WIP Wednesday
Showing posts with label WIP Wednesday. Show all posts
slow and quick projects
Cathedral windows are lovely to make, different from traditional piecing and so satisfying! I made this little sample for Sewing Quarter and demonstrated yesterday how to hand sew the blocks.
I chose to hand stitch the folds with some perle thread, which is quicker than appliqué (although I did demo that too) and gives a lovely effect - the Valdani variegated thread is particularly pretty.
To watch the repeat of the show, click here.
On the same show I also made this Peonies block from 100 Any-Size Flower Blocks by Rita Weiss and Linda Causee. Fast and easy to put together.
a little catch up...
I'm busy working on a million things as per usual and the little one is home poorly today. I haven't had much sleep but I am hoping to do a little stitching today while we both take it easy.
There is some secret sewing going on but until I can do a reveal here is what I'm currently working on. Another Stitchy Pie needle case, it's fun to do some embroidery again!
I am also getting section 4 of my green tea and sweet beans pieced together, I am machining the filler blocks and hand piecing the blocks together so it's slow sewing!
My rose star quilt is nearly finished, just a bit more hand quilting. I really would like to get it finished before Christmas.
My list of WIPs is really crazy so I need to crack on and sew.
This past weekend we had an early birthday party for my eldest daughter, my sister came up for a visit and it was lovely to see her growing bump! I even got to feel my niece kicking!
For now it's sofa time, snuggles and hot water with lemon and honey.
I hope you're all having a good week so far ♡
little stars
There are big changes going on for me. Making adjustments, working hard and figuring out what comes next. You know... life stuff!
So today I took it easy. I did some yoga, had coffee with a friend and actually did some machine sewing.
I made the first two blocks of the Land of Magic Quilt. It is a gorgeous foundation paper piecing pattern (click the link to see Kerry's finished quilt), you can buy the full pattern or individual blocks if you prefer - the crown and star come as a pair.
My sister is pregnant and this quilt will be for my new niece or nephew. We chose the fabrics together and it was a lot of fun! I actually changed my mind about the main print for the crown and I think this blue print works really well, almost like it is shining. The star uses mainly Carrie Bloomston prints and I love how the navy print looks like twinkling stars.
My youngest star has started school and is really enjoying herself! Our last few afternoons (before she went full time) were spent doing all the wonderful things we enjoy doing together. Painting - usually I do the outline and she fills it in:
I am still getting used to not having her with me all day. I'm not sure how I feel really. Currently I am too busy to actually think about it, which is good on the one hand but I'm starting to need time to 'process' because it is a big change. There is some sadness for me but I am thankful that she likes school and is making friends. I guess I just keep on keeping on :)
good stuff
I've had a busy start to the week. I finished and sent off a couple of projects for publication. There was some hand stitching involved and I am really pleased with the results, you'll have to wait until I can share them with you but here's me in progress:
It is definitely a chilly winter now so Lois got comfy and decided she was camping on our living room floor. Makes me proud to be a quilter to see my little one surrounded by handmade things! There was a twinge of sadness this evening as it is her last day of being two. It's a cliché but they really do grow so fast.
Last week was my birthday (and three years ago I was crossing my legs hoping not to share it with Lois!) and I had some lovely gifts. My husband got me these beautiful hand embroidered pins from Macon & Lesquoy and my sister got me some Minnetonka boots - I wore a hole in my moccasins ages ago and they are so comfortable I'm glad to finally have a new pair!
Tell me if you've had any good stuff happen this week or what your focus is...
bling and an organised iphone
I am probably about 10 years too late but have decided to inject a little bling into our lives. Pink, girly things bring me joy and I bought a very cheap iphone cover (I like the flip cases that actually stop my screen getting scratched when I chuck it in my bag). It had a random logo on it I didn't like so I picked it off and then needed something to cover the damage. I found Candy Crystal and ordered glittery bows!
