Causing Ripples!

I have fulfilled 2 January bee commitments so far this month!

Firstly, D9P in Field Study for Colette (Hipbees):



Colette didn't want traditional D9P, and gave us permission to go completely mad random!

Second, Diamond Ripples (known 'in house' as something else entirely!) for Hadley (Brit Bee):



This is another one of Hadley's mahusive blocks (24") which was even more of a pleasure to make because she so kindly had all those horrible lovely little hsts pre-cut - no trimming required! Yippee!

I love the orange/pink and grey combo!

I've also made a start on Hector's House 2, which will be called 'Wee Brother's House'!



At this stage, the jury is still out as to whether or not I wrestle with another elasticated pocket!

Hope you've had a relaxing Sunday!

Hector's House

I am waaaaaaaaaay too young to have watched this on TV!

 No, the Hector's House I'm talking about is this one:

 

Some time ago I saw this gorgeous machine cover, and tucked it away in my inspiration filing cabinet!

I couldn't hold off making Hector (my daughter's sewing machine!) a cover any longer, and the gorgeous wee pack of mini charm squares I got from this very special lady, was just the prompting I needed.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the piecing and quilting:



And as you read yesterday, didn't enjoy making the side pocket AT ALL!  Having said that, I'm really pleased with how it turned out, though stuffing the foot pedal into it makes an awful bulge!  So I might just make a wee drawstring bag for the pedal instead!!

The technique for putting in a handle opening is the same for putting a zipper into the pocket of the lining of a handbag (only minus the zipper!).



And I lined it with a bright orange vintage sheet!



The binding on the bottom was attached as for quilt binding, except for the 2nd stage - I quilted in the ditch, rather than hand sewing it down underneath.



So there you have it!  A happy Hector with his technicolour dreamcoat, and an even happier daughter! 

Hector's House will be making his debut appearance at Bee Blessed tomorrow! 

And I have enough cute charms leftover for another cover (one of my classroom machines, affectionately known as my 'wee Brother' is badly in need of a new cover!).

Making Life Difficult for Myself!

My return to work on Wednesday has involved many hours on this laptop, doing stuff nowhere near as fun as blogging!

But I've worked hard and thought I'd reward myself with some fun sewing!



I'm making a sewing machine cover for 'Hector' (my daughter's sewing machine) and it's all been going swimmingly, despite the nightmare 'custom measuring to fit' maths!

That is, until I had the bright idea of inserting an elasticated pocket on the side to store the foot pedal.



Who would have thought this unassuming little piece of (***** insert your choice of word here!) elastic could cause so much trouble!

In my defence, I had spent 5.5 hours writing a new course I start teaching next week (with lots of maths!), I was tired and it was late!

But I think I've cracked it and just as soon as I get the rest of it finished, I'll give you the full reveal.

Off now to rest my puny brain!!

New Beginnings!

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” Albert Einstein

Happy new year everyone!

I hope that you remember 2012 with fondness and enter 2013 with excitement and hope for the year ahead.

Each new day we are given is a gift.  I hope you are enjoying the new gift you have been given today!  Find the positives for they are there waiting to be discovered!

 

Here are my makes for December! Another bonkers-mad mosaic! 

 

What a great month, and indeed a great year! 

 

Linking up to Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing day.

 

 

Bee Blessed January Block

We are almost there! 

As 2012 draws to a close our thoughts turn to 2013 - the hopes, dreams, resolutions and plans.

I'm not one for making New Years Resolutions, or planning too far ahead.  At the moment this Saturday is far enough ahead for me, and it is the first Bee Blessed meeting of 2013!

We are still gathering in Patchwork wheel (Hug) blocks for December, but if you are ready for a new block, then here it is:

The Ladder Strip Block

 

This is another block designed by Sarah, and when put with more blocks in a rail fence formation, gives a wonderful Ladder Strip Quilt design.

We are planning on making these blocks into baby and children's quilts, which will be donated to a local Mums & babies HIV unit.

If you fancy having a go at this simple block, please follow the tutorial below, and keep to bright, child friendly colours for your strips, and plain white borders.

Ladder Strip Block Tutorial:

For 1 x 12.5" unfinished block you will need:

2.5" x 8.5" strips cut from 4 different fabrics (leftover Jelly Roll strips are great!)
2 x (2.5" x 12.5") white strips
2 x (2.5" x 8.5") white strips

Assume scant 1/4" seams throughout.

1. Sew the 4 coloured strips together.  Press seams open.

2. Add the shorter white strips to the both sides of the coloured strips. Press seams open.

3. Add longer white strips to top and bottom & press seams away from centre.
4. Square block to 12.5".

Thank you in advance of your support and donations to Bee Blessed.

Have a wonderful New Years' Eve, and I'll see you on the other side!

Last of the Presents!

Well I didn't get the weather to paint my ugly chest of drawers yesterday.

Instead, the Christmas decorations came down, were packed away for another year, and we moped around mourning the end of a truly festive and relaxing season.

I did get a bit of sewing done however.

The winner of my blogiversary giveaway (Lorraine) requested a blue and green travel sewing pouch.



This will be making its way to USA this week, together with 10 Tula Pink fqs.

And one last Christmas present make I forgot to show you.



This is a bag for life I made mum.  Most of the materials are recycled: a tea towel from Portugal (top), waterproof Irish linen offcut (bottom), and leftover Ikea fabric as the lining. Even the elastic strap is out of one of my girls' skrits!

Mum opened this present in front of my big sis, who has now put in her order for one!

Christmas Day!

Leftovers!

Well thankfully we don't have anymore turkey left to eat up!

The leftovers I'm talking about here are jelly roll strips that a friend sent me a while back and a few charm squares from another friend (I have great friends!).  I think they are French General, and I've a feeling there might be some Park Avenue in there too.



This truly horrid chest of drawers keeps unsightly wii remotes, dvds and old videos under control in my front lounge.

Until the other day I had a piece of red Cambodian shot silk on the top of it, always with the intention of it being a temporary measure until I got around to making something for it (I won't tell you how long it's been on there!).

So with some leftover linen from my cushions for this room, I quickly rustled up this simple table topper.



The next step in my master plan is to give this unit a paint job and some new knobs!

And with the teeny bit of French General I have left, I might make some year round mini bunting for the Victorian mantel (it always looks so bare when the Christmas decorations come down!).

Fingers crossed for a dry day today so I can get painting and distressing!