Work in Progress

I've been quite busy over the past few  working on my sketchbooks.  I'm not very good as I really can't draw but I hoping that if I keep trying maybe.......  One thing I forgot to mention in my last posting was that the Sketchbook Challenge has a monthly theme and January's was "Highly Prized".  I realised that I hadn't said in my sketchbook what it was that I prize highly - its freedom to move.  Over the past couple of years as you will no doubt be aware Keith has had real problems walking.  The op on his back has worked really well and now he can walk almost as far as I can   It's not ntil you loose the ability to get about without pain that you  appreciate the freedom to move.   Walk in the woods is a symbole of mobility.

Now for some scribbles:

Just playing, the sun was out and I had been out tidying the rubbish in the garden.

Our guild has drawn Uganda as its country for the Olympic Postcard Project and I've been tasked with co-ordinating the project.   I found out that Uganda has lions that can climb trees.

I came into the room to find Buster asleep, yet again and thought what a life he has, eating, sleeping, playing, walking and guarding his people and terrorising the local cats.  No wonder my Mum always maintained that she wanted to be reincarnated as a lap dog.

Since I saw the Sarah Vedeler quilt at the FOQ on the Quilt Direct stand I've lusted after her designs but unfortunately they are way out of my pocket money league.  Then I had a 'what if' moment.  Could I do something similar,  obviously not copy her designs but digitize embroidery to match some of the dies I have with my Accuquilt GO cutter.    So after many hours of making mistakes I finally managed to produce a design that will fit on the middle sized GO heart.   On the right you can see the design sewn out onto fabric and on the left (blue) you can see it  embroidered on an applique heart using the die cutter.  I used the wrong thread weight on the appliqued shape but now I've got the hang of things I'm going to have another go at digitizing other GO shapes.

Two beautiful cards arrived over the last few days from the Surface Design Group.  First  one (above) is from Normal Riehm called Winter Storm.   The second one (below) is a mixed media piece from Deb Cragan and has just about every technique you can think of.

Finally this is for Keith's friend Dave who I know reads my blog.  Thank you Dave for helping Keith with the electrics in his 'shed' and sorry the roof kept banging your head, next time we'll lower the floor.

Well I've done it now

I've signed up for the Sketchbook Challenge, see button on sidebar for details.  I keep a journal when travelling, mainly because I forget where we've been and seen unless I write it down.  I also try to do a bit of art journaling but not very successfully.  Each year I tell myself I WILL keep a sketchbook, I used to when I was doing C&G but then got out of the habit. I can't draw two sides of a bottle the same shape but I thought have a go, what have I to loose but my dignity and I don't have much of that.  I have done several pages and none of them are very good.  I started by spray dyeing the pages with Arondack Colour Wash, some pages were sprayed over templates others just to take the blank look off them. 

 I've also received a bumper crop of postcards today, the first two are the 'Handstitched' theme cards from Surface Design.

 Love this simple card from Francoise who says her unkempt garden was her inspiration.

 Dayle who is new to the group, made this simple but striking card by embellishing the background fabric.

 The last two are 'New Beginnings' the one above is from Helen in Hume and is of Janus, RomanGod of doorways new New Starts, very apt.  Helen has printed it onto tshirt fabric I think and added sequins in different shapes.

This last card is from Jan Simmons who said that the Koru is a traditional Maori design which represents the fern frond.  As the fern frond opens it brings new life and purity to the world.  Jan has felted the 'fern' onto a printed/stamped background.

Our house is a pigsty at the moment as Keith has filled it with wire, plugs and all sorts of different electrical bits and bobs.  For tomorrow Keith and his friend are putting a permanent electricy supply to his 'shed' rather than running an extension which is what he has been doing. I think tomorrow I might go into town out of the way.

Been watching some qilting videos on Ebony Love's web site.  Ebony uses the Accuquilt Go cutters in her quiltmaking and has several showing how to use them, her site is well worth a visit though for everyone interested in quilting.  Her blog is also very enjoyable and can be found here.

BQLPC Postcards

Keith went off to his woodworking club on Saturday and came back with a large pizza cutter.  He actually only made the handle but we  don't eat pizza very often so I'll have to buy one so we can use it.  While he was out I made a start on the January swaps I'd put my name down for on BQLPC.  

