Small but perfectly formed

Linking up with Crazy Mom's Friday finishes:

Been busy at my sewing machine, but not for quilting - take a look at a few of these babies!

this one's my very favourite :D

 And also some crochet flowers:

I have a craft show coming up and decided I needed something small and cute, inexpensive to make and buy. I realise not everyone has the wherewithall to afford a quilt at the moment, no matter how small, but a pretty card is an affordable treat. I like them a lot - what do you think?

Extra strings to my bow

Working away - again - at my sewing machine, only slightly hampered by the remnants of my virulent cold attack Yay! Am trying something new this time for my craft stall, making cards with fabric.
I'm cutting out background shapes and sewing mostly hearts on top. So far they look very cute :D and am
hugely chuffed with how they're turning out. Proper photos tomorrow after I find the camera. And the camera battery...

This is my baby - Brother XL 5700. Pretty basic but a hard worker :)

Have fussy cut some wee motifs too - owls, children, with so far excellent effect. I've been raiding my scrap bins (which are full to overflowing) for these wee titbits, although not making much of a dent yet. I think the next step is going to the stash and choosing some lovely wee bits to fussy cut.
Looking forward to that tomorrow. As well as paying for the Blighter's next round of swimming lessons, gettting acupuncture, picking her up from school early and tidying the house after a family visit and before the first Book Group meeting at our house tomorrow night. Phew!

Here's to feeling better!

Stuttering to a halt...

Ha. So much for my lofty ambitions. Ill again, Flu-type cold again. Am so utterly fed up of this state of affairs that I have booked a session of acupuncture to see if it will help my desperately failing immune system. Hubby has had a course and swears by it, and I can see the improvements every time he goes.

Hopefully this will be me on Thursday!

So, my turn now. Another way for a quilter to be involved with pins :) Will be attending a preliminary consultation on Thurs morning and hopefully it will be gravy from there!

Wish me luck....

Making like a bee...

Busy, busy!

More later :D


PS 100th Post! Woohoo! Should have a giveaway.....

Blankets seem appropriate...

...given that the country has been blanketed with snow for much of the last day or two. Our blanket in Ayrshire has come, gone, come again and is currently hardening under a beautiful clear night sky. At least the stars look breathtaking, so you don't really notice that you're freezing your tits off :)

Anyway. I've made a few blankets over the years, itseems to be something I keep on as low-key background knitting, and I don't mind that they take a while. I can just pick them up, do a few rows, blocks, whatever, and put them down again until it suits me better another time. Some have taken months, and some over a year to do, but I love mindless knitting every so often.

So have some pictures :) There are still a few I've not got photos of so will get round to that soon. I love the crochet one, but they all have a (warm) place in my heart!

This beauty was done on size 3.25mm needles - yes you read right - with Rowan Felted Tweed. I started with the green square block in the centre and carried on out from there. Took well over a year, and just over 23 balls of yarn. Finished size 54" x 72" roughly.

Detail of the ridges - remember every ridge of garter stitch is TWO rows knitted. I must be mad...
Edging was 2 rows of the dark turquoise all the way round:

The crochet one:

This one's about 40" x 65", adore the colours in this.

And my current blanket-in-progress:

Obviously I have had a log cabin love frenzy, but they are very satisfying. This one is Noro Kureyon, shade 161 which reminds me of a Scottish moorland. Love the mix of hues, the brights and the muted, the unexpected interplay of seemingly unrelated shades; unrelated until you look out onto a moor and go 'Oh yeah! I see it now!' This one will finish up at around 4 feet x 6 feet I think.

More soon :D

Blue Funk

I feel a bit sluggish of late. This is most likely a mixture of things - flu-type virus reappearance, looking after my hubby who is suffering another attack on his immune system, and my daughter who is being 5 and a half as well as she knows how. Thoughts of passed family members are weighing heavily too, especially poignant with Mother's Day tomorrow - well, today now. So have been a bit melancholy and low-spirited.

