Wednesday 28 March 2018

A busy week

We've had a busy week here, as well as working and crafting, we have spent time in the garden, preparing for winter. We've cleared out the butternut patch. In total I had 27 butternut squash this year. I've given a few away to family, friends and neighbours, and the rest after sitting in the sun for a day or two are now safely tucked away in a dark dry corner. Some of my bean plants have come out, but the climbing beans are still producing, every couple of days there are enough beans for another meal. I've picked and frozen 3 courgette this week and the plants are still making more, though they are slowing down and the fruits are smaller. The peppers in the green house are all changing colour and each time I visit I come away with bowls of red fruits. I should get one last crop of broccoli and there are still about twenty huge leeks, but I have no room in the freezer! I guess we better eat more veg. LOL
Now that the garden has been discussed, here's the crafty stuff.
My wee angel has been finished and is ready to gift. I mounted her onto a piece of stiff card, padded with a batting off cut, then backed her with another piece of card covered in a pretty blue fabric. The trim is a piece of gold cord I've had languishing for 15 - 20? years! LOL It was an off cut from  I don't know which project and has finally been used up. She has been charged with looking after my soon to arrive grand son, and will be on her way to him, very soon.
The elephant cross stitch I mentioned in my last post is progressing slowly, but I've been distracted.
I was awake at about 2 am on Monday morning, as has become a habit recently. This next project was busily making itself in my head. So after I managed to get a bit more sleep, I got up on Monday and made a start. I've had this piece of teddy bear fabric for possibly 10 years. I don't remember exactly when it was purchased, but seem to think it was an ebay purchase. My sister and I did shop ebay for fabric, I wasn't terribly happy with my purchases and only did it once or twice. I'm fairly certain that's where this piece came from
A quick dig in my stash revealed a green fat quarter that looked just right for corner stones. It matches the little lime green bears. Which helps to keep things nicely either either. 
I didn't want to cut another strip of white, so pieced together two off cuts and a piece of green for the final border panel. The batting is a piece of poly that's been sat here for a while.
 This cute wee cot sized quilt really wanted to be made, I had it all done except the binding by the time I was ready to go back to bed on Monday night.
It had even been inspected. It is backed with more of the teddy bear fabric
I didn't quilt it on the frame, instead opting to pop the walking foot onto Naomi Janome and stitch around the inside of the bear squares and again all the way around the outside of them, just in the borders. Less is more right?
 On Tuesday after work I used off cuts of the green corner stones and the bear fabrics for the binding.
Yay! Finished.
And inspected......Again!
How is it that a cat can be asleep, fast asleep, out of it! But the moment you put a quilt on the floor, for a photo! They wake up and get in the way? LOL
And finally, Sundays project.
Someone has a birthday soon, so I made her an armchair caddy. It's not very obvious in this picture, but the fabric design has lots of sewing notions pictured on it. Pin cushions and thimbles, reels of thread and buttons and so forth. 
Appropriate I thought.
Sew that was my busy week. Now that the bear fabric has escaped the drawer there are a few more demanding similar treatment. I guess I'm going to be busy!
But first.....
Girls day out today!

6 comments:

Jenny said...

That's a lovely little baby quilt. Don't know what it is about cats, but they always seem to know when a new project has been laid on the floor!

Anonymous said...

Hi Loulee wow your angel is amazing i love her and boy the little quilt is so very cute and lucky friend getting an armchair caddy for her birthday.
Gee your garden has done well,cant beat home grown vegies xx

Karen S said...

You have been very busy. Sounds the garden has been very productive. Nothing beats eating your own home grown and fresh veggies.
Lovely work with your quilt and great use of the teddy fabric.
And the armchair caddy is a wonderful gift.

Brigitte said...

So lovely and delicate, that little stitched angel.
I love the fabric you used for the baby quilt.
And what a great gift you made for your friend's birthday. Very appropriate.

Janice said...

Your finishes are both gorgeous. Sometimes you just have to seize the moment. Wow, your garden has been productive. Well done.

Raewyn said...

YOu've been very busy and productive - both inside and outside! Both finishes are lovely - a great way to use the teddy bear fabric and a lovely gift for your friend. Hope you had a fun girls day out!