Bag Set Complete

There was still some of the red linen left over from the bag making, so I made a couple of accessories to go with the one I kept for myself.

First, I made a holder for my tissues.   I can never find them when I want them, even when I know they are in there somewhere.

To go with it, I made a little holder for my train tickets and passes, and the appointment cards that I keep in my bag.  Now that it's well organised, the bag is now ready to go out on it's travels.

Hanging towels and a picture framed

I saw a tutorial for hanging towels and thought they would be make perfect gifts.

I ended up adapting the process as I went along.  Making the triangle of fabric at the top, with the ribbon loop was simple enough.   I found the hem on the towel made it too bulky to gather properly so  I trimmed the towel down, and found the process much easier.

However, the towel  was  too long to hang from my hook which I was using as a guide, so the next one I trimmed down even more.  By the time I got to the third one, I'd found the ideal length.  These are ideal for hanging from cupboard door handles and knobs, or from hooks, a great way to keep track of the towel in the kitchen.

Once that was done, it was on to completing a surprise for DS2.

Some time ago, he did this picture on parchment.  He had to do  some embossing  and colouring.  He should have coloured the parchment a pale blue first, but we didn't have the correct stuff to do it at the time.  My solution was to place a pale blue sheet of card behind.

I then cut an aperture in some dark blue card and framed it  for him.  I think he has forgotten all about this picture, so hopefully, it will be a lovely surprise for him when he comes home.

Stitching Goodies Exchange

Clare of http://aimetu-clare.blogspot.com/ arranged an exchange of stitching goodies.  The idea was to go to an online shop, and send £5 of goodies to our partner.

Yesterday I received this little package in the post from Sew and So.  I use this company a lot and was thinking I'd had everything I'd ordered from them earlier in the week, so it was a lovely surprise to find it was from Clare.

Thank you, Clare.  I shall enjoy putting these to good use.

Raggedy & Friends QAL-Block Two

Block two is done and stitched and with plenty of time to spare before the next one is released.  I've now stocked up on the red thread, so there shouldn't be any more delays in the stitching.

I like the way these blocks are quite simple to put together.  Once all the pieces are cut, they come together quite quickly.  I'm looking forward to next month.

Pretty Fabric Baskets

This time, I had a production line going making these baskets and made three altogether.

It was time to make some pretty baskets.  I used a cotton twill fabric for the bases and underside of the handles.

I think these are  last of the baskets I'll be making for a little while, although I'll keep these in mind for the future.  They are perfect for gifts.

Another Fabric Basket

When I received the pack of fabric that included some of these, DS1 claimed a couple.  I did tell him he would be getting them, but not quite in the form he was expecting.

As I followed the tutorial for this one, it came out slightly smaller than the one for DS2.  I am sure he will say it's because he is less smelly! 

As he liked the dog fabric so much, I have used it for the lining.  I have again used the black canvas for the base and handles.

There is no excuse now for not putting their toiletries away, but I am sure they will find one.

Raggedy & Friends QAL-Block One

I quite enjoyed stitching these blocks.  Being all one colour and mostly back stitch, makes for a relaxing way to spend a couple of evenings.

Even better, with the blocks already pieced, you don't have to worry about putting them together.  I think I prefer this way of doing it.

Now, I'd better get sorted out and get the second block together.  A month soon goes by.

Floss Tag Exchange

This time on Exchange Heaven, the exchange was floss tags.  I received mine in the yesterday from Lorna.

I love it. but this side with the white stitching and beads is my favourite.

It came with some floss bags, some of which have floss in them.  I have the perfect project on the go for this and am looking forward to using it. 

Co-ordinated pooch

The dog took over the cat basket as his own when he arrived, so the liner has got pretty hairy and needed a wash.  As it was being used so often, having another liner seemed a good idea.  There was still loads of fabric left over from making his quilts, so he gets a matching liner for the basket.

As it was for the dog, and he doesn't notice these things, I machine stitched the turning opening closed. 

Do you think he appreciates having matching bedding?  Being the typical male, I don't think he cares as long as he has somewhere warm to sleep!

Fabric Basket

I finally had another go at making a fabric basket.  I followed the tutorial but adapted it a bit as I was using this checker fabric.  It was a fat quarter I had which I thought would be appropriate for a boy.  For the base and the handles, I used some black canvas.  This one is for DS2.

I am going to fill it with toiletries and then hopefully, it will stop them fighting over whose is whose in the bathroom.

The next one I make will be using the patchwork method in the tutorial.  I think there will be a few more of these to come.

Postage Stamp Quilt Update

I've spent another three or four mornings working on the postage stamp blocks, and have four more completed blocks to show for it.  This is going to take some time.

 I have nine blocks in total now, and yes, cats get everywhere in this house.  Anyone would think this bed belongs to them!

At least I have some idea of how many more blocks I need to make.  The boys are away from Thursday, so maybe I will spend a little more time on this to get it done.

Jelly Roll QAL-central panel

Sorting through my pile of fabric, I found I had enough cotton to do the sashing and central border on the jelly roll quilt.  After a little time trimming block and cutting sashes, I was ready to join it altogether.

Here it is on my bed, the only place big enough to spread it out.

Rumple seems to approve anyway. 

Now I need to do some shopping, I need the fabric for the border and the backing.  I'm hoping I can get it to do during the week.

Friday Night Sew In

Friday Night Sew In this week included a finish and a start.

I only had one heart left to do on this design, so I finished stitching this Heart of Hearts first.  The sixth heart is ready and waiting to be started.

As the 20th of the month saw the release of the next block for the Raggedy Friends QAL, I thought it was high time to get the stitching done on the first block.  I've traced both pieces and made a good start on the stitching.

