Friday 23rd November 2012

Back into the studio at last to finish making the cushion for the Christmas Fayre at the park on December 1st.

I've tried twice to get into the studio this week and on Tuesday I had to go an collect Sarah from school as she was sick and Thursday I had to collect her again and take her to A&E when she had an accident on the vaulting horse at school so again no sewing.

Finally managed to get into there today after dropping Mike off at school and began cutting up the back to the cushions and sewing.  Part way through I came up to the house and slipped over on the decking and everything that can hurt does.  Managed to get everything finished eventually.

Took the two butterfly cushion to school for Zoe to choose and she wanted the one with the white back so I'll put that away for her.

Teddies ready for the Sale table.

 Photos are a bit all over the place as they won't play ball.  I really need to learn to do this properly.

Photos wont turn around either so you'll just have to get a crick in the neck.  I've got about a dozen cushions finished now and if I get a chance I'll get some more done before the sale.  Hopefully now I'll manage to sell some of these.  I'll keep you posted.

November 17th 2012

Sorry for the long delay - lots going on.  Sarah has been poorly but she's now sorted (we think) so keep your fingers crossed.

I've been making patchwork cushion to sell at a Christmas Fayre and so I've been stitching lots and lots and haven't remembered to take my camera down to the Studio

I had two domain names bought for me for my birthday and I'm also trying to come up with some sort of a business plan using them to try and bring in some MONEY...

I recently did a commission for a Dragon in Red and White for a very brave lady who was dying and having terrible hallucinations.  After pulling out all the stops and getting it done really quickly I managed to finish it and it arrived on the day she died.  This has really hit me hard and I knew I wanted to record it on here and post pictures of the Dragon but haven't felt able to till now. 

She saw the Dragon (called The Protector) before she passed peacefully away and it has been buried with her so her is always protected from her demons.  Till makes me cry even just writing this.

Hope you like the pictures..

I'm so glad it made it to her in time and hope that it eased her passing having her protector with her.

Nuff said.


Sorry it's been so long.

Will take the camera and photograph some of the cushions will be available for sale at £15 each (including the pad)  Been to Ikea this morning to stock up on fleece for the backs of the cushions and the cushion pads.

Should be stitching now...

Bye

Sunday 30th September

Seems like forever since I posted on here.  I have been working away in the studio and have got both Star quilts completely finished.  The Moonflower cushion I'm working on for the studio has been waiting for the bias tape to come which is here now.  I've made the stems for the Moonflowers and ironed them on and all I need to do now is all the topstitching.  Pictures of this will come as I get on with it.

This is Poppy's birthday quilt.  She is my great neice and I haven't met her yet.  She was two in August and I've heard that she loves her quilt.

I called it Poppy's Stars as it seemed appropriate.

The other colourways is for me and I love the rustic colours and vintage feel to it.

Both quilts were machines pieced using pattern from White Cottage in Seison (Called Floating Stars).  In the brown version the cut off star points were re-used to make a pieced border.  Both were hand quilted in the stars and machine quilted over the rest of it.

In September I also too Sarah for a make over and photo shoot.  We've picked some pictures and we're waiting for them to be printed.  I took a quick picture between photos with my phone but they don't do her justice.

She looks so grown up (but she's only 13)  She had a good time and she's really looking forward to seeing the pictures.

Grandma Mary is coming up at the weekend to see the kids, although Mike is out all day at a cub scout day and Sarah and I are going for a spray tan in the morning but we should be back before she gets here.  A local salon is having a promotional day for Cancer so we booked in for a pamper session.  Should be fun.

A few people have been getting a shock this weekend as I had a drastic haircut on Friday and it is now shorter than my husbands - only takes about 30 seconds to dry and style.

I've also had a new addition to the family - which is settling into the studio quite nicely.  Just over a week ago a friend came over to learn how to use a rotary cutter and get some basic tips on patchworking.  After she left I took a trip over to Birmingham and picked up my new sewing machine.  This is getting a good testing - after several days of being sick and not well enough to sew I tried to make up for it at the end of last week.  I've started a small applique dragon to go on the front of a sewing machine cosy and began piecing a quilt top just for practice in getting used to the machine.  Managed to break it Thursday morning when the thread was bunching up under the bobbin case.  Had to remove the needle plate and re-seat the bobbin case which seems to have fixed it completely.

Finished putting Mikes room back together after redecorating, just got to put the toy boxes back in.  Nearly there now.

Bed time now.

Sew again tomorrow.

Sally

September 11th (Tuesday)

This morning after dropping of the kids at school I went straight down to the studio.  In the hour I was down there I made the label for Poppy's quilt and hand stitched it onto the back of the quilt (photo to follow before I post it off)

Then I made the label for the Brown Stars quilt and pinned it in place ready for the binding to go on.  I haven't decided what to bind it with yet but I may piece the binding.  Photo to follow.

