tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18427215770855038452024-03-14T08:39:05.656+00:00CHARM ABOUT YOU ‧ made by Lucy Brennan ‧ Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.comBlogger1162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-71676495501384189862023-08-19T17:43:00.001+01:002023-08-19T17:59:13.457+01:00Simplicity and mending (with tips for iron on patches)<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYEoe2eg_lE22MIWmOXASo7OOq_oZtb2YWyrdSbIErxgy63_IpN51RD0IgN_bJDmwh1CjroYc63As66SqMJH81t3NUkB0xPmsudDulzKEcPX38sMtfqr5SANohcL4Hw-RnzJc4ylQQbbhOKhuzLxDGPUWs4BhRKLIRqS-Y-0U0J2grXbaU17DV1nB/s2268/PXL_20230603_142913305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYEoe2eg_lE22MIWmOXASo7OOq_oZtb2YWyrdSbIErxgy63_IpN51RD0IgN_bJDmwh1CjroYc63As66SqMJH81t3NUkB0xPmsudDulzKEcPX38sMtfqr5SANohcL4Hw-RnzJc4ylQQbbhOKhuzLxDGPUWs4BhRKLIRqS-Y-0U0J2grXbaU17DV1nB/w640-h640/PXL_20230603_142913305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm continuing to work on my <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/search?q=Merrow+croft" target="_blank">Merrow Croft quilt</a>. I keep thinking I've not got far to go but hand sewing is a slow, slow process! I'm working on my last border of back basted, applique blocks.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU2UJQWQJndT7sLsLkhRVE8ZbOyYMNVFWHCcbPfRnveLYnS6KHApWMZBaZ1WM_bMurvPdGRueh9tyChv42XUtywlwH4bTkLQn6XASvrVQ1UCnAG060s5uirVXVkqwvNV2BQENo_0zLKEVWt8NE3ODeeHGaPu7XMX-ANBbzEp1zoaxXVRkhb7KcMF_/s1884/PXL_20230603_130518819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1622" data-original-width="1884" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU2UJQWQJndT7sLsLkhRVE8ZbOyYMNVFWHCcbPfRnveLYnS6KHApWMZBaZ1WM_bMurvPdGRueh9tyChv42XUtywlwH4bTkLQn6XASvrVQ1UCnAG060s5uirVXVkqwvNV2BQENo_0zLKEVWt8NE3ODeeHGaPu7XMX-ANBbzEp1zoaxXVRkhb7KcMF_/w640-h550/PXL_20230603_130518819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoUgtblhNWB_Y3bu_B8tu_ZHmwmTDjF0cNdU0s3iJCyM7U8fBXObqP0dbGoS97oviNho0M1MNqWO-sA_8yZoEp9S9LNpoUWWnYnxwHh6eVu-vjYrM1j0b10vrRfwLa4jBu9V7zZTelj2nhc4k7-0yiXgcTlF2-kJHO4LjqFvTIgY-89tVvYWiyYyo/s2936/PXL_20230603_153314256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2181" data-original-width="2936" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoUgtblhNWB_Y3bu_B8tu_ZHmwmTDjF0cNdU0s3iJCyM7U8fBXObqP0dbGoS97oviNho0M1MNqWO-sA_8yZoEp9S9LNpoUWWnYnxwHh6eVu-vjYrM1j0b10vrRfwLa4jBu9V7zZTelj2nhc4k7-0yiXgcTlF2-kJHO4LjqFvTIgY-89tVvYWiyYyo/w640-h476/PXL_20230603_153314256.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's such a satisfying process, if you've not tried back basting applique I recommend doing so. There are some good tutorials on YouTube to show you how.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hand piecing and hand applique are definitely two of my favourite techniques. The simplicity of just using fabric and thread is so lovely.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLcbGyGs3MrIQpQZphBNxkleRD41G33Bq-hvsWPZTitJcwU6uIb3yBAbeyvnb4e_xqZ2syHYAGbsh-6mCYyNm9bUyBwVnmyATdpL0ZxJ_eh7qM5IJkooFrheh2qutOmM0wQ4UgnWxKNCbwwyQANyp1EnyYICi5Ul9z29dZeP-6hxXooPVxt5Ol5Yo/s2268/PXL_20230805_170710982.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLcbGyGs3MrIQpQZphBNxkleRD41G33Bq-hvsWPZTitJcwU6uIb3yBAbeyvnb4e_xqZ2syHYAGbsh-6mCYyNm9bUyBwVnmyATdpL0ZxJ_eh7qM5IJkooFrheh2qutOmM0wQ4UgnWxKNCbwwyQANyp1EnyYICi5Ul9z29dZeP-6hxXooPVxt5Ol5Yo/s320/PXL_20230805_170710982.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then some mending was required. My middle loves skateboarding, which plays havoc on fabric when you carry your board grip tape facing you!! So these jeans now had a hole and some rips on the seam caused by the friction of the board.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was going to do a fabric patch but then she remembered we had these cute little cat patches. She chose the gold cat and I pulled out some perle cotton to match.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia86kpRqBGEO2-XMrNGazO_wKX80vd3GoIuMhkMdF663_9xjsmm27fYqrmZnJyblk2hqQZ2BVmC_RLVrp9H1rO097MeIN7z1uXYCibbsNqLxPQMuDsHBCbJ3SVMtWBnid8c9XBg_WO-Aeflj8bXB4wkc4Um3Bi9M1yYjiHCZW2E7xFK_C_F4A2EOww/s2083/PXL_20230812_172153294~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2083" data-original-width="2082" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia86kpRqBGEO2-XMrNGazO_wKX80vd3GoIuMhkMdF663_9xjsmm27fYqrmZnJyblk2hqQZ2BVmC_RLVrp9H1rO097MeIN7z1uXYCibbsNqLxPQMuDsHBCbJ3SVMtWBnid8c9XBg_WO-Aeflj8bXB4wkc4Um3Bi9M1yYjiHCZW2E7xFK_C_F4A2EOww/s320/PXL_20230812_172153294~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Tips for iron-on patches</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If the fabric has a hole, use a piece of iron on stabiliser behind it. This helps give it something more to grip to and it feels better from the inside. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once ironed in place, I like to stitch around the edge with a ladder stitch to make it really secure. I try to catch just the edge of the patch and match my thread to the fabric of whatever I'm mending.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWle4uL00uZNW1dbCGZnMUcPg9Eql4Z4PnSKJxlxcRosd2Lvqkxj-sfI-MzrMFB4LoAcl1XXzGwPK8yXP-9q3mCaORN0J2Wbye6V4046X21QUSyXtsTZNUVSRsZfr0GStt8Z2FyLmj1mBaYJemFGp4QwUd7ALXNvAUFQgFuiWA3Xp-BZ3eHEiwezDW/s2268/PXL_20230812_192103147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWle4uL00uZNW1dbCGZnMUcPg9Eql4Z4PnSKJxlxcRosd2Lvqkxj-sfI-MzrMFB4LoAcl1XXzGwPK8yXP-9q3mCaORN0J2Wbye6V4046X21QUSyXtsTZNUVSRsZfr0GStt8Z2FyLmj1mBaYJemFGp4QwUd7ALXNvAUFQgFuiWA3Xp-BZ3eHEiwezDW/s320/PXL_20230812_192103147.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />For the ripped seams I just sewed over them with the perle cotton to hopefully make it a bit more robust. It's kind of messy and scrappy looking, but she likes it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWbOwUx04F6bmetfTu-5d3Lyi4d6JPvYkk5oegLpi87Z23mTTOeYHmL0FiOA5lkQ9RGYt8tE-GdxQyZTV0ym82Z0WCtHTuDsBMssVp5Q_tuXOG5wohTF8nYX73g6aTcwosadgfSX90tmoOV_emTJLk-GYlr1kKcWzHSHj5tqK-x3Y7a3eoXPDE5IB/s2268/PXL_20230812_194449064.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWbOwUx04F6bmetfTu-5d3Lyi4d6JPvYkk5oegLpi87Z23mTTOeYHmL0FiOA5lkQ9RGYt8tE-GdxQyZTV0ym82Z0WCtHTuDsBMssVp5Q_tuXOG5wohTF8nYX73g6aTcwosadgfSX90tmoOV_emTJLk-GYlr1kKcWzHSHj5tqK-x3Y7a3eoXPDE5IB/s320/PXL_20230812_194449064.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaYhASdeMSJz3JsPeDy-LJAopVd19XZq9pPND3E39B67FG7HXZ9tUzPJ--kSXeW5EaLT08wKexaxhK3PQ_8bpcpCoADlRTfviSuFW_1gXM4HvCpxPzoxYQ3xjmtVKyG1_b3dzP8Ice1qgEjo8Cll1gerNGKXsr7iAMFBeyclrOmeLmZ_55NwaBT3a/s1809/PXL_20230812_193536802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1809" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaYhASdeMSJz3JsPeDy-LJAopVd19XZq9pPND3E39B67FG7HXZ9tUzPJ--kSXeW5EaLT08wKexaxhK3PQ_8bpcpCoADlRTfviSuFW_1gXM4HvCpxPzoxYQ3xjmtVKyG1_b3dzP8Ice1qgEjo8Cll1gerNGKXsr7iAMFBeyclrOmeLmZ_55NwaBT3a/s320/PXL_20230812_193536802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Yes, I'm that lazy that I did a running stitch between sections that needed mending. It's a design detail, adding to the home repair vibe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">---</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It would be terrible of me not to chronicle that in May this year, I was graced by the presence of my beautiful friend Hydee. She visited Manchester as part of a trip and we enjoyed a delicious meal and wonderful evening together, talking well into the night. Through the connection of quilting and blogging, I am truly blessed to have this friendship, her wisdom has had a huge impact on my life and that of my family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you haven't already, run and visit her inspiring blog <a href="https://hydeeannsews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Splish, Splash, Stash</a> or visit her on instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hydeeannsews/" target="_blank">@hydeeannsews</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfx1tmQO11Fz7Ctnp3cvymeAGd2q3Ag9mhzrPOzEbgqs2vxFwgIux832R-5PSnuYyGW-TY3dbb31pATyPvRNR_HOllUrutdF4NGIw6gq8cWwm-n4O4CFlHobYSIS8s0dpm_apkE5o7yOYwTZ13d6RM1VCgstc-ck9Cn-aldtzjUEvlMMo-CLLiBWSl/s1920/PXL_20230517_194946902_exported_1218_1684415961752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfx1tmQO11Fz7Ctnp3cvymeAGd2q3Ag9mhzrPOzEbgqs2vxFwgIux832R-5PSnuYyGW-TY3dbb31pATyPvRNR_HOllUrutdF4NGIw6gq8cWwm-n4O4CFlHobYSIS8s0dpm_apkE5o7yOYwTZ13d6RM1VCgstc-ck9Cn-aldtzjUEvlMMo-CLLiBWSl/s320/PXL_20230517_194946902_exported_1218_1684415961752.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been here quietly stitching. I'm currently going through photos so I can share my makes in upcoming posts. There are a few abandoned blog posts hanging out in my drafts, things may get oddly out of sync but it'd be sad not to publish them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's taken me some time to get used to my (now not so) new position and I just needed a bit of a break and time to refocus. I'm doing an apprenticeship through work and I have lots to juggle, like many of you I'm sure. If you're reading this, thanks for sticking around!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">More makes and quilts to follow... </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><p></p>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-60974266025919598302022-12-30T21:00:00.007+00:002022-12-31T20:46:25.776+00:00Good intentions and Good morning!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Cross stitch has been taking over as my favourite pastime recently. To be fair it's probably half and half with quilting, though I find I'm drawn to the meditative following of charts and making cross stitches after a day of work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I purchased a few patterns this year and I'm working my way through them. The first one I completed is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/613327400/pdf-file-good-intentions" target="_blank">Good Intentions by Kathy Barrick</a>. Its a lovely design and the sentiment is just so true of me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrum4a_siQc7cPbN7VMkVz729SIPTkG-qlwZaKGFa1GL0Ye1ch7tALKtEQPcp8JwVVwPvJ9s8avw5oOffqLftMsWr-LN-qeBacWKvgapEhRAbNyaPI9UTFyo6XkUx3yRpEjqJrCZV7eFKoJiI7mdB75Agm0QvU_UylgCkWaxqjpXRqPbmMaO_TQ/s2268/PXL_20221030_120633695.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Good Intentions by Kathy Barrick cross stitch, words read I myself am made entirely of flaws stitched together with good intentions, a lady holding an embroidery hoop and needle. There are scissor and star motifs and stacks of thread spools." border="0" data-original-height="2159" data-original-width="2158" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76U-m3KNz0hBUsAJa4gSozYW77SNrxniAYaX3RKKmOy1ZslwA4WeRg6j7ocnRJ0dhOfvbYzIrCSpt43hC0_Br_YWfipmj2TDUFMRH3iAx7xpOxitXBPbc73ll4K2DSM9vM6JAgj1G2EKs-vo3gtOvDFflElwvGN6IXKziGCcltmVCJqB0uUdY7Q/w640-h640/PXL_20221030_120846070.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">I made a few adjustments to the pattern and changed the colours slightly. The colours are a similar palette to the original but was using what I had and substituted the black for a dark navy blue. I stitched a 3 on the hoop she's holding, 3 is the magic number and the number of kids I have. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrum4a_siQc7cPbN7VMkVz729SIPTkG-qlwZaKGFa1GL0Ye1ch7tALKtEQPcp8JwVVwPvJ9s8avw5oOffqLftMsWr-LN-qeBacWKvgapEhRAbNyaPI9UTFyo6XkUx3yRpEjqJrCZV7eFKoJiI7mdB75Agm0QvU_UylgCkWaxqjpXRqPbmMaO_TQ/s2268/PXL_20221030_120633695.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Good Intentions by Kathy Barrick cross stitch, a lady holding an embroidery hoop and needle. There are scissor and star motifs and stacks of thread spools." border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrum4a_siQc7cPbN7VMkVz729SIPTkG-qlwZaKGFa1GL0Ye1ch7tALKtEQPcp8JwVVwPvJ9s8avw5oOffqLftMsWr-LN-qeBacWKvgapEhRAbNyaPI9UTFyo6XkUx3yRpEjqJrCZV7eFKoJiI7mdB75Agm0QvU_UylgCkWaxqjpXRqPbmMaO_TQ/w640-h640/PXL_20221030_120633695.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">There's a few single threads used in the pattern and the trickiest part for me was the detail in the face, though I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLqs-yJNqFiNO-mOOkvYM4Z3A4xC4E4uTlQD34yeIAftIcu-xKhpMOgr4dVch_fjQ1FLcO5NgX7QrfJ4fHnblLdUuzoKVKJ2a1pK2uHlUeaoZLQZlbV70ATfrfO994xf1nX4-zpfiVk7zi-DWwYXGsqjrNlMTUlWC_1alqh6IZjOoTLXhwh7KZg/s2268/PXL_20221030_120824741.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Good intentions by Kathy Burke, close up of the lady holding an embroidery hoop and threaded needle" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLqs-yJNqFiNO-mOOkvYM4Z3A4xC4E4uTlQD34yeIAftIcu-xKhpMOgr4dVch_fjQ1FLcO5NgX7QrfJ4fHnblLdUuzoKVKJ2a1pK2uHlUeaoZLQZlbV70ATfrfO994xf1nX4-zpfiVk7zi-DWwYXGsqjrNlMTUlWC_1alqh6IZjOoTLXhwh7KZg/w640-h640/PXL_20221030_120824741.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">I like the little motifs too, the 'star' shapes very much remind me of patchwork.<span></span></div></div></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2022/12/good-intentions-and-good-morning.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-20270109266670224452022-12-27T23:43:00.000+00:002022-12-27T23:43:09.515+00:00Sunshine and Shadow: Manx log cabin coverlet<p>It would be nice to write about all the things I made this year before the end of the year is up! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">One of the makes I'm most proud of, I finished in early autumn and it had been a while in the making. I started making this coverlet when <a href="https://www.jenni-smith.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jenni Smith</a> taught the Manx log cabin technique at <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2019/10/stitch-gathering-2019.html" target="">Stitch Gathering in 2019</a>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxcV1rwtWWlWvUMLAteTKiKruk5XlIcu5My97RFrTvX3StQt3ZYR1mZ6CYpOayhJJpxQd9-yp0L11yEInicYrmeuiMPuaYU3Yn7FfEyRmqCAokgnQPHsmUlVt6NHV6BoQwSqfvqR5KmDOdfxqXlOgQxO3QBJJsL2VbJKDjoGWeuDsi9TYwCNvLQ/s2268/PXL_20220904_131956583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manx log cabin coverlet" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxcV1rwtWWlWvUMLAteTKiKruk5XlIcu5My97RFrTvX3StQt3ZYR1mZ6CYpOayhJJpxQd9-yp0L11yEInicYrmeuiMPuaYU3Yn7FfEyRmqCAokgnQPHsmUlVt6NHV6BoQwSqfvqR5KmDOdfxqXlOgQxO3QBJJsL2VbJKDjoGWeuDsi9TYwCNvLQ/s16000/PXL_20220904_131956583.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This traditional technique involves measuring and ripping fabric strips by hand, folding and sewing the blocks by hand and sewing them together front and then back. I made all the blocks by hand, sewed the fronts together on the machine and then hand sewed the back of the blocks. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/search?q=manx+log+cabin&max-results=20&by-date=true" target="_blank">My previous posts</a> detail the process and my decisions a little more. I used fabric, mostly scraps, from my stash for the blocks. The centre squares are metallic Essex linen. A lot of the backing fabrics were bought for this coverlet though because I wanted to use woven fabrics, there's some shot cotton and lots of gorgeous Robert Kaufman Fabrics - yarn dyed, herringbone and gingham. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5F3tA4lIkvlVxkJEKTbNXHm6-7jNrLaTWpGY2m7rY9lnX6YxYXSf5ZQR3JKp4ixrvwwODOQkxWJrvPHM5eVDdr_Nn12vCDgZJXv6KxL92hJ3V8l7R6pFblm4na2WB-u2p9SZOtrzwf1ke1ORhmNAVDvfMHnN5W6XzsuT9npJNgi5dgoDBBA0pg/s4032/PXL_20220830_221248567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Manx log cabin blocks, showing front and back" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5F3tA4lIkvlVxkJEKTbNXHm6-7jNrLaTWpGY2m7rY9lnX6YxYXSf5ZQR3JKp4ixrvwwODOQkxWJrvPHM5eVDdr_Nn12vCDgZJXv6KxL92hJ3V8l7R6pFblm4na2WB-u2p9SZOtrzwf1ke1ORhmNAVDvfMHnN5W6XzsuT9npJNgi5dgoDBBA0pg/w640-h360/PXL_20220830_221248567.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;">I did think about doing a normal quilt binding, I wasn't sure I could be bothered with the traditional butted edge. I guess this is like a knife-edge but there's no sewing around the edges or trimming of wadding required like there is with a quilt, so technically I don't know what it's really called. Anyway, I did decide to finish it by hand the traditional way. I turned the edges under 1/4" and did a ladder stitch closure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5xFK8Z_etuKMmig2RWXioAJP-p9yVFPjfnoQIwhcJ0_7DA6UsdbKq6tmgrrJ1okefMQoKxDgcssWyFgiL53BTKjh5RLa6_WK56KZBB22MVCqZBNNcicMOa8vNoQczLiICOJxFcNhEgQCpEiHgpDIw8bDZm7x7TN9BXJL2vmOlbt9ZWlQeZodsg/s2268/PXL_20220903_140021104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Butted edge or knife-edge being sewn" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5xFK8Z_etuKMmig2RWXioAJP-p9yVFPjfnoQIwhcJ0_7DA6UsdbKq6tmgrrJ1okefMQoKxDgcssWyFgiL53BTKjh5RLa6_WK56KZBB22MVCqZBNNcicMOa8vNoQczLiICOJxFcNhEgQCpEiHgpDIw8bDZm7x7TN9BXJL2vmOlbt9ZWlQeZodsg/w640-h640/PXL_20220903_140021104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The whole thing is far from perfect and, to me, that's what makes it so absolutely wonderful. It's not about being precise, it's so personal and handmade.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGFpj5OeTiYnnopRSLVwo_W51puWoQAwK_KXU_rzla39hLGWlFncEVyDoAggrjlrnbr_J0e4NqPhFb3qoNCuEvhQH6dCHeVtL2MEC0axfOc1Nrfspe4wLYFcS-uq5btahNSZqlVvyXUlAO6kAGqcS_DIEAgk7-K7ylGMOpriMviPAUofYQfRcbg/s2591/PXL_20220904_131304503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manx log cabin quilt" border="0" data-original-height="2591" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGFpj5OeTiYnnopRSLVwo_W51puWoQAwK_KXU_rzla39hLGWlFncEVyDoAggrjlrnbr_J0e4NqPhFb3qoNCuEvhQH6dCHeVtL2MEC0axfOc1Nrfspe4wLYFcS-uq5btahNSZqlVvyXUlAO6kAGqcS_DIEAgk7-K7ylGMOpriMviPAUofYQfRcbg/w560-h640/PXL_20220904_131304503.jpg" width="560" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I arranged the blocks in a traditional Sunshine and Shadow layout. There's no doubt that I will make another Manx log cabin at some point, next time with a different layout. I love this though. The pink, mint and navy are quite dramatic and give it a modern look.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqModBp872IAPObt6-E_Hqo7kjJzdXdrZfi_KPhQ-V7yqUFAdQe7UkFViCIDLGJjjQ5M5iLAShlodtEKBrNFnta3hUWbUf044cmv8TlcAqDbPBIK4kDDuFze0fKtlgw9nakLvSthsJHGDeGtl4fxKCjDvFSo4tUOYEjysxJ2rF6iE6l-AkRIaPQ/s4032/PXL_20220904_131313264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manx log cabin" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqModBp872IAPObt6-E_Hqo7kjJzdXdrZfi_KPhQ-V7yqUFAdQe7UkFViCIDLGJjjQ5M5iLAShlodtEKBrNFnta3hUWbUf044cmv8TlcAqDbPBIK4kDDuFze0fKtlgw9nakLvSthsJHGDeGtl4fxKCjDvFSo4tUOYEjysxJ2rF6iE6l-AkRIaPQ/s16000/PXL_20220904_131313264.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-j48dvC6I1zm_BxHuGuHZYco0oD4549c22En6TWvUhCJ6n_SAFZmuUzLK40NVeIUbZ9K6ror4vJRgKczaBaVkWRTQZ3TCDgONYQU1rjBkHHfNXz851NbqFb5w_L-j2_oMDSuolgydAiY-v7Fo326OJQFztysNMyzyKt_dcY4lPNQ9MeWgO3N1A/s2268/PXL_20220904_131340210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manx log cabin blocks" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-j48dvC6I1zm_BxHuGuHZYco0oD4549c22En6TWvUhCJ6n_SAFZmuUzLK40NVeIUbZ9K6ror4vJRgKczaBaVkWRTQZ3TCDgONYQU1rjBkHHfNXz851NbqFb5w_L-j2_oMDSuolgydAiY-v7Fo326OJQFztysNMyzyKt_dcY4lPNQ9MeWgO3N1A/w640-h640/PXL_20220904_131340210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Big thanks to my youngest for being such a good helper with these shots!