Busy January, New and Old Activities

I made a New Year's resolution to spend less time using the internet and social media and more time in my studio. As I've given up organising my own craft fairs, I've found a few to do this year as a trader and I now feel so relaxed about my sewing.  My other resolution was to be more creative - by this I mean to make more things from scratch, rather than rely on the Pfaff embroidery unit!

I've been caught by the bag making bug and joined the Bag of the Month Club - the January pattern was the 'Ring Sling' by Samantha Hussey - Mrs H - I loved this pattern and this was my first real attempt at bag making and I was pretty impressed with my effort, even though I do say it myself.

This bag has been very closely followed by these:

Absolutely Blooming

The Lily Bag by Quilting Antics

And today, the Sedgeford by Charlie's Aunt, Emma Brennan

The snow caused TextSet to cancel our meeting this month but I've been working on one of my pieces which I've called 

'Flowers for Bees'

This is a positive approach to man's impact and I view it as a 'preventative' approach to the decline of bees.  I cut strips of fabric, stitched them together again and then cut out decreasing circles and stitched those back together with sari silk waste couched over the seams - these will form large, stylized flowers.  I plan to pleat and pad them but need to experiment more.  I've created a patched background for these flowers and have stenciled bees and flowers onto it (but haven't taken a photo of that.) The added advantage of this piece of work is that it recycles fabrics that have been found in charity shops or are samples from upholstery books.

Lastly, this is just for fun and how much have I been enjoying this - just like being a little girl and doing a jigsaw - a rooster collage with a Facebook group - Collage Quilt along with Emily Taylor - there's a lot of tracing and cutting out to do but it's strangely relaxing and comforting - he is pinned ready for securing before stitch and quilting.

Till next time - Carry On Stitching!

The future depends on what we do in the present

Mahatma Ghandi

A New Adventure

At the beginning of the year, I decided to start learning how to quilt - I joined the Quilter's Guild (UK) and found a local group to attend called Quirky Quilters. The ladies all proved to be very helpful, friendly, welcoming and kind by sharing their knowledge and expertise.

Today with that same group I was lucky enough to take part in an afternoon workshop with Judy Newman (A Very Fine House) from Australia - my first attempt at hand piecing.

After a short talk and look at all of the beautiful quilts Judy makes, she expertly guided us through making templates and cutting and stitching to form the first part of the block for the quilt she calls Sugar Plum.  Judy loves to collect vintage fabrics to make her quilts and the odd bit of Liberty is almost certain to creep in. 

This amazing lady makes all these quilts by hand and is such a patient and generous tutor.  Along with her daughter, Emma, she was leaving us to drive to Heathrow to face her 24 hour flight home - but the great news is that she is planning to return to the UK in August 2019 to exhibit at the NEC Birmingham, Quilt Show. Can't wait to see her new designs!!

SUGAR PLUM QUILT

THE BEGINNING OF MY BLOCK


Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another. John Dewey

Crazy Quilting Again

I have joined Kathy Shaw for another online course through her blog to progress with crazy quilting. This course is going to be about learning to piece and make patterns and there also seems to be a very interesting piece about printing onto silk/cotton with you printer and stitching into the lovely vintage photos. Looking forward to this very much!

 

Scrap Bag Challenge Bags

I've been going through my fabric scraps and have come up with these bags for the next craft fair. I am NOT a quilter and I am aware that I've probably not used the right technique but these are fun, vintage style, sturdy shoppers.

Small Vanity Bag

My other activity has been completing the bunting for my eldest son's wedding in two weeks - draped around the house so that I can make sure I have enough length.

 Our Greatest Glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.

Ralph Waldo Emerson