Ordered a New Sewing Machine

I have ordered a new sewing machine today it is a Brother BM2600 you can see it at this link http://www.sewingmachinediscount.co.uk/-telesale-now-on/brother/bm2600/125-c0-v0.htm

I am getting a free carrying bag with it & I also ordered a quarter inch seam foot so I am set for my quilting group this is the one I went to for the first time earlier this month, my DH is giving me half the money so it not so expensive as if I had to pay for it all

I do have a sewing machine which you can see at this link http://www.sewingmachinediscount.co.uk/saturday-sale/silver-viscount/9500e/108-c62-v0.htm

But being it a more expensive machine I don't want to be transporting it around just in case it gets damage.

I been working on some hotpads/potholders & just have to finish the binding tomorrow for them to be done then I can get them in to the mail early next week as they are for a swap i am involved in I have to Mid July to post but sooner the better.

We are having a lovely spell of nice sunny warm weather here in the UK which is nice more like a summer's day lets hope we get a good summer this year.

My Trainer/Sports Socks

Well it nearly the end of the week, this week in the UK children have been on holiday so it been a quiet week not that school holidays affect me anymore all my lot have grown up (or so they say lol) & have children of their own.

I had a mixed week I been working on some hotpads/potholders which I am still working on & hope to show them soon, but I have started & finished a pair of trainer/sports socks for myself which you can see.

The socks are done by doing 10 rows rib I casted on 56 stitches using 3.5mm DPs knit one row then change to 2.75mm to do a K1 P1 rib until I done the 10 rows then change to knit for another 10rows then i start the heel flap & continue as I would if I was doing a normal socks these socks are great with trainers/Sport shoes when you need something on your feet but don't want ones that are longer.

I also had been reading a lot & took that time for me I enjoy a nice time travel romance, I just finished Tryst in Time & Tempest in Time both by Eugenia Reiley these are set in the Old South either just before or after the Civil War, I have another book to read but not by her.

Now that I have finished my socks & my new recliner sofa arrived (7.30am) this morning I will be able to put my feet up & relax when I want to be it reading or knitting.

This & That for Today

Today I am cutting fabric for my hotpads (potholders) for a swap I have to do 2 for each person I have & I have 2 people to do for so 4 to do in all.
I am hoping to sew them tomorrow as I do find cutting is backaching so have to pace myself.

On a different note a friend I went to school with & haven't seen for well over 20 years, we have been in contact for the last few years but not met up well she plus some other girls I went to school with are meeting up on Saturday for a meal & so I will be travelling down for that it should be good fun & there a lot to catch up on as it 40 years this year since we left school so not seen some since then.

Meeting a Swap Partner

Here is a photo of Janet & me which her daughter took on Saturday when I was at her quilting group.

I had a great day & really enjoyed meeting such a lovely lady, I was made to feel very welcome & was there as her guest, Janet runs the group & so she was busy but she still made time for me & made sure I wasn't left on my own

I got to meet Janet as she was my swap partner in a Friends Swap, in it you use the letters so F = Fabric ect for all the letters are used it was great that once we had been paired up we found that we live not that far from each other & that is how i came to go to the group.

Log Cabin Quilt

Well I finished my DH quilt below is him holding it up not that you know who is holding it up & above is the quilt laid on the bed for me to take a photo not that the photos are very good

It has fleece on the back & no wadding(batting) as it for a light weight but warm to the touch when under it am rather pleased with it not so keen on doing such a large quilt with fleece backing but on the whole it came out fairly well

Log Cabin Quilt

Went to Quilting Group

I have had a wonderful day, went off to a quilting group where a lady I had been partner with in a swap on a blog invited me as it not too far away well got to the road okay but drove past it went up so far & then knew I had gone too far any found in on the way back.
There met a lovely lady & I wanted to surprise her & give her the swap which due date by July but I thought I do it early.
I had been told I didn't need to bring anything she would supply it as I was her guest, in the morning we did Cathedral window that was fun, not as easy as she made it sound plus I was using her sewing machine so with strange machine didn't do too bad.
Then in the afternoon did Wonky Star again was fun & I think with a bit of practice could be good as you can see from the photos of my work what sort of results I got