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vNvo7nkdD7kdo3DTsWPgTnLnunM0zQr1pVKy3VsYsl20L0ZEz8KhQb7aWcPhNmnaukTSDsvtXC9q1WqHci3_PEc3d4WZjRF3PZGPLi0xqObWnR7Y698s7VdDCeYz3Dy6ah9twfmMdw20tinAZtiyWplKHDNbTJBmTKe0wwC53obKfnqXMOTvIQ/s4032/PXL_20220904_131350750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Girl holding quilt sitting on branch of a tree" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vNvo7nkdD7kdo3DTsWPgTnLnunM0zQr1pVKy3VsYsl20L0ZEz8KhQb7aWcPhNmnaukTSDsvtXC9q1WqHci3_PEc3d4WZjRF3PZGPLi0xqObWnR7Y698s7VdDCeYz3Dy6ah9twfmMdw20tinAZtiyWplKHDNbTJBmTKe0wwC53obKfnqXMOTvIQ/w360-h640/PXL_20220904_131350750.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Here's the back. You can see how the light shine though the centres of the block, where there's just two layers of fabric.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa2n9dAWGvDHYOCTEpPbhCbe2dvtD0Jy8PSf-rkuavx_NoQNBQ35tUNPG8XaO2KUzkIq8Bxdph2cKhQ0OXXxvhs33PKrXXnGWHkMvkSpWmW8UF31BElJXPHivl7ToDb2-zbib0iSiQeOnJ2XPiFoq4ZyWlRIGF2aNewzVtYZbY9FRwzVL140JCg/s2927/PXL_20220904_131411676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manx log cabin patchwork quilt back" border="0" data-original-height="2927" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa2n9dAWGvDHYOCTEpPbhCbe2dvtD0Jy8PSf-rkuavx_NoQNBQ35tUNPG8XaO2KUzkIq8Bxdph2cKhQ0OXXxvhs33PKrXXnGWHkMvkSpWmW8UF31BElJXPHivl7ToDb2-zbib0iSiQeOnJ2XPiFoq4ZyWlRIGF2aNewzVtYZbY9FRwzVL140JCg/w496-h640/PXL_20220904_131411676.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A close up of <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2021/05/quilt-label-x-gold-needles.html">the quilt label I made last year</a>. I did try to make the 1 into a 2 but it didn't really work! That'll teach me for counting my chickens before the coverlet is hatched!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOofvaqwR6GeONSgyfdKQP0aB8x2pJmrbLf12cTRNxPFuGf2JlIUiJzF8zYR_l4IgYn7pD1K7eUUJBC5lqRtOS7naDjo7mGZGJpXuBY-u_FKdsyj-f2MidQEMqxkD0GtDhqB1ZOkUAcO0iBO32m9CeEk-BwL2zM5ypBa2-uLlFUOB3jwJ0t9sUvg/s2268/PXL_20220904_131419896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Round embroidered quilt label" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOofvaqwR6GeONSgyfdKQP0aB8x2pJmrbLf12cTRNxPFuGf2JlIUiJzF8zYR_l4IgYn7pD1K7eUUJBC5lqRtOS7naDjo7mGZGJpXuBY-u_FKdsyj-f2MidQEMqxkD0GtDhqB1ZOkUAcO0iBO32m9CeEk-BwL2zM5ypBa2-uLlFUOB3jwJ0t9sUvg/w640-h640/PXL_20220904_131419896.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Pretty pictures of it draped on the tree, just because.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-aWzSTQ1IWWmrfZjgv1ZgKIzrOWFcdMVZEIBMeybA5taeGKunv3RiVEYXiBJ5iURYTmJ2nVMvd7E9rTgwzUkBp20UipZFpoeVC7CaJrGobpvidY-zKnzOtuFQdprP8C1plgc-SnZI1qB_iHrtsR_i3VodfaejH1xrPTC9yXcz9WbkYnmWcIbcg/s3925/PXL_20220904_131445054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Folded Manx log cabin draped on tree branch" border="0" data-original-height="3925" data-original-width="2207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-aWzSTQ1IWWmrfZjgv1ZgKIzrOWFcdMVZEIBMeybA5taeGKunv3RiVEYXiBJ5iURYTmJ2nVMvd7E9rTgwzUkBp20UipZFpoeVC7CaJrGobpvidY-zKnzOtuFQdprP8C1plgc-SnZI1qB_iHrtsR_i3VodfaejH1xrPTC9yXcz9WbkYnmWcIbcg/s16000/PXL_20220904_131445054.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uQLwoS1KVERrb8d5NYo9kuor97cd31paFrEX0gVj9reGnv-tSiuLtcsn-DHXBpxfo0GzaMmUKC6h-O2UL9aoyx_2F_71FdGGpoSNDIKZI0xOJY0QGg3ZoGACcbyHe_uCttgsHoIdjT9nGMEBn2JB571O92-r8I1wa-TuWnnz3wZrJ_FeD1q5eg/s3746/PXL_20220904_131614902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manx log cabin draped on tree branch" border="0" data-original-height="3746" data-original-width="2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uQLwoS1KVERrb8d5NYo9kuor97cd31paFrEX0gVj9reGnv-tSiuLtcsn-DHXBpxfo0GzaMmUKC6h-O2UL9aoyx_2F_71FdGGpoSNDIKZI0xOJY0QGg3ZoGACcbyHe_uCttgsHoIdjT9nGMEBn2JB571O92-r8I1wa-TuWnnz3wZrJ_FeD1q5eg/s16000/PXL_20220904_131614902.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The texture is what makes this so different and special. It's still warm like a quilt but so light. It's tactile in such a lovely way and this is my favourite make to date.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPdxQPgbomM9iAMSjRFGm8Ldq40LlhfwkGdcEypDxERTojDjvvqso70BUVkzh7NqJ52P89EPDgt-b3FHm731TBHRFcbloDI_EOyRKeDzxZqSumU6iSLnYIoJdnJVpqePMhDPeyzWGhJPcPL3XdeHYDc0PAMKPuViQ0ZYsRTl-EbAce-PzUPVcgA/s4032/PXL_20220904_131759387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Close up of Manx log cabin blocks" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPdxQPgbomM9iAMSjRFGm8Ldq40LlhfwkGdcEypDxERTojDjvvqso70BUVkzh7NqJ52P89EPDgt-b3FHm731TBHRFcbloDI_EOyRKeDzxZqSumU6iSLnYIoJdnJVpqePMhDPeyzWGhJPcPL3XdeHYDc0PAMKPuViQ0ZYsRTl-EbAce-PzUPVcgA/w640-h360/PXL_20220904_131759387.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc60PIyDRQt9OfVB6QweWIF0FGUJ8Iv4WoXWKbWgeNlZK19NHJ59ImtcnMosE6zpnuDZDY_2ulvMwBo8171v3qL1mzaRyyb3NaLsCr4r-Mm9YE5qa-wBNfZnrJng6RYhSAulBhUcjrqppK0WD0_UPxEQowe5UDT08VDvky2X94Tre3hbmr_oAHVg/s2268/PXL_20220904_131802639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Close up of Manx log cabin blocks, you can see the folds of the fabric strips" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc60PIyDRQt9OfVB6QweWIF0FGUJ8Iv4WoXWKbWgeNlZK19NHJ59ImtcnMosE6zpnuDZDY_2ulvMwBo8171v3qL1mzaRyyb3NaLsCr4r-Mm9YE5qa-wBNfZnrJng6RYhSAulBhUcjrqppK0WD0_UPxEQowe5UDT08VDvky2X94Tre3hbmr_oAHVg/w640-h640/PXL_20220904_131802639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2YDCwACxDmtQcNNmX2RYtajYKOMryvpfGAVmYvVKM4CnghBJgBXXcZp70Tgk_ABT5dIvnIC5UqvzwPlguNtVOzw2seLBtR7b9H9VjZAoCPFp5SElNojBnv-2zxoKWqJcDPCdWZu9f5MgSeF5WHYvsk3hz0PiVVdkGJaJ4IWy-71CLsGZ3Ld1xg/s4032/PXL_20220904_131814633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Close up of Manx log cabin blocks" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2YDCwACxDmtQcNNmX2RYtajYKOMryvpfGAVmYvVKM4CnghBJgBXXcZp70Tgk_ABT5dIvnIC5UqvzwPlguNtVOzw2seLBtR7b9H9VjZAoCPFp5SElNojBnv-2zxoKWqJcDPCdWZu9f5MgSeF5WHYvsk3hz0PiVVdkGJaJ4IWy-71CLsGZ3Ld1xg/w640-h360/PXL_20220904_131814633.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I really hope this one is treasured and my family keeps it long after I'm gone. Knowing my house though, I'll have to make another one because this one will get worn out; being loved and used, as it should be.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO9X2uG6h5U4iWKZlhJMSy2A-VAXsNePIFwkxM6HSUWkc-M_RdDvsRzuR09YScffy5xjO9t6Onc2SGe8d5BROt4R3zvYGOkefdsz9odOQFN7h34Yr1uvrSPlbLQppuxb7DwQ60Md2K5mpHNAjCvz5EE-xMpNEULhO9bKVFFLN-49fR-LexNIPnw/s4032/PXL_20220904_131952091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manx log cabin being held up in a park with big logs in front of it" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO9X2uG6h5U4iWKZlhJMSy2A-VAXsNePIFwkxM6HSUWkc-M_RdDvsRzuR09YScffy5xjO9t6Onc2SGe8d5BROt4R3zvYGOkefdsz9odOQFN7h34Yr1uvrSPlbLQppuxb7DwQ60Md2K5mpHNAjCvz5EE-xMpNEULhO9bKVFFLN-49fR-LexNIPnw/s16000/PXL_20220904_131952091.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>It's funny that I'm writing this as I sit in the living room where I spent so much time with my Nan, given my last post. I'm currently visiting my Dad and since I can't go to sleep before around midnight, I thought I'd stay up and try to catch up on writing about things I've made this year. There's a few more posts I'm hoping to cram in before 2023, stay tuned!</p></div>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-12326334586415748502022-10-11T21:35:00.001+01:002022-10-11T21:39:54.744+01:00my Nan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This blog post is wholeheartedly selfish, I am writing it because I need to. My blog has documented so many life events and I can't miss this one out. It's taken me many months, adding bits here and there so if it reads like that, well, it will. The whole time I am typing I am sobbing, this post may be triggering - if you are grieving right now, you have my full empathy and it might be best to skip this one. Then again maybe we all share grief. This may be cathartic to some of you, I don't know. I feel like that's a warning of what is to come. Some of you may think this is oversharing. Please allow me this space, it's my creation and this is part of my processing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJEcBxRGEMA/XpUCZrf0AFI/AAAAAAABIRE/dpQKzoqS7zoITbSqky0PYyQD-XzdCCwNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/File_000%2B%252827%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJEcBxRGEMA/XpUCZrf0AFI/AAAAAAABIRE/dpQKzoqS7zoITbSqky0PYyQD-XzdCCwNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_000%2B%252827%2529.jpeg" width="240"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This is a tribute to my Nan. Sadly she passed away in April 2020 at the amazing age of 101. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2011/08/living-off-pasta-and-love-or-what-ive.html" target="_blank">first ever quilt I made</a>, I gave to my Nan - so she was also mentioned in my first ever blog post. I talked about her when I was on TV, I talk about her to everyone all the time! She grouped together with my Dad and they bought me my current (amazing) sewing machine. I have things that belonged to her all around the house, many of her sewing supplies too and SO many things remind me of her. I get that feeling that I need to call her and share something with her all. the. time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U2eZiuVaa_o/XpUCZtnJpnI/AAAAAAABIRI/qgMDJ38ieOwTPl7JEka6oVrm-RlKAsBSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/File_000%2B%252833%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U2eZiuVaa_o/XpUCZtnJpnI/AAAAAAABIRI/qgMDJ38ieOwTPl7JEka6oVrm-RlKAsBSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_000%2B%252833%2529.jpeg" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>I know I share her creativity. My nan called it 'work' but it wasn't really, she did crochet, embroidery and drawing/painting. She said her hardest day was when she couldn't see to read or do 'work' any more. She was an avid learner, she went to university to study politics when she was in her 60s. No reason other than she was interested and she didn't have the opportunity to when she was younger. She was a very determined lady.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">She was also a firm believer in science and technology - "they can do amazing things Lucy, just think what they can discover in the future!". She would always read in detail about the latest inventions or progressions in health care. And she was smart enough to be sceptical of fads or sensational news. She told me to eat real food, "Watch," she said, "they tell you margarine is good for you but one day they'll turn around and say it's not and that we should eat butter". YEARS ago she told me that and, it's happening!<span></span></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2020/04/my-nan.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-59713337469345192352022-07-22T23:07:00.000+01:002022-07-22T23:07:29.269+01:00Crows cross stitch: a wedding gift<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRm3tU8XrvbvkErlba9EeNbmNsihzc0afujfJavoaCchtnG9w0rY3vLL-fTocQkseypDUWKyPlcBFUOfxHmfGOJPqBi3dAcAnPe4d-4qQX_U8KpICkmgb2BNKq8dpz75-GlHqh3KXOdJzGRmCHTEwZI1rwpXH2rLY5oNozxvnKvS6yeyWh8OZQQ/s2183/PXL_20220605_110244845~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cross stitch of two crows and art nouveau style roses" border="0" data-original-height="2183" data-original-width="2183" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRm3tU8XrvbvkErlba9EeNbmNsihzc0afujfJavoaCchtnG9w0rY3vLL-fTocQkseypDUWKyPlcBFUOfxHmfGOJPqBi3dAcAnPe4d-4qQX_U8KpICkmgb2BNKq8dpz75-GlHqh3KXOdJzGRmCHTEwZI1rwpXH2rLY5oNozxvnKvS6yeyWh8OZQQ/w640-h640/PXL_20220605_110244845~2.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I recently gave this cross stitch to my friends, in celebration of their wedding earlier this year. As soon as I saw this pattern I knew it would make a perfect gift. The design is based on a New York subway tile. I like the Charles Rennie Mackintosh vibe, both in style and colour and thought they'd like too. A quick google tells me the design is actually an interpretation of a book cover by Talwin Morris. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friends also happen to have a love of birds - well I already knew the groom did but happily have since discovered they both do. He's been my friend since primary school, for as long as I can remember, and I wanted to make them something special.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was such a fabulous wedding, me and my family camped in a bell tent! It was laid back, awesome fun and we couldn't be happier for such a lovely couple. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first stitches were made in February 2021. The fabric is 18 count Zweigart Aida in Willow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<div align="center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLj0CFxrzJ7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLj0CFxrzJ7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"><div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLj0CFxrzJ7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Lucy Brennan (@charmaboutyou)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">I didn't use the DMC colour chart from the pattern and instead picked similar <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=929603&u=1398597&m=68500&urllink=www%2Efatquartershop%2Ecom%2Faurifil%2Dthread%2Faurifloss%2Dthread&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aurifloss</a> colours. I did refer to <a href="https://blog.fatquartershop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DMC-Aurifil-Conversion-Chart-2019.pdf" target="_blank">this conversion chart</a>, though if memory serves I deviated slightly. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKRN94LqNam43E2kfhWKfu5dzRh6u_R01iFFU81OXR9MII4vMR2qX8UdMujZbtss16yGKhirGJ5-aAGwMXocbutr4hK-zaVjwoqN4G3G6Os-WyJsMKSEG6VQxIUTY73Z8eIkYHkwg70MPrRgbZ0i52LoGp0ro3E8oFSHLyVAKi9kk2-TeS9ZAjA/s2267/IMG_20220506_200345_951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="close up of needle forming cross stitch through aida fabric" border="0" data-original-height="2267" data-original-width="2267" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKRN94LqNam43E2kfhWKfu5dzRh6u_R01iFFU81OXR9MII4vMR2qX8UdMujZbtss16yGKhirGJ5-aAGwMXocbutr4hK-zaVjwoqN4G3G6Os-WyJsMKSEG6VQxIUTY73Z8eIkYHkwg70MPrRgbZ0i52LoGp0ro3E8oFSHLyVAKi9kk2-TeS9ZAjA/w640-h640/IMG_20220506_200345_951.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I used <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=929603&u=1398597&m=68500&urllink=www%2Efatquartershop%2Ecom%2Faurifil%2Dthread%2Faurifloss%2Dthread&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aurifloss</a> in 2692 Black, 2021 Natural White, 1114 Grass Green, 5023 Medium Green and 2320 Light Toast.</div><br><div style="text-align: left;">Since it was a wedding gift, I wanted to personalise the design with names or a date. My first idea was to add their names towards the bottom, I went off the idea because it could have ended up being too busy and distracting. I then decided just to add the date of their wedding, which handily would serve as a good reminder for anniversaries!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was my husband who suggested adding it in to the border at the top. Genius. It was perfect, like the birds were singing the date.<span></span></div></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2022/07/crows-cross-stitch-wedding-gift.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-44623194496506108042022-07-01T18:26:00.004+01:002022-07-01T18:26:53.341+01:00Granny Square finish<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tSNECOtsvpncu6-TTd6mIkHHAnjsu85dEzbp0B5xrPBQh10GB3Pn0evmewqzBp00VKAwuOblh-eDsWlUSTu1LNeC5ob8cLGi6xDV0W4Li2DEkLgaQ5rU5lAYzn3rgSFvWXdEULr-psbZm9jl7EujorNc6vjnhEBKzAuxp9e01cZ8e6EAFnHV4g/s1314/PXL_20220626_135931534~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="1310" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tSNECOtsvpncu6-TTd6mIkHHAnjsu85dEzbp0B5xrPBQh10GB3Pn0evmewqzBp00VKAwuOblh-eDsWlUSTu1LNeC5ob8cLGi6xDV0W4Li2DEkLgaQ5rU5lAYzn3rgSFvWXdEULr-psbZm9jl7EujorNc6vjnhEBKzAuxp9e01cZ8e6EAFnHV4g/s320/PXL_20220626_135931534~2.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally a fully finished object! I got my Granny Square SAL finished and framed it in this quite dramatic frame.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I loved choosing the colours for this, picking out my favourites and calmly stitching along. One square a week was a relaxed pace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjwGf_YSytXkU01RB6jm2C2o_PVt3w8ToEJbVzPKWYNdOeXa6p2BVZLvmQidWPFy0Lw6pVh2L1k3JztVG3nTCcBDsbIBMmyu1KQ56h0hRFq-Pz_mTBBUNCTSgpGtt_HoQslHyE2nsCyryKgJwXqq9ZSFo9wN_BPjy3keaRH0hku-MaITBv-mCHw/s1720/PXL_20220605_235828756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="1720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjwGf_YSytXkU01RB6jm2C2o_PVt3w8ToEJbVzPKWYNdOeXa6p2BVZLvmQidWPFy0Lw6pVh2L1k3JztVG3nTCcBDsbIBMmyu1KQ56h0hRFq-Pz_mTBBUNCTSgpGtt_HoQslHyE2nsCyryKgJwXqq9ZSFo9wN_BPjy3keaRH0hku-MaITBv-mCHw/s320/PXL_20220605_235828756.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I would have happily kept on stitching these squares, it's quite addictive and a really big piece full of granny squares would look amazing. Maybe one day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With other projects to get back to though (and oops maybe start!), I stuck to four. Also I liked the idea of keeping it small within a bigger frame.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGswKs5IDNB-SzwSs6-Bkm5XIW1Nl8F0OZi7yfZDYncdLR-jkXvKrTEL_VLijClyPAvPr1GOa_54CXJ9dlXrYEEreE6-yGqwywaxhqlnE_kaeKewrSr19VHjLUDP72JcnYa3wfcDgnT0Hwx88N52lzOOSAopTSW6wn6WD-c7vx7VH8VH3o6gW_w/s2975/PXL_20220606_152947737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2975" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGswKs5IDNB-SzwSs6-Bkm5XIW1Nl8F0OZi7yfZDYncdLR-jkXvKrTEL_VLijClyPAvPr1GOa_54CXJ9dlXrYEEreE6-yGqwywaxhqlnE_kaeKewrSr19VHjLUDP72JcnYa3wfcDgnT0Hwx88N52lzOOSAopTSW6wn6WD-c7vx7VH8VH3o6gW_w/s320/PXL_20220606_152947737.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">In my search for frames, I happened upon this black and gold frame from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1043250075/glass-black-gold-photo-frame-10x10-8x8" target="_blank">p</a><span style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1043250075/glass-black-gold-photo-frame-10x10-8x8" target="_blank">hoto frames & art on Etsy</a>. I got the 8 x 8" frame with mount, which is for a 4 x 4" photo. They have so many great frames and a lovely range of sizes. It was a reasonable price and came really nicely packaged. Highly recommend,</span><span style="text-align: center;"> they are a family run business and the frames are made in the UK.