Sorbet Churn Dash #8

We are nearing the stage where I have to start joining all of these beauties, but this week saw 7 more pretties drop through the letterbox.
First up was these from Lou

I really love the contrasting of the colours in those blocks and that mushroom fabric is so gorgeous!

And then arrived these from Rebecca.

They are so lovely, I LOVE the fabrics she used, I think they might be shot cottons or oakshotts with a bit of Karen Lewis Textiles in there too.

So the total is now at 120 blocks, so I'm thinking two quilts 8 blocks x 8 blocks (roughly 72" x 72") with me making another 8 blocks so there is enough. Otherwise I will never got them ready in time for the camps, as I am running out of time I decided today to make a block or two......

They look normal enough, but I decided to SUPERSIZE them to save time (I really don't have a minute to spare around here!!!) these blocks are 18.5" unfinished, so each block is the same size as four normal ones.

Here it is with a smaller cousin that Mary made for the quilts! I'm hoping to get another two of these made and then I can have one on the front amongst the smaller blocks and one on the backing......when I piece it.
What do you think!!!! 

At A Glance Pouch

I've been watching lots of new patterns pop up over the internet using vinyl and really fancied having a at one, so I decided to start with something nice and simple.

These are made with the At A Glance pouch pattern by Aneela Hoey, and I have to say they were a joy to make. Just a couple of hours on Sunday and these were cut, sewn and then hand finished.

I asked for lots of advice on IG for sewing with vinyl and using tissue paper to stop the vinyl sticking was a brilliant suggestion, as was lengthening the stitch. Someone also said they use a leather needle, but I didn't have one of those to try.

I've sent the pink one off to live with my #ukminiswap partner and I think she loved it.
I've got my eye on the Double Pocket Pouch next, although that long zips looks scary! 

UKminiswap ✓

I have my first finish of this quarter, it may well have been the easiest thing to get done on my list, but hey, I need one easy one off that list!!!
My UKminiswap.

I got the binding on and then had a little play about on my machine to make a label for the back.

I always forget about the clever tricks my machine has, like the alphabet, but it did make the label bit nice and easy.

The Details:

Pattern - Good Fortune Pattern by Cotton + Steel scaled down in Touchdraw and not offset.

Size - 19"x19" ish, I forgot to measure it before it went in the post!

Fabrics - Loads and loads of scraps, but also lots of Karen Lewis Textiles fabrics Charms for the coloured discs and low volume background. Binding was Remix Stripe by Ann Kelle
Quilting - echo quilted by me on my Janome 8200QC with Aurifil 2021

Now I know I did say that I wanted to keep it as I really LOVE it, but I did get it off in the post to my partner on Monday, with a few extras.

It was my first dip into a mini swaps and I don't think it will be my last, Anna Marie received it yesterday and I think she might like it,

which I am so so pleased about and I hope that she knows that it was made....... 

Sorbet Churn Dash Update #7

While I was away on holiday I had a bit of a backlog of blocks for my Siblings Together Quilts delivered!
Starting with the lovely Maria, who is making her own quilt from the Siblings Together bee too!

 Then there were these perfect 12 blocks from Janette all the way from Germany

After that is was these 8 wonderful blocks from SewBusyLizzie

And then lastly, these amazing 30 blocks from Susan & Susan. I have been so worried that these blocks were lost in the post, as Susan had emailed me to ask if they had arrived and they hadn't.....................but they were actually safely in my neighbours house, after the postman left them in the porch and she grabbed them so they didn't go walkabout!!!

Now, I thought there was 30 blocks as that is what Susan said in her note, but I think there is 31.....unless my glass of wine with dinner brain can't count?!!?!?!?!
So that brings our total up to 113/98 so we have achieved our second quilt and might be 15 blocks into our third quilt, but if we are not getting any more block sent in then I might just make quilt 1 & 2 bigger. What do you think???
Oh, and also the lovely instigator of this project Lynne sent me these brilliant ready made binding to bind the quilts in.

As there are three sets, should I see it of a sign to continue on to No.3????

Sorbet Churn Dash Update #6

Last week saw these lovely blocks arriving through the post.

They were made by Kate, who doesn't have any social media, but I hope she sees them on here.
Thank you so much Kate, they are perfect for the colours and I love the fussy cutting for the centres, these quilts are going to be a bit of an eye spy quilts. This brings the block count up to 70 of 98, which means we are well on our way to quilt number 2 but we still really need blocks.... if you can make a few hop over to here to see what we need. 

The dog ate my ukminiswap.....

..........do you think I could get away with this excuse??

I really really really want to keep it!!

But then I wouldn't be good swapper!

So I better get off to ponder binding problems......

...and thinking of a better excuse to keep it all for MEEEEEEEE!!! 

Hi my name is .....

...Joanne and I have a serious yarn and fabric shopping problem!!!

