Saturday 1 December 2012

Catching up more

I am having such a great time with mum here!  She turned up with a mission - help me clear as many of my WIPs as possible.  Slowly but surely we are getting there, and even more importantly, we're really enjoying it.  It is such a wonderful feeling to be getting things done for once!  I couldn't be doing it at all without mum here to encourage me, tell me to nap, supply cups of tea, do the dishes, help with all the meals, help me keep my mind on what I'm meant to be doing....

One of this weeks projects was a commission I got a wee while ago to make a teeny wee quilt to be a  gift for a newborn.  They don't know yet whether it's a girl or boy, so I had to keep it neutral.  Actually as commissions go I was given a fantastically free reign.  Neutral colours, a small square size,  and the tip that daddy is a fisherman and they live by the sea.

I thought right away of the lovely organic Beyond the Sea prints from Cloud 9 and I found a pattern by Kate Conklin which actually used Beyond the Sea.  I didn't follow the pattern as such, but I did buy the pattern, have a good look at what was done, then I pretty much did the same.  In doing a nine block layout I wanted the centre different, and I liked the flow of the blocks so I decided on a nice drunkards path four-patch, with the quarter circles creating a bit of a curvy pin-wheel.     Although I should point out that mum put that block together when I was napping!
It has been given the nod of approval from the recipient-to-be, so I'm pleased with that.








Quilt detail  -  top, Beyond the sea by Michelle Engel  Bencsko (with a couple of stripes from her Simpatico line and a dotty blue from her My Happy Nursery fabrics) all from Cloud 9 100% organic cotton, sashing 100% cotton, back is 100% cotton flannel, and batting 100% cotton also.  Design based around Kate Conklin's Sea Views.  Machine quilted in wavy lines.  31" square, now 29" square post wash!


Another project I've been pottering about with which mum helped encourage me to complete is this cushion, to be a pressie for a bloggy bloke.  The front is English Paper Pieced hexies in Curious Nature, with a bit of hand quilting in perle. 




The best bit is that I finally got up the nerve to do a concealed zipper closure on the back!  



Mum helped out here by insisting on putting a binding on it.  Its not something I've done before, binding a cushion, and frankly by the time I'd sorted the front and the back with the fancy zipper and all that, I was shattered so when mum said it would look even nicer with a binding I let her get on with it!  She's so right though.... much much nicer.  And now that I've seen it done so quickly and easily... well no excuse not to do it again!

There has  been other work done; we have two quilts basted, one ready to baste, 2 cushion tops cut, 2 bags cut... And there's been some boring but essential home re-organising too.  We've filled a nice big box for the dump, shifted some small furniture, re assigned some storage, (nothing to do with rapidly expanding stash...) (fingers crossed? me?  you think?)  and today mum helped me replace the old dressing gown I had pinned to the window frame with a proper curtain!  
An even more impressive home improvement was my purchase of an Ikea coffee table for £20.  No building required - the chunky top makes for an ideal speedy workspace when put on the spare bed, and the shelf makes a great board for the cutting mat.  Also, I chose the white, so hopefully they will come in handy for taking photos too!  And when not in use they slip neatly behind the chest of drawers.  Perfect!  

So, that's our first week.  Fingers crossed I'll have even more to show this time next week!

  


21 comments:

  1. Wow! The baby quilt is gorgeous. The cushion perfect, and excellent man gift. I cannot believe how much you are getting done. You are going to sleep right through Christmas!

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  2. Oh it sounds like you are having a fantastic time. I love your quilt and pillow

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  3. Gorgeous cushion - great to see a masculine project!

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  4. i am absolutely thrilled with my cushion, and noticed the very neat zip-concealing flap ... and if it's any sign of how good the cushion is, you'll find me resting my back or head against it for a good 20 hours out of every 24!

    ... and it's a very multi-national project too, being made in Scotland to be sent to Wales but giving those English something to do by using their paper piecing!

    Think I'm going fabric shopping in newport market this morning, yay :)

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  5. gorgeous cushion - I am most impressed by the hidden zip!

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  6. Wow - you are having such a brilliant week with your Mum, and you have made such beautiful things..... looking forward to next weeks round up xxxx

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  7. I can't wait for the new tour via Skype! You guys are banging them out...can I come & play? Lol

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  8. I think I need your mam to come ad stay with me next ;o) The baby quilt is gorgeous - can't wait to see what else you've been up to!

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  9. That cushion looks great. It must be like having a week long sewing group with your Mum. It's wonderful to have family around you that craft.

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  10. Oh my, do you think she would come to my house too? I love the pillow/cushion and the baby quilt is adorable.

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  11. Wow! I think your mum is an angel who never sleeps! Couldn't she just move in permanently? I'm sure your dad wouldn't miss her (much!). Give her a big Irish hug from me! Jxo

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  12. Mums are great! Love the quilt and cushion.

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  13. Oh your mum is a great influence!

    Love the baby quilt and man-cushion xxx

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  14. Glad you hear you are having fun, does Jenny want to come here next? I need some help too! Beautiful wee quilt and stunning cushion too! right about the binding!

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  15. Hexie cushion is great! Glad you are having fun with your ma!

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  16. Wow, go you guys, love that baby quilt, and the cushion looks fab. Though I did giggle just a little that you were making a concealed zip for that particular recipient :oD

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  17. So...what is a "WIP"? I'm in the US, so maybe I just call them something different.

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  18. The baby quilt is just absolutely beautiful. Incredible choice in pattern and color - well done, S!

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  19. i love the hexie pillow. so gorgeous!

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  20. Impressive! Really love the quilt- beautiful colors.

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