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcwhJI8dMq0tyKrw-rB7KchWg19j0uB6Pe7gNahA2vfro-Rbg-WDxnkWkDN0k64HW4bq_AN_VSuXezGcKiTr8Pd6VAPwO31tSE2C50I8eR2rxWAtdS_k9COI1HF3m7x0dbaDS1yYdAIPgPCYsUDGs4gv_gHlO45e28A3hlC_4yKfMDJCElFQzQA/s1957/PXL_20220626_135810644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1957" data-original-width="1957" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcwhJI8dMq0tyKrw-rB7KchWg19j0uB6Pe7gNahA2vfro-Rbg-WDxnkWkDN0k64HW4bq_AN_VSuXezGcKiTr8Pd6VAPwO31tSE2C50I8eR2rxWAtdS_k9COI1HF3m7x0dbaDS1yYdAIPgPCYsUDGs4gv_gHlO45e28A3hlC_4yKfMDJCElFQzQA/s320/PXL_20220626_135810644.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">Currently this piece is sitting on a ledge, as the frame has a stand, but it also has a hook so it will get hung on the wall eventually. I can't be expected to get pieces both framed and hung surely?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">The Granny Square Cross Stitch pattern is free, you can <a href="https://www.fatquartershop.com/granny-square-free-cross-stitch-pattern?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=squal-great-granny-crochet-along&sscid=71k6_iavm" rel="nofollow">download it from Fat Quarter Shop</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWOaXm_lTFFsHwxe0QOTu3diMxyfm6g5xzx32H73rOqHe8X-o0izVUMjG9j2VBVyKjFkzSxbLZyuesEXjwFPmIBb0c6J82oprEunta9Zdobdl0wS6t1dEH70Iq8wYRlpFdRhsAqSj0ilOK8bFn0cMFNhbT61IJIxDu_Hw8xTEfHLpxdQozFn5PA/s1679/PXL_20220626_135928298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1679" data-original-width="1679" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWOaXm_lTFFsHwxe0QOTu3diMxyfm6g5xzx32H73rOqHe8X-o0izVUMjG9j2VBVyKjFkzSxbLZyuesEXjwFPmIBb0c6J82oprEunta9Zdobdl0wS6t1dEH70Iq8wYRlpFdRhsAqSj0ilOK8bFn0cMFNhbT61IJIxDu_Hw8xTEfHLpxdQozFn5PA/s320/PXL_20220626_135928298.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Have a fabulous weekend and don't forget to join in with the #SaturdayNightCraftAlong over on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/charmaboutyou/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-35604527505326719102022-06-26T13:00:00.001+01:002022-06-26T13:00:00.227+01:00Sunday Stash: a bit of everything<p>I've been enjoying a return to what started as my 100 day project, hand piecing my Merrow Croft quilt (pattern by Margaret Mew). If you haven't done any hand piecing before, I have a how-to with lots of tips in <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2016/01/hand-piecing-quilt.html">my hand piecing tutorial</a>. Using some of my treasured hand printed fabrics by Karen Lewis and Lucy Engels, I'm enjoying the neutral cool vibe of these pieces.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYf8MyxQRwFpfWWs_nmZVyr_u8EFIA-Wa0aGsw4NedxZrXZzpQI-NzxwVVEkf8KhOup0fhcMPsLzXSn1wFka8LIdKa9qQwF7NJde5wpRKxAYDiLAychsnrsFlJTrOTVSpsX8pdkF4qBPejKL_bHzXkGNvTaAeZKtpyEHcjS6gMhZAlPOuYKlpGeg/s2214/20220623_135131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A hand holding small pieces of fabric, being sewn together with a running stitch. In the background is a circle shaped quilt block that has been hand pieced. Surrounding this are more small pieces of fabric, thread and embroidery scissors." border="0" data-original-height="1669" data-original-width="2214" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYf8MyxQRwFpfWWs_nmZVyr_u8EFIA-Wa0aGsw4NedxZrXZzpQI-NzxwVVEkf8KhOup0fhcMPsLzXSn1wFka8LIdKa9qQwF7NJde5wpRKxAYDiLAychsnrsFlJTrOTVSpsX8pdkF4qBPejKL_bHzXkGNvTaAeZKtpyEHcjS6gMhZAlPOuYKlpGeg/w640-h482/20220623_135131.jpg" width="640"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I'm using up my stash but I'm also adding to it...<span></span></div></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2022/06/sunday-stash-bit-of-everything.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-29802301089975702712022-06-14T21:20:00.000+01:002022-06-14T21:20:24.620+01:00Granny square stitch along<p>Sew alongs and stitch alongs are always great fun! I enjoy seeing people make a pattern their own or even if they follow the pattern exactly, it's nice knowing you're creating something with others and it helps keep you on track for a finish.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnK8c0e6Mf2uBpK1VlzPLElckTu3L1KMQifHX2sxI5MDkxjNvPZqBuAdXPzif9Y9hJFPKDI4p2cjicvGOPV64oRAHAKC3VprAInhiIjsn9AssKLSnbe56BA9-tCl5lwhkpVCqramlCg-uOBv_eYk2doQx_GhBmyb-V3a3ecq99KK_ZuLrQu-LvKg/s2200/PXL_20220605_095521269~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cross stitched granny square on linen fabric, under that is a magnetic stork needle minder with a needle resting on it" border="0" data-original-height="2200" data-original-width="2200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnK8c0e6Mf2uBpK1VlzPLElckTu3L1KMQifHX2sxI5MDkxjNvPZqBuAdXPzif9Y9hJFPKDI4p2cjicvGOPV64oRAHAKC3VprAInhiIjsn9AssKLSnbe56BA9-tCl5lwhkpVCqramlCg-uOBv_eYk2doQx_GhBmyb-V3a3ecq99KK_ZuLrQu-LvKg/w640-h640/PXL_20220605_095521269~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The most recent ones I've joined in with were a year long but the Fat Quarter Shop is doing a summer <a href="https://blog.fatquartershop.com/great-granny-squared-along/">Great Granny Squared-Along</a> that is cute and simple. With patterns designed by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/LoriHolt/videos">Lori Holt</a>, you can make a quilt, crochet or cross stitch piece. There's something for everyone and they make for good scrap busting projects too!</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Granny Square Cross Stitch pattern is free, you can download it from <a href="https://shrsl.com/3k6em" rel="nofollow">Fat Quarter Shop</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGCD8_ChTxIzTBvNZefPqIfZAFRfhdl90mSyYX05KNIcK1nzPmjJ37Oy_8z297y0GWmucd61-bFdnLwf4XoYJDW5gjtbsOMU9ff6CgM8SyVs8ct5axc6Iym0v-5Ia7VWqMXBEuvrVxV91PJjoRjJvG7sJKsBFYXIYBZBDqGgj44Yj4LCsoR_qsA/s1440/IMG_20220602_093725_876.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A cantilever wooden sewing box with one side open, filled with wooden spools of embroidery floss. Below that is a piece of linen fabric with 16 wooden spools of floss laid on top of the fabric." border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGCD8_ChTxIzTBvNZefPqIfZAFRfhdl90mSyYX05KNIcK1nzPmjJ37Oy_8z297y0GWmucd61-bFdnLwf4XoYJDW5gjtbsOMU9ff6CgM8SyVs8ct5axc6Iym0v-5Ia7VWqMXBEuvrVxV91PJjoRjJvG7sJKsBFYXIYBZBDqGgj44Yj4LCsoR_qsA/w640-h640/IMG_20220602_093725_876.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The pattern lists the colours for DMC and <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=929603&u=1398597&m=68500&urllink=www%2Efatquartershop%2Ecom%2Fnsearch%2F%3Fq%3DAurifloss&afftrack=" rel="nofollow">Aurifloss</a> colours. I'm using what I have and picked out a selection of Aurifloss in colours that I love. I grouped them into 4 and sort of planned which colours to use where, though I might change up the positions. Kind of random but I like them all so it should work out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Here's my first granny square stitched up:</div></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdbYYj5vS5fv9x3zFEmQxq-Oz1zqRWzTEpPmwCWSczQ5hK6ZEepe_Zqftv8X365Ysf3CJRZRWTsE0b-RKXzgJTlE7DEKfgiSNmpDxETxKmIl6YsWSV6QODgIfpXRjssbzOYPZhP-0gt6cxmyXD0ClsTPOwbG1Ln6u2b4VM6JbC4Xtp0uTLGPrKA/s1638/PXL_20220605_095953743~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Close up of a cross stitched granny square" border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="1638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdbYYj5vS5fv9x3zFEmQxq-Oz1zqRWzTEpPmwCWSczQ5hK6ZEepe_Zqftv8X365Ysf3CJRZRWTsE0b-RKXzgJTlE7DEKfgiSNmpDxETxKmIl6YsWSV6QODgIfpXRjssbzOYPZhP-0gt6cxmyXD0ClsTPOwbG1Ln6u2b4VM6JbC4Xtp0uTLGPrKA/w640-h640/PXL_20220605_095953743~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">From the centre, <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=929603&u=1398597&m=68500&urllink=www%2Efatquartershop%2Ecom%2Fnsearch%2F%3Fq%3DAurifloss&afftrack=" rel="nofollow">Aurifloss</a> in 2435 Peachy Pink, 6728 Cinnabar, 2880 Pale Green and 6722 Sea Biscuit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And I just finished my second square:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVTa1tmdH90UVkqanKSbyTc9TloCB81_lsdpTFttkJhFlqAnXUlP_43UtioqF9wejC_FWtl4kJWg4otjdU-KlkvGL1ia_7LG8w3QinlrFuH5lCMhDfRSoURJSy-3MHNRULQJWyk1AnzVaO3FkFs-gshKBVWBSaxKha2E1Ou6QHHofsvLtHmb-dA/s1515/PXL_20220605_191043769.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Two cross stitched granny squares with a penny on the fabric below. The granny squares are each just a bit larger than the penny" border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="1515" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVTa1tmdH90UVkqanKSbyTc9TloCB81_lsdpTFttkJhFlqAnXUlP_43UtioqF9wejC_FWtl4kJWg4otjdU-KlkvGL1ia_7LG8w3QinlrFuH5lCMhDfRSoURJSy-3MHNRULQJWyk1AnzVaO3FkFs-gshKBVWBSaxKha2E1Ou6QHHofsvLtHmb-dA/w640-h640/PXL_20220605_191043769.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From the centre, Aurifloss in 6723 Fairy Floss, 2930 Golden Toast, 4020 Fuchsia and 2606 Mist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm stitching on 32ct Linen in Natural by Zweigart, using two strands of floss over two. I know linen isn't everyone's favourite (I'm looking at you Kimberly!) but I really like doing 2 over 2. For as long as my eyes can take it, I will keep stitching on linen. I do use Aida too, I recently finished a project on Aida that I will share soon! That's one of the great things about cross stitch, you can use whatever count or type of fabric you like. It may come out smaller or larger but that doesn't ever concern me. I have to admit, I haven't been sewing quite as much but I know I will switch things up and return to my quilty projects when the mood strikes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm super content when I'm cross stitching, focused but chilled. If you haven't ever given it a go, this is a great pattern to start you off! Download the <a href="Fat Quarter Shop" rel="nofollow">free pattern</a> and join the SAL!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="Fat Quarter Shop" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRNFjm7wvDZNuGpx33X6KZvF8vSfSXkSUd9aYn10s_sLNmvMghrXh0zPvQ1ew2FqFzVS1EWkJxo5UGJu2KowV8avSUHJ_jaUBgwdF33JZADi6rqNDe5iCYkOPPVPOyyfKcQsXJRbNgZfu1PkkfgYLfpZXiKvVE-W8rhseadiizjIGmFrIQJv3KA/s320/IMG_20220602_093725_857.jpg" style="width:320px;" /></a></div><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-24870972562359150022022-06-08T18:00:00.003+01:002022-06-08T18:00:00.250+01:00paper fabric<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9thS2H_CVhw/YN2b4ta5P2I/AAAAAAABVYs/9MPQQeWWI4g2-jcuF_rijPG1Dodqt40DwCPcBGAsYHg/s3685/20210420_180804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Two pouches made from paper fabric, an embroidery patch, scissors and a spool of thread" border="0" data-original-height="3685" data-original-width="3685" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9thS2H_CVhw/YN2b4ta5P2I/AAAAAAABVYs/9MPQQeWWI4g2-jcuF_rijPG1Dodqt40DwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/20210420_180804.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Have you tried sewing with paper fabric? Also known as washable paper / vegan leather. It is often used for labels on denim and it is really fun to sew with. I have made a whole host of projects and tried a new to me brand of paper fabric that I'm going to share with you today. I also have another product to share, that allowed me to use some vintage embroidery transfers to create cute decorations. Heavily inspired by stationery these simple, modern makes are perfect to give as gifts... it <strike>might be</strike> is a long post, so grab a brew and I hope it inspires you!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uw4JPTWtkCg/YN2b4gP7poI/AAAAAAABVYs/qk8FSPZ0n9sTkHIRB-X-bAQKJntJVi2aACPcBGAsYHg/s650/IMG_20180407_141505.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Close up view of metallic pouch made with paper fabric. Showing different compartments with fabric epp pieces coming out of one section." border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uw4JPTWtkCg/YN2b4gP7poI/AAAAAAABVYs/qk8FSPZ0n9sTkHIRB-X-bAQKJntJVi2aACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/IMG_20180407_141505.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQ7x3oAlwHk/YN2gj_dmdLI/AAAAAAABVZA/uHZGzFuaC44_iAVzZou-vk2DvKtQQFpeQCPcBGAsYHg/s650/IMG_9723.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book with fabric patchwork cover made of selvedges and a monogrammed paper fabric label sewn on the front." border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQ7x3oAlwHk/YN2gj_dmdLI/AAAAAAABVZA/uHZGzFuaC44_iAVzZou-vk2DvKtQQFpeQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/IMG_9723.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I first used this material about four years ago and have since enjoyed sewing with it to make a variety of things: <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2018/05/rose-gold-epp-folder.html" target="_blank">folder</a>, <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2017/01/sew-simple-card-holder-tutorial.html" target="_blank">card holder</a>, <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2018/01/monogrammed-book-cover.html" target="_blank">monogrammed label</a>, and <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2020/04/a-bookmark-with-purpose.html" target="_blank">bookmarks</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wdrxnQnpLAY/YN2b4to8AAI/AAAAAAABVYs/uNxzsw5luLApfn9KVk2oNKy1pK34K9IhACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210331_134551012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Close up of 3 colours of paper fabric" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wdrxnQnpLAY/YN2b4to8AAI/AAAAAAABVYs/uNxzsw5luLApfn9KVk2oNKy1pK34K9IhACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/PXL_20210331_134551012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3qGeN4Q" target="_blank">kraft-tex</a> seems to be the most commonly available washable fabric paper, they make a range of colours and is what I've use most. There is also <a href="https://www.fredaldous.co.uk/pages/search-results-page?q=rico+washable+paper" target="_blank">some made by Rico</a> - like the beautiful metallic rose gold one above. Recently I found <a href="https://frumble.co.uk/products/happyhide-original" target="_blank">HappyHide</a> at Frumble, a nice range of neutral colours and metallics, it is slightly softer and crinkles beautifully. I think with people looking for leather alternatives it is likely to get more popular and there may well be more brands making similar products too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the things that is so cool about this material is the way it wrinkles. As a stationery lover, it excites me because it really looks like paper. You can keep it flat so it looks more like card but if you wash it then in creates lines and wrinkles that mimic leather or crumpled paper. It is tough though, this is not a flimsy material - I have put pieces in my washing machine, it dries with more texture but it's still firm. The card holder I made for my husband 4 years ago is still going strong. Obviously he opens and closes it, carries it in his pocket and throws it around. He's had other wallets that haven't lasted that long!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For my latest projects, I was inspired by packaging, brown paper bags and simplicity. Paper fabric allows you to do things you can't do with quilting cotton and projects are quick and fun to sew. I made up these samples for a <a href="https://www.craftymonkies.com/product-page/video-of-workshop-lucy-brennan-sewing-with-paper-fabric" target="_blank">CraftyMonkies class</a> which is now available on demand, and wasn't kidding when I said these are quick to make, we got through a lot! Obviously with me chatting and sharing all the tips while making.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We started simple, making this cute wallet. Straight line sewing, 3 pieces and a layer of felt. A good way to get used to the feel of sewing with fabric paper.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLRUJ-Mmdek/YN2b4iUtWKI/AAAAAAABVYs/rQBY-ycfJZoy4zk0P0yZTuwL51F5kXvPACPcBGAsYHg/s2828/PXL_20210331_123254377%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper fabric wallet with embroidered flowers on a felt patch." border="0" data-original-height="2828" data-original-width="2828" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLRUJ-Mmdek/YN2b4iUtWKI/AAAAAAABVYs/rQBY-ycfJZoy4zk0P0yZTuwL51F5kXvPACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/PXL_20210331_123254377%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You can see the texture of the paper fabric well here. It is flat but has a sort of grain, I really like the feel of it. It does look more rigid and cardboardy when it isn't washed, as is the case here. But then that does give it a modern, minimal feel.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqtAD2QeQ4w/YN2b4iqY9UI/AAAAAAABVYs/XfPuTNpebdYgG57mIJuldTI2Bxc4wUvZgCPcBGAsYHg/s3024/PXL_20210331_123302183.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Close up of the inside of a paper fabric wallet, lined with felt and a business card in one side of the wallet." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqtAD2QeQ4w/YN2b4iqY9UI/AAAAAAABVYs/XfPuTNpebdYgG57mIJuldTI2Bxc4wUvZgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/PXL_20210331_123302183.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This cute snap pouch is so handy, a perfect size for holding make up or filling with little treats. It has a slightly expandable bottom too so looks are deceiving, it holds a fair bit. You can see the contrast with the texture here, the black paper fabric had been washed and handled more because the bag was turned through. It is much more grainy and has the crinkly texture that I love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HoS2wbTjhIU/YN2b4jy2RqI/AAAAAAABVYs/l0x7vi1x10sM1jlMXzUHxbBhcLVluhniACPcBGAsYHg/s3024/PXL_20210331_124004699%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Flat lay of paper fabric pouch with snaps, scissors, spool of thread and embroidered felt patch" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HoS2wbTjhIU/YN2b4jy2RqI/AAAAAAABVYs/l0x7vi1x10sM1jlMXzUHxbBhcLVluhniACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/PXL_20210331_124004699%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When sewing paper fabric I use my regular piecing cotton, Aurifil 50 weight. I have used thicker weights of thread too, for top stitching or decoration and it all works well. </div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">You do need to make sure your stitches aren't too small, as that can perforate the fabric. Honestly I did have some trouble when I starting designing and testing because turning the fabric through can be tricky.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMSvbBi3i5A/YN2b4u3d7JI/AAAAAAABVYs/WP7W4pcAdtkVN7rrQacAf9FqOLFZKc5kgCPcBGAsYHg/s2827/PXL_20210331_123247070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper fabric pouch with two snap closure and embroidered geometric shape felt patch." border="0" data-original-height="2827" data-original-width="2827" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMSvbBi3i5A/YN2b4u3d7JI/AAAAAAABVYs/WP7W4pcAdtkVN7rrQacAf9FqOLFZKc5kgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/PXL_20210331_123247070.