Problem solved! I also ordered my girls some hair clips that I glued cute little lollies and bows to, it was a fun quick project and a nice way to make something unique!
I came across a useful blog post by Jones Design Company for organising your iphone. I was often overwhelmed seeing all those icons on my screen and scrolling through to find the one I needed - this makes everything more streamlined and my phone is less stressful to look at!
I have been using it this way for a few days and I love it, I know where everything is, the files I rarely use are on the next screen rather than my home screen so it's even less cluttered. Love it!
Yesterday was my birthday, I had a lovely time with family and a nice chilled out day. I even managed to finish this block I was working on for my 1930's Farmer's Wife quilt. I will do a catch up post on my blocks soon!
that time of year
I have a cold. A horrid one. It's sticking around and I would like to shake it off!
I keep flitting between projects, partially because I can't focus and also because I have a lot to do. I finally started the clamshells for my green tea and sweet beans quilt, despite having cut them out ages ago.
I was scared to needle turn them but it's no different from other rounded shapes I have done... something about them just intimidated me. Maybe because I love them and every time I see someone's quilt or project using clamshells it looks so good I told myself I couldn't do it. Shut up self, I can! (Or at least, I will try!)
Scrolling instagram I saw the most adorable pink unicorn needle minder from Amanda @whatthebobbin. I had to have it and ordered the cute tape measure in a jar one too! They are so well made and really strong magnets. I can't wait to get back to doing some embroidery and cross stitch so I can use them. She sent me this cute pineapple pin too! Check out her instagram, she has so many gorgeous needle minders you won't regret it.
I am glad for the start of autumn today! I love this time of year (and winter) and have already started wearing all my comfy cardigans and jumpers. We also love Halloween in our house and there is a lot of discussion about costumes and decorations. I couldn't resist joining in the Halloween Haunts 2015 blog hop, hosted by Marian. Looking forward to seeing everyone's spooky makes!
I am so thankful for my wonderful husband, I have needed a break and a chance to rest, so on Sunday he entertained the kids by making a puppet show with them. It was a wonderful performance! Any guesses as to what the story was?!
Stitchy Pie - embroidered sampler needle case
This is one of my favourite things I have made! I wanted to teach an embroidery class and it's always nice to have something useful at the end of a class and you learn a new technique. My inspiration was a folded fabric needle case I received in a swap a couple of years ago and thought it could be a great way to show off pretty stitches. *Edit - the needle case I was kindly given in the swap was made by Cara of Pink Stitches.
The stitches range from basic to slightly more complicated and are all stitches I love to use in my embroidery.
I chose a palette that feels quite folky, with a mix of subtle and bright colours. I used a combination of Aurifloss embroidery thread and perle cotton. The blue fabric reminded me of denim and the pop of the geo print from A Little Bird Told Me by Lewis and Irene makes me smile.
I added a magnetic fastener so it stays nice and secure when you're carrying it around and you can use the different sections to separate your needles. In mine I have written the various types of needles I use at the top of each section so I know which ones to use! You could even embroider them if you wanted to.
✓ another check off my finish-along list!
My needles are in order and it's time for me to get back to some hand sewing, these clam shells are calling me :)
My needles are in order and it's time for me to get back to some hand sewing, these clam shells are calling me :)
excitement
There's an awful lot going on in my world. I feel like doing a Bill and Ted, shouting 'excellent!' and playing air guitar... well I would if the kids hadn't totally worn me out ;)
I have a lot of upcoming sewing related things and plenty to do, so I have been trying to crack on with getting my WIPs done. First 'to sew' on my list is my Star Crossed Quilt. I had my pieces already all cut out and sitting on my desk and today was spent chain piecing:
This is a great pattern and should come together quickly.