Surprisingly, there has been productivity despite this malaise. I finished knitting a pair of men's socks for a friend; made a cafetiere warmer for another friend (well, for her cafetiere technically) and finished the last square of a blanket I have been knitting for ever. It only needs sewing together and knitting a border round the edges. I am currently wrapped in a blanket I finished last year - a monster effort which took over a year to make, and no wonder: I used 3.25mm needles (that's old size 10, for the UK folk) to knit a single bed-sized blanket out of Rowan Felted Tweed. It was a labour of love, log-cabin stylee, and I really truly enjoyed it. I still havent taken a picture of this beauty, but now that I think of it, it deserves to be shown off for it's example of my fragile mental state testament to perseverance.

I'll get on it. And pics of all the other finishes.

It is nice to know that even in the midst of the lassitude there is comfort to be had in creation.

And I'm going for a cycle tomorrow.

Experimenting

Time for some quality experimenting, now that I have my latest commissions done and dusted.

Have been browsing some fantastic home design and storage tutorials online, such as Lunch bags, Buckets and Cushion Zip installation with a view to my next project. What really interested me was this: Round bottom storage buckets!

Picture from Film in the Fridge, an excellent blog if you havent found it already :)

Genius.

So inspired by this clever idea, have been experimenting with my own fabric stash. I had no interfacing at the time, nor much in the way of decor-weight or heavier weight fabric, so tried it with quilt batting instead.

First attempt - oookaaaaaay. Lot to be improved upon, but still functional.
Second attempt - better. More in proportion, working out a few niggles.
Third attempt - much happier with the results!

Check this out, in order of making from left to right (Tall one = first one, green one = attempt number three):

I didnt use anyone's pattern, just a rough idea in my head. This is how they were done, roughly:

• Cut out a circle for the base from one layer batting and one layer fabric, quilted together. 

• Quilt more batting and fabric together, and cut a length of this to use as the sides, (used my rusty maths skills) and measuring the circumference of the circle by using Pi x D. Sewed the sides together, sticking in one of my labels about half way up.   

NB Make sure you sew the base to the right end of the side fabric or you will have your label upside down. This is the voice of experience...

• Sew the base to the sides (right side together) using LOTS of pins and a slow speed with approx half inch seam.

• Turnedight side out and put aside for a minute.

• Cut second base and second sides from lining fabric, making them half inch smaller diameter and according side length. Sewed side, sewed base to side as above.

• Put lining into outer with all right sides showing. Pin sides together at mouth of bucket.

• Cut length of lining fabric for rim overlap - I wanted to have a good 2 inch overlap so used a 6 inch deep piece. Same length as side for lining. Sew short ends together. Fold in half lengthways, iron fold if desired.

• Pin raw edges to pinned raw edges of bucket, with fold on the inside of the bucket.

• Sew all three pieces together at top (inner, outer, rim). Fold rim overlap over the outside edge of the bucket, as in picture. 

My favourite one so far:

I was using some scrap fabric to experiment with so colour choices will be better in next batch. I also bought some interfacing so will try that variation out too. The quilted version is nice in an organic way but bulkier round the seams, so I imagine the interfaced ones will be firmer and finer.

     The overlap is not perfect either but I like the effect. The beauty of this version is that the seam at the top allows a sewn-in hanging loop while still having the overlap; the fantastic ones from Film in the Fridge dont have that option without a separate add on loop.

      The mathematics has not been perfect either - there was a fair amount of fudging it going on, and a few creases. Still, it mostly worked out, and sewing can be very forgiving :)

The lining looks the best in this one too, much less crumpled and it reaches all the way to the bottom nicely!
 
Et Voila! Sorry if my instructions don't make sense,  I have not taken any pictures of the process yet. And I still want to make some with the hanging loop so I can have a wee row hanging over my sewing table with all my bits and bobs in them. I'll just have to keep chugging away till I perfect them! Or till I get bored and try something else.... :D

Ta-Dah 2! A second finish!

Linking my TWO finishes to Crazy Mom Quilts :D

It's almost too much, but I have ANOTHER finish - some socks I made for a pal:

Regia /Kaffe Fassett yarn, though I cant remember which colour selection. Love the yarn though!

Have another pair on the go for her hubby too :) Stay tuned....

Ta-dah! A finish!

Guess what I managed to finish? My two commission quilts, Oh yeah!

Have some loverly photos :)

This is the two of them together, not identical but fraternal twins. I used the same fabrics for both but went with whatever star fabric content I felt like at the time.

