Over the rainbow

I woke so early this morning that I was sitting up in bed drinking tea well before 7am. There had been some rain overnight but the sun came out and I spotted the most glorious rainbow. I grabbed my husband's phone quickly and took two photos; one through the bedroom window and the other through the study window to catch both ends of the rainbow. The photo does not do the colours justice but it was spectacular.

Such an uplifting start to the day.

My English Country Garden appliqué quilt was so near completion yesterday that I left everything in the kitchen overnight. I don't have a dedicated sewing room so use the kitchen table for my machine and the centre island for cutting fabric and assembling the blocks.  The top came together fairly quickly although the pieced cornerstones and flying geese meant there were lots of points to match along the way.

I hope you will not mind a few photos. I am really pleased with the finished top.

Mike is hiding behind the last photo!

I used fabrics from my stash for the flowers on pieced blocks using Lynette Anderson's range of fabrics called Bread and Butter. Some of the flowers are hand turned appliqué, some using fusible with machine appliqué. A few flowers are embellished with very simple embroidery mainly blanket stitch, chain stitch and a few French knots. I would love to improve my embroidery skills one day.
The border fabric is the new blender range called Bumbleberries from Lewis & Irene- they do a huge range of colours in this blender so I think it will become a favourite.

Thank you Kerry for giving up your time to design this lovely pattern. It has been a pleasure to work on it. Details of the pattern can be found by clicking the link in the side bar.

Also thank you to new visitors to my blog. I have really enjoyed your comments recently.

Catherine

I'll be linking up to Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? and TGIFF tomorrow (well, it is a finished top!) and Esther Aliu's WOW (Wips on Wednesday) next week with this post. All links are in the side bar. I know how much comments mean so please take a peek at these parties if you have the time and give some encouragement if you like what you see.

My English Country Garden.

I've been a bit behind with the blocks for Kerry's fabulous English Country Garden appliqué BOM on her blog Pennydog Patchwork so I decided to get my act together yesterday to finish the 12 blocks.
The final blocks were the dahlia and clematis. I had left the dahlia for some time as the background was a set in circle. I really should have taken photos of the method but it was fully explained in the block instructions. I was so pleased when everything worked out.
I had used the blocks to practice different appliqué methods but decided to make the last 2 blocks with fusible web. This saved time. So without further ado....

I have used PicMonkey to make a collage of the 12 blocks in order to try and work out a layout.

This is not the final layout and due to different lighting conditions the colour of the background fabrics is not always true. I chose a Lewis & Irene blender fabric called Bumbleberries for the sashing from my LQS, the Patchwork House in Llantrisant. This lovely blender comes in 20 beautiful colours to coordinate with all their fabric lines.

The blocks will be divided with cornerstones in the sashing. Check out Kerry's here. Kerry has used very dark background fabrics and sashing and her cornerstones really pop.

I hope you have all enjoyed the Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK. Mike and I had a wonderful time with two of the grandchildren, Jacob and Isobel, at the Moscow State Circus in Cardiff on Saturday. The acrobats, high wire and trapeze were fantastic and the whole show was so professional.

I should get the sashing finished this week if the weather is as bad as the forecast suggests.
Have a good week anyway whatever the weather.

Catherine

This week I am linking up to the fabulous Esther Aliu's WOW link party. Esther designs the most marvelous appliqué and is currently running the Oma's Blues appliqué BOM. There are always interesting projects to admire so please check it out if you have time.

I'm also linking to Kelly's Needle and Thread Thursday. The link is in the sidebar on the right.

Miscellany

Lots of bits and bobs to talk about today.

As you probably know, my love for yarn, like fabric, knows no bounds.

