Patchwork WIP and 2015 Projects

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you all made it in one piece. 

I thought I would skip over a review of 2014 and just crack straight into what I've been stitching, cause frankly getting back to stitching and mucking about with fabric has really gone me into a happy place and got me in the zone for looking forward to 2015.

It feels so good to get back to stitching and working on projects that have had to put aside for months in order to concentrate on deadlines and so forth. The quilt I started last Christmas was brought out once more and I cracked on with putting together the last four blocks, tidied up the size so they were all an even 12" square, and then..finally started to add sashing! It really is satisfying that before I return to work next week that the major part of the quilt is finally, finally complete!

Working out the placement of the blocks...but changed it again before I machined the sashing on.

And as you can see the border is now on! Love, love it! It's not an overly complicated design but it's tested me for the first proper patchwork quilt I've put together. Really looking forward to sorting out the backing fabric, as I have so much of Petite Street Fabric and white left over there might be another larger patchworking on the back. Then I can get the wadding and then...then I can do some quilting. So excited. Okay, I know I wanted to get it done before this Christmas just gone, but still I feel fairly accomplished that I've got at least this far and from here on it's at least likely to get done by winter 2015 now.

It's not the only patchwork piece I've been turning my hand to, because I have a stupidly large stash of scrap fabric from the embroidery work last year, the quilt and so forth I like to every now and then just do a little hand sewn scrap quilt. No plan to it just going with the flow. In fact what started as a small square is now looking likely to be a long panel which I think might go in the bedroom to compliment the quilt. You can follow the progress of this here and over on instagram. 

I've also decided as this is the year to being creative as possible. Being creative makes me happy, and keeps me focused on that. So one thing I signed myself up for as a bit of a mini year long challenge is a project my friend Nini of Made By Nini has set up 12 page in 2015. I didn't stop and think as to whether or not to do it I just signed myself up and so not to backtrack on it I set about making my little 12 page journal. Rather cute if I do say my self and made completely from one box. The first prompt has been announced, 'New Beginnings, Friends and with a bonus of Washi Tape. I look forward to spending an afternoon working on my page. Again keep an eye on instagram. Oh, and if you are interested in participating, not to late to join, lots of folks from around the world are taken part.

Got a project your working on or planning to start?

I have some doodles in mind for future embroidery projects, as I am nearly ready to get back to doing some more intricate stitching.

Oh, and one final thing I have the sale still going on!

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