 

Another shot of the pair of them against my lovely beech hedge :)

I am quite chuffed with how they turned out, after being a bit ho-hum about them to begin with. I still have to finish some pillow covers but am not going to be long with that (despite all the ills that have been hitting me this last 2 weeks. Am beginning to think we are a secret germ-testing laboratory).

Really enjoyed this finish! Really looking forward to making something new! I sense some buckets in bright spring colours in the near future...

Awesome Films #624

Saw the Hunger Games tonight, for the first time. Excellent book and an excellent film version. 

Jennifer Lawrence is amazing, very true to the character, and absolutely stunning. Loved the ending too - excellent by itself, but an enticing nod towards another film. Love how creepy Donald Sutherland can be ;)

Almost makes me want to read the book again,  but I think I need something else; so what?

I usually read fiction, preferring crime, thrillers or something toothy without being too simplistic. 

- Don't like James Patterson (boring writing) most chicklit and tend to avoid anything too heavily recommended (don't like to follow the crowd).

- Do like classics, a bit of philosophy, drama and long words with a great plot or interesting characters. Last good reads - Lee Child, Terry Pratchett and Aline Templeton. 

Can anyone suggest anything new?

:D xx

Sneaky peek Middle of the night Wed/Thu

Do you think it'll catch on? hehehe *

Check this out:

* Not if the badly lit/ badly edited/ 'can't be '#@#@ bothered going up stairs again for the camera to download some decent pictures' attitude of the photographer is anything to go by :D

Quilt #1: quilted, binding machined on, still to sew down by hand.
Quilt #2: quilted, binding cut, ready to machine on.
Silly bits of fabric to put on pillows: cut and pieced, and ready to hem.

Oh yes!

too late for sensible navel-gazing

Do you know the trouble with reading on the interweb about all these fantastic creations? I am starting to feel like a total underachiever.

• I am not a mother of 5 who home schools, bakes cakes and cookies for the local church, and can bash out 12 charity quilts on a wet Tuesday afternoon while watching the entire series of Downton Abbey. 

• I don't run marathons or scuba dive; live in a fantastically dramatic climate involving snow shovels or tidal waves;  I don't have a farm with 1500 head of cattle, 4 llamas and a goat.

So what am I like?

Turns out I take aaages to do anything and even longer to decide what that anything is; I have the attention span of an ADHD goldfish, and hate to be told what to do, even by my own sorry self. 

I have one child, who is pretty darn good, and a lovely hubby who, despite some ill health over the last couple of years, is more than capable of washing up, filling the machine with dirty clothes and switching it on, and entertaining said child for a few hours while I snore my way through Saturday morning.

I don't have a job, other than looking after said family and house, and am not really actively looking for work just yet.

Hmmm.

Any redeeming features at all? 

1. I make a mean tray of shortbread; 
2. read like a demon; 
3. I can remember the words of about a gazillion songs; 
4. feed the birds in my garden regularly with lots of avian loveliness (even dried mealworms, yuk); 
5. keep my family warm with knitting and sewing, from head to toe....

 Does that sound like a good enough start?

Finish-it-up-and-then-bugger-it Friday

I think the title says it all really...

Was doing excellently well this week :D 

Quilt #1 top finished :) Second looks almost identical

Have finished the two quilt tops (Yay!) and basted them both (Yay!) and settled down to quilt one tonight.

Same one being pinned. I am a bit stingy with pins, as had to ration them between the 2 quilts :D

It started brilliantly, my sample quilting was spot on and I charged ahead with the main event. An easy meandering stitch, with Jeeves and Wooster (read by Simon Callow, I heartily recommend) on the stereo, a perfect light accompaniment to an easy task.

It was going well, I http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.co.uk/had the top done in a few hours, including time spent re-filling my glass of juice and having a break to stretch. I snipped the last thread, and turned off the machine, and laid the quilt on the floor to admire my handiwork.

Then I turned it over.

Bugger.

Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow?

Ever Late To The Party

Blogland is so busy! I've been reading for a few years now, and am so impressed with how busy and creative everyone is. I have followed and loved the Swoon craze,

Swoon from Jennifer at Twin Fibers

the Granny craze,

photo from SewCraftyJess

 the Scrappy Trip-a-long quilts....

Chopped Rhubarb from Crazy Mom Quilts

you guys are awesome!

