Packing

Okay, now I am going to disappear good and proper. It is summertime, family time, relax time, leaving the wifi zone time. As of 3:05pm this afternoon all members of this family are on holiday.

Tucked into the packing is this wee quilt I made a long time ago, which has been waiting for just the right baby to give it to.

Sherbert Pips was the first fabric line I ever obsessed about. This was way back about the time I started blogging, over three years ago. I made baby quilts because I could. I knew the right purpose for them would come along eventually.

Well, there is a wee baby in Sweden who has joined our family (the Scandinavian in-law side of the family) and she has had a tough old start to it. She has already had three major surgeries linked to a hole in the heart. Not sure whether there are more surgeries to come but I want her and her parents to know she is loved and welcomed into the world.

Scooter girl, and girl on a swing, and puppies - it's got to be a good way of saying this without too many words.

As wifi will be intermittent at the best while we are away, I'll be back in August. See you on the other side. You may catch glimpses of me on IG but they will probably be fleeting at the best.

Susan

Remember Me?

Oh it's been a busy few days. Sorry for disappearing like that. Whilst gone I've done a whole lot of sewing that I can't show you, and a little bit of sewing I can. Bee blocks for Katy.

I am forever grateful that she asked for the easiest blocks imaginable. Though I know Katy so I know she is going to do something that will take these blocks and make them extra special.

I also had a little update of my look, long overdue.

Forgive the bright shiny face and admire the smooth, colourful hair please. It only ever looks this good the day I get it cut. Wish it wasn't so, but it is what it is.

Susan

Cutting, Piecing, and Repeating The Process

A small result of all this work is almost 300 HST cut offs from this project.

My cup runneth over.

Susan

My Weekend

It's been a busy weekend.

There was horse riding and walks through fields of ripening wheat and along canals (for us non-horse riders) on Friday evening. Saturday I got to hang out with the inimitable Terri.

No, the red shirt thing was pure coincidence.
Helen (though) not in the photo had a red shirt on too.

 This was followed by cake making. A Cinnamon Roll Cake. Too good for words.

The recipe can be found here. 

The evening was taken up barbecuing and with silly antics.

Just practising her water entry for scuba diving.

Then today, all day, was spent with the nicest bunch of kids while they ventured out into the fields of battle and shot their opponents.

It was Emily's early birthday celebration.
She took a number of shots to her head.
The other team wasn't so good at fair play,
but my lot had a great time anyway.

Now I am knackered and about to go pick up an Indian takeaway. Hope your weekend was equally as good.

Susan

I Would Piece 500 Bits...

... of fabric; And I would piece 500 more.

If you are not a fan of The Proclaimers then this blog post title means nothing to you.

Sorry, I've been a bit AWOL but I've not been sitting twiddling my thumbs. Honest. More stuff to be revealed in the future going on here, but after weeks of quilters block and having no idea what to do my brain kicked in yesterday morning early and I came up with a design I actually liked. It's been all go here since then. Lots and lots of chain piecing happening. It's all good fun. Well, it is if you like this sewing lark.

Susan

Coordinating Items

Since I made the curtains for Helen's bedroom I thought I would use some of the other Nordika I had to make a couple more items for her. First up, some pillowcases.

I showed these on Istagram and some people inquired about what pattern I used. I didn't. I got one of our existing pillowcases, took general measurements and then made it up as I went along. I think I cut a width of fabric strip at 20" wide. Then I sewed the contrasting fabrics on the ends - 7.5" and 14" respectively. I sewed all seams wrong sides together at 1/8" and then turned them right sides together and did a 1/4" seam so there are no exposed raw edges. I folded the longer contrasting edge in half before sewing it all together to get the bit at the opening that holds the pillow into the case. It was really quick and easy all round and I would definitely do it again.

Next up, I made a cushion incorporating some of Kona pomegranate so that her bed would reflect the colours in the curtains.

Sixteen charms pieced, a piece of the panel fabric on the back, simple diamond quilting and then I unceremoniously sewed a zip in the bottom. Didn't try to hide it or anything. Just whacked in there without too much finesse. One cushion finished and one daughter happy. Job done!

Susan

It's Curtains For Me

I made some curtains for Helen's bedroom.

Nordika and Kona pomegranate. I think I need to go have a lie down now. Suffice to say I will be making as few pairs of lined curtains as possible in my lifetime.

Susan

A Project Of A Different Sort

A long time ago, when I first started blogging, I used to crochet as well as sew.

But somewhere along the line sewing took over and crochet projects disappeared. I've thought about starting new projects periodically but each time I contemplate it the cost of yarn sets me back and I end up buying fabric again.

This summer I decided my project to take on our holidays would be a crochet one. I jumped at the recent summer sale The Village Haberdashery had on all their stock and after much deliberating chose these balls of yarn.

They are 100% super soft merino wool. I bought three each of the brights - lime (more lime than the sunshine is allowing it to look in the photos), peacock and fuchsia. And fifteen balls of the midnight (navy). I am hoping that these will be enough for me to make a throw. I used to never buy enough yarn due to budget. I am sure there is a way of knowing how much you would require for a project but as I have yet to decide on a pattern or size for this imaginary throw this is just me chancing it on a wing and a prayer. Let's hope it is big enough to cover my knees!

