Neglecting the blog!

Oh dear. It's been a while and believe me I have been sewing like a mad woman on caffeine....Only without the caffeine!
I've been instagramming as its so much easier to snap a picture and post it for all to see...
I have returned to share some pictures of the progress made. I don't like how you can't take your own pictures to use from instagram off the internet....weird!!!
I've rambled enough take a look for yourselves..

I've been cake decorating with Father making this Cake for Mother dearest!

Layout done and being sewn for the BerryIndieRomance quilt! Love these fabrics!! Glad I have some leftover pieces...They could become a cushion cover....

Decided on the layout for the Citrus berry quilt and also already have a backing quilt fabric for that too...So practical me!

I then thought to myself I'm making all these quilts to be sold...But nothing for myself to keep. So I pulled out all my Lotta Jansdotter stash and set to work on a HST quilt of my very own...It's going to be big!!

This is the first one I made for myself..Plus quilt with a few thrown in extras...this lives in the front room downstairs and has served us well on the cold nights.

The back of the quilt was just a simple rail fence design. It seemed to cruel to make the bars any smaller. Had to show off those prints!!

I also made myself quite some time ago now a large zippered pouch. Which contains my stash of EPP!

I set to work on My Lotta quilt. Making HST's the easy way...... 130 blocks! 6" in size

I then joined a fun looking Instagram swap.....

I'll be sewing the quilt tops soon. Deciding on a layout for the Lotta quilt and Making further Purge projects

Watch this space!!

Cherie =]

The stars are bright tonight.....

It's only me again with yet more finishes to share. I'm running out of things to make now! My WIP pile is going down....anyone have some quick makes they would like to share?  Comment them here. =1 Here it's 10pm so my title makes sense in this part of the world!

I started these when I was recovering from my operation. I was bored during the day and these passed the time perfectly/ Mind you the shapes were already basted...it was just the case of sewing...more sewing....stuffing....even more sewing....buttoning and they were done!

I do love pincushions and they can be made in such fun shapes!

I've rambled long enough....See you all later

Cherie! =]

A Few Finishes...

So I said I would be back soon and here I am! Yes two posts in one week! I'm getting there. I would have posted yesterday, but I went to bed earlier than usual.

I did get some finishes in yesterday however.

Here's how they started

Then them finished. It's great what you can do when you put your mind to it! I think I procrastinate so much so when it comes down it I just get on with things all at once. Those snaps in the last picture belong to the HST cushions from Wednesday's post

Wednesday evening Mother made Red Velvet Cupcakes. I helped her with the piping of the icing. She took them to work Yesterday. She said everyone was saying she should make more and some for Christmas....They were fairly quick to make. I may even make some to take to work.

Today I relaxed and tried out a thrown together pattern of something I've wanted to try for a while now. I had some scrap fabric sitting around. I also rooted through the scrap draws. Those scraps became this little thing

By no means was it meant to be neat and tidy. After all they were just scraps. It sits on Mother's dressing table. She said I could make them and use them as little scent bags for wardrobes or drawers. I plan to make some more in the near future as my WIP pile is pretty much clear. I can start some new projects. I think I have enough cushion covers!!

I'll make some more pouches me thinks. I have a lot of snaps left...Velcro...I can use the drawstring method...I have zippers....

Some more pincushions as you can never have too many! Hmmm then I have to have a good old think on what else to make...

Siya'll later. =D

Finding my Sewjo

So these past weeks I have been awfully quiet, rarely blogging or even blog reading for that matter. Truth is I just lost the will to blog. I would think about it then just not bother. Even with a mound of things to be sharing I just didn't have the heart.

My camera is overflowing with pictures and yet hardly any have reached the blog. There are certain points where my mind gives up on itself and the will to do anything is lost. Things are left untouched and I find myself in front of the TV not really watching it. Well except on certain days when the Junior Apprentice comes on (The younger Giants friend is on there!) or George Clarke's Amazing Spaces (Such a great show amazing what you can build a house in/out of!) or the Heston's Fantastical Food (Supersized foods. Need I say more!!)

Work seems to be on my mind, in my dreams and attacking my thoughts. Does anyone else get that feeling? You're not awake but in a loose dream where you feel like you're at work though you know you're in bed?

I guess I should let you in on what I've actually been up to. The past week has been taking pictures of my hand made items for my Etsy shop! Father took most of them and I took some close-ups to show the use of the items. It was a battle to get the lighting right! Even with photo editing some came out looking really terrible!
I have more to edit but here are some trial and errors to show you

The first is natural light. The second is with bright/clarity and the last is with boost/bright/clarity

I wasn't all too happy so waited for a good day with some natural bright lighting. Sunday was that day! They looked brighter on the camera, but at least these were easier to edit!

