mr snowman

I'm working on my latest pattern at the moment. The best about knitting is that it is so portable. So sitting in the sun this afternoon I was working away on my snowman tea cosy - I think Ill call him "Puddle"! Bye, Ali.

schools out

Today was the last day of City and Guilds. There was a flurry of activity as all the textile classes put their work up for the exhibition. After a few late nights I finished my second quilt - a daisy - what else! .....and all the supporting work. I cant believe that the year has finished......I'll tell you if it as all been worthwhile when I get my final mark on Tuesday!!!

Here's my Crazy daisy quilt...

and my first piece - "Wish I was there" - on display.

Anyone in and around Belfast city centre on Wednesday and Thursday come in and have a wee look at all our work. The exhibition is in the BMC beside Inst. On Wednesday the rooms are open from 10.30 - 18.30 and on Thursday from 10.30 - 16.00.

Have to go and tidy the sewing room - not to mention the rest of the house.

Bye, ali.

scribbles

I bought some lovely yarn in John Lewis - Sari Ribbon (Louisa Harding yarns). Once I finish the course I'm hoping to do some "scribbling" with the help of a pattern I found in The Curious Knitters Guide - Mason Dixon Knitting.

Also on the to do list when I finish the course is to sort out the garden .....I spent a wee while in the garden today, the snakes head fritillaries are flowering along with the spring hyacinths.

Thats all for now, Ali

london break

I'm just back from a very tiring, but enjoyable few days in London.

First port of call, was the exhibition - Quilts (1700 - 2010) at the V&A. The visit was most inspirational. My favourite quilt has to be the Liberty Jack quilt by Janey Forgan because of her use of Liberty fabrics and the lovely colour scheme. I found myself being moved standing in front of some of these quilts. If you can make it, its well worth a visit.

I also had to pay Liberty a visit....heres me browsing through the lighting.

They have lots of quilts displayed inside and some very interesting ones in their window display!!!!!

Here's a photo of the back of the Liberty building at the Carnaby street entrance. The whole wall is painted with a Liberty print........stunning!

Bye, Ali

easter projects

Crocheting does not come naturally to me as does knitting.....I do keep trying though. I crocheted some eggs and a chicken to sit on top, especially for Easter. The pattern which includes other farm animals is an Amy Gaimes one - Old Macdonald had a Farm and it is available from her etsy shop.

I also knitted a few creme egg cosies as Easter gifts. The pattern is loosely based on my free chick creme egg cosy. I really must write the bunny pattern up - something else for my ever lengthening to do list!

Have a nice Easter, Ali

she sews

she sews sea shells on the sea shore

I have just finished my first piece for the City and Guilds Patchwork and Quilting Certificate. I based it on a study of Whitepark Bay. It is in five separate sections all slightly larger than A4, to be arranged like a collection of photos on the wall. They are stretched over foam mounting board to give a firm finish

Heres a photo of each one

The Portbradden end of the Bay

The eastern end of the Bay toward Ballintoy

Sea

Pebbles and Shells

Sandals and Surf

I dyed my fabrics and used a variety of techniques as I think this is what is expected. If anyone is doing this course Id love to hear how you're finding the new syllabus.

Cant wait until this course is over and I can get out the knitting needles again.

Bye for now, Ali

happy birthday

Unfortunately today is one of those milestone birthdays best forgotten ....so to cheer myself up I thought I would have my own wee birthday celebration and do a bit of window shopping on etsy. I found this lovely quilted birthday card made by little quiltstores. Pretty felt cakes by Daisy Daydreams Cute crocheted pattern by tidafilur.

Hope you like my selection.
Bye, Ali.

new year

Soooooo cold here - I might go to bed and hibernate until Easter - the hyacinths are a promise of spring and they made a welcome appearance just after Christmas. I did venture briefly out into the garden today and noticed the crocuses bravely peeping out. The festive season is officially over in our house today as I took down and packed away all the decorations! Thanks to everyone who have stopped to read my blog and those who left comments in 2009.
Best wishes to all for 2010, Ali.

weather warning

We woke up this morning, here in Belfast to 6 inches of snow. Great excitement as all the young ones in the street headed out to play. This photo was taken seconds before the photographer (me) suffered a head shot from a snowball!!! I couldn't resist the temptation to head down to the Titanic Quarter for some snow piccies. Chances are it might well be a white Christmas - whatever the weather have a great Christmas. Ali.

patchwork obsession

At the moment everyone in the city and guild class are designing one of their final pieces. So we are all looking for inspiration. As for me, patchwork designs are becoming a bit of an obsession....everywhere I look I see blocks and patterns. Ive taking photos of just a few......

The Ohio Star seen in tiles on the floor of Donegall Arcade Belfast.

Half Square Triangles on an estate agents board.

And even the tattooist windows is displaying the Leymoyne star.

I'm even beginning to dream about sewing!!!!!!!

bye Ali

13 today

My son celebrated his thirteenth birthday yesterday. I must say I'm envious of him, with his life stretching ahead. Wouldn't it be nice to be thirteen again with what I know now....theres a wee saying - youth is wasted on the young!!!!!

As for knitting etc...I'm working on some items for a charity Christmas coffee morning next Saturday. I used Julies pattern on her Little Cotton Rabbits blog to knit some mini Christmas tree bears. Some of mine look like koalas though!

Take care, Ali.

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 City and Guild 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