The lady who is Janet she will be putting photos on her blog later today so from tomorrow you should be able to see them here her blog http://jansmusing.blogspot.com/

You see how the blocks ect should look lol, I really learnt a lot & will be going again the group meets once a month so that nice & will give me somewhere to go & learn more Thanks Janet

Quilt Show & Free Draw

Here is a link to a site that you can have your own quilt show then you can enter a free draw so do take a look there is some beautiful quilts there so go to

http://www.quiltsandquilttops.com/index.html

then enter her Give Away

Happy Birthday to my Mum

This is to remember my mum today as this would have been her 98th birthday the photo is of my mum & dad taken around 1951 she was wearing a lovely blue dress my dad got for her 40th birthday I can still remember that dress & the lovely colour the photo was at a Char Ladies Ball that they went to.

Happy Birthday Mum who passed away 5th October 2008

Log Cabin Blocks

Well I have not been doing much sewing this past week the blocks for my Log Cabin which will be for home not as a gift, are done here are 4 of the 30 blocks i have done as my DH doesn't like anything heavy I will be not using wadding/batting in this but have ordered some fleece to back it with so it will be soft, light yet warm.

I have to put all the blocks in to the top & add some bordered but haven't done any of that yet hope to start that later in the week.

I have done another pair of trainer/sports socks for DH i did them & while the way the colour pattern has come out I don't like this don't seem so consistent but DH did say about having some more as he had shop bought ones & they have shrunk so he asked me to do another pair out of the yarn as these are not seen he not too worried but did say he have plain/solid colours for his socks that he would wear with shoes & under trousers

I have decided to get a couple of books so I can do a bit of reading something relaxing in the evenings when I don't want to knit or my hands are giving trouble, i have ordered A Tryst in Time by Eugenia Riley it a romantic time travel one which I love, I have also order a couple of other Time Travel Romance ones as well, I am just a big softy at heart lol

Log Cabin Quilt Finished

Well the Log Cabin is finished the photo is slightly lopsided but I am not great at taking photos & wanted one with it being held up rather than laid on the bed.

I used for the first time some double sided tape to help with the binding as I really struggle if i have to do any hand work all my work has to be done by sewing machine & with each project I learn a little bit more so by the time I am 100 I should know how to do one properly lol

I hope to take it down to my Niece for her son this week & I hope that she will like it

Lottery Blocks

Hi All
Thought you all may like to know I didn't win the lottery block a Lady in Australia Linda won it so will be posting my blocks to her she will have a total of 53 blocks so a nice lot to make 1 or 2 projects Congratulations Linda I know she reads this & has a blog herself.
I did manage to knit another seeded heart cloth yesterday evening did that in a solid/plain colour & it does make a difference.
I am hoping to work on the quilt so I can get it finished in the next couple of days so I guess rather than posting I better start sewing have a good day everyone

4 patch Framed Blocks

These are the Lottery blocks I have done for a lottery which is on my quilting group it will be drawn this evening Canadian time.

The block is framed 4 patch you can find the pattern which is very easy at

http://www.quilterscache.com/F/FramedFourPatchBlock.html

I think this makes a lovely block & would look nice in a quilt or even as a table runner with matching placemats possibilities are as wide as your imagination

Seeded Heart & Seeded Cloth

Here is a couple of cloths I have done, the top is called Seeded Heart Cloth & the lower one is just one I made up doing seed stitch here in the UK we call this Moss stitch all I did was cast on 38 stitches knitted 4 rows all knit then K3 next 32 stitches k1 p1 last 3 stitches knit then you continue doing the first 3 & the last 3 stitches knit & the rest you knit the purl stitch & purl the knit stitch that all the pattern continue to length you do 4 rows knit then cast off I used 5mm needles as that was what the pattern called for in the Seeded Heart cloth & I was just using the last part of the ball of cotton.

