a foray into applique.

Our round 8 at the Old Red Barn quilting group on Flickr is being led by Pat Sloan. Therefore we are learning applique which I find really scarey but is actually quite fun! I started a few weeks ago with a charm pack of Freebird by Momo for Moda (and some fat quarters that I haven't used and are back in my stash!!)

I did some cutting, some stitching, some tracing, some more cutting, some fusing and now I have this.

Cool, eh? Mine looks nothing like the model (what a surprise!) but I'm really liking it. It's wee - about 36in - but that means it's easy to work with and runs up really quick. So I'm onto the stitching of the applique and then putting it all together. The sashing is being auditioned, by the way, I'm not intending to use orange, blue, claret AND purple!! Just the purple, I think. Although I'm starting to like the blue...

spider season.

Would you look at the size of that chap on the ceiling?!?!? I was really taking a photo of my new un-natural hair colour. You like?

It's actually 3 colours. Well, five actually if you count the blonde high and lowlights. But we pretend they are real so are only counting 3.

Here's the green and blue. And, yes, my hair is 2 inches shorter on this side. Just coz. Happy is the girl with ridiculous hair and empty pockets!



Bearpaw and me.

So, today Bearpaw Jo and I attended the Scottish Quilt Championships in Ingliston in Edinburgh. We both weren't sure what to expect but wow! It was really, really good!! Loads of quilts for inspiration of all different types. It was hard getting good photos of them, though! The two that really stick in my mind are:

(Aurora Borealis by Patricia Robertson [and Jo!])

It looks like an amazing big afghan but when we got up really close?

It's loads of tiny, TINY hexagons!! All pieced by hand, obviously.

I loved this guy, though (we both did, actually!)

(Glorious Autumn by Frieda Oxenham)

Loads of batiks, minutely pieced and look!

Little seed beads and buttons all over!! I really loved this one.

Ooh, this was a favourite of Jo's.

I've totally not got a photo of the quilter's name - sorry!! I was doing so well. *pouts* Still, it was an extremely cool little string thing.

It was really nicely done. We also spent some *coughlotscough* money and left thoroughly knackered and happy.

Thanks, Jo! I had a ball - always nice when you're surprised by an event. Ooh, and for anyone wondering? Yes, Jo's new gaff is as beautiful as the pictures!!

P.S. Jo? I've totally lost my voice now!! I've just a squeaky croak left!!





the boys are back!!

I may have just swallowed my tongue in excitement...

the mug rug swap

the spooky house mug rug
Originally uploaded by ochil_lynz

I'm involved in a swap for those fabulous huge coasters that are all the rage on the Flickr quilting communities. I admit, I've been procrastinating a little over designs but settled on a Halloween theme (my secret partner likes ALL the holidays!) and really wanted a shot of some creative raw edge applique and some painting with thread (who knew sewing machine scribbling had a proper name?!). I may yet embroider her initials on the largest tombstone and after a comment on Flickr I may also give the bat fangs. *grins* I'm quite happy with how it's turned out and, of course, Chookie is requiring one for her cookies. Success!

I got called to school today!

Nothing bad. Well, I mean she hadn't done anything bad. But in the rush to get to her line after morning break? She fell headfirst down the hill and because the school is over 100 years old they have no green space. So the hill is concrete. Ow. And the office ladies and first aider - who it has to be said know the Chook quite well on account of her general inherited clumsiness - thought her left knee in particular needed some medical attention. Cue the call to Mum's work, Mum dropping everything (including a half-eaten bag of crisps!) and a visit to the nurse at the local health centre. And 2 bandages.

They're not as bad as they look here but that left one is a stoater. No stitches coz that would involve having some skin left to stitch! There's a giant crater under that left knee so it's been plastered with a gel that's supposed to draw out the grit and we go back on Friday to let the nurse have a look and get a new dressing. In the meantime we've not to get it wet. Ack!



Not that it was bothering her! And I quote "this is the best day EVER!" coz she got a half day off school, a new toy (dratted Zhu-Zhu hamsters!) and control of the telly doofer. Harumph.  Of course, it's started to hurt now. Not such a brilliant day after all, eh, Chook? Trousers tomorrow, methinks.

jelly filled Holly blossom

I finally got the Chookie's bed quilt finished! At last! The wee pet has been so patient. The pattern is the Thimbleblossoms Jelly Filled. It's supposed to be for a jellyroll but I had a fat quarter bundle siting around that was in the perfect colourway (Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom) and it worked well.

The backing is more Ginger Blossom but this time in a cosy flannel. Leftover blocks came in very handy piecing it!

The binding is a Kaffe Fasset print. I was going to use the pink solid I used for the small border but decided at the last minute I wanted a red. This was an accidental find and I'm glad I went for it - the quilt can take the strong colour but the pink print stops it being too bold.

Our only slight problem is the whole mid-sleeper thing! The quilt can't drape because of the safety bars so needs tucked in - which is a real pain to do when we're running out to work and school in the morning!

I've still to do a pillowcase (there's enough cherries flannel for a cosy one!) but it's very pleasing to have nothing hanging over the bannister waiting to be quilted - first time since May! 

the deets:

The pattern is Jelly-filled by Thimbleberries.

The fabric is Ginger Blossom by Sandi Henderson and a light pink palin cotton. The binding is a Kaffe Fassett print.

