Its finished

Finally - it's finished!  My wedding present is finished for Zoe and Tims wedding

I am so pleased with it, and am sure Zoe will love it too, which is all that counts!

 On and off it has taken about 10 months to complete - it all started with a jelly roll, Mill House Inn by Fig Tree quilts, along with some white that I already had.  I added an extra row for this quilt, which also meant that I had to order an additional charm pack for a few odds and ends

Its all hand quilted - I quilted 'in the ditch' around the stars in red thread and then quilted in green thread through the four green squares.  I quilted a plait pattern down two of the sides

I have sewn this on the back of the quilt, to commemerate the day.

I have been quilting all weekend.  I know the wedding isn't for a month, but wanted to know that this was all complete.  And also, I knew if I finished it in time, I could put it on to Lilys Quilts, Fresh sewing day.

P.S - ignore the garden: its a work in progress: I was doing a lot of work in the garden yesterday, but at the other end!

Baby Love

I hope everyone had a lovely, relaxing Easter break.  I manged to get lots of sewing in interspersed with bits of housework, lots of ironing, driving instructor etc etc.

I started to make things for Zoe's baby, which is due in July.  I bought some cheap 'sickie' cloths a while ago, with a plan to jazz them up, so did the 1st one with some Peter Rabbit material and rik rak.

Then I decided to make a container for nappies, and used some more of the fabric.  And then another container.... different style, to put cotton wool and lotion in

And then these...... they were so easy to make and so addictive!  I had bought some bibs, but they were average, so I decided to trace the outline and make my own.  They take about 15 mins each start to finish and I am going to make loads more.  (they just need velcro to go on now)  Alison,Ben and Daniel may be coming next weekend so the two blue ones are for him

Apart from that, I have sat in the garden, hand quilting.  Jenny said I looked like an old granny with  a blanket over my legs in the sun!!  I have finished hand quilting Zoe and Tims quilt and nearly finished another one that has been lying around for too long.  On Wednesday I will get the binding I want for Zoe and Tims and get that all finished - only four weeks to go to the wedding!

And, oh yes, I ordered some more Amy Butler online, so will be watching out for the postman.....

Seeing things

Today I was sitting on the bus on the way back to the park and ride.  Sitting there, too hot, thinking I can't wait for the 4 day weekend.  The bus stopped in traffic and I looked at the building opposite and notice the stained glass windows

How many times have I stopped outside this building and stared at it and not noticed these windows!  Inspiration struck me and I realised it was just what I wanted for my Amy Butler fabric. 

The window also had a circle in the middle of the black cross, I will decide if I want that when I get further along.

Anyway, I got home and laid out my fabric, got the colours together:

then I started sewing them all together....

The only problem is - I just don't appear to have enough squares!  I will end up with 7 squares in total - obviously an odd number won't work, but on top of that 7 is just not enough!!.  So my job this weekend will be to track down some more of this material in the local shops: hard work, but someone's got to do it!!

Summery evening

Jenny and I went out for our tea tonight.  It was such a lovely evening, and I had confirmation today that I have passed all my exams for my intermediate year of my AAT, so I decided to treat ourselves.  We sat by the river in the sunshine

Unfortunately our meal was not good, we went for Aberdeen Angus burgers: we took one mouthful and spat them out - they were very undercooked and very soggy.  We sent them back and I think they came back freshly microwaved (!!), but by then the chips were cold.  All very dissapointing, but we enjoyed each others company and the sunshine, which is the important thing

This is something I have been wanting to do for ages : cover my boring black filofax.  I didn't use a pattern, just went with it.

 Front:

 I am really pleased with how it has turned out.  I made it with 'sleeves' as it has slots in the front that I can still use, so didn't want to cover the inside as well.  Also, the top and bottom edges do not come over in to the inside as the metal binding on the inside would not allow this.

I used one of Beccys hair bobbles for the elastic bit and sewed a little yellow flower over it so that you can't see where it is sewn.

Back:

Now I am looking forward to work tomorrow, to use my new, improved filofax!

Lazy Sunday

 We had a lovely time at Zoe's hen do last night: we all had our nails done, something which I never do!  They look fantastic.

We had a very late night and walked home about midnight, it was a lovely night.  Consequently we are tired people today, so have had a lazy day.

I started these last summer.  I saw the pattern in the very 1st quilt magazine I bought , 10 years ago and have been wanting to make something like it since then.  I finally sorted out all my bright colours and made a start last year

  

so, feeling a little jaded, I sat out in the sunshine today and sewed some more blocks.  I have about 10 left to do and then I will start adding some sashing and making it up.  I always like to have some kind of hand sewing or applique to have to hand

And, because I can't bear not to have used the sewing machine on a weekend, I whizzed these up as well, the top is a coaster to use up some bits and pieces and then I made another fabric basket -  I really like these and will definately make some more!

Four days at work this week, and then four days off - can't wait!

Cupcakes

Tonight is my friend Zoes' hen night.  This is what Jenny and Beccy have made today and yesterday for the hen night

I was working all day yesterday and out most of today, so can take absolutely no credit for these fantastic creations

 Zoe is having a get together of her friends and family at her mums house tonight, for a pamper party, with nibbles and drinks.  I designed a 'Mocktail Menu' for those who don't drink alcohol and bought up a load of fruit juices, fizzy drinks, fruit, ice and straws. I did also buy some of the real stuff and we have plenty of bubbly as well.

So, now I need to go and glam myself up - the girls are already upstairs glamming up, and then decide whether to go for a manicure or a pedicure...... 

Cosmetic bag

This is todays making.  A cosmetic bag from Sew Mama Sew: tutorial

I wanted to give it a go because the last time I worked with a zip I think I was about 12!  There was a few bits of unpicking, because I read the pattern and then did something completely different!  I am not sure that I have got the zip quite right, it looks fine, but also it doesn't, so I will make a few more.

It didn;t take long to make, less than an hour.  Work has been really hectic (I travel between schools and help out with their finances, and it is year end, so ridiculously busy) On Monday, I travelled 100 miles and didn't get home till 7.30 and yesterday was a stressful day, so today when I got home at 4 I really needed to sew and this was just the thing.

I have my friend Zoe coming round for tea tonight.  It is her wedding in May.  Anyway, she has sold her little Renault Clio to Jenny and we take delivery tonight!  Jen hasn't passed her test yet,  she is not able to drive my car as it is a work car and I can't put her on the insurance, so she was getting no practise between her lessons.  She has paid for the car herself and I am really proud of her saving for it. 

Beware of the roads in North Essex.......!