Hot Water Bottle Makeover

Sorry about the poor quality of this pic.  Taken with old phone 📷

So, after over 12 months of not being able to get out the sewing machine and create, I have done just that over the last few days.  I've decided not to let my bum wrists stop me from doing some of the things I want to do - and sewing/quilting is right up there, creative wise.

finally getting back to last April's project

On Sunday I tentively set up the sewing machine on my large coffee table, in front of the Miss Marple episodes I was watching on DVD, and thought I'd just get one or two little items finished off so that I could pack them away properly.  However, by the end of the hour I had put together another couple of the basic blocks... and I was hooked all over again!

and so the sashing begins

So, I sashed the basic blocks (and ironed them, but that's another story) and was wondering what to do when we got hit with some more freezing cold mornings.  That meant that the hot water bottle became the target of my attention as I don't have a nice cover for it.  Thus began my plans...

sorry about the poor quality pic, taken with old phone

Yesterday, after I got home from the hospital physio, I sorted through some fat ¼'s, made a template from my own bottle, and after I got all the other bits and bobs I'd need (batting, backing fabric, sissors, ruler, cup of tea) I started designing.

yep, another pic taken with old phone.  wish I could adjust the photo quality, but there you go.

It took nearly all of yesterday - as I have to take regular breaks for my wrist and back - but I finally put together a cover that I was mostly happy with.  I love the fabrics, and while I might alter one or two things the next time 'round, I gave it a test run last night (while reading Hot Six, and half listening to Season 4 of Fringe) and it kept my trusty old hot water bottle warm all night!

So happy!

Until next time,

Time flies

via Shutterstock

I can't believe it's almost Halloween already!  This year is just flying by.  It seems the older I get, the faster the years seem to speed by.  I wish it would slow down... I wonder, who do I call about that?

Anyway, onto other things.  I've been a very bad bookworm the last few weeks.  I have more than a few books that have arrived in the mail - with a few still left to arrive!  And I get to pick up an armful of books over the next few weeks that I have had on layby at a local store (mostly mine, but a couple for Christmas presents).  Soon it won't be a case of buying a new bookcase or two, but moving into a bigger place so I can fit all the needed bookcases.

In other news, I have a few Christmas ideas gelling at the moment.  I want to get back into sewing and quilting (stupid carpal tunnel has prevented me from sewing nearly all year!), but I've found 2 smaller, and quite simple, projects that I will try before attempting something more complicated - and possibly painful.

Speaking of painful, I got in my annual redecorating funk and moved nearly all the furniture and bookcases around 3 weeks ago.  I like the new layout as I can experience morning sunlight in the lounge area once again, and I'm not in a dark corner hiding behind a bookcase when I sit on the sofa.  But I paid for this one-woman-effort with major nerve problems in my wrists.  Thankfully after a day or two the pain subsided - and it was worth it.  I love the open plan look.

Apart from that, not much else has been going on.  I'm waiting to see the surgeon at the hospital to see what they have to say about operating on my wrists (something I'm really not looking forward too), and in the mean time I'm going to try and catch up on some Halloween reading.

Speaking of, I finished the All Souls Trilogy this morning.  Absolutely adore it.  I have re-read the trilogy at least four, perhaps five?, times.  The only problem is that there are so many unanswered questions that I'm hoping Deborah Harkness is planning another book to resolve all the loose threads.  I don't care if it's 10 years in the character's futures... I just need to know! 

{Hmmm... note to self: perhaps a review is in order?}

Anyway, I'd better scoot and get on with my long list of chores.

Until next time,

 

PS - Oh, I forgot to mention that I won my first ever giveaway (online)!  Allen & Unwin were having a spring clean and I won a book on Instagram.  Was so excited.  I had nominated to get the book, Prick, but somehow ended up with Undermajor Domo Minor?  Caused a few minutes of confusion, but the synopsis sounded very intriguing.  Hope to get to it in November.

Unexpected Hiatus

Hi everyone!  Sorry about the unexpected break I've taken.  I didn't realise it had been more than a month since I last posted anything, however I really did need a break from being a slave to the internet.

