Where the Sun doesn't Shine!

Today was my Adult/Child Journal Covers Workshop.

The kids hard at it!

Despite the snow, a few brave souls dug themselves out and made it to class to make some beautiful notebook covers:



We had adult and child sewers today, having fun in equal measure!

Adds a whole new meaning to the phrase 'Stick it where the sun don't shine!' LOL!

Well done everyone!  And especially to you kids for not placing limits on your creativity and imaginations!  We grown-ups have much to (re)learn!

Always Work with Children (but never with animals!)

Today was my Adult/Child workshop, where 10 children (aged 10 - 15) and 10 adults came together to have a fun day making slouch bags with mums, aunties and grannies!

This is by far the biggest class I have ever taught, but I have to say, it was also the best behaved (!!).

The girls were brilliant, and here's the proof that they did most of the sewing themselves!

There were 3 different versions of the Slouch bag to choose from. What I love about working with kids is that they are uninhibited and not afraid to take risks and rise to the challenge (probably because they don't see it as a challenge).  Kids keep things simple, and while there were a few potential perfectionists in the group (don't worry, I'll soon knock that out of them!) wonky lines became design features rather than design problems!!

Isn't it lovely to see all these proud faces!!  It makes my heart sing!  And just look at my own 2 grinning away there in no. 6!  That's them sorted with a bag for their holidays!!

And not forgetting the 2 adults who were also attending the class.

Beautiful bags ladies!

Well done to everyone today!  You were amazing!

I will soon have the pattern for the 3 versions of this slouch bag in my Etsy shop, just as soon as I can work out how to shrink a ginormous paper template to an A4 size PDF!!

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.  Stay dry!

July Bee Blocks

I go away on holiday next week, so I wanted to make sure I was on top of my July bee blocks!

First up - Sew Bee Happy.

Nicky is making an inspirational wallhanging for her sewing room and asked us to make improv word blocks from a list of words she had chosen. 

I've done improv blocks before, but not lettering.  I thought it was going to take longer than it did, but this one was done in half an hour!!

I can't wait to see Nicky's finished wallhanging!

Next up - Brit Bee:

Fiona sent us out the most amazing wee pack of fabrics. She is making a low volume quilt with some of her most special fabrics. For example, some hand made lace, her Grandmother's table cloth, vintage sheets - and more wee bits and pieces that hold particular memories for her.

But within each low volume block, Fiona wanted mini hits of high volume traditional blocks, made with more modern, loud fabrics.

I went for churn dash and trusty log cabin.  It was a joy and a privilege Fi to work with your most special fabrics.  Thank you!

And finally, Modern Irish Bee:

This is the first month of MIB, and Sarah asked us to make one of my favourite modern blocks.

Mod Mosaic Block

The requirements were, 1 small block in low volume fabrics, 1 larger block in high volume fabrics.

I love the improv style piecing of this design by Elizabeth Haartman, and it's a great way to use up scraps.  I may even get my Brit bee ladies to do this for me when it's my turn to be queen bee!

So that's me up-to-date with my bee commitments.

Tomorrow I have an Adult/Child workshop, which is my last work-day before holidays!

We are all heading over to England next week for a family wedding, which I am still not kitted out for!  There have been several rounds of sickness through the house the past 2 weeks, which means I've got a little behind. Better get my skates on or at this rate I'll be going dressed like Sandy Shaw!

Happy Friday!