Finished Quilt

I have finished this quilt and sent it to its new owner.
It has a dual purpose it can be used as an "I spy" quilt as there are so many different sea themes going on. Pleased with the border as it did tone down the blocks of light blue. 

Flimsy

Another disappearing nine patch this time made with some sea fabric that I bought some time ago. It is for a very dear friend of mine. It will need a light blue border one of the colours is a bit bright.

CROCHET ELEPHANT

This is what I have been play with lately.

It is a pattern from ... edwards_menagerie ... Kerry Lord has a wonderful creative talent.

She is multi coloured as I am experimenting a lot with colour.

CQ. Buttonhole stitch

For this CQ. I have used Buttonhole stitch on all the seams and embellished some with french knots, lazy daisy, beads and Tatting.

Close up detail

Bag for my sister.

My sister liked my bag and as hers was on its last legs decided to make one for her birthday.

sewn in ring for keys and a small zipped pocket.

Snakes and Ladders lap quilt

A Christmas present for my Grandchildren

Rainbow design

The snakes had buttons for eyes and I was running out of time so the ladders became rope ladders. I have wanted to make this for quite a few years. One to tick of the list. 
They thought it was great we played a few games and then they used it to snuggle under to watch the TV.
It has a red fleece backing, so good for snuggling under.

Crazy Quilt registration

Great news everyone.
Kathy from Shawkl is starting another basic Crazy Quilt course. Check it out here  http://www.shawkl.com/2014/10/crazy-quilt-basic-course-registration.html
I promise you will not regret it Fabulous fun, informative creative and you will learn all sorts of new things from seam treatments, to beading, silk ribbon work and all done in a way that is so easy to understand.

Forgot to mention it is FREE.

Just one small piece

 

Crazy Quilt

For the last few weeks I have doing a course with Kathy from        http://www.shawkl.com/

 

This is the end result I love it and loved every step of the way.

I think that she will be doing a beginners course again in October. If you want to learn about how to do Crazy Quilts then I highly recommend it, best bit it is FREE. 

I learnt so much and she took us through the stages step by step. From colour, design, stitches, how to combine them and how to bring the whole quilt together.

It is soooooooooo worth it. It has even taught me how to look at my ordinary Quilts with design and colour. 

Owl buddy

Saw this on another blog, I just had to make it.
If you want to make one go to Shanns blog  and check it out.

The fabric I have had for a long while pocket came from a dress I made in the 60's I say dress I could not believe how short it was. The rest were scraps from when I made my boys Bermuda shorts in the 80's. They choose the fabric from a great fabric shop in Manchester. They were a lot more out going then. 

Fresh start

I have not posted for ages so much has happened that I would not know where to begin. Thought that I would just have a fresh start and show what I have just finished.

 It is a pattern I adapted from jeans diamonds   It was for a diamond wedding anniversary. The original pattern had a white background. The couple I made it for live in a very old cottage and I thought that the white looked to modern. As I am on a use up my stash drive and only having a white sheet for the background I dyed it Pebble beige really pleased with the colour.
Then I had the problem for the backing decided on  a dark cream fleece which was also in my stash. I backstitched their names and dates in the middle squares. Thankfully the couple were thrilled.

Molly's Quilt

This is my latest quilt, a birthday gift for my Granddaughter who was 5 today. I quilted it onto pink fleece, I have learnt that my grandchildren love there quilts and they get very grubby and are washed frequently. The fleece washes so well and dries a lot quicker so much more practical for them.

Molly on her quilt

 

 

close up

 

 

I use exploding pineapple and the pink center and the pink with the flowers I bought in Paris the butterfly fabric came from the market in Faversham.

Two lap quilts

I have made two lap quilts for a family that I used to live next door to.
First one is for Mabel who is 3 years old.

Quick variation on a Pineapple made into a 9 patch. 

