FNSI Report

This is my progress on my bag.  The top picture is of the flowers for the front of the bag, I have got to make eight of these and managed two during FNSI, they are very fiddly.  The other picture is of what I'd done already, the back of the bag and the flap.  It looks a strange shape as I need to avoid the flap gatting caught up when I do the sides of the bag.
I hope you all had a great FNSI and got lots done.  I spend a couple of hours in the afternoon with Ros, my sewing friend in Norfolk, and we had great fun going through her stash getting together all the things she wants for the "Beach Huts" wall hanging workshop we're doing together tomorrow at Wroxham Barns.  I think we selected enough stuff to make a full size beach hut!  Well, you just never know quite what you're going to need for a workshop.
Today is dry and I've done a little tidying up in the small garden here at our bach in Norfolk and then DH and I went and picked blackberries and now have purple-stained fingers.  That reminds me, when I get home I'll unwrap my seaweed dyeing and see what (if anything) has happened to the cloth.  Have a great weekend, whatever you're doing.

Friday Night Sew-In: Saturday Morning Report, March 2011 and a Giveaway

Happy International Quilt Day

Last night it was FNSI time again and also Comic Relief night here in the UK.  If some of my stitching is wobbly I can blame it on laughing at the acts, sketches, songs etc that were on BBC all evening; but if some of my work is soggy I can blame it on weeping at the desperate situation of people going blind in Africa for the sake of a simple operation that takes twenty minutes and costs £17.  It was amazing to see the reactions of people as their bandages were removed and they realised they could see, a real miracle.

I didn't do all these blocks last night, I started a couple of days ago, but this is all I can do for the moment as I've run out of the main fabric, Nara Gardens from Hoffman.  Very, very fortunately when I phoned my LQS yesterday there was 3.5m left on the bolt and Barbara is saving it for me.  It's more than I need but I'm not risking running out again and it won't be difficult to find a use for this wonderful fabric.  The quilt is the same design as the Round and Round le Jardin (scroll down on the right) but is to be a quilt for my guest bed.
Thank you to Heidi and Bobbi for hosting FNSI again, it was sew lovely to be stitching away with people all over the world, especially with today being InterNational Quilt Day (click on that link for more information

and a great free Log Cabin quilt pattern).
DH is spending his day helping SiL install a new kitchen, sounds as if I've got the whole of today to sew, hooray :)
Susan is having a great NQD giveaway on her blog, the Quixotic Crafter, so pop over there and please tell her Lis at Online Quilting sent you, thank you.
And while you're blog-hopping, please go over to two posts on my sashiko blog, one about help for Japan and one an amazing letter from a lady in Sendai that will change your day.

Friday Night Sew-In, November

Instead of sewing all day I have been spending a very long time trying to sort out my email account after my address was hijacked.  I expect some of you have received spam messages that look as if they come from me, but they don't.  I hope you have deleted them, if you haven't, please do.
When I did get around to sewing it was getting dark so I had a chance to try out my new little OTT light.  It works very well and so now I can sew and enjoy our lovely log fire at the same time. 
I can't show pictures of what I got done, some of it is part of Secret Santa swaps but I can tell you I've been making little fabric boxes and some delicious kanzashi. 
I've also prepared some stitching to take away with me for Friday Night Sew-In.  I'll be doing some Christmas embroidery and some more kanzashi but will have no computer access so please consider this my Saturday morning report and enjoy some kanzashi here and here.  I'll share mine later.

Friday Night Sew-In Report, September

Well, I've had a Friday Afternoon Sew-In or I suppose I've had a Friday Night Sew-In with anybody who's in Russia, China or Asia.  Please leave me a comment if you are, it would be lovely to know who I was sewing with. 
I wasn't sure I'd make this one and so am feeling very pleased with what I've achieved.  It was good that I had prepared a lot of this project before I got taken ill.
I got very comfortable, in bed, propped with lots of pillows, my bed covered by all my sewing things and some yummy food and drink on the bedside cabinet and then I got going with some fabric postcards.  These are for the current BQLPC swap.

The sashiko stitching was very therapeutic to do, as ever, (although my stitches are not as neat as usual) and cutting out the maple leaves from gorgeously textured and dyed vintage kimono fabric was a delight.  I had to drag myself to the iron to assemble the cards and then, after a nap, it was back to the hand stitching to add the beads and embroidered leaf veins.  I managed to sit at my machine to do the edges and am now feeling very shattered and waiting for my beloved to return from the shop with fish and chips for dinner before I sink into a deep slumber.

