Gestation

First, may I apologise to anyone who has commented and got no response. Blogger, in their infinite wisdom, have stopped forwarding comments to my email, so I do not always register they are here! I should be able to catch them eventually, unless someone comments on a fairly old post- I do love to know you have been here, and enjoyed ( or hated, even- I do not always love what I have done) some of my projects..

Now to the point of the post!

Some things take their own time. I think the Brazilian Post office comes in to that category.

Last year we did a swap. It was a Winter/Christmas swap. I drew they loveliest of ladies for whom to make. Sil, who lives in Brazil. The last day for posting was on November, but I knew I had lots of making to get on with, so I got my parcel off early. So my package went in the post towards the start of November.

I had pretty sparkly frosty looking fabric to give the 'chill factor'. and with some blue and crisp white on white, I thought a little scene would appear- Birdies in the snow, a few left over leaves, and we are set.


A wee play with borders,  some careful mitring,  fairly simple quilting, and I had a result. 

sorry about the 'Freds' in the picture... 

I know Sil loves all things Christmas, so I popped in a home made ornament, for her, reckoning 6 weeks in the post? Max, she will have this for her tree... 

And I sat back to wait..... and wait.... and wait!

Eventually I contacted the swap mamas. What should I do? Should I start again, now months later, and send another one? Or should I leave her in the lurch- no swappy quilt on her doorstep? Either option feels unfair, but what could I do? Post office here cannot trace it past our borders, Brazilian post is notorious... 

Mamas said leave it. So, reluctantly I left it. 

Then, this week, a whole 9 months later, News!

The package has arrived! 

Sil's beaming face is all that I could have hoped for, she is such a joy to give to, as she shows all her delight in the offerings . 

So, that is now home, and I think, after 9 months we should call it a baby!

Received...

My birdie pouch came through just as I posted off mine to my partner.  so, here is what I was gifted with,

Would you believe, my brave partner had never installed a zip before. Well, I can tell you, I would never have known. She did a perfect job. 

And look at my goosey heads! aren't they just lovely! I love the bright colours and the 'attitude' they emanate! 

And then there were extras. Wee notelets, flannel printed with birds, and some plushies. 

I think I did very nicely thank you!

And the twist? I sent to her and she sent to me! fair exchange, eh?

last swap

I joined a group a wee while back, and have had a few swaps with them. Sadly the numbers swapping have diminished, so now the swaps are done. Not enough folk happy to make and post off to who knows where for the joy of an exchanged swap. So, my final offering for this group was
'Put a Bird on it... and in it!'

 I found amazing glorious rich fabric with a bird, just perfect for putting a porthole into, and showcasing the little chap


I love a sneak peek, so I out up this picture and my partner quickly responded, so I was certain she liked where I was going.  The blue linen I had had for another task, so it was a simple choice to make, and I had a pretty variegated thread which pulled up the colours in the bird fabric.

 I saw a tutorial on youtube, which showed how to make a pouch with multiple pockets. I vaguely followed that, but made my own dimensions, so this ends up with two large pockets, one small zipped pocket and two slips between the small zip pocket and the larger pockets. All fastened with one large zip across the top.


To put a bird in it I looked at owl pincushions here there and everywhere... I looked at how they were constructed and then off I went and redesigned the dimensions to make my own version- thank you everyone out there who has published their own versions!

Basically, you draw an isosceles triangle, then a shorter fatter one. Cut from chosen fabric.  Match the bottom edges, and sew one to t'other, and then sew the other side, wrong sides out , also stitching the top part of the larger one. Flatten him out, and trim the point, then turn. Fold down the top point and stitch firmly to the middle of his tummy. Gather stitch round the base.

Cut out a suitable size cardboard circle- I use the famous cereal packet for this- and cut a circle of fabric for the base about an inch larger in diameter. I then interfaced this circle, and gather stitched the edge, and pulled it in carefully round the card. Press like mad.

Now stuff your Wol, as fat and firm as you please. I used polyester filling, but walnut shells are probably better- just a major dirth of these in my house- and hand stitch the base to Mr Wol. Plump him up, add suitable eyes, and you are done. He is a really quick make.

Confession time- I meant his feathers to point down, but cut him wrong... so he has slanty feathers. Sorry partner.. But she is quirky.   She has been named Georgina, by her new human. Most suitable I think!



I was rather chuffed with the finish. I think there may be one or two more of these before I am done...

  When I was making my pouch I managed to make a boo-boo. I put my bird in facing the wrong direction. hey, it happens. So now, I have a piece that needs using, but is not quite what had been planned.

A few years ago I got a book- given? bought? not sure. called something like Zakka style.. This wallet was in it. not quite the same size, but I adapt most things, so a variation on the theme of the zakka style wallet appears.
I love how it opens out quite flat. You can see my birds facing away from one another. It works for this though!

Again, I think a few more of these may appear shortly.


A couple of owl buttons, and a few other sundries, and my parcel was ready to wing it's way across the Atlantic, which it managed in just under a week...

My partner has received her package, and seems to like it!

This was a secret partner swap, so nobody knows who is sending to them...  Sneaky swap mamas gave us each other! Fantastic sneaky mamas!


