Worn and Washed Out

Last week I broke out into a deep sweat as I persuaded myself to unwrap and use one of my precious packs of Worn and Washed Fabrics from Kim Porter. This delightful bundle of pinks was bought quite some time ago and it has been lovingly caressed but, its time had come to be used. The last time I saw Kim she said that I had to use them and not just collect them. I probably have another four stashed away. They are just so scrummy. If you have ever seen Kim's stands at the shows you will know why they are so scrummy.

 

 

In true "Kim" style this was going to be one of those projects that would be very simple. No maths and complicated piecing and no matching up of points and seams, just strips sewn together randomly. I am not good at doing random and still had to place all the strips out and swap them around but, simple sewing it was. This is bigger than a cot quilt but not a huge single bed quilt, with enough left over to make a crib size quilt/ dolly quilt/ pram quilt. It is also a trip down memory lane.  You may recognise some of the fabrics from Laura Ashley. I am pleased with the progress and today wadding has been bought and I have acquired a lovely brushed cotton bed sheet. This is  in the washing machine as we speak to soften it up a bit so that I can use it for the backing. It is like the stripy fabric in one of the patches below.

 

 

Baby gifts in abundance and I finished the baby blanket in time to go on a little journey with Rachel because we have a new generation in the family.

 

 

 

This is Niece Laura and gorgeous baby Daisy Olive, weighing in at a very respectable 7lb 13oz. Mum and baby both doing well.  We got lots of cuddles.

 



 

Many of you will have seen on the news of the horrible weather that is plaguing most of Britain which started here in the WestCountry at the start of last week. It has rained and rained and rained and rained. We keep thinking that it can't possibly last but it has. Today has been dry here and even a chink of blue in the sky but for a lot of people the mopping up process is beginning.

 

This is Kate's garden last Wednesday and as you can see it has narrowly missed coming into the house and Kate has been housebound as she has been unable to get out of her drive and along the lane. It also meant no sewing for us as we could not get there either. I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like to have your home flooded out and your possessions turned into a soggy mess. I am grateful and thankful for where I live and so sorry for those not so fortunate.

 

 



 

This week I have started a little bit of sewing. One fat quarter of shot cotton and lots of scraps which is going to be an ipad bag a la Brigitte Giblin. I don't possess an ipad but I am hopeful that Santa may be very kind to me this year. I so hope he is reading this blog.

 



Wherever you are, stay warm and dry and keep stitching.

Love Shirley.

Keeping Busy

 



For most of Lori's quiltalong I managed to keep up and even had something to show for the deadline. If you wish to see a few more then head over to Lori's blog and see how creative people have been with this fabulous project. I chose to add a pale cream border and have now quilted it and it is ready to be trimmed and the binding added. I have enjoyed every stitch of making this and can't wait to see what clever Lori comes up with next.

 

 

You may have forgotten this project. It has been on the back boiler for a while now and has been pinned to my makeshift design wall waiting for me to get my act together and make the corners for the blocks. So far the first 3 are done and a border is also going on as I go along. This is a huge quilt in the making and I may not do all of it. At least progress is being made and it is keeping me busy. In case you are wondering, my makeshift design wall is a fleecy blanket hooked over the wardrobe with skirt hangers. It is the best I can come up with but a bigger blanket would be helpful. I will let you into a secret - shhhh, there is another project pinned to the other side. Don't tell anyone.

Just so you don't think I have fallen out with hexagons these are steadily growing. I know what you are thinking. There is no pink in sight of any of them. They are a real departure from my usual pinkness. I need 39 diamond shapes and so far I have 17. A way to go yet.

Never fear though, that box is being filled and with as many plain hexies being made as the pretty ones. Believe you me it pays off to make them at the same time because when you think you have enough pretty ones then come all the plain ones and you need even more of them and it can be boring. There! I said it. Shock! They have to be done though. I love the gentle shades of these.  Great to make them whilst watching the tv. Downton has finished now, lots of tissues and ooh and ahhs and fabulous storylines.  I am gripped with Strictly Fever and cannot call yet who I think will win but my favourite so far is Lisa Riley. She is sensational. Also, Is anyone other than me glued to The Paradise on a Tuesday night watching the fabulous Sarah Lancashire as the haughty madam in charge of the shop girls of the Paradise Department Store.  It has a great cast. Hope you ladies get to see this drama sometime soon as it is so well acted and I know you will love it too.

Some knitting has also been on the go and I need to sew in some cross stitches around the hearts. Cannot show you the whole thing yet as it is a present. The pattern came from Australian Homespun, The Knitting Issue. I question why they had a knitting issue in a patchwork magazine but I loved the project so I suppose it worked.

 Atmospheric cloud formation over Stitcherydo HQ. Makes a change to be able to see the Quantock Hills, they are normally shrouded in mist.

My lovely Swindon cousin Karen was 40 on the 3rd of November and she had a party. Here you can see her cutting her fabulous cake which was a giant watch complete with diamante's. Karen has a watch fetish. It was so cold that night and during the night it actually snowed and then turned to a heavy downpour which has been the pattern for much of the year really. Not that we noticed it as we were tucked up and asleep. I did get an email from Nanci from Florida asking if we had survived the flooding as it had been on her news. Amazing what gets shown where. Apart from the river level being high we were ok.

 

I hope that wherever you are reading this that you are warm/cool and safe and able to stitch. It is the best therapy for anything and everything I find.

 

Happy Stitching.

 

Shirley.