Pink Stitches

Revealed

2012-02-06T22:18:00.000Z

So here is the after of my transformation (sorry later than planned - Snow got in the way, very exciting over here in the UK!)

First I applied a layer of primer. I've used a few cheaper shop brand spray paints but now always use my favourite from Rust-Oleum. Reasonably priced and a great range of colours.
A tip for any newbies to spray painting when I first started to use spray paint (rather than a paint brush) I used to think that having to spray a layer of primer and wait for this to dry before applying the actual paint was an unnecessary stage, but think again, applying a layer of primer gives a much better finish.
So after the primer I then applied 2 layers of white gloss. I then found this cute "Create" sign from Hobby craft for 99p and gave this a coat of Berry Pink gloss.

Out came my glue gun and hey presto a cute and functional place to hang some of my projects!

Transformation

2012-02-02T22:07:00.001Z

So this no longer looks like this:

(Although the Teddy bears are cute they are just not to my decorating taste!)
More tomorrow - a hint ..... spray paint was the culprit!

Completed

2012-01-30T20:44:00.000Z

Some days after a 9 or 10 hour day at work the last thing I have energy for is sewing whereas other days that is all I want to do to relax and unwind.
This is what happened one night last week when I whipped this up - nothing too exciting just a simple but practical sewing apron - but a completed project nevertheless! (More than I can say for THE quilt that one day I will make!!)

Trash to Treasure

2012-01-24T20:51:00.000Z

If you've never visited the blog i Heart Organizing you are seriously missing out! This is one of my definite daily reads!

Check out the amazing inspiration for turning trash into treasure:

Quilty finds

2012-01-22T15:49:00.001Z

It's not often I find many sewing related items in the Charity shops. My most prized find a couple of years ago was my sewing box which I gave a makeover to!

However luckily today I found a Quilting book for £1! I tend to use the Internet as my learning tool as there are so many great tutorials out there but it is always nice to have something to look through and this has some great ideas and simple to follow instructions.

A great source of inspiration for my Quilting Bee's!!

Half Square Triangles

2012-01-19T23:31:00.000Z

I am loving HST's at the moment!
Here are my latest blocks to be sent out for the 4 x 5 Modern Quilt Bee ladies in Hive #9.
This was another new block design for me and I loved how they turned out - also liking the grey background fabric as tend to stick with white!

Pin It

Sunday morning project

2012-01-15T22:56:00.001Z

I have a problem.....
It can consume several hours of my day.....
I dream of all the things I've seen and projects that I must do.....
So what is it I hear you ask?

PINTEREST!!

Honestly I spent hours on it yesterday getting loads of ideas and inspiration, luckily it resulted in me putting together this lovely new framed printable this morning.

1 winter printable + brown wrapping paper + an old frame = gorgeous new art in the hallway!

Well I must go now - have somewhere I need to be. (Pinterest - if you really wanna know!)

Check my Pinterest boards for the source of more fab printables.

More blocks

2012-01-10T22:32:00.000Z

I'm in shock with myself but for the first time I am up to date with my Quilting Bee's having already completed and posted the January blocks before the 31st! That is a first!
Here are my latest blocks .......
Bento box quarters (we were asked not to stitch them together as the layout has not been decided) and a forest/tree inspired block - this was made fairly large as there was a possibility it might be made into a pillow.
My goal now is to focus on making some blocks for me so I can start my own quilt!

Sewing mojo

2012-01-08T14:00:00.000Z

Well it hasn't taken me too long this year to get in the mood to get the sewing machine out and get creative (plus there was a necessity to get my Quilting Bee blocks in the mail!) so yesterday afternoon I sewed my heart out and made a total of 5 blocks to get in the post - this is a record for me!
So for today I'll show you my HST fun:

Pinning!

2012-01-04T22:45:00.000Z

I know I'm a bit behind times but I've finally caught the Pinterest bug!
Soooooo much fun but this just means I spend even more time browsing on the computer!
These show exactly how I feel.....

Source: google.com via PinkStitches on Pinterest

Source: lemontreecreations.blogspot.com via PinkStitches on Pinterest

Source: tabletonic.blogspot.com via PinkStitches on Pinterest

So if you fancy seeing what else I'm pinning you can follow me here (whilst also losing a few more hours of your life!):

Bee-autiful

2012-01-02T21:57:00.000Z

At the end of last year I finally managed to take a snap of all the beautiful blocks received from the 4x5 Modern Quilt Bee 3rd Quarter. Thank you to the lovely ladies in Hive 2!!
(Top middle centre was my practice block design that I sent out)

Just need to get going with my blocks for the 4th Quarter, as I've already signed up again for the 2012 1st quarter - plans for the weekend I think!

Day One 2012

2012-01-01T22:01:00.001Z

2012 has arrived and day one is nearly over!
It's been a lovely start to the New Year - family, (more) food, films and catching up on my blog reading (and we'll bypass the fact that my last post was October 2011, can't quite believe that myself!)

In the spirit of reading everyone's reviews of the past and plans for the new I've decided just to focus on my plans for 2012 as looking back I was not as productive as I would have liked.
So to kick start the New Year and hopefully re ignite my crafty mojo I've signed up for what looks like just what I need...... new skills and techniques, playing around with new block designs which all hopefully results in a wonderful and finished quilt!

Can't wait to get started!
Happy 2012 everyone!!

4x5 Modern Quilt Bee update

2011-10-12T21:11:00.000+01:00

Hello there!
Been meaning to update for a while as my blocks for the 4x5 MQB (3rd quarter) have been posted and are safely on their way to their new homes.
As I mentioned a while ago it took me ages to decide on a quilt block (not good at making decisions!) but I am really pleased that I went with the "Rocky Road to Kansas" block and it was somewhat difficult posting these little beauties out after seeing them all lined up together! Hopefully my fellow hive member like!

Mini embroidered canvas

2011-09-26T22:05:00.000+01:00

In addition to the shopping and quilt sight-seeing at the FoQ I also took part in a fab workshop -
"Embroidered Seedheads".
This was such a fun way to spend a few hours in the evening and I was really pleased it was a workshop where I came away with a finished outcome (rather than something that gets put in a drawer, one day to be finished but never sees the light of day!).