 Music is the first swap with BQLPC I used a machine embroidery pattern of a bookmark and turned it into am embroidered tile for the middle of the card.  Not a lot of skill really but it took ages to sew out and by the time I'd done three I wish I'd done something else.  My brother used to sing in the church choir and I remember going to hear him sing a solo once, it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.  He still sings with a group but its R&B now.

 My second and last swap this month was again with BQLPC with a theme of New Beginnings.  My interpretation is the 'Race' for a new beginning with the smallest and largest cells in the human body.  On the  address side I've put a clipart of a baby to indicate that the race was won and a 'new beginning' has begun. I cut a circle, bonded it then quilted it, cut out sperm cell heads appliqued them down then using a zigzag stitch made their tails.

Alice Gray's interpretation of 'new beginnings' is this rather fetching bulb.  Alice has painted the centre and round the sides are embroidered the word 'Spring'. 

The Winter themed swap on Surface Design Yahoo Group also brought lots of different interpretations.  This snow globe was made by Sue Cox.  Inside the globe are a pair of ice skates and clear crystal beads turning the globe into a shaker card.

Block 7 of SHRR

I received two postcards this morning, the first 'Handstitched' from Pauline and the second 'New Beginnings from Liz.  My 'Handstitched went out yesterday but I have yet to finish my 'New Beginnings'.

One thing I have finished is Block 7 of Kate North's 'Stay at Home Round Robin'  It's not quite to Kates stated dimensions and I hope she forgives me for that.  We had to make three blocks, two 5" x 5" and one 5" x 6".   All three of mine are 5"x6".  That is due to the fact that my quilt top is slightly out and would have needed drastic trimming to fit the given sizes.   I think this is the last block and further instructions will be given for quilting/embellishing etc next month.  I look forward to seeing what Kate has in mind.

We were sick of being in the house today and I fanced a trip to my 'local' quilt shop to see what was new.  The trip takes us close to the North York Moors.  Today even though everything was sort of colourless green/brown they still give me a lift.

These are actually the Hambleton Hills on the outer edge of the moors.

I love the trees at this time of the year.  The leaves may have all gone but now you can see how beautiful the tree skelton is.   Again a backdrop of the moors but this time nearer the Cleveland Hills.

A well know spot on the NY Moors is Roseberry Topping just outside of Guisborough where my quilt shop is situated.  Every time we go past the colours are different.  Joe Cornish, a local photographer has some absolutely stunning photos of Roseberry Topping, I just wish mine came within a hairs breath of his.

What I did on holiday

What I did on holiday....
I was taking part in a 'handstitched' swap on Surface Design so took fabric to do the middle bits on these three above.  The top one is based on buttonhole stitch, the reddish one on the left is based on cast-on stitch and the one on the right bullion knots.

Did I tell you we had a name change while in Ireland?  Well the locals called us Han-nut and Keet and after a while everyone was calling us that.  Now we're back home we back to Annette and Keith though. 

Bought a small heater today for my workroom.  There is a radiator in the room but the low temperatures we've been having recently it was too cold to work in the room.   Now I have the extra heating the temperature has risen to 11C.  Mind I can't blame the cold for my lack of creativity, my creative fairy must not have liked the cold either for I've done absolutely nothing for days now.   Tomorrow though I've freed up almost a whole day to play so we'll have to see what happens.

A few more Irish photos

I can hear you saying "that's not an Irish photo" but Buster was born in Ireland so I think it counts.   Buster watching cats on the telly.

We were surprised at the number of yellow houses until we were told they were painted the 'papal yellow' for the pope's visit.  We found one that wasn't yellow though.

New Years day we went for a tour of the Beara Pennisula via the mountain road.  This is the County Cork side.

Viewing platform at the top

And down the other side into County Kerry.  I'm sure its beautiful in the sun.

We stopped off at the Leprechaun Inn for a drink on the way back.

Keith wanted to take the beer pump home but the driver said he couldn't as everyone would want one and there wasn't room.