I have started a new cardi for myself and I'm taking part in a KAL (that is a knit-a-long for the non knitters amongst you)- the Alana-along KAL on the 2 Knit-chicks Podcast discussion board on Ravelry. The KAL is based on the patterns designed by Alana Dakos. I chose "Entangled Vines" from her book Botanical Knits. The KAL is running from Feb 1st -April 1st 2015. It is great fun posting photos of our progress so there is still plenty of time to join the group and cast on. I had finished the hat too quickly (Oak Trail featured here) and love her patterns so much I wanted to do something else. She is the designer of the Playful Stripes and Wee Wildflower cards I knitted for my grandchildren too.

So, progress so far.

Sleeve and shoulder detail

The wool is Bergere de France Magic+, a 80% wool/acrylic mix in the "Fonte" colour. It is a grayish brown and if I were to take a guess I would call it Nutmeg. Whatever, it is a useful color that will go with lots of tops/dresses until the weather warms up. In all honesty I did go to my LYS looking for something more Spring-like. 

 I am knitting on 24cm Chiaogoo fixed double point needles (4.5). The yarn is easy to use, does not split and I think will be pretty hard wearing. The design is knit from the neck down which I have done once before in a child's cardigan. It needed quite a bit of concentration to start with to follow the twisted cables and motifs on the sleeves but the chart and written instructions were very detailed.  I have now divided at the underarms and the rest of the body is in stocking stitch so ideal for watching TV and knitting. The sleeves will be picked up and knit on DPNS.

I'm so keen to knit this cardi quickly that I took it to the hairdressers, so......
just for a laugh....

I have been trying to catch up with my English Country Garden BOM and have now almost made 9 of the 10 patterns released. Here are the latest blocks.

The pansy is cut out and prepared for some hand sewing on Tuesday 17th. My lovely Honey Bees are coming to lunch and I will be able to host the day more easily if I stick to the hand sewing. There may be 6 or 7 of us so I'm hoping the large Victorian boardroom table in the conservatory plus the kitchen island and table will be enough room for sewing machines and cutting boards.

Now for a photo of a stocking-filler present that my husband bought for me at Christmas.

It is a vintage thimble case made of cockle shells. The stripes are a pretty greenish colour.  I am not sure if this has been added or is natural. Mike thinks it may be Victorian. The thimble which was included is nothing special but does fit me. I think it is so sweet.

This week I'm linking to Wool on Sundays, Needle and Thread Thursday and Yarn-along. All links in the right side column.

Have a fun week.

Catherine

And the winner is.....GYB 2015 giveaway.

And now, the winner of my Grow Your Blog 2015 giveaway is............
........ you'll have to wait until the end of this post!!!!

I had an amazing day at the Cutting Edge group in Ystradowen, Vale of Glamorgan on Tuesday. I have been on the waiting list for the group for months and finally got a place. I'm so thrilled as the group is vibrant, creative and so friendly. Everyone was welcoming and the variety of projects was mind-blowing. Not only that, they run some fabulous teaching days with something to appeal to everyone; Heirloom sewing, you've got it, tiny angel shoes anyone?, yes, it's there. I'm not sure what to try first. The first day I decided to try and catch up with the English Country Garden BOM. I've fallen behind with about 4 blocks outstanding- blame Christmas and the 'flu. Prior to the day I made 3 pieced blocks and took the fabrics for 3 blocks but I did not allow for the fun and chatter so only completed one and finished another today.

So, ta dah! My 2 new appliqué blocks for the English Country Garden BOM.

The details of the BOM are over on Kerry's blog, Pennydog Patchwork. The current block is free until next month and then there is a very small charge. I've now done 7 of the first 10 blocks. I have the backgrounds done for the marigold and pansy and will tackle the inset circle of the dahlia block right at the end.

And so to the Grow Your Blog party. This year has been fantastic so thank you to Vicki for organising it again this year. I really urge people to check it out and consider joining in next January. If you scroll right down to the bottom of the linked page on Vicki's blog there are links to lots of interesting posts. I have visited lots of the blogs but I will be continuing to visit more and I have gained some lovely followers too. The best thing for me was to ask specifically for comments- what interests you in a blog, why would you follow etc? This has made the giveaway constructive as well as a pleasure to hold.

