A Conundrum

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As reported earlier the hexagons have taken over. It’s quite funny as I only wanted a small project until the fabric for my English paper pieced octagons arrived. Well, it has but I’m so in love with my hexies that I can’t stop right now.

The side of each hexagon is 2 cm long (about 3/4″) and I’ve only used scraps from my scrap bin. However, I’m not quite sure how to sew them together. I’ve auditioned a few ideas and I think I know now where this project is heading.

First, the flower option.

Second, the rainbow.

Last but not least, the stripes (in rainbow colours).

Right now I like the last option best. My problem is that I haven’t got enough yellows, oranges and reds. Especially the reds are a problem and I might have to actually go and buy some fabric before I can finish this project.

What do you think? Flowers, rainbows or stripes? Or maybe something altogether different? Help!

The weather has been so beautiful here in Cambridgeshire that we had to come in from the garden this afternoon. It was too hot! I hope you have lovely weather wherever you are in the world.

Categories: English Paper Piecing3 Comments

Another Apron

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My friend Delphine asked me to make another apron as a birthday gift. I made two aprons for two little girls last year and they were greatly admired by one of Delphine’s friends. She therefore decided to order one for young Charlotte in the same fabric as the two I made before.

I have to apologise for the pictures, they were taken two seconds before Delphine left with the apron. Yep, once again I forgot to take pictures before collection….

I love the little crochet flower which I made up on the spot.

The pocket with the embroidered name “Charlotte” almost drove me round the bend. I usually use an air erasable pen to write the name I want to embroider. It makes it easy to follow the lines and is mostly gone by the time I’m finished. Well, this time I got out my pen and it didn’t work! I’d used it only a couple of days earlier and it worked fine. Panic set in as I realised that I wouldn’t have the time to go and get a new one before I had to deliver the finished apron. In the end I just winged it. It might not be perfect but does handmade have to be perfect to be special or loved?

On a completely different note, I’ve been struggling for the last couple of weeks as I’ve been in a bit of discomfort after a minor car accident. The doctor has confirmed today that I suffer from whiplash. It’s not bad but does mean that I can’t sit at the sewing machine or computer for too long. I’m therefore really looking forward to starting my new EPP project. Hopefully my fabric will arrive soon. Meanwhile I’ll just go and cut out some more octagons.

We’re off to the local school’s Easter Fete today. Hope you have a lovely weekend!

 

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Growing Tulips

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After finishing my Tumbling Blocks cushion I decided I wanted another English Paper Piecing project to take with me when we go on holiday to Ireland next month. I know what I’m going to make but I have to order some fabric before I can start cutting. It’s going to be very colourful and involve some octagons. Once my delivery arrives I’ll show you a sneak peak.

When thinking about which shape to choose next I started wondering about curves. Was it possible to do curves? Then I remembered that I had seen an apple core pillow in the last issue of Fat Quarterly. However, being me I didn’t go for apple cores but a tulip. Tulips are one of my favourite flowers and I had them in my wedding bouquet. I knew it would be a challenge but I had a great time looking for some inspiration and fell in love with a stained glass window (silly me didn’t write down the link but if I find it again I will – it’s gorgeous). Out came the sketch pad, pencil and eraser and off I went. I had to make sure the curves weren’t too round and the corners too narrow. A couple of sketches ended up in the bin but I got there in the end.

Now that I look at it all finished I’m not sure it really looks like a tulip. What do you think? I had a few problems on the way and the biggest one was the Essex linen I chose for the background. It’s a bit thicker than the quilting cotton which meant that the corners didn’t always meet and I had to jiggle things about a bit. Next time I will use the same fabric for the piecing and maybe use some linen to sash the piece.

It’s still pretty and I’m going to turn it into a zippered pouch for my future EPP projects. First, however I have to finish an apron for a little girl. I can’t show it to you yet, as I’m not sure whether her mother reads this blog or not.

Categories: English Paper Piecing3 Comments

Down Time

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Last week I took my camera into the garden again to see whether I can find any flowers amongst all the weeds. I did; not many, but a few.

I also found some visitors.

I’m looking forward to sitting in the garden again soon. We have blue skies and sunshine right now so it might be sooner rather than later. It means I might be able to finish my latest EPP project too. More about that tomorrow.

I hope you have lovely weather wherever you are. Enjoy!

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Done!

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Here it is:

I’m a bit sad as I didn’t have an insert in the right size. This one is an 18″ one that I pinched out of Little Miss Bossy-Boots’ Tumbler Cushion and it’s definitely too big. Poor cushion cover is bursting at the seams. However, I will wash the cover, get a 16″ insert this weekend and then just enjoy looking at it.

