fancy a picnic?

8two8 is the name of one of the quilting bees I am in. There are 8 of us, and over 8 months we each make a quilt. My turn was first, way back in February. I chose wonky log cabin blocks, with i-spy fabrics, for me to make a picnic quilt with. The others got to work, making me 2 blocks each, each one measuring a nice big 15.5 inches. The last 2 blocks arrived this morning, so I quickly sewed the lot together and now I have a finished top, ready for taking outside in the Summer (if we get one this year) and having picnics on. Whilst I lounge about in the sunshine the small monkey children can entertain themselves playing i-spy. And if the weather turns inclement we can wrap ourselves up in it. It's a winner all round!

If I pull my finger out I might manage to get the whole thing finished by Easter Sunday, when the kids and I are going on holiday to visit their not real but they call her it anyway Granny (my best friend's mum), and then we can take it with us for some al fresco dining in the Spanish sun. Well, let's face it, there's more likely to be sunshine there than here, isn't there?

free to a good home!

Miss G has some new curtains, and her old (well, they are only a couple of years old, so hardly geriatric) ones are now redundant. Rather than let them sit in my cupboard (with a view to me using them for fabric - it won't happen, I have several old curtains sat in my cupboard with little bits snipped out of them, never to be used) I thought I'd offer them up here instead.

The fabric is a pale but dusky pink spot by globaltex, they are fully lined, were professionally made (therefore not wonky like they would be if I had made them) and are not faded in any way, but could probably do with a wash, I imagine they're a bit dusty. Each one (there's 2 - obviously, it's a pair!) measures 80 inches in width, and 58 inches in length (including a 6 inch tab top).

The first person to leave a comment asking for them can have them. I'll post them for nothing in the UK, but if you're overseas I'd probably have to charge postage, but I don't imagine it would be more than £10 (or a yard of fabric!)

Let me know!!!!!!

(and, yes, that is an awful picture, but the cat was trying to claim them as his own!)

the quilting lady...

(because a couple of you asked) is called Christine, she was recommended to me by the lady that runs the quilting workshops I go to. Apparently she's really good, really friendly (I can vouch for that, after chatting to her) and lives not too far from me (about a half hour away). I'm going to visit her next week, taking my very simple quilt top with me (I've already told her it's nothing fancy, I am a newbie after all), and then I get to see her long arm machine too, which makes me more than a bit giddy. Poor woman, she'll end up having to kick me out, I have a feeling I won't want to leave.

In case you're wondering, her website is here.

And another thing...flossyblossy, where are you in West Yorks? There's someone else in this crafting desert that likes to talk about quilty stuff? I'm not alone after all? Fancy a cup of tea? Email me - at least show me this grandmother's flower garden you've made, I am a bit of a sucker for the hexes.

KJ's on a roll...

I'm being really organised, trying to get through the ever growing list of WIPS and WIPS that are still in my head as possible WIPS. You know the kind, you go for a visit round blog land with your morning cuppa, and are confronted with inspiration from all over, new fabrics, new patterns, someone doing something in a different colourway that you'd previously thought possible. I'm trying not to get sucked in by those kinds of inspiring types, which means I need to stay away from this person. Especially as she is currently taunting me with her blog header, it being on the list of possible WIPS. Hmm.

Anyhoo, onto the finished stuff. Not quite finished, because this is just the top. Blowing in the beautiful sunshine. Ahem. Not quite.




The reason it's the top only? There's no way on earth I'm going to attempt quilting that, it's huge. Huge for me anyway. It goes almost to the floor either side of the bed (and that's a proper single/twin bed, not a baby sized one)....





ah, another picture.....the bird's eye view.....



The rocket applique was from Australian Homespun, issue 67 (the kids issue), which also has a bag pattern by Rachel, and was the reason I got it in the first place, but still haven't managed to make. Another addition to the list then?
The fabric is, as you probably know, Prints Charming and the pattern is brilliant, the top came together in a day, with cutting out and everything, the applique took longer because I was afraid of messing it up. It's the turning twenty book, which, as the name suggests, turns twenty fat quarters into one 70 X 86 inch quilt top.