We were each given a little kit that contained a chunky canvas, bits of fabric, organza, netting and scrim. Shown some amazing examples, clearly explained each stage and then off I went!
It was also great that the workshop was using my favourite machines - Bernina!

So after I had secured my fabric with bondaweb it was off to free machine embroider over all the different pieces. I went with a linear pattern.

Then when all my different pieces of fabric were stitched down the edges were trimmed and then neatened with a close zig zag

Then it was time to decide what kind of seedhead we wanted to embroider on. I did a bit of drawing by freehand first to get an idea of design and scale before heading off to the machine. This was the really scary part in case I sewed straight off in the wrong direction!

Canvas prepped ready for the embroidered picture

And ta da! You can see that when I got home I spray painted the canvas a chocolate brown colour before re attaching the embroidery

Loving how this worked out and will definitely be making a few more of these!

Close ups

2011-09-24T22:36:00.000+01:00

A few closes up, mini quilts and 3D quilted items from the show ~

Quilts

2011-09-21T22:13:00.000+01:00

So here are some of the amazing quilts on display at this years Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, UK.

It was only fabric!

2011-09-20T21:52:00.000+01:00

So I'd like to say that the little sneak peek yesterday was a huge delicious pile of blocks I've been busy working on ready to be sewn into the most wonderful quilt!
Who am I kidding right! (One day a quilt will be accomplished) It was however a gorgeous stack of fabric that are the most wonderful vibrant colours.
I've been meaning to update on my visit to the Festival of Quilts this August in Birmingham so here is a start. This was my little pile of goodies that came home with me:

I didn't go overboard this year (partly as I was also doing a workshop) and stuck to a few things that I had on my list.
Will show you all the awesome quilts tomorrow!

"Must do better"

2011-09-19T20:40:00.000+01:00

Yep that's what it would say on my Blog report card!
Currently not sure where a day or a week is going but its going somewhere and its Autumn Equinox on Friday as well!
I have far too many blog posts stored in my head and photos of what I've been up to that need sharing that my plan is to get around to sharing them this side of Christmas! (Yep Christmas cards and mince pies on the supermarket shelves as well! Argh!)

So here is a little sneak peek of what's to come ......

Blogs I Love!

2011-09-13T21:14:00.000+01:00

Summer is sadly and well and truly coming to an end!
The lights are coming on earlier and the leaves are starting to change which means less time out and about and more time being cosy at home ..... and catching up on lots of blog reading!

I have recently discovered some fantastic blogs out there some with more of a Home focus (rather than sewing or quilting) with amazing, gorgeous interiors and decorating ideas and other fantastic blogs all about organisation something true to my heart! So I have updated my "Blogs I Love" links down on the right hand side. They are definitely worth a visit!

A couple of my newbie fav daily reads:

Perfectly Pretty

Gorgeous fabric!

2011-08-09T23:10:00.000+01:00

These colours are just so me!!

This fabric is gorgeous and my photo does not really do it justice.
Oakshott is a new company to me that I discovered after an insert and discount voucher (never one to turn down a discount!!) in my Quilters Guild magazine, and if you have never visited their website go check them out. They have lovely fabric, some great free patterns, lovely kits and also some extra lovely leather bag handles!!

Can't wait to pay them a visit at the Festival of Quilts to spend a few pennies!!

4x5 Modern Quilt Bee

2011-08-08T16:58:00.002+01:00

So I've joined another Quilt Bee!!
This one is a bit different .....

About 4x5 modern Quilt Bee

The idea of this Modern Sampler Bee is where each block is constructed using a different pattern and even if two people make the same pattern, it will be made with different fabrics. We want to celebrate the talents and creativity of each other regardless of their experience level.

What’s in the name? The reason why it’s called the 4x5 Modern Bee is you’ll be swapping 4 times a year with 5 members. At the end of the year you should have 20 unique blocks to make a fabulous quilt! (taken from Flickr)

My fellow members in Hive 2 (I love that we've all been put into hive's!!) have all chosen lovely colour choices and put together some wonderful inspiration mosaics to help come up with fabric and block ideas.
So I pulled all the fabric and spent ages umming and ahhing over which block to choose but finally decided on "Rocky Road to Kansas".
Here is the fabric that I've pulled for each member and an example of the block (which I did not make):

So today there was a bit of this.....

and a bit of that......

and quite a few cups of tea in between to arrive at this sample block!

I just need to make one for each of my hive members now!!

{P.S there is an amazing tutorial for this block at Fresh Lemons Quilts}

Machine quilting

2011-08-06T18:07:00.000+01:00

A while ago I attended a beginners machine quilting class with Ferret from Ferret Fabrications.
All I can say is that I've caught the quilting bug!!

One of my goals this year is to actually make a completed quilt. So far my adventures into quilting have all been about making individual blocks, which hey look great but don't really stretch too far over my lap or keep me warm!!

This class was so much fun. We spent the first part of the day covering the basics of machine quilting such as what type of needles to use. I learnt that you get about 8 hours out of a needle when quilting! I can't even remember the last time I changed the needle on the machine - so lesson well learnt!
We then looked at different types of thread that can be used, marking tools, quilt sandwiches, basting, tacking guns.... there was sooo much! Then it was time to start!
I was a bit afraid looking around the room at everyone's fancy machines that my little Bernina 1010 would not be able to cope, the only part that let me down was playing around with decorative stitches as I only have a handful on this machine, but otherwise my little B did me well.
We were shown and played around with so many great patterns, tried not to quilt to tiny in case you were having to machine quilt a large finished quilt and quilting particular areas to give texture. Here is my sample (play around) piece for the day:

My Bee month

2011-08-05T15:59:00.000+01:00

My month as part of Bee Europa 2011 was June.
I had hoped to plan out a really thoughtful, creative block for everyone to make and get myself organised plenty of time in advance but that never happened!
It doesn't matter though as a jelly roll plus a braid strip tutorial on Moda = outstanding results!!
Here are some of the strips that have been made - shared photos taken from Flickr.

From Berlinquilter:

From lieblingsdecke:

From amelieswhirlygiggles:

From mighty_crumble:

From espritpatch:

From Elisa Bernarda handmade:

It's nearly here!!

