Biscuits, Quilts and Tea

Another week has flown by, I was rather caught up with last minute decorating ahead of my carpet being fitted, more on that later. Feeling a little bit crook but at the same time determined to finish a longstanding project. I feel more energized of late to stitch and well do things. 

Get things done! 

• The sheer relief of finishing a quilting project! Having started it, or at least gathered together all the fabric back in 2013, the quilt for my bedroom was completed last week. Can't say how bloody awesome it is to actually finish such a long project. The hand sewing the binding certainly took a lot of patience, as I was so ready for it to be done. And can I say why did I not get the Clover Wonder Clips sooner! But it is, at long last now adorning my bed. Which means I'll be getting ready soon to getting that room decorated. Speaking of decorating....

I love my little red and clear wonder clips, they are so freakin awesome and totally limit the amount of times I am normally stabbed with pins whilst sewing on bias binding!

Bob, I can see you.

• My hallway is finally finished! Talk about a relief. The carpet was fitted, along with the laminate in the bathroom, yesterday morning. Knowing that one room(ish) is complete, and that I am now keen to crack on with the next project, which will be the bathroom is really great, and I think I have to say the spring sunshine is certainly helping with the motivation to get on. 

• Other decorating based news. My biscuit collection is ever growing, the lovely designing talents of Nikki McWilliams has extended to these lovely range of foil letterpress designs, Jammie Dodger, Custard Cream and recently a copper Bourbon biscuit. Hard to resist. These will eventually be framed and will go on display in the livingroom. Hoping that there will be a party ring on the horizon. 

• Watch the process of handcrafted quilts. Simply stunning.

• Got the idea for my next embroidery project, follows on from a mini quilt/patchwork which I am going to post about during the week, once I've properly completed (nearly there!). Let's just say, tea is featured. 

• Things I am thinking about a lot lately: changing direction, closing Etsy store, getting rid of Facebook (company page) love Instagram more, focusing on making things for me but perhaps looking in more detail about what is I am making, and how I do it. Essentially, figuring out do I want to make to sell or simply just make? Perhaps the sunshine had woken up long dusty brain cells. What are you thinking about at the moment?

Decorating and Stitching

This has seemingly felt like a long and also short weekend at the same time. I suppose that's what you get if you decide to spend five long hours painting your hallway. I haven't even really finished yet. Christ painting can be so bloody boring, and tedious when you have a headache for the entire time. Whinging aside, it's complete and I've even come to the conclusion that it doesn't need me to spend out on fancy light reflecting paint to make the hallway brighter, because the basic white has done a fab job, and has made such a difference! It was so dingy with the cream coloured walls, and now can't wait to paint the skirting and door frames, which will be in either gloss or satin wood pale grey just to give it a different finish. 

The painting has pretty much eaten up most of the weekend, because with the painting you have the cleaning up, and generally passing out from the smell. 

That aside I did get round to finishing stitching the monogram:

Something very satisfying about stitching over thread so it's hidden and has a nice neat finish

So close to finishing...sort of...lots more Satin Stitch to go..

And it's all done. 

Well, not exactly, the image above is the stage before the finish. The finish sees it with a small golden bee and is temporarily held in a frame. I've sent a picture to my friend to have a look at as I'm still a bit iffy about the bee. I did various types, sizes and put in different places and I'm not a 100% sold on it, but you know sometimes you have to take a step away. So everything is tidied up and put to one side. 

And whilst I wait to hear what she thinks, my mind wanders to not just finishing the hallway, or cooking dinner though I am getting hungry, its to what I want to start working on next. Several things are already on the go from the quilt to playing with hexies, I have also three embroidery designs to stitch, one is the next free tutorial so I should be starting that one next (and will)...but I've finally figured out what I am going to use my small stash of these bag handles I picked up seven years ago at M&J Trimming in New York. They are going to be used to hang mini art quilts for the study. Not worked out the design of the mini quilt but I am sure something will be thought of soon. Something bold and bright...

What about you, have you finally figured out to use a very old piece/item from your stash?

Happy Spring Days

I'm writing this blog post in a ridiculously good mood, singing along (badly) to radio, and once I've stopped writing I'll be sorting out a spot of dinner, speaking to my best mate and then getting back to stitching. I would say it's down to a combination of enjoying the sunshine pouring through the windows, buying more plants for the flat, and just enjoying what I am making. Sure this week hasn't gone to plan from dentist's costing an arm an leg, unexpected bills...too and this is the funniest thing, having a sparkie come out only to realise the lights that you thought were going in the hallway hadn't been ordered...because it was you that was meant to have done it. Yes, I felt like a right idiot. 

Not that it mattered cause at the end of the day my teeth are in good order, the bill will get paid and the lights whilst not up, are now ordered, and most of the prep work has been done. Oh, and a phone socket issue was also sorted out in the process. 

So what does it matter, these things are sent to try us but I am slowly learning to just go with the flow...ish. 

Anyway, enough of that waffle! I've made some pretty things, well one finished pretty, another is in the process:

Mia Mouse

This little Tilda mouse was made for a friend's god-daughter, the dress/apron gave me a bit of gip but it's come out well. Bright colours were a must for the little girl it's going to. Slightly tempted to make a coat or a blanket for it, perhaps I might if I have a moment over the Easter holidays.

Then afternoon, I started work on the monogram for a friend in the States. Starting with a bit of prep work then moving onto starting the trailing. I have to really think about the order I work the monogram in as there is a lot of over lapping. The lettering was designed by me and I've found myself doodling what the rest of the alphabet would look like. So chances are there might be more like in the future.

Getting smart-arse with the filters on Instagram...

Looks like an 'e' but really is a twiddly bit (technical term) at the end of the letter, finished with a tiny little tassel, to help it stand out from the rest of the gold trailing, I flecked in some of the blue I'll be using to work the main part of the letter in. 

It's not the only things I've been doing this weekend, there's been a lot of shifting about, perhaps its the need of wanting to spring clean has got me spirited to do it. I'll not complain, because whilst it lasts the flat is looking utterly smashing. 

I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend! 

Survived the Move!

How'dy all!

Yes, I am alive and have successfully, albeit not quite so smoothly, moved into my new abode. I'm currently waist deep in cardboard boxes, and Ikea flat packs but I am very happy! 

I thought I would give you a peek at the Studio/Guest bedroom, which is about the only room I've decided to work on at the moment. It's the one I've been really uber excited about working on and have been planning for the past couple of months. Admittedly as these things happen, I've changed not only the colour of the wall, it's more salmon pink than coral now. And I've altered the layout of the furniture. All, of course, for the better. I've nearly done all the bits for the IKEA furniture, but I am naturally missing a few bolts, and I forgot to order/miss-ordered a couple of items. However, no hardship as I need to go to a store to get the smaller bits like holders for magazines etc. I do love my storage.

What next?

Well finish off the furniture, and start getting things into their new home so I can start cracking on with my secret squirrel project. 

I'll keep you informed of the progress!