Anyone in the BQLPC group will notice that in my enthusiasm to be sewing again I even managed to make too many postcards!  Maybe I'll have to have a little giveaway soon, watch this space.

Thanks for hosting Heidi and here's hoping that while I'm sleeping everybody else will be having a great FNSI - I look forward to reading your reports tomorrow.

Friday Night Sew-In: Saturday Morning Report, July

I had quite a varied Friday Night Sew-In last night, flitting about and doing lots of different stitch-related things. 
Firstly I finished this sashiko project which you can read more about at Sashiko Started It.  It's an online tutorial from Susan Fletcher at Sashiko Stitchers and has been great fun.
I then put my needle down and spent an hour or sew catching up with all your wonderful quilty blogs.  I love reading what you are all doing, both quilt-wise and in other areas of your lives.  I find such inspiration and support from fellow bloggers.
Back to the fabric and I worked on my 'Blush' wavy four-patch for a while and then made three fabric postcards.  There will be photos soon.
I was very good on the nice things to eat front.  As it's so warm and summery here I resisted the chocolately things and snacked on a bowl of gorgeous dark red cherries from Kent, delicious.
This morning I discovered I am a winner in Abbey Lane Quilts' gorgeous giveaway so I'm doing a happy floral dance.
Thanks Heidi and Bobbi for hosting another great FNSI.  Looking forward to seeing what you all got up to.

Sashiko Online Tutorial - Finished

After a couple of days off I finished my sashiko dragonfly at the beginning of this evening's Friday Night Sew-In and so here is a picture of it.  I stitched the dragonfly following Susan's instructions and then added the beads.  I decided against variegated thread for the dragonfly (although I did buy some) and used the short bugle beads.  There are loads of 'mistakes' but I am pleased with my "dragonfly over diamond waves" and would like to thank Susan Fletcher at Sashiko Stitchers for this great tutorial and to all of you for stitching along with me, it's been fun.
When you have finished your own dragonfly please comment with a link to a photo of it on your blog or email me a photo, I'd love to see a weyr of dragonflies.  You will have read in Susan's final newsletter on this tutorial that she is planning a new sashiko tutorial in the autumn.  I'm going to save my piece in the hope of creating a sashiko "sampler", what will you do with yours?
Please take a look at Susan Briscoe's comments on my previous post, she has given us lots of additional tips, particularly for getting the meeting points correct, thank you Susan.  Susan's own work is superb, have a look at her website and her blog, Sashiko and other Stitching.

Friday Night Sew-In: Saturday Morning Report, June

A very quick report before I dash off to catch a train and see the Quilts 1700 - 2010 Exhibition at the VandA, my ticket is for 11 a.m.

I had a productive Friday Night Sew-In even though some of it was actually a Sew-Out.

1.  My quilting on the surprise quilt for July is now all unpicked and I'm ready to have another go.

2.  I cut a pile of 5" squares for a wavy four-patch quilt that will feature in a tutorial very soon.


3.  I shortened a maxi summer dress by 4" (I'm obviously less maxi than some girls - in a vertical direction anyway).  This was a nightmare, the lining is stretchy and the outer layer is flimsy chiffon, but it's done.  Bring on the summer sunshine!

4.  I ate some very delicious chocolate from Venezuela.

I hope you all had a wonderful sew-in, I'll be back soon with a report on Quilts 1700 - 2010.

Friday Night Sew-In and Exhibitions to Enjoy

Tomorrow is FNSI time.  Hooray, hooray.  This month we all need to go to Bobbi's as Heidi is moving.
I think I'll be doing a lot of negative sewing after a tension "issue" with my machine

but I'm hoping to do something positive too, probably some cutting - preparing for my wavy four-patch tutorial.  I'll also be meeting up with my sister and seeing how she's getting on with her tumbling blocks.  Please come back on Saturday to find out what I got up to.

Oh no, I won't be able to post on Saturday as I'm going to the Victoria and Albert Museum in the big city for their Quilts 1700-2010 exhibition.  I'll post about both when I get home from the adventure.
I've heard mixed reports about the Quilt Exhibition so I'm looking forward to forming my own opinions.  It's well worth a trip to the website even if you can't get to London for the exhibition.  There's a free pattern from Amy Butler to download and, be still my beating heart, limited edition FABRIC to purchase.  I know I won't be able to take photographs at Quilts 1700 -2010 but there is a comprehensive exhibition catalogue available, more on that when I've seen it.

