26 weeks pregnant and looking a bit chubby

UFO Tumbling Santas

Here is a lovely applique piece, that I really wished i had finished by now. I have taken it out of christmas quilt pattern to do as a wall hanging. After a bit of umming and arring, I have finally decided on the borders, and that is what I have left to do. The final border is going to be made up of green 2" blocks in various christmas patterns. I have started cutting and sewing them together.

I am not too nervous about quilting this one as I think it will be straight forward in ditch.

pictures: what it looks so far

closer look at one of the santa's

Sleepy Angel - without wings

I did another class and I am very proud to say I have finished it (it required a bit of handsewing once home to get it completed).

It is my first 'doll' and I love it (and hubby likes this one!). Most of the fabric came from my stash (always a good thing), all I needed to buy was stuffing (got a polyester filled cushion and used the filling as it was cheaper then buying filling) and wool for the hair.

it was a great class, and took all the mystery out of making dolls. I have had my eye on a few patterns in magazines of dolls that I want to make, and now that I understand the basic process, I am going to give them a go. I didn't learn too many tricks, but I have worked out from a few things that I didn't do, what I could do to make it easier.

The only thing I have missed are the wings. I made them, but hubby and I decided that it looked better without, so I didn't attach them. However, I make another and use them for that.

a closer picture of the face. The hat is supposed to be 'flopped' to the other side and tucked under the other arm, but I liked it this way, and I added a star button to the end of it (easier than adding a pom pom!).

UFO - hexagon bag

About a week ago, I attended a class on making a bag out of hexagons. It was a fun day, but none of us got even half way to completing the bag (we had 15 hexagons to make and then attach to each other). I enjoyed the class, (even if I was the youngest one there by a mile), and i achieved everything without using my machine. I was pleased with my colour choice (from my stash) and eager to carry on when I got home. I am now at the stage where I need to think for myself, make and attach loops so I can attach the handles. This is traditionally where I stop a project and this one looks no different - particularly as hubby doesn't like the bag!

I am hoping that having it on the blog and in the list, it won't be long before I make it.

here are some pictures


and in side - no need for lining (yay) as each unit creates it own lining. very clever.

UFO's

Its a new year and with new years, usually comes resolutions. I tend not to make any, as I tend not to stick to any. But events over the past week has made me change my mind.

i have 'discovered' (or perhaps finally admitted) the reason why I don't finish stuff. Its so I don't fail. I hate failing. The only 'big' things I have failed are my first driving test (and even then I have excuses) and a year 11 physics exam (but I had extenuating circumstances - I walked out of the exam due to other crap going on in my life).

The older I get the more I don't either attempt or I don't finish. I didn't finish my french cert iv in tafe (got to the last 6 months, but didn't want to take the exam), I didn't finish an art course (that had an exam too), and I have a pile getting bigger and bigger of unfinished quilt and patchwork projects. some just need the binding done (how pathetic is that).

I think, subconscisouly, that if I don't finish something then I can't fail at it. but by the same token, if I don't finish something then I don't have anythign to show for the time and money invested.

So, my resolution this year is to attack my UFO pile and hopefully finish them. I will still allow myself to start projects, but will have an effort to finish stuff too.

So starting from next week, I will 'showcase' a UFO each week. There will be some pictures of current state plus what needs to be done to finish it. I will also do updates on progress. I am slow so patience will be required.

December

Okay, I figure I am more a 'once a month' poster, although this month I might make it two as I don't have any pictures.

I have been fairly busy craft wise the last month or so. I have completed all the blocks for the nursery rhyme quilt - just a few finishing touches required (like eyes, mouths on the characters, adn the nursery rhyme title on each block), so am hoping to finish that before christmas so I can try and quilt in the new year.

I also went on a one day Welsh Quilting course. I had no idea what to expect and it was fantastic. It is thought that it was the welsh that taught the Amish to quilt in america. its all handquilting (something I hadn't done before), and symmetrical patterns. the fabric isn't important and if doing patchwork, the quilting and the patchwork design, traditionally don't line up (patchwork wasn't part of welsh quilting other than to get enough fabric together). there are lots of borders etc. I am working on a cushion size design at the moment and I am fairly slow. In the class we had a go at designing a quilt, which was great and something I thought I wouldn't find interesting or be good at.

With handquilting, the technique we were taught used two thimbles - one on each hand (I have use the middle finger on teh bottom hand and the index finger on the top hand). One hand goes under the quilt, and one goes on top. I use a hoop to keep the fabric and the 'right' tension (like a cat has sat on it - was the description we were given!). then the needle is balance between the thimbles with the fabric in between. at first my stitches were too small and i was finding it impossible as I was trying to make them too small. but now I think I have the hang of it. I will post some pictures a bit later.

I also spent one sunday afternoon sorting out my fabrics into colours and putting them in boxes. it means I can now get into the sewing room. now I just have to go in there to sew!

To Wash or not to Wash

Okay - two months have passed, and in that time i have been sick with flu, been to dublin, been to london (to see my friend's new baby - so cute), and not achieved much on the craft front. BUT
today I went to a craft fair in Cardiff. I last went to it two years ago and it was good, so excitedly I trotted off to it today.

Well, this time, i was limiting myself to fabric only - avoiding the cross-stitch stands (as I have a few kits and patterns waiting to be done). And it could have a been a disaster, as there were only three stands!!!! But luckily for me, i wasn't really after something particular - just needed some fabrics to applique, and other 'staples'. And also luckily the prices were reasonable (for the UK). so I went a little crazy, and got quite a few fabrics.

so here are some piccies of some of the fabrics I purchased.

so my next question was - do I wash the fabrics or nto before using them .....yep - I washed them.

finally, the mother goose applique quilt is finally moving forward again after stalling. I have one block left to do, plus some little bits on each one (like the nursery rhyme title) and then will put together before I take another picture. I am thinking that for hte eyes, as they are buttons, to put them on after it is quilted. not sure though.