I have had 70 comments- absolutely amazing. I hope I managed to keep on top of answering everyone. If not I apologize. It did get a bit frantic at the beginning.

And the winner is no.17..........Diane E.W.  of "I dew quilting"  Mike shut his eyes and made the draw for me. Well done and congratulations to Diane! I'll be contacting you for your home address to send the Owl wall hanging kit.

Thank you to everyone who took precious time to comment and join in. You all made it special for me.

Catherine

Time flies (when you're having fun)

Where does the time go? I had not found the time to write a post for just over 2 weeks and I had been feeling terribly guilty. Then I remembered why I was blogging (as a diary of my quilting/crafting) and not necessarily for anyone else. It is wonderful that I have friends both in the real and the internet world who take the time to read and occasionally comment on what I have written. Please bear with me if there is a gap in my posts in the future. Life just gets chock a block full with some good things and then again, with some bad. This month has been particularly trying with health issues in my close family which are hard to deal with. However, I have kept busy with projects and support from friends.

Where to start?

I went to a fun UFO day with a local group called Cutting Edge in Ystradowen Village Hall.  There are photos of the day on the link. I had several small projects to finish including a Christmas stocking which needs to be ready for early December for a sewing bee competition. I did a simple quilted front and a saw-tooth star appliqué on the back. The stockings will be donated to the local children's hospital. I plan to trim the top with some white "fur" or gold ribbon when I get the time.

I am trying to keep up to date with the English Flower Garden BOM but I am still avoiding September's block as the background consisted of a set in circle. I'll leave that one until the New Year. Instead I went full steam ahead with October's block- a rose. The pieces have been applied with bondaweb and I machined the raw edges at Ystradowen. I am going to unpick it though as I do not like the spiky stitch I used. Too much talking and not enough thinking going on!
 I will probably do a fine blanket stitch by hand but it is still to be finished.

 I decided that I would make a Christmas tree quilt for the sitting room as I have had a charm pack of Aspen Frost by Basic Grey for Moda hanging around since last year. The fabric designs appealed as they were traditional but in a more modern colour palette.

I am teaming the Aspen Frost fabrics with a Kona Bay basic white which has a subtle white on white fleck(not sure what it is as I lost the selvedge). I found the pattern, Oh, Christmas Tree,  on the Moda Bakeshop website. It is simple yet effective and should be good to snuggle up under on the sofa in front of the fire.
The 4.5" HST blocks were made yesterday and trimmed to size. I will be sewing them together this afternoon.

I think this will be a fun quilt for the sofa. I just need to get the backing fabric and wadding now.

It was my birthday yesterday so I had a day off from sewing. Breakfast in bed with my cards and presents, pre-lunch fizz and canapés then a delicious lunch at Pier 64 in Penarth with friends. I am so lucky to have my lovely girl friends. Mike says I am not to get too used to the breakfast in bed!

And finally, I had almost forgotten about the fab giveaway I won when a package arrived from Vicki of A Quilter's Mission. The giveaway was to celebrate her 200th blog post. A pre-birthday surprise full of quilting treats just for me. Vicki had even made me a cute strawberry pincushion. Thank you so much, Vicki. I have followed Vicki's blog for a few months now. She posts regularly (unlike me, lol) and has a ton of fun finished projects and always something on the go.

  

Until the next time,

Catherine

Back to my crochet; it must be the end of Summer.

I have a crochet finish, a new crochet project and some progress on my English Country Garden appliqué BOM to report this week. Amazing really, as my parents visited for the week and we tried to get out most days.

