Hi Remember me..... yes its been a while...quite funny I spend about 30 mins a night catching up on the blogs of the designers and people that I admire and quite often get frustrated cause they havent updated lately when it hit me - neither have I..OOOPPPPSSSS
Sorry however my sewing mojo did leave me for a while...my dearly beloved Grandma died late Feb and to be honest I went through all the normal feelings - she was getting quite sick and ill and on the one hand I felt tremendously guilty that I didnt do enough, that I should have done more whilst she was alive but on the other hand felt so extremely lucky that I'm in my forties I had the privilege of having my grandma or GG for the kids around for so long and that she has finally passed and is in peace now.
Fond memories - mystery trips to anywhere in the state, shopping for fabric fabric and more fabric, ginger nuts, putting a roof over my head when I was desperate, welcoming me and my friends at anytime and giving me the privledge to share her life.
I also had so many projects that I didnt know where to start so what did I do - GO AND BUY MORE FABRIC.....seriously it must be an addiction mustnt it.....so slowly but surely I started.
First I started with completed a raw edge applique project that was a club workshop with Waikerie Piecemakers - will post photos later but lets just say I have learnt to appreciate keeping vilosfix handy fresh and I love AURIFIL threads for sewing - some freehand embroidery happening and yes I am really bad at it but I am having fun.
By the way have you checked out their free BOM sewing sticheries - 12 designers and Aprils featured designer was the lovely Gail Pan. Check out her blog and her wonderful trip to Europe with Helen Stubbings from Hugs n Kisses.
Helen will be at Port Pirie with Melissa from One Day in May creations at the lovely Robyns shop Country Hart for a Weekend of Creative Stitchers. Robyn has just moved into larger premises at Port Piries and unfortunately I am unable to attend this weekend. bummer......they are great weekends and a lot of laughs - it is where I got to know Granny Loz, Amanda and last time I took Anne with me.
OOPPS just been informed by Robyn the move isnt happening until the end of May
Next on the list was to finish a stitchery for my auntie who has a weekend nearby - a converted church in the middle of nowhere and she has a church hall bench that needs something on it. Got the idea from Rhonda and Down to Earth.
Next I took a GIANT step towards overcoming a fear....I finally set up a quilt on the Quilting Frame that I have from Granny Loz. Not bad - its almost 12 months since I got it.....you think I would have used it before now but honestly reading the instructions and the photos didnt help. Loz did offer a lesson but trying to fit that in with full-time work, 3 kids and 110km distance between us I thought I had better try something.
So I went for it - I have been hoarding the kids flannette PJ's for 3 years trying to decide that I could make a quilt but how, what etc etc I had no idea. Unfortunately my local Quilt Shop ' Corner Fabric Store' doesnt stock flannels and I wanted a lounge quilt that I could use all year round and just throw it in the wash.
I started unpicking cuffs, buttons etc etc, cutting PJ's from size 3 to my PJ's when I was pregnant - now Princess S is 6 going on 7 so you could say this has been a work in progress for a while. Cut the smallest PJ's into the widest strips possibly 4 3/4 " by the length of the fabric and kept cutting till I had gathered quite a large pile. If I couldnt get wide strips I then cut 2 1/2" strips thinking I could join them for the binding. So after spending 3 days cutting on and off between housework, I thought I had enough but what to do.
Then I remembered Jelly Roll Races - if anyone has seen the You Tube clip by Heirloom Creations. Basically what is 1,600 inches long when it starts and finishes 48” x 64”? The Jelly Roll 1,600 Quilt! Take your time to have a download and watch - one lady finished the top in 35 mins - seriously 35 mins...admittedly the preparation takes a lot longer. You join all the strips of a Jelly Roll together end to end and finish up with a strip 1600' long (approx 40 mtrs) -well by the time I finished my equalled 56 mtrs long......so after sewing for about 2 hrs I finished with a top about 165 cm x 340 cm long - and funnily enough thought this is only for me lets tryout the Quilting Frame...
Mmmm imagine reading instructions that says make sure all the writing on the draw up cloth is on the right hand side - thats great but doesnt actually tell you which way youre actually looking at it to know which is the right hand side and which is the left.....so guessing and yep you guessed it had one pole in backwards so the fabric wouldnt wind....broke 2 needles and then decided just to go with the flow - quilting is very very bad, not even, missing stitches, different stitch lengths but it is done - albeit I had to cut it in half as my machine is not big enough to take the quilt. Is this an excuse to buy myself a quilting machine, the kids are happy apparently they're getting one each.
Photos not working so will try again later ....sorry......
So I think my mojo is back am waiting on some fabric from Fort Worth Fabric Studio - saw a post by Claire Hilton about the excellent service she had received so thought I would go check it out. OMG found some car fabric with landrovers on it - my DH is a fanatic and has 8 in various stages of disrepair although one does actually run - I have been looking for fabric for over 15 years to make him a quilt and guess what it was on SPECIAL...and the wonderful Jodie reduced the postage as she could get it in one bag...gotta love this service. So need to hurry as his birthday is in June...
Have 2 weeks of holidays coming up so will finally get into Nays Place for some much overdue cleaning, sorting and finally getting organised...when this happens get ready for a GIVEAWAY......
Keep Stitching
Nay