The Queen of Curvy Sewing.

Not it is not My Assistant.
Although she was very taken with this incredibly clever book.

I wrestled it out from under her and read it through from cover to cover.
Ever wanted to make curved blocks but been put off be twisty bias-cut fabric turning evil? This clever lady makes it all soooooo simple even I could do it effectively.

Look! I made a strawberry!
Wanna see the trick?



By cutting the squares on a set curve they interlock with other pieces easily and when sewn together they make a single square, this means there are only ever straight lines to join. No fiddling with miles of bias cut edges. Oh I do love this new trick.

Yay for Oxfam having this book hidden away on its shelf and a huge thank-you to the craft-loving woman whose children donated it.

Sylv needs your help!!

This is my mother's latest quilt.

As always stunning and, despite what she would have you believe, beautifully crafted.

While my initial response was 'What an ace quilt for a little girl' and 'Ooo! I recognise that fabric!!This one is actually going to her god-daughter, a woman older even than I.

The problem is the binding.

She can't decide whether to go with the olive green or a slightly more lively (and seemingly patterned) orange. What so you think?

Hmmmm?

Look at me Mama!

I'm crafting!!!


(pics to follow)

Well, craft bomb defused...

... without CK being any the wiser. Even managed a bit of culling (hello school knitting club).

Now just have to write out job application and return to sweetest country school tomorrow.

OK non-believers, hold on to your hats!

This is said quilt in its finished and drapey state. Pretty, non?
Filled with lovely colours Emma Scrapbag put together, interesting texture in the chenille.
A mix of both my worlds with the inner fabric a blog friend gift and the outer a mix of shirts
(one of which I actually loved and wore - don't tell my mother about the other) and a dress belongum Princess C-W.

And then we have the binding.
Gorgeous girlie, frilly pretty binding a gift from a friend.
Binding that was machine-stitched on both sides.
Oh Patch Andi, you clever, clever girl to make me feel brave enough to try this.

And then we have several reasons why it took so long to actually finish completely and 100%.

OMG!!! A Finish. **edited**

Way back somewhere a million years ago I posted about all the WIPs I wanted to finish before end Dec 2010 and guess what? Tonight I managed to finish one! Yay.

So now Princess C-W has a brand new QUILT, completely finished as in bound and and quilted and everything.

(Of course she has actually been using it for over 12 months but - shhhhhhhhh- don't tell anyone).

(I was hoping no one would notice, I should have guessed someone would pick up on my error. Locket.)

Have you ever been in love?

I think I may just be.

Isn't he gorgeous?

And because it really is true love, this is on the other side.

This is one of the vinyl-lined bags I have been making like a crazy hound these past two weeks.

It started with a washbag for my girl to take on her weeklong residential trip last month. This fabric was too perfect to leave in the shop and some pretty floral, lightweight vinyl from the old-fashioned haberdashers in town.

These were such a delight to make and look so blurry good (even if I do say so) that the decision was made to create more for that end-of-year scam - the teacher present. This year d/Boy has had six 'teachers' (don't get me started), and Princess C-W three so for once I am ahead of the game and have made five so far.

The first was the boat one for Mr. Headteacher and then d/Boy picked out some shapes for the rest. Gingerbread Man and initials for the really lovely teaching assistant (TA), angel for the god-loving TA, bell for the uber-music loving teacher and a Dala (swedish horse image) for the horse's arse faced evil teacher. This just leaves the knitting one, the coffe cup one and the 'gods-alone-know-what-to-make-for-her' one and there is still a month left of school.

But these need not be just wash bags. I made one on Friday for my gods-daughter's half-year birthday and told her it could be for pencils, shells, felt-tips (textas/markers) or, if her mother really insisted, a damp flannel.

And finally I am managing to post the pictures of the most recent blocks I have made for the 'Quilt Around The World ~~ Christmas Blocks' for Carroll and Sudi-Laura respectively.

I am very excited about both of these because I pieced with reasonably sharp points for a first-timer AND also did needleturn applique! Yay me!

I think I have issues with perfection.

OK those of you who have met me or possibly even those who have been reading this blog for more than three minutes need to stop laughing now.

I rooly trooly do think perfection and my expectations of attainment affect the crafting I do (not even going to look at wider aspects in my life).
I see the finished products I make and most of the time they bear little resemblance to the initial idea of what it will look like. Sometimes this is ok because different is not necessarily bad but usually it results in a big ugly mess that I can't fix and yet am unable to throw into the bin (viz Mrs Onion, her shopping bag and the London red bus cushion cover).

