At last!

I've finally, and I mean finally finished the pink quilt. 

You have no idea how thrilled and relieved I am that it is complete. It's been the longest project in progress I had hanging about, years in the making. That's what you get when you have it in your head that your going to hand quilt, whilst trying to do several other things as well. It certainly has been a labour of love but I don't regret the hours, and hours of time it took to get it complete. Sure there are parts of it that I am not totally thrilled about but you know what it was a learning process, I had never put together a quilt, technically I hadn't actually put the blocks together, but I have done that before, it was the actual hand quilting I had never done. I wasn't even sure or certain how you actually achieved a good finish, especially on the back (which I won't show....)

Still it's done, and it's ready to be used in the new place, which you'll be pleased hear is progressing, slow as hell but I know these things take time.

With it finished, it means I can get back to a couple of other works in progress, and really need to get finished. I don't want another wip to take years. Ha, though I say that and I just remembered there are a couple of projects that have been gathering dust for years,  a knitting project and a complex cross stitch...I am not sure I'll actually finish them. Should probably do something about that...possibly.

 

What else have I been up to this weekend? Pottering about mainly I started the buttons for the private commission did one test button to see how it would turn out and they are looking good, I couldn't stitch the others as I am low on one of the threads so I prepared the fabric and put it to one side. I could have worked on a few other things to stitch but I wasn't actually in the mood so instead I got out some paints I was given at Christmas and decided to colour some project designs. 

KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH watercolour paints. Highly recommend them. 

A good little set of great colours. Nice to use too.

Such as the one below. I almost forgot how much I love painting and I really need to get back into the swing of it. And if your looking for a good set of paints, that also don't take 

Painted it, now to decide when to stitch it.

Now I must dash as I am off to have lunch with my mum. But before I go, I thought I would leave you with a few lovely things to look at, or to do. Enjoy!

A pretty watercolour of a squirrel.

Peekaboo, I see you.

Can't turn down a slice of pie.

Gold Bees

Following my post yesterday about the little bee brooch that I made on a spur of the moment I've gained positive and useful feedback by folks over on Facebook. So much so I made another one day. The suggestion by a lovely lady called Jessica was to make the bee a little bigger and so I did just that; this afternoon in fact.

And you know what she was right it looks so much better, I also managed to give it a bit more height in the process.

Playing with the gold metal thread - It's been an age since I last worked with gold thread and I have a surprising amount of goldwork thread in my stash so it's been good to get it out again.

Stitching in progress...

Back of the brooch, which has a little sliver of Liberty Tana Lawn fabric

And finished!

I've just listed this example over on Etsy and are given people the chance to choose the print for the back of the brooch, five different Liberty Tana Lawn prints in fact. And of course, the donation to the BBKA for each one sold is 50p. 

What else have I been working on today, I was knocking up the sample for the bee mirror pouch. I did get the dimensions a little wrong, maths went a little to pot this morning. But you know the overall look of it I am happy with, and my little custom stamp made by Memi the Rainbow, also got its first outing. Isn't it fab! I think I need to get myself some black fabric ink, but for the time being the brown ink will suffice.

I'll be looking to get the bee mirrors ordered next week, so I'll keep you posted as to when they are available to purchase. 

Hope everyone else is either having a productive crafting day, or snuggled up on the couch and relaxing. xx

Return of the Bees

Nice to get back to stitching my bees once more. 

I stitched the ring in the centre of the clock last week, as its going to be used for my next mirror design, but it's kind of two for the price of one as it's also for my next clock. 

Actually this clock...

Ring of Bees Hand Embroidered Wall Clock

Size: 13 (w) x 13 (h) x 2.5 (d) cm - 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 x 1 inches (approx)

Materials: Cotton threads, linen, card, wooden hoop, and a quartz clock mechanism.

More bees on the horizon though, I need to work on the pouches for the mirrors, well once I have ordered the actually mirrors. I also got a bit sidetracked this afternoon I made a tiny bee brooch, whether or not I'll actually make more of them I am not entirely sure but I might gauge your opinions on it...

