Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Have edited this post so I could put in better photos which my husband Greg took he takes better ones than me lol


I am posting not crafts but something a bit different well it is craft but not by me.
A Lady (Kathy Bowman) near me has decorated her front garden for the coming Diamond Jubilee this week-end.
Our Queen came to the throne in 1952 & had her Coronation June 1953 so this week-end is a extra long week-end for us in the UK we have the Monday & Tuesday off.
Just to say that 1st is also my DH 60th birthday so it is his diamond birthday lol
The lady has knitted most of the dolls clothes or the dolls she said she had great pleasure doing it over the winter what more is there than getting pleasure from what you do
She has on the tier (2nd photo) "Proud to be British"
Happy Jubilee to our Queen 
So here are the photos I took

FMQ Hot Pads

Well I done some hot pads I used blocks that I had from different swaps had them a very long time so I thought I would turn them in to hot pads so I could practice my FMQ & here are the results 
The 2nd one you can't see the FMQ as I used a navy thread but on the 3rd & 4th you can see it better & I did a bit different pattern on the 5th one

More Socks

I just finished this pair of socks for a lady who had socks from me before & really liked them.
I used Online 4 ply yarn Fancy Colour Range number 1347 I think the picture of the colours show them a bit brighter than they are in true life while my photo is a bit darker may be when the lady receives them she will comment to say what she thinks

Fancy Colour Range

Colour 1347 

If you like to order some socks or if you like something knitted please contact me if you comment I will receive it or you can e-mail me if you go to my profile

Socks Finished

I just finished some socks for me I used the Online yarn that I get from Germany, it a 4 ply yarn
Here are the colours that the range do

As you see from the socks below I knitted them using the bottom left hand side yarn which is 108
The yarn is 55% Merino 20% Silk & 25% Polyamide using this type of yarn with silk in I do tend to find that I can get away with a size smaller & less rows as after a little wear they do stretch a little 

If anyone wishes to order some socks please do get in touch as you may see from previous post & my other  blog   I do take orders so contact me for more details & price

Aran Sweater

Here is the Aran Sweater I been working on I finished it last night.
I had started I think just after Christmas & was doing well but dropped it as DH needed some socks then having a bout of Vertigo also stopped me working on it so last Sunday I picked it up again I had the front started & about half may be a little less done so this week I managed to get the rest of the front done plus sleeves & put it all together.
The colour is more wine/burgundy than the red that showing in the photo 

Foot for FMQ

As you may have already seen I am trying to learn how to do FMQ (Free Motion Quilting) I got want I thought was the right foot going by the DVD saying about the plastic foot & cutting a bit out well I got a satin foot which as you all will know will sit on the fabric so totally wrong well even with the bit cut out I will still be able to use it to see when I am doing other stitches I do have the correct one as well.

So today went back to Silver at Rushden where my machine which is a Silver   9500E   & got new feet you can click on link to see what my machine does.

Anyway I got 2 new darning feet now here the original foot that comes with the machine

This foot is the new one I bought

This one is after I got DH to cut a little away so it got a bigger space

I have not tried it yet but will do, another thing I learnt was the person who sold me it I had asked her to show me how it fits as it a bit different from the original anyway she didn't take the screw fully out so that something I will try as I do really struggle putting the originally one on so either of the new ones should be easier.


With this foot I will be able to see more, I do struggle having problems with my eyes anyway so anything that can improve my vision of the area I am working on is always good.


I had looked at a plastic one but the little foot didn't have a very big workable area so wasn't any good for what I want to do so will use this it has to improve the vision & ease of putting it on so that all should be good.

Free Motion Placemats

I done the placemats they from a pattern using the Tumbler Blocks, while they have come out smaller than the pattern & I would do them differently next time I did want smaller mats anyway
With these I had my first attempt at free motion quilting while it don't show very well partly photo & partly the thread I used which was variegated I know I need to improve but not too bad for my 1st attempt

Blocks

Here is some blocks I did yesterday, I had folded them in to their bags ready for them to be posted then remembered I hadn't taken a photo so I took them out this morning & took a photo of them.


There is a Teapot block which is for a swap that I am in, then the 2 heart ones will be going to the USA where others from my group are doing hearts to go towards a quilt for my DGD so of course I had to send 1 has from Nanny on & where I am the other has her name & DOB this will be something she can treasure.


I can't say much online some of you may already know the situation that been with this Granddaughter, she with my son now so this is why my group is doing the quilt which I am so thankful & appreciate it so much, anyway here the photos of the blocks

Correction to Block

The blocks I posted in the previous post well it was pointed out that I had made a mistake I had not even noticed it so here is the corrected block
If you look at the original post with the blocks & this you will see my mistake 

Blocks which will become Table Runners

Here are 6 blocks that I done these was from a KYO-BoM (Keep Your Own- Block of the Month) there is 12 but some I didn't like or others too fiddly for what I am going to use them for plus as I fell so far behind I not felt like doing them as I will want to start something else lol


I do have a correction to make to my previous post the Quilt is called Blue Willow not Hope as I said.