On. My. Bed.

Have a lovely weekend!

Categories: Home Projects, Quilts2 Comments

EPP

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English Paper Piecing (EPP) is something I have seen but never tried. However Katy from I’m a Ginger Monkey (I know, I know, she’s mentioned on this blog every few minutes… I admit it, I find her incredibly inspirational) has been very busy paper piecing the most wonderful cushion covers and quilts.

Curious I went on the hunt for some nice shapes to try out EPP and found the tumbling block. It makes a lovely star shape when sewn together and that is what I did. I didn’t like it. I probably would have loved it if I had done it scrappy but I did it all pink and as I looked at it I felt bored and uninspired.

Out came the seam ripper and the star was no more. I then started playing with the shapes and colours until I found a pattern I liked. Sorry about the bad pictures but they were taken late at night on Instagram.

Next I decided to add some white in the centre and also use the white to frame all the blocks.

I’ve been sewing together my tumbling blocks every time I have a spare moment and the project is growing rapidly. This is going to be a cushion cover and it’s going to be mine. Little Miss Bossy-Boots has tried to claim it but this time I’m not giving in. Hands off, it’s mine! Mine!

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Treasure

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Last Saturday Little Miss Bossy-Boots was “helping” me with my sewing. She was taking things out of my hand sewing pouch and putting them in again, opening and closing the flap. After a while she announced that she wanted a pouch like that. So Mummy dropped what she was doing and dived into her pink stash. The little Miss then chose this lovely Cosmo Cricket ‘Girl Friday’ by Andover Fabrics that has been in the stash for a little while. She then chose a bright pink zip and a little pink heart button. The fabric for the pocket and lining was chosen from a selection of fabrics that I showed her. I love the white polka dots on the bright green background by Stof.

I used Florence’s Tutorial but boxed the corners simply because I think it’s easier to see what is in your pouch.

I just love the lining and the bright pink zip.

Now, would you like to know what was in the pouch when I grabbed it to take these pictures?

I can see sparkly shells, plastic coins, a belt, a clicker, a tape measure, the letter “E” from her name, a hair clip, an eraser or two, a piece of string, a bird and a few more unidentified objects. I think it’s fair to say that she finds it handy.

Have a lovely day!

 

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Granny Cushion

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I loved making the Granny Square Pincushion and thought it would be fun to make a cushion cover using Ali’s tutorial for the square with the popcorn flower.

So, Little Miss Bossy-Boots and I trundled into town and she chose the colours for her cushion cover. No surprises there; we came home with a bright pink and a mellow purple yarn. They had a lovely soft orange that I would have loved to combine with the pink but as I had promised Missy that she could choose whatever she liked I bit my tongue.

This is the front and all in all I like it. I made a bit of a mess joining the squares together but I know now what to do differently for next time. In fact I loved making these little shares so much that I’m thinking of taking all my little bits of leftover yarn from other projects and make a blanket.

Here’s the back of it:

Did you spot the giant buttons? Well, yes, hmmm. I didn’t have any in the right colour or size but I really wanted to finish the cushion cover and show it off. They will be changed sometime in the near future, I promise.

I didn’t want to put just a regular insert in the cover but made one using a lovely flowery fabric with butterflies and birds that peek out through the holes especially at the back.

I bought it a few years ago and have no idea what it’s called or who it’s from but I thought it was perfect for this cushion.

Categories: Crochet, Home Projects3 Comments

Still here

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Hello, how nice of you to pop in! I know I haven’t been around much and, even worse, I haven’t been crafting either. I was struck down by a horrible cold that left me so weak I actually went to bed during the day. Whenever Little Miss Bossy-Boots was in preschool I went to bed with a cup of tea and my Kindle and stayed there until I had to go and get her. My house was a tip, the dog not impressed with his lack of walks and Master had to hunt his own food.

I started feeling better last week and was looking forward to some nice sewing time when, bam, I was struck by one of my famous three-day migraines. Followed by a week’s worth of lingering headache. Boo!

This Sunday, however, found me taking some pictures in the garden with Aron and Little Miss Bossy-Boots. The sun was shining, my head was ok and I was wrapped up warmly.

I love snowdrops and crocus.

This wonderful boy turned eleven yesterday! We celebrated with biscuits and crisps for the humans and a bone for the dog.

Now really, does it get any better than this?

Afterwards, I took the Little Miss out on her new bicycle. Although she got one last year it was just too big for her and she couldn’t squeeze the brakes. When she saw this one in the shop she turned to her Daddy to get it…

Just in case you’re wondering what she’s doing, she’s wiggling her bottom. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.

 

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