Sewing Bits & Bobs

My 2 weekly classes started back this week.  

There was lots of fun and laughter, as well as a little stress and nerves for those learning for the first time!  I love the wonderful buzz of creativity and fresh ideas and inspiration that everyone brings, and most of all the warm and friendly atmosphere that my ladies create, making new folks feel especially welcome.

I don't have as much time to sew over these few days, but yesterday I managed to make a birthday pressie for one of my friends.

After I overdosed on cosmetic purses pre Christmas, I now seem to be having a run on more creative pouches!

These are such fun to make, and are limited only by one's imagination.

Got the idea for this picture from here

Now if you were getting this little pouch for your birthday, what would you like to find inside it - a few fqs? some sewing supplies?  chocolate?

Hope you've had a great weekend so far!

Quiltus Giganticus!

I been beavering away on my Dad's civil war quilt, and look what I've made:

Side view: 61" x75"

The first pic is of the quilt top spread out on my bed!  Just to give you some sizing perspective, my bed is Super King size!  This might not be the biggest quilt you've ever seen, but it's one of the biggest I've ever made!

But I LOVE it! 

Colours still look a bit pale here, sorry!  They are much warmer and deeper in reality.

I love the fabrics, the colours, the blocks, the story telling, and working with such quality material was a dream.  I think that's why I managed to run this up so quickly (certainly wasn't down to the mathematical conversion skills I had to apply to each block!).

If anyone wants to know the Civil War names of all the blocks featured, just let me know (but I won't be expecting a run on email requests!).

The back will be made up of personalised message blocks from each member of our family, a type of memory quilt on the back.  I'll bring you pics when the back is made.

And then comes the big question - How on earth do I quilt a Giganticus?

Bearing in mind the size of this beastie, my lack of significant biceps, and the back being as much a feature as the front - all suggestions will be gratefully received!

I have 1 month to go til my dad's 70th birthday!  Plenty of time to panic!

Hope you are having a wonderful Thursday!

Mouthy Stitches Swap!

What a name for a zippy pouch swap!

But then when you know whose organising it - Susan, Hadley & Cindy - 'nuff said!!

The terrific trio have been scheming & decided to jointly host a zippered pouch swap. 

The requirements are simple - get mouthy!  That is, if you decide to join in, then get stuck in and take a fully active part in commenting on flickr and encouraging folks in what they make.

I love these 3 gals 'cos they don't beat about the bush - straight talkers.  We will be allocated secret swap partners, & they've even made sure that no-one gets overly anxious about the obligatory 'extras' that become expected in swaps.  The extras for this swap must be no more than a fat quarter worth of scraps - how cool is that?!

There was never a question of me not joining in (I could never say no to 3 fellow bee members!).

So I would encourage you to join in too.  

No need to be nervous about zippers either - a thread in flickr has already been started where lots of tutorials will be posted.  You will be among friends who don't expect perfection but love encouraging others to try new things.

To give your secret partner an idea of your likes, you make a mosaic of any inspirational pictures you've found in flickr.

Here's mine!

Picture no. 8 likes to hide, but if you go here, you'll be able to see it.

Have fun!

The Winning Pouch!

You may remember that last month I ran a giveaway to celebrate my 1 year blogiversary.

Nicky was the winner and got to choose one of my handbags, Martha May, and something bespoke made by me, in a colour of her choice.

Her colour of choice was Fushia, and because Nicky has now received her winnings, I can show you what I made.

A zippered pouch - front

I thought the deco weight grey went really well with the fushia colours in the deco weight paisley. 

Back

Cambodian silk lining

Crocheted Rose

I hope you enjoy using this Nicky, as much as I enjoyed making it for you!

Sew Bee Happy!

The lovely Cindy (Fluffy Sheep Quilting) recently invited me to join another online bee, called Sew Bee Happy!

I said yes straightaway, as this bee is all about scraps!!!  Yippee!

I understand the group has been running for over a year, & January sees a new year of makes, with a new Mama (Cindy) and some new bee members.

Cindy is kicking off the year with her block choice (taken from the fabulous Modern Blocks book) & some Kona White to get us started:

The Stargazing Block from page 178

This wee section is only 3.5"!

The yellows are much more vibrant than you see here! It's my rubbish photography skills again!

These were fun to make, and I hope Cindy enjoys them too!

And check out Leanne's amazing take on this pattern over on her blog.

Have a wonderful start to the new week!

Bee-ing Busy!

Yesterday was Bee Blessed day.

We were small in number, but no less busy.

Laying out the 'Mostly Greens' set

'Mostly browns' set

'Mostly Pinks' Set

There will also be a 'Mostly Blues' set, which has almost the required number of blocks, and then we can lay that one out too!

Almost ready for quilting!

Thank you lovely bloggers if you donated blocks.  I hope you are able to see them in my rather blurry pics (except if you made blue ones! But rest assured, they are being used!).

Thank you also for the lovely sampler blocks which are starting to come in.  They look amazing and we are already getting excited about the wonderful quilts they are going to make!  Don't forget to post a pic of your block on our flickr group.

Until next time!

E is for ........

1. Exciting post!

For my nephew's 18th Birthday Quilt

18th Birthday Quilt for another nephew!

A few bargains for my stash - I LOVE the aqua and orange floral!

2. Exceptional Service - I ordered these from the Fat Quarter shop on 29th December, they were posted on 30th December and I received them yesterday, 6th January!  Hows about that for fab service?  And no customs to pay either! Sweet!

3. Esther, a special little girl who is turning 10 years old this month.

This wee pouch will be filled with a crocheted hair band and some sweeties before being posted to England.

4. Exhausted!  Back to early mornings again for me this week (boo!).  I'm soooooo not a morning person.

But this afternoon I can look forward to joining my fellow Bee Blessed buddies, so I'll try to remember to take lots of pics!

Have a great weekend!