I have a Swoon pattern waiting in the shadows, with fabric set aside all ready to go; I have read the tutorials for the Scrappy Trip along with delight (how clever!) and seen the plethora (good Scrabble word) of handmade bags and scarves which are in every corner of the web.

How much of it have I done?

Nada. Zip. Zilch.

Nothing,

To be fair, I have been busy on my own stuff, but have not managed to jump on any of the virtual quilt trips with you all. Not even the step-by-step Bee In My Bonnet row-a-long has been attempted, much as I love it. Those coffee cups, so cute!

photo from Bee In My Bonnet 

 

 

So.
I'm nearly finished my twin commission quilts, and will be done with them in a few days. And after that......?

I did harbour thoughts of  this wee beauty for my daughter,

but have none of the laminated fabric required. And if my hubby sees me buying ANY more fabric he will probably (and quite rightly) do his nut.

So then,
Any ideas for the next project?

Anyone?

x

Blog Inspiration

Have discovered a new blog that looks ace. Gorgeous quilts, and prolific! Luckily this busy person shares all this quilty goodness with the web, thank you very much! Always good to be inspired :D

http://bendingpins.com/

Looking forward to future posts X

Unlike David Bowie's new song, this one is growing on me

Am working on my latest commission, twin quilts. Two almost identical, but with some artistic licence :)

Suggested block layout, in bad light

Not a palette I would choose for myself, and to start with I found it hard to like the colours, though I really enjoy making star blocks - simple but effective. Slowly, though, the colours are becoming more appealing and soothing. It is good to work out of my usual comfort zone, and the results are worth it. 

I won't sew anything together till I have the two quilts laid out side by side where I can check for block position, but in the meantime I have quite a star production line going on. I find it easier to make half a dozen or so together, then I can batch iron and chain piece. Happy hours!

Game of Thrones Quilt in ALL its glory!

Have some (hundreds) of pics of this beauty:

Game Of Thrones Quilt - finished! WOOHOO!

 This is the finished article, please excuse the light - it is Scotland in January after all. Even at 2 in the afternoon daylight is limited, esp when the day is overshadowed by snow clouds. (Hardly any snow though, a few flakes fell, as if to say 'See this? This is a wee sample of what I'm doing to the South MWAHAHAHA!')

Game of Thrones reverse side - showing quilting

You probably can't see this very well, but the blocks were quilted and the sashings left alone. I don't usually do this but I liked the idea of separating them out this way.

Game of Thrones backing close-up

Game of Thrones backing close-up

Behind the scenes of the photoshoot

I made my Hubby (red jacket) and daughter help me take the photos - Katie was standing on the wall and they were both struggling (Hubby has Post-Viral Chronic Fatigue, but tried manfully, bless, to keep his arms up) when Brian our neighbour rushed over to help - lovely man!

Martell - Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken

Arryn - As High as Honour

Greyjoy - We Do Not Sow

Lannister - Hear Me Roar!

Baratheon - Ours Is The Fury

Tyrell - Growing Strong

Tully - Family, Duty. Honour

Targaryen - Fire And Blood

I quilted in the House Mottoes first, then filled in the rest of the block. I tried to keep the quilting sympathetic, although you can't see it as well as I'd like in the pics. The Lannister one has quilted pebbles to represent gold coins; the Greyjoy has waves to represent the sea; Tyrell has flowers; most of the rest are stippled cos you can't go wrong with a good stipple!

A close-up of some of the quilting - I had great fun doing this one :)

You can just make out my wee label in the binding, Handmade By Fankle

I am really chuffed with how it finished. I used a 2" binding rather than my usual 2.5" because the wadding is quite thin. The fabrics were all washed before use (Ha! Not making that mistake again!) and even so, a couple of Colour Catchers were still dark when I took the quilt out of the machine.

The corners mitred beautifully, and I think the sashing really works with the blocks; dots were just right I think - I couldn't find a plain fabric of the right colour that would tie in without being too strong and a patterned one wouldn't have fitted with the rest of the design. I used an applique stitch to edge the designs which were stuck down with craft spray. I thought about needle-turn but the corners were far too intricate for me, but hopefully the stitches won't let it Frey (ha). 

All done. *Happy Sigh.*

Now only 2 more to finish for my other lovely customers.......


But first I think I'll have a wee snack and a read of my book (John Connolly)


Thanks for looking!
         xxxxxx