Saturday 2 November 2013

T'is the season....

.. to batten down the hatches, stay in and create a little.
This week I have got a smidge of the crafting mojo back.  I have settled down of an evening with the TV on - not something I do much of these days, but I discovered a BBC series that I knew nothing about so we set about watching it on iplayer before it ran out.  I can highly recommend By Any Means  if you are short of something to watch.
I can crochet these blankets whilst watching tv - so quickly managed to produce this "Neopolitan Ice cream" coloured pram blanket for a seaside baby that is due in the new year.


 And I decided to stash bust and make a random patchwork quilt.  I've nearly finished the construction of the quilt on my sewing machine (which now drives like a dream as my lovely neighbour serviced this for me!), and I shall be trying to hand quilt this later in the week.
 The quilt contains fabrics - new and vintage - from my stash which has grown from many sources - kind donations, impulse buys, old Primark pyjamas .....

 .. but my favourite is the very vintage rosebud fabric that I have had in a piece for many many years.  This was my grandma's bathroom curtains and she stitched them by hand.  It has taken a lot of courage to cut into this, but I finally did it.  I am going to incorporate the "stitching" pieces into a collage, which is still whirring about in my head at the moment.  I'll keep you posted.

16 comments:

Gilly said...

Utterly pretty! You clever woman! And I enjoyed your photos of Broadstairs. Mr.G comes from Margate, so we frequently went over to Broadstairs and Ramsgate for a change of scene!

Elizabethd said...

I think it is lovely to incorporate treasured fabrics into a quilt. I sewed my grandaughter's early clothing fabrics into a memory quilt for her...she is now 25 and still has it!

Diane said...

I love doing crochet and I agree it is so quick. Knitting just does not grow fast enough!! I have so many bits of materiel, maybe I should get energetic and make a quilt for our bed. Problem is we have a very large bed 6' x 6'6 !! Have a good weekend Diane

Kathy said...

I love your quilt, full of memories. i wish I could sew, but I just get into a big mess!

Patricia said...

Your quilt is gorgeous and I love the colours.

Jan said...

Lovely colours! Your quilt brought back lots of fabric memories for me. Jx

Curtise said...

Your neopolitan baby blanket is lovely, but it's your patchwork quilt which has really caught my eye, Diane. Gorgeous fabrics, and I adore the rosebud print from your grandma's curtains. What a beautiful use of that special piece of fabric. xxx

Lyn said...

Glad to see you crafting, autumn and winter are the best times to stay indoors and create.
I love the quilt, where will it be living in your house when it is done?
Xxx

jennyfreckles said...

You make it sound - and look - so easy. When I tried once I ended up with very wonky rows, rubbish.

lazylol said...

I love your quilt, so pretty! I've just this minute finished watching the last episode of By Any Means, fantastic!

Selfsewn said...

Yay I love this kind of quilt! have you finished piecing? Cos I'd love to send you some fabrics!!!

Rosie said...

You have been busy! Love the quilt! Did you see the two Sheffield ladies on breakfast news this morning? They, and many others, worked in the steel industry during the war and there is to be a concert to raise funds for a statue in honour of the work they did:)

tlcukjourney said...

What a lovely afghan! I love the soft pink and brown, I so wish I had more time to crochet, I crocheted this summer with my mom and I loved it, I could sit and go at it for hours!
I Hope the start of November has been wonderful for you!
Much love,
Tammy

julie n lee said...

How lovely to see Grandmas curtains! Took me right back to being about 7 years old. Love little Sis xxx

Lisa said...

How pretty is that Rosebud fabric and it's so lovely it has such sentimental value to you too. Better to be cut into and used and enjoyed than sat folded up and stashed away.
Lisa x

Lisa said...

How pretty is that Rosebud fabric and it's so lovely it has such sentimental value to you too. Better to be cut into and used and enjoyed than sat folded up and stashed away.
Lisa x