opinions if ya please!

As you know, I've been making my bro and is luvvely wife a bed quilt for Christmas. I'm all basted and ready to go but need to buy thread. Now. I had always planned to do a 45 degree straight line in a mid grey to quilt with to keep it modern, not too patchworky and so that you see the diagonal lines theselves and not the thread, ifyerknoworrImean. But I'm now wondering if I should go with one of the multitudinous purple and pink variegated threads on the market. Here's the top before basting. Please excuse the ginormous crease up the middle where it's been folded over the bannister!

This is a better one of the colours, I think. It's on Kona ash if that makes any difference and the backing is a grey from Moda's Hometown collection.

Any thoughts? I'm swinging one way and then the other. The grey keeps it simple and clean looking, the pink might be a bit of fun, though. Grey more grown up, though? More stylish? Hmm.

Ooh, any favourite thread manufacturer recs, too? I'll need to order online so anything goes!

at long last - crazy shoes!!

I have twice waxed lyrical about a particular brand of shoes that I adore. Once here and once here. I think my friend Biff started the obsession when she bought these bonkers boots so cheers for that, mate! I know my taste runs more to these but I do like a nice pair of heels for dressing up purposes. Weddings, funerals, Christmas parties and the like. Well, I spied a pair a few weeks ago and thought they might actually do all of those events. I was good. I waited. I internally debated and pondered. And then I caved I bought them. Well, truth be told?  Spouse bought one and I bought the other. Wanna see?

Gotta love that box!

And the tissue paper - wee cuckoos!

They're even on the soles! Shame to walk on them, really.

Tah-daaah! My very own pair of Irregular Choice heels. They are ridiculously expensive but they're an investment, right? RIGHT?

A close up of the crazy felt flowers!

But you know the really bad thing? They are so, SO comfy that owning a pair hasn't helped my obsession in the slightest and I want another pair! I've seen these red ones.......Christmas bonus here I come!!

how a-museum-ing!

We had 2 school in-service days here on Thursday and Friday (I don't know if these are common elsewhere but in Britain it's a school day where only teachers attend!) and spouse and I took some holidays to watch the Chook. Yesterday we took the opportunity to visit the newly reopened National Museum of Scotland. It's being having a major refurbishment the last few years and it was the first time I'd been since childhood.

The old Victorian atrium is still as awe-inspiring as I remember although the massive blue whale skeleton that used to hang from the ceiling is gone although we did find a small part of him.

There was a lot of exhibits I did remember like old Nelly here. Do you see what is surrounding him? It's the jaw bone of the blue whale that used to hang in the atrium!

Shenanigans with my special people and a dino skull. We were a loooong time at the animal galleries!

And loads of pretty things in glass cases. If I was a cello player in a rock type setting this is the instruent I would play!

You may remember we're fond of minis - we'd forgotten how small they are!!

There were also tons and tons of old music players, computers, toys, kitchen equipment and stuff to reminisce over.

And then there was all the interactive stuff. Here is space dad - I think she's trying to pick his nose...

And we did some Buddhist brass rubbing, too. It's a horse, natch!

I was most tickled, though, to see the cool old radiators that they'd kept. They were toasty warm, too!

And after all our culture? A trip to Harvey Nichols to try out their Yo! sushi bar. Chook is determining that really is a cucumber maki before she gets her chopsticks into play. God forbid it's an avocado one! Spouse obviously has no such worries!!

A quick run into the Disney store and it was time to head home. It's really wild and windy here today and I'm hoping it clears by tomorrow for Chookie's first proper lesson at the new riding school. She's so excited! I just hope she's not buckaroo-ing again!

procrastination in the nation

I'm not normally a big procrastinator but I seem to be making lots of things that aren't my brother's Christmas quilt at the moment!

This was my first attempt at a circle of geese block. It's a table square to match my Mum's blind and took the best part of Sunday morning. And Saturday night. And I have 2 quarters in the bin because one was the wrong way round and one is the wrong size. Bloody printer! However I'm pleased with it and it looks good in Mum's kitchen. Not making a quilt of them any time soon, though!