Over the last few weeks I've done almost zero reading.  A nice break to recharge my batteries, and the desire for reading.  It couldn't have come at a better time as while my family were over for a visit, we went shopping and I spied a copy of Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb (book 40!) and my mum just had to get it.  Unfortunately for her, she couldn't dive straight into it - but I could!  I convinced her to let me have it for the week (we'd already organised another visit), so I had a week to soak in as much of Obsession in Death as I could.  I found that I enjoyed it more than the previous couple of books in this neverending series.  Didn't have a clue as to who Eve's stalker was.  So rare to be truly surprised these days ;-D

I've also been on a quilting/sewing kick at the moment.  I spent a few hours sewing myself a Sunnies case - that may never be used for actual sunnies! - and really enjoyed it.  Learned a lot doing this, and next time I'll be more adventurous with the quilting.  So with project no #1 under my belt, I'm looking forward to more sewing this year - especially now that the weather is starting to cool off.  It's the perfect time to plan my winter projects.  I'm hoping to start a QAYG (quilt as you go) bedspread, but only if I find the perfect pattern ;-D

Anyway, have to love you and leave you as I'm going to order some upcoming book realeases.  My goal this year is to cull out some of the series that have fallen by the wayside, but there are some that I simply can't miss.  

Until next time,

 

Next project underway

Yesterday turned out to be a productive day at the sewing machine, despite the freezing cold winds.  With my mother's birthday coming up soon - and not being the most dedicated quilter - I thought it prudent to begin her quilt waaaay before it was due.  So having the goal of a double quilt in mind, about 2 weeks ago I sat down and designed a fairly simple look and set about sewing all the print patterns together in the designs I felt worked best...

Sewing complete... well, almost

I finally finished sewing together all the rows for the jelly roll quilt top.  Actually I finished on Thursday, but a visit from family yesterday meant that I haven't been able to tell you until now ;-D  I was really surprised at the way the colours fell using this Jelly Roll Race method.  I don't think it would matter what you used, the end result would always look charming.

Back to the sewing machine

I finally found a jelly roll that I didn't have either a matching charm pack, or material off the bolt, from the same line.  So yesterday I unrolled my 'Wren & Friends' by Gina Martin for Moda.  All these beautiful fabrics that I then proceeded to wrinkle and knot by sewing them end on end on end on end.... you get the drift.  I spent nearly 3 hours at the sewing machine - and ironing board - yesterday, trying to get some semblance of order into this chaotic tangle of fabric that seemed to be multiplying every time I turned my back!

Just a quick update

Hi there, just a quick update as I haven't posted in what seems like forever.

I'm having some down time from reading.  It helps every now and then to just put the books aside and focus on something different before diving back into the huge stack of TBR books I have dotted around the bookshelves.  To that end, I've pulled out the sewing machine so I can get a some more done on gifts for upcoming birthdays and looking ahead for Christmas.  I just bought some fabulous red/black/and white charm packs for a big quilt that I want to make for my mum this year.  I'm aiming for a double/queen size (?) so that she can use it on her bed.  A bit of a step up from my first ever project of a large lap quilt, but I can do this in stages and I've chosen a fairly simple pattern that can be altered and adjusted to suit if I get a little bored doing the same blocks over and over again ;-D

Taking a break

It's been a while since I posted anything and I've decided to use my recent lack of motivation, to pick up a book, and use it to take a little hiatus from reading to recharge myself.  

Early Winter and craft

Winter has arrived early this year, and with the cold snap - winds straight off the Antarctic! - I've started nesting on the couch with my traditional winter crafts being pulled out of the mothballs ;-D  On Friday I started searching through my quilting projects for something small that could be hand made in front of the TV (Once Upon a Time Seasons 1 & 2), as well as leftover knitting or crochet from last year.   Since I couldn't help but buy some more quilting fabric I'll have a lot of projects to choose from, but I'm leaning more towards doing some quilt-as-you-go charm squares.  My green knitted jumper still isn't finished so I think that will go in the 'must do' pile as well.  I still have to dig out my chair-side storage basket so everything is within easy reach and then I can keep myself occupied through the cold winter months.  All I need to do now is raid my TBR pile for some good books and it'll be perfect!

