Reconnecting

Hello!

At the turn of the year I had anticipated a break in blogging but not for the reasons that have been, nor for so long.  Turns out much more than plans were interrupted, as life for everyone nationwide and across the globe became unrecognisable virtually overnight.  This hasn't been a time I have enjoyed, nor a time of peaceful contemplation and rest from what once was our normal, but we are safe and well and for that I am grateful.  I truly hope that whatever the Covid-19 pandemic and its restrictions have meant for you, that you too are safe and well at this time.

During the early spring we expected to be moving house.  It was to have been quite a change for us, but along came Coronavirus and its impacts and for all sorts of reasons the house move fell through.  Since 25% of my household contents and all of my sewing supplies were, and still are, boxed up and ready to load on a van, stitching has had its limitations and challenges over the past four months.  But, for sanity I found ways and means.  I've tried some new things, some unexpected things and more recently, have delved into some of the boxes to retrieve a few more supplies and existing projects to work on.  Albeit a little late and out of sequence, I hope to share my Lockdown stitching here in my little blog space over time.  Unexpected as it has been, it is all part of the Sew Me stitchy story, and some of it has been really fun and most of it has been invaluably therapeutic!

Back soon with some pretty pics to share.

2020

Christmas 2019

Quilty Finishes

I am happily sneaking in finishes of my two quilts for donating to CT's pre-school.

Both quilts were quilted diagonally through the centres in both directions and then quilted in chevrons 1.5" apart within each quarter created by the diagonals.   Although both of these night time photos are terrible and you can barely see the quilting at all, you can take my word for it that the quilting suited the star designs of each quilt.

This Giant Star quilt looks much brighter in real life and I love the red stripe binding to just finish it off.

I don't often piece backs for quilts but there was plenty of fabric left over from the front piecing so I went ahead and made the backing instead of returning it to my stash.  Feeling virtuous at lightening my stash and storage a tiny bit ;-)

And that, I suspect is the last of my finishes for 2019.  It's been a funny year stitch-wise.  I'd say I didn't really do much this year but looking back through my posts I can see I achieved more than I remember.  I think planning was the key to this year's success.  I made use of time when I couldn't get behind the machine to prep anyway, so that when I had machine time I could just get on with things.  I managed to finish two quilts WIPs I carried into the year, started and finished 3 new quilts since January and made a very small start on the Spelling Bee quilt, too.  There was a nice variety of small makes too, including half a dozen cushion covers, some armchair caddies, a sleeping bag and even a little bit of embroidery here and there too, among other things.

Of course, I am still carrying WIPs forward (some very long-term) into 2020, but who knows, maybe this will be their year.  As I contemplate next year's sewing plans, I think it would be nice to focus on finishes and little makes, instead of new big quilts.  But how I feel now may not be how I feel when I'm bombarded with loveliness via IG and Pinterest ;-)  On a positive note, it's all a good sign that creativity is still alive inside, and still eager to be let loose!

Christmas Countdown Complete

Another happy finish to report!  This Christmas Countdown wallhanging was fun to make and hopefully will bring much pleasure to CT in future years.

The pattern is by Hadley of Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycle blog from Quilt Now Magazine some years back.

My WIP list is getting smaller- yay!!

Strippy Heart Wallhanging - a finish

Although there was a lot more chattering and catching up about our families and all things stitch related while we #threadsacrossthesea girls got together at the beginning of the month, there was a weeny bit of sewing happening too.  Hot off the back of my productive retreat weekend, I took my Strippy Heart Wallhanging along to our Saturday sew day at Judith's fabulous studio and finished the quilt off by stitching the binding down by hand and adding a little label for posterity.  So, happy with this little quilt.

Committee please note that I have one finish as promised!

Fancy a picnic?

One of CT's favourite things to do is have a picnic with Daddy.  Rare pic above of Mummy picnicking - I am not generally a fan of eating outdoors, even in nice weather (bugs) but CT and Daddy picnic all year round!!  This year their first picnic was on New Year's Day - brrrrr!!

What does this have to do with sewing, you ask?  Well, CT doesn't play particularly well with toys and I'm learning that those toys that stand any chance of interesting her and actually getting played with need to be toys that are relevant to her experience.  She enjoys a little kitchen play because she loves to eat and occasionally loves to help with "mixie", but she would struggle to play with a vet's kit because I wouldn't be able to explain that to her properly - no relevance.  So, as the approach of the festive season is looming I had a brainwave and decided that a toy picnic set might be a good idea for her Christmas stocking.

Et voila - one picnic basket and blanket!

Oh the cuteness!

Believe it or not, most of the fabrics for this were scraps resulting from other scraps I worked with on my Scrappy Heart Wallhanging - I tell you, those things are multiplying!!

With 340 1.5" squares I whipped up little four patches, alternated them with 84 2.5" squares and finished with a small 1.5" border to give a 28.5" picnic quilt.

It's a very busy little quilt, like the little lady who will be its recipient!

An upscaled version on Ayumi's Fabric Basket tutorial serves well as a picnic basket, holding the little quilt and a yummy picnic lunch for Peppa and George to feast upon!

CT is slowly getting a little better at imaginative play so I am hoping that being able to relate to this might motivate her to do more, and for a little longer.

Feel like I should hashtag this post with #makingitupasigoalong iro the picnic accessories and the parenting of a child with Learning Difficulties!