This one is at least related to the bro's quilt! It's the ORB dresden round and this will eventually be a cushion to match the aforementioned quilt. My first proper dresden. Not making a quilt of these, either! *grins*

And I had the urge tonight to rattle up a manicure set like the one I made Mum for Mother's Day. This is for my sis-in-law's birthday in a few weeks (bro's wife!)

It matches the dumpling pouch I made waaay back for her. There's a pretty pink compact mirror and some pink lip balm in the bag. I'd quite like one of these sets myself!

I have done 2 of the 3 rows of hills on the pesky Christmas quilt and I 'm a lot easier about it now. It's going to look quite good, I think. I wasn't sure for a few days there!! The plan is to have a finished top by the weekend (or the end of the weekend) so we shall see! I work better to deadlines... ooh, that's a nice pattern...

blinds and blighters

Ola! It's been another busy weekend here but of the nice, productive kind. One of the most important (to me) things on my winter stitching list was a festive blind for my Mum's kitchen. Those of you with elephantine memories may remember this one that I made in June. Well, after a bit of a hunt for this Michael Miller Calico Trees fabric (it had disappeared from pretty much all British shops!) we spent yesterday morning running this wee chap up.

Since we had to piece the fabric (it was 3 inches too short in the width!) I decided to make a feature of it and do a sort of parcel wrapping effect. Hence the bows on the bottom. I'm really pleased with them - even if I do say so myself!

Isn't my Mum's kitchen like something out of Ideal Home? Gotta love that green dresser!! (her whole house is like this, BTW - she should be an interior decorator...)

 
And inbetween blind making the Chookie had her assessment lesson at her new riding school. I should clarify, the assessment wasn't to gain entry into the school! It was only so that they can see how she rides to put her into the appropriate group for her lessons. But thanks to everyone who was about to take up arms on her behalf to get her in! *grins*

This is her on Minnie. Who was as cute as anything but a wee bar-steward of a pony! Everything was going fine until about 20 minutes in when Chook asked her to canter. Then the wee blighter started broncing!! Proper back arching all four hooves off the ground at once stuff. Chook stuck like glue, though and got her back under control and continued. And five minutes later the minx tried to buck her off! Way to blow your confidence on a new pony in a new yard, aye? Again, Chook stuck it out but she'd really had enough by then. Her half hour was up, anyway and she's been put in a novice-intermediate class. Which means nothing to me, just that she's not a beginner! She at least seems a bit philosophical about it today. It's in the stable diary next to her name "not on Minnie" so she should get a different ride next week til her confidence is nice again and she's raring to go. I think she was more disappointed about not getting a canter and showing all her skills than she was worried or scared about a pony trying to throw her off twice in quick succession!

Today has been spent swearing over my first paper pieced circle of geese block and baking brownies. Fabulous Sunday efforts, I'm sure you'll agree! Hope you're having a lovely weekend wherever you are.

an important start

The biggest thing on my winter stitching list was a bed quilt for my brother and his wife for Christmas. I started the prep work way back in September (gathering their colour ideas and running some quilt patterns by them) and this is what we've ended up with.

Grown up pink and any kind of purple are hard to come by! But we're good, I think. That Denyse Schmidt pattern isn't too patchworky, either, ifyaknoworrImean. I had fun choosing the matching threads, though. Is that a bit sad?

I hadn't anticipated the five hours of tracing and cutting I would need, though! Still, I think (hope!) it'll be a quick top to put together. I'm gambling a bit and not doing the hand needle-turn method that she suggests (coz I'm not that patient!!) I'm going for raw edge applique, again so that it's not too patchworky and maybe a bit more modern. I think I'm gonna straight line quilt, too.

I've spent tonight cutting the backing fabric and pritt-sticking on the biggest row of hills. Hoping to do some stitching tomorrow - wish us luck, eh? If it goes badly then we're sunk!!

such a busy weekend...