Ideas for Use of Fabric

In my previous post I asked for ideas on how to use the fabric which has large images on this lot being floral
Well a friend had done a quilt which she called Batik Top it was from a pattern in 


"McCall's Quilting: America Quilts Hometown Favorites" May 2010

The pattern from this was called "Hope"  she says the following
Finished square is 16" the sashing is almost 3".The centre Batik square of each one is 8"(I think)

I think you will agree she done a beautiful job on this quilt & it would allow you to show off fabrics that have large print areas.

Being such larger blocks is something I never thought of doing using this or even some of my other fabrics which i not used not because I don't like them but because I just not been sure how to use them.

The block looks like Shoo Fly to me, so what other blocks would you suggest when you want to use fabrics with large prints to show it off I will look forward to hearing your suggestions

Linda's Quilt Batik Top

What would You Do

How do you all decide on how to use your fabric if it not bought with a project in mind.
I just received some fabric I ordered I forgot to save the image when ordering so can only show 3 of the 4 I got they all the same just different colours which are Pink, Red, Purple & Blue (not shown)

Now these are very nice fabrics but it larger prints that I thought so am not sure what the best to do with them yet.




I do find that I have ordered fabric which I like & it on sale so at a good price but a lot I have the print is larger so cutting it to make blocks tend to lose some of the pattern so how do you all over come this 


Also how do come up with your designs or pick your patterns for the quilt 


It will be interesting to hear what you all have to say

Sewing Workstation

I got the computer workstation & have it all set up so I hope to do some sewing later today well have to test drive it lol
As you see I have quite a bit of room & if I move the sewing machine that will take the 36 x 24 inch cutting mat so have room to cut as well
This has worked out much cheaper than a horn cabinet as if I got one it would have had to be one of the largest ones which no way could I afford so this is the next best thing
So if you need workspace think outside what they say is for sewing you never know what could be used to make it workable

Workstation 

Workstation more or less set for sewing

Having a change around Again

Went out yesterday & in a charity shop I saw what they call a Office suite it a sort of one that goes in to a corner except it has two cupboards at the side well I thought after measuring it would be good as a sewing table so I am waiting on that to arrive. 


This to replace a table I been using I think it will take up less room in the bedroom while still allowing me to work around it when cutting & give me the room when sewing.


I also ordered 2 books 

1. 

1. 

Make Your Bed

Bed Runners & More

I have received Make your own bed this morning so Bed Runners & More will be in the next few days 

I am wanting to do some bed runners some which can also really go as table runners hope the links will work I not ordered from these places but used it to show the books off. 

I not been well lately what with the vertigo & since the week-end had bowel trouble but on the positive I lost 3lbs so that a bonus lol 

I am working on a teapot block for this month's person have it ready to just sew on I have fused it on but not sewn it yet well I hope is doing well & getting plenty of sewing done

Happy April

Happy April, I am hoping that April will be a better month as I been bad with a bout of Vertigo again so not been up to much


I do have the flannel lap quilt nearly done I have to quilt that, I also did a block for a swap which is Teacup/Pot one I also am waiting on a book which will help me with doing this as I have to do 1 block a month using either teacup or teapot 

I put a little button on the lid to make it look more finished, the book is Teapots 2 to Applique

So am looking forward to receiving this book in the mail.


Here is a  LINK  to a card for you all it will only be available for a time during April  


You all have a wonderful April & Easter

Chilford Spring Quilting Show 2012

On Saturday my friend & I went to Chilford Quilting show it is in Cambridgeshire 


I put in the postcode to the Sat-Nav & off we went it took us a different route to what I was expecting which was nice as we went through small villages & towns & around the outskirts of Cambridge but it took much longer than expected so was a bit later than expected getting there.


The show well not that many bargains there I did get myself a new cutting mat was told it should have been £59.99 & was down to £29.99 this is a 35" x 23" I know I could have got one cheaper even one from them but the thickness of this is I would say double to what the others was & even the one I have so am pleased with it  
one side is in Inches & the other in Centimetres so both sides will be able to be used but I do tend to work in Inches rather than Cm


I also got some fabric which wasn't any cheaper really but it was the colour as I been looking for a colour for ages this is the nearest I have got the fabric is a sort of marble effect not taken a photo of it, I also picked up some Insul-Bright Wadding for some placemats I want to do it the wider one 44" not the 27" so a metre of that came home with me.


My friend who came with me well she spent much more than me with getting a FQ pack for a quilt she wants to do plus some other bits but her big purchase was a Horn Cabinet she don't have any room to sew so this will be great for her am so pleased she been wanting one for ages.


