A Project in Progress

Earlier in the year a member of Our Craft Forum managed to buy more medallions centres than she could use.  Her solution was simple ... offer them to members with the proviso that we follow the borders recommended. 

 

I put my hand up; made round after round until it became apparent that I would soon run out of fabric which wouldn't have been a problem if the shop I purchased it from hadn't decided to close down.  Some of what I needed was no longer available the round 8 had to undergo a change from my original conception.  I guess that was part of the challenge!

 

Not having enough fabric to do another round I have called it quits, which isn't as bad as it sounds as the quilt does cover the bed.  Backing fabric is in the post as I write; the batting is in the cupboard, quilting cotton purchased ... this project should be completed by the end of 2014!  [Setting myself a goal here!]

 

I am rather pleased with the outcome of this project. 

Bunting

Christmas is coming!  In spite of good intentions little time has been given to the coming festive season ... until I visited Spotlight [the place where fabric has a habit of jumping off the shelves into my trolley.  Oh yes I always take a trolley; a basket is simply too small!]  Mindlessly browsing with no particular purchases in mind suddenly my eyes were drawn to the Christmas selection of fabrics.  I really didn't need any but when I noticed the fabric designed into bunting, well ... the level of resistance slipped to below zero.

 

Recently I have noticed that bunting figures a lot in the crafting world.  The addition of bunting to a scene immediately adds a touch of whimsy; brightens the spirits and to me brings back scenes from childhood.  The fact that there were 30 different flags on each section had the mind swirling with good intentions.  I purchased two 'sections' without perusing the instructions too closely. 

 

Yesterday I read the instructions.  Mmmm ... two methods were mentioned; one entails using fusible webbing to hold them together.  The cost of the completed bunting that would at the most see daylight two weeks each year made the project in that form just a little expensive.  I decided to see what ideas were on the Internet.  It took seconds!

 

The idea I ran with was to stitch two flags together with no fusible webbing.  Simple!  The sewing is completed, but I have no bias binding to hold them together.   No two flags are the same. 

Christmas is a wee way away ... I will need to visit Spotlight next trip to the city ... then I will be able to complete what I trust will be a brightener to the festive season.

A bit of this and a bit of that

The days simply whizz by, and although I have not been idle, somehow this blog is neglected. 

 

An invitation to a birthday celebration sent me to sort through my fabrics for a cushion suitable for a man.  I knew pinks would definitely not be just right, and hope the grey, brown and yellow will set a bright, but 'manly' note.

 

The block I chose to complete for Our Craft Forum's BOM was partly paper pieced.  Only once before had I tackled paper piecing, which I have been reliably informed is easy.  I printed out 'Lightning in the Kitchen' and a couple of extra templates, just in case!  Those two templates ended up in the bin, and somehow I managed to finally 'get' paper piecing.  I am not 100% certain that method will stay engrained in my mind, but do admit that the points are precise and easier to join up with this method.  

 

 

The fish block for the month of July was a colourful creature!  I decided on the name Henri and to me he looks a little like a French chef ... the check is his apron!!  I am enjoying stitching the fish family, and am toying with an idea of how I will 'tie' them altogether.

 

 

This year I decided not to enter into swaps in Our Craft Forum the reason being I have a few several UFO's calling for attention.  One was a row by row BOM of two years ago that sat in the cupboard awaiting inspiration attention.  When my daughter announced she was coming to stay for a few days I hurriedly put that quilt together [and forgot to take a photo].  That was easy, so easy I wondered why I hadn't attempted earlier!  I lay the batting on the backing, a lovely dark green flannel, and machined each row on in a 'quilt as you go'.  Time wise that method took less time than putting on the binding.  That simple quilt now earns its keep covering the bottom of the bed to keep toes warm.

 

Forgetting my vow to not take on too many new projects I am in the process of constructing a Scottish themed quilt that needs to be completed by November ... photos later.  And I have made a start on Red Brolly's Girls Own stitching club BOM; Le Jardine. 

 

To state that my work table is a mess ... is an understatement!!!  But as long as I am making something I am happy.  One should never let a little mess get in the way of happiness!

 

Ski hat

A quick project, quick because I made three hats to this pattern last year; as my grand daughter is heading to the ski fields shortly, and as a grandmother it is my considered opinion that warm ears, and head, are essential.

 

Unfortunately there were no 'girly' colours in my stash, but hopefully this hat will do the trick ... though for a fashion conscious girl it might need the cold of the snow fields to persuade her to don it.

Puppets for Grandson

The last several days were spent constructing glove puppets for my littlest grandson.  I used the Annie Smith pattern provided in Australian 'Homespun' magazine, Vol.13, 10.   The magazine came out towards the end of last year and as it was my intention to give the story book as well as the puppets work didn't commence until recently ... because ... I had to buy the book on-line; it was not available in any of the bookshops I searched, and even garage sales ended up as dead-ends. 

 

Initially I considered I could 'whip these up' in a couple of days ... not so.  It took a couple of days for each puppet, though I will admit I didn't sit and work at them all day.  [And I should read instructions more carefully as well].  However at the end of the project I looked at them lined up and a smile came to my face.

 

I hope little grandson, and his parents who will need to work some of the puppets as they read the story, enjoy these puppets.  

Gone Fishin'

Two more fish have escaped the nets and landed in the ocean.  Claude was completed last month, while this month Priscilla jumped into the water to join Claude and Coral-lee.

 

Claude

 

Priscilla

Got a spare hour?

Earlier today I found instructions for a coaster ... no applique, no embroidery, in fact, hardly no sewing! 

 

Last year I was gifted a similar coaster made of Christmas fabrics, but at the time must have been too busy to closely examine how it was made.  Today I found out ... just too simple.

 

In less than an hour I turned out four small, and one larger coaster; more than half that time was spent sorting fabrics into suitable colours.

 

If you have a spare moment and wish to make a small gift that can be popped in with a larger gift, then a coaster is exactly what you need.  Have I captured your attention?  Just Google 'folded coasters' and choose a pattern.