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

What's in your bag?...

So yesterday I had my full day 2nd interview. Full day being from 12-8.30! The company wasn't what I expected at all. The advert on the website I found it on was very misleading. It didn't highlight exactly what the company truly did and made it seem like it was an office job. It wasn't! We were out walking for all those hours. The job was for those people that knock on your door and ask if you've received a grant for house insulation. (the stuff that goes in your loft and walls to make it much warmer without need for heating!)
It was a very strange experience and almost seemed rude going into peoples houses. Sure we weren't selling them anything, but it didn't seem like something I could feel comfortable doing. We walked up and down the same street 3 times in 3  different time frames. The houses where people didn't answer on the first leg we had to knock back at on the 2nd and possible 3rd if they still didn't answer. It's a commission based job so the more people you sign up the more you get paid.
I wasn't keen on the idea you may be walking all those hours and could potentially make nothing for the day. My parents and the Older giant weren't impressed either. I didn't get home till after 10 as I had to wait for the last assessment then catch the bus. I think I would have gotten the job, but it wasn't the right job for me so I told them I wouldn't be interested in working there and it was left at that.
Mother kept me company as I ate dinner and she said I made the right choice. I could have left during the time, but I wanted to see the whole day through to get a better understanding of the company. I like seeing things through, just encase I miss something and wonder, should I of stayed.

(warning the following post has a lot of pictures!)

The title refers to what I was actually carrying in my bag yesterday as I wasn't sure if we had breaks and such and some other stuff was bought before the interview started

 My new bag that I've been using for a while as it was just sitting there and I spent a fair bit of money on it when I first bought it a year or 2 ago. I always have so much crammed inside it. Probably somethings I don't even need. If you look good you can see some handmade items I got from swaps or bought...the floral purse is not one of them!

This morning in the post I got my Graze Box my code for you to get a free box is here. The food looks so good!

After getting in from a lengthy shopping trip! I found this awesome magazine, which has some really great quilts, templates and inspiration inside. (Mother said to mention that SHE directed me to it..which she indeed did as the aisles have all changed again, so I actually walked past it) I'm not sure if it's just exclusive to Tesco. I found it on this site too..it's a little pricey though at £9.99 approx $15, but worth the money I'd say. I'll take a few snaps of the projects inside tomorrow for you to see.

Then I made some great progress on part 2 of the secret project. Even though I'm still achy from yesterdays walking, I pushed that out of my mind and got sewing up a storm...

Sewing table just before I went down to eat dinner. Yes I use a deck chair at the moment...folds down for easy storage...(and to hide the mess under the table.....Shhh)

I have a few jobs to apply to tomorrow one I need to pop my CV in the post. I'm looking forward to the volunteering on Monday! No 8 hours walking....

Siya'll tomorrow =D

1 more day

To enter my GIVEAWAY....why? Because I was so busy today I completely forgot until this evening. So you all have one last chance to rush over and enter. Tomorrow the Younger giant will pick 3 winners to receive some mystery goodies! (Not that he knows this yet!) 

Today was very eventful. I was woken up early by my dear sweet Father to unpick the pockets on his suit jacket. I just happened to still be half asleep and unpicked a pocket on the wrong side! So I had to sew it back up then unpick the right side. Mother thankfully was taking her time to get ready so I was able to get that done with moments to spare.

The shopping came late and the man was rushing us to remove it from the carts like it was our fault he was late! ( I blame the other perhaps slower previous cart emptier's!) So that was a crazy rush to remove and then check. Some things were wrongly delivered..or at least I hope they were as we sent them back. (I'm pretty sure they were wrong I know Mother wouldn't have ordered some of the things) I'll have to ask her when she gets back home. Its 10.42 at the moment and still no sign of them...not even a phone call! (RUDE!)

A picture of the strips for the secret project from yesterday.

In the mail this morning before all the crazy or maybe after I opened a parcel sent from my dear blogger friend Ida..it's also her birthday today! We swap often and these black fabrics she had were the perfect edition to my stash.

Then I sorted the charms from the 'What was I thinking?' swap into rainbow colour to go with the rest

Then came the cutting of all the other fabric into charms to be added to the piles

Still seriously lacking in purple, red, yellow, black and grey! 

Then was watching a bit of TV to take a much needed break,  eat some food. etc

I pulled out my D16 quilts to re-pin as I had used way way too little. I managed to pin one as I was making dinner and such inbetween this. I also added another layer of wadding to enhance the future quilting as the wadding I have is on the thin side 2oz I think....