And while I'm writing about exhibitions I've just read in this month's Patchwork and Quilting Magazine that there will be an exhibition of Magie Relph's story (see my previous few posts), "Under African Skies", telling how she has been sourcing African fabrics for the past ten years.  This exhibition is at the Quilt Museum in York from 10th July - 16th October, see the museum website for full opening details.

Don't forget to go to Bobbi's and join in the Friday Night Sew-In - click on the FNSI button on the right above my blog archive.

A Difficult Choice

It's that time again, a lovely evening to be spent in poddy clothing and comfy slippers, with our favourite foods (don't get the chocolate on the sewing though) and the whole evening to devote to our lovely passion
BUT
there is a problem for us stitchers in England that Heidi  probably didn't foresee.
Tonight is also THE night.
Yes, at 9.00 p.m. on the good old BBC is the final ever episode of

ASHES  TO  ASHES

What's a girl to do?
This is my plan.  An evening of sewing until just before 9, then a quick trip to the kitchen to stock up with a consoling drink and some fruit cake.  Then an hour in front of the television - with some hand sewing on my lap but probably not being touched.  Then, at 10, if I am not too distraught, (or weary), back to the quilting,  I'll be working on my miniature Storm at Sea, watch this space.

And yes, I do know about i-player and recording television programmes but it just wouldn't be the same would it?

Thank You To Everybody Who Visited Me Here

Note from Lis added 21 May:  Please note that my SMS Giveaway (please scroll down or click here  to have a look) is now closed and I will be announcing the winner this morning, Friday 21 May. 

Thank you to everyone who visited here, left lovely comments and signed up as followers.  I have been absolutely blown away with the number of comments I have received, it makes me feel really good inside.  I hope I managed to email you all individually to say thank you but I have been amazed at how many visitors I've had and might have missed somebody out or not been able to find an email for you (although I tried even if you were a 'no-reply blogger').  It has been wonderful to read all your ideas about Japan and to read your compliments about my blog, thank you.
I hope you enjoy the things I'll be adding in the future, including more information about my recent visit to Tokyo, the projects I have for the fabric I bought there and something about the traditions and culture of the wonderful country of Japan.  Of course I'll also be announcing the winner of my giveaway on 21st May, here on this blog.

Sewmamasew's giveaway day was a lot of fun and if, like me, you've spent a lot of time rushing around the web signing up for all the gorgeous giveaways I hope you'll come back and browse through Sashiko Started It at leisure.

You may be interested to know that I have another blog where I share my non-Japanese quilty work and my musings on life in Lincolnshire, it's Online Quilting.  The next big event happening there is the Blogger's Quilt Festival which starts on Friday (which is also Friday Night Sew-In so it'll be a fun and quilty day).  A lot of the blogs I've visited during Giveaway Day were fairly new ones so I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage those new bloggers to carry on blogging, it is amazing where it can lead.

Friday Night Sew-In and Apologies

I'm going to have all my new fabric purchases unpacked and sorted out ready for the next Friday Night Sew-In which is on 21st May.  Pop over to Heidi's blog for all the details. 
Before that I'm going to take a few photos of the gorgeous things I acquired in New Zealand and Tokyo so that I can share them with you. 
At the moment I'm trying to catch up with the blogs I follow.  Can I please make a big apology to all the lovely people who took the time to post comments on my blog while I was on holiday?  I usually make sure I amswer/acknowledge all your comments but I just didn't manage to while I was travelling.  It was lovely to hear from you though so please accept my apologies if you left a comment and felt ignored. 

What I Did On Friday Night

Another lovely, sunny day in paradise and after a good evening spent sewing I'm up early and off to visit friends in Tauranga.

I started my Friday Night Sew-In sitting on the verandah in the evening sunshine so I thought I'd get a photo taken to promote a little envy in those of you in the wintery Northern Hemisphere, although I understand there are definite signs of Spring around and that you've been enjoying some warm days in England at least.

I'm working on a quiltlet for my trip project, this one is based on North Island, NZ and I'm using fabrics I bought at The Country Yard near Whangarei in Northland where I also bought a lovely selection of Aurifil threads.

The Country Yard (above) is in a great setting and is a very friendly quilt barn.  There was a quilting group there when I visited and several people also popped in to buy, show and tell.  These are the Aurifil colours I bought for starters and I have to say I am really enjoying using them.