Susan

A Grand Day Out

I was back up to Stratford-upon-Avon yesterday. I had a purpose to my visit but got there early so, as it was a pleasant day, I went for a walk along the river.

Considering you are right in the middle of town it is an incredibly peaceful place to stroll along. The river punts for hire all have names of Shakespearean characters. I like that. The canal boats were done up with flags and bunting for a festival this weekend. Rowers were busy rowing. It was a wonderful way to start my day.

But, as said, I was in town for a reason. And that was to go to Sew Me Something where Pat Bravo was having a little talk and demo. She showed us how she sews together hexies by machine, which would have saved me a heck of a lot of time a few months ago! Mostly we got to browse through swatches of Art Gallery fabrics and Pat talked about the upcoming lines and showed us some of her quilts.

It was a fine way to spend a couple of hours. She is the nicest of people and really easy to chat to. Her fabrics are lush, always have been and always will be I am sure. They have a wonderful silky feel that I love.

Above is a photo of my most favourite fabric of the day. I want a dress made from it. A quilt made with it. And anything else anyone can think of. So, so beautiful. A huge thank you to Pat Bravo for taking the time to visit Sew Me Something and being so friendly.

Meanwhile, I decided to do my first ever giveaway on Instagram as I had reached 1000 followers on there. I couldn't decide what to giveaway so thought I would leave it up to my followers. They could regram a photo of one of my makes that they liked and would like me to use as inspiration to make a cushion, hoop, pouch, or the like, for them.

The reaction was overwhelming, and totally unexpected. In 24 hours my following increased by over 250! Never expected that! Lots of people are putting their name in the hat and it is very interesting to see which items are popular with other people. There is peak at just some of the choices below. And isn't that photo of Em a fab one to use for the giveaway post.

If you are on Instagram, please do join in and chuck your name in for the draw too. If you have been thinking of joining Instagram then maybe this will swing you one way or the other in your decision whether you should join. If you haven't the phone or access to Instagram, I am really sorry, but all my giveaways have been on here up until now. I will look at doing a similar giveaway here after the summer is all over.

Susan

The List Was Long

I wrote a stupidly long list for Q2 of the FAL. On the bright side, it did push me to finish more than I have ever finished before in a quarter. On the downside, I still accomplished less than 50%. But we shall not dwell on that. Instead we shall just review what was and was not done.

1. Hexie quilt. DONE!

2. DS epp. Not done, but in my defence this has been on just about every list since I started doing the FAL and it is tradition not to finish it.

3. Retreat epp. DONE!

4. Walk In The Woods baby quilt. Honestly, I'm not even sure where this is right now so absolutely not a finish.

5. Churn Dash quilt. DONE!

6. Brit Bee blocks turned into a quilt. Head hanging in shame but time has been in short supply.

7. Hand quilting Stitch Tease quilt. Nope.

8. Helen's birthday surprise quilt to me last year. Nope - but she has yet to finish appliquéing my name so I blame her. Just saying!

9. Christmas quilt. Nope, and I even draped it over the end of my ironing board for most the the quarter to encourage me to finish it.

10. Blue and Orange bee blocks turned into a quilt. Nope.

11. DS quilt. DONE!

12. Flying Geese quilt. Nope. Not a moment to even think about it.

13. Sunrise/Sunset. DONE!

14. Quilt as you go project. DONE!

15. Oakshotts quilt. No, though in my defence I actually did do some work on it. Better than nothing?

Okay, I've added them up and that is six completed out of fifteen. Three of them quilts. I can be happy with that. Here's a little look at what I made that wasn't on the list.

Clockwise from top left:
Table runner, curved placemats, sarcasm hoop
and a picnic set made for issue 10 of Love Patchwork & Quiting.

DS cushion, Brit cushion for Helen to give to her German exchange partner,
secret cushion to be revealed soon,
and Oakshott cushions for Love Patchwork & Quilting.

Some but not all of the bee blocks I've worked on.
Lavender bags and a wee pin cushion.

Some of the Small makes from the past week,
and the machine cover made for Love Patchwork & Quilting.

Yes, it has been a busy three months. I work best with deadlines apparently. I will have to set some new ones for me.

I am linking this up with Katy for the FAL linky party. Once again our leader is doing a stellar job.


Susan

Giveaway Winner

Thank you to all who entered my giveaway for the sewing machine cover and accessories featured in issue 9 of Love Patchwork & Quilting. Mr RNG and I have put 176 entries in the hat and the winner is...

Number 22 is Rachel. I am sending you an email Rachel to get your address. The machine cover and accessories will be on their way to you by the end of the week.

Susan

Small Makes - Day Seven

One week, my own personal challenge. Seven makes in seven days. Today we have the fabric basket, from a Pink Penguin tutorial.

Little fussy cut Heather Ross fabrics combined with linen. Some stem stitching in lime green and colonial knots in pink.

We all know Heather Ross is my happy place. It goes wonderfully well with linen, and - for me - hand stitching is just the icing on the cake. The pink daisies for the lining just seemed the right choice to compliment it all.

But I said seven makes in seven days and I missed out making anything on Saturday. So I quickly made something else.

Bubbles and Bjorn have been cruelly separated at birth. They are the Romeo and Juliet of the fishy world. And now I am sticking pins in them. It is a sad, sad story.

But it does mean I completed my goal. Seven small makes. Two re-homed already and destinations for the rest of them. I'd call that a good week.

Susan