October Class

Well I don't quite know how I managed to do it but I was full of cough and cold for this months class.  Is this like 'deja vous' ?  I was poorly at last month's class too.  I'm putting this latest episode down to my hubby - HE SHARED!  Some things are best kept to yourself huh? LOL - well at least I'm still smiling :-)

It's a real shame too as we've both started attending a really cool new church and we have to miss it today.  He actually got up, went downstairs and propped himself up on the couch in the middle of the night to get about 2 hours sleep so you know it's bad when that happens!  Lack of good sleep is catching up with us I think so we may both 'flake out' this afternoon - we have to get to work on Monday somehow and that might be the only way we'll do it.

All this just makes me sorry we didn't get our cordial made up this year.  We were both going to be away so we threw the berries in the freezer intending to do them the following week.  Well you know where good intentions end up don't you?  We're down to our last 2 bottles and I believe winter is fast upon us.

This stuff is supposed to be very good for you - full of anti-oxidents and it's said that regular doses willl stave off a cold.  That's clearly our problem - we've been hanging on to the last couple of bottles, afraid to open them cos when they're gone - they're gone!  I think we'd best see if the berries are still any good and get some more made up pretty quick. 

These were some I prettied up for gift giving one year.  I just love the deep colour.  The preservatives we use are cloves which means you're either gonna love this stuff or hate it.  Dave likes it hot or cold.  Me I like it hot!

And here are a few pictures of class.  I love to get shots of Jilly working away.  We've been best friends for coming up for 35 years and I've gathered a nice collection of photos of her over the past fews years and I treasure them all.  Love that girl!

She decided to get to grips with a patchwork cushion and here she is doing a bit of machine quilting.  I offered two projects in this class same as last month and since Jilly made cushions for the first time last Christmas she decided to build on these skills and make a quilted patchwork cushion. 

There were 4 variations included in this pattern and I made up the last one (right) earlier this week.  I think I might add a pretty ruffled fabric flower to this and gift it for Christmas.  I want one or two with CK fabric for myself but I will make more later.

One of the delights of class was seeing all the pretty fabrics everyone chose to work with.  I forgot to get my camera out sooner or I'd have more pictures to share.  Jilly recycled and used curtains which makes me think of 'make do & mend' and which I just love.  That's the kind of thing that got me so hooked on sewing in the first place.  Pauline had a scrummy red apple fabric which she paried with my all time favourite - red & white polka dot!  I sooooo love that fabric and I'm only sorry I didn't get to see it completed - I bet it looks stunning. 

Susan was megga clever and used a duvet cover that already had a pretty patchwork thing going on and we mixed up the various pieces to make it look really cool - again it didn't get finished but it was looking fab!

And then of course there was Sara who'd purposely chosen this adorable scottie dog fabric by Clarke & Clarke - a bit more expensive but if you're treating yourself then why not?

There are certainly no flies on this girlie!  She always means business and gets to work straight away so it's no surprise that she finished her apron - and in good time too.  She was also a megga good sport and allowed me to take photos of her wearing her fabby 3/4 apron - fully lined and with a 'triple' pocket feature to it.  Sorry - not a bit proud of my pattern & design LOL - MUCH!

I have to laugh when I see this photo tho'.  I knew she'd look fab posing by the stove in the little kitchen at the hall and when she said 'pitty we haven't got a sauce pan or something' well - you know I went digging through cupboards don't ya LOL!  I came up trumps with this stove top kettle and got a great shot as a result.  She looks fab in her new apron too.

Next class (5 November) is a rag quilted bag so I'm keen to get to work on that and then the last one in December will be a rag quilt - something to keep you warm this winter.  For anyone who can't make it to class or who prefers to do their sewing at home; patterns are available.

Each pattern comes with a 'pictorial' - a photo CD with step by step instructions full of shots like the one above and below.

It takes a lot of time and effort to make these as I have to create samples for each project and then pain stakingly photograph each step of the process; some several times and from various angles just to get a good view.

 Once I've generated the written instructions for the pattern I then use these in excerpts along with as many photos as I can possibly cram in as a pictorial.  Short of sitting beside you it's the best I can do.  I go to all this trouble because I think it's worth doing.  I ADORE sewing but am almost entirely self taught and it never ceases to amaze me the wealth of projects that can be made if you only know how to sew in a straight line!

