Rain, rain ,rain!

Yes its still raining.Summer seems to have passed us by, the local carnival was very muddy and soggy and Formula 1 at Silverstone awash.I do hope it improves before the Olympics.
Anyway - the rain means my overgrown and very lush garden wont be getting much attention today so i can devote the time to sewing- yay!
I'm an avid reader and spend a lot of time in my small but local library. Not long ago I managed to find Pam & Nicky Lintott's 'More Layer Cake, Jelly Roll & Charm Quilts' on the shelf and was inspired to make this:

 Stash Bags!

Random loop machine quilting.

Its actually made using a layer cake and is so so quick and easy and the  longest bit was hand appliqueing the bias handles. I have a penchant for a good handbag and have a 'modest' collection. Any occasion such as a wedding, event etc I always have the bag for it - not the clothes or shoes but definitely the bag! The fabrics are all from my own stash ( hence the name) and to be honest didn't make much of a dent!. I fancy scaling the pattern down to make little wall hangings etc adding embellishments and so on.

Its still raining - off to sew!

Time flies!

well hello!
As usual life has got in the way of making quilts. Had a very busy and stressful few months at work which has left little sewing time but did manage  some  knitting and now I have a pile of UFO's.
Looking back I see I haven't uploaded pics of my shirt quilts. I collected lots of cotton shirts from charity shops and made quilts with them - I didn't realise how many different colours I had! The best haul was a pile of XXXL shirts- enough fabric in there to make a dress!The shirts were all worn and washed and the fabric was beautifully soft and easy to sew. Anyway , here goes:

 Small lap quilt machined quilted.

 Detail of stipple quilting.

This one was made with just a palette of blue and white - so fresh! I added old shirt buttons in the corner squares and quilted the names of shirtmakers in the borders. Handquilted.
Till next time! Gx

At last.....

Ive actually picked up a needle!
My family gave me Amazon tokens so I bought this;

I quite fancy some simple applique as a change from piecing and its simple folk pics appeal to me.

So far Ive;

Cut out blocks and appliqued stems and leaves.

Bondawebbed the flowers.

Ironed on the flowers

Just got to choose the colours from my stash for the borders etc. I feel quite excited that Ive actually done some sewing - been in the wilderness for so long!

Dorset Days

I spent  last week in Dorset on a school's residential visit - 60 children in three hotels based in Swanage.
Now I love Swanage and it didnt fail to come up to expectations. Apart from a few short showers the sun shone- there is no better place to be in my opinion! The autumn sunshine seemed to heighten the colours of the sky and the sea and the views were fab. Lots of inspiration although I was slightly distracted by the children. Came home with lots of ideas but when I will get time/chance to put them into action is another matter. Lovely pics though!

 Dorset's Jurassic Coast - looking towards Weymouth

                                                          Morning - Swanage Beach

                                                     Mosaic of Grey Mullet, Swanage

                                                                Durlston Lighthouse

Views across Swanage

Its cold , cloudy and wet outside my window now - lets hope we have a sunny autumn.

Cheers

Long long time no see!

Where has the last six months gone? Life has been sooooo hectic and little sewing has been done. Feel the need for my own sake to try and do some sometime ( dont we all?)
Well what has happened.... apart from work being very stressful and taking up so much time, my eldest son got a new job and moved back home to live for a month, till his new flat was ready. Just said goodbye to him and his furniture! As a lot of it was stored in my sewing room I now have access again so can get going I hope.
Did manage to finish two quilts. For years Ive been collecting old cotton shirts from local charity shops- any size or colour as long as they were cotton. I worked with squares and triangles- simple bt effective. Cant show you yet cos blogger wont let me upload at the moment but will try again later.
Also went to Sandown Quilt Show a few weeks back. I was very restrianed with my spending but did buy a little stash! Also saw Mandy Shaw - lovely lady and a lovely chat- and The Running Chicken with a bigger stall than last year.
Ive got plans- lets hope I can bring them to fruition!

Gifts!

Made for Maddie and Simone.

Made for Clare & Anna  in the choir. From Christmas Story by Hatched and Patched.

Ive made loads of theses Hanging Around Angels over the years! Think the original pattern is by Terry Donaldson They are so easy to make and I do have them hanging on doorhandles around the house at Christmas.



Just starting out.

After reading lots of other blogs; gaining advice,  ideas and inspiration, I decided that I would start my own and what better tme than a new year! The winter Solstice has just passed so its time to look forward to new beginnings- and lighter evenings.
Ive been busy making things for friends for Christmas- I really ought to do more for my own home too. Its always such a rush but I never feel like doing Christmas stuff in the balmy days of summer.
Here's wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!