Log Cabin Top

I been working on a log cabin quilt the pictures are of it the one below is the top from a bit of a distance so you see the border & the other is a more close up one.
All these blocks are from a swap i was in so I didn't do the these block the ones I did was sent to people who sent to me when I was drawn the swap was run on my quilting group which is at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QuiltingForAll/

I hope to pin the backing, Wadding & top together shortly if I feel up to it then I have to rest again while i do love quilting I do find that I am in a lot of pain especially if I do a lot in one go still the finish quilt I hope will be worth it

Log Cabin Top

More Rail Fence Blocks

Here is the last 4 Rail Blocks that I had to do for a swap I am In I had posted this months blocks off as I had 10 in all to do

I must say that I have really liked doing this block it is so easy & if you wanted to it for a quilt or some other project cutting strips of fabric in the 3 choosen colours & sewing them then cutting to size & sew them so they are position as shown is easy.

Rail Fence Blocks

Here is some Rail Fence Blocks that I have done for a swap I am in, I have done & sent 2 off today for this month & managed to do another 4 which is in the photo this is a easy block to do you can see the pattern at

http://www.quilterscache.com/R/RailFenceBlock.html

I have more blocks to do for this swap & hope to do them in the next week so all are done for this swap

Pay It Forward

I am doing my first PIF gifts and have taken up another PIF from Sew Prim Khris Blog http://sewprimkhris.blogspot.com/ This concept is like the movie called Pay It Forward with Kevin Spacey and Haley Joel Osment in it. The 12 year old boy has a school assignment and he comes up with the PIF concept....it was a wonderful movie but you need your tissues. I sobbed. PIF is where acts of kindness are done without expecting anything in return, just passing it on, hoping that the recipients will do the same and pay it forward, like a never ending chain of kindness I will make and send a gift for the first 3 friends who post a comment to this post, requesting to join this exchange, and promising to pay it forward to 3 other persons, etc.... I don't know what my 3 gifts will be, but I can promise I will send them within the next 365 days. What YOU have to do in return then, is "Pay It Forward" by making the same announcement and promise on YOUR blog for those who don't have a blog & wish to do this let me know & if I know you personally then I will do the same.

Trainer Socks

Here is the trainer socks some may know them as sports socks they are socks which only go to the ankle.

I done these if you look closely you see the toe of one in different yarn this was because I ran out of the yarn this was a experiment so wasn't too worried about that.

I used 3.25mm to cast on instead of the 3.5mm I usually use & they came out a little tight for DH the body which is done on 2.75mm is fine I think that because the rib which is only 12 rows & 10 rows of knit before starting the heel needs a looser rib than a normal sock I am a tight cast on knitter so where I always knit in to the back of the stitch I think I shouldn't when it comes to socks especially these type.

I will be doing more of these over the coming months as they will be good for the summer when you want socks on but not normal ones as for these I will have them so they won't go to waste lol

Mint Green Aran Sweater

Well I have Finished the Aran Sweater I was working on, have managed to complete it with the Month which I am rather pleased about.

The photo don't show the colour as well as I would like as it a nice Baby Mint Green, the yarn is Robin Baby Aran yarn it came in 400 grm balls & I have done this with 2 balls with some left over.

Now I have done a large garment i will go back to some socks, I want to experiment with trying out & doing some Trainer socks for DH i have some yarn left from a pair of socks I have knitted him so am thinking of using that but doing the heel & toe in black yarn just to make sure I have enough yarn as these will be experimental ones I am not too worry, I do think I can possible get 2 pairs of trainer socks from one ball as there is always yarn over from the ball when I have done a pair of socks & I know I am just a little short when i tried doing 2 pairs of socks for me from a ball, so keep watching this Blog for the results

Blocks for a DJ Quilt

Here are 4 blocks I have done for a Dear Jane quilt, well it not a true one as the blocks will be much larger a 9.5" unfinished & 9" in the quilt.

These blocks are working from top left Road to California, Pinwheel, bottom left is Shoo Fly, The Sickle.

I done 2 of each block & will be doing 18 different blocks but 2 sets 1 set I keep & the other set of 18 blocks will be going to a very good friend in California & she will be doing the same thing & sending me 18 blocks that she has worked on.

The fabric is P & B Textiles Moroccan Spice Range, I was very lucky as my friend sent me the fabric for my birthday last year, I should have got these blocks done but been lagging on doing them I just hope she will like my work

Back of Aran Sweater

Here is the latest project I am working on it is the back of a Mint Green Aran Sweater am please with the way it going so far not a 100% if it will be for me originally it was but may not have it may be a gift not sure yet will wait until i finish it

More Pot Holders

Here is the latest of the pot holders (hot pads in the UK) one is a 9 patch block the other is a Friendship block the other 2 which are side by side those blocks are pictures of Teas with a teapot in the picture.

