Playing in my craft room.....

I am continuing my mission to reduce my card making stash - here are a couple of cards I have made recently. It's going to take me a while but I'm not a quitter!!! I have enjoyed the peace and tranquility being out in my craft room - just need to do a spot of putting stuff away now........

Chocolate bag finished...

It took me a while to be brave enough to cut into this lovely fabric but I am very pleased with the finished project. The bag is a great size, not too big or too small. I think I will be making more of these in different colour ways.

Calorie free chocolate

Now I have your attention!! Who says there's no such thing, well just look at the picture below and you will see there is...... I bought this fabric a couple of weeks ago to make a bag but so far have been unable to bring myself to cut it, but feel today may be the day! 

I have spent the morning practising free motion quilting and unpicking...... I have a quilt top and cushion that I would like to try this technique on but not feeling brave enough to try yet so going to start the bag.

I will post a photo when it is finished.

A couple of celebrations

It's been ages since I made any cards and last week there were a couple of occasions that sent me off into my craft room to create.....
On Monday my youngest son passed his driving test and on Thursday my father-in-law celebrated his 80th birthday. Both cause to celebrate I'm sure you will agree!

Cute little bag.

I got busy with my sewing machine yesterday and a pattern I bought at a quilt show recently. I have always had a penchant for bags so its no surprise I came away with 3 different bag patterns, and this pattern has 3 different sizes to it. I reckon I may just try and tweak the pattern to make the bottom of the bag a bit more square to fit my lunch box in.

A bit of quilting

I haven't managed much craft time lately as my daughter has recently bought a house so have spent some time round there helping her clean and decorate. We also managed to escape for a couple of days last week to Somerset and made a quick stop off at a quilt show in Exeter on Friday.

This is a quilt I started a few weeks back, I just hope my piecing is accurate otherwise this is going to be a nightmare to put together. I used an Island Batik jelly roll and some white dotty yardage, the pattern is from 'Jelly Roll Quilts' by Pam & Nicky Lintott. Wish me luck!!

Sundays with Santa on a Saturday - Weeks 8, 9 & 10

I have spent the day playing catch up for the Facebook challenge, Sundays with Santa. Here are my cards for week 8 - snowflakes, week 9 - polka dot and week 10 - never seen ink. I have had a lovely day cocooned in my craft room, where it is cosy and warm, only ventured out for a brisk walk to blow away the cobwebs, but was pretty soon back in my craft room, oh boy was it bitter out there today! Off now to continue with the big tidy and maybe even make a start on tomorrow's card.
Hope you're keeping warm and enjoying a crafty weekend.

Sundays with Santa - Week 7

Okay so I'm a little behind with these challenges but this one has me stuck for a while. Determined that I was not going to buy any new stash, mind you not sure I would be able to get any Christmas supplies at the moment! Anyhow while continuing the craft room clear out I came across some images in a magazine - problem solved...... Pearlescent card from The Range, holly background paper from a First Edition paper stack I bought ages ago but not used until today and coloured the image with copics. It's not too clear in the photo but the mini tags spell Happy Christmas - good old peel offs.

Introduction to Machine Quilting with Dawn Cameron-Dick

I had a lovely day yesterday at a machine quilting class organised by The Jolly Stitcher. I have been quilting for a couple of years now but been vey apprehensive about free motion quilting so when I heard about this course I knew I had to sign up.

I learnt so much about my machine, thread, needles and wadding not forgetting the quilting! I have to say I understand how the children in school feel now as by 3 o'clock I was wilting and ready for home.

Today I have sewn the ends in so I am happy to show a few photos. There are another couple of blocks for me to practice on over the next few days. I reckon it's gonna be one of those techniques that continue to improve the more you do it.

Fabric freebie

Whilst watching a quilting programme and Create and Craft last Sunday, I sent an email in which was read out and was the lucky one to be picked out of the pot. My prize was a lovely fabric bundle shown below, love the way it is presented, too nice to undo - at the moment.