First of Ten

Over the last week I have been working on a floss tag, but as it is for an exchange, so it can't be shown yet.  Yesterday it was posted to it's new home and should arrive sometime next week

Now that's done, I can go back to concentrating on some of the ongoing projects I am trying to finish.  This is the first of ten hearts to be finished.  Most are flowers, but I do like this alphabet heart.

I have two other hearts in progress, they had come to a standstill due to lack of thread.  New supplies arrived this week, so now I can go back and finish them.  It should mean that it won't take long too have two more added to the collection.

Crocheted Scarf

My thumb had been aching from all the hand stitching I had done recently, so I thought I do something different to give it a rest.  Crochet was the chosen activity, it was a different action to stitching and is ideal for doing whilst watching TV.

I managed to do a scarf with edges that are more or less straight!  Mind you, the fringing seemed to take as long to do as the actual crochet.  That took most of one evening to do, I don't think I will be in a hurry to do another fringe.

Postage Stamp Quilt Resurrected

It's been a while since these have seen the light of day, but as I am trying to get things finished up, I thought I better get on and try and make some progress.  DS2 saw the three I had made previously and said they must take ages to make.  I didn't think they did, until this week.

This is the result of two mornings work, two more blocks.  I had hoped to get a third put together, but I was one short of the strips starting with the dark fabric.  Hopefully, it will mean I can get another two blocks done more quickly the next time I sit down to do this.

That's five in total I have now, and I need 20!  Think there is a bit more work to do. 

Table Topper

I still had plenty of fabric left over from the dog quilts, so I thought I might be a good idea to make a table topper to go under the guinea pig cake.  Better late than never, I suppose.

Both the fabric for the top and the backing cost me a £1 a metre, so for £2 I have two dog quilts and a table topper.  Not bad value in my opinion.  There is still some of the top fabric left, so I think I shall be making a pad to go in the cat basket.  The dog sleeps in it during the day, so if I make another one, I can use one and wash one. I think I have just enough batting left to make one.

Another Dog Quilt

I was going to make two dog quilts, one for each settee, but the dog now knows it's his.  As soon as he sees it go down on the chair, he is straight up on it.  I thought I'd still do a second quilt as it meant that I could rotate them and wash them.

This time I used Amy's tutorial for doing the binding.  This is the first time I've done a binding "properly".  All other explanations for doing the corners have been like double dutch to me, so it was really great to see one that explained it clearly with good photos.  The results weren't perfect, but as you can see, the dog doesn't care and it wasn't bad for a first attempt.

Child's Bamboo Sweater

I actually finished the knitting a couple of weeks ago, but I only got the buttons for the shoulder fastenings this week.

This is knitted in Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo, and was a delight to knit with.  It's so soft to the touch.  I think I could get addicted to knitting with bamboo.

The shoulder edgings were knitted with the main body of the jumper, which made it quick to finish and gives a better look.

I have enough of the yarn left to do a baby jumper.  Baby jumpers are a pleasure, they are quick!

Friday Night Sew In

It definitely was Friday Night Sew In this week, and I was sewing.  I was working on the September Flower of the month block and I would not go to bed until it was finished.

I've used DMC stranded cotton to do back stitch, stem stitch, straight stitch and french knots.

I had thought that September was the last of the blocks I had to do,but having checked, there is still October to stitch.  Oh well, one more isn't much and then the hard bit begins, oops, fun bit!

Flower of the month-August

I'm on a roll, August is done.

Again stitched in three strands DMC stranded cotton using straight stitch, stem stitch, french knots, and back stitch.

September is in progress, but with an aching thumb, it may not get done as quickly as I would like.  As you might have gathered, I've got to the stage where I want to get these blocks stitched and the quilt put together.  There's a new BOM I'd like to do.

Red

Many, many years ago, I acquired a book, Martin Leman's Needlepoint Cats.  When it was fairly new I did a couple of the projects from it and then put the book away.  A couple of months ago, I was sorting out my books and decided I would do a few more.

Doing the projects from it has got a little more interesting now.  The colour numbers have changed, so before I can start, I have to find out what they are.  Now I have found where to look (that's if I remembered to bookmark the place), it shouldn't take so long setting up for the  next project.

