This will be a bit of a mish-mash type of blog today. So to start I will show you how many presents Hetty received – she was totally spoilt – and is enjoying for the first time a whole week to 10 days of me being here over the holidays as I normally work the in between dates. The bits will be hanging toys when I rejuvenate tired looking ones.
Secondly, here are the Christmas Jumpers and Socks
In the third, these are the books I have received – I am an avid Agatha Christie fan. Also I would really love a Dachshund, preferably a rough haired one or a tan coloured smooth haired – maybe in the near future. I have started to read the Windsor Knot. I have also received some audio books – again short stories by Agatha Christie and read by my favourite Miss Marple – Joan Hickson; and Georges Simenon’s Maigret which I shall listen to whilst sewing.
Next I have a new start – it is a small project so hopefully not too taxing on the brain. Probably will become a small cushion.
Sorry about the lighting in the photo. Not sure you can make it out but there are little hedgehogs and owls on the fabric.
The other item that has occupied my time of late is to continue sewing the Christmas Table Runner with Robins on it which I actually started way, way back in February 2020.
As in another post I mentioned that I have finished my practice session on the Snowmen Panel and it is hanging in the window as we converse.
Apart from that I have only managed to sew together a couple of the Rose Window Quilt Blocks whilst at work during my lunch break but it is all getting very busy. We have just visited some friends but remained outside and kept it short as the weather is inclement today and as it was to be the lady’s 80th birthday we didn’t want them to get cold.
Well here are the blocks (apologies about the grainy fuzzy photos), blocks 1 and 2 of Row 10. Not far to the end of this quilt top.
Well that is me – why not pop along and see what other creatives are happening. I’m sure there are lots of Christmassy things being created that cannot be viewed yet.
Hope you all have a lovely Christmas and hopefully 2021 will be the start of something better.
Well I have finished my snowmen panel which is to be hung in the window of my room. I was mainly stitching this as a trial to find out how my hand-stitching would look when I start my Seasonal Quilt. I’m quite please although sometimes my stitches were irregular in length. Practice makes perfect after all!!!!
Here are some pictures showcasing various aspects (sorry about the lighting and grainy effect) it is not a bright day here in Blighty we have a blanket of thick fog outside.
As you can see I have highlighted specific items with metallic thread. I think the hardest decision is when to stop and not overdo the titivating.
The back of the design is red polka dot fleece material and when hung in the window shines through to the front design creating a warm glowing effect as below.
Well now I have to finish off the table runner that I started ages ago (UFO). Pictures in a later post.
Life at work is still manic, but I have managed to continue sewing some of the Rose Window Blocks, and have laid them out in the design I like at the moment (of course that is open to alterations). It became more and more difficult to construct a block without matching up the same material design.
This is how the two halves look at the moment, (bottom line in first photo has been changed and is now first line in second photo). 12 lines in total. Then I will have to think about the border.
top half
bottom half
As you can see the bottom half has quite a few blocks to sew together.
Apart from that, I sorted out some scraps and cut them up into squares, triangles etc ready to use on another design.
before after
That is me for this time.
This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.
I am on holiday from paid work this week, so after helping out in the Garden with Hubby on a very nice but chilly day yesterday, I decided that today was my day for stitching and catching up with penpals and of course playing with Hetty, my bird.
I also have two finishes to report that are not part of my SAL or HQAL groups.
Firstly I have completed a small object which has now become a present for Christmas and as the recipient might read the blog, I cannot actually reveal too much. Only that I have been toying around with a few ideas and well I guess you would say this item is the prototype. At some stage, I hope to open an “ETSY Shop” but I have just found out that due to the new Lockdown being announced it appears to have gone BARMY at work again!!! Will it ever slow down – to take a breath – I feel that I will go back to a muddle and lots of stock having been sold and a lot of stock to be received in. I mustn’t worry but I do.
Anyhow I digress – next finish was a jumper that I started many moons ago (a very old UFO). I used three different coloured balls of wool, cream, lilac and a variegated lilac in a stripey style. Here is a photo of the finished item.
The only bit that was standard was the ribbing, everything else was how it came off the ball as I had re-winded swapping between colours erratically.
Bonus that I haven’t put too much weight on and it still fits – snuggly.
Hetty – my Meyer’s Parrot has had a lovely day today. Here is what she has to say on the subject.
“Hello” – “mummy spent lots of time with me today despite the fact that yesterday I was very screechy. She has tidied my cage and created new toys for me, as well as made a new swing which I always chew the rope until it breaks. I fall off but never learn. Birdbrain you see!! Here are some pictures of me asking for a kiss”.
Hetty – proud bird
“Yes that beak can do serious damage. But I love mummy and only give her gentle warning bites (doesn’t break skin) on her fingers. Not often I must add – when I’m hormonal usually.”
I have been making good progress on the Teacups cross stitch, so here we go
This is where I was last time
And this is where I am now …..
As you can see I rolled back to start filling in the gaps.
Please pop along to the other members projects to see how they have fared this last 3 weeks. We all stitch individual projects and encourage one another to finish UFO’s or complete a new project.
I love to share my Quilting projects with other Quilters. My goal is to share my progress on projects that I am working on. I would love for you to follow along with me during my endeavors. I hope you enjoy watching me tackle new techniques and projects. Hopefully you can learn from my "hiccups" and mistakes and make your journey easier.
Daisy Stitches and Art 