A work in progress

On coat number 2, looking good so far! (not that I can take the credit, we wimped out and paid someone!)

T- four days and we can get the house back, and I can sew again!
First though, a quick trip to the South West this weekend to visit Hub's sick grandma, so no LMQG for me again - I seem to be an "everyOTHER month" member!

{Nearly} Wordless Sunday

The reason why my sewing machine, fabric and camera have been put away all week....

Hopefully over soon!

Beginning Blocks

Thanks to this...

we have a snow day today :D

In between writing reports, I've been working on some long term, slow projects - the only type that I think are going to get done this year.

This is the start of a wall hanging for the top of the stairs, using my solids from the Sew Solids Crew Stash Club which Hubs bought me for Christmas...

Sneaky peek of my first attempt - oops!

I've also bought a FQ stack of Cuzco and started this, block no one is here...

Not too bad, but I think I need to work on the neatness of the flying geese.

Both projects are intended to be long term, one a month kind of things - the pressure of my new job is already making me realise that I shouldn't add any more pressure from my hobby!

Linking up with Let's Get Aquainted Monday, at Fabric Mutt this week.


PS - still spaces on the Pay It Forward...

A lovely surprise!

I was at home this weekend visiting family, and was feeling absolutely shattered, and annoyed at myself for not finishing my reports last week (guess what I'm partway through now!)

Three and a half hours of travelling on a freezing cold day and coming back to an empty house didn't improve my mood either, but finding a mysterious parcel on my dining table made me feel much better, especially when I opened it up to find this beauty!

A gorgeous zippy pouch from Susan at Patchwork and Play!

This was from a pay it forward that I'd forgotten that I signed up to last year - and even the lining is lovely! 

Now I have to fulfill my side of the "pay it forward" deal. Here's  how it works: (blatently stolen from Susan so that I don't forget anything - sorry!)

1. I will make a little something for the first 3 people who comment on this post. It will be a surprise and it will arrive when you least expect it.

2. I will have 365 days to do it in. What's the catch? To get a handmade present from me, you have to play too! This means YOU pledge to send a little handmade something to 3 readers of your blog. It doesn't have to be quilty - just handmade.

3. You must have a blog.

4. Once you receive your "little something", you must post about your Pay it Forward on your blog. 

To keep the fun going - be sure to use the Pay It Forward badge. 

So if you'd like to PIF, be one of the first three people to leave a comment on this post and sometime in the (not too distant) future, you'll be receiving something handmade by me!

A Slow Start to 2013

Sorry for the radio silence recently, family illness and a hefty workload have left me not having much time or inclination to blog. But, for the first time this week, I've finished work before 8 and suddenly feel a bit chattier!

I've made some progress since the New Year, particularly on a dress I made for my friend's daughter's 1st birthday.

Made from Kona Dusty Pink from Annie, and Made by Rae's Geranium pattern

I was quite proud, especially as it was my first dress!


I also made my first ever Cathedral Windows block, in the form of a pincushion for the LMQG swap, and inspired by Kelly and Charlotte

 

(Sorry for the bad photo, forgot to take a proper one)

And this is the cushion that I got back from Shevvy (It's all puffy!)

Next, I've decided to use the solids from Sew Solid's  Monthy Club (yes, Hubs did pick up on all those hints I dropped before Christmas!) to make some rainbowy Lone Starburst blocks. They're not perfect, but not bad for a first attempt at paper piecing :D