Sew Susan

Girls and things.....

2012-02-13T21:43:00.002Z

Me and Paige at the Liverpool Fashion Festival.

Paige and Natalie at Liverpool Fashion Festival.

Lily and Isabella.

It has been a busy weekend and I can just see the rest of the week being extremely busy as well. Firstly, my lovely daughter went to Liverpool Fashion Festival at Aintree race course on Saturday evening and won £50 worth of vouchers when she entered a competition for best dressed at the show. Secondly she was offered the chance to be in the show on the Sunday night and she jumped at it. So naturally Natalie, Paige and I all bought tickets and off we went to see Michaela strut her stuff down the cat walk. She was on twice. She wore a lovely chiffon leopard print maxi dress and floppy hat for the designer Huxton and a little summer print frock with a white feather fascinater for John Lewis. I tried to take photos as she walked the cat walk but they where just blurred messes. Just before the weekend my friend Sarah gave birth to a little girl Isabella so I made her a rabbit. My nephews and his partner have just had their little girl this evening and named her Lily. Rabbit number two and now its a big mad dash to complete the shawl I was going to make as a gift. however, it is still in the balls of wool stage because Lily is four weeks early. Today I had Michaela, Paige and Cole for lunch and I made a lemon drizzle cake with lots of mess sorry, I mean help from Cole. Then we made more mess whoops there I go again I mean baked 18 cup cakes for M to take to a girlie night. All joking a side I wouldnt have it any other way.

My daughter.

2012-02-11T13:57:00.000Z

I thought I would share the photos Colin took of Michaela yesterday. I know I am bias but I think they have turned out really well. People sometimes ask me if Michaela is artistic and creative like me and there was a time when I would have said "oh no she is not interested in art and wouldn't know one end of a needle from the other". However I have come to realise that by saying this I was doing her an injustice because she is creative and artistic in a different way from me. She has a natural flare and creativity for make up and cloths. I think Michaela would make a great stylist. For this photo shoot, Colin asked for 1930's burlesque and this is what she came up with. Now I think that's clever but as I said before I am bias :) x

New quilt.

2012-02-07T09:21:00.000Z

Last Wednesday at our fortnightly meeting of Liverbirds our wonderful Janet revealed this years quilt design. I feel like it has been a life time since I made a quilt so I jumped at the chance to buy the pattern. When I got home I looked at the fabric requirements and decided that this quilt really needed to be made completely from my stash. One of Janet's top tips is that you start with a feature fabric and use this fabric as you colour wheel. I myself find this most helpful when selecting fabrics for any new project. I must admit I did struggle finding a feature fabric from my stash as I would normally buy this particular fabric new and then raid my stash to add to it. After much searching I settled on a beige fabric that has tiny tulips on it in red, blue, yellow and green. The picture is of all the fabrics I have chosen for the new quilt.

Scrappy cushions..

2012-01-29T22:41:00.000Z

Where does the time go? I have been so busy with college the days and weeks are just rolling into one. I have however managed a little bit of sewing. I have made some cushion using a moda scrap bag I bought from Dot in November. The design is called Fandango, designed by Kate Spain and comes in a lovely fresh colour way. I used every piece of the scrap bag even the selvage edges and made three journal covers. The bag and two of the cushions are made using fabrics from my stash. I have put two felt flowers on the bag but these can come off and be used as broaches.

Pencil heads.

2012-01-20T21:35:00.001Z

Original image and sketch done with coloured water pencils.

Original image and sketch done with just one coloured water pencil.

Mono print of the two heads on white cotton fabric.

I know I have said this in the past but I am truly blessed to be a member of the Liverbirds. On Wednesday my very generous friend Janet brought lots and lots and I mean lots of fabric for a raffle. I won two very generous bundles, however there where 22 of us and we all won two bundles (see what I mean by lots). If that was not enough my lovely friend Hilary gave me a box of water colour pencils. I adore water coloured pencils, I use them in my sketch books quite a bit. Today I decided to give my newly acquired pencils a try out and they are just lovely to draw with. They are very smooth and make lovely marks on the paper. I have also tryed them out on fabric and they work a treat. As you can see I am still working on the City project, the third picture is a mono print I have created which I hope to layer and quilt tomorrow.

Nanny put your bib on.....

2012-01-16T15:07:00.002Z

Yesterday my little man came to visit. He is growing up so fast he is two now, its scary. When he comes here he loves to sit at the table in my sewing room and we paint or draw. Yesterday he decided he wanted to paint. Out came the paper and paints and we painted flowers, butterflies, trees, cars and cats. All of a sudden Cole said to me "Nanny I've got no bib on", I asked him why he needed a bib and he said so he didn't get paint on his clothes. I went to the kitchen and got him my Susan apron. Apron on and we continued to paint. Then he stopped again and said Nanny put your bib on, good job I had two aprons, I put my liverbirds apron on. Again we began painting but something must have been not quite right in his little mind because he then informed me that his bib was to big. I realised we would not be able to paint until a special bib was made just for him. I got out the fabrics that have pictures on (very limited choice) and asked him which fabric he liked. After a little bit of thought and a good old nosey in the draw he picked the fabric with the book worm on. I got a large piece of paper and told him to lie on it whilst I traced his torso. I made a quick apron pattern for his size and he helped by carefully passing me pins from the pin cushion and then sticking them back in. He also helped by cutting the thread after I had sewed each hem. I then got the button jar down and told him to find a big button which he did. I sewed the button in place and Cole's painting bib was finished. He loved it and we where finally able to get on with our painting. You can not see from the photo but I even managed to put a pocket in the front and Cole was delighted with it and decided to put his paint brush in it.

Funky city........

2012-01-15T14:56:00.000Z

Mind map for the project the city.

Photographs of building glued into sketch book.

Stone heads on the bombed out church.

Parts of buildings and stone heads drawn in ink onto handmade paper.

Made funky foam stamps from parts of buildings

Stamped the images on ink washed background in my sketch book.

Stamped the images onto cotton fabric.

Close up of images on fabric.

I have been working really hard today doing lots of research and experimenting for the new project "the city". I have fell in love with the stone heads on the bombed out church. I have took lots of photos of various buildings in Liverpool city centre and these have given me lots of inspiration. I have decided that my final piece will be wearing the city. I now have to find away of transferring the images on to fabric. So far the best way t do this is by making my own funky foam stamps. I thought I would share my printed fabric so far. I hope to eventually make a garment from my printed fabric but that's in the future as I need to experiment further.

Sketching and sewing.

2012-01-07T20:55:00.001Z

The new sketch book starts.

Part photo part sketch,

One panel complete.

Close up of part of the first panel.

I have been shut away in my sewing room all day today in an attempt to get on with some work. I started the day by cutting out and organising the photos I had taken and printed of Liverpool city centre. Next I began to put them into a new sketch book for the city project. It is very early days so I do not yet know where this project will take me . Today I looked at the ornate patterns on parts of the buildings in some of the photos. A few hours later, I felt I needed a break so I decided to crack on with my wall hanging. However, this took complete hold of me and several hours later I had finished the first panel as well as doing quite a considerable amount of work on the second panel. I feel I have done enough for one day so the couch, a drink, a big bar of chocolate and a chic flick will end the day off nicely.

St Lukes.

2012-01-06T21:15:00.004Z

The new project in college is the City. So with my trusted camera I set off to see what images I could capture to begin my research. My first port of call on my walk was St Luke's church better known as the bombed out church. Designed in 1802 by John Foster senior and completed in 1831 by his son John Foster junior. It is notable for its large number of male and female heads that cover the building. Sadly the church was bombed and suffered terrible damage during the second world war in 1941. It was never repaired but it was purchased, with its garden, by the city council to be used as a place of rest and tranquillity after the war. I pass the bombed out church twice a day but I had never stepped foot inside its grounds until yesterday. I can honestly say it took my breath away, it truly is a place of beauty. Even on a cold and windy day the sun sneaked through a cloud and shone down on one side of the church and it looked like it was made of gold. What treasures we have right there in plain sight yet we can quite often fail to see them.

Let the sewing comence in 2012..

2012-01-02T10:11:00.002Z

Initial beginings for zodiac wall hanging.

Water added.

It needed something at the botton hence the little fish.

Further ideas in the sketch book for the boarders.

From papaer to fabric.

A few days ago I decided I needed to do some sewing. I went into my sewing room and stood staring at the fabric stash but I felt so lost and over whelmed. I didn't have a clue what I wanted to make. I then spent some time looking through books and magazines for inspiration but nothing inspired me. In the end I started a baby quilt for my nephew and his partner who are expecting a little girl in March. However this was soon abandoned as I had a brain wave on how to do the water on my Aquarius wall hanging. I have to say the idea came after watching a DMTV show in which Linda Kemshall paints the glue side of bondaweb. I have been thinking about how I was going to achieve the water on the wall hanging for months. Well once I started the water just flowed and I was really pleased with myself. The end was insight to finishing my little wall hanging until I measured it and discovered it was 4" to small to enter the small wall hanging category. NOOOOOOOOOOOO! I was not going to be defeated so off to abikahn where I bought some white lining. Out came the fabric paints and dyes and lots of scribbling in the sketch book and I have designed two boarders. I will add these boarders using the quilt as you go method. PHEW! My wall hanging is saved and God willing will be entered into Harrogate this year.

Family, food and fun.

2011-12-31T14:03:00.000Z

Gather round one and all.

nothing like a good baord game on Christmas day.

Caught stuffing their faces on left over meat barms. Yummy.

