Well, next to all that, I have been doing other things. I've lost count of how many face masks I've sewn and I've managed to get a few projects finished that have been hanging around for a while. One particular one that I've really enjoyed doing is a panel that I bought two years ago at the festival of quilts in Birmingham. It's a wall hanging, made in the usual way with wadding and backing but there's also another layer in there. I quilted it all over, then ironed it and the extra layer did its magic and made the quilt shrivel up a bit. I think it's turned out really nicely. I just have to find somewhere to hang it now. I'm really pleased with it.
Well, these really are strange times, aren't they? To borrow the words of a famous fellow Brit - it's been the best of times and it's been the worst of times. The worst of times, obviously, because of the corona virus and everything that it's brought with it. But it's definitely been the very, very best of times too. At the end of April, we became grandparents for the first time, to beautiful twin girls. I'd been working on quilts for them from a Hannah Dale panel that I'd fallen in love with. I had to speed up though and make a final dash to get them finished on time because the babies put in an appearance almost two months early. It's all turned out well though: the babies are bouncing with health and Mum and Dad love their quilts. Hopefully, when they get a bit older, the girls will too. I took photos of them being held by my faithful "holder upper" I like how they turned out. I've been doing lots of knitting too. I made little hats, boottees and cardigans. Two sets of each! I just love knitting baby clothes and when they're preemie size, they look so cute.
Well, next to all that, I have been doing other things. I've lost count of how many face masks I've sewn and I've managed to get a few projects finished that have been hanging around for a while. One particular one that I've really enjoyed doing is a panel that I bought two years ago at the festival of quilts in Birmingham. It's a wall hanging, made in the usual way with wadding and backing but there's also another layer in there. I quilted it all over, then ironed it and the extra layer did its magic and made the quilt shrivel up a bit. I think it's turned out really nicely. I just have to find somewhere to hang it now. I'm really pleased with it.
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I seem to be constantly trying to tidy up my sewing room. I start out with all good intentions but then I find something that I'd forgotten about and start playing with it. Well, guess what? It's happened again. I found some towelling that I'd bought ages ago, because it was so soft and cuddly. I couldn't just leave it there in the shop. It's towelling on one side and a sort of waffle-type weave on the other. I know that's not a very good description but it's the best I can come up with. Anyway, once I'd found it I had to use it. After all, making something with it is sort of tidying it up, isn't it?? That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I made a hooded bath towel for a baby. It was lovely to make and I think it's turned out really cute. There could even be enough material left to make another one. Might give it a go...
I know, over the years, I've made all sorts of quilts: lots of different types and patterns. Every so often though, I get the feeling that a trend is happening. This is the fourth quilt with a name on that I've made. This one and Emma's quilt were really close together ( like, one after the other) I like this one, it looks fresh. It's already gone off to its new home and I had a picture back, of little Theodor examining it really closely. I love it when I get a picture of my quilt being used. That makes me happy.
Sooo, what now? I've been keeping busy with some charity quilts and I'm trying to finish off some projects that I've been working on for far too long. I need more space in my sewing room, so I'm finishing off things. I wonder how long that will last. When I was at my sewing group a couple of weeks ago, one of the ladies there gave us a lesson in entrelac knitting. She made it look really easy!! Guess what? It isn't. I made a couple of practice bits with two different colours of yarn, but there were so many ends and they were in danger of taking over. So, I decided to have a go at a scarf but instead of two different colours, I bought some of that yarn that changes colour as you go along. I'm sure there's a more technical name for it but you know what I mean. Anyway, so far (fingers crossed) it seems to be going alright. You never know, I might even show it to you when I've finished it. Well, the thing that's been keeping me busy for the past couple of weeks has been safely delivered to its new owner, so now I can show it to you all. I really enjoyed making this one. I love all the quilts I make but I have to admit to having a weak spot for pink! I hope the new owner likes pink too. This is what it looks like on the back. I don't usually show the backs of quilts but I really like the way this one has worked out.
I've been sorting through some old photos and thought I'd have a walk down memory lane and my own little "show and tell" of some quilts I've made over the years. Don't hold me to the dates though, memory lane is a very long lane. The one in this first picture is a playmat I made for a new baby, called Max. It was to be a gift from his Grandparents. I think Max is about 12 now. I made this wall hanging for my sister in law and her husband, probably in the last century. Goodness me I'm old! I made this cushion for a friend of mine. I first got to know her as a colleague when we both worked as post ladies. We still keep in touch, even though neither of us are post ladies anymore. I still miss that job. I made this for my niece's daughter when she was born. A couple of weeks ago, I sent her a birthday present for her 12th birthday. Time flies! This is a little wall hanging I made for my sister in law. It was the first time I'd used buttons and beads on a quilt. I had fun making this one. I think I'll stop now. I've put you through enough, although I hope you've enjoyed my little look at the past. You never know, I might do it again some time soon. Stay tuned, as they say...