This is Red, stitching complete.  All the pins are holding him in place while he is being blocked.  I think he is going to become a big cushion.  A good excuse to go to the fabric shop and find something to finish him.

Amy's BOM-July 4th

Before I had to vacate the living room for kid's activities yesterday, I got another block completed.  This is July 4th in non July 4th colours.  I decided to stick with the colours and fabrics I had already used.

That's me up to date with Amy's BOM, as I don't have the tools to do the next two.  I decided it was enough to put them together without confusing myself with maths too.  Maybe I ought to get the boys to work it all out for their maths lesson!

Now time to catch up on some other projects.

County Fair

Slowly, but surely, I am making my way through Amy's BOM's.  This is the last of the blocks for June

Having spent half the morning sorting out unexpected things, time ran out for sewing, and I only had time to do one block.  Hopefully,  next time it will work out better.  I am now going to have a look at the blocks for July and see how many I can do.  It would be great to get them done before August's blocks are released.  It would be nice to be up to date for a change.

Flower of the month-July

July is done.  In real life the colours really compliment each other, but someone has turned the sun off here, and it was difficult to get a photo true to life.

Again it is stitched using three strands of DMC cotton.  Stitches used-stem stitch, french knots, lazy daisy stitch, back stitch and straight stitch.

I have printed August but have yet to transfer it to the fabric.  A project for later today I think.

Creative Tuesdays-Limits

The theme for this weeks Creative Tuesday challenge was Limits. 

When I think of limits, I thought of boundaries and that led on to the thoughts of warning signs telling you not to cross those boundaries, or danger signs of problems that are ahead.  It seemed to fit in with a project I wanted to do for DS2.

Here is one of his favourite t shirts which he has now outgrown, and as it really suited his sense of humour, I wanted to find a way to keep it.

I made it into a sign he could hang on his door.

I marked out where to cut, backed each side of the t shirt with stiff interfacing and placed some batting between the layers.  I cut to size and then used recycled felt for the edging.  It gives a more industrial feel than using fabric.  After adding the hanging tab at the top, it is now ready for hanging.

DS1 has seen it and thinks DS2 will love it.  It is going to hide away for a couple of months, and then we shall see.

Flower of the month-June

It's been quite enjoyable sitting and doing some hand stitching.  I have now done June's flower of the month block.

Stitches used in this one are: stem stitch, back stitch, and french knots, using three strands of DMC thread.

July is already a work in progress, so hopefully it should join the others in the completed pile very soon.

Friday Night Sew In....

.....Wasn't this week, it's next week.  Thank you Sandy for the reminder.  That's twice in one day I seemed to have lost a week.

Hopefully, I will join in the fun next week.

It made my day

As I was sorting out the washing, there was a knock at the door.  The postman, rather post lady, had a package for me.

Look at all these delightful things that came out.

I love every one of them.

Where did they come from?  This is my PIF gift from Tudy.  I am going to enjoy these for many years to come.  Thank you Tudy, for cheering up my day.

Tonight is Friday Night Sew In, so sometime during the day, I have to decide what I am going to be doing.  It will be a quiet evening, the boys are going on a sleepover.  I hope the wind dies down a bit and the heavy showers disappear, they are all meant to be camping out in the garden!  I think I am going to be much cosier sat at home sewing.

Amy's BOM-Follow the Leader and Constellation

I managed to stay away from these long enough to put a couple of blocks together.

These are the from Amy's BOM, which I am still playing catch up with.  I am not doing all the blocks, as I don't have the equipment, or ability, to do some of the more complicated ones.

I did Follow the Leader

and Constellation.

At least now I am doing June's blocks, it doesn't feel so far behind.  Hopefully, I can catch up on July's before the August blocks are released, but it will be the end of the week before  I have enough clear time to get the machine out.

Arizona Cactus

I was hoping to get two blocks done before the start of the grand prix yesterday, but just as I finished the first block I had visitors.  One block was all I had time for

The best bit of Sunday was playing midwife to my little baby.  At her request, I was with her the whole time as she presented us with four healthy kittens.  This is proud mum this morning. There are still four kittens, two are hiding under her paw.

It was a fantastic experience and wouldn't have missed it for the world.  Thing is, they are such a time waster, lol.  I'm not sure how much will be getting done round here for the next few weeks.