I will blog about what I received soon! It was rather lovely... don't hold your breath though.. I am busy just now.. Costumes.

Swap time again

Ok, I fell into another wee swap. Too tempting with the title' In the Garden' My brain went into overdrive, and I had to join... Goodness only knows what to do with the bits that come back... some are so lovely, but still, where do they all go?

So garden it is...

 A little free machining to start the ideas off. and give some depth to the image in my head






















and a couple of contrast area, again to give an illusion of length to my garden,

Then grasses and a web, with dew on the strands, and how do you decide when you are done? Ok, so it was done. Then the panic sets in... will my partner like? Or hate?

And so another offering gets started.. but then, which to send? 

In the end, there is only one answer. Send both. 

 and a little extra, which I have made again and again... but useful, pretty and easy.  A couple of other items may have crept into the parcel, as well... and off it all went on it's merry way..

The lovely lady making for me, somehow also decided to send two minis... 

and a selection of extras. The package arrived on a day when all sorts had gone wrong at work, and was cheery and bright, and gave me cause to smile! Thanks Lish! You really helped me that day. 

More Happy Post

My Coastal swap quilt arrived! Am I happy? Yes, I am thrilled! Would you like a wee look see? Of course!

This amazing batik fabric scene turned up for me!

It is perfect, I am so pleased with it, I cannot tell you!

and I was sent some 'extras' Extras are  fun, andbut my lovely partner, miniature quilter, was very generous, 

 this was the package that came,   Funny little bits, like the shaker cards, and the little charms, and a delightful mini charm pack, and a coral patterned hand towel.

Thank you partner, I was chuffed to bits- or as my receptionist says, 'Chuffed as meatballs!'  No, I don';t know why either!

 And this is how that cushion cover has come up, now it has new backing. The central tapestry stle bit was made by Mum, from a kit sometime 20 or 30 years ago. The kit was, I think, by 'Jane Rainbow'.

I do not know if they are still available, or if anything similar exists, but the quality must have been good, as it is still in quite good nick.

so, I returned this one, and brought it's friend home...

A bit more subtle, but still beautiful.

And this one will soon trot across to it's old home, all freshly backed and ready for more action!

Somewhere I also have one I made... I think it is time I dug it out and turned it into a cushion, as was originally intended... 

Coastal thoughts

So the latest swap theme is 'Coastal'

Lots of thoughts of seaside scenes ran through my head, but my partner seems to have a great love of FPP.
I am not the greatest lover of FPP, but well, yes, I can do the technique...
so what can we find to FPP for her?



A sailing ship, free from, well, I am not sure just now...  Ok, I googled it again... Piece by number

The  finished item is about 6" square.
This mini was to be from 9" upward.. maximum 18",  so it needs a bit of something to widen it a tad.
It also required some rolling waves to sail upon,

 I felt that a 'snail trail' in the right colours was  a good start, three 4" finished waves should support my ship well.










Then a mermaid just begged to join the fun.

And had to audition a background to swim upon...

And she needed a lighthouse- I know, she told me so-  and some smaller snail trails at the top finished the job. 

The centre of those top ones is 3/4" made up of four small squares each 3/8" finished... But, oh, I do like the look of it!

And then a small extra, fabric basket got added to the quilt to be sent off to... aaah! now I wonder where it is going?    That would be telling!

Received

The swap package from me has departed... and very swiftly, a swap package for me has arrived!

A 241 tote with extra goodies! A heavy purple linen, and a black fabric with those designs swilred on in stitches.. This is a most handsome bag- and an excellent size too! Beautifully made and with a label in, saying who made it- Not Yet the Dodo. 

All wrapped up in that purple trellis fabric, and with a pretty fabric purse designed with teacups on, and a pencil with an owl rubber, and a useful notebook to go with it!

What a lovely package to receive!

Thank you Mrs not yet a dodo!

it is perfect!

Woopsie!

Oh dear, I seem to have been awol! I have done stuff, Honest!


We had a weekend in London, as two of our children now live there. this trip included a trip to Goldhawk Road.

If any of you do not know about Goldhawk Road, and live remotely near West London, and make clothing- GO THERE! It is the home of a whole heap of fabric shops all in one place. We missed out about three or four of them, but still went into more than a dozen!

I wanted more pretty fabric for a few T-shirts. I have hunted for pretty T-shirting that is not babyish, and failed to find it locally. But in Goldhawk Road, I scored! Whoo-hoo!
Two rather William Morris-y prints, and a more amorphous print.
This last one has already transformed into a top, as you can see, below, and I am chuffed to bits, as they say!

and then a couple of wovens, the green to turn into culottes, when I get there, and the other.... well, shall we just say, it declined to be abandoned in the shop?/


 I am very happy with my buys!

There is another T-shirt fabric, in rich greens and purples... It will also happen in due course.

 I also made the bee blocks for March. made rather more promptly than posted... Clever blocks asked for by lovely Jo, who plans a Siblings Together quilt, I believe.

The blocks all together look great!











And then there is a swap... That Tote bag swap.... I have it almost together now, Black and white and One colour!




