Followers

Sunday 8 March 2015

Still here, still sewing, and gardening.

I knew that I had let a while slide away since my last post, but a week! Too Long.

I have been very busy, Maggie's little cat, Sophie, has had several trips to the vet, on Thursday she had an examination under anaesthetic. The vet found a hard lump in her bottom jaw, this could be an infection or a growth, she had a large dose of antibiotics in the hope that this would do the trick. By Friday evening she was much more lively and had eaten twice. So fingers crossed that all is now well.

I am sewing away at the string blocks, I put this little table runner together for a friend.

 
It was only after I had finished it that I realised the top right block was facing in the wrong direction. The recipient did not mind at all.

 
I have made a further 70  x 6" blocks, I need over 100 for what I have in mind.
 


 
This is what my work table has looked like all week, the amount and colour variation changes from time to time.
 
My current idea is to sew these into 4 patch blocks and then sash with a pale solid, something like this pale green, or maybe a duck egg blue.
 


 
The only part of this that I will not enjoy is taking the papers out. However I am loving putting these blocks together so the next project will be with plain fabric foundation squares.
 
My string scrap bag is finally looking less stuffed and I have cut a few strips, from yardage and bigger scraps, to add more contrast to the mix.
 
In the greenhouse there are several trays of seeds coming along and I have a selection of tomato seed, in a windowsill propagator, in the sitting room. I aim to set my sweetcorn next week to give it as long a growing season as possible, the butternut squash and pumpkin seeds are already in pots.
 
I have also started cooking in bulk and freezing ready meals, as the weeks progress I want to be able to spend as much time in the garden as I can, with no having to stop and cook. There are a stack of chilli and pasta sauces in so far and I will be adding curry and casseroles during this week.
 
I have been reading my blog list and have printed off some patterns to sew, in particular a Shark pencil case for junior.
 
I spoke with Dawn, Doing it for ourselves in Wales, and she is going to teach me an easy way to make pineapple blocks. Woo Hoo.
 
Are you watching The Sewing Bee, last weeks was a stinker I thought that they all did well considering. I must admit that although the men are very good I am rooting for Lorna, she is consistent and does not "puff herself up" at all.
 
I have a pattern for the walkaway dress somewhere in the melee that is my pattern store, and I think that this year will be the one to make it up. I may have had it for 30 years, so it is not before time.
It is all that bias binding that has put me off, perhaps I will try to make it fully lined and reversible.
 
Right, now that I have had a catch up I am off to make some much needed tea. The sun is streaming down after a wet morning, and I have washing on the whirligig. wishfull thinking maybe but you have to try.
 
                                TTFN                                   Pam
 
PS, still putting off making all the delicious looking cakes from blog land until after Lent. It is not easy. 
 
 

17 comments:

  1. I am loving the Sewing Bee this year, not sure who will win it, either Lorna or Nick. I love your stitching, I must get back to mine, I have to buy the backing fabric, going for a bright red. The weekend has been great for in the garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am looking forward to the final, I think that it will be a close run thing.

      Delete
  2. nice to have a chat with you today, your patchwork is looking great, I fancied that walkaway dress but when would I get to wear a dress :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do try to wear skirts as often as I can, I lived in trousers when I was working and am fed up with them.

      Delete
  3. I do hope little Sophie is ok. That must be a worry.
    You are always so busy making beautiful things. And sounds like you are making good progress outside too.

    Sft x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The greenhouse is doing well and there are signs of spring around the garden as well.

      Delete
  4. Hi Pam, love what you have done with all those strips, the colours are so vibrant. We are 3/4 of the way through converting our loft into a craft room, it's been slow going because we have had to bits as and when the finances allowed. The end is finally in sight. Can't wait. Only problem is, it will be finished just when the garden is beckoning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You will love having a dedicated space, it saves so much time when you can just turn off the machine and walk away.

      Delete
  5. So good to hear from you Pam, one week between posts is too long! Now it's spring I can imagine how busy you will be in the garden. Gorgeous sewing as always xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Leisha, I am having such fun just pulling handfuls of fabric and sewing it with no planning.

      Delete
  6. it's looking good. I still have one to finish off. Wish we got sewing bee over here in Canada.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you tried, www.my-expat-telly.com/uk/catch-up-tv It is worth a shot.

      Delete
  7. Good to hear from you. Did you know the Amish deliberately include one mistake in each of their quilts to signify that they remember that only God is perfect?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like a sound principle to me.

      Delete
  8. The string blocks are beautiful - so vibrant and colourful. I am cracking on with my knitting, and as soon as it's finished I'm going to attempt a ' zigzag' quilt. I think I'm an oddity in the crafting world in that I like to finish one thing before I start something else!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I used to be like that but gradually I let go. There are so many things that I want to try out.

      Delete

I love to read comments so take the plunge and join the conversation.