang on the tree. I used this tutorial from Needles and Lemons blog. It took about an hour but will be quicker next time as I'll know what I'm doing. The tree, not finished, is a little hanging, paper pieced and very cute. It will look much better quilted, bound and decorated with beads.

Disappearing Nine-Patch Lap Quilt - Finished!

Finally finished this lap quilt. I love the colours but wish I had made it a bit bigger, either with a border in the green or another row of blocks. Also the colours in the picture do not really do it justice as I struggle to get decent photos in artificial light, tips anyone?.

Its a two post day today!

Hearts All Around 3

A few more blocks done for this BoM. I spent a lovely day on Saturday with my friend getting on with this, we are both doing one of these quilts. There is a lot more hand sewing than I had expected and so it is taking time to complete. My friend and I were trying to complete the months blocks in one day, but this is not possible so I shall being doing some homework in between sewy meet ups. The main block in the picture required bias tape and suffolk puffs for the circle. Not being a huge fan of suffolk puffs and having found this lovely flower ribbon in my stash I decided to use it instead.

Christmas Knitalong.

I couldn't resist joining in with Electric Sheeps Christmas Knitalong Not for me a Christmassy sweater, Oh no, for me its a pair of socks with a bonking reindeer motif. I would put a link on here to the Ravelry project page but for some reason I can't make links work, so it's here in it's entirity. http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Judinits/bonking-reindeer

Disappearing Nine-Patch Lap Quilt

I'm actually quite enjoying hand quilting this quilt, the first time I have hand quilted anything. The green sashing tones down the pink really nicely and I'm looking forward to finishing it. I had to buy a thimble as my finger is getting a bit sore so I went to Chilford Quilt Show today. Needless to say a thimble was not the only thing I bought. There were some lovely fabrics. I did buy a pack of 'man' fabric fat quarters as I have a couple of Kindle cosies to make for the men in my life and nothing suitable in my stash to make them with. I also bought some other bits and pieces for some projects I have my eye on. It's just so frustrating that I have so little time to play with my sewing machine these days.

My Favourite Place

Just got back from a few days on Orkney. It was great, its so peaceful and quiet. Kirkwall has some lovely shops such as Judith Glue and Sheila Fleet and lovely places to eat and chill Helgi's is just one. We made some new friends, Sylvie and Willie who ran the B&B and Jane the painter.

Jane Puckering has been in the Orkneys for the last month painting and in that time I think she has got to know everyone on Orkney. For some reason I can't make the link to Jane's website work. Sorry Jane, anyone wanting to look needs to google Jane Puckering. Lovely art!

Kindle Cosy

I needed something to keep my Kindle safe in my hand bag so rustled up this cosy this morning. Number One Son shared a number of books he had on his kindle so I now have lots of books to choose from. Although a Kindle is not a book I do find it easy to use, light to hold and great when travelling. I expect Number One will want me to make him one, not with flowers though.

The Centre Block for Hearts All Around

Here is a picture of the block I'm going to put in the middle of the Hearts All Around Quilt. It is smaller than the ones in the pattern but if I surround it with the 4" blocks that sit beneath the ones in the pattern it should fit. I think it will be perfect but we shall see when all the other bocks are done and I try to put it all together.

Hearts All Around Quilt 2

The next three blocks are done, I'm enjoying all the handsewing in this quilt, it's very relaxing. This BoM is from Popular Patchwork.

Oh No! Not Another New Craft!

I have been so busy at work recently that I have not been sitting at my sewing machine as much as I would like, my knitting projects were getting a little tiresome so I picked up the embroidery hoop I bought a while ago. I did a bit of surfing and came across Doodle Stitching on Flickr. A couple of clicks on Amazon later and I was off. Think I could get hooked on this, because I haven't got enough things to occupy my itchy fingers, Not!

I'm off to The Knitting and Stitching Show at Ally Pally tomorrow to feed my crafty obsessions. Yay!

Love Bramble Patch!

I left the DH in the coffee bar upstairs with the paper and I spent a happy half hour cruising the shelves and racks of Bramble Patch. From the gorgeous fabrics to the lovely kits and the beautiful quilts hanging on a line outside to the coffee and biscuits, the whole experience was fab. Am definately booking a workshop soon. I need to spend £200 on my loyalty card to get something, don't think that will take long!

Today's Projects

I have been so busy doing other things it seems like ages since I sat at my sewing machine and made anything. So today, after watching England beat Georgia in the Rugby World Cup I did some sewing. Firstly I made 2 more blocks for the Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt Along. I'm way behind, but at least today I made 2 blocks. Also today I made a Union Jack Cushion, I love these and have put the one I made today on Ebay.