A zippy pocket,  and some slippy pockets,







Putting it together somehow those slip pockets in the lining decided to go in upside down...

 that seam ripper is facing the gap left at the bottom of the bag, for turning right sides out at the end...

Do you think it is a fashion that may catch on, given time?









and here is the bag all sewn together!I do hope my partner likes it! Do you think she will?

Triple Zippy - 7 out of 10

 Ok, I joined in, because, I had seen these out there, and wanted to have a go. They look really neat, and fun, if a bit fiddly.

There is a fabulous tutorial out there, It is just certain persons, who shall be nameless, do not always quite follow the instructions properly...
I shall look the other way while you tut...

Ok, so the putting together is not the problem.
But, well, there are these zipper end tabs. And if you are not mega accurate, you might... lose them in the sewing?? Perhaps... even though you measured, and measured again, several times, instead of eyeballing it, as per normal!

And that is when there are end tabs at one end, but not at the other...

Anyway, this is so totally not what my partner wants, that it doesn't matter, because I can keep this one and use it,  then the faults are not faults, they are foibles, and go find the type of fabric she does want, and make it better!

While following most of the distractions provided, I realised, one place can be simplified. That is, when we are nearly finished, and have the lining looking at us, and are instructed, to pull it aside, and sew the side seams. We do not need to pull it aside. We can take the main lining right off, so the two bits hold hands round the zip, and sew those main body side seams with no distractions. And one of the lining seams. Then, fold the lining back onto the pouch, turn it all right sides out, and just sew the last seam as per instructions!

Clear as mud? Yes, I thought so... I shall try to get photos when I do my 'for real' pouch!

I also think this pouch is a wee bit wee? so, I think I may just enlarge it a tad, for making the 'real' one! I can get my rotary cutter in, just! and do the zip up.. just. So an inch larger all round wouldn't hurt, would it?

Swap tote arrived!

 Oh look what I was lucky enough to receive!
This lovely parcel arrived from a wonderful swap partner, Liverpool feminist you can link to her flickr stream,  I do not think she has a blog, so I cannot direct you there, but isn't she a star!

Opening the envelope, I am greeted by some texty prints! What have I just received, about a week ago? texty charms!  and then I get a texty tote! how amazing is that!
 I now think, I have not taken the right photos!

I have an interior pocket, on a creamy lining,

then the texty squares run round the top edge of the tote, which is a deep navy for the body of it, and beautifully put together. Simple, sophisticated design, just perfect!

And then the goodies inside!

 A zippy pouch, with those same texty squares on the front, a cheery red zip- put in perfectly, across the front, and a navy back to it.


This zippy pouch was filled with yet more stuff!

Red and orange pezzy print, that red cross hatched print and three lots of plain colours, two sets of ribbon, and a bar of chocolate!

Now, you tell me, did I not do well out of this one?

I hope she gets as good a package as I got!

June already!

 Well, May was a busy month! I had decided to participate in a basket swap, and was lucky enough to get May as my partner. She is a quirky fun sweet lady, and in the time I have 'known' her, I have got rather fond of her. Now, we also were in an apron swap, and she got rather a 'thing' about skulls. So, I do not know, if you can quite see the quilting on that top basket? I put skulls round it, as a bit of an in-joke. I was trying diversionary tactics too, that she was not my partner, by starting the basket making, with orange. And then progressing to yellow and red. But she is a clever cookie! and saw right through my tactics, She knew these were for her!

So I added a couple of sillies, and posted them off! Happy baskets May!

 Now, I am also mad enough to have joined the name tag swap for FQR, and have designed and made this tag. I know my partner had a stated preference for a lanyard, so that is what I have produced, and I trust the 3D flower will be enjoyed. It was posted on Wednesday, so, if the Post Office is co-operating, she should have received it by now. I hope to hear soon.

 In hipbees, lovely Sarah gave us a different challenge. She sent fabric, and we could do any block we wished! The red and cream is lovely, and it produces a really lovely block, almost whatever you want to make! Sarah has some really pretty blocks from the whole group.





And, as a by product, it inspired me to use some fabrics which I had already 'bundled', to make 3 D blocks and put together a quilt top. I have started sashing- but life keeps getting in the way!











I occasionally go to a new little local craft group.  The group is mainly papercrafting, but 'anything goes' , so knitters, sewing ladies and all sorts attend. The skill levels are very varied, and everyone is made welcome.
This has started up in Lowton, and they asked me to do a tutorial for these silly little embellishments that I often use on cards- some of you will recognise these. 

 I tend to think they are so simple, I can produce a card in 5 or 10 minutes, with these, but it does take longer to explain than to do, and an hour or so on, about 5 or 6 folk had put cards together, with these pretty little nothings on. Very effective.  I hope they will do them again, without my beady eye on them!

May's Stash Bee block was asterisks, quick and easy, I look forward to seeing what Bri does with them.

and then, there were the round the world blocks too. I can see now, why folk do this round up! It really focuses on what you have achieved, and lets you see past the bits left wanting, and so encourages you to go forward!

And, linked with Lily's quilts, for Fresh Sewing Day!