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Sunday 23 November 2014

Whew, time for a break.

Boy oh boy its good to be back, tip tapping at the keyboard, I have been beavering my way through the stash mountain. I did have one gap when I wrapped and posted the giveaways off.

I did tell you that I made an extra project pouch as so many asked to be in the draw, here it is.

 
This has gone off to Canada, as Julie has just been blessed with a new Granddaughter I added a little fabric, hopefully patterns that are not on sale there.

 
I made this case for Francesca, her tablet should fit in it, I must remember that I still have not made her new phone pouch.
 
I have said many times that the scrap stash has to be dealt with so I put the laptop away, pulled my socks up and tied my hair back.
 
I took 2 plastic storage boxes down and emptied them on the dining table. I pressed and cut, stitched and pressed, trimmed, measured and stitched and pressed the hours away.
 
I also found time to make and drink several small lakes of tea and to cook and eat some yummy soups.
 
This is what I have to show for it.

 
30 x 9 patch blocks half way there.
 
 

 
50 x 9 patch blocks done and dusted.

 
What feels like several hundred scraps sewn into strips and blocks. These will end up in my crazy patchwork.
 
 


 
This large project pouch is destined to go to Australia for Leisha, the outside is from the wonderful fabrics that she sent me a while ago, while the lining is my crazy patchwork. I have a few more bits to go with it but it will be on its way soon.
 
In between all that activity I have been walking Ben the length of the village, it takes us 15 minutes to get into the little shopping centre in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen. The Post Office has opened a counter in the largest shop ( there is a bakery instore and the goods are soooo yuumy) so I do what ever needs doing and Ben has a little rest then we walk back. The return journey always takes at least twice as long as he likes to dawdle along, smelling all the things that dogs like to smell and greeting everybody that we meet.
 
We have had some lovely warm days with a little sun shine and of course quite a bit of rain. My grass needs a cut but it is too wet at the moment, fingers crossed for a couple of dry days.
 
I harvested all the hot chillies (47) from my tall straggly plant and have cut it back to around 9" tall. I am hoping to nurse it through the winter and get a head start for next years crop. My trio of small chilli plants are doing well and I am using the fresh fruit from them, just taking 2 from each plant every week. The sweet pepper plant is still producing and there are 6 peppers coming along, 1 will be cut later today.
 
My sea side ripple blanket is finished and on the sofa, I will put a photo on the blog, I have to say that I love it and so does Ben. I do have wool for another but that will wait for a few days, my arms and shoulders need a break from the weight and the warmth of armfuls of crochet.
 
I read Paidinchickens written by Julee Grey, she lives in Lincolnshire, miles away from where I moved from. She often writes about the cats that she looks after for the Lincoln Cat Care. They do lots of good work and have a shop in Lincoln that always needs donations to sell. They are also always in need of those cheap fleece blankets, on sale in loads of places, for the cats in their care.  They are soft and warm and so easy to wash and dry.
 If any of you live in the area and have a few bits and bobs looking for a home do take the time to drop them in. look at my blog list and find her, pop in for a look and contact her, there is a chance that she could collect stuff if you are not too far away.
I have a link to their Amazon wish list but have no idea how to put it on the blog.
If anyone would like to donate I am sure that Julee will help you, just as she did me. When they have the funds they also help to cover the cost of neutering cats for those who are struggling, anyone whether they are working or not. There are many thousands of people working as hard as they can and still slipping backwards whilst trying to house, fed and clothe their families.
 
I have to finish my tea and get Ben out for a walk then it is nose to the grindstone again. No, not really, today I am going to make a start on my .......wait for it.........Christmas fabric stash. I thought that I better whisper that, you never know who may be listening and I have pressies to make.
 
   Have a good weekend, think of me, slaving over a hot iron and sewing machine, tea....cake.. who me...... well maybe just a little.
 
      TTFN                                                          Pam
 
 
 


20 comments:

  1. I'm tired reading your post. I am not crafty just make mess of sewing but I think I might be able to try a crazy quilt kind of project. Would you say good for a beginner project-maybe with my daughter? (13)

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    1. I think that it would be ideal, look up Bonnie Hunter and see what she does with crumbs and copier paper, that is how I do lots of my crazy stuff. The other easy start is a Jelly Roll Race quilt, no cutting or measuring just straight seams. try The Missouri Star Quilt Company tutorials.

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  2. Such beautiful things Pam - I love the colours in the 9 patch blocks. I am going to make a start on my daughter's quilt tomorrow ( I'm making it with vintage sheets and pillowcases) as the workman will be here replacing all the radiators and servicing the boiler. I will need something to keep me occupied!

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    1. I have a small hoard of vintage sheet fabric, I raid it for new baby gifts as the fabric is so soft and the colours muted. I used to pick up pillow cases for 25p, just lately I have seen them for £2.00.

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  3. Well done. Keep up the good work. I started work on one of the patchwork quilts for my daughters which got abandoned last year after Stuff got in the way, and blow me,. Stuff has been and gotten in the way again this year too, but hopefully will get my head above water this week . . .

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    1. That's the trouble with Stuff,. if you are not careful it sneaks in and takes over. I even turned my mobile off and put the sound down to the lowest setting on the house phone.

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  4. The pouches are beautiful! Good luck at taming the scraps!

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    1. I am working on it, believe me. I love scraps but seem to have added to them in the last few months.

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  5. Thanks for the inspiration...need to get sewing again! Off to work on my advent calendars...some for grandchildren and some to stockpile for a craft show for next autumn! Lynda

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    1. I have been cutting 2 1/2" squares for what seems like hours now, so good luck with the stockpiling.

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  6. Hi Pam your post show just how much you love your crafting, you are a very clever lady, I am having a break from the sewing machine until after christmas. Then perhaps I will also try some new crafts.

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    1. I have made tentative plans to put all my sewing paraphernalia away a week before Christmas. I do have plenty of yarn to keep me occupied, busy fingers can not go near the mince pies.

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  7. As I've said before Pam - you are an inspiration!! I can't wait to get the pouch you made along with the litle "extras". Thank you so much! I have pulled out some fabric for my newest granddaughter's quilt. It's been ages since I blogged, but I promise I will put a photo up when I'm done.

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    1. I hope that you like the extras, I just love it when something turns up in the post and I like to "pay it forward" whenever the chance arises. I look forward to the photo.

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  8. What a lovely stitching session you have had, Pam, and the makes are lovely. I have spent today crafting too but my day has been paper craft and painting chipboard plaques for gifts. DH at work and it has been so relaxing....

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    1. Paper craft and I have had a "sticky" past, I often see the glorious cards that people make and am tempted to try again. Then I remember that I would need another room to store the stuff in and let it go.

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  9. I have spent today at a bra making workshop which was fantastic. I have trouble buying and wearing the bloomin' things so thought I might make some pretties which would also be comfy. I just need to put the straps and fasteners on tomorrow but right now I am exhausted! We don't have many places near me (New Forest) where they do courses and this was in a beautiful old barn in the country, complete with log burner. A gorgeous, creative day with like minded souls.

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    1. I would love to do something like that, but need to plough through the stash completely first. I have no problems with undies, it is shoes that are my big issue, well it is the feet that are big.

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  10. Hi Pam just to let you know the book has arrived safely, many thanks Marlene x

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    1. I hope that you get lots of fun from it.

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