Ginger's quilt top is.....

...FINISHED!!! And the backing too (I am now waiting on the batting to arrive and I can put the whole thing together). I bought wool batting. I thought I'd give it a try, having only used cotton before. Any views on wool? Tips? I saw some alpaca, which got me all excited, but when I asked the shop the lady there said alpaca was a bit thick and she'd go for wool (I read into that as alpaca's a bit rubbish, don't be sucked in by the cute picture). Anyway, if you are in need of batting (and helpful advice) go to ASding's, they were really helpful (I shall use them now, rather than cotton patch, which are a bit slow on delivery, and not that helpful either for novices like myself)

This morning there was glorious sunshine, I should have taken pics then, but foolishly I left it until the sky went grey, and the rain started pootling down, so I apologise for the terrible quality...but you get the general idea, don'tcha?


This is the backing (which I think would make a rather lovely quilt in itself)....



And this is the finished quilt top...



Now I have to quilt it. I was thinking more along the lines of tying it and sewing some buttons on as well that I bought from Sarah's shop, which was suggested by Queen Lucy (I think I might just email you, Lucy, to get you to clarify what you meant...just in case what is in your head is marvellously superior to what is in mine) ANY HAND TYING TIPS WELCOME - hint hint!

Whilst I am on a quilt tip, Miss G (she had a fab party on Saturday, by the way, the weather was glorious, all of her friends brought swimming cozzies and we ran about in the garden all day long. It was brilliant!!!) has requested a minky backed quilt for herself. So, she's getting one for Christmas. I cut out the squares and sorted them out into rows, sewing them together is the next job.
Here they are, all stacked up and ready to go...



And with the left over squares I made two cushion covers, with pockets in (slightly wonky pockets, I wasn't concentrating on sewing, the oven was on and I was trying to cook dinner at the same time) for Christmas presents (oh, so organised). I might have to try and disguise the wonky pockets...or maybe just pretend they were supposed to be like that? If I fill them with treats it won't matter anyway. Kids are easily bought with sweets and cheap plastic toys...well, I am...




PLUS...I got into the cushion making lark and whipped up this one (using entirely scraps) for one of Ginger's friends who is having a birthday party next week. This time I did the pocket differently, and it's far better. Practise makes perfect, eh?




Trash's raiders of the box turned up last week, I can't find my pics....I'll do it next time (when I have found them hiding in some folder they shouldn't be in) I am a very useless Monkey. Hopefully it should have turned up at it's next home by now....

oh so busy!

For some reason I have been on a roll this week. My swap parcels for the strawberry swap organised by Susan and Claire's robot swap are finished - and just need sending off (pics when i know they've reached their new homes), I made the quilt on Wednesday, and I have been on a tidy up roll. Kajsa was kind enough to send me a kick up the bum this week, and told me to get tidying. After seeing how spick and span her work room was, I felt guilty that my fabric cupboard looked like this....




What you can't see on this photo is that I have actually half emptied it, and the kitchen floor was covered with fabric. Horrible, horrible, horrible. I am such a disgusting person. The problem is that I buy too much fabric, and then, when it arrives, I have a little stroke and chuck it into the cupboard to hide it from W who rolls his eyes and shakes his head at the ever growing fabric mountain that is our house. There's no getting away from it now, he has seen the floor covered in fabric, he walked in from work and was greeted by a sea of cottons lapping at his feet. He actually walked straight back out again and hid at his brother's house next door, it was all too much for him.

I did find a rather pretty strawberry tea towel that I had bought from Cath Kidston (in the sale no doubt) hiding in the depths of the cupboard, which is now (thanks to Bend the Rules Sewing) an apron. Hoorah!

Here's me modelling it (face carefully obstructed - I wouldn't want to frighten you on the Sabbath)





As I have now ironed all of my fabric (including scraps - and sorted them into colours, oh yes, I am taking this tidying seriously), I realised there's probably a bit too much of the stuff and subsequently banned myself from buying any more until I use up around a drawer full (in theory...) Fortunately this little lot managed to sneak in just in time. Phew! (japanese FQs are from here, and are very reasonably priced!)





Progress on the tidying is slow...it's a hard slog. But my ribbons are now looking like this....




and by the end of today my whole work area and cupboard will be worthy of a magazine spread (kinda...maybe not exactly)

so, WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!!!!


One thing I have forgotten to blog so far, since getting back from holidays, is this amazing robot cushion, made for the ginger one by Leah as his swap prezzie for the kiddy swap organised by Chloe. Isn't he fantastic? Ginge was over the moon when he opened the parcel (addressed to him too, not that he can read it, but it got me all excited)

He now lives on Ginger's bed, next to his pillow (that's prime real estate, let me tell you!)