2011-08-04T12:12:00.000+01:00

Look what the postie delivered this morning ......

Yep the Festival of Quilts is next week!!
Having only discovered quilting in the past couple of years last year was the first time I attended the FoQ and I was not disappointed!
Can not wait to go this year, although I think my bank balance is already having palpatations!!

Challenge

2011-08-03T23:34:00.000+01:00

I meant to post these photos ages ago but never got around to it so better later than never!
Having joined my local quilters guild group this year and taking part in their exhibition with my mini quilts I also took part in a fabric challenge. We were all given a piece of fabric (mine was the sewing themed one) and had to produce something with it.
Here's what I came up with:

Notice something about the mini basket though!?
Yep went and put the handles on the wrong side!

If you fancy making your own little cute basket I followed this fab tutorial from Pink Penguin!

Busy Bee

2011-08-02T22:37:00.002+01:00

Today has been a productive day catching up on blocks for one of my bee's - Bee Europa.
I love being part of these bee's as the blocks really challenge me to try new techniques and ideas that otherwise I would not even think about!
Here is May 2011:

Here is July 2011:

I was June so more of that to come later!

New Bee on the block!

2011-06-26T17:17:00.000+01:00

Taking part in a new Bee!

This looks so exciting and different!

Bargains!

2011-06-15T20:52:00.000+01:00

I love TK Maxx!!
Emma Bridgewater Home Journal and Photo Album for a complete bargain - couldn't leave the store without them!

Mini quilts

2011-06-13T21:32:00.000+01:00

At the end of April (Yes it takes me a while to get round to posting about things!!) I took part in my first ever local quilt group exhibition. I decided to enter the open competition for a journal quilt.
Sadly I did not know what a journal quilt was!
Sadly I did not get placed anywhere but I loved taking part and producing these mini quilts!

Number 1
"Springtime" - the inspiration came from April when we had a lovely spell of weather. The summer in the UK usually arrives for a few weeks at some odd time rather than in the summer!

Number 2
"To Do" - I'm a list maker. I have them everywhere in the kitchen, in the office, next to the bed, on my phone (virtual post it notes are fab!). Sometimes it feels like I write one list to tell me to check the other list!
Thankfully this To Do list is pretty empty - if only!!

Sorry first attempt in a windy garden just made me laugh!

Sewing!

2011-06-12T20:39:00.000+01:00

Still been trying to keep up to date with my sewing bee "Bee Europa 2011".
Here are the blocks from the last couple of months that I have sent out:

March 2011

April 2011

A couple from Bee Europa 2010 January that I never got around to posting!!

Gorgeous gifts

2011-06-09T21:13:00.001+01:00

So after sending away my {Urban}Home goods swap to my secret partner I couldn't wait to receive my own parcel!
So when it did arrive I was overwhelmed!
Thanks goes to my secret partner CookieJCreations for a lovely assortment of items. I had given a few hints about the type of item that I would like to receive and this was spot on and soooo much more!

I was so excited opening the parcel I had to capture the moment - it had travelled a long way!

A huge lovely wrapped parcel

I spy gorgeousness!!

A wonderful sewing mat / mug rug which I have hanging up as a mini quilt - it is too lovely to use!

A wonderful assortment of extra goodies!

An amazing sewing machine mat with fab storage pockets!

If all that wasn't enough I also got this fantastic sewing machine cover!!

I was a first timer {Urban} Home goods swapper and will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next round!!

Don't faint!

2011-06-08T22:48:00.000+01:00

Yep your eyes aren't deceiving you but I am posting!
It has been a while and life has been a bit too busy for Pink Stitches so I am hoping things will get back to normal.
Over the last couple of months I've had far too many colds to mention, been ultra busy at work, handed over far too much money to my dentist, had a wisdom tooth yanked out of my mouth (I can still hear the bone crunching sound!!), tried to keep up with my Bee Europa sewing bee 2011, and on the odd occasion managed to get the sewing machine out for a bit of a play! I'll stop the list there for the sake of not boring you all to death on my first post for ages!

Last time I was here I posted a sneak peek photo of my first ever {Urban} Home Goods a modern swap item that I had just posted to my secret swap partner. The items arrived safely with my partner *waving Hi to Sukie* and thankfully she liked everything I had made and sent. Sukie has even updated her profile photo to one of her holding her sewing machine cover! Take a sneak peek up at the follower photos up the top on the left it is so cute!
I was really worried with it being a secret swap and kind of having to stalk your partner to get to know their likes and dislikes! The items made were also a first for me and I particularly liked my first try at a Dresden plate.
So here is what I sent:

The full parcel of goodies

Dresden plate WIP

Quilting around the Dresden plate

The front of the sewing machine cover

The side view of the sewing machine cover

A different design on the back of the sewing machine cover

Glad to be back and hello to the new followers!

{URBAN} Home goods a modern swap

2011-03-08T21:26:00.000Z

I know yet another month has nearly passed by since my last post!!
I have been busy honestly - work, holiday, sewing and a whole lot more!

This is a sneak peek of one of my latest projects:

This is for {URBAN} Home goods a modern swap round 3 over at Flickr. I can not show you any more than this at the moment until my secret swap partner has received the parcel - don't want to spoil the surprise!
What I can say is that it was great fun making the items and tried lots of new techniques and ideas as well which meant building up my fabric and sewing tool stash!!

Fanciful felties

2011-02-09T21:59:00.000Z

I've been meaning to post about this for ages!
At the end of last year I was lucky enough to be the winner of a wonderful giveaway at The Sometimes Crafter!
A short while later this arrived in the post ~

It is such a lovely book with lots of lovely ideas and uses one of my all time favourite fabrics - felt!
Thanks to Christina at The Sometimes Crafter!

Quilters meeting

2011-02-07T23:45:00.000Z

Been busy this evening at my local quilters group meeting. This only takes place once a month and I am fairly new to the group but I am loving it!
It was a great meeting with a talk by Amanda Hall of Monkey Buttons. It was fantastic seeing all the amazing products straight out of the catalogue (being able to handle and touch them!) and hearing about the process of setting up the company, designing the patterns, making the products. Very inspirational!
If there is something for sale then I just have to buy (honestly I do!), so purchased this lovely pattern. Seeing the quilt in real life was stunning!

