Chateau Hexagon and Anna Levens

It seemed like a good idea at the time to embark on a new Block of the Month project particularly one with the fabulous title of Chateau Hexagon. When my fabrics arrived my heart sank a little because they were in very muted shades and I am more used to stronger, brighter colours which made them appear dull. Needless to say I fell way behind and as Block 8 arrived through the door it was time to take action. Time to put them on the list. The pattern is by Lynette Anderson.

Block 1

Block 2

As I have been stitching them the colours have grown on me and I like the delicate shades and I have enjoyed the embroidery. There is a lot of work for the size of the blocks. You will note that there appears to be a bit of space which has been left for a beautiful button to be added once assembled and quilted. You may also be wondering where the hexagons are. All will be revealed.

All the large hexagon blocks of the Anna Levens Quilt by Marg Sampson George are now surrounded by plain cream. I adore this bit of stitching and maybe I like softer shades more than I realise.

Almost at the end of January and I bet you may be wondering how I am doing with the pesky list. Hmm, we shall have to see.

Happy Stitching.

Shirley.

First Finish

A finish is a finish. Even though it was not on on the list, it should have been and I finished it in time for it to go on a little journey. The photo's were taken at my house.

It has gone to live with my good friend Judith and arrived on the day of her special birthday. Relieved it got there and in time and that she likes it. Phew!

Stina from Kviltstina sent me this little poster to remind me of my word for 2014. Thank you Stina I love it. Planning on delivering plenty of content this year.

Happy Stitching.

Shirley.x

Activity

After compiling a New Year's List and vowing to work through it after a few days I was already in trouble. Item number 13 gets me every time. This one though was my own fault for not adding it to the list properly in the first place. A good friend of mine has a special birthday coming up and I had already decided to make her something. This was the progress on Wednesday at Kate's when we met for our first sewing of the year. Quilting finished and ready for making up into a cushion.

Rosemary was adding to her Grandmother's Flower Garden. I always love the fabrics that Rosemary chooses because they are pretty and summery and leave you feeling good. Essential this time of the year when we have had constant rain. Poor old Somerset is drowning in the stuff yet again. 

Wendy is making a bag with very pretty stitchery. The pattern is from Homespun magazine.

Margaret is busy finishing the binding to a quilt which means a project almost complete. You can see a little bit of Margaret's knitted jacket that she had made and was wearing. Very nice it was too. May have to add that one to my growing list of things to do  at some point.

Kate was contemplating clamshells over a cup of coffee. No quick way of making them. Whichever method you use you still have to do some prep but Kate is very skilled at making them and before long they will be prepped and stitched.

Having got to a stage that I could go no further out came the hexagons and item 10 on the list. Anyone sensible would probably start with number 1 but I hate being sensible and predictable and besides, the  box was handy to bring. Playing around with the layout and now I can add a row of cream. Apologies for the dark photo. I will learn to take decent photo's one day.

We had a lovely day. One of our dear companions Pat was missing as she was not very well. If you are reading this Pat hope you are feeling better. We missed you.

Till next time.

Happy Stitching

Shirley.

New Year, New Word

Over the Christmas period we were kept busy entertaining and eating, being with family and friends and I realised that I felt this overwhelming sense of something that I could not quite define. I realised it was contentment. Just that. Content. 

I am making my new word for the year CONTENT.  Whilst I was thinking about this word something popped up on Pinterest with that very word defining it in 21 ways that we crave content. It was meant to be. Right this minute I would just like to hang on to this feeling of peace and happiness and remember it. I have seen wonderful montages of finished projects during 2013 and sadly all I would be able to show would be blank spaces as I reflect on the lack of stitching. There were a few highlights and I did sell my little Alzheimers Quilt and made a baby quilt and even crocheted a couple of baby blankets. There was even a trip to Cowslip which was most enjoyable and a project yet to be finished. This year I hope this blog will be full of CONTENT.

The only stitching I have managed is this bit of knitting. Again a project found on Pinterest and the pattern came via Ravelry. It is a 10 stitch blanket, knitted in rounds. The photo shows the wrong side but I prefer the wrong side. The colours are very sombre for me but I love them and I only have 3 balls so when I run out, that will be the finished size for a little blanket. The yarn is Riot by King Cole. I can buy more but I think it will be more fun just to see what size it ends up. I would make it again. It is a great pick up and put down project.

I thought that I would kick off the New Year with the return of The List.

Some old projects to return to, some to finish, some to advance and a sneaky one to start. Have you spotted it? The one that always gets me into trouble, item number 13, anything else. I have great luck with starting projects so hopefully this year I can show lots of content.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year. May it be a good one.

Happy Stitching.

Shirley.x