Hope Valley
Showing posts with label Hope Valley. Show all posts
dazzling thead and fabric
Experimenting with thread is always fun and I'm keen to try different varieties of threads. I have been adding metallic thread to sewing projects, even using some Wonderfil Spotlite on cork (which had it's challenges!). Metallic thread definitely requires you sew at a slower pace and do use a larger needle so it doesn't break.
This week I bought three spools of Aurifil Brillo from Lacewing Designs, in Black/Gold #646, Dark Copper #752 and Light Copper #723. They have really nice colour choices and I'm very tempted by the pinks.
It almost has metallic specks rather than being metallic all through because of how it's twisted. So it has both colour and a glittery effect.
divide and order - le challenge
This month's theme at le challenge was order. Something that we need lots of around here! I chose to use Noodleheads fabulous Divided Basket pattern to make a basket for all my rose star fabrics and papers (see an update on the quilt here).
For the main part of the basket I used Cactus Calico in Fiesta, Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt; the pocket is Wallflower in Piney Woods, Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt and the binding is Feathers in Grass, Sun Print by Alison Glass; the lining is Dotty curtain fabric in lime and the handles are cotton webbing.
It goes rather nicely with the thread catcher fabric basket I made last month!
So now everything's in order and I can get on with getting the quilt finished. I will try not to make another basket for next months link though I really could use these cute baskets in every room!
Head over to le challenge to see what everyone else made and link up your 'order' projects (anything you've made this month that fits that theme). The new theme will be announced tomorrow.
the little things
And am working on these little dolls:
They just need to be stuffed. I'm thinking they'd be cute on a keychain to hang off a bag or something?!
I was so inspired when I saw the incredible Liberty skittle dolls Jo made and then my mum bought me this magazine:
So I used the basic template from Craftseller and then made a very simple version and attached a ribbon loop.
Even my son seems to love them so hopefully they'll sell!
I'm still working on my bear paw blocks too:
Then there's those other little things that brighten up your day. The baby is poorly and we've had a hard time of late so when I heard that unmistakeable 'thud' of a package through the door (and don't we all just know when it's fabric?!) I was nursing her and thinking 'I know I've not ordered anything, what could that be?'. Nothing could have surprised me more. The wonderful and very generous Hydee had sent me some gorgeous Hope Valley as a thank you for a package I sent her recently. Now I have to point out I sent her a little bit of fabric and a magazine and she sent me LOADS of this:
Playing
I've been starting new projects... naughty me!! In fact there's so many things going on here that I can't even do my usual round up of everything because it would take too long, lots of it is secret and I have a little girl that will only let me on the computer for about 5 minutes!!
Quickly then...
Here's some playing with fabric and selvedges that I hope will turn into something very cool:
I also had some lovely fabric packages come in the post, so even more to play with :)
First up this gorgeous pile from Fresh Squeezed Fabrics (she even sent a cute badge with it!). I just adore those fizzy dots and that Kokka was a bargain! And as a heads up Randi is having a great sale on Madrona Road this week... be quick!
I also got this lovely FQ from Spoonflower, no idea what to do with it I just like it!!
The best bit of playing was this very morning though! The wonderful Rachel came over to give me a much needed crochet lesson. She's such great company and an excellent teacher. Very patient and was fabulous at playing with my little girl so I could complete my granny square!
Now take a look, I'm not even going to say which one is the beginner and which one was made by someone with 40 (yes 40??!! She started young!) years of experience. This is the start of my first granny blanket:
Rachel was so sweet and brought this fabulous yarn (is it yarn? wool? I don't even know!) for us to crochet with. She gave them me as a gift along with this beautiful crochet case and some crochet needles:
I just realised how nicely the inside matches the squares too!! I love the bright cheery case and look she even used cool variegated thread to match the rainbow. Thank you so much Rachel, I look forward to our next class ;)
Linking up:
the Johnny Cash quilt
I am linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday; TGIFF, which is at Marsha's Spot and Manic Monday
Thank you to everyone for your kind Anniversary wishes yesterday!