For now I'm off to nurse my cold some more and take it easy today.  A long soak in a nice hot tub sounds like good medicine I think.

Blessings to one and all - enjoy! 

Oh and thanks girls for a really enjoyable class yesterday.  Sometimes I do wonder why I do it - especially when I'm still up past midnight to finish things off only to get up at 6 am and get right back to it just to make it all happen.

Suezie

P.S  Kay - I missed you yesterday - hope you're okay :-)

Share-worthy News! and Quickie Gifting

My daughter passed her driving test today - first time!  Yay Vicky!!!  I am soooooo proud of her.  Despite being a bit older than I thought she'd be when she achieved this it says a lot about her right now.  She is a single mum of three kiddies and - well, let's just say she hasn't had an easy time of it over the past few years.

Not only did she just decide one day to book herself driving lessons but she stuck with it and made time for it in a busy schedule.  I guess the 2 hour lessons that she had to scrimp and scrape to afford really paid off because not only did she learn to drive well enough to pass first time, but she gained real confidence behind the wheel.  I know that new found confidence spilled over into other areas of her life too as she rejoined the workforce last week even though it means juggling kids between a childminder and two different schools which I'm sure will bring her a whole new set of challenges. 

And somehow this new-found independence is very reassuring for me as a parent.  We all get knock backs in life and have to deal with stuff that's not easy to deal with (more so when you have an ex-partner that can make life hell at times) but her rise to the challenges of this past year and her determination to get there tell me she's doin ok - that she's a survivor, she can cope with what life's throwing at her.  Despite several set backs this year she has just become stronger and more confident and I couldn't be more proud if I tried.  Way to go Vic!  All we need do now is figure out how to get her a set of wheels and afford the first timer insurance - which BTW is criminal!

Okay - enough of the proud mama already LOL!  I did a quick bit of sewing yesterday evening and made myself a really pretty lanyard to wear at work - waaaaayyy better than the ol' blue NHS standard issue ones we all have.  I used one of my latest CK fabric purchases for my own one and then decided it would be really nice to gift a few more using up some of my existing stash.

My other half at work is Pauline and since she was in before Keilley she got first choice.  And as we work opposite one another it meant I worked the entire morning catching glimpses of her pretty pink one every now and then.  She had the sweetest pale yellow cotton blouse on today and although you can't see it clearly in my shot above, there is yellow in the design so it just looked that much prettier against it.  Now I soooooo want a pink one myself LOL!

That left Keilley with a choice of white floral or white floral (all I had was 4 clips at home to work with) and guess what? She loved the white floral one so that worked out really well.  Meant to be maybe?  Keilley kindly gives me a ride home from work now and then and some days when I'm a bit bushed it's even more appreciated.  She has to go out of her way to drop me off but it's never stopped her from offering and that's really sweet of her.  Don't ya just love people like that?

AND since Pauline and I had training out of the office today there were even a few comments on our pretty lanyards which just made me feel all the more chuffed for having made them myself.  I have another quickie idea for Christmas pressies for these two gals and I have several ideas rolling around in my head for a 'work smart' sewing class that may or may not make it into reality too.  So tomorrow I'll be sourcing 'trigger clips' after work so I can make more of these - I used up all the ones I had and I think I'd really like to make me a couple more for myself.  You know, one in the wash, one on and one ready to wear kinda thing LOL!

That's one of the nicest things about home made.  You can have more than one if you want to :-)

Can I just say to Trish (if you're out there) you're very much in my prayers right now.  I don't have your phone number or addy to get in touch just yet or I would've dropped you a note by now. And to those of you that pray, please join me in lifting Trish and her hubby's needs to God right now.  It would mean so much at what I know has to be a dreadfully difficult time.

This HUG's just for you. 

Much love

Suezie 

A Class, an Apron and some Christmas Shopping

On Friday I managed to finish my apron for the class next Saturday, October 8th so I thought I'd share a quick picture.  I've tried several times to get a good shot of this apron but short of wearing it myself and having someone take my picture it's just not happening. 

