The weather...the garden and 4 posts to go!

The weather this morning looked very glum! However my mood was not!

I have a short story to tell before revealing the pictures. In April I placed an order with this shop....I ordered 2 bundles of fabric which I was told would come in separate packages. A week after ordering I received one of the packages....I waited for the other to arrive....only it never did. I contacted the store owner to see what could have happened. She told me they always get separated at the customs office and she'd keep an eye out to see if it would be sent back to her.
Moving to this month. The package still hasn't come or been sent back to her. So very kindly she offered to send me the fabrics I'd ordered again. Some prints were unavailable so I chose some new ones. She sent me the tracking number, which I used to see the progress and This morning my package came!
Neither of us have any idea what happened to the last package and why it never showed up to me or back to the store.
So here is my new fabric....no more money spent so keeping to my ban!

I'll put the fabrics onto my fabric page at the weekend so you can have a look at the prints there. I will say I got some prints from Collections and Designers such as ; Ann Kelle. Momo. Reunion. Indian Summer. Scoot. Hoo's in the Forest. LouLouThi. Peak hour. Riley Blake. Freshcut.  Circa. Dr Seuss......

As I mentioned yesterday I got some new books and sewing items to add to my growing collections

1.How to be popular-Meg Cabot. 2.Finding Violet Park-Jenny Valentine. 3. Candyfloss-Jacqueline Wilson.  4.Air head-Meg Cabot
Sewing items...hook and loop tape....glass head needles....needles with a cool case...wide hemming web...metal bobbins and  dress maker scissors.

We went out in the garden for a few hours too. Weeding and planting. I took some breaks to get some painting done on my last 'Page'

Now all to do is sew down the Polaroid frames and some sashing...

Mother needed me to make her a badge as she is having a Jubilee thing at work tomorrow(by the time you read this it will be my early hours of the morning..) so I made this

She has since pinned it to her RWB outfit top.

I also managed to get my BOM block done before the month ended

All 3 so far. This BOM started in March. You still have time to join in too.

To end this month and begin the new one a short tutorial on how I made my HSTs

1. Sew 5" by any width divisible by 5 together down both sides Right sides together.
Mark lines on each 5" increment. Sew down each side of the marked pencil line using it as a guide to place your machine foot. Do not cut the thread.
Lift the foot and move the fabric to the next line and sew. Make sure you sew both ends too.

2. Cut down each marked pencil line to get a 5" square

3. Cut diagonally through the center.
4. Then again in the opposite direction

5. Fold out your HSTs and press
6. Trim down to a 3" square.

Done 4 HST's in half the time

I hope that makes sense. If you have any questions please ask.

Well Thanks for staying with me in May! June will be even more exciting. I have a giveaway next Monday to celebrate 150 posts and some exciting new projects.
I'll be back later with my May review =D

The Dentist,The HSTs, The Party, More HSTs and Me

Yup that's a general breakdown of my day.
First off there are spots and new sign ups for these swap groups
RATZ , Modernista, ALFALC, My Goodie Bag,  And this swap is possibly going to have a new one in June MSM
 

A fun trip to the dentist who said I needed to be referred to the hospital to have my back molars checked out and they'll see me in 6 months! Does anyone else come out after a check up, having their teeth cleaned only they feel quite gross and you have that horrible rinse water taste in your mouth?

After my Dentist trip I caught the bus into the small town. I waltzed through the shops and bought some books...and sewing stuff...pictures will be tomorrow!

Getting back home I continued trimming those HSTs courtesy of Father... Upon the recount there were 152 not 144..

This was the done pile from yesterday

The to do piles

 I cut six on the board at a time

Then at 20 past 3 the Older Giant and I went to a Jubilee party at the Younger Giants school/6th Form College...I was deeply offended when A. A student thought we were his parents!...B.The receptionist said we could be his Aunt and Uncle....Errr try Brother and Sister people! People always claim I look 16....try adding 6 years to that!
She was lucky she was behind the counter. .......The 'Party' consisted of the four...members of cooking club and their family members....A small, yet fun gathering (good as I don't like large groups much) We had a laugh, some teachers came down to grab some food and join in the fun. We were surprisingly there for over 2 hours!

Arriving back home was on to more cutting. The 152 HSTs done!....with the trimmings....

The D16 quilts ready for quilting...once I figure out a pattern...

I sorted the HSTs by colour range then took one from each pile in a round until I had 36. I got four piles from this for the cushion tops....the backing will be a whole other fabric story....

With the 8 remaining I sorted them into this...with some borders it could become a very mini..mini......