Firstly, by appliqué fuchsia block for Kerry's BOM at Pennydog Patchwork

I decided to do this block by hand and I have all but finished it. The background was meant to be improv but I just used up my scraps. Is that more or less the same thing? Anyway I added in a bit of floral background too. The various blocks were taken in different lighting situations but I swear that they are all with the same background fabrics.
The stems and leaves are turned edge appliqué and the flowers are fusible appliqué. I will be finishing the flowers with some blanket stitch in embroidery silk and also embroidering the veins on the leaves. I was a bit behind as I ran out of fusible web and had to make a trip to our local patchwork shop in Llantrisant; The Patchwork House. The lovely owner Sue is really building up a great selection of fabrics as well as running workshops.

I'm really pleased with how the blocks are looking together.

UPDATE******
I finished the fuchsia flowers with blanket stitch. I had planned to sew the veins on the leaves but after I did one I decided it looked a bit ugly. I'll be doing some fmq on the leaves at the end.

Next my crochet bag which I have been making to keep my knitting/crochet projects in. It has been very nearly finished for weeks and I just had to sew the handles and buttons on.

The pattern is "Jolly Chunky Bag" designed by Lucy at Attic24
I'm sure there can be very few people who have not heard of this fabulous blog and resource. Lucy has so many followers for a very good reason. She has a fantastic eye for colour, a way with words and is a really nice person in the flesh too. I blogged about the materials for the bag here

I'm using the bag to store my latest crochet project, "Coast Ripple Blanket" which is also by Lucy. I'm using the same yarn colours that Lucy used too.  I love the idea of sea and skies. Wool Warehouse has put the Coast collection of 15 DK Stylecraft yarn colours together as a pack with the free pattern but the pattern is also free on Lucy's blog is you want to use different colours. Lucy has a full tutorial which I found very useful. The following photo is from Lucy's blog. I think it's beautiful.

So far I've managed 3 different colour wavy stripes. I am finding the pattern easy to do in the evening watching TV now I have mastered the ripple pattern.

I have only managed to do one more block of my Summer Breeze quilt due to the visitors but I hope to crack on with that on Monday.

Next week I'm off to Lampeter to search for fabrics for two new projects. One is for a workshop (a bag for my cutting board) and I need ideas for "Green Tea and Sweet Beans".

Challenging or what? More on that next week.


I'm linking up with Whoop Whoop and Building Blocks Tuesday









and on Sunday with

Have a great weekend,

Catherine

July applique block

Next week is going to be a bit manic with a party, a holiday and preparation for my parent's visit. I've spent two days sewing and have managed to cut all my fabric for the Summer Breeze quilt. I blogged about this here. An amazing amount of fabric for the queen size quilt has been reduced to various sized squares and rectangles and piecing has begun.

The pieces are all packed away for a couple of weeks and this afternoon I managed to finish the July block for the English Country Garden appliqué BOM. I had been waiting for some Heat n'Bond Featherlite as the flowers were much more intricate for this block and I did not feel I could manage needle turn appliqué. The background for the block was flying geese. I machine appliquéd the leaves, hand appliquéd the flower stem and crazy stippled the flowers. I thought that even a simple machine edging would make the individual florets look too heavy so just caught down most of the flowers with an uneven stipple. I'm pleased with how it turned out even if it is not as the experts would do it.

These are the four blocks I have completed.

The backgrounds all look slightly different in tone because of the lighting conditions when they were taken. I think it will be really pretty when I've finished and will probably have it in the conservatory during the winter to remind me of gorgeous spring and summer flowers. If you fancy having a go (and it's not too difficult) take a look at Kerry's blog. It has been really nice to have a small project like this which has a choice of techniques.

I also ordered a few fat quarters of Tanya Whelan's Barefoot Roses fabric and some perle thread from Cottonpatch. I think it may come in useful for making a rose block. I'm sure Kerry will include one (at least, I hope she does!)

Finally, I had a lovely card from Hugo and Vivi in the post today. I think Hugo may have added the bit on the left.

Tomorrow I intend to do some planning, a bit of ironing and shop for a few tops for Mike and a new dress for myself. Then I'll recover in the garden.

What great weather we are having. Enjoy the summer while it lasts. I'll be back in about 2 weeks.

