One shade of grey

Grey is my current favourite shade.  I would even say I think I am addicted to Kona Quilter's Linen which is actually cotton (not linen) in a dark grey colour with the weave of linen printed on the fabric.  Yum right?

First I made Wonky Donkey with it. 

Then I made the Dragonfly bowl. 

And today I made a [Michelle Patterns/Keyka Lou] Keychain Clutch with it!

Interesting how a photo allows you to see how wonky the things you sew are! 

I love the button I put on the front - it looks like swirling melted metal.  Ten minutes it took to pick 'just the right one'!!  I thought about using a pink button at first but I didn't have the right button for that.  Then I tried several green ones but the buttons I have weren't right for the front of this keychain thing.  Finally, this grey beauty made himself known and voila - he was sewn on in a second!  [I love buttons, can you tell?]

The inside is some pink/green/grey that I thought contrasted nicely with the yummy Quilter's Linen and the green ring tab just brought some green in (green is my other favourite colour - especially dots!!).  Velcro - well....  I will be looking for a more dainty type than this.  The black is a bit harsh but it is what I had on hand so it is what was used.

I am pleased that I managed to make it without any problems as it looks complicated but isn't (super pattern actually) and it is a cute but useful size at only at 3" x 4.5" x 1.5" which is the perfect size to hold my keys OR my chapstick and hand sanitiser, plasters/bandaids (I'm a clutz) and some Migraleve! 

And one more bad indoor photo simply because I can't resist:

And that is another finish for OctoberQuest with TGIFF!  Also linked to Linky Party Tuesday.


October Finishes





... and if you are still with me all the way down here at the bottom, this book was given to me to read so it would be rude not to, right?  And that reminds me - I should be working on my Pervalong....

Finish it up Friday

Whew - what a week!  I have a couple of finishes - yay! 

Firstly, my second finish this week is my second Pretty Pleats bag.  I used eye-boggling Cosmo Cricket black with cream dots and some fabric that has sign language artwork.

The lining is one of my favourite Flea Market Fancy prints along with some Kona Black for the bottom section as I didn't have enough FMF to create the whole lining.  I think it makes quite an effective bag having the bottom a different colour so I am pleased I was able to get creative and modify without any hassle whatsoever! 

This is a reversible tote/bag and I can't decide which side I like best!  In true Harry Hill style... I like the black with cream dots and sign language side.  I like the Flea Market Fancy with black bottom side.  There's only one way to find out ---- you know the rest!  ;)

Secondly, my 'first' finish this week is my Vintage Holiday quilt [press here for the blog post] which I am thrilled with!  I can't wait to use it.  I'm even tempted to get the Christmas decorations out of storage and decorate the house fully so I can enjoy my nice new quilt that much longer! 

And since it is Friday and I have a finish, I am linking this to Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday.  This version of my bag is also on my 100 Day Hustle list and my 4th Quarter Goals list so I am pleased to finally have it crossed off!! 

October Finishes

TGIFF OctoberQuest

Vintage Holiday ~ Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays!! 

It is starting to feel a lot like Christmas in my world [67 days btw]!  This could be because of my Vintage Holiday quilt!!!  I finished it [it was one of the things I wanted to finish on my 4th quarter Finish Along list!!] and here it is:

I used my precious fabrics to make this one.  Deb Strain snowflake fabrics with several different plaids (some were lovely soft brushed cotton) so it is quite a festive and wintery looking quilt.  I love those snowflakes.  I have a few scraps leftover so I will hoard those for a rainy day :)

The quilt was an easy one to make - the pattern is fantastic.  I am so happy I participated in the quilt-along with Fabric Mutt.  This is my first festive quilt and will be putting a hanging sleeve on the back so I can hang it up to help decorate the cottage.  Or I could just cuddle under it...

I did stitch in the ditch and straight quilting on this quilt as well as some free motion quilting which is quite brave for me!  I limited myself to the white areas around each bauble so I didn't get overwhelmed.  I love how the fmq turned out - the baubles sort of puff out because of it so that was an unexpected quilty happiness.  
 