Tomorrow I will be going to my quilting group and I will probably spend all day hand quilting and hope to get another couple of blocks done.  Wish me luck...


Sally

September 10th

I've decided to follow Bonnie Hunter (quiltville  http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/09/one-hour-of-needle-thread-week-1.html) and aim for one hour per day of hand quilting, if I'm honest I'm going to have to work up to this as I've been banned from knitting and sewing for a while so my tendonitis hopefully goes away.  I am in less pain so I'm going to start.

The quilt shown at the top of the Blog is now at the hand quilting stage so that is what I'm going to work on, slowly but surely.

I took it to my craft group this afternoon with good intentions but when I got there I realised I had left my glasses at home, the tiny needle I use was not going to get threaded without them.  Someone offered to do it for me so I could try and start but even with her glasses she couldn't see it either.

 

 

I've got the quilt in a hoop and I've done a couple of the blocks so far, the square blocks are all machine pieced but the pictoral blocks are all hand appliqued and each piece is button holed around and some have additional embroidery on them too.

 

When the weather is nice I like to quilt on the deck in the back garden - being England I don't get to do that as often as I would like.

 

 

The garden is south facing and I get the sun (when there is any) all day until early evening when the sun moves around to the side of the house to the patio, so if I'm still stitching (yeah right) I can move round there to get better light.  Either place is right next to the kitchen.

 

Earlier this year we had the garage at the bottom of the garden insulated and converted to a craft studio for me and this is where I can hide and stitch.  I don't tend to hand stitch here as I prefer to be up by the house (and kitchen) but there's no where better for cutting and piecing.  I even made space for two desks so I can have a friend over to play (and you know who you are).

 





It's a bit messy but I like it that way, I've tried having it spotless but I just get hung up on tidying up and don't create anything in case I make a mess.

I'll keep up with the hand stitching as often as I can and will keep popping into people's blogs to see how they're doing and Bonnie, I pop in yours everyday, it keeps me stitching.

Sally

September 2nd

Well that's been a long break between posts - School holidays are very disrupting.

At the beginning of the holday Dave found out he'd got the job he'd applied for - fab - but a bit of a double edged sword as it meant he couldn't come on holiday with us to South Wales

Haven't done much this holiday, the beginning of it we didn't know about his job so we were careful.  Took the kids to see the Lorax which was good.

My Studio was finished (sort of) at the beginning of the hols but due to kids being home I have hardly been able to get down there to do anything.  When I have got there I'm still tweeking where things go and trying to get things labelled.

Drove down to South Wales with the kids and Dave joined us after work for the first weekend, he went back on the Sunday ready for work on Monday.  We drove down the Porthcawl and spent some time on the beach and had lunch in our favourite Ice cream shop.

 

 

 

On the Saturday I hurt my thumb and ended up in A&E on the Sunday morning where I was told I had Tendonitis and ended up with my left arm in a sling, I also have it in my right shoulder but can't put that in a sling too or I'll look ridiculous.  I then had three days where I had to totally rest my arm so no crafts (I took my knitting and hand quilting with me) and no cooking, so had to eat out for lunch and dinner every day.  It was really frustrating.  Spent the time talking and walking over to Porthcawl.

By the Thursday I managed to drive and took the kids to the Chocolate Farm - yum.  We had a really good day but the Sat Nav was playing up and we only just got there before the charge ran out.  Managed to fix it for the way back so we didn't get lost.

 

 

Mike was picked by Lawrence the demonstrator to show how quickly the chocolate sets in the moulds, lucky it worked.

We had the most amazing thunderstorm on the Friday which was also our 15th wedding anniversary.  Dave drove down and got to us just before 8pm

Mike collected big jewels through the holiday and ended up with quite a collection by the end of the week.

We spent about an hour per day in the arcades and collected the tokens and saved enough to have a Welsh mug by the end of the holiday - only cost about £25.  I also managed to get a Talking Tom toy from the grabby machine - much to the annoyance of all the kids around us - it's the must have toy and there was only one in the machine.  We had a bit of fun photographing it around the site.

Tuesday 7th August

Well - it's week three of the school holidays and how things have changed since week one.  Dave started his new job on Monday - but not till the afternoon as his new boss broke her arm at the weekend and spent the morning in hospital.  She also told him that she has resigned so they're looking for a new boss for him so that's all up in the air.  He came home like a dog with three tails, he's got his first non-Renault company car for nearly 30 years - we now have a blue BMW for the next few months and they he gets to choose what he wants.

Haven't spent too much time in the Studio as it's not easy with the kids at home but I have done some hand quilting on the Brown Floating Stars quilt and it's now ready for the binding and label.  The A Quilter Lives Here quilt is in progress with some of the hand quilting done and it's still in the hoop.

Picked up the new Dinosaur knitting patterns and started making the Diplodocus for Byron for Xmas, it's coming on really well.  The body/neck/tail is done and stuffed (it's huge) and i've knitted three of the legs, so one leg and four feet to do.

