Monday 29 August 2011

A gold star week

Guess what....  I actually had a pretty good weeks sewing!  Not too much sleepiness, not too many disasters.  First of all I got the 20" cushion cover for the "For the Love of Solids" Swap done.



I also had a go at the zipper pouch mark II.




From last weeks post I can deduce the following  - Adjustable zipper and piping foot is not a particularly popular foot, or at least no one that wanted to comment had one!  But I did get loads of kind comments, encouragement, and zipper hints and tips :-)  Thank you all.  I did some rooting around in the cupboard and found the old "normal" zipper foot, so I had a go at using that one.  Hmm.  Apparently I just suck at zippers.  I'm guessing it is something that is just going to require a whole lot of practice!
However, cushion and pouch are packaged up and ready to go off to my swap partner, I hope she likes them!
I got my partners assigned to me for Cindy's Mug Rug and Goodies Swap too, so it looks like I finished just in time...got a whole lotta thinking to be thunk.

Also, I'm a contender!  Check out lovely Sarah @ pings and needles Japanese scrap bag competition :-)  I'm thrilled to get in to round 2, some of the other contenders suggestions are soooo cool!  Japanese scraps fluffy muff anyone?!  Love it!   I wont be asking you to vote for me though - you may have noticed, I'm up against one of my best bloggy buddies - Hadley of Flying Blind on a space rocket or whatever ;-)  We all know that gals gonna come up with something pretty awesome!
There are sooo many QAL's going on at the moment.  Across the sea, Log JamDead SimpleHex-along ...I've been sorely tempted to sign up to all of them...  However, I know when I've got too much on my plate, and lets just say I've got a whopper of a serving platter never mind a plate at the moment.  The only one I am taking part in (officially) is the Hex-along, and this is how I'm getting on so far.



Got rather a lot more to do methinks!  I am really loving having a little project to do downstairs though - its perfect for when I think I'm a bit too tired for going up to the cupboard.  Not that that has been an issue this week, I've been up there all the time and it is so good to be able to say that for a change!  Despite having a "next I'm going to" list that's stretching off into eternity at the moment, I somehow ended up doing this...



It was on the list, just not even near the top ten.  I guess I just felt like joining some strips together!  Shame I didn't feel like reading my own instructions though... I found out one morning I'd cut 70 out of 100 strips too short!  Fortunately it was my own design, so I don't feel too bad about it, and I'll just re-jig the design to make my shorter strips fit.  Well, wouldn't you rather trim 30 shorter than re cut 70 the right size?!  You'll have to forgive the bad photos again I'm afraid, its not been particularly light up here recently, but its not been quite dark enough for the flash to work well either!  You'd not believe it looking at the picture, but in daylight / artificial light that solid does not stand out as much as it looks like it does in the photo.  In fact, in daylight I was worried the solid was so close that you'd not really notice the stars it took me hours and hours to get right...     I guess judging by the photo that should no longer concern me!  Bonus ;-)

I'm linking this up to Sew Modern Monday @Canoe Ridge Creations (whilst there's still a couple of hours of Monday left!).  Pop over to have a look at lots of other lovely creations going on in the blogiverse, and check out the fantastically retro vibe of Megan's Weekender Bag!  Love it :-)

19 comments:

  1. I was just wondering how your week had been - busy, by the looks of it! I love the cushion, really clever! Glad you tried the zip thing again but I'm sorry it still didn't go smoothly but it looks lovely from over here! Your hexies are great and you're way ahead of me...and somehow you also managed to find time to make a beautiful quilt top, I love the design and your choice of fabrics - I think it'll have to go on the list!

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  2. I love that cushion and your zippy bags look great - keep going with the zips, it'll get easier.

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  3. Zips will get easier! Love the sparkly new project! Good luck with Japanese scrap project - am sure it will be fabulous! And how did I fall so far behind everyone else in the hexalong???

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  4. So many pretty fabrics! I love the cushion and little bags :)
    Ashley x

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  5. Oh I LOVE LOVE your cushion for the swap!!

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  6. I'm loving the hexie quilt and the one of your own design!

    Good job on the cushion and zipper pouch. As I said before, sometimes zippers go in great sometimes you have to rip them out and start again, and again and again!

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  7. I love the idea of using strips to make that stars project. It really works. by the way, I did have a go at a zip for a cushion at it was ok-ish. Need to blog about it.

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  8. Great cushion and that quilt top.....well lady, you're a designer too! Love it :)

    By the way, how the heck are us Brit Bee ladies supposed to choose between you and Hadders? I think we'll have to opt out of the voting, or vote for both if we're allowed :) x

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  9. I love what you made "For the Love of Solids" Swap, very polished finish on them both! I also adore all the floral fabrics you're using for your Hex-along quilt and your own design quilt...I want them all!

    Oh and zips are horrible aren't they! I still struggle and my heart sinks when I get to that part of a project...so near, yet so far kind of thing. But they do get better/easier with practice!

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  10. Oh you think I am busy - look at you!! All fab - you will have some very smiling partners in the next few weeks!!

    At this rate I'll have the kids making their own blimming tags - is that cheating, or going for the cute factor! xx

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  11. Gold star indeed! Sounds like a great sewing week :)

    I entered a competition this morning for one of those Go Cutters and had to put down a choice of 3 cutting dies... I thought of your hexagon quilt and decided that would be a pretty good cutting shape to have!

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  12. Love the cushion! It would look so nice in my lounge room... And sorry to hear you are still having trouble with zippers. I find that over pinning them makes them harder to get right - I've been thinking of trying to hold them in place with a bit of glue and then sewing them in? Haven't tried it yet. Stick to it, you'll get it I'm sure :)

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  13. My you have been a busy beaver! Your cushion and pouch are stunning! I'm sure whoever gets them will love them. Keep persevering with the zippers - it will get easier. Gorgeous quilt top too, and clever design. Go Sarah! Jxo

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  14. Your solids swap makes are to die for! Absolutely perfect.

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  15. I am always in love with your work but I think I might be in love with you so that is no surprise. hehehe I too have avoided the temptation of getting involved in all those great QALs. Too many irons in my small fire. So great to see you in the cupboard again. Love the stars! Can't wait to see what you make for the competition.

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  16. You have been/are a very busy bee indeedy! .......you put me to shame (You & FB Together!)

    I am still Plodding Along with my Sampler Quilt :-(

    Think I might just have to take a break & make that fab 241 tote thats doing the rounds, every one I've seen so far is just fabuloso :-)
    Btw......I'm watching from the sidelines on the Japanese Scrap Bag Competition......hehe.......;-)

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  17. Wonderful work, love it all. I especially like those stars!

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