It's a tiny gold bee, which was stitched in gold check purl, over stitched with stranded cotton, on the back of the brooch it's backed with Liberty Tana Lawn fabric. It's just under 2.5cm in diameter.

What do you think?

Want it Wednesday: Animal Obsession

I think we can safely assume that I am somewhat obsessed with anything animal related, in regards to artwork. I just keep finding the most wonderful things that I want to adorn my new flat with. The hallway is going to be adorned with animal pictures, taxidermy (real - ethically sourced, of course and faux versions), prints, etchings, and I even hope to stitch something special for the hall too.

Yeah, I know I am not in it yet! But it's nice to be dreaming about what the place is going to look like.

Grey walls, white detailing and second hand wooden furniture.

Bring it on!

Distractions, Packages and Focus

I almost forgot since the passing of little Bergamot that I had taken receipt of some rather lovely packages in the post. I have to admit that they have come as a welcome distraction. And today I actually sat down and looked at them when I got back from my appointment with the mortgage advisor (yes, things are finally starting to progress).  Another distraction came in the form of replacing bits and pieces on my mini inspiration noticeboard. It's not really been completely changed for quite some time.

Cards and interesting bits and bobs

So it had little designs that I have yet to progress, and lovely pictures I've received in the post or collected on my travels. It's been nice to do it. At some point I'll hope to have a bigger board in the new post so that I can really get somewhere with it. 

And as for the packages...

Mulberry Silks

I've not ordered them for any other purpose than I simply wanted them....Oh, and I actually wanted to see what the thickness of the threads were like to work with.

Handmade Carved Stamp 

Before Christmas I had arranged with the rather talented Memi the Rainbow to carve my bee into a stamp so that I can use it to make my own fabric labels. I love it, it's only 1.5cm in width, yes, it really is that tiny! 

Liberty Fabric

This was part of my subscription order of Mollie Makes, I only tend to use Liberty Tana Lawn, so having a normal weight cotton fabric is a little different, not sure at this point in time what I'll use it for. I'll keep them safe till inspiration strikes. I would say another quilt but until I finish the one I am working on I am not going down that path for some time. Ha.

Finally I also ordered some new crystals for silk collars, but they aren't photographing well enough to show you all, so you'll have to keep an eye out for future silk collars to get an idea. Like today for instance, I hope to have one special collar completed today. 

Finding it rather had to get my stitching mojo on post Christmas. Perhaps when I get the store open again, which will be later today, it will help me with my focus....

Here's hoping!

Saying goodbye to a friend

I had planned at the weekend what I was going to write tonight but sometimes things don't always go to plan, and sometimes its because of the saddest of events taking place. If you've read my blog over the last couple of years, or follow my twitter account and even my Flickr too, then you will have read and seen pictures about my dear little Bergamot. A tiny, but much loved hamster. Sad to say he died last night.

I am trying to remain positive by the fact I was with him during the final moments, and finally got my much wanted cuddle with him and at last he can finally rest. I knew he was on the decline since Christmas and I knew that there wasn't much I can do for him beyond keeping him comfortable.

For a hamster he had very long life of 28 months. I wished it was longer, I wished that he was with me when I moved. Cause now I realise I have a small hole in my life that I can't quite fill. He was my little flat mate and I am not entirely sure what I am going to do without him. Sounds rather silly but he's been with me since I moved into this flat, and he's kept me company during the times when I have been so upset with the constant battles with the neighbours.

So I now have to get used to not sharing my toast or biscuits or laughing at his antics.

So rest in peace little Bergamot, you don't know how much of an impact you made on my life. I swore I'd never have a hamster again, when my last one died a rather long time ago. I get too attached and it breaks my heart when they die. Then we saw you in the store and you had to be mine.

I don't think you know how much of a fan club you had with my friends either. Love you little Bergie.