Thank you Leah, we both love him!

why I like Wednesdays...

Wednesday is my favourite day of the week, because Ginge goes to nursery, and G is usually at school. This week she's been at drama summer camp, so it's been less like a school holiday Wednesday and more like a 'normal' one. Now, I do love my little babies, very, very much, but I also love having just one day a week when I get rid of them both, and the husband too (he knows better than to lurk about on one of my 'special' days) and I sew. I sew all day long, from the moment I get back from the school run until I have to head out to pick them both up again.

Yesterday I made this....



it's a baby quilt, loosely based on the easy lap quilt from 'bend the rules sewing' (which I am sure you have, but if you don't, then buy it, it's great)
The circus print and the floral fabric are by lecien, and the polka dots are just polka dots, nothing fancy. I made it for Tallulah's soon to be born baby girl (number 3 - don't you feel sorry for her poor bloke?!) She sent me the fabrics, and I used my expertise (cough, cough, splutter) to make this up. This is the second time I can say I have been really proud of my binding - mitered corners, everything nice and tidy. Maybe I have (finally) turned a corner and have grasped it? Now I need to work on my piecing, but I have some quilting classes coming up after the school holidays, which will help. I can see pin wheels and zig zags and stars on the horizon.....



Next up - party bags for Miss G's party on Saturday. Thank you for all of your suggestions for ideas of what to do should the weather be inclement. The spa idea went down rather well (thanks Beth!) and duck duck goose is a huge hit with her and her friends, although being a bit dim I can never quite grasp it...I was never any good at games that involved moving about - musical statues and sleeping lions are my faves. It's true, ask my mother, I am lazy.

back to work...

I know, I know, it's Monday and I have no shoes to show you. I am almost out of fancy shoes, so I thought I'd take a break for a week, show you what I have been sewing, and think about next week's Sole Monday offering. (It involves careful consideration and debate between the husband and myself, y'see)

I made a doll quilt and matching doll for someone I 'met' on Flickr. She makes marvellous knitted and felted thingys, so in return for these she is making me a wizard's hat and some knitted food. Yum.




I finished a baby quilt for a friend's little one. I can't say too much, in case she is lurking about and figures out it's for her...



The pics are rubbish, but I was rushing (both Ginge and BooBoo the cat have taken a fancy to this quilt, and with it being mostly white I'd like it to stay that way before I give it away - once it reaches it's new home I don't care how filthy it gets.

And I managed to do really almost perfect binding too - so I was doubly proud of myself. The corners are mitered perfectly, it doesn't wrinkle up in patches like every other binding attempt. I think I might have actually cracked it - about bloody time! (pats self on back)
I know it's not the World's most complicated quilt, but I am new at this quilting lark, and every time I manage to do something right I feel like I've just climbed a mountain, or something. Simple things, simple minds, eh?



Finally, a quick and sneaky peek of the doll I've made for Miss G's birthday (this coming saturday). She'll be 9. We were planning a party involving bouncy castles, water slides and lots of running about in swim suits outside. The weather forecast suggests otherwise. She doesn't want to do anything crafty (what's wrong with the girl???) so I am a bit lost with what to do instead (any suggestions will be gratefully received).
Anyway...here's her doll. And if I do say so myself, I think she's pretty damn fine. Will Miss G be impressed? I'm crossing fingers...



Only a couple more weeks before school starts again, I am secretly relieved. I don't feel like I have been blog visiting anywhere near enough, so I am so sorry for neglecting you all. I promise to be a good girl next term - honest.

Back from Hols...with NEW SHOES!

We had a fantastic week, the weather was gorgeous, the house we stayed in had amazing views, a lovely pool, and big gardens full of Olive trees. We even had a lady called Delia cook for us every night. It was wonderful. Even the little ginge didn't burn - which was something of a miracle (thank you lavera sun cream - I shall buy you again!)
Despite being an hour from Florence, and just 20 minutes from Sienna, we did nothing, just lazed about like lizards and relaxed. It was blissful.




And, as it's Monday, these are my new shoes....



Actually, they are not from Italy (they were made there, but are from Mulberry) but after a whole week in the sunshine without so much of a sniff of a shop I had to go shopping yesterday and buy some new shoes. Sensible, flat, lace ups for the winter. Oh, what's that you say? Suede? Yes, totally impractical for the horrible wet English weather. I suppose I'll just be wearing them inside then....