One member of the group also bought along some old magazines for members to purchase for a small donation so picked out a couple. Fab!!

Re design

2011-02-06T22:02:00.000Z

I'm not sure why but I always have the tendency to tweak my blog every time I look at it!
Think I'm (almost) happy with the look - what do you all think of the new blog header!?

WIP

2011-01-29T17:27:00.000Z

A little project I've been wanting to get started for ages!

Colour love

2011-01-27T22:41:00.000Z

On the way home from work the car kinda steered towards the shops! What could I do but get out and have a look around!!
Very pleased I did as I picked up this little lovely ~

A Pantone Compact Maxi shopper in a gorgeous colour.

Very roomy as well.

Looked up the colour on the Pantone website and its called Purple Magic!! Fab!

Funny how the font colour I use in all my photos is a near match!

Also discovered that the 2011 colour of the year is HONEYSUCKLE. Another gorgeous colour - go check it out!

{Wordless Wednesday}

2011-01-26T22:03:00.000Z

Bee Europa

2011-01-24T21:20:00.000Z

I'm so loving my time as a Bumblebee in the Bee Europa quilting bee but it will soon beeeee over!!
Time has beeeeen and gone!
It's beeeeen such good fun!

(OK stop it now *note to self the bee puns are getting a little too cheesy*)

I just have the fabric and block instructions for the month of January to arrive and that will be the last block to complete. I was so pleased to be invited by Hanies to join this group as a quilting bee was totally new to me along with quilting being a new venture it has been such a great learning curve.
Talking of curves .... (someone stop me now with the cheese - comedy central or what!) these were my latest completed blocks.

Although they are not a traditional block we were asked to produce mood curves for a modern mood quilt which will then be made into blocks. I was a little hesitant at first as to what these would turn out like and whether there would be enough of a curve, but hoping my partner likes them.

The story behind a modern mood quilt originates from here and is quite fascinating in terms of what colours mean and not being too prescriptive in your order of construction. It was such fun!
Fingers crossed hoping there is another Bee around the corner somewhere! (Although I have all my blocks to somehow join together to make a quilt!)

More blocks!

2011-01-23T14:04:00.000Z

A couple more Christmas themed blocks in the post for a fellow Bee Europa Bumblebee!!

First sewing of 2011

2011-01-22T23:52:00.000Z

Well I can't quite believe it but my sewing machine has been in action more in this last week than in the last few months! Inspiration and the sewing bug has hit me!
First to finish was a couple of blocks for my quilting bee Bee Europa. The design was taken from the book Material Obsession.

{ Wordless Wednesday}

2011-01-19T21:45:00.001Z

Although the Christmas fairy lights have been gone for a while I love having my heart shaped wreath lit up on a cold dark evening! Cosy sparkle!
(Sorry not quite wordless!)

MIA

2011-01-16T15:29:00.000Z

Hello ....
Sorry - blog has been informing everyone it is 1 day until Christmas for a long time now! That has been and gone and a belated Happy New Year to all!
The start of year has been a busy one hence the lack of posts.
Caught up with Flickr and all my blog reading and amazed at how many projects people have completed already since the start of the new year! No projects here but a lot of thinking! Does that count?

In order to get me and my machine going I took the plunge and signed up for the wonderful {Urban} HOME goods - a modern swap!! Yay so excited about this one.
And because I can't post without a photo here is my inspiration for my partner - so much loveliness!!

Thanks to all these lovely people for such wonderful work and amazing inspiration!
1. Farmdale Quilt, 2. Jane Market Bag, 3. kitchen fun, 4. PTS4, 5. Placemat Swap, 6. patchwork pillows, 7. Full view of DQS7 quilt, 8. Pillow talk swap 3 RECEIVED!!, 9. Mug Rug Swap Round 2 for Emedoodle, 10. savvyseasons1received1, 11. Sewing machine cover in 'Martinique', 12. Tiny Bliss Log Cabin, 13. the finished pillow, 14. Sewing machine cover, 15. Red & Aqua Fabrics, 16. Doll quilt swap 9 finished!, 17. pillow swap d.o.n.e., 18. Scrappy Patchwork Cover, 19. Christmas swap with my friend, 20. 'Hope Valley' pin cushion

1 day to go!

2010-12-23T23:15:00.000Z

To all the lovely people that stop by and read {Pink Stitches} and friends that I have met through my little old blog - Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and Happy 2011!
And remember .....

* Letter stickers *

2010-12-21T13:15:00.000Z

Hi everyone no excuse for the lack of blogging lately and this may be the last visit before the New Year so hope everyone is well, enjoying the snow and getting ready for a wonderful Christmas!

On a recent Christmas shopping trip it had been a while since I've visited TK Maxx and I was pleasantly surprised with my visit.
If you don't mind rummaging through the shelves with all the lovely books and stationary you may just come across these:

Now I didn't mind rummaging like a mad woman literally crawling on the floor and re positioning everything on the bottom shelf but it was well and truly worth it as these were a steal!
As it is the start of the Christmas hols here and I am ready for Christmas this year (that's what I'm telling myself anyway!) I have a bit of time to start lots of projects that have been floating around in mind. I have an idea for the vinyl pink ones which hopefully I can share in the New Year until then here was a quick one for my Quilting ideas book:

2010-12-20T17:34:00.000Z

Still here!

Moleskin goes to ........

2010-11-15T21:19:00.000Z

{Kakihara}

Congratulations! The random number generator thingy was on your side!
For those of you that sadly missed out this time, keep your eyes open there may be another giveaway sometime soon.
In the meantime here is a little glimpse of something I have been meaning to talk about for ages. Sorry the photo quality is not that great. Will try and get some better shots!

November giveaway!

2010-11-07T16:31:00.001Z

So you've had a sneak peek for a few days, did you guess?
Well if you didn't here is the giveaway:

For your chance to win the moleskin address book and handmade key fob just leave a comment!

That's it! No questions, no answering what Christmas preparations you are doing, as that will just freak me out and let me know how behind I am!!

As long as I can contact you in some way you are counted in!

