First finish

It went quiet over here because of the testing times at school.  A whole new situation for me and I found it quite draining.  All over now and the sun has been out too!

Maybe last month, I finished my cushion cover and it now replaces the destroyed one.  

I really like it, even the bits I could have done better (aren't there always those!)

Now it's going to be a short post (I think I have to do each FAL in a separate post), but hopefully there will be more this week as school is off, although the yearbook that I have to finish is calling and I really need to get it done.

An early finish

Hi,
when I'm at work I like to use any free time to create, just to keep me busy!  I don't have a particularly high finish rate but even when I do finish something I forget to photograph or blog about it, which was the point of me doing this blog!

So these are finishes from some time ago that are currently in an exhibition at a Clandon Park:

Just after the new year, I was fabric shopping with a friend from the Guild who said "so have you started your piece for Clandon?"  There was much confusion and a degree of fear from me and lots of "you'll be fine" from her!  Well, I panicked and while babysitting for another friend decided to get started.

I've always wanted to do something based on the tree of life and this is it.  It's based on lots of different ideas but as usual with me I needed to keep it simple.

This piece I completed in my lunch breaks at work (previous job).  It really was a 'I need something to do for the free half hour of lunch' project and I love it, so does the girl.  Unfortunately for her, it sold!  And will be going to a new home in Devon next week

This mini quilt was my hand project for last summer holiday.  Which I had fun finishing and I'm guessing I've got away with including as I'm quite new to the embroidery game.

If you have time between now and next Wednesday, I recommend a trip to Clandon Park.  The house looks interesting and the textiles exhibition is stunning.  I've very lucky to be in a Guild of such talented people!

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts

2013 FAL Q2

Hi,
I've been looking, and feeling slightly shamed, at how much is achieved by joining in with a FAL (Finish A-Long).  I have tried before just listing things here but clearly it didn't work! :-)   So I've decided to join in with Leanne from She Can Quilt. 

So, in the style of Pointless (BBC program), in order of least likely to most likely to finish:

1. Giant start quilt

I started this at new year eve 2012 and had the top done just before my brother and family arrived. I don't have a day off work anymore and sew on the dining room table which has put me off starting the quilting.  I think i pieced the back and basted it on a free day I had between my two jobs.  I have to quilt and bind it and at about 2m square I'm expecting it to take me awhile.  I'm going for circles which should make it easier but it will be my biggest quilt done at home (read:nervous).  This holiday has helped me reconnect to my sewing machine so hopefully by end of June.

2. Swoon

Moe and Joe (my mojo) left me so I've only got 4 blocks done.  The guilt has been high watching others finish and just not wanting to.  Then I saw others only got as far as 4 and stopped.  It gave me the permission to stop and make the 4 blocks into a top.  I know, I shouldn't need permission, but... well this time I did.  I have to finish the top, quilt and bind this.


3. Just wing it quilt

I started this a while ago, then it was lost carefully put away. About 3 weeks ago I had a massive clear out and tidy and found it again (hoorah!).  All it needs is binding.



4. Embroidery page
I am a member of the Embroidery Guild.  Last year we celebrated the Queens jubilee and this years project is a fabric book.  Each member from our branch is making a page.  This has to be done by next month; no pressure!  I'm new to embroidery so I'm keeping it simple.

5. Cushion cover.
I'm playing with square sizes for another project I would like to start and I made a few blocks from my scraps. 

They were so pretty I didn't want to put them in the 'what to do with pile' so DH suggested a cushion cover to replace this...

 that has been attacked by the boy over the last 6 years.  I had the cushion for about 20ish years before it was "played with" so comprehensively.

I'm going for a more than 50% success rate and I don't think I'm putting myself under too much pressure.  If it goes well maybe I can up my game in Q3! 
Good luck everyone!  Here's hoping we all achieve what we are aiming for.

Linking up with She can quilt FAL Q2

Hello!

Hope you all had a good Easter, I enjoyed a technology free time.

It snowed here yesterday!  Made me glad to be in and for the first time in a long time I have managed a finish.

Last night I needed to sew.  I'm trying out different size squares to see what would look better for a future project. So last night I made mug rug with 2 1/2 inch squares (thank you Sizzix Big Shot).  I think it turned out ok.

It was nice to have it totally done before I went to bed.

Last week I was also inspired by this to try some improv piecing, I wasn't sure if I would like it as I really tried to copy the "pick without looking" method.  Another not too shabby piece of work.  

I looked back at the first issue of Fat Quarterly and found a finish for this block (really wide border) which I'm going to do when I hit my target size.  

Best bit about all of this is all the fabric is from my scrap boxes!

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts

Anyone for tea?

Hello,
I've been away again, sorry.  The job change has not been as stressful as I thought it would be which makes everything so much easier.  All of the other changes are still up in the air and so I am still taking things easy, or at least trying to.

Little M, our neighbours girl, is two today and all girls need their own tea set.  I saw a beautiful one, but being china I decided to go for the smaller plastic one.  Well every tea set need it's own coasters and, in the spirit of taking it easy(!), I decided yesterday to crochet some coasters for M.

I'm done!!!  And pleased.

Last weekend I had lots of free time and so started my starshine quilt from Justquiltin.  I know that the pattern is no longer available but if the next one is like this it will be worth getting.  I didn't cut one triangle!  It took some time; the construction was so straightforward, so I'd say the time was probably more to do with the size; each block is approx. 18 inches square.  The 12 blocks still need to become 1 and then the border has to go on.

I thought I could give it away but I don't think I can.

Now I have 30 book covers and an Egyptian costume to complete by Thursday, all in the spirit of taking it easy!!

Linking to Crazymomquilts

Basting

Still technologically challenged ( no computer ) so another quick post with 1 photo!

I've just spent about an hour basting this quilt. Possibly my least favourite part of any quilt, as I have to do this on the floor and my knees argue with me.

An hour is plenty of time to think and I wondered, should I have planned my pinning based on my quilting?

I have tried to and even got the tape measure out to check I wouldn't be pinning where I would stitch but I'm not sure if I have the idea right.

So if you have any basting tips they will be gratefully received!

It's so quiet, shh...

It's been quiet here because the computer is still in for repair.

There is also change at home which requires lots of early nights and organisation. Not sure how long that will be for so I'm trying to keep a steady pace. Plus a job change in a few weeks for me.

This is not say that I am doing nothing. Lucy at Attic24 has a mass of quick and easy patterns that I have been trying out.

I have totally used her idea and made a hearts and flowers wreath. I think with all the bits that I have made, and its size, it has come out well. I'm hoping to finish it this week and give it to a friend I will be not seeing so much of when I change jobs.

I don't think I have ever been so nervous about leaving a job before.

Hoping to show you some sewing soon.