He is scrolling through his mums I phone looking at pictures.

The high light of Christmas for me this year was being with my family. Christmas night we all went to our Natalie's and had a great time, playing games, chatting and laughing and of course eating lots of delicious food. To night is the eve of a new year and I am so looking forward to 2012 and all that it brings. So with that said I would like to wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year xx xx

Special gifts.

2011-12-22T10:03:00.000Z

Pin cushion lid on a jar of buttons from my fantastically good friend Sue.

Latest homemade decoration by the amazingly creative Janet.

A very me danglie from Janet also.

This adorable handmade bird from my lovely friend Gwen.

Last night was our Liverbird Christmas party and a good time was had by all. We had a couple of fun quizzes courtesy of my very quietly spoken and lovely friend Judith. We had yummy nibbles to eat and of course Jenny's amazing Pavlova's mmmmm! The mug rug challenge was met with lots of oohs and arrrs and quite a few people walked away with little prizes. The whole evening was full of love friendship and laughter. I am so very very blessed that all of these women are in my life and even more blessed that I can call them all, my lovely, amazingly, wonderful friends. From the bottom of my heart I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a fab 2012. xxx

The kitchen and a Poinsettia.

2011-12-21T09:36:00.000Z

My kitchen and living room are open plan.

Poinsettia cushion for my Auntie Mary

My living room and kitchen are now open plan and whilst I lost a tiny bit of living room space I gained quite a bit of kitchen space.

Every Christmas I buy my Auntie Mary a specific pair of slippers but this year I wanted to get her something different. My lovely friend Janet (who always has the most amazing ideas) made her mother in law a Christmas cushion. I thought oooo I will make one for our Mary. I have this lovely poinsettia applique pattern from an old Popular Patchwork magazine. The image was designed by the very talented Patricia Archibald. It took me a little while but I found the magazine and set to work. I am pleased to say that I only had to buy the zip and the cushion the rest came from my fabric stash. I think it has turned out really well and i hope our Mary will like it.

A christmas tree with a view.

2011-12-18T09:34:00.002Z

The Living room

The veiw from the window.

Bag of decorations and a note.

My contribution to the comunal Christmas tree.

I have the most fantastic veiw from my flat. I over look the river Mersey and Bootle docks. My neice Paige said she does not like the veiw because it is too industrial but I love it because it is the heart of Bootle and its birth. I know my photo does not really do the view justice but if you look closely as I took the picture a ferry is sailing up the river.

Yesterday there was a knock on the door and when Colin opened it he was greeted by a bag of Christmas decorations and a note saying dress me. In the corridor somebody had place a rather misserable looking Christmas tree. I am very particular about Christmas decorations and as you can see from my home I like minamalism so I had mixed emotions about this tree being in the corridor. I decided not to be a bar humbug and ask for the tree to be removed and decided to do my bit of the tree very tasteful. The last photo is what I did with the bits from the bag. I did however return the gold tinsel to the neighbour whose bright idea this was with a note of my own saying "I do not do tinsel its very tacky". I have not been out in the corridor since so I do not know if any of the other neighbours have added to the tree as apparently we all got a bag of decorations and a note. Watch this space and I will let you know.

Welcome to my Home Sweet Home...

2011-12-17T14:49:00.000Z

Welcome to my home x

the hall

My sewing room.

My mug rug.

At last I have found the time to post. Life has been so busy what with moving home and college I have barely had time to breath. Today I managed to completely arrange my sewing room and it is now fully functional. My beautiful Bernie is sitting on her own big table and she is just calling out to me. I am itching to sew but alas I have far to much college homework so I will have to wait a little while longer. I do not wish to bore anyone with just pics of my home so I decided to share the mug rug I have made for our Liverbird challenge.

A New Home

2011-12-02T14:02:00.000Z

At last I have moved back to my fabulous flat that over looks the river mersey. All being well I will be back on line on the 8th December. I would just like to thank those of you who follow my blog for all your patience. xx

Soooooo frustrated.

2011-11-15T17:13:00.000Z

Hello to all who glimpse at my blog in the hope I have returned. Unfortunately I am afraid not. I have still not moved home as the handing over of the block to one vission housing on 28 October did not happen. As I was not in my flat today I had to cancell my bt appointment for today and the next available appointment was the 2nd December. I have not been given any new dates for the move and it is all very up setting. I am at my sisaters today doing some homework using her internet so I thought I would give you a quick update. xx

Finally going home.

2011-10-31T09:04:00.000Z

Just a quick post to let you all know I am going to be off line for about two weeks as I will be moving home next weekend. Thank you to those followers who are being very patient with my few posting due to other commitments. xxx

Some sewing at last....

2011-10-17T21:17:00.000+01:00

A few months ago I had an idea for a wall hanging. Here is the idea in my sketch book.

Several weeks ago I dyed the fabric for my wall hanging.

A few days after I dyed the fabric I began the machine quilting. Then all came to a stand still for college.

Today I started to work on my water carrier.

I decided to have a break from the intensity of the never ending homework and do some much need sewing. After Harrogate this year, I designed a new wall hanging for next year. (I know, I'm a bit early but it might take me that long to complete it). It is based on my star sign, Aquarius, the water carrier. I started by doodling in my sketch book, ideas that popped into my head. Then I looked at star signs in magazines to help with the zodiac symbols. This is what I have designed and the next step was to transfer it from the sketch book to fabric. Today I hand painted the head and shoulders of my lovely water carrier on to calico and I did some more free motion machine quilting. I have really enjoyed being back in the world of creating something with a end product. Whilst I do enjoy all the experimenting in college I sometimes miss that little bit of structure.

Skull duggery.....

2011-10-14T23:02:00.002+01:00

Collagraph made from funky foam using an image of a skull.

I have printed the image on to this lovely red scarf.

I have one week left of the two week rotation. Phew! where does the time go??? The topic for this rotation is The Body and the sub heading is under the skin. This can be interpreted any way you like. I decided to go for what lies directly under the skin. I have been doing lots and lots of experiments using all kinds of mediums and techniques with images of under the skin. In this experiment I have made a collagraph by tracing an image of a skull on to funky foam. I then cut the shape out and with a Biro added detail by drawing into the funky foam. I glued the foam to a piece of cardboard and rolled some ink over the top. First I printed the image on some paper. I really liked the effect so I tried it on calico and some white cotton fabric. The results where fantastic. I then saw this cheap scarf on my way home through town and I wondered if I could print the skull image onto it. I think it has turned out really well. Alas I am all skulled out now and I have gone back to working with the image of under the skin.

I still love shoes...

2011-10-10T21:07:00.000+01:00

Take a shoe and draw several pictures.

Using garden wire make a sculpture of the shoe

First let me apologise for the lack of post recently. Unfortunately I am snowed under with work for college and I have no free time to sew at the moment. I attended the Regional day on Saturday and as always I had a fantastic time. Sandra Meach was the speaker in the morning and Cauldron quilters thoroughly entertained us in the afternoon with a show an tell of there amazing quilts and challenges. An added bonus was that I won a raffle prize, four gorgeous pieces of half metres of fabric. I have just finished the last of the eight rotations, the final one was 3D. Here is my shoe sculpture. it is only small and reminds me of a little cinderella slipper.

Right up my street......

2011-10-02T12:51:00.000+01:00

Mono printing.

Image of David I took from a magazine to do a mono print.

A new rotation began on Thursday textiles surface design and I was truly in heaven. We began the day by drawing our hands using many different techniques of drawing. This was then followed by making a collagraph from one of the hand drawings out of funky foam and printing it. Next we moved onto mono printing and I was smitten. This technique of printing works so well on fabric and the beauty is you do not have to be a fantastic artist because its all about tracing the outline of an image on top of the ink. As you can see I used a advert that I found in a magazine, I just loved the image of the statue David and I thought it would work well to experiment with. I think surface pattern is going to be my specialist subject and I am really looking forward to being able to incorporate these techniques into my quilts.

All the fun of the fair.....

2011-09-18T09:51:00.000+01:00

Cole and Michaela on the carousel.

Yesterday I spent some much needed quality time with my family. I went to Southport with my sister, my niece, my daughter and my adorable grandson. Despite the heavy showers we had a very enjoyable day. Today it is back to the homework and the house work oh well no rest for the wicked as they say. :)

Fine art mixed media....

2011-09-16T20:53:00.001+01:00

We where given a black plastic bag with an object in. You where not allowed to look in the bag at all. You had to put your hand into the bag feel the object and draw what you thought it was. My object was a camera.

The lesson was what is the definition of drawing. Is it pencil and paper or can it be simply a mark made on a surface. Here i have stuck torn pieces of masking tape to paper painted over the tape with ink then removed it. Is it a drawing????

The exercise above developed onto the theme chance. Here I have used embroidery thread as my choice of medium, fabric and paper then sewn random line stitches.

I then used several of the threads together and twister them as I pulled them through the fabric.

This weeks rotation started off with photo shop and it was terrifying. Me and technology nooooooo, give me a paint brush and paint anytime, not a computer. I was a complete novice and struggled terribly through the sessions, even with a one to one with the tutor. The next rotation was Fine Art mixed media and I have had a fab time. Some people may call this type of art " Blue Peter moments". I really enjoyed experimenting and trying to find the lost child artist in me. You know when you did a picture in school, maybe of your Mum and it didn't matter that her hair was green or one eye was far bigger than the other. Or maybe you drew a picture of the family dog and it had five legs and halt a tail. I enjoy the freedom of nothing is wrong its just all about development and freedom of expression. Oooo get me using long words and philosophizing about art, I need to watch I don't start calling everybody darling and explaining the true meaning behind the un-made bed? ;)

And so it begins......

