Positively Pretty Pouches

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since I blogged and it's been that long since I've been in my sewing room. Taking on extra hours at work and family life has got in the way of my sewing.
There is also another reason and that is that I started knitting an arran cardigan for myself 2yrs ago and I have promised myself I would get it finished this year, hopefully before Christmas. So I have been doing that. I am now on the right front, then the collar and button band. Here's hoping!!!!!

Last week we finished our pouch classes. It was good fun as always, although for some of us the zips got the better of us. However, we all finished triumphant. Hurrah!

Here's my selection of lovely pouches.

2 pencil cases, 2 make-up bags and 1 project pouch.

The Suffolk Puff  adds the finishing touch.

A Cath Kidston esq ,fabri.c

I enjoyed this project pouch  the most. I'll use this for my E.P.P.

Pencil case no 1.

Pencil case no 2.

Lovely ribbons bought today.



 

These ribbons were bought today. I have no idea what I'm going to do with them but just decided it was time to start a ribbon stash, you know for those rainy days?!
Actually got up into my sewing room today and decided to give it a tidy up; it had become a bit of a dumping ground of late.

Hope you have had a good Saturday
                            Ruth xo

Memory Quilt

I have never been so nervous putting the washing machine on as I was today.
I have finally finished my youngest daughters quilt, sewn in memory of her Grandad.
I put four colour catchers in and hoped it would be enough.
This quilt has been six months in the making  and a steep learning curve.
I loved to see it on the line dancing in the breeze.


Every block tells a story.



It looks well on Abi's bed.

Love this Pippi block - reminds me of Abi!!!.

A very wonky house.

Love this butterfly made from Dad's Laura Ashley pillow case.

The heart of the quilt - LOVE.

It even provoked a comment from my elderly neighbour who saw it hanging there.
I brought a pile of Dad's shirts back with me in Feb, the red particularly provokes a memory as he was wearing this last May ( 2011) when he celebrated his 90th birthday.
The dress in the Pippi block was actually material I used to make a dress for Abi when she was a nipper, so something from her too.
Abi's favourite  block is the log cabin, mine is the Pippi. I wonder what yours is?
Now to start big sis's Star memory quilt. Could be awhile.

  Bye Ruth xo

Bee Blessed

A Saturday afternoon at Bee Blessed is always to be enjoyed, especially when we haven't met for a couple of months. So last Saturday was no exception.
It was lovely to see folks again and catch up with each other.  But what is most exciting is to see how the quilts are coming on.
We had a few donated ones which are gorgeous, they just needed finishing off.

Isn't this just fab.

The back is just as stunning-beautifully quilted.

Here you can see the back in more detail,using a varigated thread.

They had been quilted by Judith's friend Janette( hope I spelt it right).
I will look forward to handing this over to Judith on Thursday. I think the fuscia border finishes the quilt of nicely. My eldest daughter who does not like pink in any shape or form actually really likes this quilt. However she would change the border to a green or blue, so it's a good job she's not getting it isn't it!!!!
I'm sure that whoever gets this quilt will love it.
Hope you have had a good Monday.
                          Love Ruth xo

E.P.P.

Back in February my sister and I were in England attending my father's funeral. Despite it being a sad and difficult time, it gave Liz and I the opportunity to catch up. (She lives in Austria). She was doing some English Paper Piecing and I fell in love with colours,shapes and effect it gave. I remember it as a child but never tackled it.
Since then quite a few of my sewing friends have also taken it up, so I thought I would get in on the act too.
Last month my lovely, crazy sewing friend Marion(we get in trouble in class for giggling) was over at the Birmingham show and found these fantastic templates that makes the whole E.P.P experience easier.  So I thought I would show them to you.

The different templates. They can be folded in the middle to get another shape.

Cut the hexie out as per usual, but look you don't need to do as much sewing.( sorry the photo isn't very sharp, but I think you can still get the idea.)

The flip side of the hexie's.
 



Don't they look lovely?
I really love these reds and it set me thinking, I would love to make a quilt using E.P.P.
However ,although I love red at the moment, I don't have a lot of different fabrics. So this is when I get down on one knee and put a request out to all you lovely bloggers- If you have any RED scraps about 2 1/2"-3" square could I ask you to send them to me OR Judith.She has very kindly said that you can post them to her as most of you will no doubt have her address.
I want to keep the centre hexie a solid red, but the other 6 anything floral, checked. polka dot(my fave), vintage ect. I will connect them together with a white colour path. I think it will look stunning. What do you think?

The templates are from Hungary. Check them out on www.foltvilag.hu
They also have lovely wooden buttons.


Bye for now.
Ruth xo








 

New sewing room

I knew that once I got back to school time would be scarce and I was right.
With my eldest daughter studying for her GCSE's this year , it was full on from the first day. Not only that, but I have taken on some extra hours in the form of a "after school club" . Consequently the first week back has been rather tiring with not much sewing done.
My lovely husband decided it was time to sort my sewing room out and create more space. so whilst the sun shone , Peter was putting shelving up and sorting out.
He has done a great job , so here's hoping I can get more energy of an evening to sew.

A make shift ironing board, but it works.

Found these shelves in the bargain basement at Ikea..
 

All ready for me to get cracking.

Treated myself to this magazine in town this morning. It was a little expensive, but has some great ideas.



Hope you have had a great week.
Happy sewing .
 Love Ruth xo








 

Fimo-fabulous

I really am very lucky because not only do I have a great patchwork teacher ( you can pay me later J) but she has an uber talented daughter who does wonderful things with fimo.
Look at these lovely phone charms and pin toppers.

I could just eat these cupcakes.
 



Russian Dolls -so cute!!!




 



I couldn't resist these pin toppers. Anyone for tea?




 

If you want to see more of Shannon's fabulous fimo fancies then check out her etsy shop:

Poppy's Pocket.

You will seriously be tempted, so be warned.!!!

 

Bye

 Ruth xo

Dutch Stash

Last weekend my husband and eldest daughter went to visit relatives in Holland.
They thoroughly enjoyed the cycling, beautiful warm weather and boat ride in Amterdam.

They visited the sewing shop I used to frequent and bought some lovely material back for me.

 I lived in Holland for 6 yrs before moving to London and subsequently to Belfast.
It is whilst living in Holland I picked up my sewing again and learnt some great tips. The Dutch are great seamstresses and have an amazing choice of materials and haberdashery.

Lovely Dutch material, all for me.

Buttons, buttons and more buttons.


 

Lots of cotton threads and bikes.

So much to choose from. I think it's about time I went back for a visit and take an empty suitcase with me. Mind you, I'm so indescisive, I wouldn't know what to buy.

   Bye
   Ruth xo