This was the weekend of our first Cubs sleepover in the Scout hut and I can one hundred percent admit I am totally gubbed. Knackered to the extreme. It started well enough. They were very well behaved and fun was had by all. Making pirate hats, playing pirate games and doing a treasure hunt I spent hours preparing. Do you like my clue letters and maps?

 Here's my wee pirate - the only one I can share for obvious child protection issues. Do you like how her skull and crossbones became a pony and crosspole jump? Heh heh.

 Anyways, everything was going well. They had supper, got ready for bed and after about 2 hours most of them were sleeping. By about half one in the morning we adults were about to retire when a wee body appeared in the kitchen.

"I don't feel well..." he whimpered. Oh dear. There's a definite pattern emerging where it's me that launches across the room - it happened at camp with a distressed girl as well - to an upset child. My reflexes seem to propel me past everyone closer while they're still doing god knows what. Anyway, our wee Cub emptied his stomach down the loo (I hate other people being sick but I'm getting quite good at not breathing while it's happening!) and a call to his parents revealed they'd made the most of their kid free night and had been out having a drink. Which is how I found myself at 2am dropping him off home. *sighs*

By 3am another Cub was crying because he couldn't get back to sleep! Three visits to him, a change of bed (the sick boy's roll mat was still lying out) and we were settling down a little. Of course, it was after 4am by this time and I still hadn't had any sleep. Funny how all the other supposed light sleepers in the leadership team are dead to the world when there's stuff going on! I got one whole blessed hours sleep. And then a wee wraithlike figure appeared at the door to our room a bit jittery and snivelly. Not with a sore tummy like I was imagining but looking for his mum. Who was our parent helper and sound asleep! He'd got a fright the wee man and then couldn't find her in the dark and was SO upset. So that was another hour lost while she calmed him down. I did squeeze in one other hours sleep before getting up at half 7. Needless to say I slept the whole afternoon on the couch when I got home!

And then I discovered my mail. Sarah was giving away some "hideous" fabric last week on her blog. I think she's mental coz I loved this check! And just coz she's a total and utter sweetie pie she sent a fabulous tidy that she'd made (skulls!!), perle cottons (drool) and the Single Girl quilt pattern which I'm planning on trying in the spring. What a doll, eh?

There was also some scrapbook papers I'd picked up last week in an online sale. Sassafrass Lass - my favourite!! And 6 metres of Kona Ash for my brother's Christmas quilt. Job for this week - start it!!

Today was Remembrance Sunday so we were all at the wee village over from us for their service (Scout related, that's why not at the one in our town) and Chook and I were in the parade with the pack. I forgot to get a photo of us all smart in our uniforms. Doh!

But before that I'd been doing a treasure hunt in my jammies! Chook spent hours this morning making up a load of clues and hiding them all over the house while I was catching up on my sleep. Here's one of her clues on the loo!

Bless her wee socks, it was so cute! The treasure was gold coin wrappers (as in sans chocolate!) left over from Friday night but the thought was there! And this afternoon we checked out her new riding school! Where she rides currently are having trouble with their arenas. They are both unuseable so for the last 6 weeks she's just been hacking out and is so bored with it! I tell you, the recession is obviously not affecting riding because I had to contact FOUR places before I got a reply. This place looks great, though! It's farm based again but really organised and they have an indoor ring, too, which is a boon when you ride in Scotland! AND - this is an exciting one - a coffee shop!!! So no more waiting in a freezing cold car. I can get a hot chocolate and a cookie and they have free wi-fi too! SO hopefully her assessment lesson on Saturday goes well and she likes the place and instructors and we should be all set! Fingers crossed anyway.

I hope you all had a great weekend - maybe a bit less frantic then mine! Monday already, gah!

a fortune cookie bag

I saw first these fortune cookie bags a few weeks ago when Fiona had made a couple. The pattern and frames are from U-Handbag and I could hardly wait for a shot at making some. Of course, me being me, I wanted different fabric from the kit for my prototype. Something black so I have a new wee party bag for Christmas nights out. But still quirky. Step up Echino!

I love that camera print so dearly. And, natch, a Paul Smith style interior was also a must.