2011-09-11T10:29:00.001+01:00

We had to bring in interesting objects to draw. This is a one minute sketche of a whisk head, some icing pipes and a cork.

Continous line drawing of whisk heads a cork and a energy light bulb.

Draw the person next to you using a continous line in three minutes.

Fir cone using continous line, four minute drawing.

Fir cone drawing taken one step further and made into a lino print.

Research artist who use print in their work.

Collage's of the artist I researched over the weekend.

Well what can I say? My journey into college life and the Arts has begone and it looks like it is going to be a very fast paced. This week has been more than a shock to the system, early mornings, long days and late nights. Oh and on top of all this I have had a chest infection which has soooo not helped, I feel I have mainly coughed my way through the lessons. At the moment we are in tutorial groups, until you pick a specialist subject and then the group will split up. There are eight lectures, therefore eight tutorial classes. I did see a couple of other mature lady students in the hall on the first day and I was so relieved, however, they are not in my tutorial. I am completely surrounded by 18 to 19 year olds, which believe it or not was quite intimidating. With that said they have all made me feel really welcome and I was invited to join several of the girls for lunch at the noodle bar on Thursday, Bless! The next invitation was to join them for a drink after college on Friday (we finish at 12.30) but I graciously declined as I was meeting Michaela for lunch (who is so supportive but I think may be feeling a little neglected as I have not seen her or Cole for over a week). Well my homework is complete so I better get on with some house work.

Lifes a little hectic........

2011-09-06T21:25:00.000+01:00

Hello all, just a quick post to say unfortunately I will not be posting for a little while. The reason being is because I have started my Art Foundation Diploma course and life is a little hectic at the minute. Once things settle and I get into the swing of the new routine, I will post all about the new journey I am on. I am sure I will not be away from my beloved blog for very long but I just wanted my lovely little followers to know why it is currently quiet. :)

At last......

2011-09-04T11:41:00.001+01:00

I won a judges merit at Harrogate for my Twelve days of Christmas.

Sue with her block of the month quilt.

Kathy next to her New York Beauty.

Sue standing by her miniature quilt.

Janet came second in the cushion category.

Sue's lovely forest floor cushion.

Janet's Spring flowers quilt.

Yesterday I went to Harrogate with my good friends Janet, Sue and Emma and we had a great day. However, the icing on the cake was that I won a Judges Merit rosette and I am truly delighted. I would like to thank all my lovely friends in Liverbirds for their never ending support, encouragement and belief in me. My family are really proud of me and I can not wait to show them the rosette in person.

Stamps and stenciling....

2011-08-30T16:44:00.002+01:00

Stenciled images. Positive and negative.

Foam stamps glued to thick card.

A few weeks ago I subscribed to Design Matters TV, presented by Linda and Laura Kemshall. I appreciate that their style of work does not appeal to everyone but for me I find a lot of their work very inspirational. Have you ever been to a quilt show, seen an art quilt and wondered how on earth the maker has achieved such a piece of work? Well I have, on many occasion. In Design Matters TV Linda and Laura present many tutorials showing a wide range of techniques. Including how to dye fabric, make stamps, stencils, what paints to use, what mediums they use, so on and so on. In fact the list is endless. I am truly hooked on these tutorials and decided to try out some of the techniques, in my sketch book. I really liked the images I created a few weeks ago using keys as a subject matter. Today I bought some foam sheets from the £ shop and here is my first attempt at making stamps.

The Art of relaxation ...........

2011-08-25T09:49:00.001+01:00

Painted and stamped tags.

Notice my tiny set of paints in the background these are what I used to paint my tags.

Yesterday I came a cross a bag of white price tags I had purchased sometime ago. I love the shape of these little tags and the little bits of string they hang from. When I bought them I knew I was going to use them in association with my sketch books. I looked at there clean crisp whiteness yesterday and decided they need to be transformed into a rainbow of colourful tags. I painted the first few on just a piece of white photo copy paper to protect my table. When I took the tags off the paper I liked the over lay of the colours and the stencil shapes of the tags. I then swapped the paper and opened my sketch book at two blank pages. I whiled away the most amazing relaxing afternoon, engrossed in the freedom of creativity and just for those few hours I truly did not have a care in the world. Once several of the tags had dried I felt something was still missing? I remembered I had also bought tiny little flower stamps that where just the right size to stamp on these tags. Out came my stamps and ink pad. However I did not stop with just the little flowers I had a go with other stamps I have and what you see is the end result of my afternoon art work. I will use these tags as embellishment but I intend to buy a slightly large tag which I will also paint, then use to jot down ideas, inspiration and quotes on during my time in college.

The key to waiting.......

2011-08-24T10:39:00.001+01:00

I sketched a mocking bird then added some interesting fabric to the background.

Printed image of a mocking birds head, water colour paint wash on the paper and I sketched my version of the image.

Collarge of images and drawings in my to kill a mocking bird sketch book.

Collarge of Buicks also in to kill a mocking bird sketch book.

Elaborate lettering.

Paint washed background, photo copy of a bunch of keys and rubber stamp lettering.

Enchanted key with colourful swirls and curls.

Lately I feel like I am constantly playing the waiting game. At the moment I am waiting for Thursday to come so I can enrol in Art college. Then a new chapter of my life will begin and I will hopefully have something to focus on. Whilst playing the waiting game I have been scribbling away in my sketch books. I have been experimenting with some new techniques, like colouring the background using water colour paint washes or a nice batik fabric embellished with stitch. I have thoroughly enjoyed passing the hours by scribbling. I have looked at hundreds of sketch books on the Internet and each one is personal to its owner. The great thing about keeping a sketch book is there is no right or wrong. I now have over a dozen or so sketch books, dating back from 2005 when I was introduced to the idea of keeping one for my City & guild Course. I love looking back through them seeing how my work has grown and how my style has changed. Yesterday I was thinking of what I am going to do for the name tags at our November area day. At the moment I am very drawn to elaborately decorative lettering. So out came the sketch book but i soon found myself travelling down a altogether differnet path and suddenly I was sketching and cutting out images of keys. I thought I would share some of the pages from yesterdays sketch book journey.

Friendly plastic is fantastic......

2011-08-22T09:50:00.001+01:00

Friendly plastic starter kit.

On the last day of the Festival of quilts something very strange happens to my friend Sue. She develops this tremendous urge to buy a soldering iron. She then gets home and discovers she has several of these already, still neatly wrapped in their packaging never to be used. However, this year I kept a close eye on her and when she took me to the Molten Design stand and suggested she was tempted to buy friendly plastic. I politely reminded Sue about her soldering iron purchases and did she really see herself playing with the friendly plastic once she got home. The answer was no and Sue did not buy the friendly plastic. A couple of hours later I found myself back at the Molten Design stand and the lady was demonstrating how to use it and what to do with the friendly plastic. I was hypnotised and I found myself handing over my money and purchasing a starter kit. Later I met Sue and Janet for coffee and confessed to my purchase. We all laughed and wondered what on earth I was going to do with it. When I got home I was determined to make this mad impulsive buy into something good and here is what I came up with. The two black and gold framed friendly plastic will hang very nicely in my new kitchen (when I move back home) as the colour scheme is cream and black.

Journal Cover class:

2011-08-21T22:53:00.000+01:00

Left to right some of the lovely ladies who attended the work shop I did on Saturday. Mary, Gill, Sue and Val.

The two ladies on the oposite side are Helen and Josie, I missed a photo of Linda she must have been at the ironing board when I took this shot.

Linda's Journal cover

Helens Journal cover

Josie's journal cover

Val's journal cover

Sue's Journal cover.

Gills journal cover

Mary's journal cover.

I thought I would share the lovely journal covers made by the ladies who attended my workshop on Saturday at the Sewing and Knitting centre in Southport. The day was a very successful and I was delighted that everybody enjoyed themselves. Everyone completed their journal covers which was great. Sue, the proprietor of the shop has invited to do another class in February, but I am not sure yet what it will be so more about that in the future.

A busy morning:

2011-08-16T11:30:00.000+01:00

Felt flower for Judith:

Journal cover.

I decided last night that today I was going to make the effort and spend sometime in my sewing room and do some work. Its been a little while now since I have been in there and after my wonderful weekend at the FOQ I wanted to get back on the quilt band wagon. I had a little bit of a tidy up, then I made a felt flower broach for my lovely friend Judith. I finished the garden shed journal cover that was suppose to go with the bag I made for my sister-in law Karen back in July. I have just sat down with a nice cuppa teas after which I will put the sleeve on the Twelve days of Christmas wall hanging as I must take this to Janet by the end of this month. This afternoon I hope to get a chance to play with the friendly plastic I bought at the show.

The Festival of quilts

2011-08-15T23:41:00.000+01:00

The tent makers of Cairo had an exhibition it was amazing to see them at work.

The winning quilt of the pictorial section.

The Meercat quilt winner of the group section. The group where none other than 8 members of Chester P and Q's.

Winner of the Contemporary quilt section and best in show.

I had an amazing two days at the festival of quilts despite the horrible cold. Here are just a few photos of some of my favorite pieces in the show. I thought I took lots of photos but in reality I hardly took any, to busy being in awe. I met up with lots of friends I even bumped into my friend Janet (Jan's musings) who lives in Northampton and it was so lovely to see her. The whole weekend was such a tonic and whilst I am still not feeling 100% health wise, it certainly gave my mojo a nudge in the right direction.

