So back to the pictures

So, laptop is all sorted. In the end the tech in the shop swapped out the hard drive from the bust one into a new one so I got to keep all my data, result! I thought it would get sent away and I would have to wait weeks.

So for some sewing news. I've finally caught up again with Sheila on the mystery QAL but she will probably go and post again soon to put me behind.

I can't show you some of the bits I've been doing as I haven't sent them off yet, hopefully I will get my act together this week though.

I did have a big go at my scraps again. I know I bleat on about how much I enjoy working with scraps, but it is so much fun.

First, I made a few more string blocks and then went ahead and quilted them all. I used all sorts of scrap batting/wadding as well and did straight line quilting in all different direction. I plan to put them all together using a gray sashing. Suddenly there is nearly enough for a full quilt.

I had managed to build up quite a pile of triangles again as well. I've already made two tops out of scrap triangles (one stars still waiting to be finished off and one using the Gwen Marstons book which became the Scraptastic quilt) so wanted to put them in a different configuration. I used some bits of solids hanging around and made 3inches squares and then sewed the triangles to opposite corners. I've put them together in blocks of 16 in a 4x4 setting with all of one background together and the scraps all the same colour.

I haven't decided if I will sash them yet. The chances are I will as then I can use quilt as you go so it makes it all so much easier. But, it doesn't matter, it will be months before I reach that point and I will see what it looks like when I have more.

3 of 12

I finished another quilt today - hooray.

The top was finished some time last year and is a string quilt that contains lots of my scraps from 2010. It was lovely quilting it to keep spotting little bits of fabric and remembering what they got used for and where they came from.

I just did straight line quilting in a cross hatch pattern. Its hard to see with the amount of patterns and colours so it wasn't worth doing anything else.

I had made the top using muslin as the foundation rather than paper. The extra layer it adds is noticeable, it makes it a bit heavier. I'm not sure if I prefer it; obviously it is lovely not to have had to peel away all the paper foundation but the overall texture is different. It doesn't seem as soft and snuggly.

I'm also joining my first quilt along. Lynne has designed a lovely quilt which will take me right out of my comfort zone. Dresden plates, curved seams and quilt as you go blocks!

These are the fabrics I've selected which are Pat Bravo Paradise collection with the yellow background.

Latest tops

So after my subtle grey tops I went for something complete different. This is made from Tufted Tweets and Kona banana which is a colour I love. It reminds me of some of my 80's teenage outfits.

I used a pattern from http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/07/film-strip.html which I slightly adapted. I liked the simplicity of it.

I also finally sorted out my string quilt. This was the first time where I realised after piecing it all that I had put some blocks in wrong and had to unpick. I put it off for a few weeks but gave myself a kick up the bum yesterday and got on with it.

The smaller blocks are 5 inch and the larger are 10. I used muslin foundation this time which is a lot easier than paper but it does end up heavy. I suppose the fact I use a lot of narrow strips adds to that as well.

I really will have to start finishing some quilts now. I've got too many tops built up that are awaiting the final finish!

The good, the sad and the ugly!

I finished my course today! I can't believe 12 weeks has gone so quickly. It's only been a half day a week but I feel I learnt loads and really enjoyed it. I've already signed up to carry on in September. It will take years but maybe one day I will be a counsellor.

Yesterday evening I went to a mass at the Westminster Cathedral dedicated to the mother of a friend of mine who died a few weeks ago. She worked there for years until her illness got too much for her so they wanted to pay their respects. Now this is the Catholic cathedral in Westminster, so although it was Catholics who built the Abbey next to the Houses of Parliament that pesky Henry VIII did his doings and it wasn't until this one opened in 1903 that we got one back!

It is a lovely building near Victoria - the inside is not what you expect from the outside. I couldn't take a snap of that for obvious reasons!

And for the ugly it is my string quilt!! I was really happy with it and got it all sewn together earlier in the week. Then I took a photo and realised I had turned one section the wrong way around. I'll have to unpick it now!!! It was supposed to make a central square. Not be this wonky! Blaaaarh!