Yeah, Pre-Cuts on Sale!

Made time for a quick raid on one of my local quilting shops.  They're having 25% off pre-cut packs for the month of February, so I've been back twice so far to get some supplies for this years projects.

First Quilting Project for 2014

Saw this material at Big W and couldn't resist.  It just screams MUG RUG, doesn't it?  The navy material will make up the centre of the mug rug, and the red & white material will make a beautifully contrasting binding.

Yes, it's done!

After much procrastinating - and YouTube searching - I finally made myself sit at the sewing machine to finish mum's quilt.  

Just the binding left

After taking yesterday away from the sewing machine, I really had to be strict with myself and sit down to get the quilting done.  As a total novice I stuck to a simple grid pattern.  I think it turned out pretty good!  Just the rustic, handmade  - and occasionally wonky - look I was going for (that's my story and I'm sticking to it ;-D ).

So, keep your fingers crossed for me as tomorrow is the day I attempt to bind my creations.  All I can say is 'Thank God for YouTube tutorials!'

Almost done

I thought I'd try my hand at making all my major gifts this Christmas...

and all I can say to that is that I won't be doing it again!

I've finished the quilted place mat for my uncle (a nice mix of denim and blue fabric), and only have to do the binding on the bed runner for my aunt.  However, I'm just about to quilt my mum's lap rug - and thats before I tackle the binding.  (P.S these are the first items I've ever tried to quilt!)

So, with only 5 more days left before the ceremonial handing over of presents,  I'll be the one slaving over the sewing machine and panicking.  Will I finish them time?  I hope so as I don't have any back up gifts on standby.  My hats off to all you competent quilters out there.  You make it seem so easy!

Keep your finger's crossed for me, won't you ;-D

Quilting for Xmas

I don't know about anyone else, but I made the mistake of telling my mother that I'd started quilting.  Now I have to make her a lap rug for Christmas - and she'd already picked out the material!

After much debate, I finally got myself psyched up enough on Sunday to I get out the charm pack - Moda Printemps - but then I had to  figure out exactly how I was going to do with it.  Complicated was out.  My sewing machine should have an L plate for all the experience I've had!  After much YouTube surfing I finally settled on the Disappearing 9 Patch (wonderful tutorial by the Missouri Star Quilt Co.).  I was confident that I could manage it.

So, to cut a long story short, after a couple of hours - and a few unpicked rows - I had a cute central piece for mum's quilt.  Now I just have to add some white around it and decide on a binding, not to mention the backing.  I might just squeak this in in time for Christmas ;-D

PS - I have to do a bed footer for my aunt too!

June in Review

I hope your June was better than mine.  My right wrist has been aching for about 4 weeks now, so after one particularly painful episode, I made an appointment with the doctor.  It turns out that I have tendinitis in said wrist/forearm and to keep it strapped up and immobile for God knows how long.   As you could guess, this has severely limited my daily life, and has made typing on the laptop painful.  Therefore, I'll keep this short.

The last meeting of the book club went well.  Turns out we loved Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger - yeah! - however, The Goddess Test didn't get quite the same reaction (reviews to be posted later).  Then came the hard task of trying to select next month's reading material.  Turns out that there was one item on everyone's list...

So in the end, the reading list for July is:

Fated - Benedict Jacka

Tempest Rising - Nicole Peeler, and

The Reluctant Reaper - Gina X. Grant

In the mean time, I have to figure out how to keep myself sane now that the laptop is out of bounds, and holding onto a book for hours is painful.  This dilemma has given me the kick in the butt to delve into my stash of material kept hidden in the linen cupboard.  Now, surrounded by piles of beautiful fabric, I find myself mentally sorting through it all, designing quilts to make for family and friends.  I don't think I'm up for the sewing yet - I'm right handed! - but that hasn't stopped me from buying more material lately, so I think this winter I might ditch the knitting and crochet (too hard on the wrist), and think about some sewing instead...?

Happy reading!