What goes around:

2011-08-12T12:05:00.000+01:00

Block 61 Northern Lights

Block 68 Postage Stamp

A couple of weeks ago my niece got a second bout of chicken pox followed by a dreadful cold, then my daughter got the cold, then my grandson and then my husband. Yes you guessed it, now I have the cold but the thing is I don't want the cold because I am going to the FOQ tomorrow. I have been looking forward to this trip for months as I did not go last year so you can imagine my frustration when I awoke yesterday feeling like I had been hit by a truck in the night. I am still looking forward to going, even with the cold because the FOQ is an amazing event. I am also looking forward to sharing all the wonderful photos and purchases with you when I get home.

Its slowly coming down....

2011-08-10T12:04:00.000+01:00

Scafolding being taken down on Cygnet House

Block 34 Flock

I have been decamped for 30 months now and to say I can not wait to go home is a under statement. The new return date is October 2011 but I am not holding my breath because this is the 5th return date i have been given over the last 30 months. I am sorry I have not posted for a little while it is because I am still taking time out. However, Janet and I re-laid my spring flowers quilt and I am currently in the process of hand quilting around the applique flowers. I will then switch to machine quilting in the ditch. In the meantime a few days ago I made a FW block 34 Flock but I sewed one of the corners wrong and now my flocks are flying towards each other. Never mind, I'm sure I will get away with it.

Slowly slowy does it....

2011-08-02T10:46:00.000+01:00

Block 1 Attic Windows

Block 21 Contrary Wife

Here are today's two FWQ blocks. Attic windows took me a little while to figure out but I did not give and after about the third attempt it fell into place. I then picked a more simple block for my second choice. Contrary Wife consist of 2 1/2 inch squares and triangles. Toady's fabric mood was red even though this was my choice I then decided follow the contrasting colours used in the blocks in the book. I am debating if I should have done this from the off ? Think I will ask Janet on Wednesday its always good to get a second opinion.

A tiny bit of sewing:

2011-08-01T09:43:00.000+01:00

Block 31 Evening Star

Block 10 Bowtie

In between washing yesterday I decided to just make two FW blocks to see if I felt any differently after being away from Bernie for over a week. I can't say I enjoyed making them but I did feel it was a starting point. I think the way to go at the moment is baby steps and just take it one step at a time.

Strolling through the gardens at Tatton Park:

2011-07-31T09:58:00.000+01:00

We had a fabulous day out yesterday at Tatton Park. We did not go until late afternoon so we only managed to see the garden. That means we need to go again to see the house and the farm.

Arr isn't this a lovely picture of mother and daughter!

Peek a boo:

A couple of photos of the Japanese garden. It was so peaceful and tranquil here.

The weather was glorious and we baked in the afternoon sun. We had a lovely picnic lunch then a leisurely walk around the gardens. The whole day was such a tonic and it certainly recharged my batteries.

Lost mojo and felt flowers;

2011-07-30T09:18:00.000+01:00

I am sorry I have not post for a little while now but unfortunately I recently lost my mojo and I am really struggling to get even a small part of it back. I have not done any sewing since I tried to quilt my spring flowers quilt. I have however, unpicked all the terrible quilting on this quilt and I am now back to a top, the wadding and the backing. As you know I could not bare to even look at this quilt, I was so sad because I had ruined it. When I went to Liverbirds a couple of weeks ago I was so inspired by my friends Gwen and Sue's spring flowers quilt I came home and retrieved the quilt and began unpicking it. I have requested the help now of my fab friend Janet who I hope, will help me fall in love with quilting once again. In the meantime I did manage to make these beautiful felt flower broaches.

Beside the sea side, beside the sea.....

2011-07-20T13:06:00.001+01:00

You may or may not remember a little while ago I was all fired up about a post card challenge but unfortunately it did not happen. Well I purchased several postcards at the time and this was one of them. I really liked the little huts and the lovely colours. I could visualise a small applique wall hanging using the image from the postcard. A few days ago I decided to make the little wall hanging and here it is.

Art on the go:

2011-07-18T12:47:00.001+01:00

I have two sketch books on the go at the minute both are my summer work for art college in September.

This page is from the to kill a mocking bird sketch book. You have to read a book from a list given to you by the college and make sketches or gather images that depict passages or descriptions in the book. I chose to kill a mocking Bird, it is a book I have wanted to read for a long time so here was the perfect opportunity.

I love doodling and this page is just one big doodle.

Above Sea Horses, after a trip to the world wild Musuem and below still life, apples.

I am suppose to draw for 20 minutes each day in the second sketch book. The subject matter can be anything I like and this sketch book has lots of various subjects. I have put a few pics of different pages in this book. This project is not new to me, as I have kept a sketch book on the go since City & Guilds. However, the other sketch book is something different and I'm enjoying reading the book then trying to imagine what the character looks like based on the description. How people may have dressed during the 1930's, what the houses where like etc...... I have to say I also do a little bit of research in the Internet to help me with some visual aids, not sure if this is a bit of a cheat. Never mind, I will soon find out in September.

FWSQ:

2011-07-15T09:53:00.000+01:00

Block 16 Calico Puzzle

Block 9 Box

This morning I thought I would do another two blocks from the FWSQ. I am not sure if I am suppose to wait for Janet and follow the blocks she makes? If I am sorry Jan :). Last night in bed I was looking through the book and decided that just using the pink and green colour scheme would not work for this quilt. Therefore, I have decided to go with the flow and use a vast range of colours. Today's colour choice was blue and white.

The farmer's wife quilt along:

2011-07-15T00:01:00.002+01:00

Block 2 Autumn tints

Block 4 Basket Weave

Block 84 Spool

Block 109 Windows

You may or may not remember but a few months ago I posted about purchasing the Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt book. Over the past several months I have often flicked through its pages and drawled at the prospects of having a go at making it. My friend Janet also has this book and a few days ago posted on her blog (lemon tree quilts) if anyone would like to join her in a Farmers Wife Quilt along. I immediately left a message saying I would love to join her and when she told me we would only be making the easy blocks I was even more up for the challenge. Here are my first four blocks. I have decided to do my blocks in the colours pink and green. Seeing as I have four draws full of both these colours I think the chances of me running out of fabric for this project is extremely slim.

Thank goodness for family and friends:

2011-07-12T22:46:00.000+01:00

As you may have gathered from my earlier post today did not start good. However, a phone call from my amazing sister and a tex message from my lovely friend Janet helped chase the blues away. Later this afternoon I went into town with my hubby to look at possible locations for his next photo shoot. Whilst there he treated me to a cup of tea and a very big scrummy yummy double chocolate cake at the new Patesserie in town. I have to say I did not manage to eat it all, far too sickly but I throughly enjoyed the bit I did eat.

Doomed spring flowers:

2011-07-12T12:20:00.000+01:00

I give in! How can a person get worse at something the more they try. I always believed practise makes perfect, unfortunately not in this case. I have progressively gotten worse at quilting. I have once again ruined another lovely quilt with my appalling attempt at layering and quilting. I am heart broken because I truly love the fabrics and the colours in this quilt. I am so upset at my inability to be able to layer and quilt, be it machine quilting or hand quilting my tops. I think its time for me to take a step back from quilting for a while. My apologise for this being a rather doom a gloom post.

How bizare?......

2011-07-11T10:45:00.000+01:00

This morning I called into Asda to get a few bits of shopping, as I passed the magazines one caught my eye and I stopped to pick it up. I don't know why that particular magazine made me stop in my tracks, I just felt the need to look through it. I flicked through the pages and just before the end I saw something that made me gasp!!!! Vintage Home Southport and a little write up about the shop but look at the items Jill has used to show what she sells. MY BAG AND MY CUSHION!!!!!! She mentions Cath Kidston but not me! but do you see any of her work in the picture er? no! (I know sour grapes Susan, blah blah there told myself off for being jealous lol) I am stunned to say the least of all the stuff she sells in her beautiful shop she chose two of my items for the photo. This little event has certainly freaked me out because lets face it is so bizarre!!!!!!!

A sketch book page and a bit of history:

2011-07-09T21:23:00.001+01:00

Here is a glimpse into my new sketch book. The images you see where inspired by the costumes I saw yesterday at Sudley House.

In a glass cabinet at the exhibition was a garment called a Spencer jacket. It was made from velvet and the colour was a lovely emerald green. I couldn't figure how to turn the flash on my camera off so I have tried to capture the Spencer Jacket from memory. It reminded me of Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice. When I got home I looked it up on the net and here is what I found.

Earl Spencer and the Short Spencer Jacket 1795

The Spencer was a short top coat without tails worn by men during the 1790s as an extra covering over the tailed coat. It had long sleeves and was frequently decorated with military frogging. Its originator is thought to be Earl Spencer who singed the tails of his coat when standing beside a fire. He then had the tails trimmed off and started a fashion.

A female version was soon adopted by gentlewomen who at the time were wearing the thin light muslin dresses of the 1790s.

The Spencer was worn as a cardigan or shrug is worn today. It was a short form of jacket to just above waist level cut on identical lines to the dress.

Right - A Lady Wearing a Spencer to read. A Spencer was perfect to keep chills away.
Left - A very cropped short high waisted Regency Spencer of 1817.

A Fall, a House and a Church.

2011-07-08T23:25:00.002+01:00

This is Sudley House.

