Small Blog Meet, Collage and Cakes

Well we are now in the full throws of Spring and with Easter round the corner, what better way to celebrate than by making some new friendships.  So I have decided to take part in Lily from Lily's Quilts small blog meet.

The idea is for bloggers with a small following to get to know fellow bloggers, all with patchwork, quilting and sewing in common.  Perfect!

So welcome new friends if you are out there!  I hope you enjoy reading my blog and I shall make the time to have a look at and follow yours too. 

(I can't for the life of me get the logo embedded within this text so I have put it up on the right hand side - please forgive my technical incompetence!)

And following on from my previous blog post, I have worked hard and finished my second texture collage for my coursework, based on the lighthouse at Corbiere.  It's a shame you can't see the detail of the lighthouse; I painted sandpaper white to create a granite effect, which in real life looks more effective than in the photo.  Anyhow, here's the pics;

Just one more collage to go then I am done for this module.  Getting there, slowly, slowly! 

Freya and I also had lots of fun this weekend making Postman Pat Cakes.  Postman Pat is the current favourite in our house, so when Freya saw the box of cake mix at the supermarket with Postman Pat on it, how could we refuse.  But I don't like the idea of making cakes by adding milk and egg to a powder, (I don't want Freya to think that is how cakes are made) so I binned the pre-made mixture when she wasn't looking and we made cup cakes from scratch, which was lots more fun.

And trust me, they were deeeeeeeeelicious!

A Super Surprise

In my last blog post talked all about how I have decided to subscribe to Popular Patchwork magazine.  Things have moved on considerably since then...

First of all I received the lovely Jelly Roll Sampler Quilts book in the post, along with a large box of metallic Maderia threads which was very exciting.  The book is so inspiring with such wonderful designs and fabrics, I do highly recommend it.     

I also went to the shop and purchased the latest edition of Popular Patchwork as my subscription does not start until next month.  I was enjoying a cup of coffee and a very rare quiet moment with both children asleep, when I came across an article all about The School of Stitched Textiles, who are my distance learning provider.  Articles in this magazine usually span a couple of pages, and I was reading with great interest, the story of how SST had been set up, and then I turned the page, and to my amazement I saw the following...

In case you can't see it clearly, it's a photograph of my work, with my name under it! 

It was just pure chance that I bought a copy this month, and I knew absoloutely nothing about it so you can imagine my surprise.  I am completely chuffed to bits that they chose my work and it has really boosted my confidence.  When you study from home it is very easy to think that your work isn't good enough, that other people's work is better etc. etc.  So this has really spurred me on and made me believe that I can complete this course and that my work is as good as everybody elses after all.

In other news, there has been a flurry of Valentine creativity in the house, and it is only now, 2 days after Valentines day that I have had a chance to blog about it.  Here is my creation, an idea that I found on Pinterest a few weeks back and couldn't resist making; 

The top hearts are actually sewn on by machine, which was easier said than done, because unlike fabric, one false move with the needle and it would leave a gaping big hole in the paper!  Overall I am pleased with how it turned out and Pete seemed to appreciate the effort so it was worth it.

Of course Freya had to make a card for her daddy too, and I have to say I was highly impressed with her commitment to the heart collage, and I think the results are are delightful...

Note my attempt at slightly arty photographs here - having been looking at a host of other blogs, some are literally works of art in themselves - mine is far too functional - must try harder!

And finally, here is a picture that is completely unrelated to anything crafty but it is so adorable I couldn't resist posting it...

Bathtime!