Catherine

I'm linking up to SewCuteTuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts. There's so much great stuff there so take a look.




Also linking up to Building Blocks Tuesday at Quilter in the Closet



Linking up later in the month with PennyDog Patchwork

A Swarm in June is worth a silver spoon

It must be summer. We've had at least seven days of sun here in South Wales which is getting on for a record here. Today has been a scorcher.
The best news of the day so far is that we have bees again. Mike went to look at his hives this morning because he had seen a couple of dozen bees going into his empty hive over the last couple of days. He came back this morning to say he had seen a swarm in the hedge about 30 yards from the hives. Mike has never collected a swarm himself so rang our friend and neighbour Andy for advice. Both men went to have another look and no collection necessary. The bees had found their own way into the hive. A celebration beer for the men and rosé for Carole and I.

‘A swarm in May is worth a load of hay; a swarm in June is worth a silver spoon; but a swarm in July is not worth a fly’ 

 It was decided that our bottom field was ready to cut for hay so that began this morning. So we will have both a load of hay and hopefully some honey later in the year.

I needed a new challenge on the quilting front and decided to confront my demons. My first attempts at appliqué had been very poor and I needed to give it another go. 
Kerry at PennyDog Patchwork is running the English Country Garden BOM. The patterns are free for the first month of the BOM then available at her Craftsy shop for just less than £1 each. A bargain!
The BOM started a couple of months ago so I had to work on the first three blocks this weekend. The background fabrics are Lynette Anderson Bread and Butter and a fabric from my stash (unknown origin). The fabrics for the flowers are all from my stash so far but I may need to buy some red for a poppy or rose later.

I love the naive simplicity of the English bluebell design. The Sarah Raven book was a present from Mike last year. Possibly one of the best wild flower books I have seen.

Kerry's instructions include a number of ways to appliqué either by machine or hand. I traced the design pieces onto freezer paper, ironed this to fabric then cut the shapes with an approximate ¼"seam allowance. I clipped the curves and used Sewline fabric glue sparingly on the seam to form the shapes. These were placed and pinned on the 12½" block and I used a Mettler silk-finish 50 wt. thread to match the background (col. 725).

The only problem I have had so far has been turning seam allowance on the points without showing any excess fabric from the front. Any tips anyone? I'm just a bit concerned as July's pattern is a hyacinth and I presume the shapes will be like the bluebells but smaller.

The June block is an Iris and I have made a start with the log cabin background and cut the petal shapes for the Iris itself. I might do some sewing this evening once the house cools down.

I have been doing very little knitting or crochet due to the hot weather but I have almost finished a bag I am making from Lucy's pattern at Attic24. It is made with a chunky yarn - Bergère Magic+ in Brebis, Lichen, Colvert, Corail, Petrol and Criquet.  Just the handle to make now and then I will have a bag for my projects.

showing the bottom of the bag

The bag is fairly large so next time I will be following Lucy's pattern for her Jolly Chunky Bag which is smaller and neater. I will be using Lucy's collection of yarn colours in Stylecraft Chunky acrylic from Wool Warehouse which are in her typical bright palette. Have a look at the selection here This should work out a bit cheaper too than the Bergère yarn.

I'm linking up with Catherine at Knotted Cotton for the Slow Bloggers linky and with Janine at Rainbow Hare Quilts for Wool on Sundays. All those of you who sometimes feel pressured to blog need to look at the Slow Bloggers manifesto! Janine has been making the most amazing jointed cloth doll family and there are always lovely project links.

I'll also be joining in the Sew Darn Crafty Linky party when it starts later today

and also joining for the first time

Have a wonderful week and keep your fingers crossed that it remains sunny to dry our hay.

Catherine

***** UPDATE*****
I was too late to join the Slow Bloggers Linky but please check it out as it is being hosted by Martha at Weekend Doings. Talk about SLOW!
The manifesto for the Slow Bloggers though is on Knotted Cotton. Take a peek.