Back Stitching and THE Quilt

It's the end of my hiatus where it comes to working on new things for this year. After the numerous weeks of saying/teasing what I might be doing for new lines. I've finally pulled my finger out and got down to some stitching. Rather great to get back into it again, though I have to admit I am not 100% on the quality of work this week or the design I have started to play about with.

In progress, I used silk thread for this sample. Chain Stitch, and padded Satin.

Two things I am looking at for inspiration at the moment is Heraldry and Cartography, which has prompted me to do a lot of doodling lately. Last night I was playing around with the Luther Rose, how I would want to work and colours, if any. I am a bit mixed on it to be honest. I think the reason why I am not too sure on it is that I have worked the sample on the calico so it does nothing for it. I'll whip up a silk one later, and see how it goes. 

You might wonder why the heck I didn't just work it on the silk to begin with, well mainly because I don't want to waste the remaining silk stash I have, and secondly I'll admit I can be a bit of a muppet. I also just realised looking at the second sample (at the bottom right) I missed out the cross in the middle. 

*rolls eyes* 

Ah well, anyway, might as well show you the progress of the long talked about quilt. The last post where I showed photographs of it's progress was back in 2011. The rest of the time was a mix of me promising to finish it. Oh, how I laugh. Well in December I made a push to finish it, I put the bias binding on, and carried on with the hand quilting. The Quilt is still on my sofa, just behind me, I've had it there because it's been making me do a spot of hand stitching of an evening, just an hour at a time. Rather cathartic. I am going to put it out there that I might actually complete at the end of the month. Okay, I have put it out there...I will finish it. There I said it.

You can slap my wrist if I don't.

The reason for wanting to finish it is so its ready for the new place, because fingers crossed I'll be out of my flat by March. Oh gawd, I hope so. Be the best birthday present ever.

On Wednesday, I'll give you a catch up on the Photo a day challenge that I decided to get involved with. So far, so good.

Right time to crack on with some stitching, spot of lunch first.

Oh before I go, I've been pinning some cracking recipes on Pinterest. Click here, and prepare to drool.

January 2013 Photo A Day Challenge

Whilst I am battling with the effects of a post Christmas near sugar induced coma, and working the old nogging to get those creative ideas down onto paper, and fabric. I am making myself do a little challenge for the month. This will be some undertaking. Mainly because I have enough trouble remembering to take my vitamin tablets each day let alone trying to remember to take a photograph. 

What am I wittering on about I hear you cry. Probably, actual tears, perhaps of slight boredom as I am slightly going about the houses writing this particular paragraph and not actually telling you....

So, what is it I've signed up too? Some of you might have actually seen my status update on Facebook and the subsequent tweets and thus will already know that I've decided to do the Fat Mum Slim Photo a Day Challenge for January. 

Each day has a theme/challenge call it what you will. And all you need to do is take a photograph that fits it. Easy you think? Well, not really. Most of the time I am going to be at work and whilst most of my colleagues know I am an utter nutter taking photographs at random points during the day might raise a few eyebrows. Okay, more than usual. Still I think that because I am actually just going to use my mobile phone, which whilst the lens ain't great, I might stand a chance of completing it. What the hell, right?

Here are the themes:

I have successfully managed to get to day 2 and already I am racking my brains for something interesting out of the box for tomorrow. 

So how have I faired in the photographing taking stakes thus far....

Day 1 - Today

Me looking at the calender and cringing

Day 2 - Something New

This was a pure stroke of luck in the timing. I ordered over Christmas from Lynn Bailey (Print Maker) a picture that will be for my new place (hopefully). Originally I had my eye on her bumble bee print but I was encouraged to get this little Dormouse. Basically it's me in a nutshell. The Bee Print though, will be mine.....

Who else is taking part? Do let me know, as I'd love to see what you take snaps wise. I know the very sweet Kitty Pink Stars certainly is. Because she was the one that got me onto it. If your not, then do follow the #fmsphotoaday