tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19565622049593880922024-03-05T06:57:57.220+00:00kettleboilermusings and mutterings, quilting stylemoirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-20133408323108680002016-09-03T13:35:00.001+01:002016-09-03T13:35:18.261+01:00Monarch of the GlenIt has been a long while since I posted anything but I feel that the story of the Monarch of the Glen needs to be told.<br />
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Just before Christmas last year, we received news that Laughing Boy's best friend had been diagnosed with myeloma and kidney failure. My first thought was "I need to make him a quilt!" Laughing boy was dubious about it but as I reminded him, this is all about me. I chose the colour palette over the holidays, pulling all my stashed precious navy fabrics, you know - those fabrics that you have for years but can't bear the thought of cutting up as they are for stroking only. I decided that this quilt needed some precious. I also wanted to quilt to symbolise something rather than be an abstract design. I see Julian as strong, noble and gentle so the idea of the monarch of the glen quilt was born.<br />
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I really wanted to do a <a href="http://pieceandpress.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/milestones.html" target="_blank">Dan Rouse deer</a> but couldn't work out how to draw the stencil so decided to do a mash up of Dan's reverse applique technique and Luke Hayne's deer. At our January guild meeting, I was able to finalise the design, with the help and guidance of the ladies there. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">navy 6" blocks and orange 3"blocks</td></tr>
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My first problem came when I put the template on the (yet to be sewn) quilt blocks. It was just too small, especially as I wanted it in the corner.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a bit lost in the gloaming.....</td></tr>
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I couldn't work out how to make the template bigger. Of course in hindsight (and after seeing <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BIY_eD_BC-X/?taken-by=shiraz_and_sewing" target="_blank">Lisa's fabulous version</a>) I could have gone to a printers and copied it bigger but I was a quine on a mission and I remembered that I had this fab magazine.....<br />
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There was a paper template of the design on the front cover. Result! So I traced it on some Swedish tracing paper then reworked it so it was a little bigger. Then I pinned the orange patchwork to the back of the blue patchwork ......</div>
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And sewed round the outline....<br />
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I bought some really neat <a href="http://www.ernestwright.co.uk/craft/Applique%20Scissors,%20Napping%20Scissors,%20Craft%20Scissors,%20Fabric%20Scissors" target="_blank">duckbill applique scissors</a> and, following Dan's instructions, cut roughly 1/8" inside the sewn line to reveal.....<br />
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All of this was done in the space of a couple of weeks - that is warp speed for me. But that's where things started to slow down (much to my shame). It took me two months to make the sandwich and start quilting....<br />
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I decided to outline the deer three times then radiate lines outwards. Reader, I am ashamed to say it took another three months before the quilting was finished.<br />
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I'm not sure why it took so long. Actually most of it was done quite quickly, I just sort of stopped with a quarter left to do. I think that it was partly that I was worried that it wouldn't be good enough or J would wonder why on earth I made it. It's always an issue I have - handing a finished item over and the worry that it won't be liked or appreciated or wanted. I got a stern talking to from my MIL and Jane from the EMMQG gave me a gentle kicking and so finally cracked on and it took no time to finish in the end. <br />
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Then came the bits that always bring me joy...<br />
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squaring up....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I <i>may</i> have cut through the wee man's cricket numbers at this point</td></tr>
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and the binding...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was ridiculously happy with the mitred corners on this quilt</td></tr>
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And whilst enjoying Andy Murray at Wimbledon, I even added a label - my first ever on a quilt...<br />
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And it was finally finished, over 6 months after it was started and after a load of horrible chemotherapy and stem cell treatments had been completed. <br />
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And it was finally gifted. I wrote a letter to explain what the heck it was all about. I received the most fabulous reply from J, saying that he had followed its progress on Facebook but had no idea it was for him. The morale of this story for me is to get on and finish things. It is with enormous regret that I didn't get this quilt finished sooner, that it sat neglected for so long, whilst I fretted over silly things. Finished is better than perfection and certainly better than the gnawing worry of not finishing. I am glad that the Monarch of the Glen was able to bring some comfort in the end.<br />
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Julian passed away a couple of days ago. Cancer fucking sucks.<br />
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<br />moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-36242285141087323982015-11-09T15:10:00.000+00:002015-11-09T15:10:38.113+00:00Lady partsWell, sewing still seems to be bumbling along without much focus. Thank goodness for bees! After a shortish hiatus, I rejoined the bumbling honeys and this time round we're doing travelling quilts. As usual, I was scratching around for inspiration and sat on my sofa staring at the Georgia O'Keefe print that Laughing Boy got me for our first Christmas together and there it was... my starting block.... I love Georgia O'Keefe and her flowing, sensuous, suggestive style.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Dark Iris I Georgia O'Keeffe Print" src="http://georgiaokeeffeprints.org/Dark%20Iris%20I%20Georgia%20O'Keeffe%20Print.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://georgiaokeeffeprints.org/dark-iris-i/" target="_blank">Dark Iris I by Georgia O'Keefe taken from </a>georgiaokeefeprints.org</td></tr>
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I thought it might be an interesting challenge to improv a block based on this print. I have not really embraced improv before and to be frank it frightens the bejeesus out of me. So it took me about 4 weeks (on and off, stop, start, stop, worry, start - you get the picture) to finally finish my starter block (very late)...<br />
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So all the things I love about Ms O'Keefe - fluidity etc - I seem to have managed to anglify them! But I am quite chuffed that I did this all with an image in my mind and some fabric on the table. So my starter block for "Georgia on my mind" has begin its journey and should be back with me as a finished quilt top next year. I've asked my bee sisters to keep a simple colour palette of greys, whites and greens if possible and to just do what they feel is right - no need to slavishly copy other O'Keefe works. I am excited to see what returns.<br />
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Check out <a href="http://www.georgiaokeeffe.net/index.jsp" target="_blank">this Georgia O'Keefe site</a> for more examples of her lovely works.<br />
<br />moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-68606386817916867412015-09-21T14:53:00.002+01:002015-09-21T14:53:40.456+01:00four months on.... still no wiser!It's been four months since my last post. Lots of reasons/excuses. Not much sewing going on here over the summer. I have finally found some time today and I can't find my rotary cutter! <br />
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*facepalm*<br />
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<a href="https://imgflip.com/i/rdl1r"><img src="https://i.imgflip.com/rdl1r.jpg" title="made at imgflip.com" /></a></div>
moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-86035050539315556412015-05-21T23:14:00.000+01:002015-05-21T23:14:34.136+01:00Spring 2015 Bloggers Quilt FestivalHello there. It's been a while. And to be honest, I was pretty sure that it would be a while longer before I knocked on again. In fact, I felt that I shouldn't enter this <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/" target="_blank">Spring's festival</a> due to the lack of co-ordinated blog and sewing activity. However, something happened to change my mind and I have decided to enter Bonadoochi in the large quilt category....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITJfUlZkFInFKyRn0R0fF8MTxJMF7KnGRmY5GKKO_FEjECq2bJ5LQN0f6MHV8bz_I22syuj3je6QsOrWUnPF42ySiEhqHwT7_vhfsw6Euke8hLWxvYDqY-opwFXOd29p0aUgdlec5ZLGL/s1600/20141129_143754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITJfUlZkFInFKyRn0R0fF8MTxJMF7KnGRmY5GKKO_FEjECq2bJ5LQN0f6MHV8bz_I22syuj3je6QsOrWUnPF42ySiEhqHwT7_vhfsw6Euke8hLWxvYDqY-opwFXOd29p0aUgdlec5ZLGL/s400/20141129_143754.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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Check h<a href="http://kettleboiler.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/bonadoochi.html" target="_blank">ere for the full story </a>but the short version is that two very dear friends of mine decided to create positivity for their family in a time where life just kept throwing them pain and part of this involved a renewal of their wedding vows. I asked them for a favourite song they had and was given "<a href="https://youtu.be/fOVECbr-vsc" target="_blank">Everyone's got to love sometime" by the Korgis</a> to work with. Bonadoochi quilt took me way long that I had hoped (nearly a year in design and construction) and is by far the biggest quilt I have ever attempted. Too big for me to quilt so a good friend did the (fantabulous) deed.<br />
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When I gifted this quilt, it took a while before either friend realised what it was all about and then the reaction was just wonderful. I think the words resonate so well. The reason I have decided to enter it for the festival is that they have recently suffered another heartbreaking loss. This is in dedication and tribute to them both and Spence senior (may he rest in peace). Beautiful people who I am so lucky to have had in my life.<br />
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<b>Quilt Details</b><br />
Size: 90" x 80"<br />
Fabrics: for the heart, all from stash and many have been there a while so from memory lots of Anna Maria Horner, some Joel Dewberry, a smidge of Denise Schmidt and some randoms<br />
Fabrics: for the background - Carolyn Friedlander Architextures<br />
Fabrics: binding: Denise Schmidt Chicopee<br />
Fabrics: backing: Tula Pink birds and bees<br />
Quilted: professionally (in all senses of the word) by Trudi Wood<br />
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<br />moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-80611377726377174402015-03-09T20:52:00.002+00:002015-03-09T20:52:35.685+00:00Another weekender.......but not a bag! A much better weekender, which involved sewing, cake, lashings of tea, chat, laughing and more food. A sewing retreat weekender! Huzzah!<br />
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Nearly a year ago, the Stitching Together ladies mused on organising a weekend away dedicated to sewing. 9 months (and 1 impregnation) later and we were packing up Hannah's roof rack and heading to Norfolk on a Friday and staying until Sunday. The venue was a B&B called <a href="http://www.theoldbakerynorfolk.co.uk/" target="_blank">the Old Bakery in Hindolveston</a> run by a lovely couple Alison and Mike. Alison is a quilter and so, as well as the usual B&B clientèle, she offers quilting/sewing retreats and workshops. We made what, in retrospect, was a school girl error of stopping for lunch on the way because if there was one constant over the weekend, it was food!<br />
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Anyway, my usual approach to retreats is to pack erratically and wing it. This time I had a plan and actually planned for the plan. I was going to FIGHT THE FEAR and make a chuffing dress already. Yep, my dressmaking demons would be tackled head on by making <a href="http://gatherkits.com/shop/product/the-mortmain" target="_blank">the Mortmain dress from Gather Kits</a> which is marked suitable for"ambitious beginners!" I'd bought the pattern and fabric (from the Village Haberdashery) last August....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lh57EaMsTIQ/VP383OZE95I/AAAAAAAAMY4/MCNJpLpc9K4/s1600/20140812_174432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lh57EaMsTIQ/VP383OZE95I/AAAAAAAAMY4/MCNJpLpc9K4/s1600/20140812_174432.jpg" height="400" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">directional print fabric, you nutter!</td></tr>
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As usual, I need to make things a little trickier so I decided to buy some slippy dippy fabric to fully line the dress too. Matching thread and metal teeth zip joined the dressmakers carbon paper and other various tools. I even took an old sheet that Tanya had given me to make a toile. People - I was taking this seriously!<br />
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So we arrived just after 2pm and were immediately offered coffee, tea and two choices of home made cake (delish). Then it was unpacking, setting up and sewing. We were staying in the holiday cottage but were given full run of two big rooms in the main house for our sewing activities.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UzbkN6EbF6k/VP34NzFV0fI/AAAAAAAAMX8/I7OKOq3MICE/s1600/11041706_10153237411460984_967934619412547598_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UzbkN6EbF6k/VP34NzFV0fI/AAAAAAAAMX8/I7OKOq3MICE/s1600/11041706_10153237411460984_967934619412547598_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thanks for the photo, H</td></tr>