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I cracked it though! Before this I had sewn pieces together with the seams on the outside but it's much more satisfying seeing the possibilities of what you can make when you can turn it right sides out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Finished with a snap closure and embroidered detail (more on that later).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByXJyTMTk2M/YN2b4tHQHlI/AAAAAAABVYs/wrfp1IIl3E88hKZxWd0hEjFthlKtmErDgCPcBGAsYHg/s3024/PXL_20210331_123153129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Close up of embroidered geometric felt patch and snap on paper fabric pouch" border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByXJyTMTk2M/YN2b4tHQHlI/AAAAAAABVYs/wrfp1IIl3E88hKZxWd0hEjFthlKtmErDgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/PXL_20210331_123153129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Next up is my favourite, the string closure pouch or envelope. This took the most time to design, until I got it just right. I played with proportions, the closure, different stitches and edges. I made some mistakes and got a bit frustrated but now I'm super happy with it. It has an old school envelope look and it's a useful size and it can has an expandable flat bottom so it will stand up. The bakers twine gives the perfect finish and there's so many ways you can adapt and use this pattern.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3VRYkdFx1M/YN7yoCpVQUI/AAAAAAABVZg/Lncs0hPmkBIWr9I3vfMe-lSg336Um_9_QCPcBGAsYHg/s3024/PXL_20210331_123032685.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 paper fabric envelope pouches with two circles stitched on the front and flap with a string closure" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3VRYkdFx1M/YN7yoCpVQUI/AAAAAAABVZg/Lncs0hPmkBIWr9I3vfMe-lSg336Um_9_QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/PXL_20210331_123032685.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOX_stQPUT4/YN2b4ojA9yI/AAAAAAABVYs/YJZHCoGzNgwyyapeyDxnRb6LNDJvX8kIQCPcBGAsYHg/s3449/PXL_20210331_123525106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Close up of paper fabric envelope pouch with two circles stitched on the front and flap with a string closure and an embroidered flower felt patch" border="0" data-original-height="3449" data-original-width="2586" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOX_stQPUT4/YN2b4ojA9yI/AAAAAAABVYs/YJZHCoGzNgwyyapeyDxnRb6LNDJvX8kIQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/PXL_20210331_123525106.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Another thing I LOVE about paper fabric is you can use scraps too, perfect for labels or tags and these useful cord keepers. These are keeping all our cables, plugs, cords and headphones neat - hurrah!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRutWDaA314/YN2b4sfPV8I/AAAAAAABVYs/_XUoFO1SRr8D4soj6M-PoIRg1PYO0UJhACPcBGAsYHg/s2285/PXL_20210331_152722708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Headphones with cord folded neatly and tied with paper fabric cord keeper and a bright snap closure" border="0" data-original-height="2285" data-original-width="2285" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRutWDaA314/YN2b4sfPV8I/AAAAAAABVYs/_XUoFO1SRr8D4soj6M-PoIRg1PYO0UJhACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/PXL_20210331_152722708.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWWSjt2jZHM/YN7228MM7JI/AAAAAAABVZo/6KaM4fqyiZso1C9pJPXrI1Nl8BJZS9GLQCPcBGAsYHg/s2671/20201207_180850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Inside of a basket containing headphones and cords folded and tied neatly with paper fabric cord holders, all with brightly coloured snap fasteners" border="0" data-original-height="2671" data-original-width="2671" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWWSjt2jZHM/YN7228MM7JI/AAAAAAABVZo/6KaM4fqyiZso1C9pJPXrI1Nl8BJZS9GLQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/20201207_180850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You can draw, write and stamp on paper fabric. The rubber stamp alphabets I own get used in quite a lot of my projects - I use them on regular cotton fabric too - but they are even easier to use on paper fabric. It's important to use a good ink, preferably fade proof. I like the <a href="https://amzn.to/3w764d6" target="_blank">Memento Dew Drop ink pads</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I created another version of the snap pouch for storing receipts, with a cheeky reminder! I also like that it has 'egg' colours 😂</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiOv4bV-ApM/YN2b4oJrELI/AAAAAAABVYs/XSDsOkcDScM5EwejCjqgh5Z5tag-02LZwCPcBGAsYHg/s2304/original_28b594b4-56a2-4f60-822f-cee8f04752fc_PXL_20210618_092820745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper fabric pouch with the word paper stamped on the front, surrounded by folded fabric and clear rubber alphabet stamps" border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="2304" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiOv4bV-ApM/YN2b4oJrELI/AAAAAAABVYs/XSDsOkcDScM5EwejCjqgh5Z5tag-02LZwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/original_28b594b4-56a2-4f60-822f-cee8f04752fc_PXL_20210618_092820745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inj5WAbL4mE/YN2b4kOsISI/AAAAAAABVYs/hcmRYvbShQ0_tI4QGYGJcCrbr-9hGfKJQCPcBGAsYHg/s2996/original_e7b2c2c3-8d78-4f2a-88e2-12d2b8fe56a3_PXL_20210618_092616703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Inside flap of fabric paper pouch with the words 'why you are broke' stamped on" border="0" data-original-height="2996" data-original-width="2996" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inj5WAbL4mE/YN2b4kOsISI/AAAAAAABVYs/hcmRYvbShQ0_tI4QGYGJcCrbr-9hGfKJQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/original_e7b2c2c3-8d78-4f2a-88e2-12d2b8fe56a3_PXL_20210618_092616703.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The final make is one I use daily. I created scissor holders for all my embroidery scissors. I have a few pairs of small scissors because I like to keep them with my cross stitching, embroidery and epp projects. That way I'm not always looking for scissors. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I designed two slightly different styles of cases and although I didn't have time to demonstrate making one in the class I did give instructions. I've seen cases made by the class participants since and they look fab! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yfpPk5_jB8/YN2cyYsvj3I/AAAAAAABVY4/AEzyDvYgcdoALFGUFkZn9IsjKPEbhiPywCPcBGAsYHg/s1696/IMG_20200711_180114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper fabric scissor holder, with decorative stitching around the edge and a snap closure, and a pair of embroidery scissors" border="0" data-original-height="1696" data-original-width="1696" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yfpPk5_jB8/YN2cyYsvj3I/AAAAAAABVY4/AEzyDvYgcdoALFGUFkZn9IsjKPEbhiPywCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/IMG_20200711_180114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Here's my table after the class had just finished, a complete creative mess!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-liIeiYfb8sQ/YN2b4v44n5I/AAAAAAABVYs/3WqVkFG6x7UjTeeCxDBsdjFW_570_JOwwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210619_121159723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A messy desk with craft supplies and laptop" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-liIeiYfb8sQ/YN2b4v44n5I/AAAAAAABVYs/3WqVkFG6x7UjTeeCxDBsdjFW_570_JOwwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/PXL_20210619_121159723.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I didn't get to finish this sample in class but did since and I love it in the brown paper fabric. At this point how can you not sing 'brown paper packages tied up with string'! This one will hold templates I think, or maybe epp papers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So easy to make, you can whip up a whole bunch and have them handy to use as storage or gift wrapping. Be sure to tell the recipient that it is reusable.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4_p1HA_feI/YN2b4gRQGpI/AAAAAAABVYs/lg5dCwza7RIlyufMXixoCcQpf2B67SFXACPcBGAsYHg/s3024/PXL_20210620_132328916%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A paper fabric pouch with 2 circles sewn on and a string closure, like an envelope" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4_p1HA_feI/YN2b4gRQGpI/AAAAAAABVYs/lg5dCwza7RIlyufMXixoCcQpf2B67SFXACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/PXL_20210620_132328916%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It's very easy to add embellishments to these projects too; not only stamping, you can draw on them or even, as I did, add some embroidery. I create some 'patch' type embellishments, which is super easy and fun.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8yRYxZyW8E/YN2b4jW-AqI/AAAAAAABVYs/5Z3NJhjKdEYZo2IVJ9LP6Z4Bj34JeyHFQCPcBGAsYHg/s3024/20210629_223529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A square embroidery frame holding felt with 4 embroideries, 3 floral and one geometric" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8yRYxZyW8E/YN2b4jW-AqI/AAAAAAABVYs/5Z3NJhjKdEYZo2IVJ9LP6Z4Bj34JeyHFQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/20210629_223529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I used some felt and <a href="https://amzn.to/2TkEqMz" rel="nofollow" target="">Thermoweb Peel n Stick Fabric Fuse Sheets</a>, which allows you to essentially make a sticker.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The embroideries are all from vintage transfer sheets, kindly shared with me by a reader.<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkhSVVkdZdI/YN2b4rAHsZI/AAAAAAABVYs/YydXUoY2cd8cdRU-48pOucunPNZLy1AUgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210629_223430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Close up of paper fabric envelope pouch with two circles stitched on the front and flap with a string closure and an embroidered flower felt patch" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="4032" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkhSVVkdZdI/YN2b4rAHsZI/AAAAAAABVYs/YydXUoY2cd8cdRU-48pOucunPNZLy1AUgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/20210629_223430.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vH-VQ1VBExA/YN2b4m9qckI/AAAAAAABVYs/KkOdi1WYwt4K93Fvrfn1XlMO1chbLn67wCPcBGAsYHg/s3024/20210629_223356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A square embroidery frame holding felt with 4 embroideries, 3 floral and one geometric, with lots of spools of Aurifloss below it" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vH-VQ1VBExA/YN2b4m9qckI/AAAAAAABVYs/KkOdi1WYwt4K93Fvrfn1XlMO1chbLn67wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/20210629_223356.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Aurifloss stitched nicely on the felt and I will definitely make more of these embroidered stickers in the future. The <a href="https://amzn.to/2TkEqMz" rel="nofollow" target="">Peel n Stick sheets</a> are permanent and washable so you could use them with fabric to make patches for clothes as well. I really enjoy finding new products like this that can be used in lots of ways and make projects more unique.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAIi3HKR_fU/YN2b4vytxZI/AAAAAAABVYs/kf_7WSHH8O4TFUX0Bk_3yV2yj5txLvYrwCPcBGAsYHg/s2816/PXL_20210331_123334399%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 string tied paper pouches, one snap closure pouch and a wallet all made with paper fabric" border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2816" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAIi3HKR_fU/YN2b4vytxZI/AAAAAAABVYs/kf_7WSHH8O4TFUX0Bk_3yV2yj5txLvYrwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/PXL_20210331_123334399%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">You can <a href="https://www.craftymonkies.com/online-shop?Collection=On-Demand+Recordings" target="_blank">watch my class on demand at CraftyMonkies</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.craftymonkies.com/product-page/video-of-workshop-lucy-brennan-sewing-with-paper-fabric" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target=""><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="777" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QxSkI9JFs7c/YN7voM6esmI/AAAAAAABVZU/HO79zshhv0Acwnc6_7QaAdTbzxnh8k7_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/85d644_c1a0b0cdf31f405e9b0b4e4fd89dd5d9_mv2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-62643533002775569402022-06-05T10:19:00.000+01:002022-06-05T10:19:37.733+01:00Action to end period poverty<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Gsni3kRMq02__C1BQerCXO2F0BDCIJKgNWWnme_7Dt3calpss5GadAp6kh1eeG_5q0z-5Ta2E8uSC35Kv3qYASaoJOXIYSHXz8FQm1ptWSwdX21vVJVZFpkJkReNXcCdPWonx7wTKPJ6t2pUILp6aI7GkZRyM-W8SYplzV2Cg4SXynJ_QTlLlg/s2057/PXL_20220604_111529853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="resuable sanitary pad on top of printed instructions of how to make one" border="0" data-original-height="2057" data-original-width="2057" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Gsni3kRMq02__C1BQerCXO2F0BDCIJKgNWWnme_7Dt3calpss5GadAp6kh1eeG_5q0z-5Ta2E8uSC35Kv3qYASaoJOXIYSHXz8FQm1ptWSwdX21vVJVZFpkJkReNXcCdPWonx7wTKPJ6t2pUILp6aI7GkZRyM-W8SYplzV2Cg4SXynJ_QTlLlg/w640-h640/PXL_20220604_111529853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It's something that needs talking about, it makes some people uncomfortable, but many of us have the luxury of being able to access sanitary products and others don't. There's a huge need for safe hygienic menstrual products and a pressing concern about making products sustainable. 28th May was <span style="text-align: left;">World Menstrual Hygiene Day and I'm happy to be sharing the great work that ActionAid UK are doing to end period poverty.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">"We focus on women and girls because the denial of their rights is a grave injustice and one of the underlying causes of poverty worldwide. By working directly with communities, women’s movements, groups and networks, and other allies, we aim to tackle the structural causes and consequences of poverty and injustice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Through our ‘Share a Better Period’ campaign, running throughout the summer of 2022, ActionAid is working to end period poverty, because around the world thousands of women and girls live without access to the safe sanitary products they need, putting their health and safety at risk. You can read all about the campaign, the issues, and what we are doing to help on our <a href="https://www.actionaid.org.uk/donate/rg/share-a-better-period" target="_blank">Share a better period</a> web page."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVv1IrkMWF7cQ59XLQNz46dmZ0WUDL17e0rrHb0fMw2-aPDJHQlMOoSjg1_z_NPABseTu69s_S-upMlPd-tu_gI8B_gZei7hnERZF67vimHWuFo9Uh-wYBAa-See-AMJd1keU0-Qu2ojx-oNM_RHgLDwro_aaxl7cvqJOH9B8Z0DukmHukgKdeQ/s1199/R264280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A smiling women holding up reusable sanitary towels in front of a group of women" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1199" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVv1IrkMWF7cQ59XLQNz46dmZ0WUDL17e0rrHb0fMw2-aPDJHQlMOoSjg1_z_NPABseTu69s_S-upMlPd-tu_gI8B_gZei7hnERZF67vimHWuFo9Uh-wYBAa-See-AMJd1keU0-Qu2ojx-oNM_RHgLDwro_aaxl7cvqJOH9B8Z0DukmHukgKdeQ/w640-h428/R264280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Having read more about their work, I realise how difficult periods can be for women and girls with the hardships they experience and the many myths around periods.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There is also a real issue with the environmental impact of disposable menstrual products. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">"Mass-produced menstrual products are disposable and contain plastic and other non-biodegradable materials that are harmful to the environment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Pads are made of 90% plastic while tampons have at least 6% plastic. This large-scale plastic production releases vast amounts of greenhouse gases, which cause air pollution and global warming.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In addition, the improper disposal of menstrual products (like wrapping them in plastic bags) fills up landfills and takes years to biodegrade.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Some menstrual products are also flushed down the toilet, which could mean that disposable pads and tampons can end up in our seas and washed up on our beaches. This has a detrimental effect on humans, the wildlife and our habitats."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It's important for me and my family to try to live as sustainably as possible. I use a menstrual cup partly for that reason. There are times when a pad is a good back up or alternative, so I used the <a href="https://www.actionaid.org.uk/sites/default/files/d.i.y._reusable_sanitary_pads.pdf" target="_blank">ActionAid template and instructions</a> to make a reusable pad. And if you're not sure that sounds any good, <a href="https://www.actionaid.org.uk/blog/2019/06/05/would-you-make-and-wear-your-own-reusable-sanitary-pads" target="_blank">read this review and test</a> of the pads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I have to say they are super easy to make, I was rushing a bit but even with a bit of hand stitching this took less than 20 minutes.</div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLBdGoVE3ygvdNouSrDw2r4Y0giWtgdX6IlacqAhUGgoGe9NXGvy9arHKP26XobJEgIkZXAQ7EPHySEg75B2lTX18CLFKR13v-I-jTwhkGQE1XrSkGFOzLTpvnVDyHclP0UrDLa3a7HsZMLnRYKIYDQesxIxKb8JMDFrwKKcOJ1HOmnpTtNtidg/s4032/PXL_20220604_111313896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLBdGoVE3ygvdNouSrDw2r4Y0giWtgdX6IlacqAhUGgoGe9NXGvy9arHKP26XobJEgIkZXAQ7EPHySEg75B2lTX18CLFKR13v-I-jTwhkGQE1XrSkGFOzLTpvnVDyHclP0UrDLa3a7HsZMLnRYKIYDQesxIxKb8JMDFrwKKcOJ1HOmnpTtNtidg/s320/PXL_20220604_111313896.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I did decide not to use a button, buttonholes aren't my favourite thing and since I have snaps I might as well use them. I made a little <a href="https://www.instagram.com/charmaboutyou/" target="_blank">reel of the process over on my instagram</a> if you want to check it out!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmRvtyY3Ptkku9KWgi8jtIDjbdIokw7eCaLojlM-RH5PTIBPxw3k2zmT3J7XDeo6nFmcrEpn2NUJjPdO7sMheuYxkUEZpJ4Gg1rNy8-PhbE8kmIM3w9rUYpc_bDFetgPDvC-A4IcAPTWcHadE9m2h_YxLOQ_tn6-RdTTydFcXsoETirovH_TMMg/s4032/PXL_20220604_111150238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmRvtyY3Ptkku9KWgi8jtIDjbdIokw7eCaLojlM-RH5PTIBPxw3k2zmT3J7XDeo6nFmcrEpn2NUJjPdO7sMheuYxkUEZpJ4Gg1rNy8-PhbE8kmIM3w9rUYpc_bDFetgPDvC-A4IcAPTWcHadE9m2h_YxLOQ_tn6-RdTTydFcXsoETirovH_TMMg/s320/PXL_20220604_111150238.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Have a go at making your own! You can also find out about ways you can help in your community to end period poverty and visit <a href="https://www.actionaid.org.uk/donate/rg/share-a-better-period" target="_blank">ActionAid UK to learn about the share a better period campaign</a> and how this project makes a difference.