Woolly gardening hat

My first knitting post. Here's a piccie of Keith wearing his new gardening hat.

Sad News

I did manage to deliver the last quilt to my mum in time. But sadly, the baby boy, Luke, was stillborn shortly before Christmas.

Making Christmas decorations

Had a fun evening with Anna making Christmas tree decorations. Here's some piccies:

Finished the second cot quilt

Quite a long post this time because I have lots of pics. Apparently the expectant mum for this quilt has been having lots of contractions even though she's not due for a least 2 weeks - so that made me get on and finish it. Here it is.

Here's some close-ups of the fabric.

In the making of this quilt, I finally decided on a new sewing machine - and it's great. Here it is

Top piece

Have finally managed to get back to some sewing (manic time at work stopped play for a while!).

I've finished piecing the quilt for my cousin's baby. Next is the border which is in the yellow check pattern.

We've also done loads in the garden but no time to post about that now. So here's a lovely picture from Batsford Arboretum showing what a fantastic autumn 2007 was.

Finished quilt for Lucy

Whoo hoo! It's finished!

Here's the back. but that's much less interesting.

There was a bit of a crisis on the way when my sewing machine broke down! Luckily, my Nan had just given hers to my daughter so there was a spare one in the house. Trouble is, I don't know what to do now 'cos I was thinking about getting a new machine soon - maybe Christmas. Do I get the old one serviced, or buy a new one now as I still have the quilt to make for my cousin's baby. And I wanted to make a herbal moth repellent sachet to go with the Lucy quilt that will keep it safe from attack if it gets stored at some point in it's life.

Think I'll go and look at new machines online.

Gratutitous flower pic

Took this at work today and thought it's rather lovely.

Bother

The quilt was going so well - border on and all sandwiched together ready to quilt. Then I looked at how much thread was left!

So I had to go all the way to the shop in Weedon to get some more. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to find the right stuff more loaclly and decided it was probably quicker to just go straight back to the shop that I knew stocked it. Stupid thing is, my mum bought twice as much for the other quilt that I've got to make - but I said I was sure the smaller reel would be plenty!

Oh well, planning to do the quilting later so may post again later with an update.

Lucy's quilt

I've finished piecing the top together and I'm rather pleased with it so far. Next part is the border, which is in the yellow fabric. Then I need to get the one for my cousin to the same stage before I move on to the quilting part. No time this week tho' as I have a manic week!

No more Kerria japonica

I finished clearing the dreaded Kerria and the Lonicera nitida yukky stuff. The space will have a new fence put up and fresh new planting - spring bulbs on the dark side of the fence by the drive, more colourful summer planting on the light garden side. But first, the roots need removing and the whole area covering with black plastic for a year. These are the 'before' pics!

Garden destruction

I've just chopped down loads of Kerria japonica and Lonicera nitida. Very satisfying as I hate both plants and their removal is to make space for some lighter new planting.

Here's the big pile of stuff I have to clear up at the weekend!

Beginning

The idea was to have a blog so my mum could see how the quilt I'm making for her godson's new baby is coming on. But she's gone on holiday and the quilt might be finished before she gets back!

Still, it seemed like a good idea to help me keep a record of all kinds of stuff.

So, we went last week to my favorite patchwork shop, The Bramble Patch in Weedon and chose some fabric - it took a while but we got there in the end. I also chose some fabric to make a cot quilt for my friend, Lucy, who is expecting her first child in November. My cousin's (mum's godson) child isn't due until January.

I've started cutting and some sewing - the one for mum is in pastel blue, pink and yellow, very traditional. The one for Lucy is in autumnal colours of red, green and gold because I like to work with them and the baby will be born in autumn (like my son was - lovely time of year to have a baby).

Here's the cut out pieces in my sewing drawer, and also the plan I'm working from - so you can see where this is going.

More soon....Carrie