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We sewed until 7, where we were served an amazing two course dinner, with a trio of desserts...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sg9tk0huiG8/VP34T2XEZpI/AAAAAAAAMYE/DPixETHQLrY/s1600/10392508_10153237411385984_645777897129874041_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sg9tk0huiG8/VP34T2XEZpI/AAAAAAAAMYE/DPixETHQLrY/s1600/10392508_10153237411385984_645777897129874041_n.jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all using local or home grown ingredients</td></tr>
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Then it was back to work, for another couple of hours or so. My sewing yodas were on hand when I had a big wobble - "follow the pattern, you must" (thank you Hannah!) - and to help with great hints (Lizzie!). At the end of day 1, I had made my toile and realised that the size 16 fitted me perfectly - no FBA needed thank goodness.<br />
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Day 2 started a two course breakfast! Thank the Lord I had roomy troosers! Then a full day's sewing, interrupted only by Alison bringing refreshments and cake, a two course lunch and two course dinner...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgjjwaAV9DEXz2VzUreG2TAICGYZ1ZTbhWEqJmBfOPwODcG9TX_fPAE-08xGXUgLOE71aHKZjwqwNl42J5Oos3bQHfkQOliOSh3s6Av4Q1GRU4ylxtQJC_mzrx38lK9YCYILwbwDCSCFc/s1600/10411047_10153237410900984_4635022254978673217_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgjjwaAV9DEXz2VzUreG2TAICGYZ1ZTbhWEqJmBfOPwODcG9TX_fPAE-08xGXUgLOE71aHKZjwqwNl42J5Oos3bQHfkQOliOSh3s6Av4Q1GRU4ylxtQJC_mzrx38lK9YCYILwbwDCSCFc/s1600/10411047_10153237410900984_4635022254978673217_n.jpg" height="253" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chocolate trio</td></tr>
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By the end of the day, I have made two more dresses - the outer dress and lining version, all french seamed to within an inch of existence....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUmTOZQeFzM/VP34mjM058I/AAAAAAAAMYc/aGEaCMGa6tc/s1600/IMG-20150301-WA0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUmTOZQeFzM/VP34mjM058I/AAAAAAAAMYc/aGEaCMGa6tc/s1600/IMG-20150301-WA0002.jpg" height="400" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unlined and unzipped but extremely satisfying</td></tr>
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Check out the pattern alignment of the top and skirt - a happy accident :)<br /><br />Day 3 and another two course breakfast. Oh.my.giddy.aunt. And we had to get as much done as we could before lunch at 1pm (with elevenses included of course!).<br />
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This is where things started to go a little awry. I think it may have been that croissant after the american pancakes. Anyway, see that squint zipper ^^^^^ That took me three hours to put in and it was all wrong. And the bottom of the zip on the right hand side as you look at the photo is all queer too and the waistband doesn't line up. But on the plus side, I am loving the fit across the back, if you excuse the dodgy posture.<br />
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The others were more productive...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSewgahSiXC4UAbb0rFlM6MH2Ju0qaaegkLDgwdoasXH6Dqp0zII58JAgXpRCOcK38J0BxMahgUvV3yFBN6Gba8jWW2sKeSzQ0XcvmxYflhaVizFb29N3cLGVsWhs17O0taIURonoTfA0/s1600/hannah2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSewgahSiXC4UAbb0rFlM6MH2Ju0qaaegkLDgwdoasXH6Dqp0zII58JAgXpRCOcK38J0BxMahgUvV3yFBN6Gba8jWW2sKeSzQ0XcvmxYflhaVizFb29N3cLGVsWhs17O0taIURonoTfA0/s1600/hannah2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">simply awesome cross stitch by Hannah</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm37p5nH6OzvXdR_efmHt4FnaLGWPsmGjWCGkSYriNRJ2DTfVt_vuAtMXEObCs8Zs9auySV5JxueZYVuPE0tKiU3i-vnmI5vej6Z7AmMT41JtjqAmudE8q4A1kIgOg5nBeG8WyKEHtMeN/s1600/hannah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm37p5nH6OzvXdR_efmHt4FnaLGWPsmGjWCGkSYriNRJ2DTfVt_vuAtMXEObCs8Zs9auySV5JxueZYVuPE0tKiU3i-vnmI5vej6Z7AmMT41JtjqAmudE8q4A1kIgOg5nBeG8WyKEHtMeN/s1600/hannah.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Hannah's foxy quilt top</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRzE_n7LVwXlRxUeh9-oTaTy-O5H0ejqdBkD3LxL4eEEuTeLEaTA98gbNw6rrU24QepZtYaUBUyFXACfAAb9qS6wNNZdnUKKTKPJuXVNgZ5Vsgr2Bd9MY3sX-YPf0AtSnhzHZo1_XCY25/s1600/lizzie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRzE_n7LVwXlRxUeh9-oTaTy-O5H0ejqdBkD3LxL4eEEuTeLEaTA98gbNw6rrU24QepZtYaUBUyFXACfAAb9qS6wNNZdnUKKTKPJuXVNgZ5Vsgr2Bd9MY3sX-YPf0AtSnhzHZo1_XCY25/s1600/lizzie.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a maternity dress for Lizzie (and a skirt for her Nancy)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePG4O6vqN0YJ_Smus2sSnZS94Vi1dnBrgbB0EluNKdjjYKmt87sMW1maY-yS0Bc2o3lf3zqQ3Wms86PhweJvQZlM4GmUqjwOA2bAIZHwqzrl0DJL0wcB8Tqcxq365SsonqQzzFtOcUQLe/s1600/tan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePG4O6vqN0YJ_Smus2sSnZS94Vi1dnBrgbB0EluNKdjjYKmt87sMW1maY-yS0Bc2o3lf3zqQ3Wms86PhweJvQZlM4GmUqjwOA2bAIZHwqzrl0DJL0wcB8Tqcxq365SsonqQzzFtOcUQLe/s1600/tan.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an adorable baby quilt by Tanya (along with cushion covers)</td></tr>
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However, by then we had run out of time and I had run out of patience, having bent two needles in the zip inserting process. So it was a quick pack up and tidy around, then lunch (more cake, obvs.) and packing the car. Big hugs to Alison (with plans to return!) and we were off, never to eat again.... well, not for a while anyway.<br />
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A brilliant focussed weekend, with lovely stitchy friends hosted by a fab couple. If your interest has been piqued by <a href="http://retreat.simplysolids.co.uk/" target="_blank">the Simply Solids Sew-in Retreat</a> in September, I would say go for it. The chance to have dedicated sewing time to focus solely on what you want to do, with no pressure to attend classes, is a brilliant opportunity. You will be with people who will help and support you and vice versa. I can't guarantee that you will be able to eat your own body weight in cake though..... Or head of to Mike and Alison's in Norfolk and take your elasticated waistbands!<br />
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I was hoping to show off my finished frock by now but after breaking <b>4 (FOUR)</b> more needles and the dress nearly getting flung out the the window along with the sewing machine and my sanity, the zip is still not fitted. But I did have a Eureka moment this morning on the drive to work - use a different type of needle, stupid! So that's the plan (and a not exposed zip either). Watch this space for my first fully finished frock......moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-78972165914188598912015-03-03T20:48:00.001+00:002015-03-03T20:48:18.938+00:00Flowered UpRemember when a weekender meant something other than a bag.... distant memories indeed. A little like the workshop run by Mandy at one of our first EMMQG meetings two years ago next month. The plan was for us all to make an Amy Butler Weekender bag, guided by Mandy who had already bitten the bullet and made a lovely one. I could only stay until lunchtime because Forest were playing at home that afternoon! I managed to get some (but not all) of the pieces cut out before heading home to look after the wee man while his dad went off to the footie. The bag pieces were packed in a box and shoved under the wardrobe.<br />
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About 6 months later, I sewed up one of the sides of the bag, added piping (really badly) and again it was all packed away.... out of sight, out of mind.<br />
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Last month, nearly two years since starting, I decided to pull out the box from under the wardrobe and finish the b*gger! I was working on half memories of other people's experiences and working with some dodgy sewing done 18 months ago. I mostly ignored the pattern instructions and decided to do a couple of things differently....<br />
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I put a zipped pocket on one side....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9sxa4qG_MI/VPYTff3w5aI/AAAAAAAAMNM/KM-PrbNe9tE/s1600/IMG_20150203_202248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9sxa4qG_MI/VPYTff3w5aI/AAAAAAAAMNM/KM-PrbNe9tE/s1600/IMG_20150203_202248.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trust me, that pocket has a zip!</td></tr>
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I put a seam in the middle of the pocket on the other side....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3W6l7i2lx-0/VPYUK8McQYI/AAAAAAAAMNc/K-erEVokt1s/s1600/IMG_20150204_222118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3W6l7i2lx-0/VPYUK8McQYI/AAAAAAAAMNc/K-erEVokt1s/s1600/IMG_20150204_222118.jpg" height="380" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honest guv!</td></tr>
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I used leather handles that I've had for years, bought for some forgotten project, instead of the fabric ones. I didn't put pockets at the ends of the zipper panel, just because. And I kind of sewed the lining in as I went along, which kind of sort of worked....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jslMsZK16zM/VPYT6rpnhQI/AAAAAAAAMNU/5iK5R13kOBA/s1600/IMG_20150127_211645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jslMsZK16zM/VPYT6rpnhQI/AAAAAAAAMNU/5iK5R13kOBA/s1600/IMG_20150127_211645.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">didn't all go according to plan....</td></tr>
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And after some focussed sewing days, I had a finished bag....<br />
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It's sooooooo not perfect but it's ok. The whole experience did allow me to see how much better my sewing is now than then. The bits I did two years ago annoy me a little because I would do them better now but still I am glad it's done. If I was a good girl, I would unpick some of it and redo but that ain't going to happen. Made with some of my most precious MM fabrics, it is now my sewing machine bag and I love it! AND it's finally off my flipping WIP list - woohoo! I feel a little lighter :)<br />
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PS a little musical interlude for those of you in a nostalgic mood...now where did I put that smiley face t-shirt......?<br />
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moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-21701896981881887762015-01-18T14:20:00.000+00:002015-01-18T14:20:06.204+00:00going on a bear hunt...Just as I was sitting down to write this post, I started singing "I'm going to write a blog post, it's going to be a big one, what am I going to do? I'm not scared". With immense apologies to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Were-Going-Bear-Michael-Rosen/dp/0744523230" target="_blank">Michael Rosen</a>, it made me giggle. Anyway <b>*awkward shoe shuffle*</b>, cracking on....<br />
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After my last post, <a href="http://tuppencehapennyquilts.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pennie </a>commented that I should join up with the #sew4sanity gang over on IG. The rules are pretty straight forward:<br />
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<ol>
<li>finish something I've started</li>
<li>sew with hoarded loved fabric</li>
<li>make something that's not a quilt (like a bag or garment)</li>
<li>sew something completely outside of my comfort zone.</li>
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And you can mix and match so one project could cover more than one of the rules. The aim is for it to be a monthly goal to meet all of the rules. At the same time, I've been waking up thinking about patterns and sewing, so McMojo is clearly feeling better and <i>(whisper it</i>) a bit keen. </div>
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These two things have given me the incentive to get off my backside and make the side kick tote I promised <a href="http://mumasu.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sue</a>, the incredibly patient winner of my giveaway in October last year. To meet the rules, I used some hoarded Tula Pink raccoons for the lining (#2), I made a bag (#3) and I took myself completely out of my comfort zone by putting in my first ever flush zipped pocket into the bag lining (#4). Boom!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QDLy1lHUXwY/VLu3bWxHbJI/AAAAAAAAL5I/qbS4Eis33qw/s1600/IMG_20150111_155340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QDLy1lHUXwY/VLu3bWxHbJI/AAAAAAAAL5I/qbS4Eis33qw/s1600/IMG_20150111_155340.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I couldn't quite get my head around the flushed zip until I realised it was like a porthole then it all clicked and I was away.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not perfect, but not bad for my first time</td></tr>
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It was only after I'd finished that I'd figured out that I could have practised on scrap fabric rather than going live with the poor raccoons. D'oh! Anyhoo, it worked out OK. The rest of the bag came together pretty easily.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need to iron it!</td></tr>
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It was a fab accident that ninja racoon showed up and hit the middle of the zip and it give anyone not allowed in the evils!</div>
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I added a wee label, you know, to make it more designer!</div>
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So, this bag has really helped get me back into the swing of things and ultimately, I really enjoyed sewing it together. I haven't quite got my sewing space organised yet and am still losing things all the time but it's all about forward momentum. Just got to make a couple of wee mindings and this bag will be heading off the its new owner and I feel a little lighter.</div>
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Now to choose a WIP to finish...it might even be my weekender...Now that <i>would </i>be a bear hunt!.....<b>*feels a little faint*</b></div>