</div><br /><p></p>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-81977875380719775992022-05-01T11:48:00.001+01:002022-05-01T14:28:24.005+01:00 🎟 ticket giveaway 🎟 (& a bit of a catch up...)<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiOj-6QGcm3G8Ia01p5YTx62QpnRmY_m4S56zIfuJrXIu-tg4g4hGB2otlwqSs02Oh7rUYyXpq1wuB6W3c_mq5G4n5omNMM_uWM0sbn9ahKMp8z4VX90r9pluMB1Y1-bfqUvx5VG_E_UAZi8ETbLK7RSJC69pdv-uOnd16tsl5_frCCk-TmdScw/s1950/foq%20web%20banner%20(6).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1950" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiOj-6QGcm3G8Ia01p5YTx62QpnRmY_m4S56zIfuJrXIu-tg4g4hGB2otlwqSs02Oh7rUYyXpq1wuB6W3c_mq5G4n5omNMM_uWM0sbn9ahKMp8z4VX90r9pluMB1Y1-bfqUvx5VG_E_UAZi8ETbLK7RSJC69pdv-uOnd16tsl5_frCCk-TmdScw/w640-h278/foq%20web%20banner%20(6).png" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>I have five pairs of tickets to giveaway for The Festival of Quilts which takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 18th-21st August 2022. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3TCOetX0nG1-GHp_ul3sRgsgdlnfv5x0mksiExicRto4JzEoWIDkbyoyUPLvGcV-RjhIVyAfahqezi3NvSldTQ1XTxsLqJdr4Sd_XzMEWpthkh1hOxpvOwO9Xk1683_xqIwQIOJUY-tmEZ126qrWxB7vsXumjRu4VK_a7LdBMr0WqWuYI4paug/s1890/viewing%20a%20quilt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1890" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3TCOetX0nG1-GHp_ul3sRgsgdlnfv5x0mksiExicRto4JzEoWIDkbyoyUPLvGcV-RjhIVyAfahqezi3NvSldTQ1XTxsLqJdr4Sd_XzMEWpthkh1hOxpvOwO9Xk1683_xqIwQIOJUY-tmEZ126qrWxB7vsXumjRu4VK_a7LdBMr0WqWuYI4paug/w640-h426/viewing%20a%20quilt.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br>You of course know that The Festival of Quilts is Europe’s leading patchwork and quilting event, and this year’s event offers some spectacular highlights, including work by internationally-acclaimed artists Michael A. Cummings and Danny Amazonas, African-American Quilts from the Cargo Collection at the International Quilt Museum, and quilts from the Roderick Kiracofe Collection. There will be 700 competition quilts, an extensive programme of workshops, Academy classes, talks and lectures, 200+ specialist craft retailers, and a Product Stage offering top tips and advice from brand ambassadors, experts and quilting VIPs.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33kTIgR-3DDx9bj0hP2VaYGpnuV0uhWBvGpq2iIxYAaV4z9cHvUBmrqj0Dpn1FkkOMDzVhFwRMWy9dEE_Tabvc5inXAjl-CurgDeVOZaJbaWom_IKy-KyooYJy3YtrNZ2CdTJ2jNj9b86W5Wa5yy3BaEyBv7izaArEQVDKmMo87f-uTyLljZ0-g/s1890/competition%20quilts%20being%20viewed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1890" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33kTIgR-3DDx9bj0hP2VaYGpnuV0uhWBvGpq2iIxYAaV4z9cHvUBmrqj0Dpn1FkkOMDzVhFwRMWy9dEE_Tabvc5inXAjl-CurgDeVOZaJbaWom_IKy-KyooYJy3YtrNZ2CdTJ2jNj9b86W5Wa5yy3BaEyBv7izaArEQVDKmMo87f-uTyLljZ0-g/w640-h392/competition%20quilts%20being%20viewed.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2019/08/festival-of-quilts-2019.html" target="_blank">Last time I visited was in 2019</a> and it's always so fun, meeting up with friends, viewing the quilts and of course shopping ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jbJbeGwk9i5Ls47xhIGnm5_gsw6O2H8_zWmD7Gp8_c96SrtP6KfP2645mT7LBQ6rYcSY0A-njrHDuCyJjrMjfZvuiuoQkWpU1seyp-GoV8BVfK3dKXO6HR3SwqK7Kb_4HxCGwXSzf8MDKqdb1uIgZRlWWG3ChyzAui00DLTmXpTHfgpyyqrRaA/s1464/Bright%20fabric%20stand.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="1464" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jbJbeGwk9i5Ls47xhIGnm5_gsw6O2H8_zWmD7Gp8_c96SrtP6KfP2645mT7LBQ6rYcSY0A-njrHDuCyJjrMjfZvuiuoQkWpU1seyp-GoV8BVfK3dKXO6HR3SwqK7Kb_4HxCGwXSzf8MDKqdb1uIgZRlWWG3ChyzAui00DLTmXpTHfgpyyqrRaA/w640-h426/Bright%20fabric%20stand.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxJkg0vdklq1FqwrSaEPQ83uLM-30oPC69JWdhrGPli6jf3pC1diIl5MduW1Rja4B4pqwM7sGBeMya_wv3ZI1jDDkqxL-pfEMTAUQojCJHFmFeF2GKA9RrfjGsUPmlHfLmg1ILIf-bKl7oXlGA6E--Du7kxq8TT1DFOdAojEbTbbsBGS5A3uwKg/s5760/FOQ19%20Shopping.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="5760" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxJkg0vdklq1FqwrSaEPQ83uLM-30oPC69JWdhrGPli6jf3pC1diIl5MduW1Rja4B4pqwM7sGBeMya_wv3ZI1jDDkqxL-pfEMTAUQojCJHFmFeF2GKA9RrfjGsUPmlHfLmg1ILIf-bKl7oXlGA6E--Du7kxq8TT1DFOdAojEbTbbsBGS5A3uwKg/w640-h426/FOQ19%20Shopping.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If you've never been, I highly recommend it. Wear comfy shoes, take some bags with you for purchases and, if you can, visit for more than just one day.<span></span></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2022/05/ticket-giveaway-bit-of-catch-up.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-8885140438850557132022-04-22T07:00:00.004+01:002022-04-22T07:00:00.224+01:00breaking symmetry: Earth Day x Karen Nyberg<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP6JsdTTpDQWnx8s6G5dBrxCGw3N_NMmlEOyualxjhGlp6MSEhB96EE0Q_U1Tkz8CZpIAI7EbwhtIytCWT712NcY7UlzgWDqY2sjpGVCu8Xmm9x2MZhoKrCZ7Jb1CLdeNyip6OiCWto4uZS9q4KfIQXCMGCxlIVNUMdGQuZYx_5HJbBJJ0bLqdQ/s2244/PXL_20220418_091125794.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2243" data-original-width="2244" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP6JsdTTpDQWnx8s6G5dBrxCGw3N_NMmlEOyualxjhGlp6MSEhB96EE0Q_U1Tkz8CZpIAI7EbwhtIytCWT712NcY7UlzgWDqY2sjpGVCu8Xmm9x2MZhoKrCZ7Jb1CLdeNyip6OiCWto4uZS9q4KfIQXCMGCxlIVNUMdGQuZYx_5HJbBJJ0bLqdQ/w640-h640/PXL_20220418_091125794.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">Creativity is a curious thing. It ebbs and flows. I have to be in the right mood. At times I want to follow a pattern, create my own patterns, stitch mindlessly, stitch with focus, colour inside the lines, scribble like nothing matters. It happens in the moment, in the mood. Recently I have realised how much I like having structure and routine in my life but without being confined or limited. This applies to my creativity too. One of the things that keeps me making and motivated is the Aurifil Artisan challenges. We are given a starting point, a theme, supplies or just a word and let loose to create whatever we feel inspired to. This month we were sent fat quarters of the amazing Earth Views by Karen Nyberg and I received a spool of 50 weight Aurifil thread, which is featured in Karen’s <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1968675&u=1398597&m=118956&urllink=&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aurifil collection</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxosHwI6rvcpuGMNCpXp_Pz4a7l1VzdtS94U0IhmsBREUpkmo69wdRBHoyO_ODj4dxVSXBWlCRzDvYXQ7FDa4BlrGIRHDM2z7GSSjuGlluHMHQeoubpt5TYunRNBciZBavy0sB8OfFPj6guPuXAFkEtGVtXxy0PlwLPgvdPVqE6x0PpKyqu8DjDQ/w640-h640/PXL_20220312_144916896.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The pattern I chose is Minnie Stars, Quiltfolk Patterns 007. It's one I wanted to make for a while and I thought it would showcase the prints well. I was going to chose a solid blue background fabric but none of the blues I had worked at all. In the end I went for a pale grey - I have no idea what fabric this is - note to self, label your solids!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeMrkn4R1HBuFDLgjmcU_yCcUQO8VBjmVtb-c2b3qqfGQZjzYOSuMIAcaUvPdoltUl_HU8rLvtWgrIhWGN2_NcnbEQUzZWlimf-MhKrA22qNQYSMvYK1ACXMjsfjK7vbTiA13fbZcmpIc3etNJUsNwSJk4K-ifbkR43SsJUMja-qNAd7AOd1JNw/w640-h640/PXL_20220410_110005822~2.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">Had I labelled it, I might have been able to get more because I did run out. Thankfully I had just enough from the fat quarters to make up for it. You might spot the areas where I had to swap the solid for prints in the photos below. I was determined to use what I had and it just added to the quirkiness of the quilt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">Nature is so fascinating and the amount of symmetry found in patterns, creatures, trees, oceans, time and space is incredible. Repeating patterns, shapes, mirrored symmetry; it's all so beautiful. And then there's distortion, broken symmetry, changes; all of which can also be really beautiful. As I laid out the blocks it was clear they weren't going to fit together in a neat pattern, without me cutting quite a bit away or losing some blocks. I could have added more using other fabric but I decided not too. Instead I pieced the blocks like a puzzle, so they would all get used. The result is the most oddly shaped quilt I have ever made. It's weird and I like it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxt0KFu7c4BYp_lLpmRKsGc_laNGQNBvFZ5W9MTHHjpzUZMhLm_H8CtPZ624CUz9iAAOR-nThMCwgi6weo9Sl5LxUwW-osmi6mCM5_joKx_nB151WlH0zkgqX81YoBcJPAVrFSv1KrQEhJkTKFvjPIXXZSb6mtmyuk_AQyVExJlMyOjA7NLIuhpQ/w640-h360/PXL_20220414_135550569.jpg"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4wxR78LQ2KDY6LkQpifBhbiP-Q84yXuydTN0RU_3pBAhuQeZ4xe4uB9OhAiA13_UilC_A8iZzUM22E8NziHAnH8ynQNf1UKRUxJTlcEkqM3l0bBRTBhvMHf43IGiNFyN2VfboVoUEvcei3bBtWf5sLePHUe4G119F4Z4194tKSxi_LDGQ-fIYg/s4032/PXL_20220414_135602687.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4wxR78LQ2KDY6LkQpifBhbiP-Q84yXuydTN0RU_3pBAhuQeZ4xe4uB9OhAiA13_UilC_A8iZzUM22E8NziHAnH8ynQNf1UKRUxJTlcEkqM3l0bBRTBhvMHf43IGiNFyN2VfboVoUEvcei3bBtWf5sLePHUe4G119F4Z4194tKSxi_LDGQ-fIYg/w640-h360/PXL_20220414_135602687.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o3ruBC0n-2fU27wJGSwrpodNhnwHVosfeqSBnOkEzMb8bQum9C-kN1akONRqKF-XBRUQrZDYa7bgaEwG9qALcht1OaQCNvwFv_6YS2RIJpa7-8SvDFiL2HXiAOacvbpEfthMoz8iDwcauSm0uv4YDwW4_OjihOJvqWcu3R_U3PbDVH3ub-Zv8A/s4032/PXL_20220414_135547834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o3ruBC0n-2fU27wJGSwrpodNhnwHVosfeqSBnOkEzMb8bQum9C-kN1akONRqKF-XBRUQrZDYa7bgaEwG9qALcht1OaQCNvwFv_6YS2RIJpa7-8SvDFiL2HXiAOacvbpEfthMoz8iDwcauSm0uv4YDwW4_OjihOJvqWcu3R_U3PbDVH3ub-Zv8A/w640-h360/PXL_20220414_135547834.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once the quilt top was done, next was the quilting...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span></span></div></div></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2022/04/breaking-symmetry-earth-day-x-karen.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-25503487765148316282022-04-20T18:00:00.001+01:002022-04-20T18:00:00.214+01:00wordless wednesday<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS8mwlIFKyy46X92QEyUTPKwUkCLpzB9jMVVGcNpqOMnZT9cwONmzNlt1GHPF-gMAUUDaS7E4S3-_cxbPeuQ6ZkeovoaGgT-QEjPFEh-he-9vLYW1w0XHL3gdlN25D9gamng8NC8tczu2yPIM5e_IMKkEDae3IxGEUMXxhqJKRW1LEiHPgjpIDw/s2123/PXL_20220410_104044508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2123" data-original-width="2117" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS8mwlIFKyy46X92QEyUTPKwUkCLpzB9jMVVGcNpqOMnZT9cwONmzNlt1GHPF-gMAUUDaS7E4S3-_cxbPeuQ6ZkeovoaGgT-QEjPFEh-he-9vLYW1w0XHL3gdlN25D9gamng8NC8tczu2yPIM5e_IMKkEDae3IxGEUMXxhqJKRW1LEiHPgjpIDw/w638-h640/PXL_20220410_104044508.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jmooSeQvHANiWjpnvqd7KK1o9eIaslt9R-THwzgus0YWJtJRE-nOT_6ZX9_81zheY10VXIrnYeynu7gLDYmyoBAhj1Oq1MeK3txjCr83RP-hmFBN3R2j8YlaAmzLadh93bUrpYmab3mhZjOqqoUcbYclYTAjkMEctavEBbHzY4XBXVT7slV9oA/s4032/PXL_20220418_124507315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jmooSeQvHANiWjpnvqd7KK1o9eIaslt9R-THwzgus0YWJtJRE-nOT_6ZX9_81zheY10VXIrnYeynu7gLDYmyoBAhj1Oq1MeK3txjCr83RP-hmFBN3R2j8YlaAmzLadh93bUrpYmab3mhZjOqqoUcbYclYTAjkMEctavEBbHzY4XBXVT7slV9oA/w640-h360/PXL_20220418_124507315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6FlaRXLB1k_Tlv3NDeeO9BhT5CEQppORWu7-7nVIQ4qNUQ_c_g7FX1Ip0Z5efVpW-9H19zwFc6OhtLa5ZrFp65oBAbIubiHZoJNzyhHKONgO-_fPKJmjtTun_n36LJOEdbyEEeyFoDO_SalnV4lUit3jYs81ewwJLPEqCYIBky75l0At5W_UHA/s4032/PXL_20220418_092105027~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyH7yzOJUT4EzjVuxajCz_sKmhph5eltWrPYsSodCCiV3HDgbQ_Q1Go3PZqxAsMU7MmNTSb5BQy9WYJu1qXZJjqdJGtAOGxIwIc7z-I7RD7uuZpDusYffo7vvTSeDG2KxGL6XzbOSCIKtM0bFdKd3wHa9LyW8xLohoXqvLrC8AeGnIlqWg5RSJ5w/s4032/PXL_20220418_121954018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyH7yzOJUT4EzjVuxajCz_sKmhph5eltWrPYsSodCCiV3HDgbQ_Q1Go3PZqxAsMU7MmNTSb5BQy9WYJu1qXZJjqdJGtAOGxIwIc7z-I7RD7uuZpDusYffo7vvTSeDG2KxGL6XzbOSCIKtM0bFdKd3wHa9LyW8xLohoXqvLrC8AeGnIlqWg5RSJ5w/w360-h640/PXL_20220418_121954018.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReUKrS7YNRbXvr7yEfbjsC1dB8YXiJ5XAqZ92kPb3d3DCkWvg_59xBT3YtKHNLUw0B2FuzSwCa2hU9gVH0gTnqZDPw5X6VabqEZ67TCzqt1tN1LhxoFKSrLpQMs9fXgHOVsdnz1dSx0oeETRu-LH6n9aSm-7npbO1bbVRJPiw4rJJ18CJ6gPEVw/s3017/original_fdb335f3-b103-4064-88ec-e86dc1d5a135_PXL_20220416_191406606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3017" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReUKrS7YNRbXvr7yEfbjsC1dB8YXiJ5XAqZ92kPb3d3DCkWvg_59xBT3YtKHNLUw0B2FuzSwCa2hU9gVH0gTnqZDPw5X6VabqEZ67TCzqt1tN1LhxoFKSrLpQMs9fXgHOVsdnz1dSx0oeETRu-LH6n9aSm-7npbO1bbVRJPiw4rJJ18CJ6gPEVw/w482-h640/original_fdb335f3-b103-4064-88ec-e86dc1d5a135_PXL_20220416_191406606.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdyBQSU92EEqd4mDys26Yb24qn2uhMUIrZYHvuDGsrpAQnAEEtmZ67xRbDGJKyVYxR-rmPzEjhVT1GCOUw98FyDMWg5TcQP8LZDaNQPzrxnHj5ddQK2T9OeveFc4b1fP1w6O7FN3kr-7ffLHnbCytXqoM_4OThjgcSB-npDfxoqXcUpjJZv8ckw/s2268/PXL_20220420_131646162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2267" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdyBQSU92EEqd4mDys26Yb24qn2uhMUIrZYHvuDGsrpAQnAEEtmZ67xRbDGJKyVYxR-rmPzEjhVT1GCOUw98FyDMWg5TcQP8LZDaNQPzrxnHj5ddQK2T9OeveFc4b1fP1w6O7FN3kr-7ffLHnbCytXqoM_4OThjgcSB-npDfxoqXcUpjJZv8ckw/w640-h640/PXL_20220420_131646162.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-61544275903552715312022-03-28T19:28:00.000+01:002022-03-28T19:28:09.304+01:00sunflowers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJPk0RaZfr-Ladn_k8optsgqkir-OsR2oQ6GXZR0lF4ccVcO2iTEWf33GLkj4UQzHf75wVYvdAug32J38gK6e3z70FGVcwwC0lzg_CuRaI1WmGyQeD_7yWleE6LbIeXLGghm5dqzjmZXAbsB7O_aPy1tQ9stwsQxMZ1bUV8XKoTksHcHdw4j5cA/s2268/PXL_20220321_134044999.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2267" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJPk0RaZfr-Ladn_k8optsgqkir-OsR2oQ6GXZR0lF4ccVcO2iTEWf33GLkj4UQzHf75wVYvdAug32J38gK6e3z70FGVcwwC0lzg_CuRaI1WmGyQeD_7yWleE6LbIeXLGghm5dqzjmZXAbsB7O_aPy1tQ9stwsQxMZ1bUV8XKoTksHcHdw4j5cA/s320/PXL_20220321_134044999.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Like many of you I've sure, the war in the Ukraine has been a horrible shock and weighed heavily on my mind. As well as making donations to charity relief efforts, and there are excellent resources available online to research where to donate, the craft community responded with many designers creating patterns to donate their profits. There have also been calls to purchase digital items from creators on Etsy who are in the Ukraine, this is easy to do by selecting Ukraine in the shop location menu in filters. These may seem relatively small actions but it all helps. I purchased the beautiful <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1189141259/sunflowers-for-ukraine-embroidery" target="_blank">Sunflowers for Ukraine embroidery pattern</a> from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/wildolive" target="_blank">Wild Olive</a> by Mollie Johanson - she also has a cross stitch pattern in her shop now. She is donating the proceeds to Hope International's Ukraine fund.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I enjoyed stitching this project, I tried some new things and am happy to share the simple stitches I used along with a few helpful embroidery tips! </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7W6DWLUB_KXI_Rzq4c678XChV3AgUXpaMW8eln5JDj3KMEQyw5Ubh9qtuLy6xP5KvkgVsK8MhafN_wGkmxaJa0x7Xp_rk4lXYDKxqlIV_Iv5fgj1uKP3q-ThgohyP7rggJqDn6uOJczD5BpeeNz20bGt1EYMgNyuOq09fEmoDDYXfkdcM4db9w/s2268/PXL_20220313_145912734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7W6DWLUB_KXI_Rzq4c678XChV3AgUXpaMW8eln5JDj3KMEQyw5Ubh9qtuLy6xP5KvkgVsK8MhafN_wGkmxaJa0x7Xp_rk4lXYDKxqlIV_Iv5fgj1uKP3q-ThgohyP7rggJqDn6uOJczD5BpeeNz20bGt1EYMgNyuOq09fEmoDDYXfkdcM4db9w/s320/PXL_20220313_145912734.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I began by tracing the pattern with my favourite water soluble pen, Sewline Styla, and then picked out appropriate sunflower colours of thread. My Aurifloss collection isn't very big and the colours I had weren't quite right, so instead I included some 12 weight threads in my picks (the thread colours are listed below). I really like doing embroidery with both the floss and the thread, they are different because of course Aurifloss strands can be separated in the same way as other embroidery floss and the 12 weight doesn't separate. The 12 weight is a lovely thickness for embroidery, especially when doubled over / using two strands.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5SxgLlrSWWMGjl4vsD5eJMr-vfB5FZFwylEqIuUw03Kn3DXITzkhbAxswaolTzZHF0UN6Inw1uFpVU2XepjdhCYEKbwzzcXLJxpKj4kek2-fpH_3SYy1HwUZzO82_VlBuKfBG5E0VCEVSrIJCWWTecqOc1LifWJzBG0ZqTUcwJmqhSz856R0zg/s2268/PXL_20220313_173230210~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2267" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5SxgLlrSWWMGjl4vsD5eJMr-vfB5FZFwylEqIuUw03Kn3DXITzkhbAxswaolTzZHF0UN6Inw1uFpVU2XepjdhCYEKbwzzcXLJxpKj4kek2-fpH_3SYy1HwUZzO82_VlBuKfBG5E0VCEVSrIJCWWTecqOc1LifWJzBG0ZqTUcwJmqhSz856R0zg/s320/PXL_20220313_173230210~2.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I like to use the loop method to start stitching so I often cut longer lengths of floss as it will be doubled over. When I'm being good, I like to separate the individual strands of floss after cutting. Did you know you are supposed to do this? It does help the thread behave and helps stop knotting. The strands I'm not using just get wrapped back around the spool (the wonderful wooden spool!) ready for when I need more thread.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For the inner petals I used split stitch, such a fun and easy stitch to do and it has such a nice texture for outlines.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHL2dcRDOpng2xdW0e6tq874PWw6BCOOeQgOziiL8s4DRTKObEnVXUeXUspnVwm5Efan6HMGG5dQd1XDohSEHi_ZyxBVvQCusWfJSy1zQlH-uKEfIIuvfeRPj4yYHkDbQf3s0sP1W05En43P_VwOKwVYzDpNy-0hgIth0igY03lL-vKhtS1OQ5Q/s1859/PXL_20220313_174449722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1859" data-original-width="1859" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHL2dcRDOpng2xdW0e6tq874PWw6BCOOeQgOziiL8s4DRTKObEnVXUeXUspnVwm5Efan6HMGG5dQd1XDohSEHi_ZyxBVvQCusWfJSy1zQlH-uKEfIIuvfeRPj4yYHkDbQf3s0sP1W05En43P_VwOKwVYzDpNy-0hgIth0igY03lL-vKhtS1OQ5Q/s320/PXL_20220313_174449722.jpg" width="320"></a><span></span></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2022/03/sunflowers.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-67052216105918383252022-03-17T18:00:00.002+00:002022-03-17T18:00:00.376+00:00Double Wedding Ring block<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRtu7e8IFM0H1q9TXEYApvzABteNF_T05508Klqu7sb1vdu_9uSFx-PSwdRSwDXt-cwG4zoVGz6vImw00wDVW6RLZYNOBQYQG7DWde5y1boWV8AeblEJGgJKnWIFMr_xcrp1_s0Vn08KPsRd3kpGwFLNJK18LKP0W7rEkKmOIwCOBP8sSYSDab5Q=s1707" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="1707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRtu7e8IFM0H1q9TXEYApvzABteNF_T05508Klqu7sb1vdu_9uSFx-PSwdRSwDXt-cwG4zoVGz6vImw00wDVW6RLZYNOBQYQG7DWde5y1boWV8AeblEJGgJKnWIFMr_xcrp1_s0Vn08KPsRd3kpGwFLNJK18LKP0W7rEkKmOIwCOBP8sSYSDab5Q=s320" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Double Wedding Ring is a beautiful, traditional block that is associated with love, romance and of course marriage. For fabric lovers, this is such a fun block to play with, plan layouts and stitch! This is a bucket list block, one that all quilters will recognise and want to sew. It works wonderfully with either traditional or modern fabrics and is open to lots of variation within the pattern. I have made two blocks, one English Paper Pieced and one hand pieced (they are two different techniques) and will be demonstrating both methods in my upcoming online class. I had so much fun stitching the blocks and want to share my process here. Keep reading to see my two very different versions of the block...