This weeks tasks will include piecing the next block and completing all the stitching so I am up to date before the next one is released.

Hope everyone else enjoyed last night, I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else has accomplished.

Mosaic Heart

Another heart is complete.  That's four in total now.

If anyone would like the chart, I am happy to pass it on.  It also includes the chart of the letter heart.

If anyone one is interested, please let me know, either by email or a comment on this post.  If more than one person requests it, I'll put every one's name into a hat, and pick one out.  They are stitched using DMC stranded linen, but it would be simple enough to substitute the threads.

All Up to Date

At least, I am until the next delivery comes. 

The first one has rows of different coloured bobbles.  I must say, crocheted bobbles are easier than knitted ones.

Another granny square,

and this was my favourite.  It was quick and easy to do.

Tomorrow is Friday Night Sew In.  Can't wait.  I think I will be working on more of the cross stitch hearts, but will decide tomorrow.

Three more crochet squares

I'm catching up  quickly with these blocks, though I have a suspicion the next batch will arrive as soon as I get to the end.

Another plain block with embroidery

Two colour block

And a variation of a granny square.

One thing about doing so many in one go, you remember the stitches without having to keep looking them up.

First Signature Blocks Made

I put together four signature blocks today.  These are my first and it took some time to think about what represented the city in which I live.

Sheffield is world renowned for it's cutlery, so I had thought of using that on the centre, but silver and steel have been used.  Then it came to me, a crucible was the perfect image.  Whatever was used to make the cutlery, a crucible would be used to melt the metal.

DS2 told me I should put "Steel City" on the block, the name that is given to Sheffield, although in recent times, the steel industry has been hit hard.

The Crucible has another significance for Sheffield.  It is the name of one of the theatres in the centre of the city.  This theatre is the home of World Championship Snooker.  The first visit DS1 had to Sheffield was to come and watch a snooker match.

These shall be off in the post as soon as possible

Still more crochet squares

Another three squares are done

Apparently, this is supposed to be a man.  I've done exactly as the pattern says, but it's more like a female to me, lol. It is quite fun doing embroidery on crochet.

This square reminds me of Neapolitan ice cream.

And another plain square with cross stitch.

A Ray of Sunshine

Way back last year, I was participating in TAST-Take a Stitch on Tuesday, on Stitchin' Fingers.  I put together some crazy cut panels, and used these to practise the stitches.  Last year, I put together a wall hanging in green, but since then, I have learned a lot more about quilting which came in useful for putting together this yellow one.

Thanks to all my quilting friends, I have now realised the importance of labels, so my very first label, and a correctly attached binding.

 I even made a split hanging sleeve sewn which was sewn in with the binding.

This may have taken a long time to come together, but the wait has been worthwhile.  I have learned so much in that time, and I'm very grateful that there are so many people out there willing to share their experience.

Crocheted Squares

In between doing other things, I am trying to catch up on the crochet squares.  I had twelve waiting to be done.

Right from the start of this first one, I kept thinking something was wrong.  Two thirds of the way through, I realised what the problem was.  It was supposed to be done in double crochet, and I was doing treble!  This makes quite a difference, so out it all came.

Second time around, and it looked like it should.

Thankfully, the next one was a simple one, another granny square, so it was quick to do.

Only another ten to do,

Gardening Teddy

This little fellow what fun and easy to do.  It was just like drawing a shape and colouring in the pieces.  Eventually, he will become a cushion, but for the time being he will go in the waiting pile.

DS2 was looking at him while it was being stitched, and said,  "this is quite easy, if I put my mind to it, I could do one of these".  "Yes", I said laughing, "which is why I would like you to finish your cushion so I can make it up!" 

He started a large, easy cross stitch cushion three years ago. Again it was large blocks of colour and when he sat down and actually did it, it was growing quickly.  For some reason it has been lying neglected in the cupboard.  Hopefully, he might get it out again, or maybe someone is going to have to go and rescue it.

Amy's BOM-Friendship Star

This one was a real challenge for me, but it is together, of a sorts.

Hopefully, there might be a simple one next month, lol

Raggedy & Friends QAL

For better of for worse, I joined another QAL.  I thought that the more I did, the more practise I got, I would get better at cutting and piecing,and it would all get easier and more accurate.  Well, that's the plan anyway, time will tell if it works.

I decided on The Raggedy & Friends QAL that can be found at The Painted Quilt blogspot.  The first block is pieced.

The next stage is to do the tracing and stitching.  That will keep me busy for a couple of afternoons and evenings.

Jelly Roll QAL-Blocks 11 and 12

All the patterns have been released now for the Jelly Roll QAL, so it was time to catch up and get the last two done.

Number 11

and Number 12, then it was time to see what they all looked like together.

With a little help from my friend.  She was climbing over my feet so I thought she would be safer on the bed

And finally, I think this will be the  layout.  Now to go and find something suitable for the border and the backing.  For the binding I was thinking of cutting the remainder of the jelly roll into 4 1/2" strips and joining them.  It would be one way to use them up, but I'm not sure if there will be enough when it's all put together.  A project for another day I think.

Art Deco Bag

Some time ago, you may remember, I did this long stitch Macintosh panel.  As I am trying to think of ways to use completed stitching to make things, this became a pocket on a bag.

I picked a fat quarter bundle that were of the same colour family, with extra for the lining.  I bordered and backed the stitching with the pink and it was ready to be  the pocket.

As this is likely to be going to DS2's Spanish teacher, he helped to chose the colours  for the blocks.  He decided on three which I cut into 2 1/2" squares.  I stitched them together, seven blocks to the row, and seven rows.  Put it altogether and this is what we got