Jungle Chums

flamingo square

My progress with the jungle chums blanket I started for Bertie quite some time ago is slow but I am gradually getting there.

Work is constantly  busy and because it stays at our house, I only get to work on it at weekends. Recently there has been no time and we have had visitors so there hasn’t been much sewing for me.

tiger and banana tree ready to appliqué into place

There are 7 squares completed and 5 more to go before I can attach and appliqué them to the main green cover. The finish will be plain backed, a brown edge and then I will hand quilt the spaces between the animal blocks.

If I were doing it again, I’d probably do it a bit differently and make it more like the patchwork of Max’s blanket or Henry’s blanket with the appliqué squares forming the middle of each repeat. I am attaching the animal squares by appliquéing them to the blanket so I will have to get my edges spot on.

elephant

I love the characters, especially the lion (who has also become a favourite cushion for little boys like Jack and Arthur), the tiger and the elephant.

the leopard waiting to get his spots

I’m hopeful that my next blog about this will be it completed!!

Mum’s Making Marathon

grey self patterned scarf

I love all things making but my mum loves knitting best of all of the crafts and she is very much faster at it than I am.

self pattern repeat

While I have been too busy to even think about picking up a needle, mum’s needles have been clacking away like the clappers and I recently took delivery of some of her hard work.

She told me that she has lots of odds of wool so we talked about the best way to use them up and she has spent hours doing just that and here are her efforts.

bright striped blanket

I love this bright and fun striped baby blanket.

pinks and purples

The gorgeous grey scarf is a try out to see what we think of the pattern, size and effect.  Although I absolutely love it, I think it can be improved so we have decided to make it twice as wide so it is more like a shawl. That will be in mum’s next batch of knits I hope.

peach and pastels

She has made some more of the ever popular hot water bottle covers for me and she has also turned her hand to some baby aranwear for the coming winter.

I think baby knits are her all time favourite and I should get her to show me her prize winning fine knits that she did when we were kids and I hope she still has.  I have plans for some items for little people when I find the right pattern and wool so I hope she still likes baby knits.

This little blue number is so cute

little blue shawl collared aran coat

I am always so grateful that she gives up so much of her time to my knitting ideas. She knows I would struggle to see them to fruition without her help.

little boy’s aran jacket

Mum was key to my love of knitting, sewing and crochetting and it is always one thing in life that we will share a passion for.  She encouraged and helped me all the time when I was younger and it amazes me that she is still helping me now.

little boy’s aran sweater

You gotta love a making mum, eh???

New year Resolutions

sorting out projects that need finishing

I’m not big on new year resolutions but I do try to make a few:-

So:-

1   have a good sort and clear out (ouch!!)

2   detox again (did it in November and it was amazing)

3   stop spending and start saving (LOL now that I have just finished all my internet shopping!!)

4   list all the wonderful things that happen in 2013 (great idea from little room of rachell)

5   finish ALL the projects I have started

So, resolution number 5 – projects;

I have had to resign myself to having a restless creativity that means I flit from project to project and will always have a few on the go at one time.

I’m very focused when I am working but need the challenge of variety to keep my attention. It is the same in my job as a designer project manager.

I always have a million ideas going around in my head and committed to my sketch book, some become real, some get started but falter and but some are simply condemned to my eternal ‘to do’ list because I don’t have the time to realise every idea.

I have a written list (I love a good list) and I have an actual list (that takes the form of a basket that is full of part finished work).

At any one time, I will be working on 2 or 3 different things anyway. It isn’t as random as it sounds. I work a bit like a production line, albeit a production line of completely individual things. For example, I cut lots of things out at the same time, I do lots of machine sewing at the same time, I do lots of applique at the same time and generally add my labels to all of the finished items at the same time.

There is an efficiency in there somewhere, I’d like to think.

I do tend, however, to lay some of these many projects aside. The reasons could be any of a number – I’m not happy with how it is progressing, I have run out of time, I have run out of interest for it, I am bored with doing the same thing over and over, I’m not sure it is right etc etc etc.  Most of them are eventually revisited with a fresh enthusiasm, and although some seem to remain unfinished for an eternity, I do get there.

A busy 2011 & 2012 has meant that ALL the things that I set out to complete previously (I have said this before) are still waiting to be done!

