Success!

I think the stars must have lined up yesterday because I had an almost perfect sewing day. I got my sewing machine out just after 9am and didn't put it away till nearly 330pm! Not bad considering I had all 3 of my own kids and a couple of hangers on in the house.

What did I sew? More blocks of course!

I'm really pleased with these blocks, not least because I think my improved cutting and measuring shows in the actual construction of the blocks.

I also did a couple of test quilting pieces yesterday which turned out well.

I practiced this swirl because I need to do it on a cushion cover that I'm making (it's nearly finished so I hope to share it soon). I used the edge of the presser foot as a guide and I wonder if the lines are a little close together. But I can work on that as I need to.

This was my first try at free hand quilting and I'm really pleased with the result. In some places it's a bit pointy on the curve but I think that will improve with practice. Both the fabric and the wadding I was using were really thick and I think thinner materials would help. But overall I think as a first attempt I did quite well (even if I say so myself!).

I hope you've all had sewing successes this week. I'll be linking up with Handmade Monday to catch up with everyone there.

Love Natalie x

P.s. Have you all noticed the patchwork designs on the Winter Olympics? It's on all the advertising and the costumes. And there are definitely more crochet hats than you normally see on the slopes!

Little Blog Quilt Bee

I feel like I'm taking a huge leap this week and I've joined a Quilt Bee! It's for people with Little Blogs and has been organised by Lou at http://imstudiolou@wordpress.com/. I've never done anything like this before and can only keep my fingers crossed that I can sew as well as the other ladies! I've had a look at their blogs and lets just say their work is AMAZING. Where would be if we stayed within our comfort zone though, eh?

So, I'd like to introduce the blogs of my fellow Bee-ers - check out their blogs if you can to see some amazing quilting. And I will keep you posted on my progress as we go along.

Heidee at http://handmadesomething@wordpress.com/

Claire at http://corblimeyclaireepoppins.blogspot.co.uk/

Rosanne at http://notafloralgirl.blogspot.co.uk/

Joanna at http://www.myquiltsetal.blogspot.co.uk/

Alison at http://patchworkalley.blogspot.co.uk/

Gina at http://www.occassionalquilter.blogspot.co.uk/

Jenny at http://notetofollowsew.blogspot.com/

Celine at http://espiritpatch.blogspot.co.uk/

Sheila at http://www.mindfulquilter.blogspot.co.uk/

Nessa at http://nessahux.blogspot.co.uk/

Celine at http://espritpatch.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/sew-sew-modern-swap.html#comment-form

Wish me luck!

Love Natalie

Perfect Rocky Road

I'm lucky enough to work in one of those offices where there is always food being brought in to share. I say lucky - really it's a nightmare because temptation is always in your way but there are worse places to work. At Christmas, one of my colleagues bought in some homemade rocky road and it was delicious! I don't have a very good track record with rocky road, I've tried different recipes over the years but it's never quite right. I asked my colleague for her recipe, and number 1 son did the honours and.......it worked! I don't know the origins of this recipe (whether it was from a book or magazine etc) so can only really credit Wendy the Nurse for it, but I'll share it none the less.

You need:

125g softened unsalted butter

300g dark chocolate

3tbsp golden syrup

200g rich tea biscuits (crushed)

100g mini marshmallows

Icing sugar

Heat the butter, chocolate and syrup in a heavy based pan, over a low heat. Remove from heat when melted and scoop out about 125g (I scooped out about half a cups worth) and keep to one side.

Fold in the marshmallows and the crushed biscuits.

Tip the mixture into a 9" square tin and smooth out the top.

Pour over the reserved mixture and smooth out.

Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, preferably overnight.

Dust with icing sugar and........

Enjoy!

Love Natalie 

Just a quickie!

I made this quick and simple cross stitch to put a smile on BFF's face each morning. It was a pattern from this months Sew magazine, and I just quickly mounted it on some card, and my Mum made the border using her machine.

 For once I need make no apology for the photo because I didn't take it! I forgot to take one before I gave it away so had to get BFF to take a picture for me.

I don't have much more to report this week as most of my weekend has been taken up with continued efforts to sort our loft and list things on eBay (a thankless task if ever there was one - I've spent about 4 hours listing , emailing and wrapping for a sum total of about £10). During the week, I did sort my Aran Cardigan fiasco - I ordered some new patterns from Deramores and have started another cardie that has a far more manageable pattern for my small brain.

I shall be linking up with Handmade Monday, to bask in the glow of everyone else's crafting successes this week. Join me if you can.

Love Natalie 

When is a WIP not a WIP?.....

......when it is soooo difficult you can't do it! I really want to knit an Aran cardigan, I've got some beautiful wool and I thought I'd found the perfect pattern. But no - first I was so confused that I couldn't even complete the increase row after the rib without my mums help and then, having knitted 8 rows of the 28 row cable panel, I realised that with such slow progress I'd be knitting it for a month of Sundays. So I'm going to quit while I'm ahead and find an easier pattern. Life's too short. And there is no fun in carrying on with something that you are not enjoying.

In other news, I've completed three more quilt blocks!

I'm really enjoying making these blocks, especially now that I've got some cutting experience. I've been watching quite a few YouTube videos from the Missouri Star Quilt company because there's nothing like watching someone else make something look really easy to help you along the way.

I've also managed one other little project this week. It's something that featured in this months Simply Homemade magazine - a little hanging heart decoration that I think fits perfectly with my new craft cupboard.

What do I you think? Apologies for the poor photo but really - could this weather BE any worse? This photo was taken in the daylight with all the lights on!

I'm over to Handmade Harbour to catch up with everyone - always something to brighten up the day over there!

Love Natalie 

Happy Birthday Cake

It was my sister-in-laws birthday at the weekend, she who makes the most amazing cakes for everyone else. Along with my brother, she came for dinner on Saturday so it was my job to make HER a cake. No pressure! I have neither the skill or the patience for fancy decorations, but I can make a decent Victoria sponge. So this is what I went with

Can't really beat a cake/buttercream/chocolate combo. I've seen a couple of cakes like this on the internet recently, namely at Let's Cook at Home and A Spoonfull of Sugar, so came up with my own version. It went down a treat!

Love Natalie 

Quilt Block Progress

I've been making good progress on the quilt blocks this week - I'm not sure it can last! I asked my husband to give me a lesson in measuring and cutting last week as he spends his working life doing the same (though metalwork and cables rather than fabric!). I think this has really helped because the blocks that I've done this week seemed to have been sewn together more easily, and yesterday I cut out the fabric for 3 more blocks so I'm quite proud of myself!

I also finished a baby cardigan for a work colleague who is due in early March. I've used this pattern many times before - it is really quick and easy to knit and is so cute. To be fair, my mum always sews them up for me as I'm not very neat! Vidhya doesn't know if she's having a girl or a boy so I went with bright, multicolour pockets to suit both.

Join me over at Handmade Harbour to catch up on this weeks crafting. 

Have a great week,

Love Natalie