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp49Vfk7rrWs5WHCWl6KstcnN-7L88tjgICGtrLHG6zm33DjhKu2LjPmU77RtPBrE6tBa3HprFvxGiqSFxPenM4wbjirkJWcGN27upqBeoSD-qypv8_DaRuE-p9iErGErj5vU_O4wasyYeyIM_u1zZF2Zh55keBQiIAnnolzX6t1zWXAAvWAi4mA=s1802" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1802" data-original-width="1802" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp49Vfk7rrWs5WHCWl6KstcnN-7L88tjgICGtrLHG6zm33DjhKu2LjPmU77RtPBrE6tBa3HprFvxGiqSFxPenM4wbjirkJWcGN27upqBeoSD-qypv8_DaRuE-p9iErGErj5vU_O4wasyYeyIM_u1zZF2Zh55keBQiIAnnolzX6t1zWXAAvWAi4mA=s320" width="320"></a><span></span></div></div></div></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2022/03/double-wedding-ring-block.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-23041627632308099782022-02-28T18:00:00.001+00:002022-02-28T18:00:00.247+00:00The 100 Day Project for me<p style="text-align: justify;"><br></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWleEDo4P0E1Z4VDJdrKNCLs6P8ndfN9MMG8xnkcgwXsN2UrgQpoo2anw8lS_4okhg9nKk6wW22hhvybEAeDMO68ylOBNkAOHsI6cyhYGDS1vTgM3kiHB3m7LiiEzGvV_HpLdEu6KOfZ5l315I5jr2RO7BiK-k2igEvvQ7pbXKc_YEqPb5H9wYnw=s1817" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1817" data-original-width="1817" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWleEDo4P0E1Z4VDJdrKNCLs6P8ndfN9MMG8xnkcgwXsN2UrgQpoo2anw8lS_4okhg9nKk6wW22hhvybEAeDMO68ylOBNkAOHsI6cyhYGDS1vTgM3kiHB3m7LiiEzGvV_HpLdEu6KOfZ5l315I5jr2RO7BiK-k2igEvvQ7pbXKc_YEqPb5H9wYnw=w640-h640" width="640"></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I fell for the Merrow Croft pattern at the <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2019/08/festival-of-quilts-2019.html" target="_blank">Festival of Quilts in 2019</a>, where I met Margaret Mew and was enchanted by her work. My wonderful friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/churridge/" target="_blank">Michelle</a> very kindly (and sneakily) bought me the pattern and gifted it to me later, just when I really needed something to smile about. It's taken me some time to start working on it but my plan was to finish a couple of other things first - they're getting there! With everything that's going on though I decided I really needed something that was no pressure, that I would enjoy making and that was a bit of a challenge. For those reasons, I have chosen to work on the Merrow Croft pattern for <a href="https://www.the100dayproject.org/" target="_blank">The 100 Day Project</a> and you can follow my progress at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/100daysofmerrowcroft/" target="_blank">#100daysofmerrowcroft</a>. Obviously there's a lot of hand sewing in this quilt so I don't expect to be anywhere close to a finish after 100 days, all progress is good though and I'm excited to spend a little time each day working on it. It's mostly hand piecing and hand appliqué, I have looked at how Margaret stitches and preps her work so that I can try and do things in the way she does, much of which I have never done before. Learning is my love, I get excited about new information and trying different techniques... more on that shortly. </p><p></p>
<div align="center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_UrVRtnW7i/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_UrVRtnW7i/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> </a><div style="align-items: center; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: flex; flex-direction: row; line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_UrVRtnW7i/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> </a><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 19% 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;"></div> <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: block; height: 50px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px auto 12px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_UrVRtnW7i/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); 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line-height: 0; padding: 8px 0px 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_UrVRtnW7i/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 12.5% 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: flex; flex-direction: row; line-height: 0; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"> </span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">I have chosen some fabrics for the quilt (see the first picture), however it may be subject to change and additions! I have no plan, I'm working on each section or round at a time and choosing the fabrics as I go. These were my choices for the central part of the quilt:<span></span></p></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2022/02/the-100-day-project-for-me.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-1150717499865016172022-02-24T18:30:00.024+00:002022-02-24T21:18:30.168+00:00a piece of me scrappy pouch<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://payhip.com/b/iXnG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="A fabric zippered pouch made with patchwork fabric scraps and hand quilted with a cross hatch pattern" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi16pJHxBEM9oef4hEy-jHjsGL7mY3b2f72APZnqzU6uszUpqDc8qjqNzL6_dkO7WHl0NU10uPV5YzSNgD_VPF1cxmKOQRT4oMGxY6mw7vnLV3uWZhL0PSodx1DTDPyU_TS07FcyxXJ4NktaX_LMNVgUiLa3Y8CpnSaydWexcz7u2FSiveMx9cNVw=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhedUWG7D7NeAI1QZ0Cbzu4hYLZeqUuKK3c-mxFbPmGCchG1hsFmGSJhTvijP2Fy0s_bsrWODO0ZYjyxV_kJr712h7vZCvGIdzmKGqgeMpcvBgRUfPy-1EhknWAW2fM0ekxE5zcEns6h7h4f3iifw83X0ZeI0ipc11f4Ubd3wbxMLyWXRGKna8xyg=s2611" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="patchwork fabric scraps, the reverse is shown with the hand stitched seams and an open small tin of pins" border="0" data-original-height="2611" data-original-width="2611" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhedUWG7D7NeAI1QZ0Cbzu4hYLZeqUuKK3c-mxFbPmGCchG1hsFmGSJhTvijP2Fy0s_bsrWODO0ZYjyxV_kJr712h7vZCvGIdzmKGqgeMpcvBgRUfPy-1EhknWAW2fM0ekxE5zcEns6h7h4f3iifw83X0ZeI0ipc11f4Ubd3wbxMLyWXRGKna8xyg=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Back with another make that was finished last year. I can never have enough storage, sewing or bags for sewing supplies. I made this pouch on a whim, using up pretty scraps and repurposing a little jewellery bag (the mustard yellow above), because it was so soft and it seemed wasteful to throw it away. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHQ-XanGR_P9gQm6GescXGOvp6awWwV_4y8ZoeGMaLBOrsujeEGq5I8z739pZeGleFo4--kE491y3psnZiCbNizy2R-ShUPgkaKE6XIkfQB6TUORMF-oUmfSxKmfxmi9GgmdL9Z_TuEHeFKMNenVEcxhnyTbyW3dQduxN9jzhrRLnxDy7urdkDPw=s2747" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hand sewn fabric patchwork" border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="2747" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHQ-XanGR_P9gQm6GescXGOvp6awWwV_4y8ZoeGMaLBOrsujeEGq5I8z739pZeGleFo4--kE491y3psnZiCbNizy2R-ShUPgkaKE6XIkfQB6TUORMF-oUmfSxKmfxmi9GgmdL9Z_TuEHeFKMNenVEcxhnyTbyW3dQduxN9jzhrRLnxDy7urdkDPw=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I began hand piecing the scraps together, organised by size, starting with the smallest pieces. It grew until it was enough for a panel and then I repeated the process to make a back panel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh50GjFjv8mfUN6xa-seqwKPqinZmEYFcrkFYvQYZcxxTudmVm7fZ5U8Rw8eEL4nmLM-RAyS-soEm8OTcpUYU6e8dkJ2K5wsvPc-TbiU2F1zVdKuusgGydAteFErznPDp_f2blvLUSarRsq-HwHJ9HPQy0u2l6prrHDYS6Nu-NgdJ5vm-TCnqVrkw=s3024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="patchwork fabric scraps, shown being sewn with a needle loaded with stitches" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh50GjFjv8mfUN6xa-seqwKPqinZmEYFcrkFYvQYZcxxTudmVm7fZ5U8Rw8eEL4nmLM-RAyS-soEm8OTcpUYU6e8dkJ2K5wsvPc-TbiU2F1zVdKuusgGydAteFErznPDp_f2blvLUSarRsq-HwHJ9HPQy0u2l6prrHDYS6Nu-NgdJ5vm-TCnqVrkw=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It was so fun, just stitching the fabrics together and not being too precise about it. I like using a long needle for piecing, a milliners or straw needle, and Aurifil 50wt thread. I decided to continue the hand work by hand quilting the panels and used Aurifil 28 weight #6722, a nice neutral. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTIweJYl1-mjg2gpP8Cq9W2Q4NYNVWNK6TH-HH8m29ceN5tSL-yxmjNsU0ux6bRYTBPjZRaYRr2dASeqWMXGMy6_8Ky6si3BRNeoQ3HQl-QmlP664MSO5oKg4UJY7cqjUmIq6vm2iuN8TNGZnmLChwyyuLyK6bbeD20w8tDf7Ll4JXEseYVOVldg=s3024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A spool of Aurifil 28 weight thread laying on fabric patchwork with quilting lines scored" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTIweJYl1-mjg2gpP8Cq9W2Q4NYNVWNK6TH-HH8m29ceN5tSL-yxmjNsU0ux6bRYTBPjZRaYRr2dASeqWMXGMy6_8Ky6si3BRNeoQ3HQl-QmlP664MSO5oKg4UJY7cqjUmIq6vm2iuN8TNGZnmLChwyyuLyK6bbeD20w8tDf7Ll4JXEseYVOVldg=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I used the Clover Black Gold quilting needle #12 and it sewed beautifully. I have used the Black Gold applique needles and they are my favourite. The coating really helps the needle glide through the layers and they are so sharp.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2ORk4MaQwoJbJe-Lb5sgsbmkY8Ig0rUBsMS__2BktQN0ffzJZ67aCsNtcHFWdVTBY2A86xDMIS6asaC4xBmRkuzM9JbhhYT0zuAfaGZzQLtvpRzP9O0QfbMlghNDflpg5IX7DPbq7jDU8TTADkE5dUyqhRnP00VRkGDUWqrclaFAI8YelN4pE6w=s3024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="straight line hand quilting stitches and needle" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2ORk4MaQwoJbJe-Lb5sgsbmkY8Ig0rUBsMS__2BktQN0ffzJZ67aCsNtcHFWdVTBY2A86xDMIS6asaC4xBmRkuzM9JbhhYT0zuAfaGZzQLtvpRzP9O0QfbMlghNDflpg5IX7DPbq7jDU8TTADkE5dUyqhRnP00VRkGDUWqrclaFAI8YelN4pE6w=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Of course I went with my very favourite quilting pattern, a simple <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2015/03/cross-hatch-quilting-tutorial.html" target="_blank">cross hatch</a>. I adore the texture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi43iPJYr9QqYwogWdzTx0zXaGbzsovpYGlZPabma0mbCrOnAKna36lMrnhqfu75zkL3O6NV8IndMtZjZmmPinFvbC4Nr_5W1PtvIlSQoq6VuYOJiFdORytoSb6WnItp5CpPyLsZGqCzBMZvkuxMqXkQzCNdHwWjqQ0hZjg4awcN_6Ch1_s3ggePA=s2719" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi43iPJYr9QqYwogWdzTx0zXaGbzsovpYGlZPabma0mbCrOnAKna36lMrnhqfu75zkL3O6NV8IndMtZjZmmPinFvbC4Nr_5W1PtvIlSQoq6VuYOJiFdORytoSb6WnItp5CpPyLsZGqCzBMZvkuxMqXkQzCNdHwWjqQ0hZjg4awcN_6Ch1_s3ggePA=s2719" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhre4PDX_LncaryHXidyuSZhvMVUSIn7Ie1oeqsbj9fd4et8guRS6P4mDrqxa2XTsNDlih_jXjuC-DR_z1qB02RcaDeRBP50iNLLfHxY9Ih-HbvSD8lPbDq9B6awH1aYewU3hHQUBQVFe7TI6hrCYOg_P-SFtaIjjHp5-sHbcayjzppVREgbcfx9Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cross hatch hand quilting on patchwork" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhre4PDX_LncaryHXidyuSZhvMVUSIn7Ie1oeqsbj9fd4et8guRS6P4mDrqxa2XTsNDlih_jXjuC-DR_z1qB02RcaDeRBP50iNLLfHxY9Ih-HbvSD8lPbDq9B6awH1aYewU3hHQUBQVFe7TI6hrCYOg_P-SFtaIjjHp5-sHbcayjzppVREgbcfx9Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What is cool about this <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">pouch pattern</a> is you can see the quilting on the inside of the pouch too. I used a plain fabric for a pop of colour, my stitches are always smaller on the reverse and I love that it shows it's handmade.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjo47-CpbTSar56DYxQA-MiZRaSd15xfDvQfbFQ3Tpqn-pigw0IbgSgnzeU6hIR-rmGevGhy_wuizYqfohcqGD-U9LMPdyWV6CpwjwcGzDp0jN-PfKBFsj3UAuHjASZjNzopQ_NY0_2s4lg8g1VdzrKv6F1GOKnQbcIsna-wAjlgmil9LPHK6CKXw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="reverse of hand quilting" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjo47-CpbTSar56DYxQA-MiZRaSd15xfDvQfbFQ3Tpqn-pigw0IbgSgnzeU6hIR-rmGevGhy_wuizYqfohcqGD-U9LMPdyWV6CpwjwcGzDp0jN-PfKBFsj3UAuHjASZjNzopQ_NY0_2s4lg8g1VdzrKv6F1GOKnQbcIsna-wAjlgmil9LPHK6CKXw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For added fun, I used some alphabet stamps to add lettering. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrI-UBIB8Jk" target="_blank">Hooked on a Feeling</a> has been on repeat in our house because my middle child is obsessed with it and it is a super happy song. I stitched some split crosses randomly around the letters for a bit more texture too.</div><br /></div><img alt="Hooked on a Feeling in ink stamped onto fabric" border="0" data-original-height="2719" data-original-width="2719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi43iPJYr9QqYwogWdzTx0zXaGbzsovpYGlZPabma0mbCrOnAKna36lMrnhqfu75zkL3O6NV8IndMtZjZmmPinFvbC4Nr_5W1PtvIlSQoq6VuYOJiFdORytoSb6WnItp5CpPyLsZGqCzBMZvkuxMqXkQzCNdHwWjqQ0hZjg4awcN_6Ch1_s3ggePA=w640-h640" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Time for assembly! Despite having a stash of various coloured zips, I went for simple white and cut the bias binding ready from the blue and white print. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://payhip.com/b/iXnG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="pouch making, panels, zip and bias binding" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfHtxNyD02-RsPNmsAg3v-jfGZLTbFE9vCqkOEjZnggBE9R3ZP5wH4-6bcel7i7IDvpbQ3sjvUy_ByfeP7gqiaKTKJXQTVE3MTxIHl5thM5pT7IU5lruUhx0nps1tZCeZd9vn0uH8kvAYMB30h72Y12lKW4DN_LfXD56ZXRSGJAKW1vJhHBRaxUw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This pattern has the SIMPLEST zip insertion and what I love is how neatly it turns out. No faffing, just clever needle alignment. If you struggle with zips (or even if you don't!), do <a href="https://payhip.com/b/iXnG" target="_blank">buy my pattern</a> because it makes sewing them joyful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://payhip.com/b/iXnG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="two panels opened out with zip sewn in the middle" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKzH9YA20__OC3eDGbBM-YwJP152M1pMV8owgjkapAnBqpNMJLkIKYDWN-_Ilzlb_Ijkr5eWovVJpu-1J1FueNVsmq4P3EM6OnxNNEEmoXjIV5RZFFVPgcLqsUfJrmKhw4L7xeSdNPSQwpeuwbkT8jwgfCv-DvHfSLE1dq9Lp3SW4Mvqv0ujNJxw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Looking at it now, the white zip does contrast nicely with the lining and because it coordinates with the thread it makes the quilting pop too. So good choice past me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://payhip.com/b/iXnG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="open pouch showing inside the pouch with quilted texture" border="0" data-original-height="2582" data-original-width="3024" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVmYt1P_VLEnbbL4_Qjk6DjKdHPpd4DyHiXDS9bxoy84b8LO7SNS1n2bkm6LSOLHu5VtJqOHXoL9mnh1M7HUj7HuYhN1FKlfjEBo_ujLGBDG8xjecK7OHIgxNtKdO-mx3oJpvMloMeLDsZwR3ksoq2kN4NN-zw8UyIe951-HVK1h3C15aJuhyu7Q=w640-h546" width="640" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Rounded corners - instructions in the pattern - add such a nice modern and aesthetically pleasing bottom. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://payhip.com/b/iXnG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="hand quilted zippered pouch" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWzuT8FdE5JmdJcjuPp4B8fyjfUdNe4xQX8MywGumDIBzANsGRcsp8KvOVIXdDX8HwE6O8uhEINMMJH0ePULR_-NjvI-tMQ9QGdlMqYFil4a_YSxeaXRGAL1KG_xHut7WghsdV2d1kiGHzG9snbZ9zGZ8XcsJ--gsCEb4LaxsUy2NSxieDiYCWgA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">For even more pizzazz I finished it off with a little zip charm I made. A felt pom pom, glass bead, split ring and perle thread holding it together. I left tails and cut the ends of the perle thread rather than burying it, and I like the fluffy texture it adds.</div></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVLvrzlCtMzeebTgS8y8OM0FjzmjVsburjxkEYKYl7tfWWTEPDnHrupuyOYuPMowo6wHP7doeUJ0KpVDuEklh3XMJq5YuqHiYYaSh5-aGVSU_37_ttUnyJZLYRUkzslkgjdAv0O7uydYHec_GZzWwXmNiP567FVABmbeHLerwDOoiC_FgZk9v1VA=s3024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioVl3hmRCdSYm5hfwg_VtJVc7unRwNOY_biHqS9uwirJ0fZy3dJXUp8xJjjySAVs-eqT9TrWtFteT7bAfa7AEQ94uchWG0k__wod_0urmqnignKpKKdv35vJJBxSkAtR_LJ0A3Wk2xMImDwDXuUphYzMjPj47WU8xre-dgtV3_OEttLy1HOj2cWg=s2177" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="zipper charm, felt pom pom with glass bead and tufted black thread" border="0" data-original-height="2177" data-original-width="2177" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioVl3hmRCdSYm5hfwg_VtJVc7unRwNOY_biHqS9uwirJ0fZy3dJXUp8xJjjySAVs-eqT9TrWtFteT7bAfa7AEQ94uchWG0k__wod_0urmqnignKpKKdv35vJJBxSkAtR_LJ0A3Wk2xMImDwDXuUphYzMjPj47WU8xre-dgtV3_OEttLy1HOj2cWg=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVLvrzlCtMzeebTgS8y8OM0FjzmjVsburjxkEYKYl7tfWWTEPDnHrupuyOYuPMowo6wHP7doeUJ0KpVDuEklh3XMJq5YuqHiYYaSh5-aGVSU_37_ttUnyJZLYRUkzslkgjdAv0O7uydYHec_GZzWwXmNiP567FVABmbeHLerwDOoiC_FgZk9v1VA=s3024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVLvrzlCtMzeebTgS8y8OM0FjzmjVsburjxkEYKYl7tfWWTEPDnHrupuyOYuPMowo6wHP7doeUJ0KpVDuEklh3XMJq5YuqHiYYaSh5-aGVSU_37_ttUnyJZLYRUkzslkgjdAv0O7uydYHec_GZzWwXmNiP567FVABmbeHLerwDOoiC_FgZk9v1VA=s3024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://payhip.com/b/iXnG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="a piece of me pouch - scrappy patchwork hand pieced and hand quilted, round bottom zippered pouch" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZXWS1Y3WHNRqTspkdNGjY1ZLoeScOwjX5sVHxwi1xuRMO3hRQZvmhcVSbO6aJW0ULKQTRKSUD9zvSgUFK9rGQmUHL1u71CCHisVGD1V46xp31ag-eN1MdaeufrlPEmOLC8Y64RY8KIvj5YUL15SmL4n4duQhA-LE1u2xx8tqGOxhBwraXix_kLg=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div></div><br />Not intentional, but because of how I pieced the binding strips (cut from scraps so didn't have enough for one long strip); the print ended up on one side for one edge and then shows on the bottom and other edge on the other side. I actually love it, random in the best way.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://payhip.com/b/iXnG" target="_blank"><img alt="a piece of me pouch - patchwork, fabric scraps, hand pieced and hand quilted, round bottom zippered pouch" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVLvrzlCtMzeebTgS8y8OM0FjzmjVsburjxkEYKYl7tfWWTEPDnHrupuyOYuPMowo6wHP7doeUJ0KpVDuEklh3XMJq5YuqHiYYaSh5-aGVSU_37_ttUnyJZLYRUkzslkgjdAv0O7uydYHec_GZzWwXmNiP567FVABmbeHLerwDOoiC_FgZk9v1VA=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This pouch ended up being 7.5" x 7", a handy size for bits and bobs! Earlier in the week I used it to take some hand piecing with me to Cardiff, I got everything I needed in it (48 squares of fabric, embroidery scissors and a spool of basting thread - I even managed to store my glasses in there when I realised I forgot my case) and it fit perfectly in my smallish handbag. Gotta love portable projects!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You can purchase the <a href="https://payhip.com/b/iXnG" target="_blank">A Piece of Me Pouch Pattern here</a> - remember it's easy to adapt the pattern to any size and this version is a perfect stash buster, so have fun making pouches for all the things!