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moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-85201907809174690542015-01-03T13:52:00.002+00:002015-01-03T13:52:54.716+00:00rethinkHappy New Year to you all. I hope you have had a grand festive season and are all set for 2015. We had a quiet Christmas, if you can have one with a toddler trying out his karate moves on you with the heavy end of a <a href="http://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/games-puzzles-books/c-566/preschool-board-games/p-1290/pumpaloons/" target="_blank">pumpaloon</a>. And the workmen next door taking a total of one day's holiday (New Years Day) from using a pneumatic drill on our adjoining walls.<br />
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The usual pattern for the first post of the year is to do a review of the past year's makes and set out a plan for the coming year. I'm going to divert slightly from that, partly because of my miserly output in 2014. A grand total of two quilts, a shed load of bee blocks (but not as many as planned as I decided to take time out of of the current Bumbling Honeys Bee) and some other odds and sods. I say two quilts but I realise I've just shown you one so here is the second, a swap for the #IGminiquilt swap thingy. My partner was pretty vague (like I usually am) but had this image on a pinterest board about her favourite quilt colours....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFCPyjJI-krjIF4O5NQ84XGk7D0cTgbX0VKVJHzBpeBziDhcgMfG1s_4cjCl7LGYoKfaq7yYpW6UFJfe_a0QnAnb_Am_VVUxAoNgnLGjk5msdPChV8CrPfNrpZnDcZCjJxLfU4-1v2Acy/s1600/Atlas_39_700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFCPyjJI-krjIF4O5NQ84XGk7D0cTgbX0VKVJHzBpeBziDhcgMfG1s_4cjCl7LGYoKfaq7yYpW6UFJfe_a0QnAnb_Am_VVUxAoNgnLGjk5msdPChV8CrPfNrpZnDcZCjJxLfU4-1v2Acy/s1600/Atlas_39_700.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from a great site : <a href="http://www.inaluxe.com/">http://www.inaluxe.com/</a></td></tr>
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So I chose to <strike>copy slavishly</strike> use it for inspiration and came up with this....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oPdMrAtql0g/VKfr_nCBf7I/AAAAAAAALlM/6nSymLAG5yY/s1600/20141130_155248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oPdMrAtql0g/VKfr_nCBf7I/AAAAAAAALlM/6nSymLAG5yY/s1600/20141130_155248.jpg" height="387" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">paper pieced from a made up, slightly wonky hand drawn pattern</td></tr>
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My partner went on a big overseas holiday the day I posted this to New Zealand so I don't really know whether it was what she wanted, but hey she liked it on Instagram so that was a relief.<br />
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I was fortunate enough to have Nikki from t<a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/theochiltree" target="_blank">he Ochil Tree</a> as my making partner. I have long been a major fan of Nikki's work so was stoked with this lovely Cotton & Steel creation...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">usual apologies for crap photo</td></tr>
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On Hogmanay, I spent two hours in a loud (but I have to say quite lovely) soft play centre where the wee man hooned around and I tried to draft my crafting goals for 2015. The notebook I used had my "to do" list for 2013 and 2014 and it would seem that I have achieved almost nothing from either list. I could cross out 2014 and write 2015 (which is basically what I did in last year) but no. I have a slightly different plan. Use what I have learned, namely:</div>
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<li>setting goals for the year doesn't really work as it is easy to think "<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ma%C3%B1ana" target="_blank">manana, manana</a>". Perhaps setting myself a monthly make or WIP to complete would work better. Chunk things down, as it were.</li>
<li>I use "fear" as an excuse not to start things. Even things I've done before so shouldn't be frightened of.</li>
<li>I can be creative and driven (bonadoochi, even the mini quilt up there ^^ shows that I think) when I am inspired.</li>
<li>I am super untidy and it stifles me. I need to get my sh*t organised so I can feel less burdened by it all.</li>
<li>My health has a direct impact on McMojo and having spent the last 6 months in various stages of poorliness, it's time to set up and take responsibility for becoming healthier. I hope that this involves #sweatnsew but it will definitely mean better eating. I am loving "<a href="http://annajones.co.uk/book/" target="_blank">A Modern Way to Eat" by Anna Jones</a> and feel inspired to return to my vegetarian past (part time anyway) as a way of boosting my immune system.</li>
<li>McMojo will not be told what to do. For much of the past few months, I have tried to make her go to rehab, she said no, no, no! I need to trust that McMojo will work it out and come home to me. I really think she is on her way back, which is nice. She needs to be inspired home.</li>
<li>I love love love Instagram but miss the in-depth inspiration that blogs give me. I have badly neglected my blog reading and commenting this year (I feel really bad about this). I hate Bloglovin' with an unnecessary passion so need to sort all of this out. Inspiration from my fellow creators is key to pushing me on.</li>
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So here is my plan, I am going to buy myself a new sewing machine this year (not sure which one) <b>but </b>will only do so if I actually use my current one and finish things. I am not going to list what I will make now as things change and you never know what direction they will take but there are a number of WIPS that need whipped and some things I'd really like to make. I will aim for one make a month, excluding bee blocks! I will try not to get enticed by swaps but never say never. </div>
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Onwards and upwards (now to find my seam ripper under all of this mess......)</div>
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moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-2934416052068643802014-12-14T11:57:00.000+00:002014-12-14T11:57:02.244+00:00bonadoochiI am extremely fortunate that I have some amazing friends, many of whom I don't get to see very often but when we do get together, we just pick up where we left off. As is the way of things, some of them have had to endure some real hardship over the past couple of years and it is always difficult when you feel that you can't be there as much as you would like to help and support them. The recipients of the first quilt I have finished this year are a perfect case in point. I have been friends with D for many years; indeed, he was the originator of my kettleboiler moniker. In my mid 20s, many a Friday night was spent in the Black Bull pub in Edinburgh with him and others, hogging the juke box and laughing to some truly terrible but always hilarious jokes. When we all started to gradually move away, D was the constant there. <br />
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He was friends with S for years and when they reconnected, they did so through letters. This resonated with me as my mum and dad met when they became penpals and much of their early courting was through letters. 10 years ago, D and S got married and we were fortunate enough to be in attendance. D made <i>THE</i> best speech I have ever witnessed, and left most women in tears and most men cursing him for the grief they would be getting later on! They became a beautiful blended family, joined by their own little J, with the usual ups and downs that life throws up. A couple of years ago, S's sister passed away unexpectedly on the same day as my mum did. Almost exactly a year later, S lost her mum too. So this year, they decided to reclaim the summer and, as it was their 10th wedding anniversary year, they chose to renew their wedding vows and show the kids that good things happen too. <br />
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I decided to make them a quilt to help them celebrate. I asked D if they had a favourite song and he mentioned "Everyone's Gotta Learn Sometimes" by the Korgis as one of them so I thought I could include some of the lyrics in their quilt. The initial idea was to have the whole chorus but realising that this would mean the quilt would take until their 20th anniversary to finish, I reigned in the ambition. Also, I got my quilt maths wrong so it would have meant an superkingsizer. </div>
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Although it has taken me a little longer than I hoped to get it done, the Bonadoochi quilt is finished and ready to be delivered in person next weekend...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the not quite finished quilt top</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YsnAMxISESOGW6fqg-Z6arWXWGFVvbBC0tNSTebgV5aEh06udw99Nohy3KT7s_vY6eN-fCaSJZIfwt1o_I_bhF6zt7rz5LEYBZycRkmCbDP19hD9PlKUYlrEQhqyKsVZ1OWL_ypih9Hs/s1600/bonadoochi1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YsnAMxISESOGW6fqg-Z6arWXWGFVvbBC0tNSTebgV5aEh06udw99Nohy3KT7s_vY6eN-fCaSJZIfwt1o_I_bhF6zt7rz5LEYBZycRkmCbDP19hD9PlKUYlrEQhqyKsVZ1OWL_ypih9Hs/s1600/bonadoochi1.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little trudification happened</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyICftOnBi11npkInELo81jsnuKJhqbfrQHvmq14Ss26_9uu18AFWtyl0jNja1cTgEVBmk2nVBarWwLrBk7Qy_RJqqTNLivrnrlt5F-i5aZK7btA5eoso0DVg-JpjtQNpoewbMjzAJZ3wc/s1600/bonadoochi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyICftOnBi11npkInELo81jsnuKJhqbfrQHvmq14Ss26_9uu18AFWtyl0jNja1cTgEVBmk2nVBarWwLrBk7Qy_RJqqTNLivrnrlt5F-i5aZK7btA5eoso0DVg-JpjtQNpoewbMjzAJZ3wc/s1600/bonadoochi2.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">..with some personalisation too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMZdbrPSqD_58uvprlDEGfzloDNROgVmGf0lJkenHYQ3SYFUWsEB4q6YS8aa_PQQxKvQ6WLja_kENJ_y2kkicKNjzweD9_SiaL5KGI0NTBLGFuQz3tS96j8Hq3sBkJivWEdZO_W09Ve6m/s1600/20140913_151127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMZdbrPSqD_58uvprlDEGfzloDNROgVmGf0lJkenHYQ3SYFUWsEB4q6YS8aa_PQQxKvQ6WLja_kENJ_y2kkicKNjzweD9_SiaL5KGI0NTBLGFuQz3tS96j8Hq3sBkJivWEdZO_W09Ve6m/s1600/20140913_151127.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">backed with Tula Pink's Bird and Bees - can you see the join?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeWvyylWOsxnupMhJZJvxEaTWg7MjE9pUrU9GKAdZwsK7RuGEKEHQ8rrRUSqYu5uS8YUVbLYifcaAXY_BLF79OulsxKknkdlLMxKK9p_vePvivQc_5YDXFpjLzU-wrN3ScxzTsNeKGXTe/s1600/20141129_143754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeWvyylWOsxnupMhJZJvxEaTWg7MjE9pUrU9GKAdZwsK7RuGEKEHQ8rrRUSqYu5uS8YUVbLYifcaAXY_BLF79OulsxKknkdlLMxKK9p_vePvivQc_5YDXFpjLzU-wrN3ScxzTsNeKGXTe/s1600/20141129_143754.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thanks to my quilt hangers!</td></tr>
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It's mahoosive at around 80" x 90". There was no way I could quilt this beast myself so it was given some beautiful Trudification by Trudi. You can see that she quilted "S and D" in the central heart for me. It's backed with some Tula Pink's Birds and Bees and bound with a couple of Denyse Schmidt Chicopee prints and a AMH Innocent crush one.<br />
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I love this quilt. The paper pieced letters were a b*gger at times but worth it (<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/just-my-type-lowercase-alphabet-/45056" target="_blank">just my type by Kristy at Quiet Play</a>). It's my own design. I used <a href="http://www.misformake.co.uk/collections/thangles" target="_blank">thangles </a>for the HSTs that made up the heart and they rock! It's not perfect but I'm (almost) cool with that. I am looking forward to seeing my friends again soon and handing it over. This is the reason I love sewing and quilting. Of course, it's all about me!</div>
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moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-78868520332512476932014-10-21T10:47:00.001+01:002014-10-21T10:47:13.574+01:00the road to recoverySo, if I was bucket list-minded, I could now add and tick off "catch pneumonia" to the list. Not much fun, especially when Laughing Boy caught it too (well, I caught it from him) and, to be fair, his was much worse #obvs. We don't do things by halves, chez kettleboiler! Still, the drugs have worked and we are both on the road to recovery. Neither of us are back to work yet, but it's heading that way. Poor wee man, it's definitely not much fun having two sick parents and he keeps telling me that he is just too poorly to do as he is told. Thankfully, he is fit and well.<br />
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A long winded way of apologising for not announcing my giveaway winner sooner. Drum roll please.....<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVWLL2nmBrs/VEYnY-yz73I/AAAAAAAALHg/bbABe3a9dc0/s1600/Fullscreen%2Bcapture%2B21102014%2B102717.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVWLL2nmBrs/VEYnY-yz73I/AAAAAAAALHg/bbABe3a9dc0/s1600/Fullscreen%2Bcapture%2B21102014%2B102717.bmp.jpg" height="56" width="640" /></a></div>
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Congratulations Sue (mumasu), I'll be in touch via email to work out the details with you. And I love your suggestion too! Thank you to everyone who provided a mocktail or booze free suggestion. Lots of you opting for a nice cuppa tea #classy. I have to admit I did have one hot toddy (whisky based) when I was super poorly but that was purely medicinal. <br />
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I am hoping to dust down old Bertha this afternoon and do some sewing. I have been occupying my convalescing time (when not kipping!) with my first ever cross stitch....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKNI3SKrANI/VEYpmfllNtI/AAAAAAAALHw/QGxON3FDOKo/s1600/20141015_110553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKNI3SKrANI/VEYpmfllNtI/AAAAAAAALHw/QGxON3FDOKo/s1600/20141015_110553.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HUG by Emily Peacock</td></tr>
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See, further proof that I don't do things by halves! It's for my sister's 40th which was last year (long story!) so she may get it <strike>in time for her 50th! </strike> hopefully early next year.<br />