I love the back of the quilt too - especially that piece of red with white spots!  No selvage on it so I have no idea who it is by so if you know - tell me!  The border fabric on the front is by Stoff which matched the deep red in my snowflake print perfectly.  This quilt may call for TWO colour catchers when I wash it!  I used a solid Moda grey for the sashing and the majority of the back of the quilt.  I can't wait to wash it and see how my fmq turns out!

I'm linking my precious Vintage Holiday quilt to Fabric Mutt.  Check the link out to see some gorgeous Vintage Holiday creations!  I will also link it to TNT Thursday, Aloha Friday, Whoop whoop, Stitch in Time October Finishes and TGIFF for OctoberQuest!

Linking to {SEW} Modern Monday too!

Christmas WiP's

I am working my way through my lists.  Slow and steady wins the race, so they say.  Not sure who exactly 'they' are though!!

This week I have been focusing on Christmas.  Only 68 days to go which means just 75 to the end of the year.  All I keep thinking is '100 Day Hustle'.  I have been trying to get my Vintage Holiday quilt done which needs to be 100% completed by tomorrow to be able to add it to the linky party over on Fabric Mutt.  Last night I was working on the quilting and Mr Toyota decided to have a tantrum.  Typical.  I decided to walk away from the sewing machine so not to ruin my nice Christmas quilt so I am trying to finish it up tonight.  Did I mention it is due tomorrow?  Yikes.  Nothing like a deadline to keep me motivated!  And the best bit if I do get it finished is that it will be completed in time for the holidays!  Here it is at the basting stage late Monday night:

I've also got three white balls on the go.

Lots of you guessed correctly - they are in fact going to become a snowperson.  These are the body parts which may [or may not] be for a Christmas decoration swap...  ;)  I've already made a Christmasy bird but I think it is too big for a Christmas tree so I'm making a different ornament/decoration.  My partner has a wide selection of favourites in her inspiration mosaic so I will eventauly make her something she loves, I hope!

Linking up to Freshly Pieced for WiP Wednesday.  Gotta run - must get this quilt done!!

Also linked to Shwin&Shwin.

Happy post

Yay for happy post! 

I have finally received all three Scrap Vomit packages from the swap I joined a little while ago which means I now have 147 pretty [mostly pretty fugly actually] 2.5" squares to put towards my Scrap Vomit quilt which is just ONE of the quilts I have added to my 2013 'To-Do" list. 

There are A LOT of brown squares in there but when they are all mixed in with a whole bunch of colourful charms it will all look good...right??  I think I will need something like 1000+ squares so a few fugly ones mixed in will be fine!!

And woohoo I also received my much anticipated Japanese Charm Swap charms from Narcoleptic in the Cupboard.  Look at these beauties:

Bad photo really (sorry) but there are cars, elephants, penguins, sparkly princesses, toadstools, cupcakes, apples, Russian dolls, waving cats - and so many more!!  Some are a linen/cotton blend and some are just regular quilting weight cotton.  There were several sewing themed charms:

...and out of the 56 charms, I found a few favourites!  These three are just so darn cute and funny all at the same time!  I have never seen the bunnies with bulging eyes before so I am thrilled to have them.  I will have to do something really special with them... but what?

The Cheeky Monkeys in Red Polka Dotty Pants was what I sent in to the swap and I love them!!  I also love these robots too - look - they are fixing cars!! 

Not sure what I should do with my 56 charms now that I have them so I think I will just look at them in awe for now and drool a bit.  They should become something fun - but what?

Happy drooling sewing!

Can you guess what it is yet?

Mysterious Monday...

Can you guess what it is yet?

And that's all I'm going to say about that!

Sailor Mouth Swap

Good things come to those who wait...   I love that phrase - and it is true too!

A little while ago I participated in the Sailor Mouth Swap.  It was so much fun seeing the things people were making for their secret partner pop up in the Flickr group.  Oh the words!  Oh my goodness!  Some of the words that were lovingly embroidered or sewn into pretty things - whoa [blushing just thinking about them] - I was shocked and somewhat horrified but completely amused all at the same time! 

Things coming from the USA take an age to make their way across the pond so when I received a box in the post (a couple of weeks ago now - sorry for the delay in writing this blog post!!) I had to think what it could be.  

