Worn and Washed

Lots of pictures today, I can't wait to show you how I got on at the Worn and Washed sewing day. It was great fun I really enjoyed myself, I think everyone that went got something out of the day and everyone went home with a quilt top. Some got to the basting stage but it was just great to have a day doing something different and to just sew...

Kim had some beautiful quilts on display. I have always wanted a patchwork quilt and never knew I could make one myself. I don't like fussy quilts although I admire their craftsmanship. I like simple things, just plain squares which is why Kim's quilts really appeal to me, that and their eco credentials. 

Really I don't know anything about quilt making I only just started sewing when my Son was born two years ago as I had more time at home. I had only done curtains before that, so I am self taught. I have a few books and of course the internet is a wealth of knowledge and ideas. So anyway I digress...

This was the quilt display exhibition. I took Little OB's cot blanket to show Kim.
She really liked it and asked if she could display it which I was really chuffed about as it was only my second quilt. Its not fussy or particularly clever I think its the fabric that does the talking, soft and worn, muted colours from years of washing and well chosen patterns that Kim put together in the little pack I bought. I choose it because one of the fabrics is a red flannel with small white stars on it. Little OB loves the stars.

Some more beautiful muted coloured quilts, hand quilted.

Just look at the detail on the binding, perfect little stitches.

 I quite like the brighter colours too, this one is from the 'old swedish' fabric pack.

This is her new fabric collection 'Out of the Toy Box' inspired by old and new toys. I bought a small pack of this to try.

  I like this one with a detailed centre and a wide band of floral framing it. I might try this out.

Well here is our sewing space, we all bought our own machines, and tools. We all picked a bundles of her fabric and set about making the quilt top. I wanted to do something a bit different to everyone else as usual a little rebel sitting in the back row. So I sorted all of my bundles in the same sized strips and cut them into 5'' squares we were supposed to sew them as they were- all different length strips. Anyway I sewed the squares together and with the offcuts sewed the irregular strips together and at the end sliced them in half lengthways to make a staggered border. I was told off for breaking the rules but forgiven as I had done a couple before. I was really pleased at the end because squares really appeal to me. I didn't do too badly matching them up I thought I would use buttons if I had to, to disguise where they are not quite squared up together.

This is not the finished picture but this is on the home straight.

The colours have changed abit in the light I took the photograph, they appeal here in blue tones but actually its more purple and lavender coloured in real life.

Heres my big tahdah- still lots to do I have to get some wadding, bast it, back it and the dreaded binding....

TTTTTAAAAAADDDDDDDAAAAAHHHHH

What do you think?

I think I my fabric choice was inspired by our walk in the bluebell wood at the caravan site where we stayed overnight. I wouldn't normally choose liliacs and purples when I saw the fabric pack I thought I would try something different.

And I am pleased with the result so far.

Happy Easter again,

Sarah

There is not mush room around here

We found this little guy growing in our front garden the other day. Isn't he cute, he told me his name is 'Fergus' its strange though as he sometimes moves about the garden. I found him in the muscari yesterday and strangely enough he was in my wool basket last week.

He said he liked a change of scenery sometimes.

Autually I made that up he is from a japanese amigurumi book, I have become abit addicted lately and my sister arrived this afternoon with two more books for me.

Toooo cute. I can't resist them googly eggs.

We have a busy weekend ahead, we are off in our caravan for a few days to the other side of Milton Keynes. I going on a one day sewing course hosted by Kim from 'Worn and Washed fabrics'. We are going to sew a whole quilt top in one day ready for basting at the end of the day, using her jelly rolls of recycled vintage fabrics. I don't really know alot about quilt making but I have become quite addicted to Kim's jelly rolls as they are so interesting, you never know what patterns you will get and I always unwrap them putting them in order of how much I like  love them.

This is the first ever quilt I made last year its big enough for a double bed and I quilted it on my machine every 1.5'' in diagonals, it was a labour of love thats for sure. But I absolutely love it, I love its randomness,

different sized rectangles, different textures and colours. I am often found on the settee snuggling underneath.

I am loving the recent weather so are the plants I have never seen so many flowers on my cherry trees before, the are full to bursting. I just hope I might be quicker than the birds this year so I eat them.

They has also been lots of toddler play time in the garden with new toys. We have bought a combines ball pit and paddling pool, its proving a great success. He has spent most of the day playing in it today. When his cousin came to visit today he was playing indoors, I said 'Why don't you show J# your new toy' and he ran out the back door ready to show her quicker than you can say 'easter bunny'. I have never seen him run so fast.

Talking of the easter bunny we all decorated the easter tree tonight. Taaadaahhh.

There will be a bit of mummy adjusting to get it just right or that easter bunny might be offended and not visit.

Happy Easter to all of you see you after easter.

Sarah



Zooommming along

I have been trying out my new camera and taking lots of shots of the garden.

I love the zzzzooooommm lens.

I have more progress on my wonderful blanket, 200 square Tah dah moment for you.

200 Squares TAH DAH

only 236 to do. Oh dear look at all those ends to weave in.

