IVE MADE A START

The Evening Mist Jelly Roll is slowly evolving into a throw. I started to sew some if the strips together and they look like this now.

Need to get my thinking cap on to take it to the next stage.

TIBETAN EARTHQUAKE HAT

It CHUCKED it down today and was freezing cold so to go for my hospital appointment, I wore my boots and winter coat - again! 

My coat however, does not have a hood so I gave my Tibetan hat another airing.

 Haha!

THE RED FABRIC DOESN'T GO

I sorted the jelly roll into light to dark and the red fabric doesn't go with it at all. 

I had hoped to use it as a highlight but definitely not. I've decided to sew the strips together, cut them, re-sew them and take it from there. Just need some mojo to get cracking with it!!

BRRR! ITS COLD

So cold today despite a beautiful blue sky earlier. Thank goodness I'm off for another dose of sunshine in a moment. My light treatment is going well and I was given 2 mins 48 secs on Saturday so should perhaps get 3 mins today. 

I've had a really bad back for over 3 weeks which has prevented me from doing certain things, one being cutting patchwork pieces. I played with this gorgeous stash yesterday and spent ages working out measurements for a particular design.

The jelly roll is Moda Evening Mist and the 4 red fat quarters are also Moda. 

My plan is simple to begin with and involves sewing 30 strips together so no cutting til that's done. 

Not sure how far I will get today but I'm off to the hospital now so will see what happens when I get back.

FLOATING GARDEN

Well more like floating plant pots actually.

They cost a fortune but are really effective.

They came as a pack of two, different sizes.

I've just MADE another for a fraction of the price.

Ready for aquatic soil and plants now.

FINISHED - I THINK

Should I leave the top or do something with it??

Some string perhaps?

What do you suggest?

PROGRESS SO FAR

Still a way to go, but this is the bottle just now.

PLAYING WITH A BOTTLE

I seem to have several bottles of all different sizes and shapes. Many are from Christmases past and birthdays. Why I have so many is a mystery because I can only keep a few things I alter due to lack of space and bottles are not something I can send as presents through the post. 

Yesterday I decided it was time to at least have a go with one of them.

 I chose a green wine bottle, sourced a few bits and bobs and set to.

Old stash got an airing although I haven't gotten far enough to use any of these today.

The scene from this morning. I have done a bit more since I got back from the hospital but there's still a way to go.

8 YEAR BLOGAVERSARY

TOBY

My blog is 8 today.

Cannot believe that. I had a look back at the posts from 2008 and some of the paper crafting I did back then, wow! What rubbish! 

Anyway, this is the photo I shared on that day. My special pal Toby, my chocolate Burmese. Little did I know then that we would only have him around for another 8 months. Despite the years that have passed he can still bring a tear to my eyes because I so want to cuddle him.

I started my blog to celebrate him with bits of life and craft thrown in for good measure. Craft has since taken over especially as I wandered into retirement and all the wonders that threw at me.  I try to do something 'craft wise' each day even if that just means planning or researching something and this year I have done my best to Blog more. So far so good.

Today I am going to bite the bullet and find a patchwork hexagon pattern to my liking, then it's a case of - watch out Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements fabrics, my scissors are at the ready.......

TIME FOR A CHANGE

After being quite poorly yesterday plus I couldn't have my light treatment because I got a bit over cooked on Thursday, I feel much better today, hooray!

The sun is shining too which always gives me a boost so I decided to get this lot out.

I found one of my wreaths from last year and added more to it. It ended up like this.

That's much more cheery.

A LOVIE LAP QUILT

I saw a quilt on Pinterest a few weeks ago which had a pocket at the front to keeps your hands warm. I just knew I had to make one for my pal Sylvia so I sent off to www.HomeSewnByCarolyn.com in America for the pattern.

Now you may remember that Sylvia is a very proficient patch worker so to make a quilt for her when only a beginner myself made me wonder if I had bitten off more than I could chew.

Over 4 days last week I did this

It's a simple 9 block pattern but had to match up perfectly.

I finished the front in 2 days then sandwiched it to the back and batting.

I decided to quilt the border with straight lines whilst having a go a free motion quilting on the blocks.

Sylvia messaged me this morning to say it had arrived. I hope she likes it and finds it useful.

12 TAGS OF 2016 - APRIL

After last months tag post, I tried to upload a replacement for Google Chrome on my computer as I have Windows XP on it and Chrome is already giving me problems with Blogger. I have an iPad and iPhone plus access to a MacAir computer, but linking still evades me. I've decided to post my April tag on my iPad and hope for the best.

I gave it a good go and tried to use my wood grain stencil to dry emboss some card, didn't work, so I reverted to using Distress paint through it in order to create the background. You can guess I don't have the new wood grain card stock. Actually, the effect, although not in keeping with a new technique, is still fab. 

I more or less continued to Tim's instructions and produced this as my April tag.

I love it.

FRIENDS WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

I couldn't find the photo of the card I sent to our friends for their wedding anniversary last Friday but have just discovered it on my Flickr account.

It's very simple but made using paint and a pen.

I am sewing today, infact I've been sewing for 3 days now. Can't show you what I'm up to but I will once the recipient has it.

A LITTLE PURSE

I made this fabric coin purse today.

But it's rubbish!!

CAN YOU FLY IN YOUR DREAMS?

I just had to have a go at another bright canvas if only to try and remember everything Karen taught me last Sunday. 

My Adirondak paint dabbers have been left out of my crafting for some time now which is a shame because the colours are just gorgeous. I decided to use them along with some Dina Wakely acrylics and a few neons from Decoart.

Coming along nicely.

Then, bish bash bosh, I ended up with this.

I need to practice blending a bit more but it's not too bad. I sprayed it with tourquoise perfect pearls which gave it a subtle sparkle.

Such happiness.

A FRIEND HAS A BIRTHDAY TODAY

Today is Kaths birthday. She is away in her caravan this week so will probably be celebrating today by going somewhere nice for a meal.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY X

USE YOUR WINGS

Well I certainly used mine yesterday when I almost flew my way to Harrogate for a workshop with Karen HAYSELDEN .

Never been to a class at Art from the Heart before so the whole day was exciting for me. The journey was good taking about an hour and three quarters. I drove there and hubby drove back. No holdups which on the A59 is an achievement in itself.

Karen was a delight, a true Yorkshire lass with an accent you could listen to for hours. Her attention to detail was quite amazing to watch and this particular canvas just spoke to me when I saw the class advertised. I was mesmerised by it and just HAD to learn how to create it.

I took this photo in the class just to prove I was there but to be honest I could have been anywhere! Der!

Anyway, time eluded us on the day so I got stuck in today and this is my attempt at USE YOUR WINGS by KASSA. 

I am an avid fan of bright colours now.

Thank you Karen for your patience and for sharing your expertise. I want to make more now.

HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

To 2 lovely people, our Quentin and Paula. Have a magical day.

Lots of love and hugs X