I've also done the back of Sarahs Harry Potter jumper which is in Green with grey striping  and a grey S for either Sarah or Slytherin.

Haven't done much so far this holiday but  we did take the kids on the train to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to see the Staffordshire Hoard and the Egyptian exhibition, also went to Oasis and bought Sarah and I a new skirt each.  Sarah met her friend in town yesterday and Mike played with Sophie in the park.

May go to the cinema tomorrow - kids want to see The Lorax so will probably go in the afternoon if its on.

Need to think of some more things to do over the hols that don't need the weather to be consistent.  We will be going on holiday soon but Dave can't come as he can't get the time off work so close to starting. 

Four weeks and counting.

Sally

Thursday 26th

Not such a good day today.  Really hot last night and couldn't sleep.  Dave was up at 5am and Mike decided I shouldn't sleep alone, bless him.  Crawled in with me and went straight back to sleep.

Walked into town to work this afternoon at weightwatchers - lovely to see everyone but had managed to put on 4lb in a week....WTF.  I know I've not exercised as much lately as it's been so hot but really...

Stuck to my points today but don't know how I'm going to manage tomorrow.  Carolyn's funeral at 10.30.  Ordered some flowers today and when I spoke to mum it turns out we've ordered the same flowers...lol  Programmed the Sat Nav for the Church and Crem so hopefully I'll be OK and will find somewhere to park as well.

Spent a little time in my Studio this afternoon.  Got my glass paints out and painted three acrylic pictures I've had for absolutely ages.  Propped them up against my window for a bit of decoration.

Working on a Slytherin jumper for Sarah - she's had her heart set on it for months but we couldn't find the right colour in Aran but she saw something in DK that she liked so I've got a basic pattern and have adapted it to put the grey stripes around the bottom, sleeves and neck and have sat and worked out a snake S to go on the front - don't know how it will work out but if it doesn't I can always reknit it without the S.

Got three loads of washing done today so now I have some ironing to do.  I also have a lot to put away.  Cleared away a little more clutter today, at this rate I may be decluttered by the time I retire.

Will keep going anyway.  Must do better is the motto for today - diet and declutter...lol

Sally

Tuesday 24th July 2012

As requested, an update....

Everything is now in the studio, albeit not necessarily in the place it will stay.  The fabrics are roughly sorted although I think the FQ's will need to be folded smaller and in colours.  The magazines and cutting still need to be sorted and I've bought a couple of folders today as I can start sorting through them.  Sarah has been down there in the quiet and has done some lovely drawings for her artists badge at scouts.

One of the jelly rolls has been pieced together into a mile-a-minute quilt top which Sarah has put her name on.  I've used two of the hand dyes to dye an old sheet to use as the backing so just need to sort a piece of wadding and get it sorted.  That will be the first quilt made in the new room.  I've begun a cushion cover for my room - Moonflower cushion from Monkey Buttons.  Photo below of where I've got to so far and also a drawing to prove I can still draw (sort of).  The room has been used for a while every day so far and that's with the kids off on school holidays so that's not bad going.

Main storage with books and bits

Sewing table and cutting mat by the table

Bookcase (Cd's alongside) cupboard still needs sorting - this corner needs work

First thing I've pieced in the new room.  A mile a minute from a Jelly Roll.  Top measures 64" x 70" and Sarah wants it.

Moonflower cushion.  The base and the first border is done.  the flowers are ready but can't be put on until the stems are down.  Just sitting on the background fabric to see how it looks.

First proper go at drawing for years - hopefully will improve

It will definitely be easier to do things now.  When I go down now as everything is pretty much to hand I can be sewing/drawing within minutes of getting in there.  Just need to put on my music and I can get going.

Now I need to start getting the house sorted.  I want to reduce the paperwork in the house by 60% over the next few months as this seems to be a lot of the clutter.  The washing and the ironing is up to date.  The front office is getting somewhere - toys need to be sorted and reduced by half.  Sarah is going to give me a hand.

Watch this space and as I get things done I'll brag on here...lol

Saly





Sunday 15th

Day started with washing the floor in the studio...again.  This is an endless job.  As soon as it dries it looks milky again - plaster dust.  This could turn into my 'forth bridge'.

Moved some things into the right place and then started unloading the shed, as wisdom of wisdoms the desks are right at the back and we have to unload the middle of the shed so we can get at them.

Desks out and legs attached.  Lots of boxes where I don't want but I'll have to sort those as I go.  I can see plenty of things that won't be having a home in the finished room.  The big shelving unit is down there at the moment and Dave is putting it together - he really doesn't do flatpacks, usually I take the screwdriver off him as it's safer.  But... this time I think he wants to do it so I've come up to the house out of the way to make sure I don't lean over him telling him he's doing it wrong - however I did say that should he feel the need to use either a drill or a hammer that he is to call me first.

