100% Improv - 0% Log Cabin

If you remember from my post here, I've joined Project Improv.

Well yesterday I decided to give my charity quilt block a go.

I laid my fabric out, grabbed a couple of bits, did some sewing, a little cutting, more grabbing and sewing, a bit of unpicking, more sewing, cutting and some time later decided that I'd just double check the final required size.

This is where it all came unstuck!!

The joining e-mail from Jacquie says that the block should be log "cabinish" - mine looks like crazy paving - OOPS!! - back to the drawing board for me.

A Bag for School

At DD's pre-school, the older children have now been using book bags to carry their homework in - and to get them ready for using them at "big school" in September.



As these only normally come in green, or sometimes red, and as I came across a remnant of Disney Princess PVC tablecloth fabric whilst in the haberdashers the other day I decided to be a little different!!



A couple of hours, and a few unpickings later - VOILA!!

I had to cut the fabric so that Cinderella on the front as she's her favourite Princess.

She loves it and even took it to Show & Tell at Tumble Tots today.

Just like Mummy

I was asked if I could make a pair of oven gloves for a little girl who got a Play Kitchen from Santa.

Never one to turn down an opportunity, I of course said yes, and then offered (how cheeky of me!!) to make her feel even more like a little chef by making a matching apron.

The kitchen is wooden with pink highlights which just had to be matched.

Here's the resulting set.

I've been told that they were well received and she now does feel "just like mummy".

Long Time No Blog

Hello there bloggy peeps. I'm sorry that it's been a while since my last post but things have been a bit manic here.

After 18 months we finally seem to have a buyer for our house who wants us out by the end of February (!!) so we've had to drop everything to scour Shropshire for a new abode. I'm hoping that whatever we find will have a little sewing room just for me - I can but hope.

As an update to my post I've been assigned my swap partners.

For Katy's FQ 2009 Swap I'm paired with Michelle who's in Australia.

She loves blues & browns plus contemporary stuff (Valori Wells, Heather Bailey, Sandi Henderson etc.) With polka dots and plaids other favourites. I'm got my gift organised so it will be on its way shortly - keep an eye on the mailbox Michelle!!

For Apryl's Owl Swap my partner is Ngaire who is also in Australia.

She's a scrapbooker who's just getting interested in sewing and fabric. I have drafted a design of what I'm going to make her so now just need to get on with it!!

You'll also see 2 new buttons on my sidebar.

The first is for Project Improv being organised by TallGrass Prairie Studio. The idea is that instead of following an existing pattern to make a quilt, you just "make it up as you go along". As this is how most of my crafting evolves I should have no problems whatsoever!!

As a second part to the project, everybody involved is making a 12.5" square block in one of 3 colourways (I've got Red & Aqua) which will be made up into quilts that will be given to charity.

The second is for a virtual quilting bee called SewConnected3. Here a group of 18 quilters (brought together by Quilt Dad) will every month make a block from fabric supplied by one of the group. I'm quite new to quilting so I hope that I'll be able to hold my own amongst them!! You'll be able to keep up with what we're making on Flickr.

And to finish I thought I'd just show you all a picture of what my DD got up to at the weekend.

I've signed up for 2 New Swaps and it's only Jan 6th!!

Start of the year as I mean to go on!!

The first is Katy's (imagingermonkey) New Year Mix Up Your Stash Swap

The idea is that you send your partner 2 Fat Quarters (18" x 22") piece of high quality cotton quilting/sewing fabric, and a little treat - something like a bit of ribbon, some thread, buttons etc., wrapped up and accompanied by little note.

The second is Apryl's (MeridianAriel) Owl Swap.

In this one the world is your oyster as to what you want to make and send!! In addition to your owl should be a small edible treat and a small stash gift.

Go and Sign up for both.

Christmas Gifts

Thought I'd show you all the crafty gifts I got for Christmas.

Firstly my youngest sister bought me Jelly Roll Quilts by Pam & Nicky Lintott. (In fact I have 2 copies so if anyone wants to offer me something in exchange - then please do!!)

Secondly my Brother & Sister In Law bought me a Hoffman Fabrics Bali Pops Fabric Strips in their Mulberry colourway. There are 40 full width strips of 2.5" depth. These are beautiful Batik prints.

I also treated myself to a piece of Amy Butler FOREST fabric in Grey & Orange. I need a new bag so it may be used for that.

Lastly I bought 24 approx. 9" x 11" pieces of Vintage 1800's/Civil War design fabric all in Chocolate & Cherry colours. Now I just have to find a quilt pattern to use with them.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Just a quick message to wish you all a happy and healthy 2009 and I hope that you get all that you wish for.

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