Baby Number 4 - A Girl!

I spoke too soon last time.  It was a good job I was ahead of myself and had all my housework up to date and my baby quilts for now, all just about finished.  I had an extremely busy week this week.  Extra chores at Dads, decisions to be made, a lot of juggling and organising and running around.  I think we are all fixed for the moment so fingers crossed for a more leisurely week this week.

Amelia arrived later than her due date so one of the girly quilts will be parcelled up and delivered later in the week.  I hope she likes it - well I know a bit too soon for her to like it but I hope her family do.

Although busy I did manage to start a new project as promised.  sewing is my therapy and makes me switch off and it usually clears my head.  This one has been around for a while.  It is a Jinny Beyer kit called Crystal Star.  Now there is a story behind this kit which was bought four years ago and in fact I bought two kits.  2013 had an unpleasant start for me, you may remember Mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died in June of that year.  It was also the year of the Alberta floods and impacted hugely in the community we visit most years and our good friend's home and possessions were washed away.  As a means to try and recover from these life changing events I bought the two kits while in Canada, leaving one with my good friend M to perhaps help in the healing process and eventually when the time was right it would act as therapy to return to quilting.  I of course brought the other one home which sadly has lain on the shelf for 4 years.  Truth be told when the kit arrived I realised that the kit was beyond my capabilities and probably M's at that time.

Over the years my kit has been moved from shelf to shelf, looked at, and placed back for another time.  Well in the removal upstairs it appeared again and this time it 'spoke' to me or perhaps it shouted.  Last weekend I opened the package, opened out the fabrics, looked and stroked........and finally read the instructions.  Oh oh! just as complicated as it was 4 years ago.  Back it all went into the packaging.  I mentioned to K my trusty quilting friend just what I had done.......she called me a woose!  That was enough to get my dander up - so the kit came out again and this time I made a start.  I am progressing slowly and my fear of foundation piecing is slowly beginning to disappear.  Here are a few photos of where I am to date.

I'ts out the packet

Looks complicated - 150 different fabric pieces in the star

Reminds me of School - dressmaking patterns

Numbering the fabrics

Oh no - one piece not the correct size! Hopefully it will be in the mail soon

Ta Dah!  1st piece of 35 sections

 So Ive started and I will finish............ eventually but it may take me some time.  I will post my progress as I go.  Have a good week folks.

Ahead of the Game

Just at this moment I am ahead of myself, for once.  My house is reasonably tidy the laundry is all up to date, and I have had time this week for some sewing.  I have made further headway with returning my dining room into just that and have moved my computer and printer etc upstairs to join all my other quilting equipment.  All in preparation for the decorator and the new carpet arriving next month.  

I have had a little reprieve and time to breathe with regards to the baby quilts and I may actually do something completely different not involving children's fabrics this weekend.  I will probably spend too much time pondering I won't actually achieve much, we will see.

Zachary's quilt is finished although he hasn't received it yet.  Corner of 5th and Fun is waiting for a photo before being parcelled up and sent off.  I hope he enjoys playing with it for years to come.  You  always wonder if your quilts are used, and I recently heard that one such quilt gifted to Evie four years ago has been well used, played with often and has washed well and now is the floor covering for her teepee tent!  It gives me a huge amount of pleasure knowing that the fun I had making these little gifts are treasured and give others pleasure too.

Corner of 5th and Fun for Zachary

Two more babies are due to arrive this week and I am pleased to say I am ahead of schedule and there are 3 completed quilts and one just to have the binding attached all ready for the new arrivals, whatever sex they may be!  I will give you a sneak peek but of course not of the finished articles.

I have updated my Gallery photos this week too so if you have a minute go have a look.  The photos have mainly been taken indoors as the weather recently has been a bit wet and windy for nice outdoor shots.

Enjoy the weekend ahead and perhaps like me you will embark on a new project.

Lots of Little Ones

Two more little ones have arrived safely last weekend, both boys, Harry and Zachary.  Their quilts are well on their way to completion in fact Harry's will be wrapped up shortly ready for delivery tomorrow.  I will let you see the completed quilt next time, I haven't taken the photo yet.  I need some fabric for the binding for Zachary's so by this time next week It will be complete.  I haven't been idle though another one involving hourglass blocks is on the cutting table!  The half square triangle Darling Little Dickens quilt is awaiting the arrival of a little girl so watch this space.

Its been a lovely few days and some of our time has been spent in the garden enjoying the sunshine.  There are a lot of little ones in our garden too.  We have been watching blackbirds who have been nesting in the ivy on our wall, they have now flown the nest and are enjoying foraging in the garden and making lots of noise.  Unfortunately a little one got stuck in our gate and Grumpa had to come to the rescue.

I am delighted to report the rescue was a success and the youngster was seen later being fed by its Mum!  The second rescue of the weekend was a little coaltit fledgeling who managed to get in to our bathroom.  I rescued this one and it flew off into the trees so seemed to be fully fledged, and managing on its own.

Never a dull moment in our house!

The Kaleidoscope quilt is well and truly finished and I am delighted with the challenges it gave me, there is certainly room for improvement but I think it will be appreciated by someone somewhere.

This week I will be continuing with the baby quilts. I think I will try and get time to load another quilt on to the frame for some more practise.  I hope you all have a lovely week and enjoying whatever you are doing.