One Finish, Four Starts and Two Lbs Lighter!!!

I've had a rather successful sewing week this week, in part due to the fact that my partner has been working nights and I could sit, guilt-free with my stitchery projects in the evenings. Today, Tony decided to come home for his sleep rather than camp on an army surplus excuse for a bed, at a rather noisy hospital. This meant that I had to be fairly quiet and what a better excuse than to sit on the sofa, my Henri dog beside me, while I sat and hand-sewed the bias binding on my farm quilt - bliss! Awful that I've only spent a couple of hours a day with wonderful (but extremely tired) partner but next week will be back to normal!!


Needless to say that after an evening of stippling and a day of sewing, On the Farm is finally completed!

I'm very happy with the finished article.

As for the stitchery's I joined a couple of BOM's and can't wait to complete each block as we progress through the year.

The snowmen can be found here while the 'Love' stitchery is here. The little mouse in a rather wonky log-cabin is part of my own design for the Black and White Quilt Challenge Project which can be found here. The design is aptly called 'Wonky Cat and Friends. It is a bit of an improvised project as I haven't exactly designed it yet! The idea is to have a few cats, maybe a dog, a couple of mice and one or two birds thrown in for good measure. I'm hoping to work on a few more blocks tomorrow so I'll keep you posted.

I'm also on weight loss target for this month - 2lbs already lost from eater slower, slightly less portion size and not snacking - crisps are a huge vice for me!!!

Farm Quilt

I'm well on the way to completing the Farm quilt I started at the beginning of December. I only have the quilting to do - which shouldn't take long as I am just stitching in the ditch - and the bias to add which I can do in the evenings.

It is a little heavy going on the old applique but I can truly say that it is an original work, designed and drawn by me. I'm pretty proud to be honest, I'm not an artist by any stretch of the imagination but I'm happy with how it's turned out.

I'm going to have a break from applique for the next quilt. I quite fancy having a go at some wonky log-cabin blocks that I found here.

See you soon
Caroline

Pay It Forward

Hi All,

I am taking part in a 'Pay It Forward' that I heard about on Julie's Blog http://bushbabyjag.blogspot.com/ . The general principle is that the players on Julie's PIF each obtain a gift handmade by Julie (how wonderful) which she will send sometime in the next 365 days. Each of these three players then invite their own three players and so on.

I am already thinking of what I am going to make for my players ... all I need now are my own three players. These players each will receive a handmade gift made by me, from the heart. All you have to do is find your own three players, make and send three gifts thus spreading the joy.

So .... any takers ... please leave a comment if you fancy taking part ...

Happy New Year

Hi all,

I thought I would post a quick picture of the Farm quilt I have been working on. The central section is now complete and I have planned and drawn the side sections - which will also be appliqued with various animals. I'm really pleased with it so far but there are a few changes I would make if I did this sort of quilt again. Apologies for it not being particularly Christmassy or New Yeary!

I am also requesting some help this year as I have worked out that there is roughly 5 months and 5 days until I get married to my wonderful partner (on 06 June). I desperately need to lose at least 14 lbs to get into my dream wedding dress (already purchased). My request is simple, please, please don't be put off my blog if I sometimes waffle about said wedding - I'm determined to enjoy every minute of the run up, even if I am absolutely terrified about a) the money we are spending (when we have none!), b) the weight i'm not yet shifting and c) the logistical nightmare of trying to get everything organised on time.

Until next time

Caroline

Christmas Angels

Hi,

This will probably be my last post before Christmas and the New Year so I thought I would leave you with some Christmassy projects -some completed last year and this year. The farm project is well underway now and I'm hoping that the central panels will be completed before my next post.

Until then I wish you all a fantastic Christmas and may your New Year be filled with creativity, realised dreams and fulfilled wishes.

God Bless.

Caroline

Christmas Angels completed Dec 2007


These were created Dec 2008 just in time to adorn the tree.

Antique Table Runner, Snowman Stocking and a Tree skirt - all my first attempts at appliqued, quilted items last year 2007.

Daisy Quilts Giveaway

Hi

I thought you might be interested to check out this giveaway on Daisy Quilts blog. The goodies look fantastic and include a gorgeous bag, decorations, thread and more.

Thank you Robyn for such a fantastic giveaway.

On the Farm with the gang...

Hello All,

I've been itching to sew a quilt based on a farmyard theme for quite a while. I was happy with how my safari quilts worked out - I'm very happy with the applique and seem to be developing my own style of design, so I decided to set out and design my own farm.

After drawing some preliminary sketches that weren't quite how I imagined I went back to the drawing board - I did a little research on other farm quilts on the market and then thought about my characters. I wanted animals that were going to be quite simplified, the quilt is only going to be big enough for either a child's lap quilt or wall hanging. My design so far;

The sketch is only of the central panel, I am also going to add a fairly thick border also with applique animals and embroidered details before quilting and adding a bias edge.

So far I've worked on the cows and pigs;