Another block done

There's been quite a bit happening since I last posted… it was my birthday in late January, Sofia has started at childcare, I've had a job interview (yet to find out the result - fingers crossed!), I've been sick, the kids have been sick, Alex has been to his first birthday party for the year…

But in amongst all that I've managed a little stitching. I've completed two more stitcheries for Alex's quilt:

Which means -

Another block is done! I'm really excited to see this project starting to come together. I've now completed the top three blocks to the quilt and two blocks from the middle row. Six more stitcheries plus three appliqué left to do. Wish me luck!

Until next time x

First finish for 2014

Well, I don't normally like to work on Christmas projects outside of the festive season (although sometimes I'll pick up a christmas project or two around mid-year for Christmas in July) but I didn't want to put away my 'Merry' bunting (designed by Rosalie Quinlan) without completing it… especially since I just needed to assemble it as I did actually finish the stitching in December. So after cutting out the flags and playing around with ric-rac off to the machine I went…

I used Lynette Anderson's 'Christmas fun' fabric range for both the binding and the backing. I think I might need to purchase more of this range - so cute!

Now my bunting is ready for hanging come Christmas 2014. I'm really happy to have my first finish for this year :)

So, according to the rules of my new years resolution, as I've completed a UFO (unfinished object) I can now start a new project, so I figure I'll keep it as a 'credit' for when I'm itching to start something new ;) I thought I'd keep a little stats box to keep me accountable...

Craft Stats 2014
Finishes (goal of 10)	1
‘New start’ credits	1
UFOs worked on since last new start*	2 – Merry bunting and ‘A Boys Story’
New starts in 2014	0

*in this case since the beginning of the year!

Are you keeping up your new year's resolutions still?
Until next time x

More to 'A Boys Story'...

It's been ages since I've talked about Alex's quilt (A Boy's Story by Anni Downs)… maybe because I've set so many goals, with time lines coming and going and still the project is unfinished. But it has been plodding along (although much slower than I would have liked). In the last couple of months I've finished 3 of the stitcheries:

After trimming them back and a session at the sewing machine, they contributed to two more blocks of the quilt top are finished!

I've also completed the Robot appliqué:

I've got 8 stitcheries and 3 more appliqués to get on with before I can complete the quilt top, but I think with the above progress I'm now just over half way to the finish line, so fingers crossed for a 2014 completion. Alex will most likely move into a 'big boy bed' this year, so it would be perfect if I could get it done to coincide with that.

I do love how this project is (slowly) coming together. I think this is my favourite stitchery - I love how the design allows for individualisation so that got to include Alex's name :)

Hopefully it's not too long before I've got more to share.

Until next time x

Hello 2014!

Happy new year! So happy to welcome in this year, new beginnings, a fresh outlook… Outside of my craft room, my new years resolutions/goals include toilet training Alex, getting my career back on track, and finding a good work/life balance enabling me to spend as much quality time with Alex and Sofia as possible (while also finding some time to stitch of course!).

Within the craft room, there's so much I want to do, lots of projects just calling my name… but also so many unfinished projects (UFOs) that are begging some attention. Overall, I was able to keep to my last year's resolution of 'working on at least two UFOs before starting something new' throughout 2013. I said at the time that I thought this would be an achievable goal, and it proved to be just that. So this year  I want to step it up… work on at least FOUR old projects before starting something new. But I'm going to give myself two exceptions to the rule: finishing a UFO gives right to a new start, and gifts for special occasions allow for a new start.

But wait, there's more! All up last year, I had 9 finishes (see my new page, 'finished projects 2013' for the complete summary) with three of those being projects I started in 2012 or earlier. I know my nine finishes is very modest but I'm happy with it - especially with everything that happened, and all the changes in my life that occurred last year. This year I imagine is going to be just as busy so I'd be happy with a similar number of finishes. So, part 2 of my sewing resolution/goal for 2014: finish at least 10 projects, with at least 4 being projects started in 2013 or earlier. I'll be adding a page to the top of this blog with a list of my already started projects. The list is a bit scary… fingers crossed I can tick a few off over the coming months!

What are your resolutions/goals for 2014?

Until next time xx

Just in time...

At 11.58pm on Christmas eve, just before Santa made his stop at my place, I finished the last stitches on Alex's christmas present... well, almost. I may have cheated and drawn on the mouth... but I promise I will get around to stitching it! Introducing Finnigan the Frog, pattern my Melly & Me:

He was quite fun to make, from picking the fabrics to learning how to attach limbs with a dolls needle (wowsers - had never seen one of those before, they are huge!)

I just LOVE the little frog buttons I managed to find for the arm attachment. So cute, and exactly the right colour.

Alex seemed pretty happy with Finnigan on Christmas morning (not that this picture overly shows it), and Finnigan has become the latest favourite sleeping companion - certainly makes me smile!

Both the kids were spoiled for Christmas, here's Sofia looking somewhat puzzled with her loot :)

It's been a year of ups and downs for me, and I can't say that I'm sad to leave 2013 behind. I'm really hoping for a good 2014, and I think I'm ready to tackle some new adventures... and maybe finish some stitching projects in between the fun and games! 

I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas and all the very best for the new year :)

Until next time... in 2014 xx

A quick Secret Santa gift

I needed a Secret Santa gift, so I figured why not whip something up? So yesterday, while the kids napped, I grabbled a couple of fat quarters, my rotary cutter and ruler and started cutting...

Then to the sewing machine I went, and after not too long I had made a little zipper pouch/pencil case. I've seen some lovely pouches popping up in blogland and was tempted to look up an online tutorial to make something a bit more fancy, but as I wasn't sure how long I had before one or both children woke up, I just made it up as I went. While in not 100% happy with the stitching around the zipper, I think it turned out quite well and think I may have to make myself one of these! I particularly love the contrast between the outer fabric and the lining :)

In other stitching news... I've finished the stitching for my 'Merry' bunting, and I've been working away whenever I've had the chance on Alex's christmas pressie. Hopefully these two cheeky munchkins give me a chance to finish one or both of these projects in the next few days... when I have, I'll be back to share pics!

Until next time x

My first softie!

I've been wanting to have a go at making a softie for ages, eyeing off cute patterns for a good couple of years now. I decided this might be the perfect idea for special gifts for the kids for Christmas this year. For Sofia, I chose to do Lola the Ladybug by Melly & Me... what do you think?

Lola is available as either a regular pattern or as a panel. As it was my first attempt at a softie, I thought the panel would be the better option so I ordered one directly from Melly & Me. It definitely made life easy as you just cut out the pieces as you go (no tracing!), all the markings are pre-printed, and I found the instructions really easy to follow.

I decided to hand sew the tummy patch rather than machine sew it as the instructions suggested. I did this so that I could use a nice bright cotton and get that hand-sewn blanket stitch look.

As a finishing touch, a crocheted flower is recommended. I am yet to learn the art of crochet but a lovely friend from craft group whipped up a gorgeous flower for me to add to Lola... the colours are perfect!

As I was sewing either on days that Alex is at childcare or while both kids sleep, it took me a few days to complete, but I'm really happy with the final product. Lola had a bit of an explore in the garden this afternoon...

Talking about my garden... I'm discovering some gorgeous flowers planted by a previous owner, and enjoying bringing some inside. Aren't these just lovely?!

Now to get cracking Alex's present: pattern has been selected, fabric purchased, now to just get some time to start sewing... all within the next 18 sleeps before Christmas! Wish me luck.

Until next time x