Made some sandwiches for lunch, took DJ some tea and got Mike off Zoombinis long enough for a sandwich and a cup of tea.  Sarah is taking a break from her homework and I'm catching up on here.

Took a couple of pics this morning before we moved stuff in - and will take some more shortly.  I'm having to bite my tongue as I can hear hammering down there - hopefully it's just the wooden pegs going in...

As you can see - before and after electrician and painting.  It looks like a real room now.  Once he's got the unit together I'll start putting the slide in boxes and drawers and then most of the packaging will be ready to go to the tip.  I've got all my Avon deliveries to make tonight so after putting those together and making some dinner that will probably be it for the day.

Thinking that I'm not going to have room for everything, but that bridge will have to be crossed when I get there.  Think DJ is out most of Wednesday and Friday which will be great as I've nothing on these two days and can spend some time getting stuff in and sorted.

Can't wait.

Sally

Saturday 14th

Put the last coat on the feature wall this afternoon, Steve came this morning and sorted the electrics so we have power - yeah.  Jumping with joy.

Dave has put together the shelves for the CD's and moved the bookcase into position so there seems more room in there now.  Just got the 2nd coats for the window and shelf wall to do which I hope to get done tonight and then we are ready for serious furniture input.  Two proper desks, one corner desk and the big shelf unit.  Then yes Bev we are go for load.....can't wait.  Would like to get a lot sorted before the kids break up from school on Friday as I think I'm gonna need a bolt hole over the six weeks.

Lovely afternoon with Anne-Marie.  She's over from Brussels for a few days and I arranged to meet her this afternoon at Starbucks in Merry Hill.  Took Sarah with me but she didn't bring Sacha - think Sarah was a bit disappointed. 

Went into town at lunchtime to get some new light switches as I won't need dimmers in the studio, either on or off will do me fine thank you very much.  Saw Nici as I haven't seen her all week and had a stroll round the farmers market.  Bought some garlic stuffed olives, yum.

Dinner is cooking and then I hope to get the last of the painting done.

Fingers crossed.

Not snacked today as haven't been near food but I'm starving now.  Looking forward to my dinner.

Sally

Friday 13th

Well, it's been a few days since I last posted. 

Last week my cousin Carolyn went into hospital for a major operation - they had to remove blood clots from her heart - to do this they had to remove her blood and put her on a bypass machine to enable the clots to be removed.  The recovery rate was excellent so although we were concerned we didn't worry too much.  Unfortunately, they couldn't get many of the clots out and had to leave her on the bypass machine in ITU.  A week later they still hadn't been able to close her chest and although they tried several different drugs to help her heart recover nothing worked and finally we were told they would close her up and her heart would stop.  Tuesday Carolyn passed away.  So sad, she was only 56.  I hadn't spoken to her in person for a long time, although we were in contact through Facebook.  But as Aunt Nancy had died earlier this year I got a chance to talk to Carolyn at the Funeral.  I feel very priviledged to have been given that chance.

As you can understand this has hit us as a family very hard so soon after losing Nancy.  But, life goes on.

Good news was Sarah acing all of her end of year tests, her score in RE was apparently off their scale.  She got an 8A which is the equivalent to A* at GCSE but her teacher told her that her project was actually off his scale but he had nothing higher than an 8A to give her.  We are proud.

Well, the last post was towards the end of the construction of the Craft Studio.  The builders actually finished on Monday 9th with the installation of the skirting boards and shelving.  So now it's down to me.  Tuesday I put a coat of paint on the skirting boards and window sill and Wednesday went to quilt group and therefore did nothing in the studion.  Thursday I did the mist coat on the new plaster and after it dried put on the first coat on the sides and window wall - looking good.

Today I've spent a lot of time in there.  First thing I put a second coat on the sides and window but ran out of paint so sent David went to get more.  Once this had dried I put the first coat on the feature wall.  Wasn't too sure about the colour at first but it's come out really well.   Tomorrow I'm hoping to put the second coat on the long wall and finish the second coat on the other walls.  Chased Steve the electrician to get the sockets sorted but haven't heard anything from him yet.

Dave went to Ikea and bought the shelving unit and drawers along with a narrow unit for CD's which should fit in behind the door into a wasted space.  He had to go again today to get some legs for the desk.

Don't know whether to start putting the furniture in while waiting for Steve or wait.  The house looks like an Ikea warehouse at the moment and there's craft stuff everywhere.

Started hand quilting my A Quilter Lives here quilt yesterday at quilt group. 

Will post more pictures asap.

Sally

Thursday AM 5/7/12

Day 3 of the build.

Here are the in - progress shots of the window wall.  The battens and insulation went in on Monday and Tuesday and the plasterboard went up yesterday.

Today is the really messy bit - why can't builders be a bit cleaner...?

Plastering...