Giveaway is open to everyone from all sides of the world, one entry only and the closing date is Friday 12th November. I will then find the usual random generator thingy on the net and choose the lucky winner!

Fingers crossed and good luck!

Sneak peek ....

2010-11-03T21:47:00.000Z

of a forthcoming giveaway!

{Keep your eyes open}

Red and aqua everywhere!

2010-11-02T20:30:00.000Z

Over the summer holidays - yes the SUMMER holidays, it takes me a while, OK several months to post about things - I spent some time in lovely Brussels. This was my first visit and hopefully one day will visit again.
One of the places we visited was the unique structure known as the Atomium. Built for the Expo '58 it has these amazing spheres that are breathtaking from a distance and even more amazing close up.
What got me even more excited was the fab colour combinations inside - red and aqua!
I got more than one strange look when I was there snapping away at the floor and the stair railings! Is that not a normal tourist photo to take!?

Looking up!

Uh oh - looking down!

Up close the spheres were amazing!

Pattern inspiration everywhere!

Red and Aqua stairs! (You don't even know how long it took me to get a decent shot without too many people in it!)

Cool patterned flooring!

Red and aqua stair railings!

How cool would it be to sleep in here!?

Even more of them!

Stunning views ....

and just one more picture of the stairs for the holiday album!

2010-10-31T16:44:00.000Z

It's been far too long!

2010-10-29T21:07:00.000+01:00

Leave my blog alone for a short while (well OK a couple of months) come back and it's all a change!Rather than doing work, work playing around and re designing the blog is just far too tempting, plus I never know I'm doing so it's always interesting when the preview appears!

Lots to catch up on including a visit here:

Being tempted by too much of this:

and a little bit more of this!

Playing around with this:

Getting inspiration from this:

Until next time ....

Quilting Bee update

2010-09-02T21:10:00.000+01:00

Blimey I can't quite believe how quick time passes in a quilting bee!
Bee Europa is the first Bee that I have joined and although a little hesitant at first partly due to two reasons:
1. Not knowing a lot about quilting!
2. Wondering whether I will have the time to take part ...
I am really pleased that I accepted the invitation.
July was my month to send out fabric and all the lovely blocks are making their way home to me and they are so lovely. This was my practice block I made before putting together an instruction sheet and sending out the fabric. I just now need to work out how I am going to join these all together.

Janet Clare workshop

2010-09-01T21:04:00.001+01:00

Another great thing that I discovered about the Festival of Quilts were all the amazing work shops and lectures on offer. Unfortunately I missed out on the lecture "Inspirations with Amy Butler" but I managed to get myself a place on a workshop called "Drawing with your sewing machine" with the lovely and talented Janet Clare.
This was sooo much fun! I was a little hesitant a first because we were using Pfaff machines and sorry to Pfaff but I'm a Bernina girl at heart, but after a little practice it was a lovely machine to use and then I realised how basic (but still lovely!) my little machine is!

Janet demonstrated all her amazing skills and techniques and showed us her lovely little houses cushion and then off I went. Everyone was lovely and friendly and the talent and skill in the room was so inspiring.
At the end of the 3 hour twilight workshop I was really pleased with my interpretation of the little houses cushion and was chuffed that I had a finished item to take home!

Anyway until next time - which may be a few days, start of school term here tomorrow which means back to work for me! Goodbye summer hols!

A girl's got to shop!

2010-08-31T21:27:00.000+01:00

I need to start saving now for my visit to the Festival of Quilts next year as there were so many goodies that were calling my name but sadly had to be left behind!
However I did come home with these goodies:
Lovely new fabrics. These were all too cute to pass up!

The Coats Cotton / Cotton Patch stand was amazing with far too many goodies on display. I was a lucky girl to come home with a copy of Amy Butler's new book, met her as well and even get my book signed! It was also a little freaky as she was staying in the same hotel as me as well - seeing Amy Butler at breakfast is a little surreal!

I did luckily enough get my photo taken with her however that won't be going on here, after looking at it realise how badly I need my hair cut!
I wanted to go home with one of these:

Photo from http://www.accuquilt.com

An AccuQuilt Go! Fabric cutter. These are fab and the lovely lady must have seen me drooling over it as I had a little go and was even further hooked! So many possibilities with this little baby.
Also saw lots of lovely shiny new sewing machines - so until next year I better start filling that moneybox!!

FOQ

2010-08-30T14:32:00.000+01:00

Amazing quilts ~ beautiful fabrics ~ fab inspiration ~ great workshops ~ and soooooo much shopping!!

That sums up a lovely couple of days away recently visiting the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham.
I had never been to this festival before as last year I was a newbie to quilting and the main Textiles show I always try to visit is the Knit and Stitch, but I was hooked and will definitely be visiting again!
There was so much to see, try and also buy! I was also lucky enough to get a place on a great workshop with the lovely and talented Janet Clare and meet another amazing talented woman (more about that this week), but for today here are just some of the many photos that I took.

Happy computer!

2010-08-29T17:37:00.000+01:00

A post at last!

It's been very quiet on the Pink Stitches front lately, partly because it's my summer hols and I've been here, there and everywhere and mainly because I've had a poor computer since the start of the summer.
So with a bit of TLC and what I wish for on a daily basis - a bit more memory, it's up and running and flying at super fast speed. What this means is that writing a post or attempting to do anything on the computer will not take forever and I mean forever that whilst trying to do something I could literally clean the house, make the tea you get the idea.
My postie has also been a busy boy this summer delivering lots of lovely parcels containing all my Bee Europa blocks that have been lovingly stitched and returned with amazing results! These are the first batch to arrive, look at all the loveliness.

Just need to add to my To Do list - learn how to stitch these all together and actually make them into a quilt! Should be (it will be) fun!
Until next time ~

Quilting Bee

2010-08-03T21:35:00.000+01:00

Up to date at last! I fell a little bit behind with my quilting bee but now thank goodness all up to date and ready for the next lot of fabric to come flying through my post box!

Here's my latest block:

Watch out there's a blogger about!