I was at work when I received it so I immediately opened it and unwrapped the contents and squealed with delight when I saw what it was!  It was my Sailor Mouth Swap parcel!  Inside was the most amazing 'Jane Market Tote' from Nicke of  Kiss Kiss Quilts.  She used some of my favourite Lizzy House prints and fabrics in my favourite colours!  This tote bag is very sturdy and roomy inside and has two really deep outer pockets which are perfect for my new phone and my set of keys - easy to reach but secure in a nice deep-won't-fall-out pocket.  

Nicke also made me a really cool pin cushion.  It feels like a bean bag and has yummy frayed edges (I love frayed edges!!). 

She also sent me some green and red Summersville fabric which I love!  Nicke did a great job of stalking me as she sent me the most perfect swap package ever!
In her note she said she didn't go too filthy with the words and though I am married to a sailor [therefore I have heard my fair share of BAAAAAD words], I think that what she embroidered on the bag is perfect for me as I don't actually swear a lot.  "Nagging Machine", as described in the book Jackspeak - A Guide to British Naval Slang and Usage by Rick Jolly and Tugg is a nickname for 'the missus', but obviously the phrase describes me to a tee!  I am just that! 

This swap group was a lot of fun to be in and some of the things sent and received were soooo naughty they would have made a sailor blush I'm sure.  Check out the Flickr group photos for some of the filthy and colourful language used on pretty things like pillows and pouches!  Too funny.  And oh so naughty!  Round 2 is coming soon so be sure to be in it - you will giggle [and blush] for sure!

Thank you Nicke - you are a star!!!

Why do I?

Linking to WiP Wednesday because that is what I have - a whole LOAD of works in progress - and I've just added another!!!

Why do I do it?  Why do I start another project when I already have a list a mile long?  And it really is a mile long!  Instead of working on my 100 Day Hustle list, my Lazy Bum list and my 4th Quarter list, I started something new tonight.

At least I'm working on reducing my scrap pile!!! 

 

P.S.  On Thursday I will be helping the lovely Annie of The Village Haberdashery at the Knit & Stitch Show at Alexander Palace on booth J22.  Pop along and say hello to us!! 

P.P.S.  Thank you to Espritpatch for my lovely Popular Patchwork magazine :) 

Linked to Aloha Friday Link Party

4th Quarter Finish Along goals

Can you believe we are in the second week of October already?  To think I was making Christmas things in July when December seemed so far off... but it is now just around the corner - and so is the end of 2012!  

With this in mind, I need to get cracking on some of my WiP's, PhD's (projects half done), UFO's, PiG's (projects in bags) and all the other things in various stages of 'done' and sitting in piles all over the cottage!  I have participated in the Quilter in the Gap's 2nd and 3rd Quarter Finish-Along linky parties and found it to be a fun way to get thinking about -and working on- my pile of projects.  I managed to finish 2/5 for the 3rd quarter (I did sort of try really hard to get my Mod quilt done but just didn't manage it) and 2/3 in the 2nd quarter.  "Two" is the magic number for me apparently!!

So for the 4th Quarter, I am feeling REALLY ambitious!!  Mentally, I HAVE to get these nine things done before 2013 so I can start the new year with a small(er) list of "to-be-finished" projects = less guilt when starting a fresh new project!  I already have a list of things I want to make and try in 2013 so I don't need 2011 and 2012 projects holding me back!!  I really do hope that I get more than two of these projects completed within the next two months and three weeks!

My 4th Quarter Finish Along goals are as follows:

1.  Make more Great Granny blocks and make a small quilt

2. Finish the Mod Sampler quilt [Oh! Fransson pattern] - finish backing, baste, quilt, bind, label

3.  Finish my Union Jack full size pillow case from Fat Quarterly Retreat [Lily's Quilts paper pieced pattern]

4.  Make more blocks, sew, make a back, baste, quilt, bind, label my 'My Precious' Amy Butler fabric quilt

5.  Finish my Girl on a Swing embroidery and make into a pillow

6.  Finish my Vintage Holiday quilt... wouldn't it be lovely if I got it finished BEFORE Christmas?? 

7.  Paramouthy Stitches Tote bag for Di -- NO PICTURE, sorry!

8.  Finish my Wonky stars #1 quilt - sew top, border?, baste, quilt, bind, label

9.  Finish my Pretty Pleats tote in the yummy black and cream Cosmo Cricket polka dot and Flea Market Fancy fabrics - yum!

