Unexpected Presents and a Miscalculation

Now if ever my colleague, Rita, comes into work with a big bag and the words, 'I've been having a bit of a clear out - before I take this lot to the charity shop, would you like...', then chances are that I am in for a treat.

This was definitely the case on Friday, when she gave me a bag containing these little beauties...

Wow! Wasn't that kind?

BUT, before I can consider my next step (do I feel a Country Charmer coming on, after all...?), I need to do two things.  Firstly, I need to finish off a Festive Mystery (and ideally get further along with line with mum's antique nine patch quilt).

And secondly, I really have to get my two crates of fabric under some sort of control (it's one of my 52 challenges) - at the moment, the fabrics are in no order, just bunged in, so if I want to look for anything, the whole lot gets emptied out.  Should I be sorting by size of fabric, or colour, I wonder - what does everyone else do?

Talking of a Festive Mystery, I finished piecing the back this evening, only to hit a snag - I clearly didn't double check the numbers closely enough, and the back is about 2" too small all the way round.  

I think that I'll use the William Morris style fabric as a border, to make up the difference, then be careful to centre everything when it comes to putting the sandwich together.

Hmm.

A Finish - of sorts

Although I have not been idle these first few weeks of the New Year, not much of my time has been spent at the sewing machine.

Partly, the attic room where I sew has been getting progressively messier and filled with more 'stuff' and in need of a good vacuum.  I made it one of my 52 Challenges to get it back in order, and spent a great deal of time last week making it a more pleasant place to be.  And I hardly dare drop a thread now, however, I suspect that that won't last long!

And tonight I mopped up a little sewing job that has been outstanding since the Autumn - when I was on holiday, I saw what I thought was a pack of ladies handkerchiefs which I thought my mum would like.  Turns out my Spanish is not what it might be, and the pack of handkerchiefs were in fact just one huge gents hanky.

I was the work of a couple of hours to quarter the huge hanky and edge with some lace, and I hope that mum will be pleased with her present, despite it being some months late!

Next on my hit list is to finish QuiltSue's Festive Mystery - I'm taking it for my Godmother when I next visit in a couple of weeks.

There's nothing like a deadline to focus the mind, is there?

Happy New Year!

Where on earth did December go?

I mean, I know that it's a busy time of the year, but between big sister Helen's visit at the beginning of December and this, the first day of 2013, the time has just disappeared!  I even missed the final Christmas Quiltalong day where QuiltSue really pushed the boat out with a fabulous day of fun and games.

I do hope that everyone has had a wonderful festive season; that Santa was kind; that there has been peace and goodwill to all men (despite the odds against this happening in most households being slim indeed); and that your New Year's resolutions are intact, despite it being nearly bed time on the first of January.

I have not been idle with the sewing machine though - so I have photos to share.

First up, the baby mat for Helen's new step grandson, Thomas Lester.



























Then the catnip mice that I made for Domino and Oliver...

No photo, but I altered the sleeves on a coat that mum bought.  Why the manufacturers thought it would be a good idea to feature turned-back cuffs revealing the baby blue fleece lining is anyone's guess.  Mum liked the coat in the shop, but concluded that the turned-back cuffs would remain baby blue for all of about three seconds, so a little alteration was needed.

And last, but most certainly not least, here are the coasters that QuiltSue very kindly sent me in with her Christmas card as a thank you for being one of the Christmas Quiltalong hosts this year.  They are lovely, Sue, thank you!

So projects for the New Year?  Oh yes!  I have some handkerchiefs to edge with lace for mum, the Festive Mystery to quilt and bind; and those with elephantine memories may recall the Antique Nine Patch quilt from Pick Four for mum which is still only two thirds quilted....