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Right, off to the sofa for a nanna nap (oh for those days when it was a disco nap!)....<br />
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<br />moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-84941882604346877182014-09-29T16:00:00.000+01:002014-09-29T16:00:57.686+01:00the "about flipping time" giveawayMcMojo is still suffering from Buckfast withdrawals (let's not talk about the deep fried pizza cravings) so progress is slow but there is progress, which means that we're heading in the right direction. Anyway, this is my 200th blogpost, which has taken wa-a-a-y longer to reach than I'd thought it would. By some bizarre co-incidence, I now have just over 200 instagram followers and more followers on bloglovin' than I ever expected. And I haven't had a giveaway for <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Yonks" target="_blank">yonks</a> so, it's definitely time for an "about flipping time" giveaway.<br />
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Here's what's up for grabs....<br />
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I've had much fun making divided baskets for my friends to use as nappy holders and generally enjoy <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/" target="_blank">Anna's patterns</a> so I am offering to make the winner a noodle-head pattern of her choice....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe0sysu_9C6mOqqFp1GkBOHDLyLPWVONTer0z7A37nYZC4phFvRAbo78HJu4oM_wiZ-cswui0i7JIEjIFLeW0sbAYSo-id_dCcTny8Q3W_hntIDHahPmdIu8YMuZ0eDEutCYaRKCmoetF/s1600/noodle-head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe0sysu_9C6mOqqFp1GkBOHDLyLPWVONTer0z7A37nYZC4phFvRAbo78HJu4oM_wiZ-cswui0i7JIEjIFLeW0sbAYSo-id_dCcTny8Q3W_hntIDHahPmdIu8YMuZ0eDEutCYaRKCmoetF/s1600/noodle-head.jpg" height="521" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">here are the options from the noodle-head shop</td></tr>
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I'll also include the social tote with the options about<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="social tote_carolyn friedlander and anna graham" src="http://carolynfriedlander.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/social-tote_carolyn-friedlander_1000px-788x706.jpg" height="357" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">courtesy of carolyn friedlander's website</td></tr>
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I've tried to do this Rafflecopter thingy so that I'm totally down with the kids, lolz or somesuch! I hope it works!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/511b101e0/" id="rc-511b101e0" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Basically, answer the question for one chance to win and for an optional second chance, follow me on instagram. Simples. Open to all. Oh, and I will try really hard to get the finished thing to you by Christmas (McMojo permitting!).<br />
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Like others, I'm planning to Go Sober in October. This will be in memory of the parents of my best friend who both passed away in the same week in September. I am not collecting sponsorship myself, but if you would like to donate a little something please do so either via <a href="https://gosober.org.uk/profile/luiserussell" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3b5998; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">https://gosober.org.uk/profile/luiserussell</span></span> </a> or <a href="http://www.pippaspatch.com/" target="_blank">Pippa's</a> link <a href="https://gosober.org.uk/profile/pippaparsons" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3b5998; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">https://gosober.org.uk/profile/</span></span>pippaparsons </a></div>
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moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-62200564558740000462014-09-22T22:04:00.003+01:002014-09-22T22:04:41.403+01:00tried to make me go to rehab.....So as you will know, McMojo has been MIA pretty much all summer. I <i>may </i>have mentioned it <strike>all the chuffing time</strike> now and again! Whenever she's shown her sorry face round these parts, it's been tough. All I really achieved in the past month or so was a few skirts as bday gifts for the wee man's friends....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWw-CFeGSFk/VCCEt8f5NRI/AAAAAAAALCs/sma1hG5Aglw/s1600/IMG_20140826_203425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWw-CFeGSFk/VCCEt8f5NRI/AAAAAAAALCs/sma1hG5Aglw/s1600/IMG_20140826_203425.jpg" height="400" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">summer whimsy skirts with pockets! A great free pattern/tutorial from <a href="http://cailamade.com/summer-whimsy-skirt-a-tutorial/" target="_blank">CailaMade</a></td></tr>
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A couple of seriously late bee blocks that nearly did me in....I think McMojo had the DTs!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3Wu7zfYu3Y/VCCCNTa1mJI/AAAAAAAAK60/qHnJmAzgYRA/s1600/20140824_160634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3Wu7zfYu3Y/VCCCNTa1mJI/AAAAAAAAK60/qHnJmAzgYRA/s1600/20140824_160634.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">going to be a fun Aliens Love Underpants quilt though..</td></tr>
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I really wanted these blocks to turn out so much better than they did but at least I finally worked out how to use a ruler!<br />
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McMojo started to play nice a couple of days later and so I managed to piece the backing for the bonadoochi quilt. Can you see the join?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoUHwZivd0Q/VCCE7h-HxJI/AAAAAAAALD0/VDMiBMp2tLc/s1600/20140913_151127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoUHwZivd0Q/VCCE7h-HxJI/AAAAAAAALD0/VDMiBMp2tLc/s1600/20140913_151127.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">squeee!</td></tr>
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Some of the birds have bee heads and some of the bees have bird butts; still I am pretty stoked with how it worked out.!<br />
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Last week I had a week's leave (well, 3 days) to recover from some serious hard work and a pretty rubbish cold, to prepare for and celebrate the wee man's 3rd birthday (WTF!) and to have some sewing time. That boiled done to Thursday and one day's sewing to tackle a bee block mountain that won't go away. I went to find McMojo and staged an intervention. Rehab baby yeah!<br />
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First up, a litre of coffee and some left over birthday cake (chocolate victoria sponge sandwiched with white choc butter icing and covered in choc fudge icing, since you asked) then a divided basket that needed to be handed over as a gift the next day...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B03YY3-TRaE/VCCFAj2vk3I/AAAAAAAALD8/uofobGLAQv0/s1600/20140918_120556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B03YY3-TRaE/VCCFAj2vk3I/AAAAAAAALD8/uofobGLAQv0/s1600/20140918_120556.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">check jamiecat's lazy "am I bovvered?" photobomb!</td></tr>
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BOOM!<br />
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Next up, some more Bumbling Honey bee blocks...this time for Clare<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QqHlkgWrdo/VCCFH86x2vI/AAAAAAAALEE/v-2ZBE6XJQ4/s1600/20140918_132201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QqHlkgWrdo/VCCFH86x2vI/AAAAAAAALEE/v-2ZBE6XJQ4/s1600/20140918_132201.jpg" height="212" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some really neat points there</td></tr>
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BOOYAKASHA! Followed by a quick "<a href="http://www.uk.tlc.com/shows/say-yes-to-the-dress/" target="_blank">Say Yes To The Dress</a>" and cake break.<br />
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Finally, I tackled a bee block that should have been done way back in February *hangs head in shame*. Beth asked for everyone to make a flower representative of where they live as part of the Quilt Around the World II bee so there were many lovely and diverse blocks. I was the last stop on the journey and they have been sat sitting on my sewing table for a long time. I was always planning to make a thistle and since it was referendum day on Thursday, it felt right to get it done and done.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQ3Bk-_WPbA/VCCFP4jUmkI/AAAAAAAALEM/98C4Ivj2gY4/s1600/20140918_160239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQ3Bk-_WPbA/VCCFP4jUmkI/AAAAAAAALEM/98C4Ivj2gY4/s1600/20140918_160239.jpg" height="388" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shmapplique people!</td></tr>
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I should have chosen a darker background fabric but it kind of rocks. Here are the blocks all together...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYDf_wSxUy4/VCCFTryl_nI/AAAAAAAALEY/LzMiJG3dquw/s1600/20140918_161525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYDf_wSxUy4/VCCFTryl_nI/AAAAAAAALEY/LzMiJG3dquw/s1600/20140918_161525.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty neat, huh?</td></tr>
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And that photoshoot signalled the end of Intervention Day 1. Phew! And to prove that McMojo is on the road to recovery, I managed to do some sewing over the weekend....more bee blocks, of course! This time for the lovely Sue and rounds off the 2013 Bumbling Honeys bee for me<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RwqbDL0Updg/VCCFZmnD9xI/AAAAAAAALEg/rPVJiVuFvvo/s1600/20140921_120631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RwqbDL0Updg/VCCFZmnD9xI/AAAAAAAALEg/rPVJiVuFvvo/s1600/20140921_120631.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">captured in the lovely September sun</td></tr>
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I see a scrap vomit quilt in my future! I still have three sets of bee blocks to do but at least the pile is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munro" target="_blank">less of a Munro</a>.<br />
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And for all of you brave souls who have lasted this long, here's the other reason that sewing has taken a bit of a back seat recently....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb1MN1DOxDk/VCCE4ADSUUI/AAAAAAAALDs/BECjbq4YlDk/s1600/20140912_183354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb1MN1DOxDk/VCCE4ADSUUI/AAAAAAAALDs/BECjbq4YlDk/s1600/20140912_183354.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">either singing or yelling poo...it's always one or the other!</td></tr>
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Happy birthday, my sweet boy xmoirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-60258853977154286932014-09-08T02:00:00.000+01:002014-09-09T17:10:18.958+01:00around the world blog hopThe lovely <a href="http://theelvengarden.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jess </a>has asked me to join in with the Around the World blog hop...<br />
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I usually shy away from some such but (a) Jess asked! and (b) she said I don't need to make anything for it which is brilliant cos my mojo is still hunkered down being the bikesheds, with a bottle of Buckfast and a massive deep fried pizza supper. The idea is pretty simple, answer some questions and then invite someone else to hop on board. So here goes....<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>1. What am I working on?</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Well, I think my intro answers this question! What I <i>should</i> be working on is a massive pile of bee blocks, a baby shower present for my friend who has already had the little guy and piecing the backing for my bonadoochi quilt so it can be sent off for some Trudification. I have a week's leave coming up so am praying that McMojo gets its a**e back here sharpish.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Wowsers, now </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">that's </i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">a question! I am a follower not a leader when it comes to creative things so probably not that much, other than being not as good. When I started out, I was a slave to others' patterns and initially, I even wanted to use exactly the same fabric. I guess this is quite common. As my practice has developed, I feel more comfortable going off piste and have started designing my own quilts - well not in a " design, write a pattern, tell the world" way, more of a "I fancy it looking a bit like this, let's see if it works" kind of way. The way I'm different is probably that I don't go in linear "plan-choose fabric-cut all fabric-sew all blocks-make quilt top" - believe me I wish I would, it would be far more efficient and far less annoying! I'm a "plan- choose some of the fabric-cut a small amount-start sewing-change plan--buy more fabric-cut some more-sew some more-rejig plan" repeat until finished or dead kind of girl at the moment.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>3. Why do I create what I do?</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I think there are a couple ways of answering this question. I have finally found a hobby that makes me feel creative, that I want to keep up with and develop and that pushes my boundaries and makes me feel that I'm more than just a mum/wife. I also love making things for people. My house has hardly any of my makes in it, just a couple of quilts, a cover for Nanny Plum, my Kitchen Aid mixer and one small fabric basket. No cushion covers, no piles of quilts to stroke on the way past, no table runners or place mats. Pretty much the bulk of what I make gets gifted to someone and this makes me happy (although I'm not sure it has the same effect on those receiving the gift!) </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>4. How does my creating process work?