2020 Wk 34 Another random post

I washed the new summer quilt I made for our bed - not really an event worth blogging about - but annoyingly what started off like this ...

ended up like this!  Will I never learn that red runs?  What I don't understand is why some cream turned pink and some stayed cream!

Following on from my embroidery of the pharmacy in the village, Lisa asked if I would do one of here soon-to-be house, to thank the owners!  This is just a draft but it's heading in the right direction.

The flower tub hasnb't photographed too well but looks great in real life ... 

until you look at the back and see how dense the stitches are - LOL

I then wondered if I could do one of the bungalow that been Jim's home for the last ten years: 

I need to cut back the greenery on the left and move things around a tiny bit so the window to the left of the door is visible, but otherwise it's not too bad

We've been doing some work in our house too:  The bottom row of cabinets has been there for a long time but the work surface just collected junk - so a first row of additional cupboards has been added and some shallower ones are on their way

A friend has become a Grandma, so obviously the baby needs a quilt!  The mum and dad live in Canada so I wont have the opportunity to explain what an i-spy quilt is ...

So I embroidered the poem on the quilt so hopefully they will realise!

This photo appeared on FB: I love seeing little munchkins using their quilts!!

I have been working - admin work and embroidery for a friend / customer who runs this pre-school.  60 down, 20 to go before school starts back in September!

I had a socially distanced play-date with Tara and Lynne yesterday - lots of chat, lots of yummy food, lots of admiring Tara's crafty bits, and her crafty / office, and her (and Mat's) awesome Lego collection and we even managed some making!

And finally I have a new grand kitty - Niki picked up this ball of fluff yesterday - no name yet but rater cute isn't she!!!

2020 Wk 18 - how to find your Mojo

I realised today what had enabled me to start sewing again after last week's slump: look at the computer and see that there is lots to do for the Parish Council (actions from the auditor's report, get quotes for new website and new insurance) the village hall committee (write agenda for and arrange a virtual meeting and finish all my actions from the last meeting), the vicar (safeguarding training and a list by month but not year of the parishioners who have died in the last 3 years, plus write agenda for and arrange a virtual meeting), and start a new post as hub lead for the Parent and Family Hub for the villages' voluntary group. (I cant believe I have never needed a procrastination label before!)

No idea where to start or how to prioritise these jobs (Amo feel free to organise me) so I did some sewing instead!!!

For the lovely Tara who comes to Crafty Church I made this (she is a scene of crime officer!  Hi Tara, thank you - SOCOs are still working and get to dress like this all year round, nothing to do with COVID 9!))

I made this guy in army camouflage, and a Mrs Mop - another two groups who are still working and doing a great job

 But now I'm out of the right shade of brown, so production has halted

I have had to stop making masks as I'm out of elastic too, but I have been giving virtual lessons, and helping out with fabric

I think I've has this 'Very Hungry Caterpillar' fabric for at least 10 years, with no particular purpose for it so happily gifted it to my friend Jane, whose daughter Polly (who you have met before on the blog) is a teacher in, wait for it, Caterpillar class!!!!

I managed to de-stash, to a good cause, and even better I got flowers and some of the world's best flapjack - still warm from Jane's oven!!!

And a lovely FB comment "With B’s guidance and fabric I managed to make these for daughter, a reception class teacher (caterpillar class!) if she has to wear masks when they go back hopefully she won’t scare the little ones any more than normal"

Also from FB: I made the bus Ginger to acknowledge our super 305 bus driver, but he wasn't on the group where I've been posting the photos.  Someone took a screen shot of it for him and this was his comment

"Just when U think life couldn't throw u another surprise u are immortalised as a ginger gingerbread bus driver.  Thank U very touched"

And yes there is more (obviously really struggling with what to start with for work)  Two nesting felt bowls (for useful stuff)

Delicious fluffy scones from plum's recipe

A super post card from Avril "We may be behind our door and windows but we are still connected"

I've started Hexi flowers for the May Hexi Swap Challenge, and have really enjoyed fussy cutting the fabric

And finally have repurposed a too big lining from a wooden crate into a useful big square bag for crochet or other "stuff"

2020 Wk 9 Play date fun

The lovely Tara from Crafty Church came to play today.  She brought this panel she had made at a class where she learnt to draw and write with a sewing machine, and we turned it into a cushion

While Tara was sewing her projects I was cutting t-shirts to size for a T-shirt quilt for a customer.  I wanted (needed) a quilters square 15 inches square, but don’t have one and couldn't find one to buy - so I butted a 12.5” square to a 2.5” ruler and topped them off with an over lapping 4” ruler: worked a dream and no duct tape residue when I pulled it all off!

This cushion is going to be gifted with a pack of fabric pens so it can coloured in - put to add to the pizazz Tara wanted to add bright pom-poms. . . It was a fair amount of flaffing to get it right but doesn't it look great

Come on Tara - show us how chuffed you are!!!

2019 Wk 43 - with cake

Last week was Sharon's last session with the crafty church ladies: the lovely Tara made chocolate  cake, with buttons - is there anything more perfect???

We had 19 visitors (they must have heard about the cake!)  Crochet corner was busy, but three ladies came to learn how to use their sewing machines, there was patchworking, Christmas card stamping, lavender bags being stitched and a whole load of other things, plus of course the chatting the drinking, and did I mention cake????

Hayley and I finally managed to meet up and continue our silk screen printing (blogged about here) and finished the flowers

  -
rather chuffed with these - now we need to plan the next stage!

We also had a go at some fabric 'business cards' but these need work, so we added stamping as there was still paint left!!

My other crafting this week was to make a few of these for a guest at the Windsor Homeless Project who is deaf.  Could he please have a patch to sew onto his hat so people would know!

Yes of course!!!

In Norse mythology, Thor is the hammer-wielding god of thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, hallowing, fertility, the protection of mankind and of the fortress of Asgard. He is the son of Odin All-Father and he is physically the strongest of the Norse Gods.  In my house he has an additional responsibility - he is the guardian of the clean quilts!!!!

And finally not my crafting at all but the lovely Amo sent me this - perfect for under a coat as it starts to get cold!  Thank you lovely lady xxx

2018 Wk 30 - Misc stuff

A few finishes (or nearly finishes)

This machine pieced hand quilted mini sixteener quilt just needs the binding stitched down to the back

This EPP quilt has been finished (and cursed when the red thread ran; I might learn eventually) but I love her anyway)

A few quilts have been hung in Jackie's room ready for next weekend, and the sixteener will join them when she's bound

This I spy quilt has been finished including binding, just waiting for a little person who might want it.

At Stitch we finally assembled our first kits: lots of ladies working

and four of my favourite girls assembling kits

 I received this lovely pic of Amelia Rose on her I spy quilt

And I made this memory box for the girls (thank you Tara for all your help!)

The hearts for the Untangled Thread project need to be with the organisers by the end of July

Tara started our involvement and made this one

I just used pins and beads (and help from daughters) to create mine

And two other friends in the village joined in too -
and WOW!!!

Lindsey embroidered the Welsh Fusiliers crest

And Jane felted poppies in a field

I am reminded of my Grandfather's expression : Those that can, do, those that can't, teach - now we know why I teach crafts!!!!