So whilst this goes off to the quilter's I shall make a quilted pillow case to match, and tick something off the list of things to do.

a little DIY

The Ginger one's bedroom is quite possibly my favourite room in my house. Apart from the kitchen, because that's where I sew. The only thing I really don't like is his wardrobe. Well, the matching dresser isn't my favourite either. Anyway, I'm not going shopping for new ones - when the ones he has work perfectly well, they are just not quite this or this, I decided a little bit of a spruce up was in order instead. One can of chalkboard paint and some snazzy pegs from here (go and buy some pegs - she is donating £1.10 from each pack of white with red dots to comic relief. Go on, do your bit), plus a morning spent trying not get paint all over the place, and we have a very happy boy (and a happy mummy too).



Now I need to sort out all the toys crammed into those baskets at the side...possibly making new covers for the baskets too, he's bit grown up for baby blue gingham now...and maybe cover the table his castle sits on with some oilcloth, or is that just being a bit silly? I also noticed he has a changing mat shoved down the side of his wardrobe too. I really do need to get rid of that as well.



His bed looks bloody lovely though, doesn't it?

The numbers quilt was made for him at Christmas by my amazing friend Beth. The Dr Seuss sheet set is from the incredibly fantastic pottery barn. Thankfully we don't have them here in the UK. If we did I'd surely be broke.
And the grey cat is BooBoo, it's his bed too.

finished - now there's a surprise

All done. Now I can take it round to my friend's tomorrow when we go for tea. Hopefully she won't notice that on the right hand side it's too narrow and the stitching isn't straight. There are 2 reasons for this little bugger up...firstly, me, and my God given talent to sew in a not so straight line even though I have drawn a straight line onto the fabric and all I am doing is sewing a running stitch (whilst watching telly though - not looking where I'm going), and the other reason is I was trying to be sooooo good and follow the pattern in sew hip to the letter (except for the size of the hexes, I used bigger ones because I used a charm pack which only had 40 squares, not the 46 called for in the pattern). Anyway, I was following the pattern and how to put the thing together like a good girl, except the instructions said to layer the backing fabric (face up), then the batting, then the top (face down - onto the batting) and sew round, leaving room to turn it right way out. Get me? The 'birthing method' as it's known in quilting (which is a brilliant name). As I was laying the pieces out I knew it wouldn't work, I knew I'd have to unpick it all, because obviously I had batting as backing. *sigh*. So after unpicking the linen was all upset and frayed (it might have been a bit flimsy for the job), I ended up trimming down a bit, to tidy it up, and the right hand side is now narrower at one end. Lesson learned? - don't trust patterns or magazines, if it looks like it might be wrong, think about it before diving in, and don't get stroppy when things do go wrong...you'll end up with a wonky table runner.

Still, wonky or not, it's cute, don't you think? And at least I know now for next time. And maybe sew hip might get a pattern tester soon because I've since heard similar tales of woe regarding other patterns in there (although not the ones by this couple - those ones are perfect, and it has nothing to do with the fact that I put Louise on a pedestal and think she rocks big time.)

hexes hexes... I love the hexes

There's nothing more relaxing than sewing hex upon hex upon hex whilst watching TV.

The table runner I started for my friend, Sascha, is almost done (pics will come soon, my camera batteries died, *sigh*). The top is all sewn together, bordered using some linen I got from here. At a nice reasonable price too. The one I bought was called 'Mira' - it's soft and floppy, very lightweight as opposed to some of the others they sell, perfect for this kind of project. I asked for some samples of other linens they sell, and I think I'll try Charlie next time, which is a little heavier, but not too rigid, still ideal for quilting or general sewing (they have a sale on too, so if you are in need of linen, go and visit!)

In sew hip magazine, the pattern called for machine stitching the hexagons, but I am not a fan of machine stitched hexs, it's all of those 'Y' seams that upsets me. It makes more sense (to me, anyway) to hand stitch them, the old fashioned way with papers. If you are thinking of giving them a try, there's a wonderful tutorial with pictures galore here. You can follow the link from the pics to her blog, where there is a more detailed description. I am lazy, and don't cut out hexagon shapes in my fabric, but use squares instead. It works just as well, although if I use light fabrics I'll cut out the hexes, you can sometimes see the folded over fabric through the other side, if the fabric is light enough. This table runner took me a couple of evenings to sew, and I am by no means fast.

quick...run...no, faster, people - that's just a jog!

