Getting ready for Christmas

The festive season seems to creep up on me every year even though I always try to be organised!  Just made a few last minute bits and pieces to give as gifts and still need more time.

Sari ribbon brooches are always popular with my friends so I try to have a few ready to give at this time of year.  

I have branched out (literally) with a tree landscape - I was quite pleased with the result

Kozo fibres used for texture  and painted onto a canvas - I love the winterlook of this

Pictures at last!

Here are a few pictures of my latest projects

A kantha stitch e-reader case

 Hand stitched and hand quilted using traditional stitch and design and mounted on a panel to make a useful e-reader cover

This next piece was made following Lola Jenkins Thread Art Class on Craftsy which gives great step by step instructions for completing coloured designs on fabric.  I was really pleased with the way this one came out and have just taken it to the framer to get it mounted up.

Summer Picnic is a piece I made last year and then forgot all about until I discovered it again in my folder when looking for something else!  When I rediscovered it I actually found I liked it more than when I first completed it (which is why I had put it away in the first place)

No pics to post

I have no pics to post today, but needed to drop in to say a few words!!!!  Been busy doing lots of new stuff - even got into bangles courtesy of Artsy Bangles from Christy Tomlinson @ Scarlet Lime.  Great class with lots of ideas and lots of new bangles - guess what everyone is getting for Christmas?

Also taking Lola Jenkins Craftsy class "Thread Art" which is great too. This has been a revelation and I can't believe I have almost finished my first piece and it is looking good so far.  Pics to follow as soon as I get organised.

So busy doing lots of catch up - I decided to take all my UFOs and do something with them.  Not sure quite what with some of them, but managed to get a couple of things finished already and I am trying to get one done every week to clear the box by at least a half. 

Took a class with RTuby Porter last week doing Kantha stitch which I really enjoyed - this was so relaxing and has got me back into doing some hand stitching.  I had forgotten how therapeutic this is......

All this and trying to make a few Christmas gifts and decorations - how do I find time to go to work too?  Not long now until I finish work and join the ranks of the retired folk!!! Then I will have lots more stitching time.

Where did the summer go???

Well so much for me trying to keep up with posting on the blog this summer!!! I have ended up taking almost three months off - and really what did happen to summer?

We were fortunate enough to get not too many showers during our holiday in Wales, but it really has not been a good one.

Not had much time for making and certainly not finished all those items from the unfinished box!

Maybe when the schools go back in next week I will get down and get something done.

I did manage to make a few bags - the yellow and green one above I made from the leftover scraps from the Craftsy Stitch and Slash course. I did enjoy doing that course and would recommend it to everyone along with Stupendous Stitching. (Maybe I have been busy after all)

I also managed to knit and felt my first handbag and I am really pleased with the result. many thanks to Bev at Knitting 4 Fun who is the font of all wisdom when it comes to felted bags!!

I can certainly see me doing more of these in the winter!

Really fast to knit and quite a surprise when it comes out of the washing machine looking and feeling totally different to when it went in!!!

Pictures at last

Here are the pictures of my latest attempts at quilting. The Craftsy Block of the Month is providing bite sized chunks and I can just about keep up!! I have yet to start the

May blocks but at least I am happy that my little stash of blocks is

growing and I can see the possibility now of actually making a lap

quilt by the end of the year!!!! Hooray!!!

The downside is that my daughter and grand-daughter have both

laid claim to it ..and I wanted it for me.

I think we may have to draw lots.......

Lots of work going on!!

Lots of projects on the go at the moment, but nothing is getting finished. I think I am just too busy in my brain with ideas and can't seem to settle to any one thing!!
Promise that I will finish at least one thing this week and post some photographs. I have signed up for a couple of Craftsy classes and have some unfinished objects from those as well as the others in my (ever increasing) box full of delights!

More sewing projects

Just finished this tote bag which was a Craftsy class and I am very happy that I was able to use up some lovely MODA charm squares I had in my stash.  I was looking for a good opportunity to use these and they make up the perfect little bag for Spring.
Meanwhile I have also been trying to keep up with the Block of the Month - I loved doing this Balkan Puzzle block, but my first one came up a bit small so I re-did it and it is now a perfect 12.5 inch square!!! This is one of the February blocks and I have not done the second one yet or even started the March ones ..... so much for trying to keep up! I am away on holiday soon so I will have to make a real effort to catch up when I get back!

Bad Hair Day!!!

I was inspired to do a self portrait and this is how I turned out!  Not a bit like me really as I never wear red lipstick and I have short hair - maybe this is my alter ego....
@//(*-*)\\@

Painted and machine stitched face and lightly quilted on to the background to give the face some depth.
I just mounted it onto a canvas and it makes quite a colourful statement.

Freezing February

Well here we are February already!  At least we have no snow yet, but the weather is freezing cold!!!!  Should be an excuse to stay in the warm and do lots of stitching, but I can't seem to get anything finished.  Due to go to a workshop tomorrow but it could well be cancelled if the snow falls overnight as threatened..... we will just have to wait and see.
All I have managed so far is this quilt block from the Craftsy Block of the Month for January I think it needs more pressing as it doesn't look just right yet- I did a wonky pound block too but not happy with the fabric so I am going to try that one again along with two new blocks for February.

I managed to half finish a tote bag and just waiting for the right handles to come along!!!!

Finished at last!!!!

For about 18 months now I have been working on my doll!  I have wanted to make one for ages and bought books (as one does!)  Just getting started was the main obstacle - I just couldn't decide on fabrics and then was very indecisive about actually cutting out..However once I got going she came together quite well.  I am not entirely happy with the shape and the arms are way to firmly stuffed.  All we need now is a name.
I will just need to make another one to help perfect my techniques.
This one is based on a pattern by Eleanor Peace Baillie and I think with a different choice of fabric and hair will make a good choice to make again - watch this space!

Happy New Year

Another year and hopefully more creative thinking from me!  After a very slow end to 2010 I am hoping to get back on track and produce lots of work this year.  I started with a bit of a recycle challenge and made these mug rugs from melted bubble wrap and carrier bags.  Finished with some free stitching and felt backs they make a cheerful addition to my desk at work and didn't cost a fortune!