I've just got to think of a way to quilt it as I'll be doing it by hand....I know Jano hates layers!...maybe I'll try a small area and see how he goes....

And just because some pictures of my fabric in stacks!

I need to add them all to my bought page....all in good time!

Siya'll tomorrow =D

Guess who has two thumbs and more happy mail......

THIS GIRL!

I really didn't even expect to be getting mail everyday this week, but oddly that's how things have been turning out....I'll have to wait and see how tomorrow morning turns out.
However I didn't open my parcels as soon as I got back home...oh no....Instead I pulled out some fabrics to make some more GIVEAWAY (open till tomorrow midnight) goodies...only they're a surprise so I'll just show you this sneak. Funny of my 101 followers only 21 have entered......

Now onto the happy mail! I mentioned I have been searching the high fabric shops for Echo prints  I found some on an Etsy shop called The Tin Thimble to add to my collection. I just need 4 more prints and my collection will be completed! (The Florine in brass and dusted plum, choma golden rod and lena rugged suede)

Then my 112 Charms from the 'What was I thinking?' fabric swap

Please note I didn't properly separate out all 112 charms....

Then I got ironing for part 2 of the secret project...the banister is an excellent fabric holder! The strips to the right are not part of the project, they will be cut down for charms.

I then got to work on my Mothers birthday presents. The first being a cushion cover I started a while back for her by request...I ripped off th unpicked the backing (which wasn't the correct size in the first place) and the borders that I had put on there and picked out some strips from my scrap draw to use instead...I'll post a picture when the top is completed. The size will boosted from 14" to 18" now. The backing is going to be black and grey, as opposed to the blue it once was.
I just need to think of a few more things to make her. She's not really a zippered pouch using woman.....I made her a tissue pouch for Mothers Day.....any suggestions would be welcome.

Tomorrow I'll be working on some more GIVEAWAY goodies and cutting into all those strips....as well as making dinner (homemade pizza!!!)

Siya'll tomorrow =D

July Review!!

So wow it's August already! Which means I have to get my skates on to make Mother an awesome birthday present. (its rather annoying that all family birthdays are in consecutive months!) 


After losing my sewing mojo I still got a lot of hand sewing done.
Here is my July mosaic

I also got some swap items made and sent off. Sorted out my stash. Made some flower brooches. Worked on some sketches to help with colour inspiration and started up a secret project.

Today I got even more happy mail!! I am loving this week!!
My fabulous bundle of fabrics came from my new favourite shop Pink Castle Fabrics! The quilt dad blogger bundle as well as some of those gorgeous Madrona Road prints and a Tula print that snuck in...

I also got more progress done with part two of the secret project...I just have to iron all those pieces!

These will go into making some strip blocks, all 1" wide pieces

I'm linking up with

Siya'll tomorrow =D

Tuesday. Monday Happy Mail!

You know as I get mail in the morning and am rushing about to get ready to leave I have no time to open it. So have to wait like 7 hours or so before I can open my mail.
'Work' today was a mix. I had to call up some people to inform them some of the courses next week have been changed due to the upcoming change in weather. (Who sent us rain....I see you hiding in the back!) I'm not a huge fan of the sun, but it would have been nice to be able to do the gardening sessions. Then was making some photocopies and sorting out some paperwork, a few more phone calls then was time to leave.

So I opened my mail and it was a prize from a giveaway I had been entered into over on Mommy's Nap Time

The cutest ever needle book..well envelope! Yay for giveaways!

I got on with some more sewing and finished the first part of my secret project. They went together quicker than expected. Just 2 evenings and 20 sewn up!

Then decided I'd use up my solid prints for part 2,  so I pulled those all out and for the time being they are sitting next to Jano all ready to be cut into. I wish I had some neutral tones to add, but these brighter solids will have to do.

I also made some progress on the GIVEAWAY prizes.....only they'll be a surprise so no pictures for you! =P 

Siya'll tomorrow =D

Another Sneak peak.....

Today was another quiet work day. Next week is set to be busy as the children's summer activities are running for two weeks! Cooking and gardening with 5-11 year olds (the 5-7 won;t be doing the cooking sessions) Plus I was informed another one with a different tutor will be running in the same week so a lot of children will be in the building! Fun times ahead!

Before leaving out this morning I got two parcels in the mail!