Today I went to see the Costume Drama Exhibition (1790-1850's clothing) that is being held at Sudley House despite the rain. I have never been to Sudley House before and I really enjoyed my visit. The special exhibition made it all the more exciting. I have to say that women during this period of time must have been tiny, my daughter who is a size 8, would have been hard pushed to fit into them. Not only small in size but in height too. It really was fascinating to see such garments and wonder about the woman who wore them.

On the corner of Mossley Hill Road just before you get to Sudley House is a beautiful church called, St Mathew and St James. Unfortunately it was closed so I did not get to see inside. However, I did walk around its little grounds and took several pictures of its arc windows and wrought iron gates. This beautiful yellow flower caught my eye in the grave yard, I don't know what it is but I think it is just lovely.

I was having such a lovely day until the bus journey home I did not feel very well. Yesterday I had a bit of a fall on the train. It was all very very embarrassing, I stood up to fix me grandson in his pram and did not realise the seat I was sitting on was spring loaded. Yes you guessed it I sat back down only to land on the floor. At the time I knew I had hurt my arm but other than that I was fine, just embarrassed. People on the train where so nice helping me up etc... I rang my sister when I got in and we laughed about it. Later on in the evening I felt quite unwell but still did not associate it with the fall. I must have banged my back in the fall and the hour long bus journey to Sudley House and back home did not help. So I think I may have to take it a little easy for the next few days.

2011-07-05T09:17:00.003+01:00

I bought this tiny paint set at the shop in Port Sunlight, I just couldn't resist it.

When I was a little girl my Nanna worked in a post office. She worked on the side that sold the greeting cards, stationary and other bits and bobs. It also sold some kids toys, not many just a few little things. On a Saturday morning I would call into the post office to escort my Nan home and she would say pick a toy I often picked a little plastic basket with tiny balls of wool in and little knitting needles. Then for the rest of the day I would mither the life out of her to teachme how to knit. Or a dolly peg and she would show me how to work the dolly with the wool to make a big long plated chain. Occasionally I would chose a paint set exactly like this one only bigger and a colouring book. Looking back she must a breathed a sigh of relief when I chose the paints and the book because I would sit at the table painting away for hours. only occasionally requesting some clean water. So you see I had to buy these little paints they flood my mind with such wonderful memories.

Port Sunlight and a vintage fair:

2011-07-02T22:29:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I read my friend Janet's blog, her and another friend (Shirley) had gone to see an exhibition in Port Sunlight (Lady Lever Art Gallery) called The Finishing Touch and I knew I had to go an see this exhibition myself. I rang my niece Paige and asked if she would like to come with me and she said yes. Port Sunlight is just over the water (the Wirral) a mere train or bus ride away from where I live. However ,we did not get either of these modes of transport as to my surprise my sister and brother-in law decided to come. Paul does not do public transport so he drove. We had a great day, the weather was glorious (hence me with a very very red face, I was roasting). I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition as well as the rest of the Lady Lever Art Gallery. It holds quite a few pieces of work from some of my most favorite artist, the Pre-Raphaelite Brothers. I think my all time favorite of the PRB is Burn Jones. I love his later work of Pegasus it is so very modern, almost cartoon like and wouldn't be out of place in today's art society. We then drove back to Liverpool as there was a Vintage Fair being held at the Met Quarter. You may remember I went a few weeks ago to one there and got the free tote bag. This time I got another free tote bag and one of those tokens you put in the trolley instead of a pound coin. Best of all look what I bought for my nice new flat (the moving home is suppose to be happening this August but I am not holding my breath). A 1930's phone, isn't she fab and she only cast me £14 and she actually works. I have named her Lady Lever after my trip today. I know I am completely crackers! but life would be very dull if I was any other way.

I bagged it:

2011-06-30T11:20:00.001+01:00

In April I visited Dot (Quilters Needs) to buy fabric for my spring flower quilt and whilst I was there I saw a bag Dot had made. I instantly fell in love with it. Now this surprised me as I am not a bag person. It was just before our area day and as you may remember, we asked visitors to bring a bag to exhibit. I asked Dot for the pattern thinking it was the ideal bag to make to exhibit. Unfortunately she could not find the pattern and I forgot all about it. I made my own funky bird bag for the area day and I won a lovey prize from Amanda Hall. On Sunday I visited Dot again to buy fabric for my second Spring flower quilt. (Which I have made and it is absolutely fab but you will have to wait a little longer before it will be revealed). What a lovely surprise I got when I arrived, Dot had the bag pattern for me. I couldn't wait to get stuck in and make it and here is my first attempt. It took me the best part of three days to make and its not even for me. I can't say who its for as she sometimes reads my blog and I don't wont to spoil the surprise. I loved every minute of making it and I fully intend to make one for myself. I have decided to do mine in reds and creams. (Info: Pattern by Angel Buttons and is called Garden Tote bag)

All the fun of the fair:

2011-06-28T22:20:00.002+01:00

Yesterday was another glorious sunny day and I was invited to spend the day with Michaela and Cole. We went to Southport, Michaela took us for a fish and chips lunch (mmm scrummy yummy). My little man is growing up so fast, I can not believe he will be two in October. He recently developed a taste for the little fun rides and he is so funny, when the little cars stop he presses every button he can find, in order to make it go. Once he realises that hasn't worked he asks for money and say in there, pointing to the money slot. (No hes not soft is he!!) But it is so funny to watch. We had a fab day, I love spending time with both of them. On our way back to the car Michaela treated us all to an ice cream. As you can see I think Cole wore most of his.

Then there where none;

2011-06-24T15:31:00.000+01:00

I have completed all 13 book covers for Addy. Hurray! I can now concentrate on making a few for myself, to show as examples on the 20th August, when I will be teaching how to make the book covers. Today I made three using old jeans and clothing labels. I love them, especially the denim ones. They have turned out a real treat. I have been itching to make something from denin for quite sometime now. Well ever since hubby became a bit chubby and cast a side several pairs of jeans. Rather than give them to a charity shop I kept them for such an occasion as today, transforming them into these hip and trendy book covers. I have to confess I did cut one of the labels from a pair that are still in use but I am sure he will not notice.

Exhibition, exhibition, exhibition:

2011-06-22T13:19:00.003+01:00

Over the last few days I have been to Liverpool Community College Foundation exhibition, Manchester Mets Degree exhibition and Hughbaird Art and Design exhibitions. I have seen some amazing pieces of work. These exhibitions have filled me with such confidence for September and given me a general guide as to what will be expected to pass the course. The pictures are from Manchester Mets Exhibition Fine Art, Interior and Jewelery. I took lots of photos until one student asked me not to. I apologised and said there was no sign stating not photos and she said they forgot to put it up so unfortunately I did not take any more pictures.

I am really looking forward to September and attending LCC. I am ready to get stuck in and experiment with different types of textiles. Whilst I love fine art I think the road I hope to travel will be interior design. I loved this section at Manchester Met.

Meet Petal:

2011-06-20T15:54:00.000+01:00

At Gresford on Thursday one of the exhibits was called Postcard challenge, we all thought this was a fab idea. Participants put a postcard of their choice into an envelope, then all the envelope went into a bag and it became the luck of the draw. You then made an item depicting the postcard you got. I am hoping that the Liverbirds will participate in such a challenge and my lovely friend Janet is going to ask them on Wednesday when we all meet up. In the meantime I have had a little go at making something from a postcard and here is the result. I have named her petal.

Chole by Jennifer Young:

2011-06-19T20:38:00.001+01:00

This is the fabric I purchased yesterday from Dot at Quilters Needs.

Window display:

2011-06-19T10:23:00.000+01:00

I was really excited when I went to Southport yesterday and discovered that one of my cushions and a little rabbit in the window display of vintage home. I love this little shop it sells fantastic bits and pieces from the past. The proprietor, Jill, is just lovely and she kindly allowed me to take a photo of the shop front. I had a very enjoyable afternoon in Southport just strolling along Lord Street mainly window shopping. Early evening I nipped over to Dots and got the lush fabric I had fondled at Grestford, its called Chole by Jennifer Young. I adore going to Dots all those gorgeous fabrics its like being in fabric heaven you are so spoilt for choice. I confess I also purchased a couple of fat quarters as well as the 2 1/2 yards of Chole fabric. NAUGHTY GIRL SUSAN! :)

All four one:

2011-06-18T10:22:00.003+01:00

Let me tell you about the fantastic day I had at Grestford Exhibition on Thursday. The sun shone, the quilts where fab and the lunch was delicious. However, the best part of the the whole day was the company. They say two is company and three is a crowd, well there where four of us, all members of Liverbirds (Sue, Janet, Shirely and I) and it was a party. We descended on Grestford full of passion and excitement for our love of all things craft related. We ooooed, we arrred and we wowed at the exhibits. Then we oggled and stroked the fabric before making out purchases from Dot and it was time to go home. The day was full of laughter and friendship and I throughly enjoyed every minute. Whilst writting this post I am giggling to myself as the memories of that day replay themselves in my mind. I am so proud and extremly blessed to be a Liverbird.

Lemon Tree quilts:

2011-06-16T22:29:00.000+01:00

I am so excited, my amazing friend Janet has finally got her website up and running and it was well worth the wait(.http://lemontreequilts.com/page2.htm) Her quilts are beautiful and her patterns are fantastic and will be available to purchase via Janets web site. I have made several of her patterns over the years and I highly recomend them. Janet i wish you lots of luck and success in your new venture. :) x

A taste of Asia:

2011-06-15T17:13:00.000+01:00

For a long time now I have been itching to make something with a few pieces of silks I bought quite some time ago. My charming friend Hilary gave me some pieces of ribbon yesterday that she thought I might be able to use and I imediately knew they would work really well with the silk fabric. Today i dug deep into the pot luck draw of felt, silks and viols and found a lovely lush red and a subtle piece of gold silk. Here is the end the result a lovely journal cover.

