Monday 11 January 2010

Work In Progress

After working over most of Christmas I just managed to get 6 days off in a row. Unfortunately the snow meant that some of the planned activities could not take place, but that meant I did lots of sewing. My Mum has been staying with us since we had 18 inches of snow and lost power several times, so she has been knitting and I have been having patchwork fun!.

The hexey quilt top is almost finished - I ended up having to use cushioned plasters on my fingers as all that hand sewing made them really sore (wish I could use a thimble!)


Its a real mix of vintage finds, Cath samples, and stash fabric including some Laura Ashley fabric from when I was patchwork crazy in the 80's
Each patch has a memory attached to it, some from swap parcels, bits friends have given to me and even a couple of bits from old dresses when I was a child.


Just a few more bits to add at the edge and then it will get its backing, wadding and binding
I must be mad as this is going on the sofa for the DOG to sit on!!

Work in the extension has stopped whilst we are waiting for a bit of the bathroom to be delivered - its been over 3 months now since we ordered it - Bathstore.com do not get any votes from me for customer service.
However I have been using the new bedroom as a sewing room extension and laying out curtains I am making. I had collected lots of lovely vintage floral fabric and old curtains but they were all too small for the new windows, so with a bit of Cath and some cream linen thrown in they have become patchwork curtains

Still a work in progress but you get the idea - this is just one half of a pair and each patch is 18 inches square


The landing connecting the extension is almost finished, just need to stain and wax the floorboards to match the rest.

And the on suite to the new master bedroom is usable but has no door on it!

Need to find a nice pair of mirrors to go over the vanity unit - wish I could find another one like this old French one I picked up years ago............

So if that was not enough works in progress i started another quilt yesterday. I have signed up to a lovely challenge called 'no strings attached' - if you want to join in click on the link on the right of my blog - it is open until the 15th Jan. a couple of ladies from the SCC have joined me on this so it will be fun to compare progress.
What fun I have had sorting through all my fabric and it is so lovely to use the scraps that have have never thrown out.

Colour wise I really have used a bit of everything, but to provide some unity I have included red on every patch


The blocks still need to be squared off, but I LOVE the way it is looking. It grows so fast compared to the hand sewn hexeys - I made 30 7 inch squares yesterday. They will get trimmed to 6 1/2 inches and once sewn will be 6 inch patches.

its a great mix of vintage and new again

Hope the snow is not causing you too many issues, it is starting to thaw here, although this brings its own problems as we have a split pipe on the family farm that is now gushing water, but at least the milk should be collected from the farm today, as my brother has had to throw it down the drain as we have not had it collected for 4 days. So sad that he works so hard on the farm and then has to throw away one of the main incomes - he is not even allowed to give it away!.
TTFN
MM

19 comments:

  1. Wow, wow, wow you have been busy!
    You've used such a lovely mixture of fabrics on your string blocks and I love how you've used the reds to tie it all in. Can't wait to see the end result.
    Love the hexy quilt too although I don't think i'd have the patience for that.

    Beki xxx

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  2. You have been working hard. Those quilts are looking lovely.
    Rachael XX

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  3. I absolutely love all your patchwork! The colour combination is gorgeous! ;-)

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  4. Wow so beautiful. You have been hard at work!

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  5. you have been busy xx
    hexy quilt top looks fab - I'll show you mine now I've seen yours hehe!!! Mine is MUCH smaller!!!
    I think I will try and find the time to do the string patches or at least something quicker than hexing!!
    xx

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  6. Oh I love your hexie and as much as your dog is really lovely its far too fabulous for him/her to lie on... I love your extension to say I am looking a little green would be an understatement... but the neighbours might be a bit miffed if I extended into their garden... lol
    those curtains are beautiful what a clever idea and the effect will be amazing... and I love the way you have used up your scrap fabric...

    what a clever, creative lady you are...

    big hugs
    Alex

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  7. You just started that new string quilt? Amazing!! Love, love, love that hexey quilt!! Have you tried using a thimble without a top? I find it so easy to use and it doesn't feel like you've lost a finger! Your curtains are just beautiful as well.

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  8. Goodness, you have achieved a lot over the weekend! Your curtains are going to be lovely and as to the extension I can only just say WOW!

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  9. You are fabulous. I love everything you do, and that hex quilt top is just gorgeous. I was so thrilled to spot my cushions! Thanks for posting that picture.
    I've been trying a couple of patches, and I think I will join. I love the randomness of yours - it gives me confidence I can do it. I get a bit scared to place the bits in case they don't look good together, but I am finding it fun.

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  10. Oh my gosh, those striped squares and hexagons had me wow-ing. I am not a quilter, as you might have guessed, but those stripes! I am inspired. What a lovely way to use up those fabric leftovers. I just might have a go!

    BTW, I am having a little no-frills swap on my blog. Come drop by and see if it tickles your fancy! http://juanitatortilla.blogspot.com/2010/01/white-elephant-swap.html

    -Juanita

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  11. Oh Mitty they are fantastic - I tried to click on your pics to enlarge cos I wanted a closer look! Just gorgeous but my fave is the hexy one :) I AM going to make another quilt soon, you have totally inspired me thank you!! XX

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  12. Oh what a beautiful blog, and that adorable elephant header is so pretty :) You are really talented, such wonderful crafts. I'll be stopping by from now on.

    All things nice...

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  13. Oh my word - Amazing is all I can say. The patchworking is just gorgeous and I am drooling over your bathroom sink cabinet (weird I know ) but its lush

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  14. Do you know, I wasn't keen on Hex quilts until I saw yours. Your eye for the fabbest colour coordination is perfect.

    I think I might be in love!

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  15. Such beautiful patchwork! Love it all especially the Hex one!
    Your patchwork curtains are gorgeous too!
    Rachel x

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  16. Goodness you have been busy. Love the hex quilt I suspect that'll become a family heirloom one day. The string quilt is gorgeous too and I like the way the red links betweent the blocks. You must be enjoying putting the finishing touches to your extension... it's looking wonderful. I feel for all those farmers who've lost so much due to the lorries not being able to take away their milk production. The weather has really highlighted a lot of food production issues.

    Take care Jx

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  17. Can I have your time and your energy and your fabric and your talent please???
    (oh and your new background too ;-))

    A feast for the eyes, lovely post !!!

    Love and blessings
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  19. All these quilts are so pretty, I am going home to get my stash out, and start a stash quilt.

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