</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I kind of covered this in #2. I am influenced my lots of modern quilters (although I appreciate the term modern can be a contentious one). So a lot of the times, my plans are triggered by something they have done. Not necessarily the pattern, more the use of fabrics and colour. Unlike Jess (who I admire so much), I usually jump in with no firm plan and start sewing before I have even chosen all the fabric. I get so bored cutting out fabric, that this is done in shifts. It means that I change my mind on the fabric selection all the time and a lot of time is wasted worrying about this and ordering more just in case! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I've had EQ7 for a couple of years now but really only dabble round the edges. I am hoping to be more adventurous with it in the future. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">This wasn't one of the questions but this post got me thinking about where I am against where I was and where I want to go, if that makes sense. It is always easiest to bemoan the fact that you don't feel as good/creative/productive as others out there but it's good to reflect on how far you have come on your own journey. I started off with little belief in my own creativity and therefore followed others slavishly at first but as I have gotten more confident with my sewing, I can see that I am more confident in my design choices. I look at Jess, for example, and marvel at her journey. But we are all different and it's important that you take time to appreciate your achievements, even if they are slower or smaller than those you measure yourself against. I wish I was more adept and more creative but I am enjoying my journey, even if it is a little more meandering than I'd really like.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I've asked <a href="http://jeliquilts.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kelly over at JeliQuilts</a> to hop on - she is flipping amazing,the queen of the rainbow who seems to be taking over the world one flying goose at a time. Seriously, I love her aesthetic and she's hilarious too...what's not to love?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-34317497601733845042014-08-24T19:08:00.004+01:002014-08-24T19:08:29.958+01:00Bandwagon jumpin'I am in the middle of my own sewing hell (bee block disaster zone) so thought I'd take some time out to ponder on some of the other "issues" with my quilty antics. Inspired by <a href="http://blog.pennydog.com/" target="_blank">Kerry @ Penny Dog</a>, who was inspired by <a href="http://www.mollisparkles.com/2014/08/10-quilty-little-secrets.html" target="_blank">Molli Sparkles</a>, who was inspired by <a href="http://www.13spools.com/" target="_blank">Amy @ 13spools</a>, ... some of my quilty little secrets<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.13spools.com/2014/08/10-quilty-little-secrets.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="13 Spools"><img alt="13 Spools" height="320" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3898/14755494527_9cc843b09d_c.jpg" style="border: none;" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">button available @ MolliSparkles</td></tr>
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<ol>
<li>I very rarely use pins. Maybe when I'm sewing large strips to each other and need them to line up properly, I'll use a couple of pins in the middle. I probably should use more but really who can be bothered?</li>
<li>I don't press, I iron. I start out with really good intentions <strike>every time</strike> sometimes but always end up ironing.</li>
<li>I rarely iron my fabrics before I cut them up. It causes me problems but if I'd realised how much ironing was involved, I may not have taken up this hobby/obsession.</li>
<li>I hate the cutting part, including trimming. I rarely cut everything out before I start sewing. Hugely inefficient but required for my sanity's sake.</li>
<li>I hate clashy clashy. It makes my head hurts. Which leads to....</li>
<li>Kaffe Fassett is definitely NOT my bag. And I'm not too bothered about Amy Butler either *ducks head*</li>
<li>Machine binding is not for me. I hate doing it and I dislike the look of it. I'm a hand binder, get over it.</li>
<li>I've had a 12.5 inch square ruler for nearly 4 years now and have only just worked out how the markings work. This discovery was made after trimming bee blocks this afternoon, hence my current foul mood.</li>
<li>Applique Shmapplique. And while we're at it wonk shmonk! Of course, my fear of cutting and general stupidity with rulers means that I unintentionally wonk. So maybe that should be intentional wonk shmintentional shmonk.</li>
<li>One of my most treasured things is a mini quilt I got in Brit Quilt Swap and I've just signed up for Curly Boy's IG mini quilt swap because I can't see a bandwagon without jumping on. But mini quilts...what is point? #contrarymary #thron</li>
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Have a look around blogland and you'll see that your own quilty little secrets may be more common that you think!</div>
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<br />moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-37120166851734177292014-08-16T12:01:00.000+01:002014-08-16T12:01:19.168+01:00judging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, it would seem that my sewing mojo is on extended vacay so there's not much sewing action Chez 'boiler. I have managed to get some quilt fix though, mostly through this year's Festival of Quilts. After last year's disappointments, I rashly announced that we would not be gracing the FoQ with our presence this year. But I soon caved, partly because the EMMQG submitted a competition quilt into the Group Quilt category. It was handed over at the last possible minute after some demon Trudification and hand finishing by Mary G, so it would have been rude not to go check it out. Here it is in its hung glory....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mNWdDEzK2hd_gTQr1D_nDXVzetaewD91MH0ovJQT4hFiHQq-UjQFtwMl4uhyFGKwLarMQp7UAcDiqG2pOpzuakzjh59BUvieLxWFwa0lLb2L74dHALN1tz1Jnlqbyv4WJMCochwgMXey/s1600/20140809_114437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mNWdDEzK2hd_gTQr1D_nDXVzetaewD91MH0ovJQT4hFiHQq-UjQFtwMl4uhyFGKwLarMQp7UAcDiqG2pOpzuakzjh59BUvieLxWFwa0lLb2L74dHALN1tz1Jnlqbyv4WJMCochwgMXey/s1600/20140809_114437.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#519 Where We Live</td></tr>
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The idea was to do "improv" blocks representing an image of where we live. Improv in this context meant do what you want. No quilt police/pedants here. So it represents the East Midlands from West (bottom) to East (top), with Bridget's panel at the bottom, then Kerry's, then Hannah's and finally Trudi's at the top. I did the sashing, Trudi quilted and Mary finished. The others gave advice and guidance throughout the process. For most of us, it was the first time submitting a quilt, doing improv, working without a pattern. I think the quilt works really well and it did not look out of place in the FoQ. I am proper chuffed!<br />
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So, when the wee man and I took a road trip to pick it up yesterday (last one to be collected...last chicken in sainsbury's?!), I was really keen to see the feedback from the judges. The envelope was finally located and here are the results..... this was first out of the envelope...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1W9ldNTssRM/U-8wtOdxIEI/AAAAAAAAKzE/KeXR0X6xjqs/s1600/IMG_20140815_155710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1W9ldNTssRM/U-8wtOdxIEI/AAAAAAAAKzE/KeXR0X6xjqs/s1600/IMG_20140815_155710.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmmm</td></tr>
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I was a bit miffed when I read it. It didn't seem to fit with the comments. How can you comment on the quilt hanging well and then give it "satisfactory" for that element. And... hello... the quilting needs work? Are you joking?<br />
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So it was with a little trepidation that I unfolded the comment sheet from judge #2....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfQkfgnCdXM/U-8whxzmXFI/AAAAAAAAKy8/LW-9KjdmRsU/s1600/IMG_20140815_160146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfQkfgnCdXM/U-8whxzmXFI/AAAAAAAAKy8/LW-9KjdmRsU/s1600/IMG_20140815_160146.jpg" height="640" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that's more like it!</td></tr>
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It's difficult to read the comments but it says "fresh treatment, successful combination". A totally different opinion then. In fact, here the "quilting: design and execution" element is given an Excellent mark! I just don't understand the inconsistency. Now, it's all noise really. The EMMQG ladies should be really pleased with the end result. But, if we are to learn from our first foray into competition quilts and use the feedback to help plan our next one, how can we with this feedback? I know, I know....it's all in the eye of the beholder. One person's winning quilt is another person's WTF?!<br />
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This is a perennial issue. I have commented on a number of blog posts and IG photos bemoaning the feedback received. At least we didn't get a comment on the lack of brown batiks! So I guess it comes down to subjective, personal, individual taste and in that case I FREAKING LOVE IT!<br />
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As for the rest of the quilts, a much better year than last year, in my opinion. We were a little disorganised this year so didn't manage to see everything but here is a little selection of my favourites (no names, obvs!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyRn1Cbmh3FNIcT-hD6kxDLZcV_Q1P0IRggSTsejSFvuTcBcjLatRB8JXbuMIT6tbCGjy-hhSbQP6YGZUeh2XNqxICWIznv4v38Hyvw4qXZXDOtqfgAZL3ncXYwWh5En4ICtDp1WBSR4X/s1600/20140809_154858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyRn1Cbmh3FNIcT-hD6kxDLZcV_Q1P0IRggSTsejSFvuTcBcjLatRB8JXbuMIT6tbCGjy-hhSbQP6YGZUeh2XNqxICWIznv4v38Hyvw4qXZXDOtqfgAZL3ncXYwWh5En4ICtDp1WBSR4X/s1600/20140809_154858.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you had to be there</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7nQ-cfdOP1qsKfLMQZTmKmJXg6YQ0BIe3WZ7wTzf-TAIQHaKkExtDmIBbyq-NoQVDlvQzHFq9Mnw6jmCsSA3FdJac6v2LyQkIc9PksfCi4xduAL_xKT4xGEgYh9FbTSaf1EZ3atuAEAJ/s1600/20140809_154937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7nQ-cfdOP1qsKfLMQZTmKmJXg6YQ0BIe3WZ7wTzf-TAIQHaKkExtDmIBbyq-NoQVDlvQzHFq9Mnw6jmCsSA3FdJac6v2LyQkIc9PksfCi4xduAL_xKT4xGEgYh9FbTSaf1EZ3atuAEAJ/s1600/20140809_154937.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">absolutely LOVED this - well done, Reene</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZc5az--sEk/U-8xPGZgy1I/AAAAAAAAKzg/ws-r2LQCTLY/s1600/20140809_155246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZc5az--sEk/U-8xPGZgy1I/AAAAAAAAKzg/ws-r2LQCTLY/s1600/20140809_155246.jpg" height="400" width="333" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">made with shards of denim</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWwq9QQ9bJ71COZ39inu7OV56QhcY7JWOjjKJhFNXPi_Pc5ddtvV1h-jR2aTAHmJze9POuy2KcbX4yRmEBwMMAV0Hy_2bBWgWZ59ItXcZi0o7vR-wlAPKEeIkefJP7YDdSSJQgWdVbVS3/s1600/20140809_154648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWwq9QQ9bJ71COZ39inu7OV56QhcY7JWOjjKJhFNXPi_Pc5ddtvV1h-jR2aTAHmJze9POuy2KcbX4yRmEBwMMAV0Hy_2bBWgWZ59ItXcZi0o7vR-wlAPKEeIkefJP7YDdSSJQgWdVbVS3/s1600/20140809_154648.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amazing points</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWB-RIzmUl3klRgnAPy18a2QTbfAWRzjVsPyWqnt_ZYEF3XtbFfR7BexLxBUWfBgPk0Y9gVpAQLKX3YAQ0SzKeOyB_Dv1WTRhnudjC-UQ3zwc54Dc2ibYgrHIDHS_MTQG-f0R2KbO18RHZ/s1600/20140809_155050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWB-RIzmUl3klRgnAPy18a2QTbfAWRzjVsPyWqnt_ZYEF3XtbFfR7BexLxBUWfBgPk0Y9gVpAQLKX3YAQ0SzKeOyB_Dv1WTRhnudjC-UQ3zwc54Dc2ibYgrHIDHS_MTQG-f0R2KbO18RHZ/s1600/20140809_155050.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loved this</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5UUTiCiVaq697KhU0rYKdgO03743Zll9JhJg4-nKl1X-mC7fcvX0KmpEOtg6feHqgFUhPtoxcQlWOOj40q3ZyD_QHHg-fBA7DztTcCB2RIZUWNZLznentTGkCCfLmC43JS6HxyfHccX9/s1600/20140809_150442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5UUTiCiVaq697KhU0rYKdgO03743Zll9JhJg4-nKl1X-mC7fcvX0KmpEOtg6feHqgFUhPtoxcQlWOOj40q3ZyD_QHHg-fBA7DztTcCB2RIZUWNZLznentTGkCCfLmC43JS6HxyfHccX9/s1600/20140809_150442.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not in competition but a Shevvy beauty </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8xSNv1Whyphenhyphen9plWJn0AdYDP4GuuFBm4Zip-K9tZuS9Nwks33CfJZ85zcS13KjPSpudj6jPeOBVHsfyYJTfG6-nnzbA7lfYCksmyxYQ2obmPdR2gokZtPzbpEU4Ox3MaLzyClTRXj-F9Ar-/s1600/20140809_154846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8xSNv1Whyphenhyphen9plWJn0AdYDP4GuuFBm4Zip-K9tZuS9Nwks33CfJZ85zcS13KjPSpudj6jPeOBVHsfyYJTfG6-nnzbA7lfYCksmyxYQ2obmPdR2gokZtPzbpEU4Ox3MaLzyClTRXj-F9Ar-/s1600/20140809_154846.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqq5Y827qGPa2jvPNURj9OT960pofESmpIvkf_LoulwIsuzo_3JkQ8OHV4x8h-pwca08xVGRchdqtPpvNXF2ctRcygISTWiSsj0g-SiNYmxdubsj1ilGkc4sRJbH7Xs94khE1qnBv71WVq/s1600/20140809_123700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqq5Y827qGPa2jvPNURj9OT960pofESmpIvkf_LoulwIsuzo_3JkQ8OHV4x8h-pwca08xVGRchdqtPpvNXF2ctRcygISTWiSsj0g-SiNYmxdubsj1ilGkc4sRJbH7Xs94khE1qnBv71WVq/s1600/20140809_123700.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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There was a fabric grandfather clock which was utterly astounding, in a "but why would you?" way. And lots of others that I forgot to photograph.<br />
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And I was very restrained, purchase wise...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9psXYDF8mw/U-8w3WnDxxI/AAAAAAAAKzQ/ZKbS1JywlO4/s1600/IMG_20140810_104506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9psXYDF8mw/U-8w3WnDxxI/AAAAAAAAKzQ/ZKbS1JywlO4/s1600/IMG_20140810_104506.jpg" height="400" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">£6 a metre! It would be rude not to.</td></tr>
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I missed as many people as I saw. We went on Saturday and it seemed much less busy than expected, which was nice. A good day, all told.<br />