On My Needles

The gorgeous Noro Kochoran is being transformed into a lovely winter woolly. I love the softness of the colours and the yarn itself. This is going to be a very warm woolly! I have very nearly completed the body, I've done a top down in the round pattern. So about to cast off and begin the sleeves. I need to get it finished as I have just received some lovely yarn from Easyknits. I have a skein of Cherish which is a mix of merino, cashmere and nylon, in gun metal grey and a skein of Alpaca Silk Mix in pumpkin. Both are destined to become Ishbels, one for me and one for a friend for Christmas. They will be absolutely fabulous when finished, how could they not be with such lovely yarn. The Alpaca Silk is so beautifully soft even though it cos a little less than the Cherish. In fact I may not be able to wait to cast on an ishbel until the jumper is finished. Oh I'm so weak!!

Hexipuff Number 1

I just had to try one of these 'hexipuffs' easy, satisfying knitting which produced a mound of squishy loveliness. You too could make some and end up with one of these!

Cable Cardi Finished

Although I finished the knitting of this card a few weeks ago, I have only just got round to sewing it together. I'm happy with it and I'm sure I'll get lots of wear out of it this winter. It would have been lovely knitted up in a chunky Noro yarn but it would have cost me at least three times as much. I blogged about the pattern here. I'm not too happy with the picture but it gives an idea of the cardi.

Bow Tie Scrap Quilt 4

Quilt top done except for a solid colour border that I want to add. I don't know what colour to choose though. I'm pleased with the way its turned out especially as all of it has been from my stash so it hasn't cost a penny so far, except for the £4.99 for the backing. I do need to get the solid colour and the wadding. I'm going to hand quilt this as its just too big to get through the machine. This could be a mistake and could take me all winter to do, still it will keep me warm.

Farmers Wife Quilt Along 7

The two latest blocks for this quilt. Finishing this seems at the moment to be an impossibility. Hey ho.
Thank you Bee In My Bonnet for the tutes on these blocks, it made such sense.
Block numbers 15 and 80, Buzzards Roost and Single Wedding Star.

Arty Flowers

Weekend spent in Dorset with my parents and their garden.

'You Capture' Ordinary Moments

This is my photo for this weeks 'You Capture' on 'I should be Folding Laundry' blog. I saw this cat fast asleep on the basket at the Kidderminster Station for the Severn Valley Railway. For the cat, a very ordinary moment, for visitors to the station, it attracted some attention.
You Capture

Farleigh Jumper Finished.

I'm very please with this, it will get lots of wear this autumn. I can't believe it took only 3 balls of Noro Silk Garden Light. More details on my Ravelry page.

Hearts All Around Quilt

My friend and I had a lovely day today. We began Popular Patchwork's block of the month called 'Hearts All Around'. Its a sampler quilt which encompasses lots of applique. The first three blocks were in the July issue of the magazine, and in each of the next six or so magazines there will be more blocks to do. I had fun today sewing all day with a like minded friend. What a lovely way to spend a day.

Union Jack Cushion

Thanks again to Bramble Patch for their lovely kit. This was simple to make and looks great. I'm tempted to put it on the back seat of the mini I bought today! Although to be really retro I should make a granny square blanket to put on the seat. Is that wrong?

Sock Knitting Workshop

Today was the first sock knitting workshop I have run. Held at Moonstone Yarns, it was lovely and very easy because we only had one punter. Still, Mandy got lots of individual attention and is now able to knit socks, she couldn't before. I wish I had done a workshop when I first started knitting socks, it would have stopped all the ripping out and restarting because of all the mistakes I made. Hopefully this was the first of many workshops as I would love to do more.

Knitting Project Bag

Thrilled to bits with this one. It's based on a pattern in Making Magazine. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
The bag in the magazine was to contain easter eggs and was for children, no matter I love it. (I missed off the easter eggs that accompanied the bird on the bag, does that make it O.K?)

Apologies again for the half finished patio in the background.

I have to say that also today I went to IKEA and bought a king size duvet cover with four pillow cases for £4.99, yes £4.99. This or part of it will be the backing for my bow tie quilt, yay!

Quick Fabric Holdall

Thank you Bramble Patch for this free pattern. The little holdall contains the fat quarters I bought at Festival of Quilts to make the Hearts all Around Quilt in the current issues of Popular Patchwork.
Apologies for the half finished patio in the background.

Festival of Quilts 2011

I had a lovely day. The trains ran on time so I got there O.K. As usual the quality of the quilts on display was staggering, I can only dream of creating work such as this. And, as usual there was an enormous amount of retail opportunities. I always come back from these events with lots of ideas and plans, wishing I had bought more or different as my ideas change. I did get lots of fat quarters and a couple of kits including a union jack cushion kit from the Bramble Patch and some fabric from Rowan for a bag. Oh and I also saw Kaffe Fassett, the colour king on the Rowan stand.

The picture I have chosen for this post reflects the way I felt when I saw it, gagging for a cup of tea!

