And Sew On - My August block completed!

I don't know where August went, but luckily I managed to get my block done for the And Sew On BOM over at Quiet Play. Its been a great series so far and there's only 1 left!

This block 'I like big stash' has to be my favourite yet, I really enjoyed picking what my fabric piles should be. I wish my craft cupboard was that neat! It came together quite quickly and I was pleased with the result, until my daughter managed to get her soggy apple fingers on it! It's left a dark stain on the fabric of the door, so I'm not sure what to do about that yet. Apart from that it's great!

I'm a lot more confident with paper piecing now and found myself using pins a lot less to secure fabric. Not always the best thing to do, but it is a bit quicker!

Thanks Kristy for a great series, I hope you're planning the next one!

A busy weekend of Paper Piecing!

I feel rather ashamed this weekend. I was trying my hardest to get my July block finished for Quiet Plays And Sew On project, but I didn't finish in time. Not that it really matters, but I set myself a challenge to do them all on time, so it's annoying! I blame my daughter for not having long enough naps.... the hot weather...... I could give a lot of excuses, but ultimately I failed!

Anyway, here it is:

I'm rather pleased with it, although there were quite a lot of small pieces in the rotary cutter, it came together quite nicely and it almost lines up!. 

It took me ages to decide what fabric to use in my quilt square, but I found this cute elephant and the perfect orange fabric to surround it. Of course I got to the last side of orange and discovered I didn't have enough fabric so had to join 2 bits. What is crafting without mistakes though? Who wants something homemade to look too perfect?! That's what I keep telling myself anyway.

I also found the time to complete 2 other paper pieced blocks for Kristy at Quiet Play. She asked for testers for her new little houses patterns and I was quick to put up my hand! 

These blocks came together very easily and I didn't have any problems with them. I did decide to add curtains and blinds, just to use a different pattern fabric and make them more homely. Now to find some buttons for door knobs. I can see myself making the other houses when they become available as my daughter loves pointing out different houses at the moment and her wall needs some more cool 'Mummy art'!

Just to let you know that I have already printed out the And Sew On August pattern already, now I just need to chose some fabrics! 

I WAS in time to link up to Kristys Paper Piecing Party this weekend. Have a fun week!

Mace Windu gets the paper piecing treatment!

When Kristy at Quiet Play asked for pattern testers for her new range of Lego Star Wars blocks, I was the first to stick my hand up! Any excuse for some paper piecing fun! She asked me to try out the Mace Windu block and I must admit I had to google the name as although I've seen the films, I don't know all the characters. The most difficult part was finding fabric the right colour for his face, but eventually I think I found the right one.

The block came together very easily, probably getting a bald character helped! I'm pleased with the results, but I haven't decided how to do his face yet. When I googled the lego character, there seemed to be 2 different facial expressions - normal lego features or really angry and a bit wrinkly. I wanted to link up to Kristy's paper piecing party so he'll have to wait a bit for a face!

My nephew has just got into Lego Star Wars, so I think I may be trying out a few more of the blocks, but which one next? Head over to Kristy's Craftsy store to get some of her great patterns for free including C3PO and Princess Leia.

May the crafty force be with you!

And Sew On BOM - A Stitch in Time (or not in time!)

I may be a day late finishing it, but here is the June block from Quiet Plays stitching themed paper pieced block of the month. Luckily it came together quite quickly, although it is a bit wonky! Thats what comes of rushing these things.

I've still got to embroider some thread coming from the needle and I might just write 'tea' on the cup, well I am British! If I were to change anything, I'd probably change the fabric of the saucer as it doesn't stand out enough against the white background. Apart from that I'm happy.

The next block is a rotary cutter and although it looks a bit fiddly, I'm looking forward to doing it. If you want to give it a try, go and get for free during July from Quiet Play.

Before I get started on that one though, I have another job. Kristy at Quiet Play has asked me to try out one of her new fantastic Lego Star Wars patterns. It took a little while for me to find the right fabric, but I think I've got it now! Watch this space...........

Paper Piecing Party and what else I've been up to this week

I've been quite busy this week! Apart from finishing my And Sew On May block, I've also been doing some other paper piecing. I saw a nice butterfly pattern on thesmilingcat and was inspired to make one. Not sure what it will become yet, maybe I'll make some more and turn it into a wall hanging or quilt for my daughter.