<br />moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-72650997715382489302014-07-15T13:22:00.003+01:002014-07-15T13:26:30.095+01:00slowly does it<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Thank you to the lovely </span><a href="http://www.knottedcotton.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Catherine </a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">for asking me to host this month's </span><a href="http://www.knottedcotton.com/p/slow-blog-manifesto.html" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Slow Blogger linky party</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">. </span><br />
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Don't know about you but sewing is taking a back seat for me at the moment. June was rammed with other stuff and now July feels pressured to catch up, especially after all that time spent on the <a href="http://kettleboiler.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/jazz-legs.html" target="_blank">Bonadoochi</a> beast. As usual, instead of getting down to what needs done, I decided to make a couple of birthday presents for the wee man's friends. It's the start of birthday season so I think I've just set myself up for trouble....<br />
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I knocked up this lovely top up in a couple of hours the other night but it would have taken much less than that if I hadn't had to unpick the neck to retrieve the elastic that I accidentally let go of #fool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EtPxkWI5VlE/U8LNgir_SeI/AAAAAAAAKfk/KA5eSFvNNjk/s1600/IMG_20140712_220753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EtPxkWI5VlE/U8LNgir_SeI/AAAAAAAAKfk/KA5eSFvNNjk/s1600/IMG_20140712_220753.jpg" height="400" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T3 peasant top</td></tr>
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I didn't have enough of the MoMo butterfly fabric to do the arms as well but I think the DS fabric went well with it. The MoMo fabric has been in my stash for about 4 years (oh the shame!) but I used some new to me <a href="http://www.thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk/sewing-patchwork/notions-tools/misc/soak-flatter-scentless" target="_blank">Soak Flatter</a> on it and the creases fell out brilliantly. I am chuffed to say that it is french seamed to the max too!<br />
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I find it more difficult to make for boys so I bought something and made a gift bag..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgST2ZXWMrPmSEdUmohiOeSVjAI0MFdNmUyxX06VW6pD9l4SxSOGrP-JgzC6Egzc8ikv9DXjpynyoOA5TmU7ICg6vZRE_EIMWvky9Yu6_Ck2Z9XXJthGZZJSvjDO1sRtehwylcTPBUxvIVd/s1600/20140711_213052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgST2ZXWMrPmSEdUmohiOeSVjAI0MFdNmUyxX06VW6pD9l4SxSOGrP-JgzC6Egzc8ikv9DXjpynyoOA5TmU7ICg6vZRE_EIMWvky9Yu6_Ck2Z9XXJthGZZJSvjDO1sRtehwylcTPBUxvIVd/s1600/20140711_213052.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apologies for the crap camera phone photo</td></tr>
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I'm going to try a crayon roll for the next boy gift I think. Or I was thinking about aprons? Any other ideas?<br />
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What have you been up to? <br />
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[sorry there's no photo option linkwise this time - they want to charge me $20 for the privilege and it's mid month, John Lewis had 50% Tula Pink and cotton&steel went on sale so it's not an option for me this time]<br />
<br />moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-73606498500132730892014-07-05T16:37:00.003+01:002014-07-05T16:37:35.274+01:00Jazz LegsEveryone has heard of Jazz Hands. My mum had Jazz Legs...from the knee down they are a whirlwind of activity when she was excited. It was hilarious - they were out of control. I caught myself having Jazz Legs for the first time recently, when playing with the wee man. It's hereditary! I have just experienced Jazz Legs again about 10 minutes ago when I finally finished* piecing the behemoth that is the Bonadoochi Quilt...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BsqimXcfu_c/U7gVMUiIVjI/AAAAAAAAKbY/pqTs8diSoC0/s1600/IMG_20140705_153501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BsqimXcfu_c/U7gVMUiIVjI/AAAAAAAAKbY/pqTs8diSoC0/s1600/IMG_20140705_153501.jpg" height="400" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pinning the last seam*</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVuWtPkOgVs/U7gVGAde2qI/AAAAAAAAKbQ/6G1CHWBkPZY/s1600/20140705_154925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVuWtPkOgVs/U7gVGAde2qI/AAAAAAAAKbQ/6G1CHWBkPZY/s1600/20140705_154925.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my workspace is a little cramped!</td></tr>
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After a couple of abortive shots with Laughing Boy holding the quilt top, I decided to lay it out on the decking and do it myself, firstly with a chair...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpUCsn_Da9A/U7gUuUHzP8I/AAAAAAAAKbA/TdFCClF4XGk/s1600/20140705_160047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpUCsn_Da9A/U7gUuUHzP8I/AAAAAAAAKbA/TdFCClF4XGk/s1600/20140705_160047.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yay!</td></tr>
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then from the back bedroom window (which appears to be painted shut!)...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZCTGUMfmc8/U7gU1yqd1mI/AAAAAAAAKbI/iFGyMsVFAkI/s1600/20140705_160135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZCTGUMfmc8/U7gU1yqd1mI/AAAAAAAAKbI/iFGyMsVFAkI/s1600/20140705_160135.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">forgot to move the chair first!</td></tr>
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This is the biggest quilt I've ever pieced - currently 75" x 80". I say currently and have included the * above because, after a quick validation from the lovelies on Instagram, I've decided to add a top and bottom sash so that the words don't get lost in the binding. So not quite finished but pretty damn close! Then, just the backing to piece then it's off to Trudi for some loving.<br />
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I have a mountain of abandoned bee sewing to crack on with...no rest for the wicked.... except not today as we are child free for the evening and off out to sit in the dark and not talk to each other [The 100-Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared].<br />
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Have a great weekend.<br />
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<br />moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-60744353276738866292014-06-04T21:39:00.000+01:002014-06-04T21:39:04.112+01:00WIP WednesdaySo summer has arrived and brought with her a shed load of rain #obvs. I think it was probably last summer when I did a WIP Wednesday post (and I'm also pretty sure it was raining too!). Anyway, I'm on a bit of a mission to get a gift quilt finished in time for the next EMMQG meeting at the end of June so it can head off for some <a href="http://trudi-quiltingprolifically.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Trudification</a>. <br />
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I've been doing my usual - cut a bit, sew a bit, change mind, redesign, cut some more, order some more fabric, sew a bit, realise that I should have worked out the quilt maths beforehand, cut loads more, sew wheens* more, lay it out to finally work out the design, change my mind, stop working in a huff.. you know, you all do it, right? Am I right? I'll get my coat! <br />
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So here's where I'm at....<br />
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one line of pp'd lyrics done<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdXaW6vaT10/U44mqVbPC-I/AAAAAAAAKKU/I3pbb-tzF5I/s1600/20140524_142724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdXaW6vaT10/U44mqVbPC-I/AAAAAAAAKKU/I3pbb-tzF5I/s1600/20140524_142724.jpg" height="88" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">measures about 60 inches long by 5 1/2 inches high</td></tr>
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Initial plans to incorporate 4 lines of lyrics as part of the heart....</div>
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Changed to having 2 lines of lyrics frame the heart top and bottom and another heart within the heart, kind of like this...<br />
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So I've sewn together four rows out of 16 and finally worked out what it's actually going to look like (probably)<br />
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Only three weeks to finish it off - given that each pp letter takes me a day and I have 12 to go, I'll be cutting it fine I think. I'm now realising how much I got done when the wee man napped in the afternoon #memories. Wish me luck!<br />
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Linking to Lee @ freshly pieced<br />
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*Scots for loadsmoirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-42190406867409979972014-05-08T16:28:00.001+01:002014-05-08T16:28:30.887+01:00biting off more than you can chew....I am actually, actually in the process of making a quilt. Not just thinking about it, not just trawling the tinterweb for possible fabric choices, not just fannying around on EQ7 designing something that could easily be drawn on a piece of paper with a pen. I've actually chosen the fabric, well some of it ;) I've cut some of the fabric up. I've started to sew things together. An actual quilt, not individual blocks for other people....not this time, no. A quilt for other people instead! Woohoo!<br />
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The following megablock took be chuffing days to do....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g1CyNN9urCM/U2ucnaJl5zI/AAAAAAAAKFo/fN5exkegM0Y/s1600/20140506_211517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g1CyNN9urCM/U2ucnaJl5zI/AAAAAAAAKFo/fN5exkegM0Y/s1600/20140506_211517.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is about 25" wide</td></tr>
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My idea is a gift for some dear friends of mine and I'm trying to incorporate some lyrics from one of "their" songs, you know. I originally printed out a huge wodge of PP letter templates from EQ7 but the letters were not reversed (fortunately I worked this out after half a letter!). I could not for the life of me work out how I could reverse the template in EQ7 without losing the will to live so I bought <a href="http://quietplay.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kristy @ Quiet Play'</a>s typography block templates and cracked on.......slowly! One word down, twelve more to go - may not have been my best laid plan but I also bought some <a href="http://www.misformake.co.uk/collections/thangles" target="_blank">Thangles</a> and am loving how quickly the HSTs are coming together so maybe it will even itself out.<br />
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I <i>may</i> have inadvertedly bought some fabric for that Washi pattern I bought last month...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1HD4sr7sdU/U2uc7LRdFhI/AAAAAAAAKF4/h_LeR8hcW9c/s1600/IMG_20140502_091734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1HD4sr7sdU/U2uc7LRdFhI/AAAAAAAAKF4/h_LeR8hcW9c/s1600/IMG_20140502_091734.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#no filter</td></tr>
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Some gorgeous nano iro double gauze from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MissMatatabi" target="_blank">Francis@Miss Matatabi</a> that cost me an additional 11 quid in customs charges #pffft<br />
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And after a challenging few days with the wee man, I decided to kill two birds with one stone with this...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1lEfCkEJyHI/U2udAbCOTdI/AAAAAAAAKGA/gqK06BVUVoY/s1600/20140507_192430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1lEfCkEJyHI/U2udAbCOTdI/AAAAAAAAKGA/gqK06BVUVoY/s1600/20140507_192430.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#wine #cake #imsuchacliche</td></tr>
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It helped me as I cleared my phone of shedloads of wee man selfies that all looked exactly like this...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIogrtjwqVI/U2ucyBdmeAI/AAAAAAAAKFw/Ly48n6BVKpo/s1600/20140504_185115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIogrtjwqVI/U2ucyBdmeAI/AAAAAAAAKFw/Ly48n6BVKpo/s1600/20140504_185115.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">team haircut!</td></tr>
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Have a good weekend x<br />
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Linking with Sue's Brit Sewing Thursday...<br />
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<a href="http://jersey-scrapper.blogspot.com/" title="Just Sew Sue"><img alt="Just Sew Sue" src="http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk154/claremansell/bstl_badge.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-83747021427405117192014-04-27T20:40:00.000+01:002014-04-27T20:40:12.470+01:00my dressmaking adventure: airelleMy avoidance activities took on momentous forms this week, including emptying, washing out and refilling most of the kitchen cupboards (the gnarly one is still to be tackled). But I decided to suck it up and dive in to continue the dressmaking journey I started last year (<a href="http://kettleboiler.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/socialite-moi.html" target="_blank">one top made and worn</a>, o<a href="http://kettleboiler.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/back-to-school.html" target="_blank">ne top still to be hemmed and may not get worn by me at least</a>). <br />
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I've been planning to make the <a href="http://boutique.deer-and-doe.fr/1-tops-airelle-blouse.html" target="_blank">Deer&Doe Airelle blouse </a>for nearly a year now. I even talked about it to Kerry at the FQR Retreat last year and <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/80180915@N03/" target="_blank">Sue </a>and <a href="http://willowbeckdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Di </a>kindly gave me the black bias binding from their FQR goody bags to use for the piping I was planning to add. Months went by, where I thought a lot about making this top and enviously eyed some lovely makes on Flickr but did nothing. A couple of weeks ago, I girded my loins (WTF?!) and publicly declared that I was fighting the fear and going to start. I cut out the pattern and ironed every piece. The Deer&Doe patterns are on pretty heavy paper, which I like (from my limited experience). I was ready to go...... and then it all stalled.<br />