Looks like a real room now.  Just need to get the shelving and the skirting boards in and the building work will be finished - they reckon it will be done for Monday.  A few days for the plaster to dry out and let the painting begin.

David is reconsidering an extension on the side of the house.  Builder reckons a double height extension will be about the price Dave thought we'd have to pay for a single story.  Gonna speak to a man about drawing up some plans so we can get the job priced up properly.  Dave just has to get a job and then we could be there....  Extra room and a utility downstairs, extra bedroom and bathroom upstairs - luxury.  Don't have to share the bathroom with the kids.  

This is still in the dream stage but have to keep reminding myself that a few weeks ago my studio still felt as though it was in the dream stage but that's actually happening.

Fingers crossed.

Sally

Wednesday 4th July

What a day.  Builder has been here all day and the plasterboard (sheet rock) is up, although there is still no power in the room.  Phoned Steve the electrician and he is going to pop in when he gets a chance.

Went with Dave to B&Q and got the paint for the main wall.  Called Overtly Olive by Dulux a lovely muted green.  If it works well I might use it to repaint the kitchen too as it is in desperate need of a coat of paint.

Then on to Wickes and got a new light for the bathroom to replace the one Dave broke trying to put up.  It's on the vast list for the electrician when he comes round.

Supposed to go from there to Tesco to do the weekly shop that didn't get done yesterday as I was out with Marie but coming down the hill Dave said "Oh look that's Clent in the distance, I really fancy a bacon sandwich".  The link may not be obvious but the tea-shop at Clent Hills does the best Bacon Sandwiches on the planet.  The fact that it was raining cats and dogs, I was wearing totally unsuitable sandals and white trousers did nothing to stop his desire for that sandwich.  So next stop Clent.  One bacon AND EGG with brown sauce and a cup of tea for him, a bovril and a slice of doorstop toast for me set us up nicely for the trip to Tesco.

Just before I went to collect Mike from school I made the builders another cup of tea (lost count now) Dave called down the garden to say Alan and Sue (Brother in law & family) would be here about 5.30, now the house is not company ready, it's full of c**p from the shed and the office and is not safe for a three year old and I had to collect Mike.  Did he start to tidy up while I was out - did he heck.

Came home and grabbed a cardboard box and swept everthing off the lounge table, I figure if the downstairs bathroom and lounge are fairly safe and we give him some toys we're cooking on gas.  Well they arrived at 4.30, oh sh1t.  Luckily they're not the fussy sort so we said that the house was upside down (nothing new) and that we were having the building work done and they were fine.  Cooked a relay of pizzas and put a picnic mat on the floor of the lounge, Byron thought the picnic was great.  Photos to follow.

After they'd gone I went down to the studio with a mop as the floor was covered in plaster dust and mopped, this was repeated as when the floor dried it was still white.  Got as much off as I can and hope they notice that I've tried to keep the floor cleanish and cover it up properly tomorrow.

Sitting down now on wine number 3 watching Midsomer Murders.

Got the full delivery job tomorrow.  Dave to drive me and Mike to school then collect Caitlin and drop them both off at Latin school.  Must remember to collect them for 2.45 - Caitlin coming back here for tea.

Can't wait for the house and routines to get back to normal - I'm so tired.  All this change in routine is getting to me and I really need a good 12 hours sleep.

I wish.

Goodnight
Sally

Tuesday 3rd July - raining

Well it's started.... three tea swilling builders arrived this morning to begin work on the craft room.  Skirting boards are off - battens are on the walls and we have some insulation up too.  Need to check with them tomorrow as two of the power sockets appear to have vanished.

Spent the day with my mate Marie.  Went over to Decathlon at J9 (M6) as she needed to kit Conor out for a three day walk doing the Pennine Way at the weekend.  We got a rucsack - couple of pairs of walking trousers, overtrousers, walking trousers for Marie etc... took hours.  Then onto Ikea and she was starving hungry - nothing of her but she needed food so we went straight to the restaurant and had lunch.  Smoked Salmon salad for me - Meatballs and chips with a Strawberry Tart for her.  And which of us has the weight problem.....not fair - but then life's not fair I suppose.

Bought the storage boxes that go in the shelving unit in the Studio and a bright red bin.  Think I've picked out the paint colour for the walls so we're running on gas now.

Photo's will follow shortly.

Absolutely knackered at the moment, even overslept the alarm a bit this morning but still got Sarah to Caitlins on time to get to Latin school even remember Mikes guitar for his lessons today.

When I picked Mike up he has a photo of himself with the Olympic Torch - he was very proud of it.  Sarah is really tired too but I said she had to go to swimming lessons anyway.

