47, 48 & 49:365(+1)

It's been half term this past week and because I ended up not having Alice, I've been out and about a bit and haven't been on my computer as much. So now it's time for a quick catch up for 365(+1).

 On Thursday morning Jon and I had someone come round to write our Wills.  It's something we've been saying we need to do for years but had never got round to.  I feel so much better knowing that this has now been taken care of.

 Friday was my sister Kay's birthday and we were all invited round for afternoon tea at Theresa's (Kay's younger daughter). Alyssa had been asleep when we arrived but when she woke up she was in a lovely mood and wanted to have a cuddle with Nan/Kay.  We had a lovely afternoon just chatting and eating (too much ;o) ) Thanks Theresa and Kay for a delicious spread.

Claire and Alice are finally on the mend (after Alice's virus, Claire came down with a horrible head cold) and this afternoon they came round to spend some time with us.  I love this shot of my 3 girls - daughters Claire and Emily and granddaughter, Alice :o).  Might just end up in a frame somewhere!

So, that's me caught up for now.  I'd also like to say thank you for all the lovely comments about my log cabin quilt (post below).  I've so enjoyed making this quilt and can't wait to have it completed.  Deb (Paper Turtle), I'll send you an email shortly :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
xx

Log Cabin Quilt

This log cabin quilt was started in May last year. It's completely hand quilted and has been sewn a block at a time. The best part is ... you can do it anywhere. I keep my fabrics, sewing box, cutting mat, ruler and pencils in a basket which sits next to my seat in the lounge. There have been times when I haven't touched it for months and other times when I've sewn every day. Knowing that I now only have four blocks left to make has motivated me to sew more often :)

 I pulled all the blocks out on Monday night and lay them on the floor to see what the finished quilt will look like and I have to say, I LOVE IT!  This one will definitely not be going anywhere and I can't wait for it to be finished.

 However, having said that, it could take me another 9 months before I finish sewing it all together. I have no idea how long it'll take OR how fiddly it'll be OR how patient I will be OR whether I'll get fed up and it'll take even longer. Who knows!! I'm just hoping the fact that I want it complete is enough to motivate me to keep going :)

 I love that this quilt has used up so many of the fabrics I had in my stash that I didn't know if I would ever use. That it doesn't matter how much or how little on any one fabric you have, it can all be included.  I love looking at all the fabrics and colours and seeing that it doesn't matter if the colours I put next to each other didn't go because at the end of the day the main thing is that you have the light and the dark sides which form the pattern.  How cool is that!

And finally, Emily thought she'd give you an idea of how big the quilt will be. She's 5'4" so I'd say it's definitely longer than 6' and about 6' wide. As she says, big enough for both of us to snuggle under when it's finished :)

xx

46:365(+1)

• The fabric was washed and tumble dried after I got back from Puddleducks yesterday.
• This morning I ironed it and cut it out.
• Arranging the fabric and seeing the layout come together is always fun.
• And finally, sewing them together and
• Adding the border.

The quilt top is complete and, if I get a chance, I hope to layer and baste the top, wadding and backing together, ready to start quilting tomorrow.  It's come together much quicker than I expected - which means I now know that it will be ready well in advance of when it is required for.

That feels good!
xx

45:365(+1)

I really haven't been doing very well with my photo taking this week :(

Mum and I went to Puddleducks in Sevenoaks today so that I could get some fabric for the next quilt I'm going to be making. It takes us about 40 minutes to get there (and now that I've been a few times ;o) I no longer need to use the Satnav) and it's normally quite a pleasant drive. Today, however, we seemed to get every lorry possible pulling out of side roads in front of us or stopping at the side of the road so we'd have to wait to overtake. It wasn't the most relaxing drive!

Getting to Puddleducks soon makes up for that though as they have a lovely selection of fabrics. Today was a bit trickier as I was looking for fabrics in a colour that I don't normally choose and had decided on a different design for this quilt. Let's just say, after an hour or more of looking and discarding fabric, I finally decided to revert back to a simple block quilt and after being shown one fabric I really liked, the rest finally fell in to place.  I know I'm being a bit secretive but I don't want to give anything away.

This leads me back to the lack of photo taking. I had put my camera in my bag to take photos while we were there but I got so involved in the whole fabric process I forgot totally! It was only when we got to Otford (the next village along) where we normally stop for lunch before heading home, that I realised I hadn't taken any photos. I snapped a couple of the main street in Otford but that was it.

This then is my photo for today & we didn't even eat at that pub ;o) but a couple came out in front of me just as I was taking the photo and obscured the view of where we do have lunch, so this will have to do, lol!

Despite all that, Mum and I had a good time and I got my fabric, so it was a good day after all.

xx