Chipping away:

2011-06-12T13:15:00.000+01:00

I have almost covered all the note books Addy gave me, I only have three left to do and I am hoping to get them done today. Sometimes things just don't always go to plan so Im not going to loose sleep if I do not achieve this goal today. As well as doing the book covers for Adddy I made one for my own stock inbetween. I thought I had better get a few done incase Jill from Vintage Home rings and requires more to sell in her shop and I also need a varied range to show at the teaching day in August. This morning I wanted a little break for covering books so I started the applique on my country quilt. There is quite a bit of bias binding on the applique with little bits coming off here and there which is a bit time consuming but thats ok I am in no rush to finish. I am just want to enjoy making this quilt one step at a time.

Its all about balancing:

2011-06-10T12:05:00.000+01:00

I have been busy with other things over the last few days, family, house work and shopping so today I thought I'd better get stuck into the journal covers for Addy. I have decided to keep them simple and let the fabric speak for its self without to much embelishment. The more embelishment the higher the cost and as its for charity addy needs to sell these book covers at a price that people are willing to pay. With that said I think they are still very pretty. Addy wanted some of the book covers to appeal to children so I have concentrated on childrens covers today. This afternoon I am hoping to start adding some of the applique to the final boarder of my country quilt. You see I won't feel quilty now sewing just for me as I have put several hours in sewing for a good cause lol.

Burning the midnight oil:

2011-06-07T09:36:00.004+01:00

Last night I sewed into the wee small hours, thoroughly enjoying putting all the blocks together to make the inner part of my country quilt. I did not manage to completely sew all the rows together when I finally admitted it was time to get some shut eye. So this morning I joined the remaining two rows and here it is. So far so good and I love it. My mission today is the first border which comprises of alternative 1 1/2 inch squares. (a coloured square then a cream square followed by a coloured one etc...) Then a big search through the fabric stash to find a piece of fabric with enough yardage and appropriate to the style of the quilt, for the outer border. Fingers crossed that such a piece is waiting for me to discover, buried deep in one of the two draws full of checked fabric. So there we have it my day is all planned. I shall even throw in a few trips to the washing machine and the tumble dryer to balance it out but first a trip to kettle for a nice cuppa tea.

A good deed for a friend in need:

2011-06-06T23:52:00.006+01:00

Several weeks ago I was asked by my lovely friend Addy would I be so kind and make some journal covers to help Southport Quilters raise money for the Southport life boat and rescue team. I really couldn't say no, one Addy is far to nice a lady for me to refuse and it is such a worthy cause. So today I went to Addy's house and collected 13 note books and a big bundle of fabric. I also received a lovely very unexpected gift from Addy's husband Jim. It is a little wooden fabric press and it is so beautiful. Jim does wood turning in his spare time and his work is simply stunning.My photo does not do the little presser justice. Later that afternoon I managed to make one journal cover so I only have 12 more to go!

Stash raid:

2011-06-05T21:24:00.004+01:00

Every night before I go to sleep I either read or try to do a crossword, the latter of which I am not very good at, may I add. Sometimes when I am in between books I re-read my old patchwork magazines. Its amazing how you forget whats in them even though its been read once before. A couple of weeks ago was a prime example, I discovered a lovely simple country style quilt in an old magazine. The quilt required lots of checked and striped fabric and it really appealed to me. Seeing as I have a draw full of such fabric I decided to give it ago. Here is a picture of the blocks for the inner part of the quilt. I still have five of the blocks with little nine patches to make before I can assemble it. So far all the fabric has come from my stash which means there will be space for some lovely new fabric......

The Tent makers continued......

2011-06-04T08:21:00.011+01:00

I had a fantastic day yesterday at Southport Quilters being taught needle turn applique by Barbara Chainey (www.barbarachainey.com). Who was a marvelous teacher and such a lovely person, I have to say. Barbara made needle turn applique look like a walk in the park and as she demonstrated the hows, the dos and the don'ts. we all began to relax a little and give it a go. You may look at my piece of work and think is that all she did? Those of you who know me may be forgiven in thinking that I was to busy chatting away, however this was far from the truth and the silence was sometimes deafening. I really got stuck in and the main objects of the day where to achieve a point, a bias and a curve. As you can see I did complete the work shop. Now the $64 dollar question is will I complete the whole block, will I ever do needle turn applique again? The answer is I might finish the block over a period of a longtime but I don't think I will starting any new projects with this method of applique. I came away from the class with lots of new skills and little tips that make things a lot more simplfied. The biggest thing I came away with was the design impact these panels had on me. My favorite piece is the picture at the top made by a man named Mohamed. It is art deco style vase of flowers and boy did it have the wow factor for me. My head is buzzing with possible designs of my own but alas mine will be done using my favorite raw edge applique. So watch this space in the future for my version of a Ciro tent panel. :)

Tent makers of Cairo:

2011-06-02T20:55:00.004+01:00

A few weeks ago I was invited to join Southport quilters as a guest to hear Barbara Chainey talk about the amazing Tent makers of Cairo. I have not been to good this week and it took a lot for me to go today but boy was I glad I did. What an amazing display of colour and design. Barbara has been purchasing her collection of panels from Cairo for the last ten years so you can imagine that the oos and rrs where many. Sadly I only took a couple of photos when my batteries died. However I was lucky to get a place on her work shop tomorrow to have a go at needle turn applique. Hopefully Barbara will have a few samples which will enable me to take a few more photos. Before I go I have to thank my wonderful, amazing and very very generous friend Janet, who helped me complete the requirements list for tomorrows class.

Out it came:

2011-05-29T20:30:00.004+01:00

I bought these sticker a couple of weeks ago. I don't know why I bought them to tell the truth, they just caught my eye and ended up in the shopping basket. Since then they have sat on my desk in my sewing room. Yesterday I was trying to have a bit of a tidy up and i picked the stickers up. Suddenly I just had to make a quilt using the images from the stickers. You know when something is in your head and it just has to come out, well this was one of them moments. So out came the pencil and paper and then the bond-a-web and finally the fabric. Two days later here is what came out of my head. It started life as a cot quilt but quickly changed to a wall hanging.

Stocking up:

2011-05-26T13:02:00.006+01:00

A few weeks ago I took some of my hand made journal cover to a Vintage Shop and the owner kindly agreed to sell them in the shop. The deal is sale or return. Yesterday I received a call to say she had sold three of the four I had left with her. I was thrilled, but sadly I am not skipping to the bank as I had to cut the price I sell the journals for in order so she to could make something on them. Still they sold and the owner has asked for some more stock. Funny enough I had just started to rebuild my stock of journal covers so she is in luck. However, I will have to revise the price. This time I am also taking some cushions. You may recognise this one, it is one of the blocks from the home sweet home quilt I was making, from Tone Finnagans book. I did four blocks and got board so they are currently being turned into cushions.

Seahorses:

2011-05-23T11:44:00.002+01:00

My seahorse wall hanging is finished. I did the quilting on Saturday and last night I manged to put the binding on whilst watching TV. I am delighted at how it has turned out, it was a really lovely project to do. I also managed a trip to Marshside quilt shop on Saturday and was able to purchase some fabric to match the jelly roll quilt I am currently making. I can now put the final borders on and it will be ready to layer and quilt.

One piece at a time:

2011-05-19T21:46:00.010+01:00

Here are my almost finished sea horse it took me the best part of yesterday doing these. I took a photo every time I had to stop to empty and reload the washing machine. I love the colours I have used lots of blues, greens and turquoise. I only need to free motion quilt them and then pop the binding on. Alas this will have to wait till next week as I am at the Aintree show tomorrow babysitting over the weekend and attended my nephews first holy Communion. Phew! its an all go kinder weekend.

Meet Pippatea:

2011-05-17T22:53:00.002+01:00

I began making Pippatea last night but only managed to stuff her body and one leg before running out of toy stuffing. Using left over polyester wadding just didn't work. so today I popped into town and purchased some toy stuffing and here she is. Part of her name is because she was made using the tea dyed calico I did yesterday. She is terribly sweet, just like Harry but notice She does not have a hat. This is because I accidentally threw it away and I do not have any of her dress fabric left to make her another one. No matter, I think Pippatea is fine without one.

Hip Hop recycle:

2011-05-16T21:46:00.002+01:00

Sometimes I like to take a break from making quilts and sew smaller projects. I realised it has been quite a while since I last made a doll, so out came the magazines. I came across a lovely wishing Angel from one of my favorite magazines, Homespun, but this entailed tea dying calico and waiting for it to dry. So whilst the tea dyed fabric was in the tumble dryer, I ran my finger across my much loved Tone Finagan, Tilda books and stopped on her Springtime book. It has the most delightful little bunnies, hares, ducks, lambs and funnily enough witches (whats all that about?). These characters are made from linen and I remembered that my favorite pair of linen trousers had come to an untimely end whilst holidaying in Wales last week. Sadly beyond repair I cut the legs off and used the fabric to make Harry. Isn't she lovely? She took me the best part of the day to make from start to finish but I thoroughly enjoyed making her. I still have a trouser leg and a bit left so I think Harry will be joined by a friend very soon.