I bet you think I haven't done any sewing recently, well you'd be almost right but not completely.  I did take some to do while on the ferry.  Three and a half hours is a long time with nothing to play with.  Tomorrow I'll show you what I did.

One thing I have done though is join the mug rug swap on the Quilting Gallery its open until 18th January if anyone wants to join in.

Happy New Year and what is 2011 going to bring

We spent New Year in Southern Ireland, at one point I wasn't sure whether I would feel well enough to go but I was and did.   In one respect its a pity my first visit was at this time of the year.   You know how it is, after the snow comes the muck and unfortunately that's what we saw - the detrius of weather.   It's the sleeping time of year where life is under the surface leaving the surface a bit dreary and that's what we saw.  Having said that the hotel was lovely, the food was great and plentiful and the people were lovely, friendly and warm in their welcome.  Perhaps we'll go again when the sun shines.



This is our holiday hotel, the Eccles in Glengarriff in South West Cork.



The view of Bantry Bay from our hotel window

There were plenty of birds to be seen on the seashore.

We thought we might go and have a look round the village one morning so we started from the dead centre.

We soon found our directions

to the nearest point of interest

On the way back we were fascinated watching the fishermen putting one of their boats into the water.   It had to be lifted off dry land and over the blue boat.

I should tell you that Santa brought me a new camera a Fuji T300 XTR with a much bigger zoom than my panasonic.   Only problem came when I tried to upload my photos but I've solved that now and tomorrow I'll post some more photos of our holiday.

Done nothing for the last couple of weeks

The reason for my inactivity is I've been quite ill in bed for over a week.  New meds for diabetes really messed me up and after several hospital/GP visits I'm finally on the med (minus the new meds).  The medication (new to me but one in general use) severely irritated the whole of my digestive system that it was thought I'd developed Crohnes disease (just what I wanted before Xmas!!).  Hopefully I should feel much better before we go to Ireland on Wednesday.  The only place I thought I was going was the hospital!!!
As a consequence I've done very little sewing but will make an effort once we get back from Ireland.  Been all over the world but never been to Ireland so really looking forward going.

Buster isn't keen on the Christmas tree, the twinkling lights keep waking him up but tomorrow I hope to feel fit enough to bake him a batch of biscuits to cheer him up.   I bought a special bone shaped cutter just for him.  Off to bed now to do some further recuperating and to be nearer the smallest room!!!

Last Journal Page finished

The December Journal Page for the Contemporary Quilt Group 2010 challenge is now complete.  Following the 'diary' theme of the other journal pages this one reflects the heavy snow we've had here in the North East.  I took this picture on the first day of the snow when we took Buster for his walk in the woods.  By the following day the snow was so deep it was impossible to get there.  Using Photoshop I cropped the photo and printed it onto fabric then threadpainted it in black and a sparkly white thread from Maderia one of the FS (diamond) threads.  When I'd finished it didn't quite catch the sparkle the frost had created on the snow so I painted it with a bit of glitter glue.  It doesn't show up in the photo.  I think I may have put a bit too much on but its too late now to alter.  Just got labels to put on all the quilts and I'm looking forward to next years challenge.



Bling card, lots of glitter on this one.  I thought I'd withdrawn from this swap as there were a lot of people in it, far too many for me to contemplating making cards for.  However, two turned up on my doorstep.  I am quite happy to swap with two ladies so this is my Bling swap.



I've been following one of the on-line projects from the Bernina site specifically written for my 830.  Its a fairly easy project but I've not used the endless function before so enjoyed making it.  The top is one of the designs on the machine, copied and flipped, the ribbon is multiple buttonholes made using the embroidery machine and the bottom a single motif multipied using the endless funtion.



Finally I've finished block six of Kate North's 'Stay at Home Round Robin"  We had to make two blocks for the lefthand side, one 3"x 9" and the other 4" x 3"  My quilt is at the moment not quite true to size and I think I may have to trim it before too long.

The vast majority of snow has now gone and its safe to walk the streets again.  Only problem is more is forecast for tomorrow.  If we get snowed in again then I might even get more sewing done.



Look what the snow has done to my garden swing



The first day's snow has landed.




