Easter eggs

Yes Easter eggs. I know it is early yet but let me explain. I go every Thursday morning to the local hospice to do craft work with the patients. It is necessary to start early with things as not everyone is able to work at a reasonable pace, so have started to do the Easter eggs ready for the Easter tree.

Because there is no sewing in these more of the patients are able to participate.

Most of them still need the beading along the joins, but that is a job for another week.

sewing day

Sewing day
A busy day today as I had friends around for sewing. It seems like months since we last got together for a natter and sew.I was determined to get on with things and was happy with progress. The first thing I made was this round 'ironing board' I first saw it on someone else's blog so if it you are reading this and the idea came from your blog - Thank You. It is made using a 'lazy susan' covered with two layers of batting and finally material spread on the top and gathered underneath. It is for use with the small clover iron which I use fo craft work and should be very useful as I can keep it near the sewing machine.

Secondly I finished a wall hanging which just required freemotion quilting done to it. This is something I have found difficult in the past so was pleased that a little practice seems to have solved the problems I was having. Still not as smooth as I would like but a great improvement.

Lastly I finished a sewing box which has been sitting there for some time

Christmas in January

Spent today putting all the Christmas decorations back in the attic. Also between Christmas and the New Year I started to make a Christmas quilt, I have now put all the blocks together and put the final border on. Now I have the hand sewing to finish and decide how I am going to quilt it. I hope I shall be able to finish it during next week so I can move on to some of my UFOs which I want to finish this year.

Suduku Quilt

Have been busy this week. Just before christmas I joined a Yahoo group called 'stashbusters' in the hope that I would get some encouragement to reduce my stash and finish my UFOs. A New Year's Eve challenge was posted and I decided I would have a go. The challenge was to start a Suduku Quilt on New Year's eve. I think it may even have been to finish it too but I cannot sew that quickly. I liked the idea and chose some bright fat quarters that I had as I do not usually use brights.

Having cut the fabric and chosen the fabric I wanted for the sashing I set to and gave myself 'permision' to ignore everything else like ironing (easy to do) By Monday night I had all the blocks sewn and started on the sashing. New Years Day saw the sashing finished.

Then I decided to give it extra boarders. I then decided to do free motion quilting and that took time as it is something I have not done before on anything bigger than a place mat. It took a long time to get it right on the back. I am still not sure how I managed to do that (lol). Anyway here is the finished result.

bryan's wedding

My dear son finally married his long term girlfriend in November. He married on my Dad's 91st birthday. Dad was the best man.

Fence

I can't believe how quickly the time goes. I have been busy though, Lots of sewing done, nothing finished yet though but when they are I shall be posting pictures of the finished quilts.
I have now succeded in building a fence to give me the privacy I need and the security for Patch.

Bryan

A surprise phone call today from Bryan, my dear son. He is asking advice - well there is a first time for everything. He and Marie are wanting to get married and are wanting to know the practical aspects. e.g. did i know of any reasonable venues in Durham for a reception. Did I think they should wait until they can afford to. Well we can never afford to get married (LOL)
They have been together for about 7 years now and living together for most of that time. They are now thinking of November 22nd (dads birthday) for getting hitched. Not long to organise things so don't know what is going to happen. - Watch this space.