So there you have it - nine projects that I really want to get done before the end of the year.  I have left out my Arrow quilt, my Wonky Log Cabin quilt, my Wonky Star in Kaffe and Oakshott quilt and the Wonky Houses and trees quilt and several other small projects simply because I have to be realistic!!  Hahahah - I'm too funny!

Linking my overly ambitious goals to the 4th Quarter on Quilter in the Gap as soon as she tells us the linky is live --> linky is up!!!

Hee haw

Hee haw hee haw...

He just needs an eye and a nostril and then he can keep me company whilst I sew...   He is a wonky-donkey as you can see by his back leg and dodgy tail. 

Pattern by Quiet Play for Donktober - it's positively ridonkulous!!! 

Linked up to Aloha Friday, Think Pink Sunday, Sew Darn Crafty and Applique Thursday.

WiP Wednesday

Another Wednesday has rolled around!!  This week I am working on getting my paper templates all ready for the Pervalong.  I am already behind (and sitting firmly on the naughty step staircase with a dozen other people) but from what I have seen in the Flickr pool encourages me to get perving and I am desperate to catch up!!  I would love to take Kelly's teachers pet spot but that will be hard to do :) 

I'm going to use a phone book for my paper templates.  Has anyone else used the yellow pages for paper piecing before?  I'm a newbie - what the heck do I know!!  Woohoo- trying something new!

I am also still working on my Mod Sampler.  I want to get it done for Sunday so I can show it at the LMQG meeting.  September's challenge was to get a WiP done.  I really really want to see the back of this quilt!! 

My list of WiP's is quite big.  I have nine (yes nine - I counted) quilts in different stages.  Some are out there in the world being sewn block by block by fabulous people in a bee or two, a couple quilt tops just need sashing and borders and a few need MORE blocks to even be called a quilt!  Nine.  What am I going to do with nine more quilts/lap blankets?  What do you guys do with the ones you make - keep 'em, sell 'em, gift 'em?  All of the above?  I now that one of these quilts will be a permanent bed quilt for my UK king size bed (=queen size for those North Americans out there) but the rest.... hmmm.....?

Linking up to WiP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced and TNT Thursday with Happy Quilting.



 

Frame purse - for me!!!

Look what Emily of Strawberry Patch sent me in the post!!!  A gorgeous frame purse with buttons on it - for me!! 

She has made such a yummy frame purse - I think it is amazing.  She did her research on me and added some buttons (I LOVE BUTTONS) to the purse too!  Emily also sent some charm squares for me to play with - woohoo - fun!  Why did this bit of gorgeousness come to me?  Because I signed up to her Pay It Forward. 

I would love to Pay It Forward and send YOU a crafty gift!!  I'm asking three of you to sign up, just like I did on Emily's blog several months ago!  Here are the details - please read the rules carefully before signing up! 

1. I will make a crafty gift for the first three people to comment on this post and say that they would like to be a part of a Pay it Forward!  This little gift is a surprise, and will arrive to you anytime within the next 365 days.

2. To sign up to Pay it Forward, you need to commit to the project yourself... so you will Pay it Forward too! Once you receive the item from me, just post this (or something similar) on your blog so others can get involved.  You then make them something and Pay it Forward continues on and on!

3. You need to have an active blog of your own and be willing to ship internationally.

4. When commenting on this post, please be sure that I have a way to contact you so I can get your postal address (do not leave your postal address in the comment!) so I can get your crafty gift in the mail.

And that is all you have to do -- oh and wait for your surprise to arrive!!  This is different (but similar) to the "Craft it Forward" which I have been lucky to be a part of recently.  There are so many amazing things going on around blog land - what an exciting time! 

I'm looking forward to making you something - I already have an idea of what I would like to make!!
Amy