I began to edit a few pictures with some simple touch ups. I used the colour/exposure/sharpen for these ones. Far better looking and more natural.,

I've also been making some more items to sell. I had a rummage through my pile of things that had been started and not finished from earlier on in the year as well as starting and finishing some new projects. The market stash has come in to play in a lot of these projects as I thought hey they're sitting there so why not make good use of them. So the following post contains a lot of pictures!

 I got to work on some zippered pouches using the market stash. These were leftover pieces from making some cushion covers (you'll see those later...)

I finished my Modern She made mini quilt and a fun pincushion. I didn't feel to make anything more as my partner didn't even leave one comment! I did throw in some scraps leftover from this...

I've also finally gotten round to using those HST's I had...I know one certain reader will recognise them....

Those earlier mentioned triangles, the larger ones and a few of the smaller have become cushion covers. I've finished one so far. The other is backed, pinned and ready to sew

I even finished off my rainbow inspired cushion covers, complete with labels!

I've got more things to show you soon as they just need finishing off ! 

So I'll be back...hopefully sooner than I have been returning, hope all is well with you all in blogland.

Siya'll later =D

Wednesday Already!?

It's funny how slow the day goes, but yet how quickly the week passes.

Never the less I've been trying to fit in as much sewing related projects this week as possible. Today was more of the, Glue, fold, press

I have the snap pouches on the bottom "shelf" and the Zakka Style sewing kits on the top "shelf". The bottom is weighted down by the top "shelf" (chest of drawers..the small wooden sets) then the top is weighted down with heavy books...

I've almost finished the Modern She Made swap item. I don't even know what my partner thinks of it as she hasn't commented even once! I just need to quilt it and add a label and it will be done and ready to post.

I came home to find this parcel on the stairs.

It contained charms from the {3x6} Bee Fabric Swap. The theme was stripe/polka dot and a matching solid. I didn't want to take them apart just yet...plus stacks of fabric are so pretty!

Then it was more label gluing and pressing ready for the stuffed cushions!

I may have to sew these ones in as I'm sure it would be near impossible to weigh down a stuffed cushion...

Siya'll later....

Just keep Tri-ing....

In this case the Tri stands for Triangle! I had a load sitting on my to be sewn into something pile...I'm sure you all have one. You know those pieces you cut for a project...then they go to one side, you make a dozen other things then find them again?
I do that A LOT!! Around April/May time I cut all these triangles

They sat in a box until September when I took out a few with plans to make a few things....Only I forgot about those plans..

They could have become...table runners....hot pads/mug rugs.....placemats......mini quilts....a baby quilt....table toppers.....

Now it's October..well like coming up to the end of it...see how I like to procrastinate on making certain things...
Upon not even remembering about those ideas (I came across them and thought hmmm what was I using these for again..)...Some of them have become two cushion cover tops

This one I forgot how to sew the strips together so they are actually on a slant...it's not your eyes deceiving you! I do however like the style... I made this yesterday and it looked way worse before it was cut all nice and neat today....(meaning it was going to go back onto the one side pile and be forgotten until months later!)

Today I remembered the second time round how to sew the strips and this one came out a much straighter, I even managed to keep most of the points!

Making the second one helped me to cut the first one out to a usable size and shape! They should become 16" cushion covers....
I still have quite a few left over...they could possibly still become the above mentioned...maybe the mug  rugs....

I then decided to have a look through my to be sewn into something pile TBSSP...I found a random assortment of things...leftover wedges from my cushions (which could possibly become table runners...)....my 2nd MAM quilt that needs the backing made....random scraps of fabric...other cushion tops, that need to be neatened and backed......

Then there was this cushion top

I had taken out the backing to finish it only it ended up not being ironed and left to one side....I have to unpick it as I'm using a pillow case...(ah the irony!) I have since ironed it...now just to unpick it...
Then as I was still in the mood to sew something I made another one

I staggered the pattern slightly and changed the colour arrangement (Read realised after sewing it was too small and I had to add in some extra rows of colour)  These are on the larger side and should finish to roughly 19" or so...good for a 20" cushion pad or a looser 18"

I'll get around to unpicking the cases then ironing them again and cutting out panels for the back of the two rainbow covers....For the triangular ones I'll have to raid the market stash and see If I have any polka dot prints...

Mind you as those were sitting around for a while. So knowing me I might just do some more sewing and worry about backing them later...my weekends are for those jobs! I want to line the tops too and do some quilting on them so I also need to dig out some plain fabric....(funny how I can quilt those and not a full sizes quilt that has been waiting for months!)  No fancy FMQ more using my standard foot to quilt...which is surprisingly easy to make shapes with....

Anyhoo I best be off...sleep is calling to me! 

Siya'll later =D

Saturday finish up!