Go on, quickly, really quickly. There's a 50% off sale on here and it has everything you could ever want if (like me) you're a fabric whore. And I know you are.

Thanks, I think (although maybe the bank manager will disagree) to John who pointed this glorious Paddy's Day sale out to me. I have spent a happy few pennies, doing my bit to help the flailing economy. What happens over that side of the pond trickles down to this side, remember, so if you're a good Citizen you too shall go shop. Your Country needs you.

Amazing Stuff

Just to make you all really quite envious...here's some pics of some of the wonderful things I have gotten recently from wonderful people.....

Firstly, some gorgeous fabrics from my not so secret crush, and online all-things-sewing-and-quilting teacher, Amy. Yes, I can see you all drooling over that little pile....



Secondly, the quilt I coveted most from doll quilt swap round 5 was just like this one by Anita. She made me one, just like the first, actually, even better than the first, because it's mine, just because she's lovely (and probably because my constant weeping over the pictures on flickr was beginning to unnerve her)



Then, there's this pillow by Rita, who is a friend I met on flickr, and is unbelievably talented. This little beauty was made in return for a doll. It's beautiful. I am in awe of her stitching.



Finally, but by no means least is this total surprise and unexpected quilt from Sudi-Laura. She had made this beauty out of leftovers from my fabrics for sew connected 2, so not only did I get an amazing quilt block, but a matching little quilty. She said I could use it as a place mat...noooo no no no no. It's sat on my dressing table,
and there it will stay.



So, haven't I done well lately? And that's not even the half of it. I have gotten some wonderful fabrics in swaps, and also a selection of handmade owl goodies...I'm still trying to get decent pics of those. I need to be more organised when I get swaps in the mail, and take pics right away. I have a tendency to get a little over excited and then forget. I'm sorry. I can't help it.

Sunday Stash

New stuff. Actually, things I had forgotten I pre-ordered. They turned up to greet me this week, and I was ever so happy they did. Because Wonderland has it's destiny already planned....



Hexes are being sewn to make a table topper like the one in Sew Hip magazine (March Issue)



If that's successful, Neptune may have a similar fate. Maybe with some circles. I think the colours might be suited to my mum (tell me if not, Mum, won't you? I know you're lurking).

Tam has more stash. Go see......

Planning and Prepping

Doll Quilt Swap is now underway, in it's 6th round as well, it's getting all grown up. I am one of the swap parents - so I have 16 amazing quilters to take care of and nudge from time to time. It's a bit awe inspiring, and I do feel a bit like I'm desperately treading water keeping up with some of the folks in the group. Go and have a look at the flickr group some of the photos will make you swoon. Most of them, in fact.

My partner - can't say who, she (or is it a he?) might be lurking about, trying to pick up clues on who is making their quilt, all I will say is that my partner has made some fantastic quilts, and is really super clever, but humble with it. They are a fan of Denyse Schmidt, which doesn't really give any clues as to who it might be, as I am yet to find someone who doesn't like Denyse's style of work. The whole improvised look, the bending of rules, it's something I might be able to acheive...I say might be, I don't want to be too confident. Her book is fantastic for inspiration and drool worthy envy, and if you don't have it it's well worth the £13 to buy it...it's not just quilts, there are 30 projects from an apron to a selection of quilts, all of them really well written and with great photos.

Anyway, enough of my Denyse Schmidt crush, on to my planning for the doll quilt.

Yes, planning. Instead of my usual jump in feet first and hope for the best attitude I am actually going to think first. I drew a little picture, coloured it in, and cut out swatches. I almost look like I know what I'm doing. We shall see. 9 blocks, each one with a contrasting strip in it, sashed and bordered with white. The idea looks good (in my head) and it's not going to difficult, so hopefully I'll get the look I am hoping for. Hopefully.

I don't know if I will fall as head over heels in love with this round's partner like I did with the last one, but you never know. That is what I like most about this swap, I have met friends, people I talk with on a regular basis, people (like Amy that I can ask advice - Lordy knows I need it...which reminds me, I need applique help, long distance quilt teacher - I'll email you). Being stuck in the crafting desert of West Yorkshire, the internet is my lifeline, without it I would shrivel and die.

