Look at the size of it now!

Hi everybody ๐Ÿ™‚

Now my parents’ house move has been successfully completed, things should begin to return to normal again here. Thank you to everyone who watched and waited and sent us good wishes. It has been a long haul but the most important part is done.

The house move took priority over everything else and so now, I have time to share birthday presents from last month along with more updates on some works in progress.

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The card is from one of my wonderful blog reader friends. How appropriate is that design? The blackwork goodies and pinking shears were from my lovely sister and the fabric shears and quilting book were from my other half ๐Ÿ˜€ My daughter bought me a subscription for the digital version of an American quilting magazine, a brilliant way to subscribe without the shipping costs! What a lucky girl I am ๐Ÿ˜€ The book boasts a smart way to make kaleidoscope pattern quilts but I’m not sure I’d use the suggested method as it involves a lot of wasted fabric, probably bits that are too small and pointy to use for anythiing else. My motto is “I pay for every square centimetre, so I need to use every square centimetre”. I’ll reserve proper judgement until I’ve made a block or two. Believe it or not I didn’t have any fabric scissors before getting these ones. I don’t know how I managed before! And I now have loads of ideas for using those pinking shears ๐Ÿ˜€

As you can see, the new blackwork kit is waiting in the queue for my embroidery frame. Yes, I could buy another frame but then I’d have two embroidery projects on the go and I can’t have that ๐Ÿ˜‰ So, I’ll finish the Bothy Threads Narrow boat first. Here is a progress check ๐Ÿ™‚

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I also have to thank my lovely friend Claire whoย sent me these! I arrived home exhausted after the house moved on Friday and these little lovelies were in my letter box. The surprise ย made my day! So to Claire “Merci beaucoup” ๐Ÿ™‚

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I love hand stitched cards…..and those buttons are perfect for……my purple and blue quilted bag.

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I’ve been looking for a button for this bag without success and I’m delighted to add this ย painted one. As you can see, it isn’t sewn on yet. The two smaller ones will be used in other projects. My other bags areย hereย if you want to see them.

My crocheted ripple blanket is coming along very nicely. Look at the size of it now! You can also see that we have had a bit of snow again…..that must be because I’ve just booked a camping holiday he-he. It looks like we are in for a chilly time so I’d better get this blanket finished ๐Ÿ™‚

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and two more photos of scrumdiddlyumptiousness. Thanks to Roald Dhal for the adjective ๐Ÿ˜‰

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I do like a nice roly poly blanket ๐Ÿ™‚

Now, as we are (I am) having a bit of a purple fix, I thought you might like to see my Caithness Glass paperweights.

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Most of them were bought at the factories in Wick, on the north coast of Scotland, and Oban on the west coast where we saw them made. Actually, the car park at the Wick factory was the only place my beloved old campervan ever broke down. I didn’t want to leave there either ๐Ÿ˜‰

I’ve just realised it’s getting towards dinner time. What’s for dinner? This….

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I’m not totally sure what is in it other than beef, vegetables and sliced potatoes on the top. It was made by my OH yesterday while I was unpacking boxes with my sister, so this is a photo of it cold. I’m sure it will be delicious reheated and teamed up with Yorkshire puddings ย ๐Ÿ˜€

Finally, I have a confession! A lovely reader, a few weeks ago, nominated my blog for an award and I decided to leave my acceptance post until later. Then, everything at this end became very busy and I still haven’t posted about it. Now I can’t find the nomination!! I have put the images of all the accepted awards down the right hand side of the page so I know it isn’t those ones. If you nominated me for different ward, please let me know when it was so I can find it and accept gracefully. Apologies again to that very kind person ๐Ÿ™‚

So, these are my only WIPs except for myย Under the Sea applique project, alsoย hereย andย here. I hope to be right back into the quilting groove very soon so watch this space ๐Ÿ™‚

Have a fun weekend!

Avis x

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Bags of bags and a new award!

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all well and still in the crafty holiday mood ๐Ÿ™‚

I’ve been making a bag to use up the rest of the plain charms that I’d put away for a rainy day in my fabric stash. I haven’t made a bag before. I suppose it was only a matter of time….

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For now, there is a pin where the wooden toggle closure will go. The body of the bag is quilted with variegated thread and there are patch pockets in the patchwork lining. The whole thing is a stash-buster!

Here is the back view.

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Then, it occurred to me that I’d had a whole lot of fun making this bag. Soooo…….I made another ๐Ÿ™‚ This time using the blue patches from a predominantly pink charm pack. I’m not keen on blue with pink so I stashed the blue ones. I’ve added a few squares of other coordinating fabrics to make up the numbers.

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Once again, I’ve put a pin where the big button will go. The main part is quilted with pale blue King Tut thread. Here is the back.

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Then……….I got totebagitis…….or some other disease which made me want to do another bag. This is quiteย ridiculousย (you’ll find out why below).

Next, a purple and blue “quilt as you go” style bag.

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And the reverse.

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So, there you go. That’s what I’ve been up to ๐Ÿ˜€

Next, I’ve been nominated for another award.

My friend Yvonne, over at A Wee Bit Randomย has nominated me for this ๐Ÿ™‚

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Thank you very much Yvonne ๐Ÿ™‚

A Wee Bit Random is a relatively new blog that contains something for everyone. Go and take a look! There are lots of rules of acceptance as usual……but, you know me……I like to break with tradition. I won’t be nominating other bloggers as I know and understand how some of you prefer not to get involved. However, I will provide links to some of my favourites and if the blog writers wish to take the award, they can. That way, everyone is happy (I hope).

A few random things about meย (just to conform a tiny weeny bit)

I love anything purple ๐Ÿ™‚

My favourite place to have a holiday is in Scotland, the more remote, the better.

I hate hats!! When I was a child, my Mum used to knit me hats of all colours and designs. For every outfit, there was a matching hat. I used to be dressed immaculately, with a hat, and sent off to school every day. At the top of the street, just around the corner, I would remove the hat and put it in my bag, whatever the weather. On my way home, the ritual was reversed. I still won’t wear a hat. My Mum is now in her 80’s and she still has no idea about this, so no telling ๐Ÿ˜‰

I like Brussel sprouts ๐Ÿ™‚

I never make New Year resolutions.

I don’t have a handbag. I don’t remember ever having a handbag and have no need for one. I believe most people have no idea what is in their handbag. Now you know why me making bags is ridiculous ๐Ÿ˜†

Now for a few links of reeeeeealy good blogs in alphabetical order.ย 

Basildon Kitchens

Bending Pins

Claire in France

Creative Pixie

Gun in Sweden

Made by Patch

Nero’s Post and Patch

Quilt Obsession

Red Headed Stitcher

Skalabara

Treadle Music

Enjoy! Bye for now! Quilting calls ๐Ÿ˜€

Avis x

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