Shabby Chic

When a swap for a Shabby Chic item was first announced my mind went blank.  What exactly was Shabby Chic?  After a wander around with Mr Google I decided I could enter this swap, and when after our partners were announced I visited my favourite fabric shop and noticed a selection of shabby chic fabrics.

A lovely stitchery by Jenny of Elefantz gave me the perfect centre for a cushion.  Somehow the idea of a chair in a cushion gave a moment of whimsy.  There was one serious downfall ... I so loved the completed cushion that it almost didn't get posted to Shez.  Today she received the Shabby Chic swap, which gives me every reason to make this post, including a photo of said item.

Lemon or Milk?

The Asian Teapot BOM creates a small diversion amongst larger projects, which means I now tackle two teapots at a time.  Each teapot takes a small piece of fabric and I sometimes appear to spend more time looking for the 'right fabric' than in stitching the teapot.

Block 8

Block 9

Three more to go ... which means 2012 is drawing closer and closer to its end.

With all these wonderful teapots ... all shapes and sizes ... it is easy to imagine sitting sipping tea.  Would you prefer milk or lemon?

Almost there

Only one block to go in Jenny of Elefantz BOM 'Promises and Borders' ... Yay!!  I have downloaded the final block and will tackle it the moment my present small project is completed.

There is only the final row of the Promises and Borders block left to sew together as I have been up with the game on this BOM, and joined blocks row by row. 

I am making this BOM as a gift, and if I keep my enthusiasm high [the three B's I shudder to think about ... you ask, the 3 B's?  Batting, backing and binding], I will said through this project which has been very enjoyable to construct.  I think the mix of embroidery and borders on these blocks have kept my interest alive.

Thank you Jenny for a year of pleasurable stitching.

Oh, the blocks!! Here we are: Block 8

And Block 9

It Don't Mean a Thing

This is the last block for the Sentimental Journey Quilt ... a block that should have been completed last month ... but ... never mind, it is now completed.

For a while I was wondering how I would do the borders as there have been no instructions posted, only a graph and a picture of the quilt finished.  As is often the case trying to make heads and tails of instructions before I actually reach that stage had me flummoxed. 

Today I read carefully, and quickly realised the borders will pose few problems.  [Ha ... the quilting will be a mammoth undertaking though!!].

So without further ado, I show block 12, "It Don't Mean a Thing".

For those who may be inspired to attempt this quilt the link is: 

http://www.blockcentral.com/bom2010-intro.shtml

Take your time, a block a month was not difficult to achieve ... lol, gives plenty of time to make other things!

I do have other projects on the go at the moment, some more urgent to complete than this quilt, as after all, our winter has all but departed, so it may not be until 2013 I totally complete it.

Blocks finished!

Our Craft Forum  ran a BOM for 2012.  We chose a 12" block, forwarded our choice, and these choices were offered each month, with most months having a choice of three.  After thinking about the final quilt, and purchasing sufficient fabric, this BOM made a welcome monthly break to other projects throughout the year.  Officially October was the last month ... but due to demand we were offered the October block in September, which will allow us [or those of us who are motivated] to complete our quilt in time for Christmas.

My blocks will become a table cover; I have the completed picture securely in my mind ... though a recipient has not as yet emerged.

For September I chose a simple block ... Pinwheel, and was rewarded quickly with a pretty block.

As I set for myself that each block have three colours, or four if no 'suitable' 3-colour block was in the chosen ones.  The last set contained three blocks, two with just 2 colours, and only 1 using 3.  Without reading further I printed out the block, gathered my fabrics together, and began cutting.

It was at this stage I realised this block, Bird of Paradise, had some Paper Piecing!!  Paper Piecing and I have not become friends, though last year I did make a pot holder just to see if it was within my abilities.  That the potholder didn't turn out quite the original size, that didn't matter ... a pot holder is a piece of adjustment.

I printed out the template; twice as suggested.  Mmmm ... first effort was sadly wrong!  Second effort wasn't much better, but I perservered.  No, I am not an expert on Paper Piecing ... I think it is the fact that I was working what seemed to be mirror-wise [a little like Alice through the Looking Glass!], and my logical mind found this difficult.

But ... I do not like to be beaten, and am happy to say all the blocks are now complete ... All that is left now is to join the blocks, and make an appliqued outer border.

Knitting finished

Two years ago, at least, I began a jumper in merino possum yarn ... I had made one previously, misjudged the size and it was too big.  Tentatively I began another, not sure if I had enough yarn that was bought in New Zealand ... if there wasn't enough the problem would be how would I access more wool easily.  So, progress was slow.

The back completed, I decided to make a sleeve, which would allow me to be halfway there.  Hooray, I had enough, though to be honest the front and the other sleeve were not finished promptly.

Now, at the end of winter, the jumper for Significant Other is now finished.  The weather is almost too warm for this jumper to have much use this year, but next year it should come into it's own!

Asian Teapots, blocks 6 & 7

How many of you are doing the Asian teapot BOM?  A different gorgeous teapot each month has not proved taxing, even though I tend to do two at a time.

Block 6 is particularly pretty and I can easily picture such a teapot and cup taking of place at an afternoon tea party; ladies dressed in feminine dresses and daintily nibbling on cucumber sandwiches and tiny cup cakes.  A thing of the past?  Sadly that could be true, but one can still imagine.

Block 7 is definitely an everyday teapot and mug!  No frills and flounces and pretty dresses there.