Thursday 20 November 2014

Strike a pose

I currently have this song running through my head... 
...it's Vogue by Madonna for those that don't know. It's typical of me and my drama queen reaction to this amazing happening...
That, right there, is my quilt on the cover of Quilt Now Issue 5!!!! I am ridiculously chuffed to be gracing the cover. This is my favourite quilt design to date, so to have it on the front of the magazine is the cherry on top for me :)
I'm not going to lie, it was hard work making all those blocks but totally worthwhile for the end result. I got busy with the Perle 8 thread for some chunky hand quilting and I love the texture it gives :)
This issue of Quilt Now is all about scraps and there are lots of lovely projects for inspiration inside. We're making the second set of blocks towards the next border in the block of the month using Crazy Patchwork. It's quick and fun!
This month's free BOM project is an apron and you'll find the tutorial here.
Now I'm off to chill out before a rare outing to see Noel Fielding... Catch you soon x

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Cosy

Will wonders never cease? I've actually finished two projects that I was desperate to complete before Winter set in! The first is a crochet blanket that I started last Winter. I made a small lap size version of a pattern from this book. I went off plan and added a couple of rounds of double and treble crochet around the edge to finish it off. I definitely didn't have the stamina to make the queen size version!  
It's currently looking pretty on the back of the sofa :)
The second, probably more important finish is Jess' cardigan! This is another project that I started last Winter when I miraculously grasped the knack of knitting after many years of abject failure. Of course I had to go for a full on fancy, dancy cable cardigan for my first ever full size garment! The pattern is in this book by Anna Wilkinson. I used a lovely denim blue yarn by UK Alpaca which is really soft and should keep Jess nice and snuggly.
Here's a view of the back. Not too shabby :)
This close-up of the sleeve pattern shows what I was up against as a knitting rookie.
All-in-all I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out and it fits Jess which is a definite bonus! I'm going to attempt a cardigan for myself next...With all this lovely yarn I have hanging around I figured I ought to make some pretty storage for projects in progress. Until now they've been sitting in the ugly plastic mail bags that they arrived in and that's a bit daft. I couldn't wait to sneak some Priory Square in to a new project...
...and it was about time I used some precious Anna Maria Horner.
I'm sure you'll agree that it's considerably prettier than grey plastic! I'm in the process of making an alternative version of this bag and a pattern might be in the works ;) Catch you soon x