A Break and a Change

After a little time away from my blog I have returned with a break - an August break.  Whilst many busy hard working bloggers are taking things a little easier by just posting a photo a day (or a little less - there's no pressure) this not so hard working blogger (well hard working - but not blogging) has decided to be in contact with the world and myself, by taking part too.

That is the break - now for the change.

I have decided to change blog name.  After much thought I have decided to copy and move my posts from September 2008 onwards to redlanne.blogspot.com , if you are a follower of me on twitter you can see clearly from where the name has derived.  The blog name is a combination of my maiden name, married name and first name - who I was and who I am today.  Hopefully you will join me over at my new blog home, from where I have commenced my August Break.

Learning to quilt

1. Craftsy BOTM 1, 2. Craftsy BOTM 2, 3. Craftsy BOTM 3, 4. Craftsy BOTM 4

A month or so back I signed up to this course on Craftsy - I fancied having a go at some "proper" quilting.  I haven't really made a quilt before - just flirted round the edges.  I would not consider the sampler "quilt" I made from some college appliqué and patchwork samples a quilt. Even though it is proudly displayed on my studio wall.  The fact that the course is free was an added bonus. The course is running over 12 months with the first 10 months featuring 2 blocks of the month and using a specific quilting technique in a fun modern way, the last 2 months will cover putting the quilt together.  I am really enjoying the course, picking up all kinds of tips and learning different techniques to achieve similar effects. Also, I appreciate seeing some of the antique quilts and own quilts made by the course instructor, Amy Gibson, which feature the technique throughout.

I was so enthusiastic in February after I finished my blocks, I thought I would start small and try my hand at my first quilt.  A really small one in the form of a "mug rug" although I haven't had the heart to start using it at such, you are supposed to use the extra space for a cookie biscuit or two...

There are plenty of tutorials for various mug rugs, I followed this one from the split stitch for ease.

After that, I was still keen and using some of tips learned graduated to a slightly larger quilt.  A baby quilt for my friend P who has just had a baby, S:

It was quickly put together (btw 1/4 inch foot for my sewing machine has been one of the best investments) and then I sandwiched some wadding and backing and used ric-rac for the edging (no binding to grapple with at present).  I vaguely followed the instructions for this project from Learn to quilt by Sharon Chambers, although I think the project implied hand piecing it but I decided on using the machine.  It was, however, hand quilted in a nice naive fashion and I am now pondering a purchase of some sashiko needles and further investigation into thimbles. I am very pleased with the results, although I think I prefer the back:

On the table, in the lunch box this week

Butternut Squash and Ricotta Cannelloni
Butterbean puree with dukkah (Yotam Ottolenghi in the Guardian)
Not really pork normandy
Pasta with kale, mushrooms and chilli
Prawn and pepper curry
Purple sprouting broccoli and leek soup
Hot cross muffins

Kitty, Kitty, where have you been?

Nope I haven't been to London to see the Queen.
In the meantime I have got the living room cushions done:

and started some adventures in quilting, prompted by this free Craftsy course.

2 cushions

2 cushions, a photo by KittyStitch on Flickr.

Only a year late! Pondering my fabric, trimming and size choice for next pair.

Seeing out the old year with an old project

Just finishing a 2 year old UFO. Personal circumstances at the time meant that I didn't have the heart to finish it. I came across it whilst tidying my studio a few days ago - all it needed was ends sewn in, blocking, sewing up and some buttons added. Now there is a new addition in my street who would welcome this to snuggle in to - and it is time for me to move on to the New Year and the future.
Happy New Year - hope 2012 has good things in store for everyone.

Purse handbag mini-wallet organiser/organizer thingie

I think I am perpetually confused in spelling and terminology thanks to being British but working for an American Corporation (where we spell things with a "zee") and reading lots of lovely US sewing blogs.

First I wanted a little organiser for my very small handbag which, during the week resides in my laptop bag but resides in a larger leather "proper" handbag at the weekend.  (hmmm should that translate as "I wanted a little organizer from my very small purse which, during the week resides in my laptop bag but resides in a larger leather purse at the weekend"?)

Sometimes I need to travel even lighter and just travel with something that holds a few cards and takes a few notes.  Of course this means in UK English I would need a small purse, however, is this correct as it wouldn't contain any coins?  It would more resemble a wallet (which is more the kind of thing a man would carry - men NEVER have purses).  Oh I don't know - it is something that stops my various credit and loyalty cards getting all mixed up in a pouch and keeps my banknotes from getting mixed up with my receipts, with pretensions towards being a wallet.

Off. To. Get. A. Life.