Shropshire Weekend

What a lovely surprise Shropshire was. So beautiful and peaceful, no traffic, no crowds and lovely weather. We went for a photography course as neither of us was confident going beyond 'inteligent auto' setting on our cameras, now we are. It was a great course run by Photography Made Simple The tutors were supportive and informative and I am now practising using Aperture priority and other settings on my little camera. The course was held at Highley which is a pretty railway station on the Severn Valley Railway. The photo above was taken at the next station down the line where we had to practice our new skills.
We stayed at a fabulous B&B called Timberstones run by Tracey and Alex who were great hosts. The rooms were just lovely, both breakfast and evening meals were fab and there were even cocktails on offer. I would highly recommend this B&B to anyone. We met some lovely people over breakfast, dinner and cocktails which made this stay even more pleasurable than other places we have stayed. One of the reasons for this I think is that there was no television. We will go back one day as we loved it so much.

Farmers Wife Quilt Along 6

Really busy with these at the moment. Two more just done, I'll have to cut the blog posts down and only post when I have done a few rather than just two. These two were straightforward, I'm picking out the easy ones to do first, is that a cop out? Anyway #16 Calico Puzzle and #20 Churn Dash, lovely aren't they.

Farmers Wife Quilt Along 5

Two more blocks done today,#11 Broken Dishes and #12 broken Sugar Bowl. I might have to redo the Broken Sugar Bowl as I'm not very happy with the the joins on it. C'est la vie.

Bow Tie Scrap Quilt 3

43 blocks done, How many left to do?

Farmers Wife Quilt Along 4

After a break from this for a few weeks, I finally found time today to make two more blocks. The reason I stopped was because I had a go at the 'birds in the air' block which I made a real pigs ear of, it went in the bin along with my enthusiasm for the quilt. However, getting back on track with the success of the two I made today. #9 Box and #10 Bowtie. Both worked out well and am feeling the love again for this project.

Back From His Travels

I just had to write a post including this photo of my son in Brazil. He was staying with cousins of mine who live in Marau, nr Ilheus in Brazil. He spent about ten days with them and they flew down to Rio to visit other cousins of mine. This photo sums up Brazil;- fun, beautiful and special.

Bow Tie Scrap Quilt 2

Feeling very tired after a mad week at work I wasn't going to do any sewing today. However, once I made one I just has to make more. Thirty blocks done now of this summer scrap quilt. I love the way the blocks look so fresh and unfussy. I'm loving this. I still have fabric in my stash to make more as I'm trying not to repeat any of them in the quilt. I may have to beg borrow or steal to complete this though.

Farmers Wife Quilt Along 3

Trying very hard to catch up with this. I'm now up to week three, that is six blocks - two per week. Today I did number 1, Attic Windows, number 3, Basket, number 5, Bat Wing and number six, Big Dipper. Some of the templates are very small so I'm not looking forward to some of the blocks, still let's hope the final result will be fab.

Farmers Wife Quilt Along 2

Finally started on this quilt along. I've been trying to get going with it for ages but I have been thwarted by all sorts of things. Anyway here are the first two blocks. Number two, Autumn Tints and number 4, Basket Weave. I'm sticking to the ones with square elements as I haven't yet laminated all the templates so I've gone on measurements on these.

Noro V Neck Jumper

A decision has been made over the Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn. I've cast on Farleigh from the Noro Unlimited Pattern book. I love the way it looks with the two rows of one ball alternating with two rows of the other. I was unsure of using the same colourway but I'm liking how it tones. Anyway here is the first part of the back. I went on a long train journey on Saturday and made a good start on it. However, it is put to one side now as I really need to finish the cable cardi.

My Sock Knitting Workshop!

I'm running a sock knitting workshop at Moonstone Yarnshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif on Saturday 13th August. It's a day long course in which I will teach you how to use DPNs, turn a heel, shape the toe and finish the toe with kitchner stitch. All materials will be provided and a buffet lunch. Only room for six, so book your place! I'm really looking forward to it. At £55 for the day its a good deal, all that expert tuition and lunch, its a win, win!

Bow Tie Scrap Quilt

Jodie at Pleasant Home Blog had a great idea. Each year she makes a scrappy quilt with the scraps used that year. This year its going to be a Bow Tie Quilt. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifThought I'd do it too. Here is the start of my Bow Tie Scrap Quilt. I think that once its done it will remind me of the projects made in the year.

Farmers Wife Quilt Along

After much thought and deliberation, actually not much at all. Once I had seen these fabrics I knew I had to do it.

So these american cottons are the beginning of the quilt along I bought the book the other day to do at some time in the future. However, when I was in Berwick yesterday I found this shop and in the shop I found the fabrics in the picture which will be the beginning of the quilt. The book itself is a joy to read as it shows all the blocks which go into the making up of the quilt with a CD Rom with templates, with each of the blocks there is a letter from a farmers wife from the 1920's. The subjects of the letters are varied but about life and thoughts from the farm. Tomorrow I will have a sewing day and begin....