2010-07-29T22:41:00.000+01:00

Yes it's true I'm kinda back!It's been mighty hectic around here what with it being the end of the school term and hence my summer work break, my Textiles printing exhibition having been and gone, several projects on the go involving spray paint, shopping for fabric, getting my fabric ready for my quilting bee (July is my month), having family staying and .... well I could go on and on!!
Thanks for any comments that have been left recently and sorry I've been crap at responding to them and welcome to new followers!

I hope to be back with some routine fairly soon but will be having a break for the summer hols!
Anyways to leave you with an image of my desk sorting out my parcels for my quilting bee. This took forever!!

Until next time ~

Stash building (or trying to!)

2010-06-08T21:34:00.000+01:00

My fabric stash is growing slowly and steadily!

It is still very small and I'm still very envious of fabric stashes that fill complete cupboards or even take up a whole wall!

Some of the reasons why it is not as huge as I would like it to be:

1. I find it really hard to source good quality fabrics in my local area. Although John Lewis are doing better these days.

2. At times fabric seems to be expensive in the UK.

3. At times more important bills need paying - a huge dental one around the corner!!

4. I particularly like lots of the American designers and Moda which can often be scarce in some shops.

5. I normally see a nice handbag that I don't need but I want!!

But I do need to start thinking about the fabric for my fellow Bee Europa bee's as July is my block month, so picked up these as possibles.

Verna by Kate Spain for Moda.

Hushabye by Tula Pink for Moda

Tilda cotton in Sand

See the stash is growing!

A bit of light reading!

2010-06-07T21:30:00.000+01:00

I've been making more visits to my local library lately as I've been really pleased to see that they have lots of new and modern titles in stock!!

Lots of quilting books as July is my month with my quilting Bee - Bee Europa so I'm trying to work out what blocks I would like made!

Sew Sunny homestyle - loving this book! Lots of lovely ideas.

Embroidered books - I did a fab workshop with the author Isobell Hall in February this year (yep still need to blog about it!!) and some of my notes did not quite make sense so I was really pleased to see this (note to self to make sure when taking notes at workshops that I can understand them when I get home!!).

This lot will keep me busy for a while!

Flowers and Sunshine

2010-06-04T10:36:00.000+01:00

It's so nice to have sunshine when I'm on holiday for a few days!! This was my view to the sky whilst sitting outside for a while. It then got too hot!

Flowers are also blooming in the house! Usually I'm not tempted with all the freebies that magazines have to offer but the June issue of Easy Living had this little cutie Cath Kidston bag, how could I resist! It's also reasonable quality for a freebie bag. The handles didn't fall off after carrying 8 pints of milk yesterday!

The mojo's back!

2010-06-02T17:33:00.000+01:00

Just what the Doctor ordered - a few days holiday and the sewing machine has been put to it's test!

With a busy day job my poor partners of Bee Europa must have thought I'd forgotten all about them but today I finally managed to complete all the outstanding blocks!

I'm really pleased with how they turned out and although I've been behind that I was invited to join this Bee. It has been great working on a range of different block patterns that are all new to me and also some lovely fabrics that I never seem to be able to buy in the UK, so it is very difficult sending them back!!

Anyway enjoy the photos!

JUNE

2010-06-01T23:23:00.002+01:00

Hello to the 1st of June and hello to abandoned readers!

I have no real excuse - time has flown by with a never ending To do list on the agenda.

This phrase however has been somewhat relevant:

I finally got around to framing my poster. Can tick that off my To do list!! Yay!

A few days holiday this week and today the sewing machine was even dusted off!

How could I resist!

2010-04-20T21:23:00.000+01:00

Upon popping into John Lewis and spying a red reduced tag what was I supposed to do!?
Just leave it there? Somehow this lovely found its way into the shopping basket!

Applique flowers in spring!

2010-04-18T14:23:00.000+01:00

This is my applique panel that I completed at my last quilting class yesterday. It was nice to complete something different and I haven't done applique for ages! I've also found a true love for freezer paper!
I'm really pleased with the end results and the colour combinations and patterns of the fabrics. Thinking I might try and add borders to this to make it a centre piece for a mini quilt! Well I can dream about completing it anyway!
More photos over at Flickr.

Ikea + Quilts

2010-04-16T16:25:00.000+01:00

After a few recent trips to IKEA I now have lots of new storage in my office/sewing room. It is fab. Although it is a very small room the two pieces I purchased and lovingly assembled (how I do love flat pack furniture!) have given me loads of storage even for A2 size things, plus a space dedicated for cutting fabric! I will get round to taking photos!

I have also been spending too much money on new fabric with which I hope to start making my first ever quilt. I did however see this lovely one available in IKEA! I'm thinking making my own quilt is going to take forever!

Spring clean!

2010-04-14T14:04:00.002+01:00

See what happens when I have a couple of hours to mess around with my blog ~ a total spring makeover!

Hopefully everything works and looks ok? If anything looks out of sorts don't be afraid to let me know. Thanks.

Patchwork and Applique

2010-04-14T12:46:00.000+01:00

Sorry it's been quiet around here lately, I'm on Easter break so been busy doing lots of the usual things: Gardening, Painting, a bit of sewing, working on my screen printing ideas, lunch with friends, shopping, putting together IKEA furniture - all the usual!

Recently popped to a few Charity (thrift) shops to see if I could find scraps of fabric for my screen printing. No luck there but did manage to pick up this cute and very informative book for 50p. Good Housekeeping always a winner - lots of good instructions and ideas!

Popping by

2010-03-30T21:13:00.004+01:00

Brief visit today!
Just when things are ultra busy and Easter is around the corner, guess what?
Achoo!!

Yep caught the lurgy! But it's nice to know my tissues are polite!
Thanks for comments about the English Patchwork. Will update soon and post about the fabric being used.

M.I.A

2010-03-24T22:05:00.005Z

Sorry for disappearing again! Busy, busy, busy!
Hopefully it's not been too boring around here although I seem to have lost some followers! :o(
Thanks for lovely comments and emails about the quilting blocks, I always try to reply to every one but some are no reply blogger emails so thanks for the comments but sorry for no reply!

What's this you see - I have managed to squeeze a bit of craftiness out of me so it's time for show and tell!
At my last quilting class we looked at traditional piecing over papers or English Patchwork. This was a nice change as no sewing machine was involved.

