Christmas challenge

It's been a while since my quilting group has had a challenge and so this year we decided to each make a Christmas table runner.  I find it very hard to feel very Christmassy until much closer to the big day but thought I had better make a start on something.  I searched Pinterest for ideas and found this Christmas tree which I liked because of its simplicity.  Then I found some fabrics which were also simple and not too bright and made three little trees.

I finished it with some straight line quilting and it was done.

I can't say I am delighted with it because I am not and I think that maybe I haven't put enough effort into it.  I know that the other members of  the group will produce table runners which are lot more interesting and look more Christmassy than mine.  However, I am not really into table runners of any season and I even wonder if I will use this one.  Ho Ho Ho, or should that be Ho Hum.

Making rope

If I saved all the fabric scraps I generate from my quilt making, I wouldn't be able to get into my sewing room.  However, I do save some and often wonder why I do as I rarely use them.   Then I saw this idea to use up scraps and thought I would try it.  I was immediately hooked as the process is very addictive and easy to do while watching TV.  Added to which the end result just looks SO pretty.

I started with a bag of scraps.

Which I cut/ripped up into narrow strips and, after a bit of twisting and turning, turned them into fabric rope.

My old wooden bobbin, which has been sitting in the sewing room for a long time looking decorative, but without much purpose, turned out to be the ideal place to house my finished rope.

I think it is really pretty and so colourful.

Once finished, the rope is incredibly strong and I am sure there would be a lot of uses for it. One that comes to mind is to use it for wrapping brown paper parcels.  For the moment, I am happy to enjoy looking at it as I find it so appealing.

Now my bobbin has a purpose and looks so pretty on the shelf.

I do love the internet for all the wonderful ideas and inspiration it provides.  In years gone by I would have happily paid for a class to learn how to do this.  Now it seems that everything is accessible with a few clicks and the generosity of a lot of people willing to share their good ideas.

A little embroidery

You might recognise this embroidery from the Vignette Mystery Quilt and you might have thought that I was "embroidered out" of this particular style of stitching.  While there was a LOT of it in the quilt I did enjoy doing it and when I spotted this little doily in the Vignette Magazine I thought it would be a quick and easy project.

I backed it with a pretty piece of  Liberty fabric.

Now it provides a perfect centrepiece for the table.

One for me and one for a friend

Another little project from another lovely little book.

I thought they would make pretty storage boxes for the sewing room.

So I made two, one for me and one for a friend.

Patchwork for pencils

 I have made another of the little projects from Patchwork Please. 

Like the pincushions from this book, this sweet little pencil case really caught my eye and it went on to the 'must make' list.

I love the preciseness of the little pencil points.  They might look fiddly to do but using the paper foundation piecing method made them surprisingly easy.

I am not sure that I will use it for pencils, but it will make a lovely home for plenty of other items.

Repurposed table

 

This little folding table has been sitting in the garage for years without a job to do.

 

While wandering through blogland recently I came across a wonderful use for my table and turned it into an ironing board.  Some wadding, a piece of fabric and a staple gun is all that is required.

 

 

Now it sits happily next to my sewing machine and when I want to press something all I have to do is swivel in my chair and the iron is at my fingertips.  Saves having to get up everytime (I must be getting lazy).

 

Welcome home

The little girls have been building snowmen in the northern hemisphere over the summer and they are due home next week. They will certainly be wanting to shed their coats, boots and mittens for something a bit lighter so I thought I would welcome them home with a new summer dress. One for M.

And one for V.

I really love the look of this very fine piping which I added to M's dress.

I hope they like them. As Mandy has trouble getting them to wear anything that is not pink, at least the colour should make them happy.

Playtime

My sewing room has been 'de-commissioned' to make way for beds two little people. I am itching to get back into production but, in the meantime, all I can do is play.

These beautiful thread colours and fabrics are an inspiration and, as I play, I dream of what I can create.

The first thing I will be doing when things get back to normal is to finish off the mystery quilt. I have completed the last block of embroidery and all that remains is to join everything together. That will be a nail biting time and I hope my piecing has been accurate.

Cloth has been cut

You would be forgiven for thinking that not a lot of cloth cutting has been happening at the cut cloth. I seem to be preoccupied with other things at the moment and the sewing room is not a place where I find myself much. However, this week I cut some Mexican oil cloth and made a zippered tote bag. It is lined with a pretty pink and white polka dot.

I am pleased with the final result, but don't think I will use Mexican oil cloth again as it was difficult to sew. Next time I will use laminated fabric which is much softer.

Hearts and flowers

If I thought the embroidery on the Vignette mystery quilt was challenging, it is nothing compared to the applique panels which make up the centre of the quilt. I have not yet finished the embroidery, but it is good to have a break from it and do something different. I have cut out 60 daisy petals, 42 one inch circles, 46 leaves and 8 hearts all of which now have to be stitched in place.

But first they all have to be pressed. I am using the spray starch method as I doubt if my needle turn applique skills are up to the job.

It is 40 degrees outside today so it is a perfect day to be inside in front of the air conditioner drinking iced tea and making hearts and flowers.

Roses

We celebrated little A's 4th birthday yesterday. I was sure she would want a 'princess party', but our A is definitely a free spirit and she bucked the trend and had a 'rose party'. Nana could not have been happier - roses I can do, princesses are not really my thing. I was in charge of the dress

and the cupcakes.

Mandy did a wonderful job with the decorations and 'roses' appeared all over the garden.

The table was very rosy.

Of course, a rose party has to have a rose cake - made by Dad (clever boy).

Happy birthday little one.