Poppy Treffry and those following her style in a flattering manner (sounds better than copiers right?) have aided me in seeing past the strictures of neat edges, french seams and straight lines laid down by Mrs Robinson and Mrs Heighway so many years ago but still I struggle. I know my limitations; I will never get sharp pointy triangles when sewing. Frankly I still get quite joyous when corners meet in an appropriate fashion!

This recent work with zips and bobbles has been useful in meeting my perfection expectation. While not quite professional or shop standard it all looks fairly good and so I went in to creating the pieces for the Snailblazer's Sample Swap (taking place here) on a high. So far so good but have still to attach the base into both the body and the lining. Let me just say though - zips! In circles!

I have been following 'Whip up's Month of mini-quilts' and am loving the designers being highlighted. These fabulously talented women could split wide the cracks laid by all these years hanging around the crafty blogoverse.

Gifts Part the First

I love birthdays. I really, really love birthdays. Mine, someone else's, the dogs', I just love birthdays. And this year my birthday has actually hit the heights of birthday lani-dom.

Now officially at middle age I decided I have enough stuff (obviously excludes fabric and yarn stash increases) and accordingly told CK I didn't want much for my birthday. And so this is (most of) what I got from my lot.

3 flying lanterns, a face mask (ref. prev. post for finished article) , a book many times discussed and a remote control for my camera (used to superb effect last Saturday night).

CK told me I needed some jewellery for my 40th birthday. *No I don't I said. *Go and choose some he said. *No, I won't I said, I don't need any. *Go and choose a piece of jewellery that is beautiful and lovely or the kids and I will!

So I did. I bought myself a gorgeous string of freshwater pearls. They are luminous. They are long. They are lovely. They will be pictured in the next post!

Then there was a parcel from Sylv. As well as the fabric shown over here she also sent some snuggly warm socks, a knitting book filled with crrrrrrazy patterns and the pearls my father gave her in 1969.

These are a necklet that I may never actually wear but I will take out regularly and stroke and sigh over.

Giovanna played a blinder. Again there was fabric but wrapped inside it were some very elegantly patterned cake papercases, an incredibly funky camera bag (perfect for holding new camera 'mote!) and TWO jugs. The cow one has two cows. Obviously they represent me and her but it has to be said I would be the one on the other side, the smaller cow ;-)

This week Smiley Carol has really had to face her fear of my big black dog because I received something in the post EVERY day. Monday my letterbox held a package from Alice Magpie . There may have been a squeal of delight when I opened the parcel to see a Fortnum's bag. things may have got even squealier when I opened up said bag to reveal tins of posh tea and smart biscuits.

Tuesday there was a birthday card from my Auntie Wil insisting I should have a good birthday and that I would celebrate at least another 40. Apparently after I turn 80 all bets are off!

During our day of gratuitous and luxuriant sleeping on Wednesday my assistant flickered a bit when she heard the lid close on the letterbox so when I finally braved the cold (-2 yesterday at 3pm plus windchill) I found a package from Australia waiting for me. Many huge thanks to Annie, Jodie and Rachel for all the beautiful gifts they sent.

From Rachel there were four gorgeous blocks, so perfectly pointy and stitched; I plan on these becoming a cushion quite soon. Annie sent me some of her stunning cards. Princess C-W was particularly smitten with the one of the poppy. And Missus JodieRicrac sent three pieces of fabric and two packs of her billet-doux. I have spent this week wandering around in a haze of loved-upedness and to be honest I am seriously trying to figure out if I can have another one of these in six months because man! I am flying on the lurve!!

The birthday quilt blog will be updated tomorrow but bleow is a collage of the fabric received since Saturday night.

Come back and visit again because there is more to see yet!

this is the day, this is the day ...

After dinner tonight I was banished from the dining room for five minutes, when recalled I was greeted by this.

This is my family's creation to celebrate my birthday.

