Jan May

Introducing my new pillow pattern.............  Sugar and Spice Buy the pattern from my  Cajame Creations   shop on Folksy A charming pillow consisting of paper-pieced cupcakes, surrounded by the childhood rhyme of "Sugar and Spice and all things nice, that's what little girls are made of". With gingham cup-cases and pastel icing, each cake has been decorated with  embroidery. There are two versions of swirly icing, and one that looks as though it's been sprinkled in hundreds and thousands. Simply quilted, the envelope style pillow back is in two of the fabrics used - with the addition of Sugar and Spice across the fold of the opening. With little yo-yo's as the cherries on the top of the cake, and  matching binding completing the outer edge, this is a reasonably quick project to complete.  Suitable for all levels of sewing skill, and possible for anyone who is capable of sewing a straight line.  The paper-pieced ...

You know you're starting to lose the plot when you wrap your dog up in fabric and pose her for a photo to send to George at SisBoom Jennifer will think I'm nuts.  (And judging by the expression on Phoebe's face, she won't be the only one).  George may well be impressed.  Although, as I described her as a hot little bitch, he may think her a tad forward for his liking.     The things I'll do to avoid sewing!  Currently stuck in trying to finish the border for my new cushion design.  Spent too many hours on it to muck it up now, but brain is refusing to play ball.   Time to leave it for now and hope there's some wine left in the fridge. Then I shall sit down and take a closer look at my copy of Jennifer's latest book - Happy Home.  I had a quick flick through when it arrived in the post, but haven't sat down and had a proper read.  It's colourful, with some lovely makes.  And the photography!  For me, that re...

Gosh - have I been lax about my blog lately!  Blame it on the decorating...... I've been at it for weeks, and I'm fit for nothing when I get home.  And just think..... Once that's done, it will be action stations to move.  Don't want to think that far ahead.  (Though it does mean my sewing space will be bigger!). Anyways - the subject of this post............ 11 Things From what I can gather, it's a sort of blog hop.  The instructions are fairly simple, and are as follows:- There are five rules:   1. Post these rules. 2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things. 3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post. 4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them. 5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you’ve tagged them. Got it?  I grasped it eventually,  after a quickie question to  Gill (who is entirely to blame for me doing this by the way.  The link goes straight to her version of this)....

In my last post, I'd made the squares for this quilt and was hunting for graphite grey plain fabric to sash with.  Guess what?  I couldn't find any anywhere - it doesn't seem to exist.  So..... What else to use?  In the end I decided on pink gingham.  Nothing like my original idea, but it seemed to work.  Cutting out the little suckers wasn't particularly easy.  Normally I fold my fabric and cut at least 4 pieces at a time.  These all had to be done individually to ensure the check was level.  Luckily I had enough of the aqua spot fabric for corner-stones.  Had to be something contrasting, as I'd never have been able to match up the gingham at the joins. Although it's a bit "sweeter" than I anticipated, I rather like how it's turned out.  Once I've found some fabric for the backing, I will finish the edge with binding in the aqua spot fabric.  It's a shame it's such a dull day for taking photos, as the colours aren't...

In the last couple of days, I've actually managed to stir myself into action and start a new project. Introducing the bare bones of my "Pretty Random" quilt.  How can it possibly be called anything else?  For the fabrics are most certainly pretty, and as quilt designing goes - it doesn't get more random than this..... Whilst clearing away a pile of fabric to get at my cutting table, I suddenly realised that all the brights went together rather well, albeit in an "in your face, grab the migraine tablets quick" sort of way.  I absolutely adore each and every one of the fabrics.  I have no idea where all of them have come from.  I know there's some SisBoom and some Tilda.  The rest is anyone's guess?  I received some of the brights as part of a secret santa swap, I know I bought the aqua polka dot for next to nothing locally, and there's a bit of a charity shop girl's dress thrown in as well. Though all small pieces, there seem...

Another year - another Valentine's Day.    This year I didn't buy a card for hubby, instead I have stitched a verse of a Muse song that I think is quite lovely.  We're both fans of the group, and although this isn't one of their big hits - I think the words are great. As yet un-pressed and un-decided what to do with it.  Do I frame it, or do I incorporate it into another make?  Me thinks it may sit in a WIP basket awaiting inspiration.  

I've been wanting to make one of these snap purses ever since I first saw them in a quilting shop whilst on holiday in the US about 15 months ago.  I could see it was simple, so there was no way I was buying the pattern.  Surely I could figure it out?  Finally - I've got around to it! To be quite honest, I'd forgotten all about this little make until I came across a few versions on Pinterest.  I've found a couple of different tutorials, but I thought they were both fussier than they need be.  An idea formed in my head that I was certain would be easier and faster to make. Sew....... this evening I've had a go using the method I thought may work - and luckily it has.  It's super quick to sew up, and if I hadn't bothered with the embroidery would have been a matter of minutes to complete.  (I thought I'd do a little purse to keep in the car to contain change for parking..... was going to be quick back-stitch, but after I'd written on the letteri...