Spent a lot of time cutting out these:

Then preparing the fabric:

A few hours in front of the TV and here's where I'm at:

Hand stitching not too obvious!

Card trick!

2010-03-02T20:51:00.004Z

No - I've not been practising my magic! Honestly!
Started my monthly quilting course at the beginning of the year and here is a new block I learnt in January - the card trick.
It was interesting playing around with the colour placement of the pieces before joining them together as they really made quite varying blocks. It's amazing what half square and quarter square triangles can do!

Option number 1:

Option number 2:

Option number 3:

Sewing up the pieces:

Getting there slowly:

Hey presto! (or abracadabra!) the finished block - although the lighting in the photo is not too good!

Off to magic up a cup of tea!!

More blocks

2010-02-28T21:59:00.003Z

Since being slack with updating around here I realised I had shown you all the Bee Europa blocks I made for February but completely forgot about January!!

Here they are:

Loved the fabrics that Hanies provided us. First time comfortstitching style and wonky log cabin blocks!

Disappearing act!

2010-02-22T23:42:00.004Z

Yep - sorry for the quietness around here for a while.
Been very busy so lots to catch up on!
Talking of disappearing acts (you'll get the pun intended in a mo!) here are my latest blocks for Bee Europa.

Disappearing nine patch blocks!!
Maria is making a Christmas quilt so it was fab to use Christmas fabrics in February.

Nine patch:

Disappearing nine patch:

Nine patch:

Disappearing nine patch:

On no turn another year older in about 10 minutes. Tempted to open presents hidden downstairs but going to resist until the morning!!

New term

2010-01-21T23:25:00.003Z

Tonight the new term of my Textiles evening class started!

First session - using procion dyes to create a background fabric that can then be over printed. I enjoyed this and did start over printing some small wooden block designs.

Very different direction from my screen printing last term - although I still love this!

Biscuit heaven (Seriously!!)

2010-01-20T23:40:00.005Z

My first and (so far) only visit to Australia was a couple of years and it was one of the best holidays of my life to date!

Upon discovering all the delights of Oz I also discovered what is now my favourite biscuit!! Although it is really difficult to buy these in many places in the UK.
So when a friend came back from Australia last week and bought me these - well what can I say, apart from YUMMY!!!

Snow, rain, fog

2010-01-19T20:38:00.004Z

Just thought this place needed a little brightening up today!
It has got really cold again and from having snow to a slushy mess followed by rain and then fog - and guess what now!? Maybe even more snow!

It really is not the weather for taking great photos - so a couple from the archives when it was sunny around here!
Enjoy!!

2010-01-18T21:43:00.002Z

So yesterday I found out I had been given the Sunshine award from Bluebell at Bluebell and Rosie.

The award is given to bloggers whose positivity & creativity inspires others in the blogworld!
So following the rules and sharing some of the lovely blogs that I read daily (although I am a bit of a lurker!!) I am passing the award onto these lovely 12 bloggers!
Some I have been a long time follower, others are fairly new to me so go check them out!
In no particular order:

Sew love to sew
Thea + Sami
Pink Penguin
Just a Girl
Hopfaldera
Cluck Cluck Sew
Buebau
That's my story
Just original
Little musings
Blueberry Park
Lazy Dynamics

Sunshine Award !!

2010-01-17T20:27:00.004Z

Just checking my lovely emails and comments and to my surprise Bluebell at Bluebell and Rosie has given me a sunshine award!! Thank you so much!

That cheered me up! It is so nice to hear from people that read my blog and to know that there are people out there that are in fact reading my blog, and that the time it even takes me to think of a title to each post is not all for nothing!!

The conditions when accepting this award are as follows -

* Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
* Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.
* Link the nominees within your post.
* Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
* Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

I'm busy getting ready for work tomorrow so I will be back then with my nominees!!

Printing

2010-01-16T17:28:00.004Z

At my evening class in addition to my screen printing on fabric I also managed to squeeze in some lino/block/screen printing but this time on paper!

Remember this hand made pillow:

Here is my same design but screen printed onto paper:

Several lino blocks that I carved away at:

To produce prints on paper:

Now I need to think about how I am going to frame them!

Delish!

2010-01-15T23:47:00.005Z

Always seen lots of things about Cornbread, never tasted it before but made some today and it is lovely!!
Really easy to make and I added a few chilli flakes to spice it up a bit. If anyone wants the recipe let me know and I'll add a post!

Finished project (+ bit of a tutorial)!!

2010-01-14T22:05:00.006Z

Yay - It's very unusual that I get any crafting done during the week due to the day job, but managed to start a little project last night and finished it tonight! (Hence dark photos!)

This is one of the projects in "Simply handmade". I'm really pleased with how it turned out, put my own little twist on it and can see many more of these being made, and have a little idea on how I'm going to put them into good use!

Be prepared for lots of photos!

Here are my instructions that hopefully make some sort of sense!
1. I started with a 12" x 12" double side piece of light card.

2. Faintly draw out the scoring and cutting lines. (Sides 3 1/4", Centre 5 1/2", top tab 1", bottom tab 3/4")

3. Cut out corners and cut tabs at the top and bottom.

4. Score along the lines and fold.

5. Place a strip of double sided tape along the sides of the envelope and press together firmly.

6. Place a strip of double sided tape along the bottom tab and press in place.

7. Now choose a lovely button to form the fastening!

8. Carefully press a split pin into the middle of the top tab. Don't have it too tight/flat against the card otherwise the thread will not go around it!

9. Press the split pin out flat.

10. Thread the embroidery floss through the holes in the button, tie a knot in the end.

11. Attach a glue dot or a sticky fix to the back of the button.

12. Press the button firmly in place on the envelope.

13. Voila the fastening is complete!

Hey presto - a cute little envelope for secret little goodies!

Phew! Hopefully you kept up with that and I didn't bore you to death!
Love to know of any envelopes being made out there!

It's been a tad chilly around here!

2010-01-13T23:09:00.003Z

Icicles from last week when it was freezing!
Still cold tonight been busy trying out one of the projects from Simply Handmade magazine. Hopefully show and tell tomorrow!

Fabric stash

2010-01-12T18:31:00.005Z

Last week's sum's :~
Snow day + computer + too many hours browsing the Internet = purchases of lovely new fabric!!

