Creative few days.......

I haven't had a massive amount of spare time lately but I have tried to fit in some creative jobs here and there (well anything is better than cleaning the house when I have spare time!).......its surprising when you look back how doing a little and often moves some projects forward.

Plodding on with the current quilting project....moving forward at a good pace....

Crochet Ripple Blanket.... a few days in bed poorly, a weekend catching up my parents and great progress has been made......just loving this.....making me smile when I look, making me proud of my new skill ....



Some seeds planted - some ready to be moved to bigger pots tomorrow - sunshine allowing.....

Trifle making for birthday celebrations......

Tea and cake eating (Yes I know not really creative but you know.......)

Happiness is keeping my fingers busy......

Happy Hooky

With my love of crochet growing by the week, I decided something extra was needed to help me along in my new found hobby.  I searched the old internet and happened upon this wonderful site Harty Hooks.  As it so happens, I also have three QQ birthdays coming up....so a plan was hatched.  After a few emails an order was placed......and then a week or so later a parcel arrived....

Another parcel inside.....

And then four little parcels.....oh it was just like Christmas....the excitment was just too much....

And then Ta Dah.....Rainbow Hooks......I became very giggy at this point!!!  

Gift for QQ1

Gift for QQ2

And finally, Gift for QQ3

Look at all of them together......now should I be good and actualy give them for Birthday Gifts or do I just keep them all!!!!

I'm off to find some wool!!

Ben's Quilt: Ta Dah

The third and final quilt in the 'trilogy' of little people quilt making!! I can honestly say for some unknown reason I had complete 'quilters block' when trying to decide what to do for this little mans quilt.  I was given the colour choice of pale blue, pale yellow and cream by his Mum and given the theme of trains, planes and cars. 

In searching for ideas, I really struggled to find age appropriate patterns and or fabric.  Many patterns and fabric which contain these themes, I felt, were a little childish.  I wanted a quilt that this little man would not grow out of anytime soon.

A trip to Farnham Maltings back in January, supplied the inspiration I so desperately needed.  I found a stall selling small rolls of 'old shirts' - www.hopscotchquilts.co.uk.  Patchwork and 'upcycling' really should and do go hand in hand.

So off I went.  As the rolls were all 5" wide but different lengths, the size square was kind of pre decided.  I cut as many 5" squares as I could.  There was very little left over.  In placing the pieces I decided that I wanted the quilt slightly bigger so hit the charity shops for extra shirts! 

And then the quilting making began......

Deciding on the boarder..... white and something....

White boarder added......

Yellow boarder added......

I had decided that an old fashion criss-cross quilting design was the way to go but .....

H, my quilting partner in crime,  suggested a wavy pattern was needed.... and do you know what she was so right!  A wavy pattern was thus drawn....

Binding added - for me this is the most bestest bit of quilt making - the final binding.  Name added.

And Ta Dah.....

 

 

Best laid plans....

Easter has been and gone - however the sewing machine remained packed, the weekend bag remained packed and sadly I remained in bed!!  Four days of sleep, a little bit of daytime  TV, a little bit of crochet, no voice, Weetabix for two days and enough paracetamol for the whole of the UK.  I was hit hard with a virus, which laid me up for most of the six days we had planned.  On the forth day I still didn't feel well enough for the drive to the coast so a decision to stay put was made.  On the fifth day I really needed to get out....off to Morden Hall Park.  Wrapped up very warm with hat, gloves, vest etc..... couldn't face the walk so hopped on the bus.

 

And a great 2 hours.....it really lifted my spirit.

 

 

One final item to cheer the ill person up ...... that's me of course!!!

 

 

And then back home to bed with hot tea......and sadly D joined me - having picked up the same virus looking after me..... next holiday planned for July!!