I have really struggle with these, I have struggle this week anyway have been feeling rather down, but i needed to get these done for a swap.

I am hoping to get my sewing machine serviced now that I have completed the pot holders.

On the knitting front I have not done any for well over a week since I did 2 back scrubbers, I have not come up with something that I want to do or can't find a pattern I guess that what happens when your down but I will be bouncing back & will start on new project soon that is for sure can't let being down beat you so keep watching this space for the next project

Our weather is turning again & we may have some sleet & snow but I know it will be nothing like that some parts of the USA are getting I hope you all stay safe & take care

London Roads Pot Holder

Here is a Pot Holder I have done as part of a swap, I used a block called London Roads with a slight alteration the corner squares should be 1 half & 2 quarter triangles to make up the square I have changed it to 2 half triangles to make the square I have added a piece of Brown ribbon for a hanger on the back so it can be hanged up

Socks For DH

Well another pair of socks these are for DH he okay with them but don't really go mad on the multi colours would much prefer solid/plain colours even if I used different colours on heel & toe still he lucky I even want to knit for him lol

It was our Wedding Anniversary on Thursday (12th) & it snowed that evening even on the day we got married we had a blizzard so nothing new there it was a quiet evening in & today being Valentine's day again not doing anything special but I did get some lovely Yellow Roses & a double CD of Buddy Holly who said Romance is dead, I guess as when we went on our honeymoon I packed a card for him & he didn't even know it was Valentine's day two days later so never got anything since then he never forgets lol well I hope that all who read this will be having or had a wonderful day with their Love One

Butterfly Hot Pad

Here a hot pad that I have done some call them Pot Holders I taken a Butterfly picture from panels & have turned it in to the centre piece of the hot pad, i have used Insul Bright 1 layer & a layer of polyester type wadding this is a test one it will be for me but wanted to see how it turned out not bad.

I have been busy looking at some books on Amazon UK & have ordered 2 books one by Leisure Art it is "Antique Quilts Recreated" the other one is "Making Antique Quilts" by Rita Weiss I love the old quilts so these may give me some inspiration for future projects

Snow in Burton Latimer

We have had a good lot of snow we had snow on Sunday that disappeared with more Snow Monday in to Tuesday that was a fair amount then overnight we have had this lot they say we may get more.
Seems no buses are running around here being a village they have the small buses the big double Decker one that comes has to come down a road that the police have closed lorries have become stuck.
It funny but i remember when i was a kid it could be much worst than this & i my school never closed yet now they close & everything seems to come to a stop i guess the modern generation are as tough as we & my parents generations were also we got snow most winters now this is the first for a while they say it the worst for 20 years

Puss in the Corner Blocks

Here are 4 blocks I did they are call Puss in the Corner I had originally done these for a swap but they came out small, I am blaming my DH as the whole time i was sewing he kept calling me & need my help for a job he as doing I know I cut the fabric correctly as I have checked but they came out small so have to do some more.

I have done one already different block totally it is slightly harder yet came out fine so not sure what went wrong i will be able to use them in something no doubt or if i need them a little bigger I could border them so they won't go to waste

Front & Reverse side of Pinwheel Quilt

I have finished the Quilt below is it done & the photo to side is showing a closer view of top in part & the reverse side which is a flannel fabric which has Nursery Rhymes themes on it such a Hey diddle ect.

I am rather pleased with the outcome of it I used a soft & bright wadding (batting) for this so it warm but light in weight, which I think is good for a young child.

While doing the sewing during the day I have managed to be knitting in the evenings while watching some TV & have finished one sock & have started on another so will finish them this week.

As to next project I do have a couple of tops that I need to know what to do with one will make a single bed size quilt (3ft bed) while the other could be a lap quilt or may be a tablecloth am not too sure with that one yet, the single bed one is nice just not sure who I could do it for or should I do it for my home as I have single beds in one room will decide later as to what to do or who for.