Need to get to bed early tonight but want to watch Turn Back Time at 9 o'clock.  If I don't make it I can always watch it on iPlayer.  Still haven't cooked dinner yet so will have to go do it before Dave complains - too late......he's just mentioned it.

bye
Sally

Missed the electrician yesterday so will have to wait till later in the week, bummer.  Got loads more of the studio packed into boxes - can't believe there's so much stuff - not all mine I hasten to add.  But there's so much more in the house that will need to go in there - I want it to be warm and welcoming.  Daves' getting a paint chart to give me some ideas.  The ceiling will stay white and the wooden beam across the middle will stay black but need to decide on the walls.  I would like to put up some of my craft stuff and maybe some of the kids art too.  Have to see how much wall space I'll have once the furniture is back in.

This is just a small corner.  My rocking chair is in the corner, this will be coming back in.  The bikes are temporary whilst we use the shed to store the boxes.

The wall behind the bookcase looks terrible - there's soil stacked up on the other side of the wall and the damp has come through the single brick wall, hence the work being done to stop it coming through.  The bookcase will be staying as I have a lot of reading books which have spilled out of the house, about six boxes full to go on there somehow, may have to get another one if there's room.  The craft books will be going on the long shelves at the other end of the room above the desk.  Neither of which are there yet.

I'm feeling a little hemmed in as I can't get at my 'stuff'.  Everything is closing in at the moment as the house is filling up a bit with some of the 'stuff'.  I find it very difficult to get motivated with all the stuff around me.

Sarah is away this weekend on camp taking a qualification in Yachting apparently, should be having fun, the weather is pretty good for it at the moment.  Just got Mike off the DS and he's vanished upstairs, probably trashing his room.  Dave has gone for a bow-saw as he's taking down the Lilac Trees behind the playhouse,  Only down to around five feet but it's an awful lot of wood.  The wheelie bin is full and so is the patio at the side of the house.  Any excuse to light the burner in the garden again.

What would I do without back-to-back episodes of Morse this afternoon.

Sally

Had a lovely big thunderstorm this morning.  Sky went so black we had to put all of the lights on just to see to walk around, haven't had one like that for a long time.

Spent yesterday at Quilt group.  Got the last quarter of the Brown Stars quilt machine quilted and squared up the quilt, trimming off the excess backing and wadding.  Have decided to do the binding in a deep red to reflect that colour within the quilt and to keep it looking warm.  Think I've decided on the border quilting but want to think about it a bit more first.  Will probably get the binding on first so if I do choose to do triangles I don't lose the points.

Finished the hexagon book cover but learned a lesson that leaving 1/4" round the book is not enough and so now it is a little to small - but hey ho - I've started another one.  I'll have to find another notebook to fit the other one.

Dave has been moving stuff out of the studio ready for the builder - but we now need to move the bikes and we can't remember the four letter word on the bike lock... this could get interesting.

Had to call the Electrician this morning as all of the sockets in the studio have fused and tripped the circuit.  You can't reset the trip so it means a call to Steve.  Got some other jobs for him too....

Going to help move stuff in a minute - need more exercised.  Still trying not to start anything new until the studio is done.

Must resist

try harder.......

Things are moving in the Studio front.  Spoke to the builder at the end of last week and he thinks he will be starting on the conversion in about two weeks and that it should take about a week to do.  Yesterday Sarah and I unloaded the bottom of the bookcase (the bit you couldn't see behind doors) into a moving crate as it's all belongs to Dave and he needs to sort it all out.  All the books are now boxed up ready to move too.  Will take some before during and after pictures.

In the meantime I've been busy

Finished this little cardigan for the daughter of one of the mums at Mike's school.  Little Rebecca is six months old.  This knitted up with just one ball of wool.  May knit a bigger one in white for my great Neice Evie.

The brown Floating Stars quilt is coming on.  Finished hand quilting the stars in brown perle and I've machine quilted around them.  Just got the last quarter to do.  Hopefully get that done on Wednesday at quilt group.  If I can get that quarter done and the edges trimmed then I can decide how to do the borders and the binding.

Really pleased with the way this is coming out.

Started playing with some little hexies last night - wanted something to do that wasn't knitting.  So sat watching The Thomas Crown Affair and stitchd this flower motif.  Going to make it into a cover for my diary.  I always have the same one from 'mumsoffice' so it should always fit.  Will probably decorate it a bit too.


Sally

Had a lovely morning with Beverley and a cup of tea (or two) brainstorming over the quilting of the border of her latest quilt.  It's beautiful and she loves it - it's gonna get hammered at University in September  though.  Decided on the quilting and she left with a smile.

Went to the garden centre again.  Dave being at home now is having an input into the look of the garden - he's mowed more this year so far than in the last three years put together.  He wants more colour variety in the back garden so off we toddled.

We picked up some yellow and orange flowers (don't ask what they're called, i'd need to get the labels.

Had lunch in Clent Nurseries and then headed over to the Clent Hills for a mug of Bovril.  The sun was so hot I've got a little burnt.

