{quilt} while you're ahead

67//2012 {{pjs trousers}}

Technically calling this a finished ufo is incorrect ... I hadn't even started it before the weekend BUT I've been meaning to make them for so long that they were 'on the list'.

I know you know what I mean.

The fabric was bought last May (2011) at the Malvern Three Counties Quilt Show and has been on the shelves since then.

As a template I used an un-stitched old pair of pjs pants that literally fell apart. It's a very clever construction of only two pieces (one for the left leg, one of the right) that came together in a ridiculously short time.

So quick I was that I had time for a spot of pedicure

and a slice of cake.

41//2012

The weather... ah the glorious spring weather...

No 3 is practicing his skateboard moves

and I'm hanging clothes in the fresh morning air.

It's a peaceful start to our Spring break... 

And that is exactly how I like it.

 

(In the spirit of honesty and realism I'd like to confess that actually my morning started at 7.30 when I found myself cleaning the kitchen floor on my knees after Lilli the dog vomited 8 times and pooed twice during the night)

20//2012

Shhhhhh

it's a secret!

19//2012 {{ giveaway }}

Have you ever come across Janet's blog?

No???? Geeshhh.  Run, go there now.  And then come back and keep reading this post, there's a give away at the end.

If you have, then you'll know what I'm talking about when I say that she's a lady of immense talent.  In this huge quilting/craft world we live in it's not often that some one comes up with a distinct and unique creative vision and aesthetic.

Janet has.

Everything she does is 'Janet', do you know what I mean?  She quilts, she knits, she draws, she embroiders, she teaches, she sews... have you seen her gorgeous 'dressing gown'?

AND she has a book out:

It is a wonderful book full of wonderful quilts and other sewing projects, ideas and templates all with Janet's wonderful illustrations.

And because Janet is incredibly nice too (you should meet her) she sent me a couple of copy of her books; one for me (hurray) and one to give away to a lucky lucky reader.

If you'd like a chance to win it, just leave me your name and a way to contact you and I'll draw a name out of a hat early next week.

How's that for a Wednesday post? eh?

12//2012 {{kitchen cushions}}

So... it looks like you're all very knowledgeable about obscure and quite frankly not very edible looking vegetables... I still haven't tried to eat 'salsify' though.  As No 2 put it "I don't think you should eat this, it looks like a stick".  (Notice he said "you" not "we")

Anyway, whilst I think about eating weird looking sticky vegetables I can admire my new kitchen cushions:

I have to say... I might be the only one around here though.

The boys don't think meadows and happy daisies.

Not at all.  In fact... they got the same welcome and the 'salsify' in my previous post.

Sigh.

But what do boys know about cushions, eh?

9//2012 {{cushion}}

There was once a silk sofa cushion.

It was old and ripped.

The inside was still lovely and soft and the perfect big size for the sofa.

And the big embroidery flower was too good to throw away...

So I kept it

and attached it to some gorgoeus pink upholstery remnant fabric from Designers Guild.

Voila'.

New old cushion.

 

154/2011 ** doily cushion no 2 **

ok, so nobody pointed out that yesterday's post had the totally wrong title???? you let me made a fool of myself!

I've changed it now...

Anyway, I wanted to show you the cushion yesterday but didn't like the photos so in the end I didn't.  I thought today the weather might be a little better so I could re-take them but it isn/t.  At all. So I'm stuck with the original ones.

Just use your imagination a little

This time I surpassed myself and learnt how to sew a cushion with a zipper

I know.  I'm a genius.  

But you shouldn't feel shy in my presence.  We're all equals. (Some more than others, that's all!!)

If I hadn't spilled tea all over my desk soaking my notes I could even tell you where I got the tutorial from... as it is I'm unable to.  

(Now I have to go and de-mushroom No 2's swimming bag/towel/etc. that had been abandoned at school wet for the past 5 days.  Wish me luck.  Boys eh? If it's not mud it's fungi!!)

150/2011 ** felt hearts **

... because a Christmas tree

can never

be

too full

149/2011 ** patchwork Christmas stockings **

For the stall

for girls and for boys

"left and right"

I know it's a cliche... but why does it feel Christmas is coming earlier and earlier each year?

147/2011 ** lounge/pjs trousers **

When I was in the middle of the 'left or right' stocking crisis I suspended all production and dedicated myself to a new pair of pjs bottoms.

It's getting cold and Anna Maria Horner's cotton flannel is absolutely the perfect fabric.  I didn't have enough to fold/cut it selvedge to selvedge... so I folded my two yards in half and had the perfect qty.  Sometimes it pays to have short legs!!

(Yes, I know I'm supposed to cut along the grain... but what can I say, call me a rebel.  In this instance there wasn't much difference in my opinion)

I love the fabric design and it's softness.  Oh the softness.

I followed Amy Butler's wide leg lounge pants pattern from her book " In Stitches", except I used elastic around the waist and tried to make them not so wide.

They're still VERY wide, but oh so very very comfortable.

I might have to remind myself to get dressed in the morning... it's not a good look for the school gate.

Unfortunately.