</div><br /><br /><p></p></div>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-48873692676346940692022-02-03T05:00:00.001+00:002022-02-03T16:50:58.894+00:00shining blue quilt<div><br></div><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8e45dcDBaO7lUSCjLMdBFId6oqaE4pLSeEaxTajMf76CXcG9iSutN58N8pu2R5mlvIOu5xry0wYOh7I44w10h82jXlm045O586eiHJ7GquCZWHDyHyYCDyWeO8WHHFFh-rz3JOSqyOca0AQIa6W7UlMmz41JTKvwusDv6Tj1TtNYszmo0mvoU2Q=s2908" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2908" data-original-width="2908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8e45dcDBaO7lUSCjLMdBFId6oqaE4pLSeEaxTajMf76CXcG9iSutN58N8pu2R5mlvIOu5xry0wYOh7I44w10h82jXlm045O586eiHJ7GquCZWHDyHyYCDyWeO8WHHFFh-rz3JOSqyOca0AQIa6W7UlMmz41JTKvwusDv6Tj1TtNYszmo0mvoU2Q=s320" width="320"></a></div><br></div>This quilt was made last summer and gifted to a wonderful educator who retired from my kids school. I used some fabulous new products in the making of this quilt, which helped me make perfect blocks and perfect points with pins! I don't know why I didn't blog about it at the time but here we are, months later and it seemed a shame to have documented the making of the quilt and not share. <br><span style="text-align: justify;">I sneakily got the girls to find out her favourite colour... blue! I went through my stash and picked out loads of blue prints, many of which were leftover from previous projects. My fabric stash is not coordinated by colour, much of it is organised by designer or style of print instead - it just makes sense to my brain that way. So it's always interesting when I do go to shop my stash for a certain colour, I never quite know how much I'll have.</span><div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was a bit of a tight deadline to get the quilt made so I decided to keep it simple, with mostly patchwork squares and some star/cross blocks using the blue fabrics I had more of.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjY_K-qjU0ZMMrfuM5h6dysOBcg_7HfNSo9bn4ydEGvvKK5AYqjqIo-ji7px_wF1JbAYteX-S54fxDuDZGZGAfrFcz52-UgyiCquTFODuQ3_jEBzs9vMidzs5KjYKnENisGtKpv7gN4Yrp_uef6QduxvLwGxeHSpDl-Qzv2CzoLdhmij_0ysN5qlg=s2600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="2600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjY_K-qjU0ZMMrfuM5h6dysOBcg_7HfNSo9bn4ydEGvvKK5AYqjqIo-ji7px_wF1JbAYteX-S54fxDuDZGZGAfrFcz52-UgyiCquTFODuQ3_jEBzs9vMidzs5KjYKnENisGtKpv7gN4Yrp_uef6QduxvLwGxeHSpDl-Qzv2CzoLdhmij_0ysN5qlg=s320" width="320"></a><span></span></div></div></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2022/02/shining-blue-quilt.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-5025737409306105782022-01-27T21:29:00.003+00:002022-01-27T21:48:24.844+00:00a vision kept in sight<p>Following on from my last post, I'm back to share my new word of the year and a very special project I created. It seems so late to say this but Happy New Year to you all, I am sending my very best wishes to you all for a marvellous, healthy and joy filled 2022!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHqrF4gv2sV5ss1TBNjsmiOTKvo-JOSrw6HB0-9Qig8szXfhqgMoGzgkFqPDrmEjEkHoJ-qT0l1fA2G1cBSAuUpaZL9JaqnY8IiV5EQyln37Vr0KXufFFA1_OqDT_lC0novUFz72Km7hY4VuW4kYMcbe_FaHUweVMWeaAjpJplylZUcKmDfIi_yQ=s2675" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2675" data-original-width="2675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHqrF4gv2sV5ss1TBNjsmiOTKvo-JOSrw6HB0-9Qig8szXfhqgMoGzgkFqPDrmEjEkHoJ-qT0l1fA2G1cBSAuUpaZL9JaqnY8IiV5EQyln37Vr0KXufFFA1_OqDT_lC0novUFz72Km7hY4VuW4kYMcbe_FaHUweVMWeaAjpJplylZUcKmDfIi_yQ=s320" width="320"></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">In previous years I have created a vision board, usually on new years eve, often incorporating my word of the year. I had lots of fun collaging with decorative paper, magazine clippings and pictures to create my board. This year I stepped that idea up to create a fabric vision board - with the same collage feel - incorporating fabrics, paper, notions and thread.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">The project was designed for a follow along tutorial for the <a href="https://www.craftymonkies.com/vip-member-club-info" target="_blank">CraftyMonkies VIP member club</a>. I offer lots of advice, suggestions and ways to personalise your own vision board. If you've ever wanted to create a vision board and you have a passion for crafting & fabric, I think you'll really enjoy the exclusive & downloadable video content. There is also a recording of a Q&A session I did last week with some VIP club members; where I shared my passion for the word of the year and vision boards, gave more ideas and inspiration for choosing your word and was so thrilled to see a couple of the incredible finished vision boards they had created. You will have to be very quick if you want to access my month's content, as there is new content released in February!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">It is the PERFECT project for stash busting and incorporating all those little treasures and do-dahs from around your sewing room. Here is a photo of some of the goodies I picked from my stash to create this project...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHqrF4gv2sV5ss1TBNjsmiOTKvo-JOSrw6HB0-9Qig8szXfhqgMoGzgkFqPDrmEjEkHoJ-qT0l1fA2G1cBSAuUpaZL9JaqnY8IiV5EQyln37Vr0KXufFFA1_OqDT_lC0novUFz72Km7hY4VuW4kYMcbe_FaHUweVMWeaAjpJplylZUcKmDfIi_yQ=s2675" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-nxSa9ZkCYn_5vxG2_62aTeYWkN_MUV-NZBI7fHT6gNSW_GvOQPP9PXI_wBFuHRUnWFH9u9Qk1AvIS8rkJgkludDmJ0T0Nc8EMcoq4Gll7j594Jf5xiCDF2r6zyNYQlGzgpIL8fcd4dDk23TjpTSK8IKMiGugJ4RjfruRQ86AdxKKGF6ftwqt2Q=s320" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">A vision board is such a great way to set your intentions and keep them in sight; to remind you of your goals, dreams and vision throughout the year and have your word help maintain your focus. The Aurifil Artisan theme for this month is 'New Year Inspiration' and this project is the epitome, my creativity was alight putting it together and it is inspiring me each day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">I have it hanging where I can see it everyday, each element was created with intention and it has a meaning, tied to my goals and intentions for 2022. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMRz_GqrEdpB_sH0IpFMZiAKp8rZGRVUHK7pOEFw51sMrPfx-LmktJApkH1P0PXbNTtXajKiiq3pWdFYBgFy3VXPVcxKl-dK5ZO-oyr6SgCnYPDXyHs5Ypjju9cecps5dPVVEsckLHBuq1Vry_odFIH3cTqQkDTHj4f9pAaRVpzUHiNIZkYahR8A=s2230" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2229" data-original-width="2230" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMRz_GqrEdpB_sH0IpFMZiAKp8rZGRVUHK7pOEFw51sMrPfx-LmktJApkH1P0PXbNTtXajKiiq3pWdFYBgFy3VXPVcxKl-dK5ZO-oyr6SgCnYPDXyHs5Ypjju9cecps5dPVVEsckLHBuq1Vry_odFIH3cTqQkDTHj4f9pAaRVpzUHiNIZkYahR8A=s320" width="320"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">My word for the year is Elevate. I want to improve myself, continue learning, elevate my surroundings and venture to new places. My goal is to elevate my friendships, strengthening them and making time to just be with my friends. I want to get outside, be healthy and strong. All of this (and more) is visually represented on my board. It might not speak the same language to someone else looking at it, but I know it it's meaning and it is for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">I'm going to show you the elements in more detail and hopefully they will help fire your creativity and imagination...<span></span></div></div></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2022/01/a-vision-kept-in-sight.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-70026487281542677912021-12-29T05:00:00.015+00:002021-12-29T09:02:26.158+00:00LOLLY<p style="text-align: justify;">* 'present' me here... I started writing this post towards the beginning of the year, I last edited it in May and finally am posting it now. Why? Because it's helpful to look back on what I was trying to accomplish and my word of the year has profoundly helped me through 2021. I hope this encourages you to chose a word for the upcoming year and provides some inspiration.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5zXGyaSDXo/X-_VlUfmbyI/AAAAAAABPqY/LCx6l5UPKJ4EdP5AmshzTEyznmE5E3_vwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/lucidity.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5zXGyaSDXo/X-_VlUfmbyI/AAAAAAABPqY/LCx6l5UPKJ4EdP5AmshzTEyznmE5E3_vwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/lucidity.png" /></a></div>
<div align="justified"><div style="text-align: justify;">Here I will share my focus for 2021, the struggle I have with presenting myself and my technique that is helping me to achieve the things I fear. In striving to accomplish tasks and putting myself out there to be able to share my passion and inspire others, there are also moments of doubt and it's easy to get lost in a fog of 'have tos' and the dreaded imposter syndrome. I can be my own worst enemy and small self-sabotaging behaviours take place almost daily but I'm working on it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Each year I pick one little word, as a guide and reminder of my intentions for the year. Usually I post this at the start of the year but, with time being so strange during lockdown, it's taken me until now to gather all of my thoughts into this post. Last year my word was 'clear' and despite it not having much of a chance (with most of the year spent at home) it has served me well. In actual fact maybe the events of 2020 gave me more focus, allowed for clearing stuff out and prioritising what really matters. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">So this year my intent is to maintain that same clearness of thought and build on what I've started. All the little changes I've made and the drive that I have, will result in good things and a stronger, more confident me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eDUCf6YfwAY/X-_VlcfkuMI/AAAAAAABPqU/I5oPQ1ph06gGGiwFIX7tYxQQtPhBKCD9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Do%2BSomething%2BToday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eDUCf6YfwAY/X-_VlcfkuMI/AAAAAAABPqU/I5oPQ1ph06gGGiwFIX7tYxQQtPhBKCD9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Do%2BSomething%2BToday.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I am SUPER excited about all the projects I have in the works, good things are happening and I am putting all my effort into being me. Doing what I love. Not taking on more than I can handle and connecting my abilities with what I enjoy. For the most part, in my career, that is teaching. I have always been a teacher, it's what I do well, and I am thankful I have been able to teach online with <a href="https://www.craftymonkies.com/" target="_blank">CraftyMonkies</a>. Reaching people in a different way felt so strange at first but it's amazing how intimate it is and it's wonderful seeing people create and learn from home. It's so easy for all of us and the live classes allow for amazing interaction. If you're interested in learning more, check out the <a href="https://www.craftymonkies.com/online-workshops-sewing-quilting" target="_blank">list of classes</a> or see the <a href="https://www.craftymonkies.com/online-shop" target="_blank">available playbacks</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It fills my cup to encourage others and share my passion for quilting and stitching. It's not always easy for me to get that point across without coming off like I'm doing a hard sell. Do I want people to take a class with me, do I think it has value, will people learn and create beautiful projects, do I want to sell my patterns... yes, yes, yes, yes! Yet every time I mention my patterns or classes I feel like a bad salesperson or that I'm bothering people or I don't even know what. It doesn't feel good. But here's the thing, if you're not into it or you don't want it you won't be interested. For those that do, all I am doing is sharing information and you can buy a pattern and take a class if you like. So it shouldn't be this hard for me. The anxiety gets to a ridiculous point and I battle through it because I love designing and teaching so much that I can't give up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So I've been trying to come up with ways to make it easier, to be able to talk about my projects and share video of myself without cringing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">First I have been listening to music. Music that pumps me up, puts a smile on my face and gets my mind right. Funnily <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2021/01/yourecapable.html" target="_blank">my last pattern release was inspired by a Gwen Stefani song</a> and this track has been on repeat</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
<div align="center"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vZvkyfwD8mI" width="560"></iframe></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That line 'I'm recycling me' led to a bit of an epiphany. I'd always wanted to get back my confidence, to lose the anxiety and go back to the 'old me'. Of course that's not possible, there's no way, but I can recycle. Save some bits, take the good stuff that's going on currently and mush it all into something else. Still myself, with everything I've experienced and learnt, still original just changed. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maybe that doesn't make sense... this post is completely train-of-thought and leads to how I came to chose my word.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Secondly (and this is where it gets even weirder) I have created an alter-ego. Stay with me! For those times when I just cannot seem to counter the doubts in my head, when I have to make a video or call or try and market myself... I become 'Lolly'. Before you click away or think I've lost it completely, this was an idea my husband had - conceived when we were chatting about my anxiety and self-doubt. He said why don't you pretend to be someone else, still myself but with the drive of someone who has presence and confidence. So who would I be? Dolly Parton, every time! No excuses, no hiding. Dolly is herself, I mean she's the on stage /public version of herself but doesn't she do it with such grace and honesty. Like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AA5G8vCl9w" target="_blank">Beyonce has her Sasha Fierce persona</a> (explained so well in that clip), it is a great way for me to overcome nerves and get it done. So Lolly is my Sasha Fierce. It's like acting, which I did a lot of when I was younger, and while I'm not pretending to be someone else - it allows me to be clear in what I'm presenting; the strong, confident and capable version of myself. My word for 2021 is <span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">lucidity</span><span style="background-color: white;"> - I like that it works with my name too! Light and clear.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="347" src="https://giphy.com/embed/lPXC1eWqBTbCvNYb5F" width="480"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FZf-dCWWmA/X_Egc4L8G_I/AAAAAAABP0A/Iot9UGBl7RUvzfyakUmDTsdizrofKCgzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s506/lucidity.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="506" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FZf-dCWWmA/X_Egc4L8G_I/AAAAAAABP0A/Iot9UGBl7RUvzfyakUmDTsdizrofKCgzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/lucidity.jpg" style="width: 500px;" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stay tuned because I have an exciting project coming up relating to the word of the year! Here are links to my words from previous years if you'd like to read more:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">2020 ~ <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2020/01/word-of-year-2020.html" target="_blank">Clear</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">2019 ~ <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2019/01/makes-us-stronger.html" target="_blank">Fortitude</a><br />2018 ~ <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2018/01/l-i-v-i-n.html" target="_blank">Centre</a><br />2017 ~ <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2017/01/intent.html" target="_blank">Shift</a><br />2016 ~ <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2016/01/word-of-year.html" target="_blank">Enthusiasm</a><br />2015 ~ <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2015/01/onwards.html" target="_blank">More</a><br />2014 ~ <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2014/01/modern-traditional-how-do-i-become.html" target="_blank">Better</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And ALWAYS channel Moira Rose, such wisdom!</div><p></p></div>