These last two weeks I seem to have had a bit of a spate of deliveries, which did not sit well with the man of the house who seem to be in for most of them!!! Oh why is that always the law of this house!! 

First up is some yummy yarn that I snuck away from work to buy at Loop! (no getting caught with this lot!)

I got myself 4 skeins of this Sport Weight Quince & Co, Chickadee in Franks Plum, I'm thinking of the Canopy Shawl or Whispering Pines Shawl for this lot, although lots of people have said the Whispering Pines is a bit of a tricky pattern to read!?!

Then I gave into the urge from my favourites on Etsy with this Smitten II from Sweet Clement in a orange that I just cannot do justice to with the camera!

This is 4ply sock yarn that I'm eyeing-up another shawl pattern for, the Aestlight Shawl, but it scares me a bit as you knit the triangle of the shawl and then pick up stitches for the border!!!!! 

And then there was the amazing Skein Queens update on Wednesday, now I am normally at running club but it was The Husbands birthday, so I had stayed at home to have a nice meal with him and then decided to log-on and treat myself, as any good wife would do, to some stunning yarn!!! 

I know I'm so selfish selfless!!!

This one is called Unicorns Love and as Rose has asked for a Unicorn for her birthday it was a no brainer!!
Then we have Rambling Rose

Which if you have met my daughter is the perfect excuse to buy a pretty yarn. Both of these are 4-ply and one will be a Pebble Beach Shawl for me, as I gave my Juicy Fruit one to my lovely mum and the other skein is just incase the perfect pattern comes along, unless one of you clever peeps can suggest a pattern that combines the two?

And lastly on a fabric front, my Liberty Choices Bundle arrived from Duck Egg Threads on Saturday and it is delicious!!

The most perfect spring colours possible, even if the weather hasn't got the memo that Winter is over, these fabrics certainly brought a bit of fresh hope into the house. 

Now I'm off to compose a knitting list for our Easter Holiday, I haven't packed a thing for myself or the children, but clothes are easily replaced, yarn, needles and knitting patterns not so easily!!!!!
What have you been stashing recently? 

FAL 2015 - Q2 The List.

Here we are back again with my list of unfinished projects.
Starting with a new project
1. Striped Jumper for Rose

The wool for this was bought last year and then I just put it on the to do list and ignored it. I have now knitted the back, front and started the sleeves. It needs finishing and then sewing together.

2 & 3. Quilts for Siblings Together

These quilts are being made from donated blocks and some that I have made too. There will hopefully be enough for two quilts.
They need joining, quilting and binding by this summer!!! If you want to make a block to two have a look here......

4. Chicopee Swoon

This has been on the list for too long, the blocks need sashing, joining, quilting and binding.

5. HST's cushion

They need joining, quilting and then to be turned into a cushion, this must happen this quarter!!

6. Baby Girl Quilt

Another serial repeat offender, a friend has had a baby girl so I need to add a border or two and get this quilted and binded and off to her!!

7. UKminiswap

This just needs binding and a label sewn on, so is a very easy finish (please give me one!!), although it also needs an extra to send off with it too!! What do I make????

8. Paper Pieced Post Things

Yet another hangover from that last few quarters.
Needs finishing the block and then turning into a pouch.

That is 8 unfinished projects that are begging to be finished and put to a good use, I really need to pull my finger out and maybe just stop starting project!?!

I'm linking up with another batch of serial unfinishers!

2015 FAL - Q1 The Verdict

So the start of the year has been about problems with the planning office and family stuff, but very little sewing!! But I did manage to get some things off the wip list.

1. Chicopee Swoon

I have now made the last block, but have done nothing with them......Unfinished!

2. Fabulously Fast Fat Quarterly Quilt

This is all done, finished and well and truly in use, original post here.

3. HST'd Cushion

Not a thing has been done with these, moving along swiftly..... Unfinished!

4.Baby Girl Quilt

And another thing that is completely as it was.... Unfinished!

5. Paper Pieced Post Things.

Oh dear another thing that hasn't seen the light of day...Unfinished! 

6. Christmas Eve Socks

They are done and in the sock drawer, post here.

7. Butterfly Emery Dress

Done, dusted and being worn, post here.

8. Wurm Hat

This has been finished and worn to death in the cold weather we have been having, post is here.

So that is 4 finishes out of a possible 8, which I don't think is too shabby!! Although the ones left over are the serial reoffenders..........I really need to stop avoiding projects!
I'm linking up with

March Makes!

Well that was yet another month that has ended before it feels like it even began!
On the making front, I've been doing little bits here and there but very little has been actually finished.

Just my Pebble Beach Shawl and my Tile Quilt.
Hopefully if I get on with what I've started, I might have a few more finishes in April!
I'm off to tackle the VAT, find the bottom of the ironing pile and collect the children....roll on the Easter Holidays.
I'm link up with the lovely Lynne's