I have some small issues with the pattern, though. Well, only one, really. I don't like how the unfinished seams show at the hinges. So next time (which will hopefully be good enough for a Christmas gift) I'll either add height to the pieces and do a proper finished seam the whole way round the top seam or just turn under and top stitch those two corners. It's good enough for me, though!

And in the interests of full disclosure and honesty? Here's the huge glue stain on what is now the back. I'm still debating whether a flat, square fabric bow will cover this beautifully or look like a last minute add on and be too much. It is being left as is for the time being. It's only when the light catches it and you see the shine that it's noticeable.

And I love it so much!! I need a black dress so I can definitely wear it to my Christmas parties now!! Something for me, finally. It's great to be making things for others but a little self gratification certainly keeps the creative and altruistic tank full!

Happy Bonfire Night!

Spouse is at a concert tonight seeing Motorhead again (he really didn't want to go!) so Chookie and I went to the local bonfire and fireworks display ourselves. We're really lucky , it's about 100m from our house so we just walked round 10 minutes before and ooh-ed and aah-ed with everyone else. It was excellent - I think even better than last years. It's only the second year it's been put on by the local Round Table, before we had to travel to a nearby town to see one and because it's RT all the money raised goes to local charities, too. Everyone wins!

Excuse the photography but really, aren't camera phones just the biz? I would never have taken the camera out with me (I gave up years ago trying to photograph fireworks!) but here I have my rosey cheeked girl and me preserved for posterity. And Chilli the pony!

the Blogger's Quilt Festival.



It's 2 years since I first joined in with one of Amy's Festivals and I have to say, I can't believe how it's grown! Kudos to Amy for bringing us all together like this twice a year. It's nice for us lone wolf quilters to be part of something. So. To the quilt.

I joined a 3x6 Bee last summer (2010) with 6 other ladies from all over the world. The idea behind a 3x6 is that you make one design six times in six colour pallettes. The colours are chosen by the other participants. What this means for you is you receive 6 blocks that are different in design but are, hopefully, colour co-ordinated. Which is exactly what happened for me!

I had all my blocks by the new year and I puzzled for some months how to put them together. 6 12in blocks do not a big quilt make! So, I took my cue from my scrapping days when I had a real penchant for layouts (pages) with lots of white space.

This is my Mental quilt.

Half of the quilt is totally plain with just a teeny embellishment of squares in the top left corner border.

The backing is a lovely Timber print - it's wee sycamour helicopter seeds and is not too busy for such a plain front. The binding is also really simple, just a solid chocolate brown. It's had an all-over stipple quilting, too in an attempt to unify everything and add some interest to the plain parts. You cannae beat a crinkly quilt!

It happily lives in my bedroom so I see it every morning. The blocks came from Lynne and Mandy in Derbyshire, Enger-land, Susan in Gurnee, Illinois, Krista in Seattle, Washington, Lucinda in Morrisville, New York and the other Krista in Anchorage, Alaska. And me up here in Scotland. Although in the interests of the truth, Krista in Seattle's block is still waiting to be made into a matching cushion! And the name "the Mental quilt" is from the bee name. We were Bee Mental!!

This remains my only finished Bee quilt though and I am proud I managed to do something with those disparate blocks!

 

Fresh Sewing (and other crafting) Day!

I'm linking up with Lynne's Fresh Sewing Day. Although I am cheating and including some non-sewn but still made-by-me stuff!

I actually did better than I thought. Two items here are for Christmas, do you see the Granny fabrics on the bottom middle row? They're for my Granny and Papa, it's a .......a.......... actually, I dunno what it's called. It's a suite protector set. A head screen thingie to protect their new armchairs from Papa's Brillcremed hair! Well, two, actually, one for each chair (although I still need to handsew the binding on one). And four arm covers to match - that's Granny's at the front with the pocket for the telly remote. She has ALL the power on that front!

I've snuck in my scrapbook page and Chookie's scooter coz they ate a fair whack of sewing time. I wouldn't expect too much next month, either, I'm about to embark on the Christmas gift double bed quilt! Yikes!!