I also finished up an Etsy commission this week. It was a custom order for a very special and personal embroidered cushion, I didn't ask permission to share so here's a peek of part of the embroidery:
I had an exciting delivery today, The Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt book:
Having seen the book all over social media I thought I had an idea of what it would be like but I was blown away. This book is STUNNING. I haven't really had time to sit and digest it yet but even a quick flick through impressed me. The colours and fabrics are beautiful and the blocks are fabulous. And hello?!! A block with my name! If you don't have a copy I would highly recommend buying one or seeing if it's available at your local library.
* edited to add - see my FREE TUTORIAL on hand piecing, it's so easy and how these blocks were sewn! *
I am thrilled to be part of the upcoming Sew-Along with the Fat Quarter Shop and Gnome Angel as a guest blogger. I will be sharing my blocks and, most likely, either hand sewing or English Paper Piecing them.
* edited to add - see my FREE TUTORIAL on hand piecing, it's so easy and how these blocks were sewn! *
I am thrilled to be part of the upcoming Sew-Along with the Fat Quarter Shop and Gnome Angel as a guest blogger. I will be sharing my blocks and, most likely, either hand sewing or English Paper Piecing them.
You can read all the details here and discover all the guest bloggers here - I'm in amazing company and it's really worth checking out everyone's blogs and social media for inspiration. There is also a very active facebook group; it's supportive, inspiring and fun to see where everyone is from!
The Sew-Along will begin 28th September so there's still plenty of time to get a copy of the book and join in.
Of course a new Sew-Along was a good excuse to get some more fabric so here's what I got...
These are going to be my basis for the colour theme, I will throw more colours in but I'm going to try and use these in most of the blocks - at least that's the current plan!
I have a heap of repro 30s fabrics that I'm using for my green tea and sweet beans quilt so I will likely use some of those but I really want a mix of modern and repro. I'm doing the same with my gtsb but this time I will use more modern, mostly Cotton and Steel, fabrics. Based on that I ordered these beauties:
left to right: White on White Polka Party, Lakehouse Favourites by Holly Holderman; Dotty Blossoms in Blue, Gracie's Schoolhouse Classics by Judie Rothermel; Strawberries & Cream in Coral, Hello Darling by Bonnie & Camille; Symmetry, Charleston by Revive and Grid Plaid in Sea, New Bedford by Denyse Schmidt
left to right: Row by Row in Lit, Cultivate by Bonnie Christine; Score Card in Ivory, Lucky Strike by Kimberly Kight; Domino Plaid in Navy, Lucky Strike by Kimberly Kight; Lucky in Royal, Lucky Strike by Kimberly Kight; Paint Dot in Cloud, Paper Bandana by Alexia Abegg; Paint Dot in Indigo, Paper Bandana by Alexia Abegg and Panda Bebe in Pearl, Paper Bandana by Alexia Abegg
Since the blocks have some little pieces I couldn't resist getting a Zephyr by Rashida Coleman Hale charm pack as well.
Undoubtedly this will be an eclectic mix of fabrics but then that's kind of become my style and I'm happy with it! My general way of working is to look at each block and decide on the fabrics as I go along, rather than an overall scheme or specific plan, then find a way to pull it all together at the end ;)
And that's about all the planning I have done. There are some great resources on the facebook group and fabulous ideas for prep and organisation. I still need to decide the best system for me but I'm sure a folder and plastic wallets will be involved.
I'm excited to get started!
Are you joining in or have you ever done a sampler quilt like this? Do those of you that did the original Farmer's Wife have any tips?
blooming
It's been a productive week and I'm happy I managed to sew anything with the crazy kids around!
I finished this Bee A Brit Stingy row for Nicky. The blocks are Castle Walls by John Q. Adams from the book Fat Quarterly Shape Workshop for Quilters
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I switched out the arrangement of grey / white squares so the row would have more movement, which Nicky requested.
Also managed to finish two more hand pieced flower blocks for my green tea and sweet beans quilt:
I adore that little Cocoland cat!
The next block is clamshells, which I have never done before. I'm going to do needle turn appliqué because I'm feeling brave. Here's my fabric pull for the clamshells:
Wish me luck!
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