 I linking this up to Quiet Plays paper piecing party. Take a look, it's great to see what everyone else has been working on!

I've also been working on something that isn't paper pieced!!!! Shocking I know! One my husbands workmates invited him to their daughters 1st birthday party, so of course I had to make something for her. I decided on an owl and was inspired by lots of different pictures and patterns. The wings are little pockets and I've added a pocket on the back as well with a G for Grace.

I made her a matching owl card. Hopefully she is an owl fan (isn't everyone?!) but I'll have to wait to hear the verdict. My daughter was trying to stop me wrapping it up, so I might have to make one for her as well!


Hope everyone had a great crafty weekend!

And Sew On - May BOM

Where did May go? Seems like only yesterday I was posting my April block!

As usual I waited til the last minute to start and finish my block for Quiet Plays BOM. This one is called Keep Calm and Press on and I found it came together quite easily. Of course I made mistakes as normal, On the first section I sewed the wrong line about 3 times and was rather close to having a tantrum!

Apart from the seam ripper getting a lot of use, I'm rather keen on this one. My last couple of blocks have been a bit plain and boring, so I wanted to put a bit of colour into this one! Don't think I'd have this wallpaper in my house though. I was a bit worried the red iron wouldn't stand out enough against the background, but I think it's turned out really well!

Great block thanks Kristy, can't wait for June's block!

Vintage style 60's mod toddler dress

I'm rather proud of myself! I've made my first dress for my daughter! Sure I've made T-shirts (neckline way too big) and refashioned a couple of skirts (Bit too short or they fall down easily) but this was my first attempt to make a dress.

I was inspired by this dress from doublestitching. Unfortunately I didn't have any fabric quite as funky as hers, but I remembered I had a rather psychedelic skirt that I bought at a car boot. I mistakenly thought it might look quite good on me. However it might make a great dress for her!

I used the tutorial from doublestitching, but decided not to make a collar as I didn't have enough fabric. I found some buttons the perfect colour and it was finished.

Of course its not perfect, it took much longer than I expected, the stitching isn't great, so don't look too closely and it's rather too large for her, but at least she'll be able to fit into it for a while! Despite these issues, I was really proud when I put it on her, although she didn't pay any attention to the dress and just carried on creating havoc. Never mind!

I 'm going to keep an eye out for some 60's style fabric to make another dress.

Note to self: must remember to take pictures before someone gets their sticky paws on it!

I am linking this up to We did it Wednesday on So Much Ado

Snip it real good - BOM for April

I finished just in time! 

This is my completed square for Quiet Play's 'And Sew On' paper pieced block for April. It doesn't come out well, but the background fabric is green, not grey. 

The block came together well and I'm happy with it, but I was slightly restricted by my scraps. I only had dark grey left for the scissor blades, but I would have liked to make those and lighter grey and then made the handles a darker colour. 

It was a good design and I think adding the loose thread really finishes it off nicely. I might go back and add some loose threads to my March block when I get a chance. 

I can't wait to see what the next design is and luckily I don't have long to wait! 

Paper piecing addict - My first design!

I'm hurrying to finish my And Sew On April block at the moment, but just wanted to show you a couple of paper pieced blocks I made for the craft club I attend. We're currently making a sensory patchwork blanket for the library where we hold our meetings and it was decided we would do blocks based around the seasons.

This is my winter block, thank you to 3and3quarters for helping me decide to make a paper pieced wonky log cabin block! Don't you just love the little penguin? It took me longer to decide on fabrics than actually sew it together. I enjoy paper piecing, especially when it's all on 1 sheet of paper!

This is my spring block. I decided to make a picture block of a bunny, but had an image in my head and couldn't find a pattern to match it, so I made my own! It took ages to work it out on paper and it's not perfect, but I'm really pleased with the outcome and I think I'll try and design some other blocks in the future. I used a slightly stretchy furry fabric for his tail and stuffed it so it would be nice for the children to feel. I also used a ribbon to create a bow. You can't see very clearly, but he has little stiched whiskers. Now I have the design, I might have to make it again for my daughter, she seemed to quite like stroking his tail!

I got lots of nice comments from the other members, but most didn't seem to understand why I prefer spending time sewing it to the paper than having to cut out exact shapes before sewing. I think I have to work on converting them to paper piecing!

Hopefully I'll post my completed 'Snip it real good' block over the next couple of days.