Down on the beach:

2011-05-14T09:29:00.007+01:00

At Hafan Y Mor you can stroll through beautiful lush woodlands. One of our strolls led us to the beach. The beach was covered in pebbles with just a few small areas of sand. As you can see I could not resist the blank canvas of the sand and the wonderful different colours and shaped pebbles, I had a bit of an art moment.

A mini break in Wales:

2011-05-13T21:59:00.007+01:00

Our four day break away in Wales was delightful and it certainly recharged my batteries. The weather, unfortunately was hit and miss with lots of rain showers but this did not stop us from getting out and about. We visited Corris Craft Centre and this little dragon was outside the pottery shop. He had smoke coming from his nostrils. The Russian Dolls where door stoppers and lined the windowsill in the cafe. The scenery was breathtaking, notice the picture I have taken in the car door mirror, this was coming back from Corris. Whilst there, I also visited Bumble Bee Quilt shop but when we arrived it was closed. However, there was a telephone number on the door so we rang it and the lovely owner came and opened the shop for us. I did not get her name but she was very nice and made us feel very welcome. Yes I purchased several pieces of lush fabric to add to my stash.

Funky Birds are a big hit.

2011-05-08T04:34:00.006+01:00

Our area day on Saturday was fantastic. Amanda Hall was fab, a really enjoyable speaker and her work is lovely. I had the most amazing day. The funky bird name badges went down a treat and everyone admired my little funky bird quilt. Amanda is well known for her bag patterns so we asked people to bring along a bag they had made and held a bag exhibition. Unbeknown to our guest Janet asked Amanda to pick three bags from the exhibition that she liked and the owners of the bags won a prize, courtesy of Janet(who is so very very generous, words fail me). Then Amanda announced that she really liked my funky bird bag and she gave me a prize, one of her quilt patterns. Everyone clapped as I received my prize, I was complete overwhelmed. The whole day just floated away on a tide of laughter and friendship.

Its in the bag!!!!!!

2011-05-03T20:25:00.003+01:00

This Saturday is our area day and the guest speaker is Amanda Hall from Monkey Buttons. I have not heard Amanda's talk so I am really looking forward to seeing her work and hearing all about where she gets her inspiration from. Amanda has several patterns for bags she has designed herself and with this in mind Saturdays exhibition is bring a bag. I am looking forward to this part of the day too as it will be so lovely to see other peoples work and the diversity of the bags. Of course being area rep, I felt I had to set an example and bring a bag but what bag would that be? Seeing as I only have one homemade bag, which is very tatty and worn but much loved, what on earth was I going to bring? So the books and magazines got hammered over the weekend and I did manage to make this bag from one of my favorite books, Homestyle so pretty by Tone Finagan. however yesterday whilst idling time away in my sewing room i decided I needed to make another bag but my very own design. It took me the best part of the day but I am now the proud owner of my very own exclusive Funky Bird bag. It is top secret but I promise I will reveal all after Saturday.

It just needs a label:

2011-05-02T08:49:00.003+01:00

My little Funky Bird quilt is all done except for its label, which is ready but needs to be sewn in place. It is a bright, colourful little quilt and I think it has turned out pretty good. However, with that said, I used polydown wadding and it needed a lot of quilting to get flat. I have therefore, come to the conclusion I am not a puffy girl. I have sort the advice of my trusted, exceptional, friend Janet and have now order Quilters Dream wadding request for my next quilt.

By the cannal:

2011-05-01T09:52:00.008+01:00

Yesterday Janet and I went to East Lancs area day. The speaker was Liz wall and the venue was Oldham museum and Art Centre and what a venue indeed. Situated at the side of the Huddersfield narrow canal in the village of Uppermill, it was delightful. During lunch time I popped outside to take some pics. The weather was glorious and a proud family of ducks showing off their eight little ducklings they were so cute. We had a great day filled with gorgeous quilts, lovely fabrics and lots and lots of laughter. Liz Walls work is certainly breathtaking and whilst I have seen some of her pieces several times it never ceases to amaze me. The afternoon was a work shop with Liz making a postcard size piece of her work which depicted birds in a tree. It was great and everyone enjoyed it immensely. My birds look like the birds from in the night garden. All will be revealed later as it is not quite finished. Janet and I ended a perfect day with a scrummy yummy icecream from the icecream parlour across the road, delicious.

Something new:

2011-04-26T08:44:00.004+01:00

I have spent the whole Easter weekend with my family and I have not been near my beloved Bernie. With the holiday weekend behind me I am hoping to do some serious sewing. Just before the Easter break I started something completely new. It is a Tone Finagann quilt from her book called Sew Pretty Homestyle. It has a lot of embroidered flowers and writing on the blocks. I am not the best embroider, in fact it is something I am very poor at but I wanted to have a go. So far so good and the colour scheme is all those lovely pastel blues, pinks and green and I am very much into those at the moment.

A Mothers Love:

2011-04-23T17:40:00.002+01:00

My lovely daughter heard an announcement on the radio a couple of days ago advertising a Vintage Fare in the Metquarter (Liverpool)on Saturday and the first 250people through the doors would receive a goodie bag with a Mac Make up bag inside! Now Michaela is a big Mac make up fan but seeing as she was in work today, I was given bus fare and instructions to get there early. Obviously, to be one of the 250 people through the door. On hearing this my niece Paige decided to come with me and off we set this morning, before the shops even opened. When we got there we discovered that the radio presenter had read it out wrong and it was the first 250 people through the door would receive a Metquarter tote bag. Paige and I got our free tote bag (no goodies inside) but we did have the added bonus of enjoying the vintage fare. Paige even bought herself a lovely bracelet.

Oliver Twist and Buttons:

2011-04-18T11:06:00.003+01:00

On Saturday I went to Southport to the Sewing and knitting shop and I have been booked to teach a work shop on Journal Covers on the 20th August. The lady of the shop Sue asked if I could design a cover using Oliver Twist stuff and buttons as she sells both in her shop and she would like to promote them through the workshop. Of course no problem as I also love working with both of these products. So I purchased a few bits and pieces and her is the finished product. I am really pleased with it, I adore blues and greens together and luckily i had the perfect Batik fabric for this cover. i am particularly pleased with the flower I have made using the silk pods. I am hoping to go back today to buy some more to make a few into broaches as i think they will make nice little gifts for selected friends.

Journal cover :

2011-04-15T15:45:00.004+01:00

I know yet another Journal cover!! But hopefully I will be doing a work shop in the very near future, teaching people how to make a journal cover. Its very early days yet so more about that later. For now I decided I needed a good variety of covers so hence another Journal cover. This time I decided to see what one would be like using the selvage's I have been collecting for my good friend Janet. (Don't worry Janet I still have quite a few for you). This is the second time I have sewn selvage edges together and its not as easy as it looks so I don't think I will be doing this again. To fiddly for me but the effect is very pleasing. I'd like to say off to do more sewing but alas I'm off to do the dishes instead :(

The Past, the Present and the Future;

2011-04-14T21:29:00.004+01:00

I have been working really hard to day trying to finish my little Funky Birds quilt. I have used the lovely threads given to me by my very generous friend Judith. Apparently, the threads belonged to a lovely lady named Primrose, who sadly passed away last year. Today I dug deep in the bag of threads, for a gorgeous firery red and look what was still attached to the tag. It is a price sticker and it says, Woolworths 5 1/2p. The half pence coin went out of circulation in 1984 which means Primrose must have bought the tread before then. I wonder if it was in a sale or if that was the actual price of Clarks Anchor threads in Woolies at that time? Whatever the case, I am sure Primrose would be happy to know that her 5 1/2p was well spent because 26 years later the colour has not faded and the thread is still beautiful. I have left the little price sticker in Place in the hope that one day (in the very long distant future)when I am gone, somebody else will come across this little bit of the past. I hope it makes them pause for thought and think about the people who used the threads before them. Meanwhile back to the present. I made a small Journal cover with the off cuts from bits of the fabric I used to make my Funky Bird Quilt. Notice some of the fabric I have used is the four fat quarters I won in the January QGR13 news letter. I think the quilt is fun and quirky and I am looking forward to layering it and quilting it tomorrow.

Yearned for, longed for, bored of:

2011-04-12T19:48:00.004+01:00

I craved this range of fabric, I could not wait for it to arrive, all the way from the good old USA curtsy of Dot. Now I hate the sight of it! 180 blocks later and I need to start something new. I have discovered, all be it very expensively, that I am not a range of fabric quilter. If there is such a thing? (Forgive me if I offend anyone, who enjoys making quilts using ranges of fabric, I do not mean to)? I would much rather mix and match fabrics and colour schemes myself. I have also discovered that I am not a big repetitive quilt person. The quilt I am currently making is an Amanda Hall design from Monkey Buttons and the original is just fabulously gorgeous. Mine on the other hand is not doing very much for me! I have completed 3 of the 9 blocks that make the whole of the quilt. Each block consists of ten brick and ten square blocks. I have decided that I must now go and search through my fabric stash, start a new project. however, each day I will complete one of the remainder 6 blocks.

How lucky am I????