 

Apologies and snow collages

Lots to post about this week, but firstly, an apology...I didn't get around to publishing my Fiction Friday weekly update, shame on me!!  Where shall I start with my list of excuses (Freya had friends round to play, Pete was hogging the laptop, I have been busy with my C and G work, I have been preparing for a new arrival etc. etc.)not good enough I know!  But I feel that last weeks boat has most certainly sailed, so I shall keep last weeks installment for this Friday instead.  I promise.  And it's a festive offering, so it will be even more appropriate, being so close to Christmas.  :-)

On a more positive note, I submitted and got feedback for my colour module, and my tutor said that it was 'excellent' so as you can imagine, after nearly 6 months of slogging away, I am thrilled to bits.  But there is hardly any time for reflection, it's full steam ahead with the next three modules, as I try to complete as much as I can before Christmas and the new year.  Progress has been good so far, although I have to say my heart did sink a bit when I realised I have to complete 5 more applique samples, making it a total of 10 applique samples in total - it would have been nice to do something else then come back to it!  But hey-ho, that is what they want so that is what I shall do.  Everything is in the very early stages so there is not a lot to photograph and show you at the moment (although I have loads of ideas in my head and can't wait to get going) so for the time being I will share with you Freya's latest work...a snow collage...

First Freya did some finger painting

Then she added some cotton wool snowballs...

And next some sparkly pipe cleaners and silver snowflakes...

Before finally adding some blue glitter glue...

Freya hopes you like it!!

Stained Glass Applique, Decorations and Resolutions

I have been really looking forward to writing this post and sharing with you my latest work, a sample of experimental applique.  By experimental, it means trying new techniques and materials.  So I have attempted stained glass applique (which as the title suggests, looks like a stained glass window) and I have used a variety of materials, including felt, satin, organza, angel hair, cotton and decorative paper.  Some of which are easier to stitch into than others.  (As I found out the hard way. Ahm.)

My Stained Glass window

Please take a closer look...

It's all stitched by hand...and took me AGES!!

Only the border was machine stitched, and I have to say I felt very nervous because I had spent so long on the central panel, I didn't want to mess it up at the final hurdle!  Luckily all went well (I hope you will agree) and it is certainly the best that I could manage so I hope it's good enough. 

Onto other crafty news, Freya has had a creative week too preparing for Christmas;

16 Christmas tree decorations for friends and family...DONE!

You may be lucky enough to recieve one of her masterpieces in a Christmas card - if you have been good this year of course. 

And I have had a productive weekend in other ways too.  I have a new resolution.  It is to take better care of all my things.  So far I have put this into action by:

1) Sewing on all the buttons that had fallen off my winter coat
2) Donating all my old clothes to charity to make more room for the clothes I want to keep
3) Getting my boots re-healed
4) Ironing all my scrap bits of fabric and storing them neatly

And I plan to;

1) Buy a large portfolio/file to keep all my fabric samples in (rather than carrier bags)
2) Keep all my shoes and boots polished
3) Re-organise my wardrobe to make better use of space
4) Keep all my craft/reference books in one place and in 'genre' order

This probably all sounds quite obsessive but I have to say I am really enjoying the process, and anyone who knows me will know that I love being organised and do have a tendency to be a bit OCD at times!  But I also think it is important to take more care of the things I have, as it will make them last longer and I will enjoy them more.  (If only I had applied this principle a year ago, my winter boots would not be in such a state of disrepair!!)  I shall keep you updated with progress. 

Off to bed now, as a new week beckons, with the prospect of one last applique sample... night night and I hope to hear from you soon.

Since Claire and Evie headed back to England (we miss you!) it has been a busy week on the coursework front, and now that the printer cartridge has arrived I have been able to print all the annotations for my portfolio. It is not yet complete but I will show you some pictures of my favourite pages of my portfolio so far.  But before that I wanted to share this one, a picture of the most beautiful, strong, vibrant rainbow that appeared on Friday morning...

 

Rainbows never look and feel as magical in photographs as they do in real life, but I still think it has been captured out quite well considering.  I wonder if it was a sign - a pot of (metaphorical) gold on the way perhaps?  Here's hoping!

Anyway, back to my coursework, here's a picture of all my annotations drying, having been stained with tea;

And here are some pictures of my portfolio...

Again, I feel the photos don't really do justice to the work, it is hard to tell for example that the portfolio is A3 in size.  I shall have to work out the best way to photograph it for submission to my tutor.  Perhaps one page at a time will work better.  Anyway, I couldn't resist including a picture of Freya below, who had lots of fun colouring in Peter Rabbit colouring pages while I was working overtime with the double sided tape.  And yes I kept her well out of reach of all my work!!