So on new years day, I went through them all and have transferred them from the ‘to do’ basket into my ‘doing’ work bag so that I WILL work my way through them and get them finished.

valentine bunting

There is bunting for valentines day.

lavendar cushions

There are lavendar cushions for valentines day.

patchwork

Patchwork for blankets and cushions.

dog neck ties

Dog neck ties, aprons, cushions, bunting, jungle chums blanket, patchwork blanket, bags and food savers to name but a few.

I completed one of the handy shopper bags and a dog neck tie this week and I prepared some of the applique for bunting and cushions that I wanted to do. They will keep me busy during the dark wet evenings before the weather changes.

When they are all finished, they will help swell the stock in my internet folksy shop and my facebook shop back to where is was previously and I will take some of them to Harringay Market when I am next able to do it on the 3rd of February.

I expect to be ticking them off my list over the next few weeks before adding a few new ones (of course)!

a new cousin in canada

steph and sweet alessia

I have family in Canada.

They are cousins, whether that is 2nd, 3rd or 4th,  25 times removed or not, I’m entirely unsure.

steph and pat

I do know, however, that I like them all enormously and don’t mind what distance the actual relationship is. What is a real shame though is that the real geographic distance they are away from us means we see little of them. I miss them!

emotion

Thanks to the delights of email and particularly Facebook, though we are able to keep in touch.

awww!!

I’d go so far as to say that I know far more about what they are doing in life than I might if they lived round the corner  I love face book for bringing old, new and distant friends and family into my living room and onto my phone. I actually know more about some friends now that they have emigrated or live in the sticks now because of FB than when they DID live round the corner.  Nuts isn’t it?

the ciccone family

Anyway, FB is not the reason for the blog entry although FB is the reason I knew immediately that my lovely cousin Steph had a little girl in mid October. Steph and Pat got married about 2 years ago and are now 3 thanks to a very sweet looking little lady called Alessia who has joined them to make up their little family in Toronto.

Steph told us about the baby when she and Pat got the great news and I have been making odd bits with the possibility of this baby arriving as a girl (and because I seem to have a lot of pink fabrics) very much in mind.  I was lucky!!

sweet little alessia

So, I have made Alessia some bunting for her nursery and the snuggle/cot blanket I made in August goes with it perfectly. Both are now on their way to canada!! Alessia may need the blanket as the weather closes in and Canada gets some fearsome winters.

lovely shot

I have raided some of Steph’s fabulous photos from FB and I hope she doesn’t mind the entry.  Flicking through them has made me quite emotional, I don’t mind admitting!!

alessia bunting

Congratulations Steph and Pat, she is a little cutie and you both look so happy. I couldn’t be happier on your behalf.

heart patchwork

the finished blanket

I find it hard to keep up with all the things that I want to make, the list is endlessly long.

Sometimes seeing something that inspires me takes me back to an idea I had and thought I’d forgotten about.

the finished cushion

Heart patchwork is one of those and since I am on a bit of a patchwork roll, I thought I’d give my idea an airing.  I also recently bought quilting rings that hold the quilt in a neat roll while you do your quilting stitches.

quilting rings

I cheat (well, I think it is cheating) and quilt with my normal sewing machine. I’ve never done swirls or shapes and stick to straight lines mostly and it seems to work.

I was only going to do a cushion but got carried away cutting out and decided to do a matching cot quilt.

embroidery silks ready for the hearts

It came together quite quickly and was a real pleasure but the hand applique is still the most pleasurable part of it for me, it is sooooooo relaxing. The rainbow colours of the embroidery silks are like sweeties and selecting the right one for the work is as much fun as the sewing

quilt without wadding, backing, applique or quilting

I used to sit at my sewing machine for hours making clothes, curtains which I still love but given the choice I prefer the hand work and I now find delight in every stitch of hand appliqué.

appliqued heart

The theme was cream and pink with more emphasis on the cream as I wanted it to be subtle (unlike the next one I will make I think!).

applique heart

Anyway, they are both finished now and ready to be gifted or go onto my internet shop. Someone is due to have a baby soon and if it is a girl, it will be the perfect gift.

patchwork blanket

quilted squares

quilted patches

quilted patches and edging

I have had a really lovely week making this week. It has been unusual for me to be able find the time and I have thoroughly enjoyed it,,