So, hooray for doll quilt swap 6, hooray for this crafting community (more of that next time - oh, just you wait for next time), and hooray for you lot, for sticking around.

Blimey, I came over all sentimental, didn't I? Maybe it's the new haircut I got on Wednesday and the fact I turned another year older on Monday, or maybe it's because my flickr friend is coming to England in May and I am just a bit excited to meet her in the flesh.

a (very) brief account of my trip to Florida

I was going to bore you rigid, but instead I'll spare you the blow by blow account and give you Orlando in as few words as possible. Mainly because I have a billion swaps to finish, blocks for my quilting bees, as well as the mountain of ironing that is steadily taking over the house. So much to do, so little time. Any one fancy telling me how I can get an extra 5 hours in each day? And could you arrange childcare and husband sitting whilst you're at it too? Thanks in advance.

Ok, so how was the Monkey family trip? Awesome. I am not a huge Disney fan, but the little Ginger monkey's face was enough to melt even the hardest of hearts. If you are planning a trip to Orlando take note - the queues are mega long, even when there are hardly any people in the parks, so small children get very grumpy and will decide to change their minds after 20 minutes and want to leave RIGHT NOW. The Magic Kingdom is great for little girls, not so for little boys (unless they are a big Beauty and the Beast fan like mine), Epcot is an overlooked treasure (and the food is by far the best there than in any of the other parks), Hollywood studios is small, but worth a trip, and we missed Animal Kingdom out this time round, because we were (to be honest) all Disneyed out, although I really liked it when we went before, when Miss G was a bit smaller. But my favourite park had to be Universal and Islands of Adventure. The Dr. Seuss bit was amazing. I could have moved right in. The fast queue system they have there is far more efficient than the Disney one (you literally jump the line, not get a time to return), there was loads to entertain both the little Ginger one (3 years) and the bigger not so ginger one (9 years) as well as me (sheer hatred of rides that move apart from a gentle swaying) and Mr Monkey (wet rides please). The food (yes, I am obsessed with eating) was not bad at all (ok, too many hot dogs and fries, but I found a sandwich place too, and a starbucks - nice). My only disappointment was seaworld, Shamu was wonderful, as Shamu is. I'm a sucker for a bit of human/killer whale interaction, but the rest of the park was looking a bit tired and there was nothing there you couldn't see in, say, London zoo (maybe I'm biased, but you can't beat London Zoo, in my mind).

All in all, though, it was an amazing trip. We took a little road trip down to Miami and hung out on South Beach for a couple of days, got to meet my husband's hero, Chris Garver, from Miami ink (who even commented on Mr Monkey's tattoos - which has made his year, if not his life), and lounged about in the sunshine on the white sand. Bliss. I think it was the best trip we've ever had, I didn't get stroppy at all (I am not good away from home without my bed - which is the best bed in all the world, actually), Mr Monkey had a 24 hour gym to go to in the hotel (always good, it keeps him quiet) and there was a starbucks in the lobby, so my tall, decaff, vanilla, soy latte addiction was fed.

Now we have to get to back into normal life. In short, catching up on sewing. Best get back to it, eh?

Sunday Stash - very quickly

I'M BACK FROM FLORIDA!!!! Did anyone notice I was gone? Probably not.

I had a great holiday, and I will be back in the week to bore you rigid with photos and a 24/7 account of everything we got up to. Maybe not quite 24/7, but I will bore you to death, I promise.

For now you can swoon over a bit of fabric I bought in Florida, from Joann's. I was actually really well behaved on the shopping front. I only bought 3 or 4 yards. I think. If I had found a 'real' quilting store I would have gone mental, but there wasn't much I 'needed' in Joanns, so I was far more restrained. I can be well behaved sometimes, you see.

Anyhoo. More stashes over at the ever gorgeous Tam's place. I'll see you lot shortly. I have a mountain of emails to sort through, my group for doll quilt swap 6 to sort out, and a whole table full of mail to attend to (mostly fabulous swaps - and somewhere under the good stuff are a few bills I will ignore for a while longer). Oh - and my house is all painted, and the bathroom is nearly finished. Yay for holidays - those jobs that you put off and put off for ages finally get done.