Well technically most of these things were finished during the week but due to awful weather and exhaustion no decent photo's were taken!
So coming in early where there was still some day light left I finished the Christmas hot pads, then pulled out my camera to take some pictures of everything finished this week!

First on the finish list is all the hexie cushion covers I started last week. That's 6 covers to add to my stock. All I can say is thank goodness for the market stash! Without those fabrics it would have been much longer before these were finished. I would also like to thank to good people who invented hemming web, making hems so much easier and neater.

Then I got all 6 hot pads finished too I made a start on those a while back and was waiting for the amazing Sarah-lou's package to come in the post. She offered to send me some insulated batting she had spare! She also sent a quilting magazine and a sweet belated birthday card!

I also with the help of Jano tried out some new stitches for some fun quilting styles! Jano QUILTING!!!

Tomorrow I hope to get the wadding cut for the table runners and work on a few other things for the shop. I found some large mailing bags at the post office the other day which are just the right size for those cushions I made! I'm sure a quilt could fit in them too.
I do so love the weekends! I can get so much done...(when not procrastinating that is!)

Siya'll  later =D

The Friday update....

I told you I'd be back today...I'm sure many didn't believe that to be true! I don't blame you...
I've had quite a few finishes this week only the weather has been so rubbish getting decent photo's has been a task and a half!

This week at work ended with relief that it's the weekend! I really feel like I'm doing the job of two people! A girl came in for an interview today. She starts next Wednesday for a two week trial. I have no idea what job role she'll be doing exactly, but I guess I'll find out then! The office is getting much colder! They need to install some heating in there, it's almost like being outside!

I'll be taking pictures tomorrow when it's in the day time. That way they might stand a chance of looking decent! I'll also have time to get a decent back drop to throw in too! The memory card for Father's camera has been ordered so soon I'll have some professional photo's to show off to the masses! I'll also be able to create some business cards! Then eventually open my Etsy shop!!

Mother has said once I get that done she'll bring some things in to work to show off on my behalf. I'll also take a few things in to work with me to see if anyone is interested.....I still won't be taking custom requests mind you!

Over the next week I'll be attaching my labels to the bigger things I've made like the cushion covers, make-up bags, pouches/purses  and the cushions themselves...I may have to order some more soon. I counted how many things I have and it came to 115!! I've made a few more things since then. I'll have to start making some more baby items soon, just little toys, burp cloths. I've got some fabrics/materials prepared it's just making them!

I've been working on some hot-pads this week I have 3 finished so far just got the other 3 to make...then the table runners to finish....must remember to cut the wadding!! I also want to make a few mug warmers as my tea gets awfully cold so quickly! I'll whip one up this weekend to bring to work too, as my office is freezing food doesn't stay hot for long.
I'll also be buying a thermos flask so I don't have to leave my desk to grab lunch! I think soup will be high on my menu...I'll have to bring in some bread too...or make some....Can regular food go in a thermos? (I'll have to do some research!)

For the new year I may just whip up some more table runners. I've used some simple methods to make a few Christmas ones and they came together quickly...all but the backing! I've had fun trying some new quilting/stitches with Jano, which I also need to get decent photo's of. They came out way too bright due to the actual light being on and you couldn't see the quilting decently!

I'm going to make some more zippered pouches up soon as I have a feeling they may sell quickly. I have a few ideas in mind already...
I want to get some more cushion covers made too ready for the new year..I'll have to dig out the rest of the market stash and possibly get father to do some cutting for me.....(he is always asking......) (Which reminds me I must get some new blades!)

I'm also going to look out for any Fairs coming up so I can test the market as they say....

Well I've gone on long enough!

Siya'll Later =D

What a surprise.....

Not!!!
So my work load has now been added to labels, phone calls, emails, printing, relaying messages....next week is going to be interesting!

I got a card saying I have a parcel to pick up as the postage was short by 9p!!!! I even have to pay an extra £1 for the handling fee ?!! I can't even pay it online and have them post it to me..I have to go collect it in person! I might just have to ask father to give me a lift there after work....they keep it for 18 days......

After some slight procrastinating and catching jokes with the Older Giant I went to make more progress on those cushions. I got the backing all hemmed up...using the wonder that is hemming web....

None of my typical wonky sewn lines! I really need to get some blendable thread...(and check the ones that Father brought me...)

I then ironed, de-tacked, de-papered and pinned the hexies to the cushion fronts

Hopefully tomorrow I can start sewing those down. I'll just go around the edges as close to as possible. I was thinking of trying a fancy stitch...we will see..and also look what options Jano has on him....
I really have to check the bag of threads Father recently gave me...I'm sure there were some blendable threads in there...as well as some variegated ones......

If I make it...

Siya'll tomorrow =D