When I sat down on Monday afternoon to cut out some selected squares to make a patchwork baby or cot blanket I really didn’t expect that I would be able to finish it by Tuesday night.  But I did.

squares sewn together

I have a couple of hand sewn pentagonal patchwork quilts part made. One is in red & white and the other is mixed and they will become a large bed throw eventually but I have wanted to make some patchwork cushions and children’s blankets for ages and my chance came up during this quiet week.

all the squares sewn together ready

It has been very satisfying seeing it take shape so swiftly, I’m mostly used to having to grab an hour here or a moment there. Choosing the patterns and laying them out so that the squares all work together is a lovely therapeutic process and it is very easy to understand how addictive patchwork becomes.

quilted edging

Each piece of fabric has a story, which came to mind with each square that found a place on the blanket. It might have been repurposed from something else, it might have been an off cut, or a car boot find, it might have been a bargain that my mum got or a piece that I have bought just because I like it. Some of them even have a second story having also been made into something by tinyinc, be it a blanket, cushion, letters on an apron or bunting. I love finally finding uses for these fabrics but I also love my fabric stash.

the finished blanket

I will do other cot blankets in different colours but it seems that my stash is dominated by pink at the moment so I concentrated on those so it appears that it my be for a little girl.

fabulous folksy finds – applique

I advertise quite a few bits on folksy and love looking at other people’s makes.

I love the idea of being able to put my hand to making anything but there are so many makers out there with unique and fabulous styles that make their things both inspiring and interesting .

These are some fabulous folksy finds for appliqué.

APPLIQUE

two little birds - house appliqué cushion

I love houses as subjects and this house cushion is so cute.

DEW - flower appliqué baby blanket

This gorgeous baby blanket is great fun and would be a lovely bright addition to any nursery

tickety boo - textile picture over the hills

If I lived in a fabric world, I would love to live here!

purely fabrication - cat and birdhouse cushion

This image is so simple but so effective, you can just feel the cat’s patience.

dear emma - fabric bowl with cheeky blue tits 'breakfast'

I loved this fabric bowl so much that as soon as I found it, I bought it and it has arrived. It was just like Christmas morning unwrapping it. It is exquisitely made and it was packaged so wonderfully. I love it !

edie sloane - linen pear bag

I have a real weakness for bags and it took me all of my self restraint not to order this.

lynwood crafts - sea pink card

The lynwood appliqué makes are so detailed they are amazing and so incredibly unique. I love them.

minxtures - camo cameleon PE drawstring bag

These lovely PE bags have inspired me to make a couple for my little friends William and Henry.

grandmas kitchen stitched - striped peg bag

I am so delighted to see peg bags back in fashion. Why did we ever think we could do without them?

little blue mouse - shoulder bag

I adore the tree on this very sweet shoulder bag.

handmade house - your house

I am in the process of making an appliqué picture of our house and a scene from the village and love this gorgeous thatched cottage with it’s busy garden overflowing with cottage flowers.

jane lightfoot designs - fabric covered note book

Stationery that is beautiful is the only stationery to have and this note book is particularly gorgeous. I’d almost be terrified to write in it it is so nice.

My own appliqué is all hand done but these beautiful finds, especially my new fabric bowl,  have inspired me to thread up my sewing machine and give the embroidery silks a short rest.

My next subject for fabulous folksy is going to be knitting.

tinyinc’s handmade jungle blanket

I have been quietly working away at finishing a blanket I started for bertie but since the decorations in bertie’s room are now different, the jungle theme just won’t work.  As a theme, however, I can’t think of anything more cute than monkeys getting up to mischief, elephants having a shower or hippos wallowing so I have persevered and will get it finished eventually.

tinyinc’s hand made blanket for bertie

timid tiger

The joys of September seem to be a long way behind me (hand embroidered cushion, blanket for bertie, recycling, blanket for henry, stuff on folksy, blanket for max,sorting out, kid’s aprons) and my full time job has become very demanding again.  It is difficult to find any spare time to sew or knit or crochet.

tinyinc’s hand made applique blanket for henry

frog prince

lovely friends of ours had their second little man arrive to join their family a few months ago and we went to see them recently.  He is a delightful smiley little chap and seems to take everything in his stride.

apple tree

a lot of our friends have things that I have made (and apologies to those who don’t) when their tots arrive and Henry is no different.