Hoot Family

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Practically Paper Piecing Blog Hop!

When I first heard about Kristy from Quiet Play and her plans for a paper piecing blog hop I was a little aprehensive. I hadn't ever tried paper piecing like this before and thought to myself - maybe this is something I can learn? Then my dear friend Sally said she would show me how and I figured it might be worth a go. I believe I even mumbled something about my failure being a warning to others - so here we go ;) I found a little block I thought I might like to try - a little intertwined block that had almost a celtic feel.
THIS IS NOT MY BLOCK!! This is the one Sally made first to make sure she could show me how. It is made up of 4 pieces, which are then pieced together. I made 2 sections with Sal and then attempted the other two at home, all by myself.... Sal's block looks awesome - mine however is another story. So much another story that I am not going to show you, because it is kinda embarrassing just how badly I failed at it.... BUT I had signed up, so I needed to work out how to do this some how. I googled 'easy beginners paper piecing quilt block' and was blown away by the options, most of which really didnt look all that easy lol! I came across this on about page 5. I have a hubby who is mad on model aeroplanes and a little boy who wants to be just like his Dad (Bob help me!) so I figured an aeroplane I might be able to use somehow! IMG_3860 I did it!!! Ok, it has a few issues, like this: IMG_3889 (Let's pretend that I didn't mess that up ok?) So what to make with an aeroplane block? I considered a bag, pillow, quillow, quilt - all boring when it comes to original ideas for an orphan block. I don't really remember how it came about but someone suggested making it into a shirt. Then I wondered about a quilted vest, something to keep the little mister warm while flying with Dad. IMG_3883 A close up of the block and quilting - it could be worse right? I have only just finished hand sewing down the binding and my little boy is sleeping so an action shot will have to wait until morning (I will grab one in the morning and pop it up sometime tomorrow afternoon if you happen to feel like popping back to see it lol). But I had fun, despite my early 'mishaps' - thankyou ladies for the opportunity to try something new!!! And don't forget to check out tomorrow's stop on the Blog Hop Train - The Textile Diva!! Edited to add: Mr 8 is in a MOOD this morning and doesn't want to play, this is the best I could get lol! Will try for another when he is in a better mood! IMG_3913

Sunday, April 29, 2012

A Productive Sunday Afternoon

Stash. And scrappy bits. I have more than I should of both. So this afternoons sewing session was about using up some of the bits and pieces I have been meaning to do something with for a while. Firstly I completed some paintbox blocks for a friends quilt. I am not sure if I am doing them right, but I like them and I am hoping she will too! I also used up the last of my daisy yellow scrappy bits! It is only cot sized, but it is cute enough ;) One of hubbys friends recently had a little boy, I just need to find the right backing and quilt it. IMG_3556 And last but not least, nothing fancy, but a collections of reds and pinks. Like I said, nothing fancy but I do like half square triangles ;) IMG_3553 A productive afternoon! Oh and my machine sews like a dream after its service!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

I never thought I would do it...

But I made a mug rug. I know, I know. Why would I do that? Do people actually use them? And why? What purpose do they serve? Why do people use them? What is wrong with just putting your mug right there on the table? I will justify it by saying that it is for a swap on Ravelry. My partner has a thing for purple and I happened to have a few purple scraps lying about that needed a new home. Pieces that werent really big enough to do anything with on their own. It was a good way to use up a heap of little scrappy pieces :)
I used MadeByRae's tutorial for using the backing fabric as the binding and it was so easy, I will be using it again! Now I just hope my secret swap pal likes it!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Duck

Thankyou Em and Tara and boys for the lovely morning sitting at the park. The boys played and ran and yelled and swung and slid and ran and ate and ran for a while, I hope they all had fun!

We had a few extras today, just wandering past;)

Friday, February 3, 2012

Day thirty Five: For a Swap Parcel

A little crafting this afternoon for a swap parcel. Hopefully my partner will like a pair of these ;)

IMG_2668