After two weeks of snow which froze my poor garden swing canopy surrended to the inevitable.  Lots of gutters and drain pipes have also come down.  We've been lucky in that respect but had some rather dangerous looking icicles hanging from the our gutters.



My first attempt at making snap bags using bits of metal tape from one of those carpenters retracting rules.  Keith was very good he gave up one of his many metal tapes without too much arm twisting.  My friend Ann sent me the pattern and although I can't actually share that with you I could if any one is interested show you how the metal tape acts as a snap fastener.

I admit that the cold weather has made me want to hibernate but once I found a warm spot to sew in I made this lap quilt.  I wanted one to throw ovr the settee that I could whip off and wrap myself up in when the NE wind whistled round the doors.

This is a close up of the quilt pattern.  Pretty easy stuff but its a while since I made anything larger than a placemat so I was quite pleased with it.  I cut out the squares and circles using my Go cutter and found it really easy to use.   I'm hoping for more dies for christmas, so do you hear me Santa I've been a good girl?

The back of the quilt is fleece and I had several bits left over, enough for this small cushion and perhaps a larger one.  I used left over strips from the quilt border to match with the quilt.   Now all I have to do is keep the dog off it.



It's been really cold over the past few weeks and taking Buster for his walks has been a real effort.   He loves to run but the only places you can let him off the lead are all about a mile away from home.   So its quite an effort getting to the start of the walk.  Buster didn't mind in the least, he loves the snow, thinks its good to eat but is puzzled by the yellow bits, he has to inspect every one!!.  

Yesterday we took a walk across the fields, big mistake, I was knee deep in snow, over the top of my wellies and Buster leapt about like a demented rabbit. The snow was so deep it came half way up his back and he kept getting lost in snowdrifts. Back home I was cold, wet and short of breath, he fell asleep immediately and snored the rest of the morning away.   We've had several days without post and I felt sorry for the postman yesterday when he did get through as his bag looked very heavy.  We've now had two days where the temperature has been above freezing  but this has made walking treacherous. Today Buster's walk was cut short, very short as I came a cropper within five minutes of stepping over the doorstep.  Not hurt, apart from my pride, I just got a wet bottom and a warm lick from Buster.

Guess who's come to stay?

Meet Monty my new microwaveable pal, Sy and Julie gave him to me because I'd complained I was cold.

Isn't he cute, far too lovely to put in the microwave, he just sits on the radiator or beside my sewing machine and keeps me company.



 I've decided to give Rug Mugs to my friends this Christmas instead of cards.  These six are going to a group I sew with so I wanted them to be very similar.  They took me longer to make than I had anticipated and by the time I'd sewn all the bindings on my finger was sore.

 More Black and White cards from the BQLPC group, these two are from Pauline C (top) and Michelle (bottom).

 The next four are again from the BQLPC group but the theme this time is 'windows'.  At the top are Helen Pearson's cathedral windows and Lesley's Office Lights card.

The bottom two are 'Let us Out' windows from Pauline C and Boutique window from Janet B.

I think that's almost it for fabric postcards for this year, just one to get made in time for a deadline of early January so I've not got any excuse for not getting on with the lap quilts I'm trying to get finished.



We were supposed to be going to the K&S show in Harrogate this weekend, first it we were going to go Saturday then we changed our minds thinking it would be less crowded on Sunday.  Then we woke up to snow and a forecast of doom and gloom getting worse on Sunday so we finally set off this morning.  We got as far as the outskirts of the town when we heard the link road to the A1 was closed.  As we'd had to fight our way to the edge of town, the gritters hadn't been out last night and the ice under the fresh snow made it difficult driving, we decided it was too risky to try so we returned home. It was just as well because we've had some really harsh weather today and unless you need to go out the police are advising that you stay indoors.  I'll look forward to going next year now. 

I went to the opticians yesterday for a pair of close work glasses and got a bit of a shock.  It appears that I've developed some sort of cyst at the bottom of my retina that has loosened one of the layers of the retina.  Something called a retinoschisis.  Apparently its fairly common, does no real damage unless it grows too big but there  I was expecting to buy some sexy new glasses and ended up with a referral to the hospital.  Life sometimes sucks.  On the positive side I've nearly got all my Christmas present sorted out, just a couple to go.