Ta da!

Finished the aqua and red quilt and feeling quite pleased with myself.

Starting to get the hang of it!

Vintage embroidery baby quilt for my neighbour.

 Aqua and red quilt top

Cook's assistant

Finished baby quilt

If I fits...

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These are the latest 2 quilts I have done, I think they are getting much better with practise. I started disassembling one that I made about 6 months ago and I could see how much Ive improved technically in that time. Did the binding slightly different on Amy's quilt using a tut from Sometimes Crafter blogspot which was really helpful - http://sometimescrafter.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/binding-tutorial-attaching-it-to-back.htm.

My glamorous assistant Molly helped with cooking and embroidery as you can see!

Baby quilt

I think I'm getting better at this. I had planned to give this to my neighbour when her baby is born but I have made a mistake with the binding and left a raw edge which would fray after washing. So Ive started another redwork pattern to make another one.
Apart from the mistake I'm pleased with it, it's far from perfect but this has been such a steep learning curve I'm willing to briefly silence that inner voice that is our most ruthless critic!

Subversive embroidery -don't read if easily offended

I love the idea of combining a traditionally lady-like craft with subversive sentiments - also good for learning to embroider cursive (haha curse-ive!)

I'm now working on some more traditional designs to be made in to quilt blocks - no swearing. Above is my gorgeous new fabric from fabricinspirations.co.uk - must give them a plug their service is exceptional.

What Ho Jeeves

Went on holiday with my husband to Dorset last week, we made a decision not to take laptops and would you believe it both started reading again! I bought Carry on Jeeves in a secondhand book shop and discovered a joy I have been missing all these years. I laughed so much in the hotel bar whilst reading I think people thought I was drunk.

The sea swirling around The Cob at Lyme Regis

Lovely old coach we saw on the way

New Forest ponies

A little patriotic corner of my kitchen for the Jubilee

It's been too long...

I havent blogged in almost a year because I forgot my password! How pathetic (not to mention lazy).
I have to admit my Pinterest obssession may also be slightly to blame!
Anyways what's new? I have taken a temporary break from knitting to try my hand at quilting. It's harder than it looks!

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Here are my first attempts.
I have done these using pre-cuts, charm squares and layer cakes, and used part of a jelly roll to sash the turquoise one. I'm now learning to cut and build my own blocks.

There is such a wealth of information on the net, I cannot get over how generous people are to share their knowledge for free.

Best sites I've found so far are http://incompetech.com/graphpaper for free hexie paper,
http://sewhappygeek.co.uk/index.php/tag/hexies-tutorial/ for how to make hexies, Missouri Star quilt company videos on youtube - they are so enthusiastic! http://nanacompany.typepad.com/nanacompany/ for pure inspiration.

Lots and lots of links through Pinterest too.