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R is for...

One of my goals over the Easter holidays was to sew together the top of my eldest daughters memory quilt. However, with only one block more to make, I was stuck. I had thought of just appliqueing a heart onto a block, but Beks wanted something else. She has tested  my sewing skills, but more to the point, she has tested my maths skills. She decided she wanted an improv letter R (Eeeek).!!!! So with graph paper, rubber and pencil in hand, I tentatively set to, planning how on earth I was going to do it.

Once I had worked out the size and remembered to add the seam allowance, I started to cut out the fabric.

I nervously started to piece the sections to-gether.

I was happy with the top half of the block; all was going well.

The second half was a little more complicated, but because I had just done a Pippi block I had a bit of an idea. I am delighted with the block and more to the point Rebekah is.
I really felt a sense of achievement doing this block because I had planned it from the beginning and worked out the measurements.The finished block measured a 12.5" square.

 With the last block in situ, all I need to do now is cut the sashing out and start sewing it together.
Easier said than done, as we are all back to the grind and returned to school yesterday. However, I am determined to get this quilt finished soon. So watch this space.
                       Ruth xo

Catching Up

The last few days here in NI have traumatic. The Spring blizzard has caused untold damage and the farming community has been hit hard with hundreds of sheep lost to the cold.
Where I should be at the moment is outside sorting the garden out ie cutting back the raspberry canes and admiring the Spring bulbs.
What I am doing at the moment is a lot of catching up with my sewing. That's a good place to be- right.
Towards the end of term I was so tired I could hardly sew, just getting to classes was all I could manage, never mind doing anything extra.
So after a few days of relaxing at the weekend, (no packed lunches or  uniform to prepare) I was ready to get back into my sewing room.
I have set myself a challenge to get 2 quilt tops sewn together this holiday.

This is the quilt I started at the quilt party class I took last Nov/Dec. I'm making this quilt as a wedding gift to a friend and collegue who is getting married in June. I sewed the blocks and sashing together on Monday. Just the borders to do next. Not sure what colours to do, any suggestions?

I made this celtic knot block as a trial to see if I liked it enough to make a whole quilt.  I decided against it and went with the sampler quilt above. Then I was stuck with a lovely block. so I turned it into a cushion for my daughter. She loves it and think it's not bad too.

The last outstanding block  for BB.
This will be delivered to Judith tonight. Hope it's not too late.
Managed to do all this on Monday. Such a good feeling when things get finished.

Last but not least, I watched 'The Great Bitish Bake Off- easter special' on Tuesday and decided  to have a go at making Mary Berry's Easter biscuits.
My Mum used to make these too; with 6 kids they didn't last long!
I'm taking mine to class tonght to share with the group; hope they enjoy them!
 Wishing you all a Happy Easter
                                  Ruth xo
         

Snail's pace

Thought I would show you  how my EPP is coming on. It's not the red and white hexies I started last year but the course I'm doing with Judith, which will turn into a wall hanging.

My points are far from perfect, but I'm learning and improving with practice.
I'm linking up with slow bloggers at knotted cotton. I am delighted to find this as sometimes I feel bad that I don't blog often enough. So I was pleased to find other bloggers feel the same.

 

Today I have had another first. For Mother's day I received Paul Hollwood's book on bread. Today being a rather cold, wet , miserable sleety sort of day, I decided to have ago at making a bloomer loaf.

It took awhile and was rather sticky, but once i got into the kneading (excellent for bat wings I may add) I rather enjoyed myself. There is nothing nicer than fresh bread with butter and jam and a cup of tea.

Slightly misshapen but delicious.

Hope your weekend is going well.

Ruth xo

Vintage mothers' day

Happy Mothers' Day everyone. I hope you have all been suitably spoilt.
My lovely family treated me to a vintage afternoon tea at Eat etc.

This teapot is just like the one my Mum had. It came out on special occasions.

It was a lovely treat.  There was lots of lovely vintage crockery which reminded so much of my lovely Mum, who sadly is with us no more. I thank God for her and all she instilled in me and I hope I can do as good a job with my two daughters.
No sewing done today, although I have lots on the go.
Have a good week
               Ruth xo

New sewing mate!!!