Introducing my new little fabric stash! I find it difficult buying fabric over the Internet as I like to touch and see the fabric in person but I am limited to decent fabric shops around here so this is my only way of getting some of the lovely fabrics out there!
Hope to use some of these at the weekend!

Updated: Hi, for those of you who have emailed or commented the fabrics are from Fabric Rehab! (UK based online shop)

Handmade

2010-01-11T20:37:00.005Z

I purchased this new (to the UK) Simply Handmade magazine just before Christmas and what with being so busy just had a quick flick through, has since been sat on the huge pile of unread magazines!
Finally sat down with a cup of tea to have a good read and there are some lovely projects!
I was a bit worried at first that everything was paper based but I was pleasantly surprised. Only problem the Internet link given does not seem to work! If anyone has any ideas of the UK based site for this magazine would love to know!

Love this idea of using old cereal packets to make notebooks - I'm a sucker for a notebook!

Definitely going to try this - love it!

What a cute little applique pillow!

I find these little envelopes so cute - instructions and craft paper here we come!

Only a few more projects then to add to my wish list for 2010!

Centred

2010-01-10T00:00:00.003Z

Sometimes it's just the little things that count.... I finally managed to get an image I'm happy with for my blog header that fits and is in the centre.
The one before that was off to the left has been bugging me for ages! You may not have noticed but boy it was annoying!
I love that photo that I took many moons ago and I'm now nearly 100% happy!

Some of my blog headers in previous existences :~

It's sooooo chilly!!

2010-01-09T15:30:00.003Z

(This striking image taken by Nasa's Terra satellite on 7 January 2010 shows the UK deep in the clutches of the current cold snap. Image/text taken from BBC weather)

With it being so cold been busy having a computer tidy and sorting through lots of photos! So here is the last review of '09 - some of my other crafty projects:

Now that we've completed the first full week of 2010 (and what a strange week with all the weather) it's time to think of crafty plans for the year.
So far:
Taking part in Bee Europa!
Quilting class.
Continuing with ALFALC - it is far too addictive!
Generally just finding more time for me and my sewing machine!

Here's hoping!

Snow shadows

2010-01-08T23:38:00.003Z

School open today - so back to work, but still plenty of snow around and lovely blue skies!!

Stitch

2010-01-07T12:00:00.005Z

Yay! It's another snow day, so I'm not complaining and have lots to keep me busy!
Plus this lovely magazine arrived today! I finally managed to track down a supplier in the UK.

Lovely zakka style projects:

Some recognisable work and names. The bag, that also features on the front cover, is made by Ayumi at Pink Penguin!

Last year I was lucky enough to win one of her giveaways, so have my own lovely little bag:

This magazine will definitely keep me entertained whilst being snowed in!

Wellies at the ready!!

2010-01-06T15:21:00.004Z

Woke up this morning to all of this:~

Yay it's a Snow day!!
Lots of jobs done including some recycling of Christmas!

Gift tags from Christmas cards.

A post a day!

2010-01-05T21:01:00.004Z

Blimey - either someone has put something in the water around here or the new year has done something funny to me!!
I've posted every day since the start of 2010!!
Now I know that's only 5 days but heck that's unusual around here! (Therefore I may just have to disappear for the next month or so to recover!! He He!!)

At the end of 2009 I completed my second course in Exploring Textile Techniques. I did lots more lovely screen printing, learnt about lino printing on fabric and paper and made some yummy felt!
These are just a few images of some of my pieces - I now just need to actually use the fabric to make something!!

Have fun, and yay just looking out my window and there are a few flakes of snow falling!!

Dec's down - hoover out!

2010-01-04T22:54:00.004Z

Yep got home from work today and it was time to take down the decorations.
Goodbye to this little man that greets me at the kitchen:

The wish of snow:

The glowing tree:

but hold on... to find all this left behind!

And it's not even a real tree!
So out came the hoover and now we back to some kind of whats looking like empty space reality!

Looking back to look forward!

2010-01-03T11:42:00.004Z

At the start of this year I took up an evening class in Exploring Textiles - adding colour to fabric. This was the work from the first term - it's always good to see the progress made and cringe at some of the work at the time I thought was good!

I was definitely in a bright colour mood!!

Thinking back to '09...

2010-01-02T13:36:00.004Z

QUILTING!

2009 was the year that I finally learnt the art of quilting. I made a new friend in my rotary cutter and finally got my head around inches!
I was even asked to take part in Bee Europa, which I am excitedly looking forward to and have recently received my first fabric parcel!
Looking forward to more quilting in 2010!

Some of my quilting moments of 2009:

Hello to 2010!

2010-01-01T22:37:00.005Z

(Sorry - I can't post without a photo, Yes - I am one of those who looks at the pictures before the words!, here is the lovely snow that fell just before Christmas!)

Blimey - you blink and it's already 2010!
Happy New Year!
Best wishes to you all, thank you to all my followers, the lovely emails that I receive and to everyone who pops by to read my ramblings!
Have a healthy, happy, prosperous and fun filled 2010!

Countdown!

2009-12-20T14:29:00.003Z

Get this widget!

Friday was my last day of work which turned out to be a snow day!!
So one extra day for the holidays.
It snowed again last night! So snuggled up warm catching up on my blog reading!

Stress free!

2009-12-14T20:58:00.003Z

I wish! Why is it that hours at work go slow and when you get home time flies by because you've got so much to do!
Saw this card at the weekend and just had to have it!
Reminder for myself and visitors over the Christmas period! You can also see my new festive red felt coasters!
It's getting all too festive around here!

The fabric keeps on coming!

2009-12-13T23:24:00.002Z

Yep - even more hand printed fabric! I love the way the little trees block turned out, so went mad printing this piece of fabric. Enjoy!

Hello December!

2009-12-08T20:43:00.005Z

As usual time has flown by, Christmas is closer every day and the weather has got a tad chillier!
So much still to do, so much I want to do - can I have a few extra hours for a Christmas pressie!?

Coming to the end of my Textile printing class and so behind posting photos. Here are a few of the not so nice piece of fabric that I over printed onto. So much better!

Until next time...