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My problem is really all about cutting fabric. I worry so much about doing it wrong and ruining the fabric. (same as with my quilting) The nano iro double gauze I decided to use (after a last minute change of mind) had been sat sitting waiting to be used for something for coming on 4 years now. In the end, I did make a couple of cutting out mistakes, which meant I had to reduce the length of the sleeves by an inch or so and improvise the facing for the collar, which made me decide to also use the same fabric as the underneath of the collar itself. I chose voile obviously because voile and double gauze...how hard could that be for a beginner?<br />
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Anyway, my progress was slow and a bit stop starty (I nearly cried when I saw <a href="http://strawberrypatchramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/this-is-not-tesco-tabbard.html" target="_blank">the beautiful jacket that Emily made in 4 hours</a>!). Half way through I was convinced the way forward was to ditch the pattern sleeves and make tulip sleeves instead but I realised that I should just do what I'm told until I'm good enough to do better. And so, this afternoon I finally finished my first ever blouse (<a href="http://heartofcharnwood.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">collar and cuffs matching, Mrs Garrett!</a>)...<br />
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I also attempted a fashion shoot with Laughing Boy but he acted like I'd just asked him to sacrifice our first born and handed him a loaded weapon. I had planned a really cool "look my shoulder is broken" super model pose but wasn't given any more time! One <i>vaguely</i> usable photo later...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_f7EhI7mG8/U10US2bG17I/AAAAAAAAJ38/Pd6nJar0vrE/s1600/20140427_150842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_f7EhI7mG8/U10US2bG17I/AAAAAAAAJ38/Pd6nJar0vrE/s1600/20140427_150842.jpg" height="400" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Bailey he ain't!</td></tr>
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Move along now...nothing to see here. <br />
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Overall, I chose to make the largest size because I was concerned about fitting in the chebbage. This was probably a mistake as it is a bit big on me, especially the neck/collar which I feel is a bit gapey round the back. The instructions were very limited and if like me your a newbie to all of this malarkey, instructions like "clip the seam allowance" made me fret as there were no pictures to show where to do this. I turned to my Vogue Sewing manual for guidance but I may have over clipped! The facing on the collar is now really bumpy (with empty bits). Having said that, the instructions did the job. I chose french seams for the back, sides and the sleeves and bound the gathered bits on the shoulder. I think I will bind the armhole seams too. Double gauze frays if you even look at it the wrong way.<br />
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My sleeves didn't fit into the armholes - they (the sleeves) were too big - no idea why! So again I had to improvise and did a small gather at the top of each sleeve, with mixed success to be fair. I think they shoulders now look a bit oddly puffy and emphasise how big the top is. Also, the collar is every so slightly overlapped...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-suhDdDob9PA/U10UtzF96aI/AAAAAAAAJ4U/MxMuxqgwvZE/s1600/20140423_212229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-suhDdDob9PA/U10UtzF96aI/AAAAAAAAJ4U/MxMuxqgwvZE/s1600/20140423_212229.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can you spot the fish? or are you mesmerised by the lumpy facing?</td></tr>
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..but I quite like that.<br />
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So, all in all a bit hit and miss but I think I learned a lot - an expensive toile if you will! I may give it away to someone who will love it or I might wear it to work tomorrow to test drive it. Here are my favourite bits...<br />
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I love the voile under the collar..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4mYn7JV3Z_4/U10UZsvwbPI/AAAAAAAAJ4E/REQCARRsVpg/s1600/20140427_151927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4mYn7JV3Z_4/U10UZsvwbPI/AAAAAAAAJ4E/REQCARRsVpg/s1600/20140427_151927.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my first ever collar!</td></tr>
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I deliberately chose to keep the selvedge on the sleeves (well one of them anyway)...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bybuYv4wgbY/U10UQ6EL2ZI/AAAAAAAAJ30/T2IGxFWaG0Y/s1600/IMG_20140426_134634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bybuYv4wgbY/U10UQ6EL2ZI/AAAAAAAAJ30/T2IGxFWaG0Y/s1600/IMG_20140426_134634.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my first ever cuff!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A couple of days ago a lovely parcel from the <a href="http://www.thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk/" target="_blank">Village Haberdashery </a>came through the letter box, containing....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gatherkits.com/shop/product/the-mortmain" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Mortmain" height="400" src="http://gatherkits.com/images/resizer_cache/6114f632d2edeccb19c69bfbff1851bc26135ba1.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mortmain by Gather .. for the "ambitious beginner"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Washi Sewing Pattern" height="301" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/7730417496_22819afaba_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washi, obvs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So it looks like I have a way to go on my dressmaking adventure.... just hoping it won't be another year before the next leg.moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-20304474673381139492014-04-22T10:55:00.001+01:002014-04-22T10:55:58.453+01:00diversionary tacticsI had hoped that this post would be about my next adventure in dressmaking and on instagram I confidently announced my new #fearless attitude. This quickly withered and I was left looking for other things to do to avoid cutting into my lovely double gauze fabric that I have had for nearly 4 years. Fortunately that meant actually finishing something that was not a bee block and that would be staying chez kettleboiler. The first time that has happened in like forever. A <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/2220953@N21" target="_blank">Me Me Me</a> finish....what's not to love!<br />
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I took the paper pieced block I made at the last EMMQG meeting (using a pp pattern by<a href="http://sew-ichigo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/cover-up-your-kitchenaid.html" target="_blank"> sew-ichigo</a>)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SNEU4tui3x0/U1WPPm51vZI/AAAAAAAAJwY/cSN67nR6mKI/s1600/20140421_112405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SNEU4tui3x0/U1WPPm51vZI/AAAAAAAAJwY/cSN67nR6mKI/s1600/20140421_112405.jpg" height="346" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">paper pieced at the emmqg sesh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and following the tutorial on <a href="http://sew-ichigo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/cover-up-your-kitchenaid.html" target="_blank">sew-ichigo</a>, made a cover for <a href="http://www.benandhollylive.com/nanny_plum.php" target="_blank">Nanny Plum</a>, my<a href="http://kettleboiler.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/boysenberry.html" target="_blank"> lovely boysenberry Kitchen Ai</a>d.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-74hjdAxw1jo/U1WPILxF4jI/AAAAAAAAJwQ/u5V7Hfj-gp8/s1600/20140421_112414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-74hjdAxw1jo/U1WPILxF4jI/AAAAAAAAJwQ/u5V7Hfj-gp8/s1600/20140421_112414.jpg" height="397" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was a quick make in the end and I even finished the binding by hand cos that's just how I roll. Here it is in situ....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRdFXIFXAyPUTVR-brRGJPHAtGDsTXry79hdwSlQG0_x6kbVz6QrjwkBMqsbdEbRVUYjkke2bGULIQvJoAALqNDk0mqQs3YlUmzZxA7tv3MzqiNCWbtP7Pfgx8f-oPdH8RRxjWfGhwJSG/s1600/IMG_20140420_193716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRdFXIFXAyPUTVR-brRGJPHAtGDsTXry79hdwSlQG0_x6kbVz6QrjwkBMqsbdEbRVUYjkke2bGULIQvJoAALqNDk0mqQs3YlUmzZxA7tv3MzqiNCWbtP7Pfgx8f-oPdH8RRxjWfGhwJSG/s1600/IMG_20140420_193716.jpg" height="383" width="400" /></a></div>
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Confession time.... I followed the tutorial and didn't include any wadding that would have made it more structured. That was maybe a mistake. And, I think I prefer Nanny Plum naked, as it were. But, at least her new coat will keep the dust off and I can marvel at my paper pieced lovely.<br />
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Now I am fighting the dressmaking fear and am removing all the obstacles one by one. The current (and last!) one is interfacing for the collar and cuffs (those words together always make me chuckle #immature). I'm off out, braving a massive rain storm, to get the flipping interfacing. So I'll leave you with this....<br />
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moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-64242847532489985222014-04-10T16:59:00.002+01:002014-04-10T16:59:29.205+01:00sabotageI appear to be sabotaging myself at the moment. I bought some new bathroom scales at Christmas (they were a bargain!) and at some point in the last month or so, they told me I was below a certain number that had been my solid buddy for the past 10 years or so. Naturally I was delighted and celebrated <i>liberally </i>with cake! That certain number and I have since been reunited.<br />
<br />
The same seems to be happening with my sewing. Cake is sometimes involved too. Anyway, I'm determined to sort it out and have a plan (a <a href="http://www.bulletjournal.com/" target="_blank">bullet journal</a> list if you will - never one to knowingly avoid a sewista bandwagon!). It coincides with a number of random days leave scattered through the next few weeks. But in order to firm up the plan, I <strike>need to get my arse in gear </strike>clear the decks of bee blocks. After much procrastination, here goes....<br />
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Bumbling honeys bee block(s) for Mary:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-atV5KFQG7wU/U0AFg5ehBbI/AAAAAAAAI1U/yYzXwWD33PM/s1600/20140405_134034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-atV5KFQG7wU/U0AFg5ehBbI/AAAAAAAAI1U/yYzXwWD33PM/s1600/20140405_134034.jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a bit wonky </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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An example of sabotage, I was cutting and making two of these blocks for Mary and I was getting tired and I knew I should have stopped and left it for the next day but I decided to push on and finish the cutting at least. As I was saying these words in my head, I put a pile of fabric on the board and cut into 2 equal 2.5 inch square blocks, only to realise that it was the wrong pile of fabric AFTER the cut was made. Exhibit A...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKmqcT2dDWY/U0VU3Xq-ClI/AAAAAAAAI2Q/l75XYXCwu9k/s1600/IMG_20140402_214025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKmqcT2dDWY/U0VU3Xq-ClI/AAAAAAAAI2Q/l75XYXCwu9k/s1600/IMG_20140402_214025.jpg" height="160" width="400" /></a></div>
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My dear sewistas....learn from my mistakes and listen to your inner quilty goddess and stop when she tells you ok! Mary, of course, has been a real angel about my mistakes and the one and a half fairly wonky blocks she got from me.<br />
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Keeping on the Bumbling Honey's vibe, April's Bee Mama is Jo and she asked us to make blocks for the <a href="http://littleislandquilting.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/soy-amado.html" target="_blank">Soy Amado quilt</a> block drive....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWyxf00oMxqDJeHaiMzjN388HOdddiDwwk6RIhleDY2fctHzH9UzInnjT1SYuHOXtK6I9ZVyT8dYROZcHWBV0gtauzdk_GagjJxSVgUx8SOuK_PZM9Ovufvujx2xvkZW9ZCoHbjG089N5/s1600/20140409_090611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWyxf00oMxqDJeHaiMzjN388HOdddiDwwk6RIhleDY2fctHzH9UzInnjT1SYuHOXtK6I9ZVyT8dYROZcHWBV0gtauzdk_GagjJxSVgUx8SOuK_PZM9Ovufvujx2xvkZW9ZCoHbjG089N5/s1600/20140409_090611.jpg" height="205" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lovely fabrics as usual from Jo</td></tr>
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April, I hear you say! Yep, don't faint - I finished these in the month. They are not late! I may faint a little bit, in a corseted Victorian lady way.<br />
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Next up, the Friends with Additions bee. I had three sets of blocks on my cutting table and so was mightily embarrassed. I sabotaged myself with the first lot (for Deanna) by deciding on a block and then<strike> fannying about </strike>humming and hawing about it for a few weeks too long only to return to the initial design. It's meant to be under wraps but I'm a bit bored of sneak peaks now and am pretty sure Deanna doesn't read m'blog so here goes:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hN7xAGpuU4E/U0VUFZEIvvI/AAAAAAAAI14/vfXOAssij_M/s1600/IMG_20140401_205027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hN7xAGpuU4E/U0VUFZEIvvI/AAAAAAAAI14/vfXOAssij_M/s1600/IMG_20140401_205027.jpg" height="400" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pp'd trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Deanna loves hummingbirds and trees. Someone else has already made a beautiful hummingbird block so I got some fabric with hummingbirds on and used it in the trees. Here's the blocks altogether...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0NX_sKuDLA/U0VT6gdsRvI/AAAAAAAAI1w/_XXO6PxzMd0/s1600/20140401_205717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0NX_sKuDLA/U0VT6gdsRvI/AAAAAAAAI1w/_XXO6PxzMd0/s1600/20140401_205717.jpg" height="368" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice coherent colour palette I think</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Blocks are back on their travels. I'm half way through block(s) for Christine, which will head off to Switzerland this weekend and that leaves Cindy's then I'm up to date! Until May!<br />