Somehow I'd managed to get a good shot of Jilly's one when I made it and gifted it to her last Christmas so that's the one I used on the pattern cover.  This is as much of a shot of mine as you're gonna get.  I used up scraps of blue strawberry CK fabric and a red and white polka dot fabric that's NOT one of CK's but it fits in nicely with her style.  For anyone that's interested I pay about £6 a metre in the sewing shop in St John's street.  They have the same polka dot fabric in several colours as a regular stock item.  At about half the price of CK as a co-ordinating fabric it makes your expensive fabric go that little bit further.  I'm all into that!

Anyhow I knew we had to babysit the grandkids today - at least until 12.00 pm when daddy was due to come pick them up so I hadn't expected to do much. After they'd gone hubby was up for a drive so I decided to take my CK fabric that was stained back to the store.  No way could I go back to London to exchange it so I did the next best thing.  I went to the CK outlet store in Eaton Socon, St Neots.

Now this branch is an outlet store - one that Sara's told me about more than once - I just never took the time to go check it out.  All I can say is 'sorry Sara, I should've paid more attention to you'.  I will DEFINATELY be a regular visitor from now on - for sure!

First off I seriously lucked out at this branch!  They weren't supposed to exchange fabric at all and definately not at an outlet store but the sales assistant decided she could check and they agreed to do it just this once.  They only deal with 'end of line' stuff at the outlets so aren't supposed to take back stuff from the regular stores. 

On top of that they'd just had a delivery this week which more than tripled their fabric supply so I was able to exchange my white strawberry fabric for the blue version (which I wanted all along) AND it was a whopping £8 cheaper per metre so I had money left over!  I picked up a few extra prints plus grabbed a stripey duvet cover for a mere £15 - there is method to my madness, trust me.  The duvet cover is the same on both sides so look at all that lovely CK fabric I can use for any number of projects.  I just lurve sheeting!  I couldn't buy that much fabric for that price so it makes great economical sense, believe me.

Oh but they still tore the fabric rather than cut it.  I am still sooooooo gonna write CK about this - outlet or not!

And then because I couldn't resist - and because the prices were seriously hard to beat - I picked up another Christmas present.  I am getting pretty much done with my shopping for this year.  Well, I did start in January this year LOL!  A few more bits for the kids and then my hand sewing gifts and I'm done.

This fabby bag was originally £55 and reduced to just half price!  It was the absolute last one so I think I was doubly lucky to get it at all.  The pom poms are a really fun touch and those oversized roses are devine.

I tend to shy away from CK bags cos I simply refuse to pay the high prices, I know, I know, I will spend a ridiculous amount of money on her fabric and turn my nose up at her bags.  I can't explain it so I don't even try.  This bag however, is gonna be a great pressie.  The only trouble is I think I may have to visit this store again since I have more than one person I could give this to and I can't decide who gets it.  I think I need to find another bargain bag so I don't have to decide at all.

Well technically I did get another bag but I fell in love with this one and at less than £20 with a colour combo of red (my fave colour) and green and in a lush velvet no less -  I couldn't resist treating myself.  This is my new best friend.  It's BIG and square-ish, fits on the shoulder nicely so I shall be taking it everywhere from here on.

AND because the sales assistant was sooooo helpful, because of the AMAZING bargains to be had in the entire store - this was not just a small sales section ladies - it was EVERYTHING in the store reduced so well worth a visit, AND because a second sales assistant gave me a bunch of large bags, gift tags and strip of stickers for wrapping my pressie - I swear I never so much as asked, honest!  Because of this and more I am giving this store a 10/10 rating.

The delivery day is Thursday so I'm guessing the afternoon or following day is the best time to go.  The sales assistant said fabric flies off the shelf and it wouldn't be there long, plus it was heaving today (Saturday) so I think a Friday might be a better day anyhow.  If you don't mind a drive of about an hour then this one's well worth visiting.  I for one will be going back a few more times this year I think.

Oh and Bedford is just 10 more miles down the road - nothing particularly interesting there but I did pick up another SERIOUSLY retro, yellow floral vintage sheet to add to my collection at the Sally Army charity store.  Can't imagine what I'll make with it but I've decided NOT to pass them up when I see them.  This latest one has never been used either so I knew I was gonna have it.

AND I am getting excited about class next week.  I have tomorrow after church to sit and cut out all the pattern pieces for it.  I have 4 ladies booked on to class so far so do let me know if you want on - there is still space.  Looks like it's gonna be just the apron pattern but that's fine by me. 

Enjoy!

Suezie