Hi all, it's half term over here in sunny Ireland and yes it is sunny. We are enjoying some lovely winter sunshine. It's chilly but the sunshine certainly puts a spring in your step.
Half term consisted of 2 days for me, so it was back to the grind this morning.
However, I took the opportunity and caught up on some sewing.
I had some company whilst I was sewing...

Alfie our 61/2 year old year old shih tzu keeping me company.

In January I decided to join a BOM, so I joined genxquilters and started the sisters Ten modern BOM. My wonderful sister in Austria decided to join me , so we are doing it together. Instead of keeping both blocks , we are sending each other one. So by the end of the year we will have identical quilts. Our criteria is to use our existing stash , any colour and make it up any which way we want. Should be interesting!!!
This is what I've done so far...

Grandmothers frame Jan BOM

Susanna Feb BOM

I also managed to do a Bee Blessed block - Patchwork wheel block.

More hugs for the hugs and kisses quilt.

That's what I call a successful two days.
Hugs and kisses to you all.
                        Ruth xo

Valentine surprise

Happy Valentine's day everyone.
My husband and I usually agree not to do anything for each other on Valentine's day.
However, look what was waiting for me when I got up this morning.

 

 

I was nearly late for work as I was flicking through the magazine a little bit too long.
Aren't the fat quarters delicious?
I know exactly what I'm going to make with them-a lunch bag.
I've been looking for some foodie fat quarters and now I have just the job.
The man did good.
On top of that he brought me flowers last week. He is spoiling me.
Hope your Valentine's has been as scrumptious as mine.
 
                                      Ruth xo

LONG time no see

It's been awhile I know, but I actually fell out with blogging. I think I had just got run down over Christmas and struggled to download some photos. I'm not very confident when it comes to blogging and have to make sure my husband or daughter is close at hand.  I've managed to keep up with everyone though and have enjoyed a bit of blog hopping.

I have been busy so I thought I'd let you see what I've done over Christmas.


All stars!!
 

This is a selection of star blocks I have been working on for my eldest daughters memory quilt.

I have 4 more to do then I can piece it with sashing, border and backing. Not sure when it will get finished but it's one of my aims for 2013.!!!!

Made this cushion for my youngest daughter.

I love the colours in this cushion, they match her bedrom beautifully. I surprised myself how much I enjoyed doing the mitred corners; now I'm a real fan of them. I love the finish they give!

It's a slow  process, but I managed to do some more E.P.P.



Quickest jumper I have ever knit!!!

I knit this jumper for Abi over Christmas. The wool was from my favourite online wool shop, Deramores.

The wool is Wendy Mode Chunky, colour Moorland.

Easy care wool and great to knit with!

 

 

The start of sample quilt for my friends wedding pressie.

This quilt will be made up of  blocks I am making at Judith's class, How to design,calculate and make your own Quilt/Block Party. The first class was spent calculating how much fabric we would need. I was so glad to move onto actual sewing the following week. Maths not being my strongest subject, but a necessary evil.

 

 

So as you can see my machine and I have been busy.

 Hope you are keeping healthy.

               Love Ruth xo



Vintage Sarah

Now that the hectic last week of school is behind me, I've had a chance today to catch up on blogland. Not alot of sewing done this week but all the pressies are in , just need wrapping and then its time to relax.  Christmas Eve will find me in the kitchen listening to carols on Classic F.M. and making stuffing, bread sauce and more mince pies.
I'd like to just tell you about a giveaway I've entered at Sew me. To celebrate Sarah's blogiversary she is giving away some delicious vintage fabric.

sewmeblog.blogspot.co.uk

The title doesn't imply Sarah is old, just the fabric is old style. Thought I better make that clear as Sarah may never speak to me again.

This will probably be my last blog before christmas, so I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

           Love    Ruth xo

Birthdays, Buttons and Brooches.

This week I celebrated my birthday with the three people I love most in the whole wide world. My husband and two daughters.
I don't know if it's because my birthday is so close to Christmas and therefore an expensive time of the year or I'm getting older and birthdays just remind me how old I'm getting that I don't really enjoy them. Anyway, my husband  took myself and the girls out for a lovely meal. We intended on going to Nandos but ended up at Avoca where we had a lovely time sitting in a beautifully vintage atmosphere where the food was delicious.
Sorry no photos though.