Let the Celebration begin

It was my birthday on Saturday so the OH has took a few days off so we can have a week long celebration, with lots of days trips and meals out. I do like to drag it out.

We had an exciting trip to London on Wednesday for the Country living fair in Islington. It was great fun and some really interesting stalls. There were loads of vintage stalls which were all really busy so much so that we weren't able to get in them without resorting to pushing and shoving with elbows out which we would not do. I lost out on a big jar of buttons, threads, thimbles and other vinatge sewing goodies because I am too polite, 'No,no you go first...' These fair goers are serious they don't care for anyone, elbows out and in they charge bagging the bargains. Oh well it saved me money.

The most exciting thing was meeting the author of the book I am loving at the moment, 'Cute and easy crochet' - Nicki Trench. I know I keep going on about but its great easy to follow instructions and the projects are so cute. I got to see the blanket I am working on at the moment and its gorgeous. I have now made 132 squares. Only 268 to do.

Today we had lunch out at the Barge Inn in Battlesbridge which is where they is an antique centre. Meatballs and linguine yummy. I lusted after the restored chair in a shop called 'Amy's Attic' again. At a price tag of £375 I think it will stay in the shop. Sorry I don't have a photo I was too scared to ask.

We had an inpromptu trip to Mersea Island in our little old caravan. The weather on Saturday was miserable windy and cold but we had friends to visit so despite the weather we had a lovely day. I got a brand new camera for my birthday a canon powershot its fantastic so no more excuses for rubbish photos. I do love a new camera and this one is full of gadgets not to mention the 'wink' detector, which I found hilarious. I also got some more of my favourite Susie Watson china to add to my collection.

Yesterday we had a trip up to Suffolk to visit my Nan. Whilst driving we caught sight of some Mad March Hares chasing about the fields so I'll leave you with the pictures I took.

Have a lovely fun filled week.

Bye,

Sarah

Awards and creations

Thanks to pinkfluffywarrior for my blog award my first one which is great. Now I have to pass it on to five other blogs. I choose...
1.Clever Cheshire Cats
2.Curlew Country
3.Tales from Cuckoo Land
4.Teawagon tales
5.Little Cotton Rabbits

If you choose to accept the award please pass them on to five other blogs. Obviously if you don't want to take part don't worry, its not compulsory just a bit of fun. Just paste the award on your blog and invite five other blogs to do the same.

 I saw this beautiful peacock at the easter barn I visited at the weekend, isn't his tail gorgeous, amazing things exist in nature don't they. I was looking for some pretty gingham ribbon and a twiggy heart to hang on my office door when its eventually finished. I found both and will show you when I use them.

If you pop over to Julia Crossland's blog you will see she has started  'Being creative'. I have signed up and our theme this month is 'garden'. The point being that we make time during the month to do something creative, perhaps in a medium we haven't used for a while or something totally different, setting aside time to create. I haven't done anything yet and I know I am running out of time but I am sure I will be able to do something and there aren't any strict rules so I won't have to sit in the corner with the dunces hat on.

I succumb to some wool buying this week I couldn't resist these Amy Butler colours. I don't have a project in mind yet so they we stay in my basket until I think of something. I just loooovveee them they are so soft and colourful.

Little OB's teddy bear is finished, I put him in his cot and hoped he would find him in the morning and love him. So here is my teddy bear Ta dah moment. At the moment he is the nameless crochet bear.Just chilling out on the settee.

Bye for now,

Sarah

Steamy windows

Don't be too quick to jump to conclusions assuming what is happening in that steamed up car in the car park.

It's the steam coming off the hook of an innocent secret crocheter hooking a few more squares in her lunch break.

I have targeted myself to making 10 squares a day and in a month and a half I will have a beautiful snuggly blanket.

This is from my new book Cute and Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench its a lovely book full of candy coloured wool made into jam pot covers, blankets, egg cosies and teddy bears.

Perfect spring coloured eye candy, ooohh and delicious coffee and walnut cake.

Here is my other project I am still working on my japanese flowers, I have stopped as although I love all the colours I have chosen I'm not sure whether I would wear a shawl like this. I might just use white, light blue and dark blue...? Not sure.

Any whoo my attention has been diverted again this time into a teddy bear for little bobble- he looked through my book and the teddy bears at the end caught his attention. He is not usually bothered by furry stuffed toys so I was surprised. I want him to give up his beloved muslins that he has cuddled since he was a baby so I will bribe him with the lure of a crocheted teddy. I show him each morning how far I have got and he seems impressed- well I am anyway. I really surprise myself with how versatile crochet is and how easy it is to make things.

He has a bit of a pointy nose doesn't he.

Well I'll leave you with a cheeky little spike who is enjoying my newly made bed in the sun. He tucked himself in.



Happy Birthday

Happy

Birthday

To you

I have lots of spring birthdays which is lovely but its a busy time of year my sister, my husband, my cousin, two of my friends and me all within a month.

Some cheery spring flowers emerging, loving the acid green especially with purple crocuses.