2011-04-11T09:59:00.007+01:00

Look what dropped through the letterbox on Saturday. I won the quiz in January's issuse of region 13 quilters quild news letter. The fabric is lovely and I got a very nice card telling me I had won from Ruth, the news letter editor. Thanks Ruth x

Off to the races:

2011-04-11T09:23:00.002+01:00

My beautiful daughter and her partner Ian went to the Grand national on Saturday. They go every year and have a fantastic time, they say the whole atmosphere is great. I myself have never been but I always have a little bet 50p each way (haha last of the big spenders)and watch the race on the telly. This year I bet on Oscar Time (came second)Hello Bud (I think this fell)and Silver by Nature (came 14th). I am not going to get into the rights or wrongs of this events because like everything in life you can never please everyone. Anyway? Michaela going was a very last minute decision but she still managed to buy two gorgeous dresses in a space of a couple of days, then changed her mind. She plucked a lovely black and white dress from her never ending wardrobe. Only to discover it was a size to big and at 1/4 to midnight on Thursday had me taking the dress in and amending the little orange belt she had bought because it had a very nasty tacky shell clasp. I was asked recently by my exceptional friend Janet if Michaela was artistic like me and I said no. However,i have since thought about my answer and I was wrong to say no. Michaela is very artistic when it comes to fashion and hair and beauty, in all three categories she is a very talented young woman and I am very proud of her.

Waste not want not:

2011-04-08T13:43:00.003+01:00

Rmember that BOO BOO I made with one of the blocks on the Spring Flower Quilt? Just look what it turned into " a cushion". I just couldn't bare to throw it away, it is one of my favorite blocks on the quilt. I looked at this morning and thought tote bag or cushion and the cushion won. However, with that said its such a pretty block I might just make another one and make a tote bag as well? Decisions, desicions, decisions!

I've started so I'll finish?????

2011-04-07T15:30:00.004+01:00

Last week I had an interview at Liverpool community college and I took several pieces of work with me in an A2 plastic carrier. Today I decided it was time to put it all away and have a good old spring clean of my work. I carefully went through the big plastic box, where I keep it all, finished or unfinished. In the middle of the pieces I came across last years Liverbirds Christmas card challenge. (Make something using an old Christmas card for inspiration) This is what I originally started before the Twelve Days of Christmas interrupted. I started making this on poor old Mrs Jones and it was all wrinkled and puffy because Mrs Jones does not have a walking foot. I decided to unpick it all, put it back together and have a little play with free machine quilting. It was a very good size for practising free motion quilting on and I now have one completed UFO. All be it with some very dodgy free motion stitching. hehehehe!

Not a happy bunny???

2011-04-06T15:34:00.003+01:00

I am not a happy bunny today and I should be delighted, I finished my Spring Flower quilt last night. I have worked really hard on this quilt top but sadly there is something just not right with the colour scheme. The fabrics are all so lovely but now I have put it together, it just looks washed out. This is such a shame because it is a lovely piece of work. Never mind, I will just have to make another one in a different colour scheme. With that said, it will have to wait a little, as I have yet to finish sewing the binding on the twelve days of Christmas and this morning I layered my lavender simple sampler. Not to mention the Luna Notte fabric is screaming to be cut up and I have just the quilt in mind for this courtesy of Dot.

Im such a Hare.

2011-04-05T09:19:00.004+01:00

You know the story about the Hare and the Tortoise, well I am the Hare when it comes to making a quilt. I have been steaming a head making my Spring Flower Quilt and last night I was burning the midnight oil, trying to put it together. I only had to join all the panels this morning then on to the outer boarders. Then Shock set in as I discovered I had made a big boo boo. I had totally mis-read the measurement for this block and cut it 6 1/2 x 12 1/2 when it should have be 6 1/2 x 16 1/2. I know quite a bit of a difference in size. I have now cut another block and bonded the pieces on so I can take it to the blood clinic with me to blanket stitch the applique. I know its not a race, I just get so excited and engrossed at the prospect of gorgeous fabric being cut and then transformed into a thing of further beauty. In this case a QUILT.

When I grow up I want to be............

2011-04-04T11:50:00.003+01:00

Remember when you where little and an adult would say, "what do you want to be when you grow up"? God only knows what answer I gave but you can bet it was not "I want to be a quilter" (I didn't even know quilts exsisted until about 2004). I was not very good at needle work, at School and was constantley having my knuckles tapped with the ruler by Sister Bernadine, for poor uneven stitches. With that said, I still enjoyed it and I really wanted to take it as one of my options. Sadly the timetable clashed with art lessons and for me there was no contest. I took these pictures of Cole yesterday while he was making one hell of a racket, I wondered what his answer to this question will be in a few years, Drummer possibly?

Spring Flowers:

2011-04-02T09:28:00.002+01:00

On Wednesday at the Liverbirds my wonderful friend Janet gave out the final instructions for her new Spring Flowers Quilt. I had yet to start this quilt due to a number of reasons. One of them being that i wanted to make the quilt out of Luna Notte fabric. As gorgeous as this fabric is, when it arrived I felt it was not right for spring flowers. So off I went to Dots on Thursday and bought different fabric. Friday, I spent the whole day in my sewing room and made a start on my spring flower quilt. My other wonderful friend Judith gave me a big bag of embroidery threads (thank you Judith) and I decided to use them for the applique in my Spring Flower Quilt. I have to say this is the first time I have stuck to hand sewing the blanket stitch, I normally revert back to my faithful Bernie. However, I am delighted with the results so far and the little blocks for the quilt are growing.

Who's sitting at my desk?????

2011-03-29T09:07:00.006+01:00

On Sunday morning I needed to iron some items of clothing for me and my little man. The ironing board and iron are permenant fixtures in my sewing room. Cole is at that into every cupbaord and draw he can reach phase. Whilst I did the ironing, I sat him in the chair and tucked him under the table. Gave him some paper and pencils and he scribbled away to his hearts content. With our clothes for the day ironed, I went to get him down from the table. Not a good move, he was having a fine old time scribbling away. To stop the flowing tears i had to bring the paper and several pencils with us into the living room, where he then sat on the floor and scribbled whilst I tried to wash and dress him. I think its time I got the little man his own desk, some things just aren't ment for sharing.

Funky Birds:

2011-03-26T10:52:00.002Z

Oh my I really shouldn't be allowed out! Whilst in Rennes Art shop yesterday, I spotted a little booklet of stickers called "Funky Birds". The booklet is no bigger than my hand and has about four pages covered in these funny little Funky Birds. I picked it up and began to laugh because the one on the front cover is hilarious. She has the most gorgeous funky high heel shoes on. Well you can imagine, I thought, oh my God thats me? Needless to say I bought the little book and on the way home, on the train, the little creative grey cells started working overtime. I could not wait to get in and get a Sketch book out as well as the water colour paints. Who cares if the washing basket is over flowing and there are dishes in the sink this was far more important, I mean it was almost like a life or death situation, I just had to get these ideas out my head onto paper. I am not going to tell you what they are for I am sure you will probably guess by looking at the photo but I assure you more will be revealed at a later date.

Sketching on :

2011-03-25T09:41:00.002Z

One finished, one half done and one yet to be started, I am talking about the life drawings I am doing for college. This one, I did over the weekend, I felt I needed a break from the shirt and pearls drawing as it is quite intense. I have my last interview on Monday for Pre-foundation course Lcc. I am suppose to take a minimum of 3 drawings. I am going to add the other shoes I did and the sunflower although these are on A3 I don't think it matters. So I am off to Liverpool to but a plastic A2 carrier from Rennes art shop. Its another lovely sunny day and of course the camera will becoming with me, who knows what wonderful things I will see today.

Fabric thats just LUSH:

2011-03-24T05:19:00.005Z

Just look what I picked up yesterday from Dot. My much awaited for Luna Notte fabric by Moda. Isn't it just pure lush and its only the tip of the iceberg in the range. It all started when my wonderful friend Janet designed yet another of her fabulous quilts, several weeks ago. I rummaged through my stash and came across a piece of fabric as my starting point (feature fabric) but I was not able to match many other pieces of fabric to it, as the colour way was unusual. On the selvage it said, Luna Notte by 3 sisters moda. I had no idea where I purchased the piece of fabric from,so I rang Dot (quilters needs), who is a guru in the world of fabric and quilting. She knew the range but did not have it. However, she to loved it and kindly order both of us some from America. I got an e-mail from her yesterday saying it had arrived and I was on the bus quick as a flash. An added bonus was Dot also had us both a scrap bag of Luna Notte. I spent a delightful couple of hours in the midst of fabric heaven and Dots gorgeous quilts before getting the bus home. In all the excitement I left my little scrap bag on the table, hence no picture, Dot said she will pop that in the post. So until that arrives I will continue to stroke, caress and love my Luna Notte fabric and dream of the quilt I am going to make with them a little while longer.

Sunflowers:

2011-03-23T08:33:00.004Z

A couple of weeks ago I posted a blog about researching sunflowers? Well, I can reveal why. I was commissioned by my lovely friend Judith to make a journal quilt for her sister. Judith specifically asked for sunflowers and she was delighted at what I came up with. Seen as Jen has received her gift, I thought I'd post a pic. I loved making this journal cover and even went on to make Judith a little card to go with it. Speaking of journal covers, I took time out yesterday and made a few more but these ones are made a different way to the one i made for Judith. My favorite is the bigger of the four.

My, time flys:

2011-03-22T09:06:00.002Z

My beautiful daughter was 22 yesterday. I could have put one of her fantastic glamorous model shots on but I decided to dig out a pic from when she was a little girl. I'm sure she will thank me for it (not)! In the meantime, time itself might be flying by but the drawing process is going very slow, hence no blog post recently. I am currently drawing a pair of shoes and a handbag. However, I may take a break today and sew a small project????