The Me part was relaxing after all that cutting..I was going to read a book, but oddly enough it was dinner time, by the time I was done sorting and such...

I won't sew these tomorrow. I need a break from them. I'll do my BOM block though so it's done before the month ends..=D

For the love of HSTs!

Today the weather started off overcast! My kind of day! Nice and cool.

I started my day by clearing up my fabrics. I had a large pile of sheets and pillow cases sitting next to my desk which was annoying me, so I put them into a tub under the bed and out of my way! The table now has my WIPs so they are nearer to me.

I borrowed my Folks bed space to use to measure the backing for my D16 quilt tops...I had to iron the backing as it was more creased than expected..it was folded all that time and magically with loads of creases...Very odd.
I went with the colours of the sashing. Some nice plain backs...no fancy prints. Both bedsheets. I haven't taken pictures...I shall tomorrow.

I noticed the fabric I had coloured somehow got wet and the colours had faded and blotched. So thinking quickly I grabbed my Acrylic paints

I had to paint out the whole butterfly and add in the details best as. I was not amused!

With Father's not so bright idea and fabrics cut I started sewing the strips to make HSTs. 5" strips by various lengths. Sew down both sides. Mark at 5" increments. Sew on either side of the marked line not taking the thread off the machine....The pictures help explain. If you have any questions on this please ask.

I got Father to so the cutting...as I have to do all the sewing...then the trimming once the HSTs are cut....they make 3" squares after. You get 4 from one 5" block cut through in an X. He even Ironed them all ready for me to trim down...all 144 of them.....


This is not I repeat NOT FMQ. I actually did it with my regular sewing foot whilst Father was taking his sweet time using the iron. I was thinking of doing this pattern on my D16 quilts...not sure yet. The fabric was easy to move at least. Any thoughts or ideas?

Then as Father was still using the iron! I finally made a start on my BOM block for Quilt Story... I needed to iron it fist so yeah.....This months theme is hourglass.

Tomorrow once ironed I can get this sewn before the month ends! I also have to take a trip to the dentist....at least my appointment is early (10.15) Whilst in that side of town I can check out the charity shops and see what I can find =D

That Blah feeling!

The weather has not been helping my mood at all! I hate the heat. There I said it and truth be told I'll say it again....I HATE THE HEAT!!!

Why?
It makes me feel very sick as it goes straight to my head and I end up feeling dizzy a lot of the time even when sitting down.
The house becomes so hot it's impossible to actually want to do anything..cooking Blah!
It is so very hard to concentrate on anything whilst feeling dizzy.
The sick feeling is constant....drinking doesn't help much either.
Sewing becomes much slower as using the iron...which has a very annoying steam function that doesn't seem to switch off is a pain.

I'm waiting for the cool weather. The one were it's practical to do things!

So on to today.

We went food shopping as usual and Tesco was like a traffic jam! I hate shopping at the best of times so today was not a good shopping day! I was very annoyed at the people standing in the way constantly and acting like they could neither see nor hear you. The people not looking where they were actually going and crashing into you!
Just because there is nice weather gives them no excuse to rush to the shops and get in the way! Usually Tesco is far less busy!

We went into a charity shop before grabbing lunch and I found this piece of fabric...It may be a half meter or so piece for just 50p! The weather must be affecting me because its floral! Mind you It may go nicely with that vintage brown case I bought....providing there's any of it left...or perhaps the one I used as backing for the heart pillows..

My new nemesis is mini binding! I hate it with a deep burning passion. I was counting down each pair as I went, I looked for a longer needle to make it go quicker. Could I find one!

Then came the next steps sewing down those pesky pockets and then making smaller pockets in one side. This was simpler. Jano decided to be my friend today! He made a wise choice...
I asked Mother if she could cut the wadding...she did a fine job! I need to get some leather thongs....or maybe ribbon...hmmmmm

I moved on with my new bag! I sewed darts! They were much simpler than I thought they would be and when I measured them, were all the same size! Result! As I told you in yesterdays post I have now cut the fabric for the pockets...Oh I even found the what the yellow fabric is see here. It was very tempting for me to order more, but I did not!

It's coming along nicely! I just have to get some magnets....The effort to order some! I'll have to pop out the road to the not 'Pound Tree' and see if they have any.. Oh I also have to find a fabric for the handles...yes....hmmmmm. looks like a little stash raiding will be in order tomorrow...

I have another driving lesson tomorrow actually. Luckily It's not until 4 so I have some time before hand to cut fabric and do some light sewing. Last week I bought my hexies with me. When the Older Giant was driving I was sewing in the back. I really need to finish that panel!

OK Bye *waves*

The great Disappearing Act

Today was a great sewing day..mail day but not so much movie day!