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Here's a little something that always makes me smile (and jump around a lot - the wee man gets quite scared then he joins in!)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/z5rRZdiu1UE" width="420"></iframe>
moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-75223937223566300872014-03-20T09:14:00.002+00:002014-03-20T09:14:49.640+00:00the gift of givingIn a blatant move to avoid some seriously late bee blocks (top of the list now I promise), my sewing over the past week or so has focused on gifts. Latest finish but first up, my dearest friend hit some dizzy heights last year after a hard slog and I've only now managed to make something to say how proud I am of her....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VApJjPMSLNE/UyoKQZik0TI/AAAAAAAAI0Y/kxgUouSo3Fo/s1600/2014-03-191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VApJjPMSLNE/UyoKQZik0TI/AAAAAAAAI0Y/kxgUouSo3Fo/s1600/2014-03-191.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#love</td></tr>
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I got the exterior fabric from Spoonflower - it's by <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/444959" target="_blank">Patty Sloniger</a> and the flowers are pretty big (5.5" tall). I wanted to showcase them so needed to draft a pattern that would be big enough to do so. Cue lots of googling and remembering that the best tutorials helping you draft your own pattern are from <a href="http://www.makingrebeccalynne.com/2011/10/creating-frame-pouch-template.html" target="_blank">Rebecca Lynne</a>, <a href="http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2006/12/purse_frames_de.html" target="_blank">Lisa UHandbag</a> and the lovely <a href="http://thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk/blog/2012/emilys-frame-purse-tutorial" target="_blank">Emily</a>. Using all three, I managed to make something that fit really well into the frame (7" x 3.5"). I meant to square off the corners but in my excitement, I forgot #oops. <br />
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The interior fabric was gifted to me by a lady with a beautiful soul and it felt right to use it for someone who is similarly blessed. That makes me insanely happy. I just need to wait for the glue to dry so I can clean up the frame before sending it on its way.<br />
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Next up, a gift for the kitty fabric lady who had a significant birthday recently - it was a bit late (obvs.) but it has been received so I can show it now....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYm76BSiLRg/Uyme5qWVlJI/AAAAAAAAIzE/AwlHgjwhfks/s1600/2014-03-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYm76BSiLRg/Uyme5qWVlJI/AAAAAAAAIzE/AwlHgjwhfks/s1600/2014-03-19.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mirror balls and tula!</td></tr>
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I bought the mirror ball fabric from <a href="http://blog.pennydog.com/" target="_blank">Kerry </a>and promptly forgot all about it until our recent guild get together where it was handed over. The Tula Pink was also gifted to me, this time by the lovely <a href="http://lizofdandeliondaydreams.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Liz, </a> so again it felt right to use it here. Again, I had to make a new pattern for this frame. I had the <a href="http://u-handbagpatterns.com/item.php?item_id=10" target="_blank">baguette purse pattern</a> from Lisa UHandbag already but that is for a smaller frame (6"x3") so I took a punt and printed it out at 110% and just went for it. It worked out pretty well, shockingly, just some little puckers along the top where it was slightly too long for the frame but the sides fitted perfectly, which has always been my issue with that pattern so #phew. In my rush to get it in the post, I wrapped it and posted it before realising that I hadn't done the glue picking part or added the couple of little mindings that I had sorted. I'm such a numpty.<br />
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Finally, our next door neighbours have been having some big kitchen renovations that meant scaffolding in our drive and other inconveniences. But it's all done now and they had a big party to show it off last weekend. I couldn't go as I was at the ballet (Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake - chuffing awesome BTW). They were kind enough to give the wee man a Christmas pressie as a way of thanking us for helping them out so I thought I'd make some big place mats as a well done for getting through the last 6 months.....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvz2LIrpWnk/UymfjoRMluI/AAAAAAAAIzU/QEeaQQs1l_o/s1600/20140316_144514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvz2LIrpWnk/UymfjoRMluI/AAAAAAAAIzU/QEeaQQs1l_o/s1600/20140316_144514.jpg" height="352" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they're pretty big... 18" x 12" ish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-c9CJwl5jg/UymftpwEwdI/AAAAAAAAIzc/inLxqcJmwac/s1600/20140316_144540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-c9CJwl5jg/UymftpwEwdI/AAAAAAAAIzc/inLxqcJmwac/s1600/20140316_144540.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">front and back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I used some IKEA home dec fabric for the back and some some linen IKEA for the front, along with some Flora and Fauna and Kona Teal I've had for donkeys years. They have been gifted, I don't know if they like them or not #heyho. I only recently realised that they have been calling me Marianne for the past 7 years - I thought I was just not listening right! They know my actual name now ;)<br />
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Decks are being cleared for another bee block marathon but probably not before a wee man free weekend in Edinburgh this weekend #woopwoop......<br />
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Linking with Sue and Brit Sewing Thursday Linky<br />
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<a href="http://jersey-scrapper.blogspot.com/" title="Just Sew Sue"><img alt="Just Sew Sue" src="http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk154/claremansell/bstl_badge.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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<br />moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-42044457667316957442014-03-08T13:02:00.000+00:002014-03-08T13:02:53.000+00:00smockFinally, the lurgy is getting bored with me, I think! What it has taught me is that I can't sew when I'm poorly - mistakes happen more often than normally. I am also regretting not taking my pelvic floor exercises during my pregnancy pilates classes more seriously #TMI.<br />
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Anyway, this morning I feel able to sew and add up so have started my swap pouch. The East Midlands Modern Quilty ladies are having a swap with the Saskatoon MQG. I wanted to try out a bit of fabric manipulation and this is what I've got so far:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b7jjXCp4X3M/UxsSuvYtdzI/AAAAAAAAIyg/ZdELEO6j76s/s1600/20140308_124525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b7jjXCp4X3M/UxsSuvYtdzI/AAAAAAAAIyg/ZdELEO6j76s/s1600/20140308_124525.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not the best photo, obvs. But here's a wee tutorial on how to create this effect.<br />
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I wanted to have 3 pleats and for each pleat to be 1 inch wide so cut the following<br />
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3 x 1.5" essex linen<br />
2 x 1.25" liberty fabric (you could make these a bit wider if you want)<br />
2 x 2.5" liberty fabric<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I5Wbbo-1vX0/UxsGWLYYReI/AAAAAAAAIx8/my71-juR35w/s1600/20140308_103742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I5Wbbo-1vX0/UxsGWLYYReI/AAAAAAAAIx8/my71-juR35w/s1600/20140308_103742.jpg" height="336" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sew these together so you end up with....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MEsYH4YZ0zU/UxsGN4eUS0I/AAAAAAAAIx0/EoPd0nnMOv4/s1600/20140308_110745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MEsYH4YZ0zU/UxsGN4eUS0I/AAAAAAAAIx0/EoPd0nnMOv4/s1600/20140308_110745.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added the rest of the pouch fabric on either side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Then using the seam on the first pleat as a guide, mark a line 0.5" to the right of the seam<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used a frixion pen - I hope you can see the lines</td></tr>
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Fold the pleat in half, lining up the seams, pin and sew....<br />
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Repeat for each of the pleats and you should end up with this....<br />
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Then find some nice thread (perle or similar) and start to smock by pulling either side of the pleat together and sewing a few stitches over and over. I used red thread and started the stitch about 1/8" from the seams on the pleat...<br />
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You could add buttons at this stage if you want. You could make the smocking uneven. Lots of options. I am still trying to decide whether to so the same for the other side or not.<br />
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Anyway, I hope you are all having a good weekend. I'm off do do some ...ahem... exercises... and clench!<br />
<br />moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1956562204959388092.post-65561267636023636342014-02-23T14:40:00.001+00:002014-02-23T14:40:30.566+00:00fateI tempted fate this week. My new boss asked me how everything was going and I said that no-one was sick so it was all good. Next day, the boys both started hacking and sneezing and then passed it on to me. I did manage some sewing before it fully kicked in...<br />
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First up, Sue's Bumbling Honeys block. I'm pretty chuffed with most of the points on this one<br />
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Unfortunately, my pride came before a fall. I sent everything back to Sue with a note saying that I didn't need to use her flying geese templates cos I rock and made them for this block a different way. Block done before the end of the month...what's not to be chuffed about. Except in the depths of a flu sweat last night I realised I was meant to make the flying geese AS WELL as this block. I'm such a dope. Sorry Sue (she has been really kind about my dopiness).<br />
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Anyway, next up were a couple of angel blocks for Betty in the QATWII swap. Nightmare scenario - all of her blocks made it around the world but got lost on the final leg back to her. So, this first one was also a nightmare due to my maths fail (which is shaming because I manage a maths education project). I walked away from it for the night and came back next day, added a border and it was finally a 12.5" block.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rubbish night time photos</td></tr>
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This next one was started and finished during the first episode of the new series of the Great British Sewing Bee. I erred on the side of caution and used a block pattern from the Fat Quarterly Shape Workshop book..<br />
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It worked and I like it!<br />
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One of my friends is 39 weeks pregnant and clearly needed a divided basket for all the nappy gubbins so I knocked this up on Wednesday whilst Laughing Boy was getting depressed and sicker at the football....<br />
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I ran out of fabric for the divider bit but fortunately had it in another colourway and it worked out really well. I'm not good at baby baby things so wanted to make something that could be used post baby needs, hence the more sober exterior. She loved it, thankfully. And another friend has just announced that baby #2 is on the way so I see another of these on the cards.<br />
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It was certainly easier than the first one, which was made at an EMMQG sewing day at Bradmore last September, which brings me nicely to yesterday.... another fabulous EMMQG sewing day at Bradmore! Lovely ladies, lovely cake, lovely soup, lovely biscuits, lovely chat. I forgot to take many photos but there were some lovely quilts on show. Ange (and bump) turned up to try out Kerry's new machine...<br />
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I was working on <a href="http://www.knottedcotton.com/2013/11/how-to-make-komebukuro-bag-part-1.html" target="_blank">Catherine's Komebukuro bag</a>, which I promised to pattern test for her ages ago (sorry I'm so late to this one, C). She arranged for Ali at <a href="http://veryberryhandmade.co.uk/" target="_blank">veryberryhandmade</a> to send me a gorgeous pack of liberty lawn scraps....<br />
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I got one full side and one 3/4 side done...<br />
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I am a slow sewista but my cold also slowed me down. By 8pm last night, I was in bed with three duvets and a quilt and blocks of ice for feet. I think the worst has past but what I wouldn't give for a germ-free month...come on March, help us out!<br />
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Any advice on avoiding the lurgy would be most welcome!moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590289694546014050noreply@blogger.com18