2019 Wk 5 - Off to Ireland

Chertsey Museum class was on last Friday and we made triangular purses.  Mostly these were made from leather, pleather / faux leather and fleece so no sewing although some ladies did use fabric.  We used Kam poppers which are really sturdy, and we had fun!

The next day I was up at 3:30am!!!  And off to the airport for the first flight to Ireland.  By the time I would normally be waking up I had been driven to Heathrow, flown to Dublin, been picked up and delivered to Jackie's and we were in the sewing room deciding what to make first!!!

These were the winners - pink penguin's cover lunch bag aka a very useful bag

We then made the first of 4 pay-it-forward gifts I have committed to on facebook.  This is for a niece who had sent a link to an infinity scarf with a zipped pocket for phone or keys.  I took the sent link to be a subtle hint so we made one and it will go in the post tomorrow

 We then made a pair of hobo / project bags fussy cutting some bold Ikea flowers (thank you Sharon)

Jackie has made a few Sew Together pouches, and this time we thought we'd have a go at the mini one.  It was a bit fiddly as were had to use the original instructions with the 'mini' adjustments but we got there in the end

 We made (started!) some storage pods

 and some larger-than-we-expected bowls

And then we went to have cuddles with little Miss Gorgeous

And the slightly boisterous big brothers (I am sooo jealous - isn't Jackie greedy having 3 grandchildren while I have none!  I am lucky that she shares though!!!)

we did our usual gift exchange but most of the goodies I brought home have been put into use (love the mug!) or put away before being photographed, but this has stayed on my wrist - so far it's decorative but who knows when I will need to measure something and will be able to!!!

2019 Wk 4 - lots of hand sewing

I can only assume I've watched more TV that usual as I've certainly done more hand sewing than usual!!!

I've tacked a whole load of clam shells (thank you Plum for the templates)

And I've put together all the parts of "Not La Passacaglia".  No, I don't love it, but that sometimes happens.  Some people manage to make scrappy quilts that work, and I clearly haven't got the knack!  Still I'll get it onto a fleece and I'm sure the cat will love it!

After the disaster that was the sizzix Plus template I decided I'd have to make my own.  Luckily Wild Olive had done all the hard work so I just needed to resize until the templates were suitable for my fabric pieces - and here are the first 7 full pluses.  I AM enjoying this project!

I'm also enjoying my temperature spool wrap: It's due to get colder for a few days so I might get to use some new colours!

We had a great morning at Stitch and now have a big pile of shields: just needing liners and bags to add to make complete kits and soon we can start sending some off

And a few more rope bowls happened to happen.  They seem to decide on their own shape: I expected these to be the same but clearly they had different ideas!

 I needed to fall back in love with my sizzix so I played with some felt and made some flowers 

I'm not sure why I didn't post this pic from Crafty Church - we had a lovely afternoon!  There was knitting and crochet and beading and necklace making and needle felting!  Unfortunately I didn't get pics of everything.  My favourite part was Lucy (mum of two teenagers) being taught how to crochet by Daisy (age ten)!  Lucy now has 2 crochet projects on the go!

And the last photo is of samples I have made for Chertsey Museum's Fun With Fabric on Friday

2018 Wk 52 part 2

Were you spoiled this Christmas?  I was!

Jackie made me this awesome purse that opens to a really good size, plus these Christmas decorations

From Sharon I got this gorgeous Christmassy fabric with matching ribbons

From Avril I got these super badges (I'm not sure I can take them off their cards - they are just a pretty as the badges) and these super lush threads

And from Plum I got a whole load of goodies!  A basket, a couple of kits, some clam templates and a box a really good sized beads

And Stephanie gave me a thread cutter which is useful and pretty!

Thank you all xxxxx

I've been doing some hand sewing - Kantha doodling

 And spent time with these two (I love to see them using my quilts!)

But mostly spent time visiting this lovely lady (my M-i-L) who has now been confirmed as having a fractured femur.  Now that they know what the problem is they can start putting it right.

While she was in hospital some lowlife scum broke into her house.  To be fair they didn't trash it or create a huge mess, but they did steal cash she had taken out for the grandchildren and great grandchildren for Christmas, and they have taken some jewellery.  Sadly the gold charm bracelet that she had collected over many years (like this one) has gone

But they overlooked this . . . her engagement ring that she's had over 70 years!!!

The one where I made some holiday purses

We have family in Norway and USA, and visit Europe and other places so have  random collection of paper money and coins from all over the world, which all get mixed up.

When I was playing with transfer paints last week I painted a couple of flags (Norway and USA) and some other currencies, ready to make holiday purses - and they have been finished:

Journeys with Jackie (2)

Hurray for adjusting the clocks - we got an extra hour of sewing time on Sundays!

We used it very wisely - working on our bags!  Maybe I should have called this post Plenty of Pockets - these bags have 12 pockets each!

Three outside on the front, and three inside on the front, plus one slip pocket between the inner and outer section . . .

 And three more outside on the back, plus two zipped pockets inside back

Additionally, a bit of fussy cutting made us two clock purses

We also went back to the Richmond & Kew quilt show and did a stint on the admissions next (and may have spent a bit of money)

But like all good things eventually it had to come to an end, and Jackie has flown home.  Miss you Jackie xxx

Hope you had a good weekend too!

Slogging and Sewing

I'm slogging through the pre-school uniforms: 45 down, no idea how many to do, but plenty still in the box!  Also a delivery of four dressing gowns, and two PE kits, and a few school jumpers - not sure I'll have time to go back to work in September!!!

The pre-school embroidery is fairly routine, and I can generally hear a change in the sound if its going to play up, so I've been taking the risk of multitasking

I've made myself a thinner version of this credit card wallet (original instructions here)

The museum added a cover for a Guest Book to their order, so I did the embroidery, and then covered a ring binder

The plan is that they can reuse the ring binder - I can just make them a new cover each time

I made some more sweet 16 blocks - thanks Wren for most of these fabrics!

 

And I spent a bit of time on the computer - I received these lovely photos of Samuel and his I-spy quilt (and mum and dad looking very happy parents!)