I'm hand sewing and the thread is really smooth through the fabric and doesn't seem to tangle as much as other threads I've used.  I've not brought my beeswax with me so the threads are being tested au naturel!

This is what I got done on Friday night - I came inside soon after the photo (it's Autumn here, with cooler mornings and evenings) and settled down in my dressing gown with some yummy things to eat including Whittaker's chocolate peanut slab and a whole 1 kg punnet of apricots that were a bargain at about $6, plus a couple of bottles of lemon, lime and bitters!

Two adapted log cabin blocks (why the colours look different from one photo to the next I don't know, I took them about 30 seconds apart) and I am going to applique a nikau palm silhouette on top in dark green Fossil Fern fabric.  I've cut out the templates as you can see but I need to buy some of that iron-on double sided adhesive that I saw being used on Simply Quilts this week - my BiL found it on the Sky Living Channel for me and has been recording it, what a star.  Nikau palms are only found in Australia and NZ, here's one:

They're quite iconic trees here and used in a lot of designs.  The young shoots can be eaten and Captain James Cook wrote of doing so, they're called miko.  I'm glad I went for the chocolate and apricots though!

I had a lovely Friday sew-in and now I'm off to look at what others got up to - it's such a great feeling to know this is something happening all over the world, thanks Heidi and Bobbi.

March's Friday Night Sew-In

I'm joining in the Friday Night Sew-In again this month - this week, Friday 19th March.  Pop over to Heidi's to find out more and join in.

Holiday Quilting Part IV

 

Heidi and Bobbi's next Friday Night Sew-In will be taking place on 19th February, please take a look at the details here and have a lot of fun joining in.  In January about 150 people all over the world took part, there are nearly 90 people signed up for February already so I think the Sew-In is like Topsy, it will "grow and grow".

I will be on a plane on 19th February and then probably feeling a little weary but I'm determined to join in (even though I'm unlikely to manage a Saturday morning post but you never know).  

Unless I get my needle confiscated by security officers I am going to do some sashiko on the plane.  I'll have my thread pre-cut into 18" lengths and I have one of those concealed blade thread cutters that I hope I'll get away with on the plane, if not I'll do all my end trimming later.  I have some fabric marked out with the Ganzezashi (sea urchin stitch) which I'm planning to work in red.  Sea urchins are a delicacy and in Japan this pattern was made to ensure a good catch by the fishermen.  I find working sashiko very calming and therapeutic and so it will be ideal to do while flying.

Please don't forget to visit my 100th post giveaway and I'd like to recommend a blog to you, go over to Bronwyn Hayes' glorious blog and enjoy a nice cup of tea or coffee and a look at her fun and fantastic stitchery designs.

Friday Night Sew-In: Saturday Morning Report

My beloved went out into the wet and windy Lincolnshire night to fetch us fish and chips for dinner so that I didn't have to think about food as well as the Friday Night Sew-In, bless him.
So, equipped with plenty of cups of tea (in lovely china cups), choccie biccies and dressed in my most cosy cashmere socks (among other things) I was ready to join over 100 people all over the world for the

The first thing I did was finish off this little Sweet Treat bag (Moda pattern).  That was just putting the fastening on and taking the photo,

so I moved quickly on to this Courthouse Steps block for the Sampler Quilt I'm making from Lynne Edwards' book.  The central meeting point isn't very accurate so I'll have another go at that another day but I was pleased with the fabric choices.

I wasn't sure whether to share the next picture as it's definitely a WIP but here goes:

It's a wallhanging I'm working on inspired by  a trip I took on the Norfolk Broads near Stalham earlier this year.  I finished piecing it, put the two borders on and layered the project today.  The rest of the design will be appliqued and sashiko-style quilted.  These are some of the photos I'm working from:

After all that arty excitement I decided to return to the Sampler quilt and a little gentle handstitching to finish the sew-in.  The block was Dresden Plate, one I'd been dreading I have to admit, but it actually went together very well no small thanks to Lynne Edwards' thorough instructions.

I didn't quite get it finished before tiredness overcame me but I'm sure you get the idea and I shall enjoy appliquing the "plate" to the background while sitting in front of the fire this afternoon.  Fortunately all our snow has gone but it is pouring with rain today and very miserable, definitely a sewing day.

I hope everybody else has had a great Sew-In, I'm really looking forward to seeing what you all got up to.  Thanks to Bobbi and Heidi for organising a great party, shall we do it again soon?!