Close up with pooh in the middle

Mickey and Milly fleece with label

 

 

disappering nine patch

Made into a quillow (quilt that folds into a pillow)

Label I thought I should add Poppy my dog

 

 

 

 

 

 This second quilt is for Mabel's Mum and Dad. I added Poppy on the label as she misses my neigbours and no matter how I try I could not keep it clean of dog hairs.

CQJP 2013

CQJP October, November and December.
Well I got there by the skin of my teeth. One day to go.

October has a lots of different buttonhole variations of stitches.

October

 

 

 

 

 

November close up

November

December

 November I started with a base of herringbone with other stitches added to make pattens.
December I started with running stitches, then different weaving stitches not sure if they have names. 

  My life is about to change all over again moving back to Cornwall in the middle of January will tell more when I have moved.

I wish you all a Happy New Year.

September CQJP 2013

I finished this weeks ago just not found the time to post. Slipping behind a bit.

close up

close up 2

 I used the stitches from Pintangle Tast link here 
Fishbone stitch, open fishbone, closed feather, Spanish knotted feather, coral stitch, fancy hemstitch, and wrapped coral.

August CQJP2013

August Crazy patchwork finished. link to cqjp2013.blogspot.

 Theme for this block is herringbone.
I have used Threaded, tied, double, couched down with bullion and french knots, detached chain, and cross stitch.

Top blue is herringbone and I couched down some of the threads with bullion stitch and french knots. Directly underneath is double herringbone.
 

Far right plain herringbone next to that I have tied herringbone. Then threaded herringbone.

Along the top I have tied herringbone with a  bit of a variation instead of tied by the loops I pulled the loops down all to the same level so that it looks like a line, it changes the look of the stitch completely.

  I am still playing about with ideas. I hate to spend a lot of time and effort into something if I cannot find a use for it. Thought it would be okay just to learn stitches and technique, but it is not working. Really do need a theme or purpose for these blocks. I have thought about making them into bags. or cushions or covering Mums small fabric chest. Still pondering will have to decide later. I love sewing these blocks.   

wordless wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Friday finishes

I have at last finished my June and July
 CQJP2013 use this for a link 
Most of the stitches used are from Sharon at pintangle link here
June used a variety of stitches relating to chain stitch.
Basque, tulip, zigzag chain, zigzag detached chain, crested chain, 2 attempts at buttonholed double chain.  

 

close up

July the stitch theme chosen was cretan with a few others thrown in. I actually designed some of the seams on paper and I think that has produced a better design. The stitches are starting to improve as well.
cretan, laced cretan, ........  star, detached chain and french knots to decorate between the cretan stitches.

Top laced cretan right  2 rows of cretan, left star.

I am trying to link this to Pippa's Patch  we just share the same name blog here
She is hosting  "TGIFF" with a prize from  sewsweetness. 





Fingers crossed this has only taken me 2 hours to write........

Wordless wednesday

Chair finished

Well a few days late but here is what I have been working on.
It was a chair that belonged to a much loved Great Aunt and boy is it comfortable. 
This is what it looked like at the beginning of the week.

All needs to be sanded and polished

 

 

The canvas was torn and faded.

Finished chair. I sanded the woodwork and polished it with a home made mixture of beeswax mixed with sunflower oil and lavender oil. The recipe did say extra virgin olive oil but I used the last bit yesterday, so used what I had and it looks and feels wonderful. 

This how it closes up and takes up no room at all. Sent a photo of it to my sister and she said I should have not have used a predominately white fabric as it will get dirty, that was all she said. I like it white.
My son goes back to Australia tomorrow evening I will take him to Gatwick Airport. He and his girlfriend have been in London all day today went up to the Carnival, still waiting for them to come home. 
Wednesday I will busy myself with washing and cleaning as that is what I do when I am stressed and I will be until I get an e mail to say they are safe in Australia 24 hour journey. My house will be sparking. I may try a bit of sewing not sure what to do next.
Hope you all had a good weekend.