stringy star!

Svea asked for a 12 1/2 " block, for our 'fat stash Brit bee', and I made an astronaut on the moon. But that only used one of the fabrics she supplied. And I had a little idea lurking for another block. About 18 months ago we made scrappy string star blocks for Jennie , and I just thought, that one would be ideal for Svea. as a small extra, as you do.. So, I got started. And wouldn't you know it, I made a 'rookie error'. I sewed the first piece onto the back as well as the front of my piece of paper.. 

 Looks fine, there, doesn't it?

 but turn over and....


 please can Mr Stitch Ripper come and play?

The next 'rookie error' I made was, I forgot that half these should be diagonal right to left, and the other half, left to right!

So, another couple of pieces had to be made...




But, eventually, it all came together, and the block has not only been made, but it is in the post, with it's little friend, on their way to a quilt for a space mad child!

If I did it again, I would ensure that the strings closest to the star were more of a  contrast, but, really, I was not ready to start again by the time I realised! It will have to do! And the recipient likes strings! so all is well!

The Lazy global sewing retreat!

Yes, that is right, Lazy Bums gathered at their sewing machines for an extended 24 hour period, and sewed. We all sewed different projects, but chatted in between, and made great progress.
I had planned for, well since ages, to do a scrappy trip around the world. So, this retreat was the perfect impetus to get it started.

 Starting with precut strips, played with combinations, sewing 6 strips together, a bit more cutting, a little seam ripper work, and a little more sewing, and the block emerges.

 In very short order, I have three blocks.

Three blocks are very little use to anyone, so I set to, and managed to make four more.

My sewing was complicated, first by the fact that I had had to work that morning- a sad incursion into sewing time- and further by the fact that we had invited friends to join us for a meal that evening...
So, I sewed, then peeled some spuds, sewed, then peeled a carrot.. or two.. sewed and made some stuffing for the chicken... and sewed again.

And I had just finished my seventh block, when my friends turned up!

Rescued at about 4.30, by my OH arriving and taking over the cooking, just so I could take part in the retreat! Got to love that fellow!

Another shock to the system, He actually admired these blocks! without prompting! Now, that is quite something!



The next four blocks..

 All seven together..

And today, I just thought, between this, that and the other- I could make a couple more?

But my bobbin ran out- so I refilled it

Disaster! Why, oh why, and actually how does the bobbin do this??

a long time was spent trying to sort this one out. Eventually, I snipped it all off, and started again...

so, now, I have another four blocks, and my OH has done the maths, and reckons I can make these comfortably at half an hour each!


so if I put my mind to it, I might be able to get a whole quilt top's worth in a day! If I did not have other life essentials to get on with... like working,eating and sleeping..


meantime- I love them!

Extravagant!

Oh dear- I have been shopping. No, sorry, not really fabric shopping- except zips.

I have seen those pretty triple zippie pouches around, and need to have a go. So I laid in a few zips. I have a very good source of zips, and as I was there anyway- I got them! The company is so helpful and although I have to buy them in bundles, they are such a good price, that it is worth having 10 of a colour- they do get used in the end. And a bundle of 10 zips goes nowhere when costumes are in the offing!

 So I treated myself to three colours!

Do not hold your breath on this one, but it will happen- when I get there.

 I have been playing with a few other things but want to keep them mostly under wraps for the moment, so not a lot of sewing to show, yet.

And another piece of extravagance?
A new teapot!
A favourite died before Christmas, as they do, and we had a choice. Too big, or really not big enough. So this medium size fellow has come in to our house- and DD1 has expressed a desire to see what it was like!

My sewing activities have included some much needed decluttering. I have been very strong, and thrown away those silly scraps which are really only big enough to make a petal for bondaweb applique, and then you couldn't stitch them!

So these are what are left of the smaller bits. 









And I have sorted all the strips of leftover, into width categories- How did I collect all those strips?

Some of these strips are barely wide enough to provide an accent for something, and any that hit the 2.5" width got stashed in a separate poly bag



















and larger scraps got put into my bonus box! a shoe box acquired with a recent footwear purchase! Well, waste not!




and so I can pretend to be tidying up.....