Tuesday 28 October 2014

Scraptastic Tuesday and WIP's

Sewing has been a great distraction for me in the last few weeks. My niece's funeral was a week ago and that was obviously a very difficult time. Emotionally, I feel like I've been put through a wringer but it must be so much worse for her parents, siblings and of course her partner. Carlton, her son, can't express his feelings in the same way, but he isn't 'right' and will need a lot of help.
So I'm going to talk about my sewing which has helped me through all this.
Firstly, I started to quilt my red + and x quilt.



 I got about three quarters of the way through and ran out of thread-arghh!! It was a freebie variegated Fantastico thread from Cottonpatch, that they gave me when I was on a quilting course there.Unfortunately, it did not have a number on it that corresponded to any of the numbers on the Superior Threads website. I ordered what I thought was a match  from Cottonpatch but sadly it wasn't right. However, Liz  came to my rescue and arranged for someone who was going to Houston ( jealous, moi?) to see if they could pick me up a match. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. This has put paid to any more quilting until the thread arrives.

Instead of quilting, I decided to use up my blue scraps from my Medallion quilt to make another top. I had made tons of 4 patch blocks that I was going to use as a border but didn't like them in the end. I only had to make a few more to make this top:



I've been debating whether to make it any bigger ( it's 4ft x5ft) but I really can't be bothered, I want to move on to something else.
I also quickly ran up this pegbag for Madlen.


I used this tutorial but changed the opening ( using the opening on a box of Kleenex tissues as the template). The DS fabric ( deco weight ) was in a bundle of scraps that were given to me by the lovely Claudia at FQR 2013.

Since the clocks have gone back ( something I hate: why can't we just stay in British Summertime) ,I've also been working on a draught excluder for my French Doors. I started this about 2 years ago and it's been half finished in the cupboard ever since. Mr Hare has been making comments about how he'll have to make one, a not so veiled hint! I've made the inner bolster, just have to insert a zip and ends into this:

 
 
I bought a ruby red bundle of gorgeous Oakshott cottons for my Red + and x quilt and I used some of  what was left to make this bolster ( so I'm assuming this counts as a scrap buster!)
 

Next, I'm going to move onto a table runner and place mats, again for Madlen. I'm still trying to firm up the design but I think I've got it sorted out.

Linking up to Leanne and Nicky for Scraptastic Tuesday.

8 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to hear the terrible news of the loss in your family. What an time for you all. I'm sending my love. Your projects are beautiful. I especially love the blue quilt, it's so simple and effective and the bolster is exquisite in those Oakshots. I hope you manage to get that red thread you need, how frustrating!!

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  2. Thinking of you. Your sewing is lovely, good luck with the right colour thread! Juliex

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  3. You've been really busy :) I love how sewing is so absorbing and distracting if you need it to be. Hope you are well xxx

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  4. every one needs time and guidance to come to terms with grief ... and support from our favourite "things" helps to get us through each day x

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  5. How frustrating for you – not only to run out of the thread but then have to chase around the world for a match . I do hope your friend is able to find it for you because that quilt looks fantastic!

    Your blue squares quilt looks great . Love the movement in the design. It reminds me of the sea .

    Glad to hear you’re keeping busy with something you love as you and your extended family go through such a terribly sad time.

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  6. so sorry to hear about your family's loss, Carol. Such a difficult thing to get your head around.

    Loving your work as usual - you know I especially love your oakshot draught excluder. Hugs x

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  7. You have been very busy. Can't wait to see your X and + quilt complete.

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