Bahh humbug ... not a good day ...

It's been one of those days today, you know the type - where, from the minute you wake up the day it is just all wrong.

I had some jobs to do in the morning which took up more time than I expected. I was longing to get to the studio as I have one quilt on comission that has been delayed because of previous orders. This one is a Christmas present and needs to be completed quite soon, but it is larger than I normally make and contains an awful lot of applique, which takes a lot of time.

My day was going reasonably well once I got to the studio, I thought I would use a twin needle to create a train track - quicker than appliquing a track - and saving tons of fabric. I threaded the machine just as the manual said, followed instructions for getting the right tension etc. It started okay and then I noticed the tension wasn't right, then disaster struck and the whole thing started looping underneath. To cut a very long story short I ended up spending an hour cleaning the machine, changing needles etc.

I have a sewing machine shop around the corner so I ran there for advice, I got reprimanded for using universal needles and bobbins instead of 'Janome' and we eventually came to a consensus opinion that there are scratches or 'burrs' (presume they mean scratches) on the bobbin case preventing it from turning properly. Well poor Janome is now awaiting the nice man to take her away for a well deserved service and repair work tomorrow. She will be missing from my life for at least a week, I am already missing her!!

After wasting half my day feeling frustrated I simply had to buy some chocolate and a fizzy drink, much needed but I'm disappointed as I've been trying to eat more healthily and have given up 'naughty' things, ie coca cola and crisps (my addictions - not had any for 5 weeks now!!!).

Good news though that my gorgeous husband was meant to be working on Christmas day but has just found out that he has it off. Yippee!!!!! Our first as husband and wife - it has to be special right - my three Christmas wishes may come true after all!!! We're spending our first Christmas as married people with Tony's parents, his sister and her husband. Luckily we all get on very well.

Must go chocolate calling ...

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A Quilt for Noa ...

I was recently comissioned to make a quilt for a young child and managed to finish well before the deadline. The brief was; purple, orange and pink with butterflies and dragon-flies appliqued over the top. Okay I thought, lovely colours, I'm up for the challenge.

I carefully pondered how I would combine those colours, came up with some ideas and a payout was agreed. Looking for inspiration for the fabrics I rifled through my stash and came across a charm pack from Moda Clementine, the colours involved pink, purple, orange, blue!! Amazing I thought, just what I need - now how to put them together??? I managed to find some block colours that matched the key colours perfectly and added white just to break it up a bit. The blocks are based on nine 5" squares sewn together 3 x 3, this is then cut into 1/4 making up blocks like these;

Each block is then rotated so that the seams do not match up and therefore it takes no time to put it together, I put mine together in blocks of 4 and played around with the configuration until I was happy. Some simple butterfly and dragon-fly shapes were appliqued over the top, personalised details were added and hey presto a cute and colourful quilt. I hope Noa enjoys this for many years to come.


Happy Birthday Noa Imogen for the 5th December.

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Christmas Pudding Pin Cushion Tutorial

At my quilting group on Saturday I did a demo of some rather cute Christmas Pudding Pin Cushions that I thought would be quite fun as a little stocking filler, or even help decorate the house over the festive season. I have put together a rather rough tutorial for making these but I'm sure you can fill in any gaps I might have made. Do let me know how you get on!!

Hope my explanations aren't too confusing, I find it a bit hard to sew and take photographs at the same time!!!


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How to retrieve your Mojo ...

There have been lots of viruses and general feelings of 'poorliness' (for lack of better description) going around lately, Tony and I have both succummed to viruses. I have noticed however, that quite a few people have commented on their Mojo's having up and walked out, without warning, just like that.

I am getting there and my Mojo - although having been lost for a while has now returned and is getting stronger day-by-day. For those of you whose Mojo's are still missing in action, I thought I would give you a few pointers in how you might go about retrieving yours. Of course there are no hard and strict rules, but here's how I got mine back ...

1. Indulge!!! Us crafty type people work hard at juggling home, pets, family, jobs, craft and other commitments - give yourself permission to take time out just for you, indulge in a few of your favourite things ...

2. If you're lacking in inspiration, do a project that you've been putting off, or make something for charity - as you are making it imagine who you may be helping and how they will feel on receipt of something made with such love and care.

3. If all else fails, go shopping!!! Write a lovely list of all the goodies you absolutely can't live without and have fun. I bought enough fabrics today to make at least 6 quilts. That makes my Mojo very happy. I just can't wait to design a project for all those spots!!!

Good luck for all of you looking for your Mojo's - hope they're back soon!!!

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Woodland Gathering Blocks

I don't know if you remember that a while ago I showed you a couple of blocks for my Woodland Gathering quilt. I have designed it myself and I'm quite proud of how it has turned out so far. All nine of the applique/stitchery blocks are complete and now I'm contemplating the design of how to put it together. I'm considering some fabrics from the Moda range Oak Leaves & Reel as I want it to have a 'woodland' feel. No doubt there will be some Moda essential dots too - i'm in love with those red polka dot toadstools!!

I can't wait for it to be completed!!

Until next time ...

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Happy Birthday Henri

Who says dogs can't smile? A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRI to this little boy that brightens up our lives and everyone he meets - if you are ever feeling down, come and borrow Henri he will soon get you smiling. He's a happy 2 years old today.

We have this photo of Henri blown up onto canvas (that measures a whopping 60 cms square) that faces a wall opposite the bathroom in our house, it is often the first thing seen in the morning, once bleary eyes have been wiped and it never fails to bring a smile to our faces.

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I'm a bad, bad blogger!!!

I do apologise for my lack of blogging recently - I have somehow lost my 'spark' and effervecense recently, both dear husband and I are recovering from an upper respiratory viral infection which has had both of us on our knees. Alas I have not been 'crafting' as much although lots of new projects are on the go.

A friend at work asked me to design and make a little wallhanging that she can give to her parents for their Golden Wedding Anniversary. I came up with a simple little stitchery framed in red and gold fabrics.

I also wanted to show this cutie boy picture of my baby, Henri - he's a whopping 2 years old on Saturday. He is the most affectionate little dog I've ever had the pleasure to meet, he brightens my days and this picture, of him snuggled up in a blanket is a pretty everyday occurrence - he loves to be warm!! Those big brown eyes show such love and affection.

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