View from Clent

It was packed up there and the only place to sit was in the full sun.  The metal table was so hot I couldn't touch it.  Shouldn't complain it's back to heavy rain tonight - the usual British summer weather.

Got back and put the plants in - did a bit more weeding too and the garden is starting to look cared for now.  I'd rather be sorting out my sewing stuff but I can't do anything much until the studio conversion is done.  I've chased up the builder but I'm waiting for him to ring me back.  Everything is packed up so all I can do is look at the stuff in the boxes and wait.  I have a couple of quilts I can get on with but....

Been looking for little things to dress up the studio when it's done and I'm trying to think of a witty name for over the door but I've not come up with anything yet.

It's me again.  Weather was fairly nice this morning but I'm not holding my breath.  Took Mike to school and then came home to do the shopping - still with Hubby in tow, but at least he helps carry and brings his wallet.  He bought me a couple of pairs of shoes this morning so no complaints there.

Didn't do any sewing or knitting last night and may not do any tonight either but I have sorted and reorganised my kitchen worktops and they are lovely and clean and tidy - unfortunately it all had to go somewhere and at the moment it's all on the kitchen table.  This cannot last as we use the table several times a day and it will be needed for breakfast.

Sarah has to get herself up earlier tomorrow to get to school for a meeting about the Latin summer school.  Hopefully she will be awake enough to listen.  How many 13 year olds would volunteer for a weeks extra schooling in the holidays to learn Latin - but she's looking forward to it.  Good for her - would like to join her so maybe she gets it from me.

Made some scones this afternoon when I got back from school - surprisingly there's not many left now - last lot I made lasted about 10 minutes out of the oven.

Swimming lessons tonight - Mike did really well although he wasn't listening as well as he should be but at least he's swimming fairly competently now.

Got to think about what quilt to work on next.  Think it might be the one for my room as I want to get the millennium one finally ready to quilt but as Carolyn is starting the quilting company with the longarm quilter which can baste the quilt for me I'll hold off on that one till later in the year.

The next Quilt

Oh yes - and she adds a photo - said I'd give it a go.  I bought this as a kit with a layer cake and a bit of extra fabric along with the pattern from White Cottage out the money my mum gave me for christmas 2011.

I must have really liked the fabric as when I got it home I found I'd already bought exactly the same fabrics in a Jelly Roll.  So.... made this centre (not all joined together in the picture but it is now) and put the borders on but I want it to go in my room so it needs to be a bit bigger...enter the jelly roll.  Think I may do extra borders with it - maybe with piano keys? maybe something more adventurous.  But that with another border should make it big enough to go over the bed - can't wait the colours are perfect.  Need to give it a name though.

Will add pics of other stuff on the go later now I've done the first one they'll be no stopping me.

Night



Two days in a row - this could get addictive.

Haven't done any quilting at all today - hands are still a bit sore from all the big stitch quilting on the Stars yesterday.  Got to decide how to quilt the borders.

Father's day today - Mike had made his dad a card at school and Sarah bought one after school on Friday which they both gave hime when he finally appeared from the bath this morning.

After a lazy couple of hours we tore the kids away from the television and went out to Clent Nurseries.  All went well until we got to the major flower display, this is when I realised I'd forgotten to take my antihistamine this morning and started filling up...not a good look.  Headed straight for the garden furniture section till my eyes came back to normal.

The rain really started lashing down - like that's a surprise, so we went and ate cakes in the cafe - real hardship there.

Left there and much to Mike's disgust headed over to another garden centre.  This one had an animal section so sent the kids over to give us five minutes peace and quiet.  Had a look around the craft section for ideas on decorating the Craft Studio and then got the kids and went out to look at some gargoyles.  Found some that really looked like they belonged in the family...lol

Knitted the sleeves on the baby cardigan I'm making for Rebecca, the baby sister of one of the boys in Mikes' class at school. 

Celebrated fathers day by buying him a chinese and even had it delivered so he didn't have to go out and fetch it.  Aren't I a sweetie.

Sarah watched Dirty Dancing for the first time and I think she enjoyed it.

Got the dentist again tomorrow and then the dreaded mammogram on Tuesday morning.  Going to have to miss my second knitting group tomorrow so that's a pain in the tooth but need to get the temporary filling from last week checked. 

Got a busy week planned but not very interesting stuff.  Going to chase up the builder again and see how close we're getting to getting the studio converted.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Here's to the most boring blog on the planet - but then it's only meant for me to read anyway - if you're not me and you're reading it - good on you for getting this far and not falling asleep.

Night night

Hey is it really that long since I posted on here... must be.

Oh Well

Loads has been going on since last time.  I've finished knitting pretty much everything that was on the go last time plus loads more.  Knitted two Christmas presents and wrapped them... how's that for getting ahead of myself.

We are now a no-income household so things might get a little sticky later but we're ok for now so just keep your fingers crossed.

