Oops

It has now been many months since I posted on here.
Truth is, I just haven't had time for much crafting. There have been bits of projects or small projects completed here and there, but not much that is worthy of mention.
I will try harder to find time to get back into and share my crafting in between a hectic work schedule, WI commitments, running and so on.

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A finish! Cat Stack

Here is my completed Cat Stack wall hanging. Quilted, bound and ready to gift!

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Cat Stack

I bought an adorable pattern for a quilted wall hanging at the Knitting and Stitching Show in November, and in unusual efficiency I have very nearly finished it!

It's called Cat Stack and there are three kitties all piled on top of each other. The one at the top is my Bodd! 

I still have to do the quilting and binding, so that's the work for this weekend sorted!

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Cushions

I rather like making cushion covers. Here are two I have done recently.

The purple one is for Helen. The patchwork block was a reject from my quillow. And I know the purple in the borders doesn't 'go', but I wanted to get it finished without buying more fabric!

And the Mario is for my friend Paul. He's awesome.

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Images of Japan - Block 3

This month I receive the final pack in the Images of Japan quilt series. And so far, I have managed to actually get round to making three of the 11 blocks! Here's the latest ...

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Super Mario Bros patchwork block

I finally got round to finishing off my Mario patchwork block.It was a very labour intensive process - cutting dozens of 1.5 inch blocks, ironing them to the interfacing, sewing all the grid lines - but well worth it.

I'm calling this technique "pixel patchwork" and I think the finished look is just brilliant.

This will now be made into a cushion cover for my best friend Paul, hopefully in time for Christmas!

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Crafting with the Embroiderers' Guild

At our final Embroiderers' Guild meeting of the year we enjoyed a whole day of crafting.

In the morning Hilary showed us how to make felted bowls. Using merino wool tops and olive oil soap, along with some very hi-tech equipment including bubble wrap, a towel and a sandwich bag, we carefully crafted our vessels by layering the fibres then rubbing them all together. We could have gone on for hours! I made an extra one at home and decorated them with buttons and beads.

And in the afternoon Judith got us making some felt decorations. You can probably guess my favourite colours given that I did both projects in them! Very predictable!

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Making bath bombs

My friends Sarah and Lynne run a fab monthly craft group in Bramley and every now and then I manage to attend to have a natter and do some sewing. But last week they did something a bit different and organised a hands-on session at Lush in Leeds.

We got to make a bath bomb by mixing up the magic powder and squashing it into a mould. Although my first attempt wasn't quite up to standard (I didn't pack it well enough so it was a bit crumbly) it still made for a very relaxing bath after my 10k race!

This is my second attempt, which came out much better.

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Bad blogger

Yikes, nearly two months since my last post! I'm so ashamed, and the worst of it is I'm not even sure where all that time has gone. There has been a lot of WI business to keep me busy, not to mention a few days out for filming, the Knitting and Stitching Show and lots of spare time spent running. But still, how is it December already?!

Time for a quick picture then. This is my purple and pink quillow on display at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate! The West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes has a stand and we showcase the entries from the craft competition as well as items made by Members at craft workshops.

I helped out for one morning and it was great fun. Then I spent the afternoon shopping!

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Applique picture

Here is the applique sample that I started at the Embroiderers' Guild meeting last weekend.

Hilary had washed all the fabrics in tea to give them a worn, vintage look. I think it's rather sweet, especially the shaysho (hedgehog) button.

No idea what I will do with it at the moment though!

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Maps

Saturday was the monthly Embroiderers' Guild meeting in Headingley. It's been a year now since I started going with Hayley and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. There are so many talented ladies and loads of inspiration each and every month.

In the morning we have a stitch group. It is organised by a member each time and has different themes. This month Hilary put together an applique kit for us to work on. I'm hoping to get it finished soon so I can show you later this week.

Remember the chain stitch maps we did a while back? They had been stitched together to go on display and are now back with us. Mine is in the top right corner. We'll be getting our own squares back so it might be the start of a new project for me!

In the afternoon we had a talk from Sue Seeger of the National Society of Costume and Textiles. She took us on a journey through ladies dress over the last couple of centuries, which was absolutely fascinating. I now really want a bustle skirt!

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Japanese Trellis Quilt - Finished!

I am very pleased to report that my Japanese Trellis Quilt is now finished and on my bed.

I decided to tackle the quilting myself. Having never wrestled with a whole double quilt under my machine before I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but it wasn't too difficult really.

I stuck with straight tram lines on either edge of the big blocks that went right across the whole quilt, so it was a bit of a mission wrestling it through, but I managed pretty well.

I also just stuck with white thread so as not to complicate things further.

 

Very pleased with my new quilt. I had a quick nap under it this afternoon and all was well. Chalky likes it too.

 

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