I have had a thoroughly enjoyable 36 hours. Dinner last night with CK and Pr.C-W while d/Boy slept over at a friend's. Breakfast out with the two of them again, then all four of us home for present opening followed by a trip out to the cinema. We saw AstroBoy. Turns out this movie polarises people in terms of knowledge, seems the AstroBoy cartoon wasn't shown here in the UK. The kids really enjoyed it and I guess that is the most important thing. Plus it gave me time for a few micro-naps ;-)

I was showered with delicious gifts that ranged from the frivolous (a wooden face mask on a stick to paint and wear at my party next week) to the absolutely stunning (the pearls my father bought my mother in 1969). And I was also the very delighted recipient of 10 more pieces of fabric towards the birthday quilt. The full details are over here but they are so beautiful I thought y'all might want to take a look.

20 cents worth of mixed lollies please.

Sucked in - sorry. There aren't really any lollies (sweets/candy/bonbons) and I have a sneaking suspiscion that 20cents would buy very little any more but that kind of question was a cornerstone of my childhood. Aaaah Delaylands, you were a milk bar (off-licence, cornershop) extraordinaire. This post is a kind of mixed bag too.

Last Tuesday I said goodbye (finally) to my lubbard Audi. I wouldn't wish to swap Maria Juanita Conchita Gonzalez you understand but the Audi was special (even when it kept breaking down). However the nice man came and took it away and gave me a little smackerel of something to ease the sting of loss.

Last week we also said goodbye to our beloved Vicar Anne at school. Anne makes me wish I could do the whole religious faith thing. There was an afterschool tea party which of course meant cakes. Caked Crusader had recently posted a recipe for Rolo cake which seemed ideal. Mine was perfect as it cooked, the top all domed and slightly crisped and the tester clear when I drew it out from the middle. I don't know why it came out clean because within five minutes of being out of the oven this happened.

I couldn't take that to the cake table.

So I had to have a piece for lunch ;-)

As a parting gift from the school Anne was presented with a beautiful pedestal platter/cake plate/mahoosive communion wafer holder created by a local potter. While I feel sure she was genuinely pleased with it I love how instinctively she overreacts for the children.

Oh Vicar Anne we will, we will miss you (the school sang her a farewell to the tune of her favouritest song ever. )

Admittedly a little late here on the blog are the pictures for The Women's Colony Colour Challenge for this week.

Blue. Not much blue in my part of the world this time of year so I trawled back through my picture files to find just the colour blues I knew I wanted to post.
L-R
Melbourne Aquarium, Victoria, Australia. January 09.
Winchester, Hants, UK. July 2009
Coastal Victoria, Australia. January 2009
Melbourne Aquarium, Victoria, Australia. January 09.

And as the last red frog gets slipped into the paperbag before money changes hands (back on the lolly thing) let me tell you all about the FABULOUS giveaway being held by my very lovely friend Brenda over at Pumpkin Patch Primitives.

You see, not only does Brenda make fabulous quilts out of snuggly flannnel(ette) and crisp cottons, she also sells the beautiful fabrics and gorgeous notions to go calm your inner crafter with. As well as being handy with the stitching Brenda paints my kind of painting too, loving the folk art. And to top it all off she also homeschools my new boyfriend (sorry Barak it just wasn't working out. I need more attention) - I'm just offering that as an option G.P., you know - in case the candy bribe doesn't work ;-)

On offer to celebrate Halloween and all things pumpkiny Brenda is offering a Fat Quarter Bundle of Red Rooster's Pumpkins & Spice Fabrics by Whimsicals. Just so y'all know that is 27 FQs!! A girl could get a lot of fabulous quiltage out of all that fabric. But best you go pay her a visit quickly as entries are only being accepted until midnight on Saturday, October 31.

Day 21 Blogtoberfest

Like oil on water, feeling a little disturbed and uneven (not necessarily globular).

Tried and true methods of destressing have been less than successful.

Wishing my crafting mojo would return.

Ever fallen in love, in love with someone ever fallen

How do you like my new avatar? A self-portraitDonkey!

But that is not where the love is, oh no. There is more.

Do you remember last year my friend had a wee, early baby, Baby Will? He was not very well at all but she breeds them tough and now he has even started walking :-) A couple of weeks ago she rang and asked me if I would be his godmother! So in all godmotherly haste I considered just what would be a suitable Champagne and Races Godmother gift.

Way back at Christmastime I bought a selection of prints to do a quilt for my oldestfriendintheworld's new baby boy but I am slack and crubbish and suffer very badly from 'finishitis' and thus it never happened however I still loved the fabrics very much so I pulled them out from the many hidey-holes around Trash Towers. This was when I discovered several other fabrics purchased in the intervening months that toned in fantastically so they got thrown into the mix too. One six inch square template, one large cutting mat courtesy of Sylv's horror at my weeny one, a new blade on the cutter and a vague idea of what I was doing resulted in this.