Well, I did the deed - took the material out of the box and I've been busy cutting it all up. Of course, as it's "very special" material, I can't waste a bit of it, so I've now got a huge bag of scraps that I'm sure I'll find a really good use for one day. Anyway, I had to cut out two and a half million triangles and one million hexagons. OK that's a slight exaggeration but honestly, that's what it felt like. In actual fact, it was 198 triangles and 108 hexagons. It still felt like a lot! Now it's just a case of sewing everything back together and then it's done. Something tells me I might be some time. This is how it looks so far.
Well, I've finished making puzzle balls for the time being. It feels like I've made about 230, but probably, in reality, it's more like about a dozen. Still, it's time for something new. A friend of mine came to visit a while ago and brought me a big bag of material. She wondered if I had any use for it. What???? Of course. There was all sorts of lovely patterns and colours in there. I couldn't wait to start on something. While we were chatting, she told me about a friend of hers who is expecting her first baby. Well, bag of material in one hand, new baby news just sinking in... What's a girl to do?? I used some of the material she'd just given me to make a baby quilt. I chose a simple pattern because the patterns on the material were already quite jolly. I think it looks really nice. It's now with the new Mum-to-be waiting for the big day. I hope the new little person likes it. Then, when I'd finished that, I thought it was time to start a new big project. Paul bought me this kit from Den Haan en Wagenmakers once for my birthday. (About 2 years ago I think) so I decided to make a start on it. Whenever I get a kit, or a jelly roll or any collection of material, the hardest part for me is "breaking"it open. It always looks so lovely all packed up nicely. Still, I did the deed and took it all out of the box. I'll let you know how I get on with it...
A few weeks ago, I made a puzzle ball as a gift for a new baby. I'd never made one before, so it started off being a bit fiddly to do. By the end of it though, I was hooked! It turned out really well. I was so pleased with it that I made another one straight away. Then, of course, when you're on a roll it's not easy to stop. So, here is my collection of puzzle balls (so far). I have some deadlines for other things looming, so I'll have to leave them alone for now but I will definitely be making more of these little balls. They're really good fun to make and don't take a ridiculous amount of material. Who knows - if I make enough, I might make a dent in my stash. No, on second thoughts, that's a silly thing to be saying. After all, there is so much more lovely new material just waiting to be bought!!
Well, I finished the latest quilt I was working on and sent it off. The new Mum is thrilled to bits with it. She sent me a photo of her little chap lying on his new quilt. She doesn't want him to make his internet debut just yet though, so you'll just have to believe me when I tell you that he's adorable and he looks so cute on his quilt. I was so pleased to see him getting use out of it already. So, then I had some free time. And what do you do with free time? Catch up with some of the things you've put to one side. I go to a sewing group every other week and we decided a while ago that we'd all make something using the tumbling blocks pattern. I decided to make a cushion cover. Most of the other ladies have almost finished their projects and I was holding up the rear, as usual. But after I'd sent my quilt off to its new owner, I concentrated on tumbling blocks and I think I've caught up now. I think it's turned out really nicely. Now I just have to turn it into a cushion cover. That's going to involve a zip. It's been a very long time since I sewed a zip into anything, so wish me luck! Then, a few weeks ago, I started a "sew along" with Temecula quilt company. It's called Secret Santa. They sent an email every Friday with a new set of instructions. They said if we kept up, it would be ready to quilt by Thanksgiving. Well, guess what, I didn't keep up. I kept all the emails though and now I've got all the various bits cut out and I've already joined some of them together. I think I might get the top finished this weekend. Then it could be ready to quilt by Christmas. Not bad eh? I don't think that's too much behind schedule. Maybe my New Year's resolution should be to not start something new until I've finished what I'm working on. Yeah, right. Like that's going to happen. I love starting new things. It's always so exciting. And it's not as bad as it sounds: if I'm working on a quilt for a client, then all my other projects get put to one side until the quilt is finished. I can be disciplined when I need to be, but when it's just something that I fancy making, well, the more the merrier I reckon!
A new baby has arrived and I've been asked to make a quilt for him. I found a lovely pattern and went to the quilt shop this morning to get material. This is what I chose. I think it's lovely. I can't wait to get started. I have to be patient for a little while though, while my new material has a wash. As soon as it's ready though, guess what I'll be doing...
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November 2022
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