The secret is finally out... the quilt I've been working on was for my husband, a gift for our 5th wedding anniversary, the Johnny Cash quilt:
I had the idea for this last September after seeing Sarah's gorgeous quilt. I knew I'd write the words to 'If I were a Carpenter' because it is our song (and I know it should be 'baby' but we have two!!). Here's some night shots with the man himself holding it (that's my husband not Johnny Cash obviously!!), you can see the quilting a little better in these ones. I pretty much copied Sarah here too and just did some quick random lines to reflect our haphazard relationship!!:
I managed to do three blocks last October and then got distracted so it's been a scramble to get it finished in time. I changed up the fabric for the letters a few times, using up scraps and even used some that I was given by a friend last week! And yes I was sewing the binding on yesterday before he got home!! Last minute Lucy.
I was making it up but finding it really difficult I don't do maths or planning very well and I struggled a bit so I bought Tonya Ricucci's book:
This helped a lot!! I followed the tips and starting some unruly cutting :)
I used the DS fabric Kaelin sent me for the binding and I think it looks cute and helps lift the quilt.
One thing I especially love is because it's double sided it looks cool whichever way you fold it!
In other sewing news, I want to challenge myself and having seen so much cute embroidery out there I ordered myself this cute kit from Sublime Stitching and a couple of patterns. It came really quickly and I love it! It includes instructions thank goodness:
A wonderful friend and her lovely husband from London came to visit me yesterday. I don't get to see them as much as I'd like but we had a nice chat and the kids were loving them! They even brought gifts :) for my belated birthday.
She made me this cute dishcloth (not sure I will be able to bring myself to use it as that!!) and some delicious homemade Clementine marmalade, named 'Oh my darling!':
As if that wasn't enough, explaining they were having a bit of a clear out, she also gave me some fabric because she knew I'd make use of it:
Seriously??!!! I honestly nearly cried. I'm sure she saw me welling up. She didn't know it was one of my favourites or even that it was the glorious Hope Valley but the girl has seriously good taste!! I think she bought it in London but never used it for anything. I am so glad she thought of me!
If you are reading this thank you so much sweetie! I love the homemade gorgeousness :)
Oh and by funny chance I was doing a quick bit of blog reading yesterday, look what popped up:
Thank you to everyone for your kind Anniversary wishes yesterday!
The secret is finally out... the quilt I've been working on was for my husband, a gift for our 5th wedding anniversary, the Johnny Cash quilt:
I had the idea for this last September after seeing Sarah's gorgeous quilt. I knew I'd write the words to 'If I were a Carpenter' because it is our song (and I know it should be 'baby' but we have two!!). Here's some night shots with the man himself holding it (that's my husband not Johnny Cash obviously!!), you can see the quilting a little better in these ones. I pretty much copied Sarah here too and just did some quick random lines to reflect our haphazard relationship!!:
I managed to do three blocks last October and then got distracted so it's been a scramble to get it finished in time. I changed up the fabric for the letters a few times, using up scraps and even used some that I was given by a friend last week! And yes I was sewing the binding on yesterday before he got home!! Last minute Lucy.
I was making it up but finding it really difficult I don't do maths or planning very well and I struggled a bit so I bought Tonya Ricucci's book:
 |
| http://www.amazon.co.uk/Word-Play-Quilts-Patchwork-Place/dp/1604680172/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329470042&sr=8-1 |
I used the DS fabric Kaelin sent me for the binding and I think it looks cute and helps lift the quilt.
One thing I especially love is because it's double sided it looks cool whichever way you fold it!
In other sewing news, I want to challenge myself and having seen so much cute embroidery out there I ordered myself this cute kit from Sublime Stitching and a couple of patterns. It came really quickly and I love it! It includes instructions thank goodness:
A wonderful friend and her lovely husband from London came to visit me yesterday. I don't get to see them as much as I'd like but we had a nice chat and the kids were loving them! They even brought gifts :) for my belated birthday.
She made me this cute dishcloth (not sure I will be able to bring myself to use it as that!!) and some delicious homemade Clementine marmalade, named 'Oh my darling!':
As if that wasn't enough, explaining they were having a bit of a clear out, she also gave me some fabric because she knew I'd make use of it:
Seriously??!!! I honestly nearly cried. I'm sure she saw me welling up. She didn't know it was one of my favourites or even that it was the glorious Hope Valley but the girl has seriously good taste!! I think she bought it in London but never used it for anything. I am so glad she thought of me!
If you are reading this thank you so much sweetie! I love the homemade gorgeousness :)
Oh and by funny chance I was doing a quick bit of blog reading yesterday, look what popped up:
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