Freya gets creative with the crayons

I am also working on a larger collage for my final resolved design, it's a work in progress and as soon as it's done I shall show you a picture.

Claire and Evie come to stay

I haven't posted for a couple of weeks, but that doesn't mean to say I haven't been busy.  I am still making good progress with my portfolio and I am now thinking about the layout for each page and also tackling the dreaded paperwork, including health and safety and bibliography, which never fills me with inspiration!  But all an essential part of the course so it has to be done. 

The more exciting news is that I had some visitors this weekend; my lovely friend Claire, and her daughter Evie, who is the same age as Freya. They have been here for 5 days, and here are a few of our holiday snaps, out and about around the Island...

A quick trip to the local swings

Before heading to the beach

And admiring the stunning scenery

And when it's bedtime for the girls

It's dinner out for us

Before heading to the Lion Park the next day...among other things!

And Claire and Evie's stay was not without creative pursuit. When the girls were tucked up in bed, we decided to start making preparations for Christmas, and what could be more fun than making some salt dough tree decorations!  After initially thinking, yes we have everything we need in the cupboard (plain flour, salt) we were halted in our tracks when we discovered that we had rock salt, not table salt. So it was not until 24 hours later that we were able to commence, and what fun we had! First we made the dough, cut out different shapes and put them in the oven for 4 hours. And the following evening came the fun bit - the painting! We used a combination of acrylic, metallic and glitter paint, and decorated with buttons and ribbon. Here is our work in progress...

And we were pleased with the results considering it was our first ever attempt...

Claire's Masterpieces

And Mine

So this week, after recovering from having two 2 year olds in the house, (it was a pleasure really -  honestly!) I am going to carry on making Christmas preparations and work on my never-ending colour portfolio.  I can't wait to post some photos of some of the finished pages soon.  

Birthday Bits and Bobs

The one good thing about not living near your friends (and the only good thing) is that on special occasions such as birthdays,  exciting parcels turn up in the post (if you have been a good friend that year).  One particularly special gift that arrived was from my very dear and lovely friend Sarah, and I have to say, this is just the perfect present for me!  So here is my lovely surprise...

Hand painted tray, quilitng book, fat quarters, buttons, ribbon and a bookmark

And a special message and hand made heart - lilac, to match my living room

I thought I would also take this opportunity to post a few more pictures of my birthday day, and some of the lovely gifts that I received.

Anyone would think it was Freya's birthday with that cheeky smile!

Cakes from my lovely friend Gemma -  so thoughtful and a lovely surprise

A beautiful bracelet from Freya (with some help from Pete, my wondeful husband)

All my special gifts from my wonderful friends - I thank you all xx

Relaxing at the Howard Davis Park in St Helier

This sums up the day!!

I will post more about my coursework next week, I am feeling really motivated at the moment, and determined to finish the design work and start on some applique samples soon. :-)

Moving to Jersey and back in the swing of things

I can hardly believe it, a month or more has passed by and I haven't posted a single thing.  But this time I really do have a good excuse, as my family and I have re-located to Jersey.  Permanently.  And we LOVE it.  Here are a few pictures of some of the fun we have been having so far: 

Freya being buried in the sand

St Ouen's Bay - and yes it's as beautiful as it looks

Back home for a BBQ

Pete and Freya getting stuck in!

So as you can see, there are a lot of distractions, (so many beautiful places to visit and explore) but I am pleased to report that I have resumed working on my coursework and have put in a fair few hours this week.  I am currently working on a little file all about the techniques of applique, as part of module 3, and I thought it would be fun and slightly different to do the whole file by hand.  I have really enjoyed doing the research, and I am even a member of St Helier Library, and they have a wonderful selection of books on all different crafts, which is very exciting.    Anyway, here are a few pictures, in no particular order, of some of my work:



And even Freya has found time to tear herself away from the beach and get creative;

So the next few days are going to be carrying on with my applique techniques file and making the most of the bank holiday!