Happy paper piecing!

And Sew On - My March Block

It's been a busy month so far, but I've managed to squeeze in making my block of the month for the lovely project over on Quietplay.

Looking back on it, I think my bobbin colours look a bit too subdued compared to my other two blocks. I think I was more focused on finding fabrics that had an interesting thread type pattern, rather than thinking about what colours they were!

A few of my lines didn't match up and don't look too closely at the gingham pattern, but overall, I'm quite pleased with it.

Hopefully, I'll have a bit more time spare in April, so I won't have to rush that block! Not that I'm making excuses honest!

I'm looking forward to the next challenging block and I love keeping an eye on the other finished designs to see what colour and pattern choices they made. It makes me feel better to read that most of them have some issues like me!

Thanks again to Quietplay.

For the love of frog........

You may remember this time last year, I blogged about my frog birthday present and card for my husband. Well, it's that time again and I decided the theme would be....... FROGS! Original I know! I've made him a quilted applique wall hanging, and appliqued t-shirt and of course a frog card.

The box of frogs isn't quite as wonky in real life honest! 

Here's a close up of the writing and the cheeky little frog.

This is the t-shirt. I'm not sure if this frog has an attitude problem or if it's just rather confused! 

I quite like this shocked, rather squashed looking felt frog card. It looks like he's thinking 'HOW OLD??!!!!'

Hopefully my husband will like them! I'd better get planning next years froggy presents now!

What do you think?

I've linked up to We Did Wednesday

You Little Ripper (and why I shouldn't craft into the small hours)

I finally got around to making my February block for Quiet Plays 'And Sew On' block of the month project!

It was more complicated than the first block, but I really enjoyed it and didn't want to stop last night, although it was after midnight. Finally I finished and went to trim off some extra material, somehow managing to cut into one of the pieces instead. There were some swear words involved! (excuse the blurry photo, I was a bit mad!)

If it was for anyone else, I probably would've unpicked the block to correct the fault. But, since it's just going on my wall, I patched it up at the back with some Bondaweb. When I see the imperfections, it will make me smile and remind me that crafting until the early hours is not a good idea, especially when I'm not getting much sleep anyway thanks to a teething toddler. 

After my accident I decided it might be a good ideas not to square up the edges just yet in case I do anything else to it!

Apart from the cut, and some of the pieces not quite lining up, I'm really pleased with my effort. I can't wait until March!

 

And Sew On... Something for me!

One of my new year resolutions was to make more things for myself when my husband pointed out that everything I make it for family and friends.

This Block of the Month project caught my eye. It would involve me learning paper piecing and at the end of 9 months, I'll have a fantastic sewing themed wall hanging to go above my desk. Some of the blocks look rather complicated, so it's going to be a real challenge!

I've now completed the first block and I'm rather pleased with it! It's not perfect, but as it's for me, who cares?!

Some of the other people taking part had fantastic tape measure fabric, but I had to make do with some slightly wonky hand embroidery. I really enjoyed choosing the fabrics, although the raised shiny pattern on the solid red fabric doesn't show up well in the picture.

I can't wait for February's block! I'll be posting a picture when it's finished.

Happy Stitching!

Nearly forgot to show you!

Ok, so it's January 12th now, but I thought I should finally show you some more of the Christmas presents I made for various people.

Who loves Moomins? Well I do and I found out my friend does as well, so I made her a notebook cover out of denim with a stencilled Moomintroll. He's having a little dance! To inspire her, I wrote a quote on the first page from Snufkin: "Today we must do something very special, for it will be a glorious day"

I made a felt applique house picture for my sister, thanks to this tutorial from sewmamasew. Although I made my house grey instead of pink as I thought her partner might complain about having a pink house on the wall!

I don't seem to have a picture of the finished wall hanging, but I made my brother a small 4 block picture with some crazy applique cats on! I'll get him to take a picture, but here's one of the cats in progress! Thanks to frantastic-stitchwitchery for the inspiration, but of course hers is much better than mine was!

And finally, I made this for my husband, who is always the lucky recipient of something cross stitched every Christmas! The kit was a Heritage Stitchcraft Margaret Sherry kit called 'Roly Purrly'.


I think that's everything for now. I'm currently working on a few things for me and my shop, so I hope to post some more pictures soon.

I hope 2013 is going well for you so far!