Last night I laid it all out and pinned it and now have to think of how to quilt it. I am guessing probably 'in the ditch' because that is a really good idiot-proof method. The backing is the Ikea hippo fabric in green and I shall bind it in the dots.

It is not perfect. The lines are not 100% matched. The cutting errs towards the wonky side of things and dare I suggest some fabric is cut across or against the grain but I am truly and deeply in love. I love the colours. I love the dots. I love the different textures but most of all I think I love the turtles bestest.

It is a quilt for snuggling under, for making dens, for dragging into the garden and pulling up into trees. It is for feeling sick under and getting better under. It is for storytelling and playacting. It is for hide&seek and for quiet times.. These were my half-formed thoughts while I was making it and I know that Will's parents will understand this and appreciate the handmade aspect of it. It is a joy to give to people who 'get' that homemade is handmade, it is not cheap in terms of labour or effort, it takes time in both planning and execution but that all of this is done freely with joy and love.

I hope Will spends many hours under his quilt laughing, reading, chatting and playing.

A visual record of why I am grinding my teeth. And some nice things too :-)

This week Princess C-W and Granma have been cutting the fabric we bought AGES ok for her to make a first quilt. The cutting was a bit boring so Granma finished it and then came the fun.

Sort of.

Let me start with the finished design (to date).

Pretty yes? It will measure 16"x36". One day. When it is all finished. Maybe more if I can talk her into a border ;-)

Wanna see why I am grinding my teeth?


My girl having a lovely time making pretty patterns.

Uhoh .... what is that I see sneaking into the background?

And bingo! Literally without a word this happened. He silently reached down and started putting them into place for her.

I had to grab my camera and document it b/c I knew y'all would commiserate.


Having debriefed now I can move on.


Is everyone aware this has been an Ashes Summer? It has not escaped the notice of all small boys in my house.

Who wins which match is largely irrelevant. The score is only of interest so he has something to strive for as he bowls at the wicket in the garden.

Note the crowd in Bay 13 roaring its approval?

In the last week his bowling technique improved enormously and tonight he even managed to spin a few of the balls he sent hurtling toward me.

All I can say is with a delivery like that The Ashes will be interesting whichever team he decides to play for.

As for the crowd at the MCG. Well she went and had a well-deserved rest.

Why I now love Smiley Carol.

For the last two days I have opened the post box to find wonderful surprises inside. Yesterday afternoon, after spending the day on Brownsea Island with d/Boy's Yr. 2 class, I returned to find TWO packages left by Smiley Carol.

The first was a surprise win from Est over at My Cuppa Charms. This was a 2nd year blogaversary gift and I am delighted to own it. The beautifully wrapped package contained a sweet notebook, some lovely buttons and this fabulously crafted mini-workstation.

Thank you Est, I love it.

I received my first fat quarter in the 2hippos FQ swap. Isn't it luvverly? It came all the way from 'Canadia'. Now I can hear y'all thinking it but it is TRUE it will look amazing in my Fortnums quilt!

Then today there was shopping! Oh Innernets how I love that you make purchasing so easy :-)

These are so funny! I shall now be forced to make all future presents just so I can attach one of these.
______________________________________________________________________

There has been crafting round these here parts recently. Wanna see?

Got to thinking about Engerland, iconic images and simple shapes.

So I started with a bus (these are blog-finished only).

But I don't love it. So I made a different version.

I still don't love it.

I joined them together into a cushion and I STILL don't love it. I wish that the image in my head matches what I can actually create.

What someone needs to do is create a paper form or template that people who like crafting can apply to their own projects. Something that gives you lines to follow or shapes to cut out. Perhaps it could even include instructions? What do y'all think? There must be someone we could ask about this.

'Member this yarn? This I love. A lot. This love faded just a little when I started knitting it up because that green just sat in a HUGE green pool.

However I kept on going because:
a) if the green was a big heapy pool it wasn't going to alter at a later date.
b) I needed the sock making practice
and c) apparently this yarn was completely me!

So I did but look what happened as I went on .....

Yippee! It is a spiral pattern! Hurray! Now I am really looking forward to seeing how this progresses down the heel.


Finally, my assistant has taken up gardening to aid her recovery.