On the start of the journey back I thought I would set the Sat-Nav to fastest route so done that & it would have got us on motorway & A roads but guess what part of the route was shut due to roadworks so had to do a detour which took us similar way to what we came for part of the journey but because of this there was traffic jams or slow moving traffic so took even longer to get home than going so much for the fastest route.


To finish if you like to see some of the quilts that was at the show  here is a link to my   Chilford  Photo Album the quilts are very nice but will say a lot are way too Arty for me I like quilts that you would use on a bed not just for show or walls but that takes nothing away from the makers they are very talented & would love to be able to be that talented.

Would like your Input Please

I would like some input please, as I mention had a change around in the bedroom which is where I do my sewing it to give me more room anyway DH said about doing away with the fold down table which is has a old sewing cabinet under one leaf for support so it don't drop when sewing.
Anyway he said about making/creating something for me & I said I think the table is the wrong height as it kills my back especially when cutting.
So my question I like to ask you all is what height is your sewing/cutting table/work-surface & what is your height in comparison me I am 5ft 4inches so what sort of height would I need my table to to be.
Any Input you can give would be greatly appreciated & don't forget if you reply as Anonymous then I can't reply to you

What I am not doing Sewing

I still not be doing much sewing it a case of the mind is willing the body isn't lol as my back been hurting a lot, plus my DH had a hand operation on Monday so he in plaster which means he restricted on what he can do as it is his right hand & he is right handed.
My friend Pat came over & she shared a link to a site which while you have to register to be able to view the free videos or if you wish you can pay a monthly fee which you can cancel after the month & you then get access to more videos ect there is some very good tips on the free part which that alone is worth watching so if you click   HERE  to go to the site.
As I haven't be able to do any sewing I have played around a little on the EQ as I want to do a quilt for me as I will be getting a new bed I am changing from 2 single beds bolted together to a normal double we decided to change as DH has said with some changes in the room i could have more room for doing my sewing funny he comes up with this yet he moans about my stuff lol
Another friend from online done a beautiful quilt which I just have to share I love the whole thing & it one she designed shows how talented she is i love the birds on the edging/borders 

It looks so right in the room with that bed well done Ashton
I hope to be back to sewing soon as I am really wanting to get on & do more.

This That & More

Well here goes me posting, what I been working on well not a lot i have done a few pairs of socks for DH which have been the same colour as previous ones i did a 2x2 rib down to the start of the heel flap then changed in to knit which gives a stocking stitch effect 
I don't think i shared the wedding quilt i did for my DD who got married in October it Red White & Black using The Lover's Knot Blocks with the borders in Valentine fabrics

Donna & Simon's Wedding Quilt 

DD loved it as it even when on honeymoon with them well they did go to Scotland lol


I am working on a flannel quilt it more for DH to either lay on or just cover up with if he laying on the floor so it won't be very big i guess you can say it more lap size here is the image i got from EQ showing the design it uses Broken Dishes Block i will only do 3 across & 5 down as not sure if i miss calculated or the flannel shrank more also if the cut was more generous on some colours either way didn't quite have enough to do 20 blocks i wanted

Broken Dishes Blocks

I am also in the stages of thinking what design & colours i want for a quilt for me as at present i have 2 3ft beds bolted together to make one very large bed we have decided to go back to a normal double which is 4ft 6inches so i won't have to make such large quilts as i really have struggle & not even done one that will do the 2 beds together 
DH came up with the idea & with moving the room around a bit it will give me more room for my quilting as i have a table i sew on in there but once i get to the stage where all 3 layers are together then i been doing it in the sitting room on a fold-away picnic table i may be able to set it up in the bedroom once we done the changes so i can set it up when i get to that stage & leave it up to i finish it without having to put it away every day.


Here is a friend's  blog  which you may like to go & see & even follow 


To Finish here is some more photos of Thumper this week i have my eldest granddaughter Kayleigh staying she nearly 18 & making a great fuss of Thumper 

Kayleigh & Thumper

Kayleigh & Thumper

Thumper 12th Feb 2012

My eldest DS said who looks the saddest Kayleigh or Thumper lol

Am Learning but Getting there

As you will see I am managing to change the blog i done the background & plus i am now on Google Chrome as that seems to have done thank you all for your help
I hope to be able to post more soon, this week have my eldest granddaughter staying so while she nearly 18 so don't need looking after i not been on the computer so much
Thanks Again for all your help & if you have any suggestions on how to improve the blog please do let me know

Thinking of closing Blog

I am thinking of closing all my blogs as since they changed it i can't do much & when i even go to other's blogs it won't let me leave comments anymore
I keep getting directed to google which i do have a google account but i can't figure it out the whole thing with the blog now days seems like you need a degree just to figure it out all the background stuff has gone it just hard to figure out now
I managed to post this but it taken a while just to get to be able to post