Caught the sneezes

Sorry no photo of my bleary eyes or sniffling nose. Now I know why I was so tired and feeling rotten, just a cold. Still, just one more day to get through, delivering books to those who can't get to the library and then grand children in the afternoon.
So here's a quick photo of my crazy block.

Just more roses to add and the leaves and petals to tack down but not tonight, off to bed.

FNS results

Late as usual, we have problems with our internet again. Hopefully it will stay on long enough to post this. I finally managed the the Fargo roses and on Friday evening I started the fly stitch roses and stab stitch leaves. These I like, I'm not good at them but I like the odd good rose I sew. So practice, practice practice.

Now to visit some other blogs whilst the maid ( washing machine ) washes the bath towels. We were lucky and didn't get a lot of snow, we were on the edge. It is so cold though, it is not melting. 

I have put my wellies on and fed the birds and given them fresh water. Getting the frozen block of water out first is always fun. I won't be lighting the fire today as we are on Grand children duty, walking home from school and feeding them. 

FNSI results

Well I was going to show my beautiful Fargo ribbon roses but they ( all seven ) are rubbish. so here are some woven roses, which I made earlier in the week.

Now I'm going to try the Fargo roses again, if only I knew where I was going wrong.

Basic Crazy Quilt Course 1

I am having great fun and learning so much whilst making my first crazy quilt block, the course is run by Kathy Seaman Shaw, aka www.shawk1.com
It is a well thought out and progressive course, where participants work at their own pace. I have now finished task 6 out of 12.

Still to come are ribbon work, beads and embellishments.

Missing mugrug arrives at last

I am so pleased my missing mugrug finally found its way across the pond to Canada. It had taken 42 days. I had already  sent off a replacement, as it must be disappointing not to receive an expected package. I forgot to take a photo before I sent it but fortunately my partner has.

It is supposed to look like a poinsettia in EPP.
The weather is horrible, windy, cold and showery. Thankfully I have some sewing to distract me. Or rather some resewing after unpicking.

FNWF sewing

Well a last minute make, as a mug rug I sent to Canada in a swap hasn't arrived yet. I need to make some more as back ups before I commit to these swaps. I think I am more anxious than the intended recipient. Anyway, rather than do another time consuming but enjoyable EPP I decided to go with a pattern I've wanted to make for a while.

I just need to add the binding, which will be my slow Sunday stitching down.

1st layer sewn down

Rather late for the Friday night sew in report. I was also sewing a little on slow Sunday sewing. This rotten head cold is reluctant to leave. I have spent time clearing up my sewing room, not finding the silk ribbon I was looking for but finding other mislaid things.
I have now sewn the lower layer of stems and leaves to the block and hopefully I'll get the next layer pinned down before tea preparation.

The weather is a bit cooler and overcast, I don't even feel like my daily walk.    So a couple of paracetamol and on with the pinning.

Slow stitching Sunday

After spending the morning washing bedding and tidying my sewing room I have finally found time to start sewing the North Carolina block from the thirteen colonies quilt. All the prep is done.

It looks a bit washed out due to the dull weather we have and my lousy photography.
Happy sewing where ever you are.

1st Wreath finished

I finished this Sunday evening, instead of ironing. Only 11 more wreaths to go. I've started prepping the leaves for the first individual block, Grain Stalks.

Sorry it's blurred, I can see now that I will find it hard to make each wreath block exactly the same. Oh well, nature is not always symmetrical.

FNWF results

I had a lovely time sewing with everyone. I hope to finish this block today whilst watching old films on DVD. I've also listened to a few audio books and the radio.

Now to visit some more blogs. Happy sewing.

FNWF

Well it's Friday night and I'm sewing leaves on the wreath.

Oops rather out of focus and at an odd angle. will try again Saturday morning in daylight. I'll keep sewing leaves on, then I'll check out what everyone else is doing. Happy sewing.

Applique beginning

At last time to do some hand sewing, whilst waiting for a delivery. I bought the Thirteen Colonies Album quilt kit from ebay, the seller had only sewn two blocks, everything was there to finish it. I started by doing the hand applique course on craftsy with Mimi Dietrich, as I was a complete beginner. I found this class to be brilliant, as she makes it so easy.
Anyway I've started on the album quilt blocks, this is one of the repeated blocks. Colonial wreath.

I've prepped all the pieces and hope to get the flowers completed this week, then the twenty leaves.

There are more posts to come of things I've sewn this summer but I'll have to photograph them. Most of the time has been taken up with grand children and gardening. The allotment has been very productive and I really need to invest in another freezer.

Chookyblue Party 2017

More drizzle so able to sew instead of watering the garden. Tonight it's antique rose.

Although I chose muted colours, it has photographed totally washed out. I will try again in daylight.

Peace man

I can't show my quilting, as it's for future publication. So here is something I adapted from one of my old kaftans for my 6 year old grandson. It was for a school singing and dance and they were hippies.

It bought back many happy, hippy memories. I made part one kaftan into a bag but I must check to see if I have a photo.

Half Squared Test Quilt

This is the first quilt I tested for The Quilt Pattern Magazine. I love this online magazine as it means I'm not having to store piles of magazines. It is also very reasonably priced if you live in the U.S.A. unfortunately since the added vat problems they are unable to process our subscriptions. So unless I can find someone in the states to buy it as a gift for me, I will have to keep testing to earn copies.

It is a good pattern for using layer cakes, plus extra for borders. I found a good traditional fabric range at last years F.o.Q. it suits our antique iron bedstead. I think it would also suit scrappy I did try spinning the blocks into different patterns. I used Miniature Gatherings/ Primitive Gatherings by Moda.

FNSI late again

I enjoyed Friday night here in the U.K. after a busy day at the allotment. I was cutting fabric and listening to a book. Playing with fabric is such fun. This is for a scrappy quilt. I can't show the blocks as the pattern isn't published yet.

I still haven't had a chance to visit many other blogs either. With bad weather forecast there is still time later this week to catch up.
More cutting tonight, though I'm tired after 30 plus 0-3 year olds at story and rhyme in the library.

Thimbleybob finished

Well now it's finished, I did enjoy making this thimble holder/scissor fob. I must make a needle book and pin cushion to use with it. The sun has finally come out, I've enjoyed a walk and pottering in the greenhouse. Planting up the pepper seedlings, 11 out of 12 is a good percentage. Now for a nice cup of tea.

Friday Night with Friends

Sorry for the blurry photo of my gentle Friday night sewing. I haven't had chance to look at the other Friday nighters but perhaps this evening after tea. I was also lucky enough to sew with three friends on Saturday. Today I wanted to garden but strained my back very quickly, so came in and sewed.

Antique Rose Star

I forgot to blog about my lovely weekend last June when I went to The Traditional Group Retreat. My tutor was Barbara Chainey and we hand pieced the antique rose without papers. I finished my block later. Barbara had prepared a comprehensive course and she also gave a presentation on the Friday evening.

I've left my toes in, to show the size!
I am still undecided as to how to use it.