This week we finished our last class of the year where we had been making buttons and brooches.
This was a really great class, learning some finishing techniques . The first class was like going back to school and playing with fimo. However, I loved this class and have put fimo on my xmas list.

Some of the fimo buttons.


Next we made Suffolk Puffs and filled it with toy stuffing.



It took more stuffing than I thought . It makes a nice brooch, don't you think?



Appliqued brooches finished of with some of my fimo buttons.

 

This week we finished of the course with these brooches, perfect for decorating bags or pouches.

 

I made these candy stick mice to give as wee gifts to my class at school. I got the idea from a Prima Christmas magazine.
Great for hanging on the tree.
With only a week before school finishes, this should be a fun week at school!
Watching a nativity play, kids performing one on Tuesday and Wednesday , party's and topping it off with the pantomime on Friday. ( Oh yes it is )
Roll on Friday.

                      Ruth xo

Stockings Galore

Couldn't think of an imaginative title for this blog .
Anyway, I decided it was time to renew the girls stockings and as Peter and I didn't have any, make some for us. So since August ( yes that's when I started Christmas sewing) I have been sewing stockings.

Once again sorry for the photo, photograpy is not my strength. Hope you manage to see the stockings. I loved making these and they look great hanging above the fire place, waiting to be filled

Whilst I was off from work a few weeks ago suffering from vertigo I took to doing some blog hopping and discovered Sew wonderful life. There I discovered some lovely minature stocking bunting. The pattern is available on Punkinpatterns.
This afternoon I decided to have a go at making them.

The wee stockings measure approx 4-5"

 

I cut the backing out in this lovely sparkly felt.

 

Sewed the two pieces together and Bob's your uncle ,lovely stocking bunting.

Hope your Christmas preparations are going well.

 Love
          Ruth xo

Sweetie Love

One of the tricky things about learning new skills is being able to continue at home and make things on your own without the support of your class mates or your teacher.
This was my challenge this weekend when my eldest daughter requested a LOVE cushion for her youth leader who is having to give up her role as leader due to health problems.

So away we went to my favourite fabric shop and together we chose some lovely polka dots and floral fabrics.

I'm not really very good at selecting fabrics and matching colours and patterns, but with the help of the assisstant and another customer we came up with the above combination.

As I had only made the cushion once, I was a little nervous if I could repeat the mitred corners again.
I shouldn't have worried too much because Judith's instructions were as always clear and precise.

Sweetie Love.

Love the back.

It's amazing how different something can turn out depending on your colours, pattern and fabric.

I have called this one Sweetie Love.

I absolutely love it and hope the recipient will enjoy it as much as I did making it. 

 

I still have one more cushion to do before Christmas. Those of you who know me well will know what colour  I intend to do it in, but I wonder if you can guess what I will call it.

No prizes, just a bit of fun.

Hope you've had a sweet weekend.

Love Ruth xo

Funky Love

A couple of weeks ago we finished our Applique class.
You may get bored with me saying how much I love learning new skills, I get so excited! For me that is the main reason  for attending class. Judith always knows when I'm enjoying a particular class, as she hears squeals of delight coming from my direction.
This class was no different, especially when it came to the mitred corners in this cushion.
The joy when I actually follow the instructions and it works!!!!!!!
The needlecord I had stashed away since my Dutch days. I knew it would come in handy sometime.(Apart from making a skirt too).
The letters were scraps(soul blossoms) I had left from another cushion I had made.

Funky Love


 

The back



 

I'm trying to source some red needlecord so I can make one for Abi.
Hope you are having a great Thursday.
                           Ruth xo

Big Kiss

Suffering from vertigo as I am at the moment, means that I am able to catch up with some sewing and work my way througth my list of stuff to do. It takes me all morning to get up and regain my balance , so since I can't drive , I can't work either.
Bad time of the year to take off I know, what with nativity plays and excitement of christmas building, so I certainly don't want to add to the stress of  a staff member fainting and going dizzy.
Anyway, since we are still in Novenber, I thought yesterday I would have a go at the big kiss for Bee Blessed.

Big fat sloppy kiss.

I really enjoyed this block. It got me thinking it was time I got busy doing Rebekah's memory quilt.
So when I have finished with Christmassy things, that is what I will do.
         Kisses
           Ruth xo