Toasty Warm

After making my Hexy patchwork cover for my baby blanket, I was missing the gentle rhythm of paper piecing pretty fabrics together. I was itching to make something else - but did this house need more Hexy clad things? On a recent trip across the boarder into Suffolk, we dipped into Quilters Haven, a completely divine fabric shop where I went for the most sweetly patterned Charm pack - and I knew exactly what I wanted to make with it. At some point it would be destined to be made into a hot water bottle cover, but with Spring on the way, it seemed as if the fabric would be stored away until next Autumn. But with this chilling coldness that is gripping Britain, it really seemed that now was the right time.

I just adore the colours and patterns of this Charm pack - the soft creams, teal and muted reds along with teeny tiny flowers. It's an unexpected colour way - not something I would have put together if buying fat quarters, but I think it is quite simply divine. Again, the boy got our Craft Robo out and made 100 paper Hexy's in no time at all - he's a complete doll! Then I was able to settle into the slow pace of paper piecing.

Slowly the Hexy's came together and with a little Bias Binding, ironing and Wadding, we were there. I had a little tussle with my Sewing Machine - boy did it not like me one little bit! I swear Sewing Machines have their own personalities, with good and bad days! But we got there and now I am very warm and toasty indeed! Now I'm wondering what I can paper piece next...any suggestions?

Cowgirl Hexy Blanket

She's finished! After many many hours cutting up pretty fabric, making hexagons, hand stitching and a little sewing machine action I have another quilt to add to my collection. I first saw this fabric in Hometown in Rochester - it's the best fabric shop in Kent. It's just so colourful inside full of delicious fabric that I just want to take home. I bought one charm pack and stashed it away. I then decided to make a quilt with it so when we next went back I added another charm pack to my basket. I added a couple of fabrics from my stash too; some more red and blue to balance out the overall colours.

Cutting little squares, paper piecing, hand stitching has all been a complete joy. My Husband is a complete love and make me all the hexagons using our Craft Robo - doing things like that fill me with little joy so I am very fortunate he'll help out. It's been the perfect winter activity; sitting on the Sofa with my basket of supplies, the beautiful soft colours and feeling quietly productive. Piecing together hexy flowers and eventually seeing the blanket grow bigger and bigger.

It seemed to take an absolute age to remove paper and tacking stitches and I'm completely sure I might be pulling out black threads from this blanket for a while to come!

After working on the blanket here and there, last week the front was finished! I was desperate to finish it but didn't have any time until last night when the backing fabric, sewing machine and poppers came out to get the job done! I felt quite nervous finishing off the blanket, I just didn't want to get it wrong. Fortunately it all worked out fine. My sewing machine decided to like me yesterday! The blanket was finished off with five poppers to keep the opening neat and tidy. 

Then came a special moment for me. Blankets have been a big thing in my life - I own a lot, make a few and always seem to have one no matter the weather whilst on the Sofa. Blankets are a life long love. Anyway, the purpose of making this blanket was to have a cover for my Baby Blanket. Something that's been in my life for nearly 32 years now. The special moment was putting my Baby Blanket in the cover. I am so pleased it now has a cover and is covering my lap right now. This blanket has been a complete joy to make and I love everything about it.

My Week

This week we had Sparklers on Monday for New Years. I have made quite a bit of progress of my Hexy Blanket. I made my first Cheesecake ever, a baked Strawberry little number. We had an impromptu play on the Swings at the Park. We drank Hot Chocolate complete with Marshmallows. I wore my new M&S Pjs a lot. We had a Friends Birthday for which his presents were brown paper packages tied up with string, well yarn, I just liked the sound of the lyrics. I made Soda Bread, another first. I purchased a new Filofax with the hope that it will help me not forget things. We went to Laser Quest for said friends Birthday and my team won and I felt 14 again. We ate home made Chicken Noodle Soup. There were lots of misty nights which when driving home late at night is spookily wonderful. I've had a really lovely week. 

Christmas Patchwork

I have wanted to make a Christmas quilt for a very long time, a very long time indeed. I love the idea of being wrapped up in it in December or sitting on it opening presents on Christmas morning. I started this quilt this time last year but then it got packed away half finished until I rediscovered it last week and I decided that I just simply had to finish it. I started collecting the fabrics an absolutely age ago - I love the Basic Grey fabrics so patterns from the Jovial and Fruitcake range where the way to go. I love the Red, Brown and Teal combination - just perfect Winter Christmas colours. I picked up the fabric in a very piecemeal fashion from here and there. Slowly my collection grew and I also added a few bits from my stash. Then finally, I had enough!

So last year, I made the front of the quilt before it got packed away. I spent a long time measuring, putting in sewing lines. I just really wanted all the corners to meet and be just right! Of course, they don't, but I am working on learning to live with imperfect perfectness! 

After buying a walking foot a couple of weeks ago though, I had no excuse not to finish it. This weekend was the weekend. There were a few arguments with my sewing machine when it decided not to cooperate, but I got there! I went for a Cotton wadding as I wanted something fairly lightweight and it's made the quilt beautifully warm. I must admit to being pleased as punch with it. I am not sure I am going to rush into making another patchwork quilt as I do find spending a long time of my sewing machine laborious and noisy! I much prefer comparatively sedate crochet but I have found it such an achievement to have completed my first patchwork quilt!