It is measuring 53in x 70in.

bags of Japanese fun!

I was browsing various blogs the other night when I came across a fabulous couple of bags that Maria had made from the most fantastic tutorial here. I'm in the market for a new messenger bag for when I'm shopping and need my hands free (my Miche is my everyday bag but the short handles mean there's often a hand keeping it on my shoulder) and I loved the design of this. So I rummaged and found some fabulous Kokka fabric I had bought in the spring just because I loved it. I knew it would make a brilliant bag!

Hee!! The tutorial is absolutely fantastic. There's a pocket on the back and one on the inside for phones and keys. I haven't decided on a fastening, yet. I think some of Sooz's iron-on velcro may be just the ticket! 

Geez, I'm using Blogger's new editor to write this, it's all over the place! Gah. Anyway, make this bag, it is fantastic!

Especially for Jo.

Close ups of the dresser stuff.

That's obviously my new pic-a-nic basket on the top there. And my favourite turquoise glasses on the top shelf. The wine glasses need replaced - pants!
I love these huge mugs with their wee spoons in the handle!

Middle shelf had my Next shelf art (gotta love the Directory!!) and my jug with fake flowers today! The mugs on the other side of the shelf are just giant Disney affairs!

The bottom's the best. The right hand side is primarily iPod dockland and my favourite glasses but the left has the iron trivet and bookstand we bought before we were married, the Chook's favourite spill proof cups (Disney again!), the bowl with the absolute dregs of my peanut butter M&M's and my basket of stuff. Favourite tea towels, my pear from Marg and a wooden Welsh lovespoon that the Spouse bought me on our weekend away in July.

You want to see it closer, Jo? You'll need to come visit. *grins*

hooked on quilts

Do you remember my massive parcel of happiness from Dee last week? There was the most magnificent hook snuggled in amongst all the fabrics. She had wondered if it might do for in my bedroom (I'd mentioned needing hooks for all my necklaces to hang on) or - get this - maybe it could go into the garage with the Spouse (as IF?!?!?). In the end it was made for my kitchen. We have a lot of black iron and wood in there and I knew the perfect place for it. So the Spouse hung it yesterday afternoon.
And I promptly hung my current kitchen quilt on it. There's one usually hanging over the back of a kitchen chair but all I do is pick it up off the floor!

It fits in a treat, doesn't it? Gotta love "stuff"!! God knows I have it everywhere! (do you see the iron curtain rail and light? MADE for it, I tells ya!)

Thank you, my friend. It is perfect.

I squeezed in one last mug rug yesterday afternoon, too. Chook likes a snack in the living room after school. And her supper gets eaten here, too. And plates smash when they hit the floor so she tends to avoid them. Leading to greasy marks on the arm of the couch from brioche, fruit, chocolate and all the rest. Not to mention juice drips! So this is a biggie at 7 x 12 inches and is a perfect guard for 8 year old mess! I just need one for spouse, now!

Mumsie's Minnie Mug

An old and very dear friend goes into hospital on Tuesday for some breast cancer surgery. It's not too serious (as far as the specialists can tell so far) but is still pretty damn scarey and a bit anxious making for everyone who knows her. Specially since her husband was a very lucky man 4 years ago. Anyways, I wanted to make her something and the obvious solution was another of those dear little mug rugs.

I picked up this Minnie mug in the Disney Store last weekend - her favourite colour is purple - and just spent a delightful couple of hours playing.

I'm very happy with the result. So happy, in fact, that I'm going to make a bigger one for the Chook to have on the arm of out couch. A dribble catcher hopefully!

And if anyone has some spare positive vibes, happy thoughts or prayers (depending on your belief system) I'm sure Val would happily receive them! I have everything crossed and a G&T on standby in her honour. Go get 'em, Mumsie!!

Doll Quilt Swap - round 9

I did round 8 of the infamous Flickr Doll Quilt Swap in January and received my amazing wee whirlygig quilt that hangs in my living room from Wendy. You all know I received my amazing Hunky Dory quilt last week from Rene. This is what I sent out this time all the way to Hawaii!!

Amber and her husband are major football fans. And when I say football? I mean soccer. One of Amber's favourite quilts by someone else was a little quilt of red crosses from the last swap. Now, all I saw when I looked at it was wee St. George crosses which was my original plan. Lotsa England flags with a cheeky little Saltire in the corner. And then I discovered about the football thing. The World Cup was on (this was back in July) and she was getting up at stupid o'clock to watch the action with her beloved. So this quilt is called "World Cup Watchers" and is 9 of the qualifying nations' flags. And a wee sneaky bit?

Under the Stars and Stripes is the flag of a nation of footie lovers who haven't qualified in about 25 years. Coz we are rubbish. Anyhoo, I got a lovely e-mail from Amber this morning saying it had arrived and she loved it (and she had an inkling it was for her!) Less than a week to get to Hawaii from Scotland - not too shabby at all!

In other (related) news. There's been some counting going on in the Doll Quilt Swap boards and I am one of a handful of participants who.....well, lets just say we have more chat posts than the other 140-odd swappers. We are *clears throat* The Ultra Bebes!! And I get to display a special button. Which basically just confirms what everyone else knows. That I talk too much online. *grins*