• Dear Baby Jane - sewing

    B-1 Bachelor’s Button

    I managed to complete another block tonight, it was quite straight forward and I finished it whilst watching America’s Next Top Model! We told some of our friends and work colleagues about our engagement today which was fun. Everyone was asking if we had set a date and decided on a venue but we haven’t had time to think that far yet. My mum sent some beautiful flowers to work which was lovely, but I had a struggle getting them home in one piece on the train and bus. I’m so glad I started driving lessons and have a little…

  • crafts - Dear Baby Jane - vintage

    D-3 Jason’s Jacks

    Today I finished D-3 Jason’s Jacks using a lovely bright fabric from Aunty Cookie. We spent Easter on the Isle of Wight where I scoured the local charity shops and picked up some lovely vintage toys. The weather was bizarre, sometimes sunny and warm, but also windy with snow, sleet and hail. We braved Ryde seafront yesterday for a walk in the wind where we struggled to stay upright.

  • crafts - swaps - Tech!

    New toys

    Today I was lucky enough to receive three gifts. The first was a new laptop, a lovely MacBook Pro (to replace my old PowerBook). Then a Nikon D70 (as my boyfriend treated himself to a newer model). Finally a wonderful swap package arrived containing a handmade Easter ornament and some lovely pieces of fabric. I spent the evening making another block for my Dear Baby Jane quilt, this time C-9. I found this block hard as it involved cutting out the tears and sewing them in place onto a second fabric. I’m also not too keen on the fabric I…

  • crafts - sewing

    Finally – WIP!

    Ever since our little boat holiday I have been working towards making my own quilt. I made my first quilt when I was 16, for my first serious boyfriend who was off to Uni. When we split up I didn’t think it was polite to ask for it back. Fast forward 14 years (oh I feel old) and it’s time to make another quilt and keep it. So I’ve been paper piecing my octagons and going through my stash of fabrics. I don’t think this is going to be a quick project but hopefully posting about it will give me…

  • crafts - Dolls quilts - housekeeping - Patchwork & Quilting - swaps

    Doll quilt swap

    I recently participated in a doll quilt swap on swapbot. This was a good opportunity for me to make a dolls quilt which so many people have blogged about recently. Here is the one I made for my partner. I used lots of vintage fabrics which gave it an autumnal feel (I hope). The pattern is from Little Quilts All Through The House and called Celebration Flag, I love the little house block. I had completely forgot that I would be receiving a quilt too so was pleasantly surprised when this was waiting for me this week. The colours are…

  • crafts - Knitting and Stitching Show - Local Review - London

    Knitting and Stitching Show

    I managed to complete the application I had been working on all year and submit it on Friday. It felt like a complete anti-climax but I celebrated by heading off to the pub after work for a large glass of wine or two. On Saturday we visited Tate Modern to see the latest installation in the Turbine Hall. The work was by Doris Salcedo and was basically a large chasm in the floor, running from one end to the other. I didn’t think it was very special and it was actually more fun watching people’s response to it. Then we…