Sorted out a builder and am waiting for him to give me a date to come and insulate the garage at the bottom of the garden properly so it is a real room and can be heated.  As it's only single brick you can't really use it for six months of the year.  Once done I am my friend Beverley will be moving all my crafting supplies into it.  That's knitting, art, scrapbooking and more importantly these days Patchwork. 

I've a long list of unfinish patchwork quilts and a load of ideas for new projects.  Can't wait to make all sorts of things for the new STUDIO (yeah....) Two quilts which have been outstanding for ages are the purple and cream Floating Stars and the same quilt but in country colours - muted browns, greens, creams and reds etc.  The purple one is now done - part machine and part hand quilted and just needs a label.  Think this one is going to my great neice Poppy for her 3rd birthday in August.  The brown one is definitely staying at home as I love it.  The machine quilting is about 3/4 done and all the hand quilting on the stars was finished tonight.  Got to decide how to quilt the borders and then bind and label.  Hopefully will be done by the end of the month.

Want to make cushions and furnishing stuff for the Studio and make it really part of me and really crafty.  If it works I'll try and post pictures.  I will figure out how to do that so this is more interesting.

Just found out this week that my friend is starting a Long Arm quilting business soon and will be offering a basting service as well as many other things.  This could mean that my Millennium quilt which is all pieced might actually get sandwiched and then quilted - don't hold your breath though.  I am trying very hard to finish things though.

Next quilt after the brown stars though will be 'A Quilter Lives Here' the applique quilt, top is all finished and I've now got the wadding and the backing so there's nothing to stop me but time and money....lol

Got to go to bed now.

Night Night

February 2012

Ok first post this year.  Since christmas I've been a bit busy.  Decided to continue with making presents for birthday's and christmas.  The first cardigan is done and I've even bought the buttons but still haven't stitched them on.

Someone from Daves' work is having their first baby and as he's a mate Dave wanted me to make something for them.  Made a lovely cardigan but think I've screwed up the button band so will have to re-do it.  What a surprise.

Made mum a cardigan for her birthday (not till May).  Just need to sew the second sleeve in place and then, of course, the buttons.  What a surprise.  Will need to start photographing these things so it makes more sense and acts as an archive of stuff I've made so far this year.

Nici at the wool shop was having problems with a matinee jacket someone ordered from the shop.  I bought it home last week and managed to do 2 pattern repeats and gave it back to her all sorted but she still couldn't do the pattern - not surprised really as it's horrid and the pattern is written like a novel and you have to pick out the bits to do, she gave up again and gave it to Rita her professional knitter who gave it back a week later saying she couldn't do it.  She even undid the 2 repeats I'd done.  I collected it again much to Dave's disgust as last time I was evil when I tried to sort it out.  This time I sat down and rewrote the pattern into my english and then it worked perfectly and I finished the b*****y thing in two days.  Whoohoo.....

Began knitting some socks for MIL's birthday.  She admired my socks and slippers, so I've bought her a pair of slippers the same and I'm knitting her some socks.  I've just turned the heel on the first one so I should have them done in the next week or so, something else I can wrap and label and put away till her birthday.  She also admired the cardigan I'm making for mum so may do her one for christmas.

Last week I started a long teal Aran cardigan and so far I've done the back, one front and half the second front, so that's going really quickly.  This one is for me.  Now I start listing what i've done so far I can't believe how much I've achieved so far this year.  All I need is to carry that progress into the housework and my weightloss and I'll be fantastic....

With patchwork I've made the Layer Cake quilt top I bought with the money I got from mum for christmas, after I made it I found a jelly roll in the same fabrics so I think I'll make it bigger so it goes on our bed.  The hand applique quilt is coming along too - all the blocks are complete and I'm putting the colour blocks around them prior to piecing it together.  I'm having to hand do each square after drawing it out so that it fits properly but it's worth it as it's going to look great.

I've bought the border, backing and fusible wadding for the brown and cream floating stars quilt which I need to get ready to quilt.

Think that's enough craft stuff on the go for now so I will try not to start anything else.

Took the kids out today for a walk in the forest, it was a really good walk and we walked further than we expected to.  It was good for Mike tonight as he didn't have a double whammy with swimming and cubs on the same night.  He passed grade 3 swimming two weeks ago and now has changed nights to Tuesday - we're so proud of him.  Tonight he's at cubs - total chaos as the Beaver's are meeting with them tonight and then staying for a sleepover.  The cubs are having their sleepover next friday so it will be quiet next week.

School has been out for a week now and we've had a quiet week.  They go back on monday but Dave has another week off before finding out if he still has a job.  He's pretending not to be bothered but I know he is, but to be honest there's nothing we can do about it so no point worrying.

Will update all the projects and other stuff later on but this is really stuff for me to read and remember as no-one reads these things anyway.

Just had a call from my mum to say my Aunt Nancy has died today - mum's really sad.  Gonna go now and try to contact my sister.