<div align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://giphy.com/embed/U7MTEZXKkCtSxIbyMe" width="480"></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/schittscreek-schitts-creek-pop-tv-poptv-U7MTEZXKkCtSxIbyMe"></a></p></div></div></div></div>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-20226441139168982652021-12-27T17:01:00.001+00:002021-12-27T17:19:02.477+00:00 A year in the making : The fruits of plenty<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It took a year...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEgYLM2SxJSEagMfdIKn7oAeNG-_Y0aHR3Cf3SvI7-VD-BRceYchD92n8vTJNqbY15ueC0fqe05ux8sqmSQZFlhUOroJ3YsMMD8nkGa0ycs25MDQo5PZKF_DNQDBkzrSp92yZmJFJAYBKn7IM1FSuLpkjQFB3Fjw8NU7GhWI-_ak-XstB4HSYEqQ=s1564" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEgYLM2SxJSEagMfdIKn7oAeNG-_Y0aHR3Cf3SvI7-VD-BRceYchD92n8vTJNqbY15ueC0fqe05ux8sqmSQZFlhUOroJ3YsMMD8nkGa0ycs25MDQo5PZKF_DNQDBkzrSp92yZmJFJAYBKn7IM1FSuLpkjQFB3Fjw8NU7GhWI-_ak-XstB4HSYEqQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">How it started...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM_EfP1xa4YMQ6E4cVp0AxUQORcEY-nyOTA-IOnnLvK848LPhU73A4H4lpt5K-sY5GmJ2cxN7dxQS6B2_PlpzEX7lC2Sytt6WypgGl_DSlcwyZ6fbCW9e6Z5PFLtfWyhl4OEPyYFjJSEbvkO-WUuyzvYQEEBugVIBCu7c7A1euhAkD5OSCdLcfJA=s3024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM_EfP1xa4YMQ6E4cVp0AxUQORcEY-nyOTA-IOnnLvK848LPhU73A4H4lpt5K-sY5GmJ2cxN7dxQS6B2_PlpzEX7lC2Sytt6WypgGl_DSlcwyZ6fbCW9e6Z5PFLtfWyhl4OEPyYFjJSEbvkO-WUuyzvYQEEBugVIBCu7c7A1euhAkD5OSCdLcfJA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">How it's going... </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2877" data-original-width="2231" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2tM704eT-G3g_yDrz2fDA-QqYo0pAQTdDjRtp-alC-xVc09khNOCV1q1W-7lh2Vs0DhsAq70UHFOYEvEXd681c734QUFWnipQDEC6jDB6Xlvmn_uwNCUtRj93PnS8wZXOW_xuNjLtWVWqQtPSuV1DbNxBz6pMlD-b73gvgPcOVuk_vLv7Z0i7QA=s320" width="248" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Done!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It's not often I complete something in a year, my work in progress pile can attest to that! This stitch-a-long is the third one I've completed from <a href="https://www.modernfolkembroidery.com/" target="_blank">Modern Folk Embroidery</a>, obviously I highly recommend his patterns and this was a joy to stitch. It was lovely receiving the next part of the pattern each month and I've really enjoying seeing all the other versions as they've been stitched on instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mfesal2021/" target="_blank">#MFESAL2021</a>, so many interesting colour combinations. The pattern is <a href="https://www.modernfolkembroidery.com/product-category/sal-2021/" target="_blank">The Fruits of Plenty</a>. Also see my previous stitchings, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJd0hSbs9qL/" target="_blank">Love Thy Neighbour</a> - better pictures in progress <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2020/08/love-thy.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2020/04/kindness-fortitude.html" target="_blank">Kindness & Fortitude</a> - shows how different patterns can look depending on your choices.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This was the final part for the month of December, it was a little sad putting in those last stitches because it meant it was over but I'm so pleased with the finish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibiH3_AYZyscQJRLTl_lWIpbkZOAZEI3G-xplvr5dZ1kHgr_mVtZclBdik85SUzlCDxSGRMWAF4BpGBVQ-YXvz9CCnUYDL1M8UkqTQSjWU7FZmUDxVdGO9nln-vDxkY57vGNhYM7Q-3JwOlZaVK0zilwpRDDCxmh5FC-TUMLFboW6X-Bz0hwlXbQ=s2134" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="2134" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibiH3_AYZyscQJRLTl_lWIpbkZOAZEI3G-xplvr5dZ1kHgr_mVtZclBdik85SUzlCDxSGRMWAF4BpGBVQ-YXvz9CCnUYDL1M8UkqTQSjWU7FZmUDxVdGO9nln-vDxkY57vGNhYM7Q-3JwOlZaVK0zilwpRDDCxmh5FC-TUMLFboW6X-Bz0hwlXbQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My favourite floss is Aurifloss and I chose to use a peach and a terracota -ish colour for my project. The colours are Peach #2215 and Pumpkin Spice #2395. I stitched 2 over 2 on 32 count Belfast Linen in the colour Linen Pink - a pretty pale pink that is a nice warm background for the floss.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8TaAuNOuUbEWqtPr-yuSvCZEjXciaIazdFJyNurZXqRNu6rJH6CUCTTtxt-D6Ov1POZa9jXtWbOCXzJe-zdrE73sIfzhwLrD1fMveuI4e2F0JMhgy4MvNbJn2ixQnuCiMIZe6PiSssjflJ6oD2zzE9uNIzq66pLTW1OWvKW0uTmPBMYxaHu3mTg=s2500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="2500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8TaAuNOuUbEWqtPr-yuSvCZEjXciaIazdFJyNurZXqRNu6rJH6CUCTTtxt-D6Ov1POZa9jXtWbOCXzJe-zdrE73sIfzhwLrD1fMveuI4e2F0JMhgy4MvNbJn2ixQnuCiMIZe6PiSssjflJ6oD2zzE9uNIzq66pLTW1OWvKW0uTmPBMYxaHu3mTg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">When I started stitching I used a Q-snap frame and a grime guard I made (details <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2021/01/handmade-stitching-extras.html" target="_blank">in this post</a>) and while I do like working with a hoop or frame, I then discovered the sewing method and stitching in hand, from the lovely Kimberly and The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch. If you haven't tried it I would encourage you to watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKI7CDg5-9I&list=PLkeU_gOy5IRf61S7tRxlsRkxi2_YSiprd&index=23&t=2s" target="_blank">their tutorial video</a>, as it shows a couple of different options and plenty of tips. I believe this is how Jacob of Modern Folk Embroidery prefers to stitch too, so I'm in great company!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I do like using beeswax for conditioning the thread, it's not essential but it does smooth the floss and makes stitching (especially on linen) a little easier. I got the beeswax in the above picture from a local beekeeper, if you don't have a local source then there are some lovely sellers on Etsy, like <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/cobbleandhive" target="_blank">Cobble and Hive</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In so many ways it is hard to believe a year has passed but then time has warped even more in the past couple of years, it feels like a lot of time has been lost. I recommend a stitch-a-long as a marker for time if you need one!! This was the half way point...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsC49HaMkZZEnTawaly9eQ64hp6Oinh6wHa_5HFMruf7Q-z6hBwn8xbz995PLwlQXyuI9Gw2ulahufmh4FsUSAD_35NVNqVCKg2_Tc15Z2bWK1nsmA-RDJZaMuAae1PtOHwKsLxM5vYepPqt17O-E3iSEegZgcIsFvbRZTmeXPW5FmGGKU2srguA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsC49HaMkZZEnTawaly9eQ64hp6Oinh6wHa_5HFMruf7Q-z6hBwn8xbz995PLwlQXyuI9Gw2ulahufmh4FsUSAD_35NVNqVCKg2_Tc15Z2bWK1nsmA-RDJZaMuAae1PtOHwKsLxM5vYepPqt17O-E3iSEegZgcIsFvbRZTmeXPW5FmGGKU2srguA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I now realise I don't have pictures of the back but trust me I got messier as I went along ;) I did start with good intentions and tried to keep the back as neat as possible but ultimately I don't really care what the back looks like and it can get frustrating. I would much prefer to stitch as I please and enjoy the process rather than care about the backside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The pattern called for initials but rather than just add my own, I added my husband, myself and the first initials of our three children. I love it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-liV_xTiTiFpTGIwxZM_9X5FenldgAnWqQp_Y1M0xLt1XQpIYgWf6ty3kJ16K34RbK0aiF3NF5NLeQBfIDLI8JhWqaYHHF4PWdUXigBLzu3UEFing-lFcWpKOVP5pm5L3ip-qG0iK4KLyuL3lsnHfPbPg3YstUsxtn6afvx5gnKk6Xve2Z8ygBA=s2268" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2267" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-liV_xTiTiFpTGIwxZM_9X5FenldgAnWqQp_Y1M0xLt1XQpIYgWf6ty3kJ16K34RbK0aiF3NF5NLeQBfIDLI8JhWqaYHHF4PWdUXigBLzu3UEFing-lFcWpKOVP5pm5L3ip-qG0iK4KLyuL3lsnHfPbPg3YstUsxtn6afvx5gnKk6Xve2Z8ygBA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR0xAqBp1vckjWNBORk4o068nkTqN7T8djHSV1mbLcTTzMzAM8rvT7XadANRbJieu9rgNKFyPBg9SV3sXYZNI9gOCTsOU7fYH-3gHKzvTa9myp1bbSkwOY03gekUhsiMJ9P8j6f5apPmuwtJp_m5JuNROfgaS-a5obSkUcwMWmLPaaR9a0j1sLCw=s2112" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2111" data-original-width="2112" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR0xAqBp1vckjWNBORk4o068nkTqN7T8djHSV1mbLcTTzMzAM8rvT7XadANRbJieu9rgNKFyPBg9SV3sXYZNI9gOCTsOU7fYH-3gHKzvTa9myp1bbSkwOY03gekUhsiMJ9P8j6f5apPmuwtJp_m5JuNROfgaS-a5obSkUcwMWmLPaaR9a0j1sLCw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And just like that... 34613 crosses later, the pattern is complete.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEO0fS4zGYZb2XXdrOiE1D2nSDpk0IHLCfLdnz7HvaDqbGN2hjTUQMyzPBrZxCMeAeEnI_oJK2EgUAIqMSmhjK8dC3Gg9q90v2Trn7pHLotpiV7iTMZGofqvAt7Umvn1BMwdkmcMx_tUtdsHDjxNG7a_GToCsNJTVVeX8y-swgvois7MN8AS6W-Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEO0fS4zGYZb2XXdrOiE1D2nSDpk0IHLCfLdnz7HvaDqbGN2hjTUQMyzPBrZxCMeAeEnI_oJK2EgUAIqMSmhjK8dC3Gg9q90v2Trn7pHLotpiV7iTMZGofqvAt7Umvn1BMwdkmcMx_tUtdsHDjxNG7a_GToCsNJTVVeX8y-swgvois7MN8AS6W-Q=s320" width="180" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4P4FY6ob7ngtWrzNCp2RsHu9mOeHyxmFnzbVZUxwMRX4aj_Rxhnnktgjuobex-lTy4LWLd3VkQK5aF-UE0cGS1WMrH-m_wUaoOQeEHi2CoLo9hVW2Z0uX4pZDFfcrTMd3XHahQnYXkak2Ov8yg1iTGT8jU5bWyjTBC4u0qelM8EaP69kvslxn3w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4P4FY6ob7ngtWrzNCp2RsHu9mOeHyxmFnzbVZUxwMRX4aj_Rxhnnktgjuobex-lTy4LWLd3VkQK5aF-UE0cGS1WMrH-m_wUaoOQeEHi2CoLo9hVW2Z0uX4pZDFfcrTMd3XHahQnYXkak2Ov8yg1iTGT8jU5bWyjTBC4u0qelM8EaP69kvslxn3w=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This coming year I would like to get all my complete cross stitch projects framed and I very much look forward to having this beauty on display. Having said that before about previous pieces, I really need to make this happen!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNoz2SxRfzJW-jbjnmVdHAU1ZPPBPbwiG46uKyrTWOVZCMPY7rFh75Lhpf89JPlqCLTD3w04qPucvzI6jYuperdEOvBUYrDHWuSIY9_PbFFXqF5AN7oSaLlcCMVPTtLf8ZSp777YEd53VoDwynPr8PAUyBG2y7Q4WjWFWRcgXSulpqrO1KIRjdQA=s2814" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2814" data-original-width="2236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNoz2SxRfzJW-jbjnmVdHAU1ZPPBPbwiG46uKyrTWOVZCMPY7rFh75Lhpf89JPlqCLTD3w04qPucvzI6jYuperdEOvBUYrDHWuSIY9_PbFFXqF5AN7oSaLlcCMVPTtLf8ZSp777YEd53VoDwynPr8PAUyBG2y7Q4WjWFWRcgXSulpqrO1KIRjdQA=s320" width="254" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivENmwMDqHZ1FOORpVZfL8TfUFF6m7zA0WtbBhGMT8LDTMb2D0-LA2HtiU6IT9No1Bbo6Iap4pMAcZaZZhRr7BKXJzjQBACUOah_RZth2C6hC5ih4IdIWfgJo7tSv1jH2vWTzb8_u9D2KS1k0ZXVrRJs95TwOBqr93_uNmmWLWSNkbL5XOAf0Tcw=s2877" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2877" data-original-width="2877" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivENmwMDqHZ1FOORpVZfL8TfUFF6m7zA0WtbBhGMT8LDTMb2D0-LA2HtiU6IT9No1Bbo6Iap4pMAcZaZZhRr7BKXJzjQBACUOah_RZth2C6hC5ih4IdIWfgJo7tSv1jH2vWTzb8_u9D2KS1k0ZXVrRJs95TwOBqr93_uNmmWLWSNkbL5XOAf0Tcw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-20607855810736767522021-11-23T21:37:00.001+00:002021-11-23T21:37:32.431+00:00window zippered pouches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUJSBUfbKcM/YZ1GhHZASDI/AAAAAAABXbg/r9V09Tqr7_A57fJL2GkKiiiXyNgYzxGUgCPcBGAsYHg/s2268/PXL_20211123_123746985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2267" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUJSBUfbKcM/YZ1GhHZASDI/AAAAAAABXbg/r9V09Tqr7_A57fJL2GkKiiiXyNgYzxGUgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20211123_123746985.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Back with another Aurifil Artisan project! This month I was sent some gorgeous Free Spirit fabrics to play with, along with a spool of 50 weight thread. I received two cuts of the stunning <span style="text-align: center;">Little Fluffy Clouds in Cloud, Daydreamer by Tula Pink and a deep purple solid (which I think might be Tula Pink Solids in Tanzanite?!). The Daydreamer collection has some really stunning prints, including one called Lucy! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br></span></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjFFm0IGG2A/YZ1GTU-SbHI/AAAAAAABXbY/qditgHHyOgYKtH6fq0EbIyirdiEox9howCPcBGAsYHg/s1856/PXL_20211105_120449255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1855" data-original-width="1856" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjFFm0IGG2A/YZ1GTU-SbHI/AAAAAAABXbY/qditgHHyOgYKtH6fq0EbIyirdiEox9howCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20211105_120449255.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The <span style="text-align: center;">Little Fluffy Clouds </span>print is a beautiful ombre, from yellow to green to blue - you get a better sense of it in this picture from the <a href="https://www.freespiritfabrics.com/fabric-lines/just-released/daydreamer/" target="_blank">Free Spirit</a> website (and there are two other colourways of this print available): </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7Hl33RQVko/YZ1K2qZn3BI/AAAAAAABXcc/G4U0R99qXao3YNmtD2OSc_Zk9XhSBkFMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/PWTP177.CLOUD__74994.1617043930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7Hl33RQVko/YZ1K2qZn3BI/AAAAAAABXcc/G4U0R99qXao3YNmtD2OSc_Zk9XhSBkFMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/PWTP177.CLOUD__74994.1617043930.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I <span style="text-align: left;">ummed and ahed about what to make for some time. I was a bit stumped. For inspiration I turned to my bookmarks, all the web pages I have saved for later, to one day make projects from tutorials. </span><span style="text-align: left;">What a great resource!</span><span style="text-align: left;"> Though it turns out some of them no longer exist and many weren't right for these fabrics... but I did hit on a winner. <span></span></span></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2021/11/window-zippered-pouches.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-32363199526489166152021-05-28T09:00:00.006+01:002021-05-28T09:00:00.289+01:00quilt label X gold needles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w24MsPCxQqU/YKWNu50J4TI/AAAAAAABUUQ/SWyPr-geHqcVmocslasrBQYOxyJaFdV8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210512_181559%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w24MsPCxQqU/YKWNu50J4TI/AAAAAAABUUQ/SWyPr-geHqcVmocslasrBQYOxyJaFdV8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210512_181559%257E2.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">An important part of the process is quilt labelling. Do you label your quilts? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Despite not yet having a finish, the idea for a label came to me and I jumped right in! There's no point in waiting to create, might as well stitch when the mood strikes. Here I show you my process for making this label, share some favourite tools and there's a chance to win a jar of Hemline Gold needles.<span></span></div></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2021/05/quilt-label-x-gold-needles.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-20690209768622129592021-04-27T23:00:00.001+01:002021-04-28T00:50:28.728+01:00spring steps <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I do love surprises... and happy mail... and quilt making (especially for a good cause)! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For this months Aurifil Artisan challenge we were sent five fat quarters of Kaffe Fassett fabric to use in a project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLBifRIKlPA/YIcXHfrft9I/AAAAAAABTbg/nQLfZjUJ0qkxxJ6dlWgpLGKqeXbObzDcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210321_122038485.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLBifRIKlPA/YIcXHfrft9I/AAAAAAABTbg/nQLfZjUJ0qkxxJ6dlWgpLGKqeXbObzDcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/PXL_20210321_122038485.jpg" width="600"></a><div style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7r3fKNaIvw/YIcXSxHyLzI/AAAAAAABTbs/z0bA6Ci9pDkxHZ_ua29AyvRusZAkfjAiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210321_122106549.jpg" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7r3fKNaIvw/YIcXSxHyLzI/AAAAAAABTbs/z0bA6Ci9pDkxHZ_ua29AyvRusZAkfjAiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/PXL_20210321_122106549.jpg" width="600"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I knew I was going to make a quilt. I don't use red prints very often and spent a while auditioning fabrics to go with the bundle. Initially I pulled pinks and oranges, other warm tones because that's my vibe. It all looked too samey though and the Kaffe prints didn't stand out enough. So then I pulled a whole rainbow of solid fabrics, mixing them up with the prints to see what worked well.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ultimately I went with a pale grey for the background and deep yellow, bright purple, olive and cerulean - sorry I don't have the exact shades, these fabrics were left over from other projects and I've failed to have any system for keeping track of the names/brands of solids. If you have a good system please let me know!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Traditional blocks are always a favourite and, as I haven't used any of my special quilting rulers for a while, I looked through them and decided to make Courthouse Steps blocks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-DPzRLBlDU/YIcXSvFnxDI/AAAAAAABTbo/rX7TLsMoEdQlZAbocgsAB_pJiS7_rH68gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210321_161959180.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-DPzRLBlDU/YIcXSvFnxDI/AAAAAAABTbo/rX7TLsMoEdQlZAbocgsAB_pJiS7_rH68gCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/PXL_20210321_161959180.jpg" width="600"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMQJER-bXq0/YIcXSp3_rMI/AAAAAAABTbk/hwPsw4eFc_UsSPT99x5NxSNHQ0zlCRksQCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/PXL_20210321_155521240.jpg" width="600"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The olive was a considered choice, as it's the colour for the centre of the blocks. Inspired by the blooms on the prints, I wanted the blocks to look like large flowers and the green would be the stems.<span></span></div></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2021/04/spring-steps.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842721577085503845.post-13280188952497954132021-03-29T21:59:00.002+01:002021-03-29T21:59:43.488+01:00concrete garden quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pT67I4CBgc/YGGqpdGXK0I/AAAAAAABSyo/34uWdBMC8G4ZhJnf_EihbNgJWRwtKX28gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210328_165655.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pT67I4CBgc/YGGqpdGXK0I/AAAAAAABSyo/34uWdBMC8G4ZhJnf_EihbNgJWRwtKX28gCPcBGAsYHg/s400/20210328_165655.jpg" width="400"></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I am over the moon with this finish! It's been a long time coming... it began it's life in 2016 when I created the central hexagon and my wonderful Bee A Brit Stingy friends made bee blocks. They each made a square and a triangle block. My brief as 'queen bee' was asking them to use the background fabric I sent, along with a mix of cheery fabrics and create geometric blocks for the squares and triangle blocks made up of triangles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krILW3nGpWs/YGGqpQBxYTI/AAAAAAABSyo/pxfLLvfX5DAGY04chQDgIvMAnHBybTuPgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210327_153425932.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krILW3nGpWs/YGGqpQBxYTI/AAAAAAABSyo/pxfLLvfX5DAGY04chQDgIvMAnHBybTuPgCPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210327_153425932.jpg"></a></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><div><br></div><div>The <a href="https://www.charmaboutyou.com/2016/04/dear-deer-and-bee-garden.html" target="_blank">starting point</a> for all our bee blocks was a central panel in the shape of a hexagon. The hexagon was formed with six triangles cut from the background fabric. I hand pieced the flowers, which are from the Daisy Do pattern from the book <a href="https://amzn.to/2O2vR6c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Quilt Lovely by Jen Kingwell</a>. Then machine appliqued them to the background. </div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0yAwuP-xVqU/YGGqpT9SLMI/AAAAAAABSyo/iR8oHZRUluchVJQiOp2DV8GwPngcwfZUQCPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210327_153214105.jpg" width="400"></div></div><div><br>This quilt is called Concrete Garden because of this central panel - the mix of prints with the monotone background reminds me of city living and a garden growing through concrete. Overall the quilt layout and blocks remind me of an allotment too, common in city suburbs.</div><div><br></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4gj7C50GjM/YGGqpbSi2DI/AAAAAAABSyo/g9MUSn9sXQIj0_j8ybTgUl81qrncP3zHACPcBGAsYHg/s3024/PXL_20210327_153231458.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWSfIlb628A/YGGqpXY09cI/AAAAAAABSyo/ABWe1q39MOwriT6pK5144rFq-zvukDedgCPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210327_153437116.jpg"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4gj7C50GjM/YGGqpbSi2DI/AAAAAAABSyo/g9MUSn9sXQIj0_j8ybTgUl81qrncP3zHACPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210327_153231458.jpg" width="400"></a><span></span></div></div><a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2021/03/concrete-garden-quilt.html#more">| read more ... |</a>Lucy | Charm About Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802874219199570853noreply@blogger.com6