I waited till I got back home to open them. Parcel one is from the super cool Emily of Strawberry patch, we have swapped fabrics so many times in the past! She sent me two awesome orange FQ's and a bunch of fun scraps.

In the second parcel was my fabric must haves!!

9 of the gorgeous echo prints. Bought from RockpaperscissorsNJ on Etsy (sorry I cant upload the link the site is down)

Guess who made a return to my sewing THIS GUY \/

He helped in the making of this next sneak peak into my new project!

I have a few more sets to sew up then the tops at least will be complete. I'm undecided whether to use print or solid backing.....

  

Remember you still have till Friday to enter my GIVEAWAY

Siya'll tomorrow =D

200th post and 101 followers Giveaway!!

Today was a really mixed day! I went to my 2 week appointment thing only to miss the bus...then realised I forgot my papers so had to rush back home and get them and just about caught the next bus. I still arrived on time, but the people kept me waiting half an hour! I was not amused when the  Lady tried to act like it was my fault, if they don't tell you correctly where you should go then how is that m fault. I nodded silently when she spoke to me not wanting to vent my anger at her.
I left and went to buy a few things in town. On the bus ride to 'work' I fell asleep on the bus and missed my stop by like 3 stops!! I had to quickly jump of the bus and wait for the bus in the other direction to go back. I was sure to stay awake then.
At 'work' I was asked to go to the shops and buy a thank you card....I hate card shopping...to much choice and never the card you really want. I picked one and they loved it so job done! I then had to cut 1000 leaflets (luckily there was a guillotine) then photocopy another 1000....by that time is was closing so only 852 were done....on Monday I'll make up the rest....then cut those too.....

Back home I lazed watching TV then made dinner. Which was lasagna...I know I don't often mention food, but this turned out like it looks on the picture on the jar. Today was a Dolmio day!

Plus took a picture of my next project. Sneak peak!

Now about that Giveaway!


I'm still in shock! I've only actually been blogging since THIS February! I think I've written on this blog almost everyday. To me it's more like an interactive journal, with the cool addition of pictures and the links to various pages.
I love that I can look over the posts I've written in the past and see what I was up to months later. My blogging style has changed after reading some advice guides. I'll be looking into making my blog even better with a cool banner...once I figure out how I want it to look that is.....

So a huge thank you to all of you who have been kind enough to either be following my blog and those that read often and leave comments.
I'm getting back to using Jano in addition to all the hand sewing I've been doing lately. So I will whip up some mystery items for 3 lucky followers.
All you need to do is leave me a comment with what you love and hate about summer! It's really that simple. The giveaway will be open until the 3rd August, midnight GMT time. The winner will be announced on the 4th. All entries are welcome (just make sure you're not a no-reply blogger, please leave your email if you are) 

We'll I'm off to enjoy a doughnut and a soya yogurt.
Be sure to check out this page to find some fun swaps that are going on and are not too late for you to join!!

Siya'll tomorrow!! =D

I'm too tired......ask me later.......

OK so now is slightly later...by mere minutes lol! I say this a lot when the Giants ask me something it's always so funny....They wait seconds then ask me again, those crazy boys....(though due to their ages they can be classed as men) The younger giant will be 18 this year!! He's growing up so fast...Literally! Poor boy can barely fit through doorways (he is 6ft something possibly 7 or 8). Father suggests we put him outside. I suggested we get him a tent at least!

My morning at 'work' was rather busy! YAY! I had to write up some letters and email them. Then print some off to post for the people on the list that did not provide email addresses. Then I had to call another set of people to remind them of a catch-up session for this Friday...that was funny one guy kept me on the phone for a good few minutes not grasping what I was trying to tell him! I had a trip to the post office. Outside was sooo hot. Luckily I bought a bottle of ice water with me, and some snacks. (dried fruit)

Back home I took some pictures of the fabric that came in the post this morning courtesy of Flickr and some quick snaps of my hexies after they were ironed..yes ironed it had to be done! As well as the smaller hexies and my diamonds.... Then my camera battery died...

 My hexie sizes are 2" and 1 3/4" The diamonds are 2". All cut from my own paper, that was fun..I'll have to search out my tutorial and add it to the page.

Then inbetween book reading I continued on with the long overdue quilting on the last charm quilt!

I have the rest of the row to complete...then I can bind it and the quilt will finally be finished and can join it's friends.

I'm really hoping tomorrow cools down! This heat is killing me. At least me nose was better behaved today.

Siya'll tomorrow =D