Somewhere My Love

Block 5 of Sentimental Journey, 'Somewhere My Love' proved to be a tad taxing.  Perhaps if I hadn't been tired it would have come together easier.  Matching the points on the hearts and the centre block provided a few moments of frustration, but in the end I managed to place 3 out of 4 correctly.  The fourth?  I just left it as 'backward sewing' may have proved impossible, or at least a large part would have needed re-doing. 

This quilt is coming along nicely, and when laid all out side by side, the result is rather pleasing.

1st project for the year

Recently I put my name down for a doll swap in our Craft Forum, but as closing time draw closer I developed cold feet.  My doll making belonged to the past when I made dolls for school raffles, dolls that were cut out in two pieces, back and front.  A 'proper' doll I hadn't tackled.  I withdrew from that swap.

However as the excitment of Christmas passed and time began to hang heavily on my hands [isn't housework all up to date for Christmas?] and I had discovered a lovely pattern in the latest Homespun magazine I decided to tackle a doll.

The doll in the magazine was named Shelly ... she had long plaited hair, and wore a shell necklace.  Mmmmm ... not really what I wanted, but the pattern was intriguing.  I traced the pattern, cut the pieces out and started from there.  The days were hot; enthusiasm waned, but in the cool of the evening I sewed.

The head wasn't difficult ... don't ask about joining the head to the body!  Had the instructions been followed attaching the head would have been easier.  I have a bad habit of thinking I know, when I don't! 

Shelly's face in the pattern didn't come up to my specifications either.  [Yes, I know, but in my mind a pattern is a pattern; to be altered, added, or adhered to, or reconstructed to another's specifications.]   Out came the Prisma pencils and a face slowly came to life.  Don't you like the freckles?!

[oops ... the knitting needle I pushed up her back to get her to stand straight is showing ... ignore it.  I wanted to show her lovely scuffs/shoes!]

As this doll has short red hair [that feather wool is wonderful ... I simply threaded a short length through a large-eyed needle, pulled it through once and tied a half knot]; she has been named Catriona ... a good Scottish name for a red-head.

She left gathering shells on the magazine page.  A bag with knitting and a magazine, plus a quilt-cum-swag roll completed the essentials she needs for her move south.

Season's Greetings

Happy Christmas and very best wishes for a happy and healthy 2012.

Town Square

It seems absolutely ages since I attempted a block of the Nine Patch Nirvana quilt, but after successfully tackling a Sentimental Journey block yesterday, and with time on my hands [!!] out came the fabric for block 4.

It is easy to see how this block was named Town Square:  four substantial red brick buildings in the outer corner of the square ... church, school, library and council chambers?    Or do you have other ideas?  Grassy paths lead to the town square where folks congregate and exchange news and gossip.  The cream pieces?  Shops and other incidentals to daily life.

These blocks are a breeze, a lot less work than the Sentimental Journey and I feel guilty at such a quick finish; almost feel the need to start another!  But!  Commonsense does reign at times. 

As Time Goes By

Block 4 in the Sentimental Journey quilt is completed!  At the beginning of December I wondered if time would allow its start, little alone completion, but this morning I posted off what I think is the end of my Christmas mail, came home, had a coffee, read a little short story, and decided to start on Block 4, As Time Goes By ... time might go by too fast if that start wasn't made.

In spite of a muggy early afternoon I cut and stitched; a cooler strong wind whistled past the sewing machine in the mid afternoon; a decided plus!

Result ... block 4 finished ... and no need to think about block 5 until next month ... next year!

A bell and cushions

Yesterday a very exciting game of cricket was played in Tasmania, Australia; the New Zealand Black Caps V Australia.  After a disappointing loss, for the Kiwis, in the 1st test, and what I believed to be a not so flash start to the 2nd Test, suddenly on Day 4, the game became interesting.  Washing, of clothes and floors, completed there were several other pressing tasks for my day, but with the likely chance of NZ cleaning up the Aussies on the cricket pitch I had to find a small project to justify my sitting and listening to the game.

Several weeks ago, at another Garage Sale, I picked up a plain wooden bell shape of wood, thinking that one day I might do something with it.  For the princely sum of 10cents who could leave such a bargain behind?  A container of paints yielded red and green, and an impressive bronze shade.  It wasn't difficult to trace two bunches of holly leaves onto the bell, and sitting in my armchair, I painted and listened to the enthralling, though often scary game.  Would NZ win?  I hoped so.  Significant Other left the room ... he has not the heart for the highs and lows of a game of cricket at the crunch!

All was well ... NZ won the cricket with seven runs in hand, and I completed painting and embellishing the bell, that will be added to our Christmas decorations.

For several days, weeks in fact, as the urge only comes upon me at the 11th hour, I have been sewing.  Last night I completed the last of my hand-crafted gifts, a cushion.  On a count-up the tally of cushions made over the last wee while exceeds half a dozen.  There is something about cushions!  They don't take long to make, and if given as gifts the thought of colour and stitching fulfils the creative mood of the moment.

These two cushions, going to different people, indeed different countries, are part of a family of patterns I saved for 'the future'.  I seem to recall making another last year as well. 

The colours selected are, hopefully, if my intuition is correct, suitable for the recipients.  Anyway, I did enjoy making them!  'Tis a pity this house is not large ... in all honesty there are few corners left for another cushion, but ... gifts?  I am sure my mind will come up with more ideas!

Gift giving

Near the beginning of this year I determined that many of the gifts I sent would be 'handmade', as somehow Christmas has become so commercial as to be ridiculous.

I did begin early stashing completed items away in a big plastic box.  Yet once again as the 25th draws near and as I found patterns crying out to be made, I have engaged in a rush to make more.  Already that box is empty; many gifts that needed posting are winging their way across the oceans, and I am still stitching.

This little table topper has a simple charm.  Over the years I have purchased fat q's of Christmas fabric, having I will confess, no particular project in mind.  Two or three early in the season, followed by another couple in the sales does tend to appreciate [as interest in a bank?].  Two table toppers down, a third, that is destined to stay at home, almost complete.  And, there is fabric for another two or three next year!  Oh, I will need to purchase fabric for the outer border, but isn't that what sale time is for?

This table topper would look equally delightful in colours to suit a particular kitchen or dining room ... that idea is in the back of my mind for an easy sewing project during the year.