In the mail this morning I received this! Bought Here....I notice the price has dropped by 2p!!

The Older Giant and I sat and watched Haywire. To be fair I thought with the glowing reviews that it would be much better. My rating for it is 2 out of 5. For all movies I see I'd say watch them for yourselves and see whether or not you like it. It might be your kind of movie or it may not be. 

After the movie I finally made a start on the Disappearing 16 patch quilt I've had sitting for some time waiting to be sewn (cough since march cough!) I had all the blocks made and the sashing all prepared...I was just busy making other things....So here is the first quilt top

I have another one to do, the blocks are cut as well as the sashing for the blocks....just not to go around it. I thought not going with too much white. The blue fabric is a bed sheet I got at a charity shop. The white is actually also a bed sheet! (yes at times I can be a cheapskate!). 

It went together pretty quickly. Gotta love chain piecing. I'll maybe have it backed and ready for quilting by the end of the week....but most of you know me by now and I like to have various projects on the go!

I'm making another quilt for myself as I still have some MAM prints left....I may also make a scrappy bag too....and a pouch to go inside the bag.....So if anyone has some great bag tutorials they'd like to share it would be much appreciated =D

Screaming on the inside!

So lately I haven't been feeling too great. My right arm is hurting more and more each day, right from my elbow going up...maybe I have sewers elbow...providing there is such a thing. I decided not to do the carnival as you had to do 2 days and there was no option to do just the one. With just me sewing I would of had to make a boat load of things which I know I wouldn't be able to manage.
I know you may read my posts and think wow that's a lot of things, I tend to waste a lot of time thinking and procrastinating actually so it's a wonder I get anything done!

Today I felt worse the pain is increasing, but I've been trying not to think about it as I love sewing too much to stop. I don't really want to take any tablets and I know that's what the doctor will say to do. Then to top off not feeling so great I saw this email.

Delivery information, 

We couldn’t deliver your parcel at your address.
Status\An error at the delivery address.

LOCATION:Tempe 
PARCEL STATUS: sort order 
SERVICE: Standard Shipping 
NUMBER OF YOUR PARCEL:U696327814NU 
FEATURES: No 

Postal label is enclosed to the letter.
Print your label and show it in the nearest post office of USPS 

Attention!
If the parcel isn’t received within 30 working days our company will have the right to claim compensation from you for it's keeping in the amount of $13.34 for each day of keeping over limited time. 

You can find the information about the procedure and conditions of parcels keeping in the nearest office. 

Thank you.
USPS Express Services.


I don't know what to do. I'm in the UK so is there even a way for me to get it? I don't want to end up getting charged. It won't let me print the supposed label either as a virus is on it! I've written to the person I think the parcel is from, but I'm not sure if even they can get it back!

In some slightly better news

More Charity shop buys

Today we were sent home from work early......again....they have also terminated my temporary contract, due to there not being much work. My last day is this Friday 23rd! *Sigh* Time to find a new job....anyone know any good ones going in the UK.....I'd love to work in a fabric shop! Good thing I saved some money up =D

My dear friend Fi and I came up with the idea to open our own online shop....this won't be until next year however as we're taking this year to build up some money...make the items we want to sell and gain some perspective in the selling world. We know what we want to sell-Handmade items...most of mine sewn and hers will be cool candles and picture items.
So I've been looking around for some interesting glasses to use for the candles..We plan to make jelly candles as well as wax ones!

So onto the glasses....they ranged from 20p to 30p each. The glasses in the last picture have one more in each glass..

I also got a few buttons from the charity shop! 5p each!!

Charity shop finds.

So as well as shopping online to buy designer fabrics, I've also decided to look in charity shops too. Mainly as they always have random clothing or bedding etc in them that can be cut up and used for crafting purposes.
There are a range of them in my small town center, each with varied prices on their items. I think the cheapest so far has been in my actual town center, but hey they can't all have the same prices.
So today whilst mooching around the charity shops, and oddly spending way more time in them than expected I found these few things.

Book, which has some really helpful techniques, then the rest of the book  is pictures and information on quilts made using those techniques. 

Front of a pillowcase, I'll be using this to make my first quilt =D

The back of the pillow case above. Also will be using squares from this=D

Another pillow case. This one is rather large. Will use it for a little girls quilt 

These were the main things that caught my attention and the cases weren't part of a set. There were actual duvet sets, but they weren't as suitable as the patterns on them were too loud. I was tempted to get some valet sheets to use as backing. May have to venture back there one week and buy some....Or go to Primark on a town venture. Their items are always fairly reasonable in pricing.