Jelly Roll QAL-Blocks 8, 9 and 10

As the title suggests, I've been catching up.

Block 8, one of my least favourite.  I think I should have used the background fabric for the inner border to break it up.

Block 9 I like as it's quite simple-to look at and to do

And block 10.

Now I'm all up to date, so back to catching up with Amy's BOM.

When Fabric makes you buy it

I went to the fabric shop to get the lining for the knitting bag and on the way out, I came across some red, embroidered linen.  I loved it, and I don't get like that very often with fabric.  I buy what I need to make a project and don't go very much for impulse buying,  Being linen, it was a bit more expensive than I usually go for, so I carried on out of the door.

All the way home, I kept thinking about it, and by the time I got home, I knew what I could make, and maybe a couple of other things too.  The next week I went back, and they even had a matching plain linen too.  I was very restrained and came home with just a metre of both. 

As the material was more expensive, I was a bit worried about making mistakes, this wasn't fabric to waste.  So it's taken a bit of time, but I did it, and there were no mistakes.

In real life, it doesn't shine like this.  It must be the shock of all the sun we have been having, and please excuse the neighbours washing!  I did try to take a picture on the other side of the tree, but the glare was even worse.

I've put a little pocket on the inside,

and for the first time, I have used a magnetic fastener.  I thought these would be easier than buttons!

I have a couple of bag patterns waiting to be made up, so I might just go and get some more and try them.

Finally, the sewing machine has been out

Over the last week, I hadn't been well and the brain wasn't in gear for working out anything complicated.  I have spent the time doing some needlepoint, which didn't need so much thinking. 

Yesterday morning, I finally felt as if the brain could think, and that possibly, the hands would follow in the right order.  I needed to be able to  think, as I was adding pockets to a bag, which I hadn't done before, and this is the result.

The first stage was to print this clip art picture onto fabric.  I stitched it, right sides together with some white fabric, leaving the top edge free.  Having turned it the right way out, I added the binding to the top, using the same fabric as the lining.  I then stitched it to the front piece of the bag.  First pocket done, and in the right place.

As the fabric for the outside of the bag was fairly thin, I have lined it with white fabric.  This means the outer section is double thickness and should prevent those needles from poking through. I boxed the corners and was ready to make the lining.

I always feel knitting bags could do with a divider, it helps to keep the patten and other bits separate and easy to find.  I used a double layer of the outer fabric and sewed it into the seams of the lining.  I only made one mistake when I boxed the corners.  I forgot to check the dividing pocket was the on the same side!  Easily rectified, and the lining was done.

The handles were done using both fabrics.  The blue fabric was cut slightly narrower to the print fabric, so formed a neat inner lining for the handle.  I was quite pleased with how it turned out, all in all, a successful date with the machine.

Next time, if there is a next time, I will make it slightly bigger, but this is perfect for projects on the go.

When you know they won't behave

When we acquired the dog a couple of months ago, we tried to keep the rules pretty much as he was used to.  He wasn't allowed upstairs, which was great for us. It gave the cats sanctuary, and he wasn't allowed on the furniture.  Fine by me, but not appreciated by the boys.

However, like the boys, the dog does what he's supposed when you are looking(most of the time), but when your back is turned, he will do just what he likes.

Knowing this, and having seen him sneaking onto the settee almost before the door is closed at bedtime, I thought I would make a cover to go on the seat at.  At least it would stop everyone getting hairy bottoms when they sat down.

Here is the dog's quilt, and just because he doesn't always sit on the same settee, I will have to do another one for the other settee.  I ran out of thread by the time I had finished this one so it will have to wait for another day. However, I do know it meets with the dog's approval.  He's sat on it for the last two nights.  I wonder if the cuddle I got this morning was to say thank you!

Creative Tuesdays-Snack

When the new theme for Creative Tuesday was revealed, I didn't think I would be able to participate.  Snack seemed such a difficult theme to translate to needlework and I couldn't think of anything.  However, having sleeping on it for a few days, I remembered all the food themed pincushions.

I decided on a cupcake, perfect for having with a cup of tea.  I followed a fantastic tutorial which had every step clearly described.

It was one of the first things DS2 spotted when he came home, and he was quite impressed.  It wasn't until he picked it up he realised it was a pincushion and then came the question, "Did you make this?"!