A Stitch in Time

I hardly have much time these days, with the City and Guilds course....I have been neglecting the housework and my blog. The course is very intense, but challenging. Last week we learnt about American blocks and for our "homework" had to produce 4 blocks. Heres one - Card Trick.....

.....the colour choice was inspired by my sons Juggling balls which I had to dig out of the bottom of the toy box.

Scarey night in

We had a few sweet treats tonight (Halloween). Pumpkin gingerbread biscuits bought in Kittys of Coleraine - they always have a mouthwatering array of buns, cakes and biscuits.

As well as the traditional apple tart some toasted marshmallows at the fire.........mmmmmmhhhhhhhh!!

Bye, Ali

Autumn Sunshine

We took the familiar pilgrimage up to Whitepark Bay, during the week. Of course when you're there, you just have to have a paddle even though the water is desperately cold.... Just as we were leaving the sun was just going down and so I got lots of lovely sky / sea shots. Bye, Ali

Pattern Feedback

I love hearing how people find my patterns......I welcome all feedback. So I was all chuffed when Joanna sent me a couple of photos of her buns and cake she had knitted from my patterns. Here she is holding a plate of her knitted goodies...... Many thanks Joanna, for taking the time to write and send me your photos.

Bye for now, Ali

Log Cabin Block

Week 4 P&Q course was all about strip patchwork. I thought I knew a wee bit about patchwork, but I now realise that what I know couldn't be written on the back of a postage stamp! I really enjoyed the Log Cabin Block. We learnt how the centre of the Log Cabin block is traditionally red, to represent the fire or the hearth. The strips represent the logs used in the construction of the cabin. These strips are traditional contrasting light and dark - the light ones being the side of the cabin with the windows and the dark strips being the solid side of the cabin. I found a good guide for Log cabin blocks - just click here. Why oh why did I choose ginghams and checks for this particular sample!!

I also did a sample of crazy patchwork - I love this type of haphazard piecing where exact and precise measurement is not top priority. The central picture is one of relatives on my fraternal grandmothers side.

I was able to buy cotton fabric which could be put through the printer. To get a sepia toned fabric - I dyed some cotton fabric in a tea solution...great fun to make.

Bye, Ali

Autumn rose

What else would you do on a blustery Saturday afternoon, but go for a walk in the park. I spotted some roses still hanging in there...how beautiful is that...

I think today will bring down the rest of the leaves...

......and then back home to the fire and some comfort food - an Ulster fry.....ah well the diet starts tomorrow!

Bye, Ali

Something to do

As my son is now at "big" school now ...I'm a tad redundant. I decided I would have a go at the City & Guilds patchwork and quilting course, for something to do. It however has given me too much to do and I seem to spend all my time sewing these days. Never mind the housework - what about the latest sample!!! I have even been neglecting my knitting and writing my blog.

Week 3 was all about folded patchwork - Somerset and Prairie Points. I got most enthusiastic about the Prairie Points and did a few samples. The boat sampler was made from Biting type Prairie Points trapped between wedges of fabric.

The sunflower was made from continuous Prairie Points with a Suffolk Puff as a flower centre.

Have a look at Kim Templins instructions for continuous Prairie Points.

Better get on with my "homework" for next week,

Ali.

P & Q course

My knitting hasn't been out of the work basket recently, as I have signed up for a City and Guild course in patchwork and quilting. Its taken me a wee while to get into sewing mode. Here's what we've been doing so far - Week 1 ......to get us used to the sewing machine we sewed paper napkins with straight stitch and satin stitch. Once washed in lukewarm water, the napkin washed away leaving the stitches....

Week 2..........English patchwork including sewing hexagons, diamonds (tumbling blocks) and clam shells. I had some fun with the clam shells turning mine into a bowl of ice cream. I'm beginning to wonder why a lot of my creations are inspired by food!!!

Bye for now, Ali

****Giveaway Pattern****

I have just put my Celebration Cake pattern on my etsy shop, it is also available to download on Ravelry. Many thanks to aewsimmons and Wolhaeus from Ravelry for testing my pattern.

Pattern includes instructions to knit a slice of fruit cake, complete with marzipan and icing. You can finish it to celebrate any special occasion. Ive included three ideas to make it a Christmas, wedding or Anniversary cake. Leave a comment and one person will receive a free copy of the pattern....picked randomly.

Regards, Ali

Summer at Last

The weather has taking a turn for the better here. In our street there has been a frenzy of activity after the wet summer - hedge clippers, lawn mowers and paintbrushes have all been brandished. I took an hour to plant up my spring bulbs in the garden (fritillaries and bluebells) and planted some for the house as well............. I sat in the garden today in a sunny spot working on my latest pattern - a snowman tea cosy!!

Bye, Ali