Another Felted Bag

I decided to make a larger felted bag and bought the approriate number of balls of yarn to do so. I was pleased with the size I knitted - popped the result in the washing machine and was moderately pleased with the finished bag. Not being pleased enough I decided to pop said bag back in the washing machine and in my excitement put on too long and hot a wash and of course you know the result. Ooops! One bag smaller than the previous bags I have knitted. Anyway it is quite cute and I love the colour.

My best friend Ali sent me a lovely brooch she had made. I have pinned it to the front of my bag. Thank you Ali it was a lovely surprise and I love it.

Getting Ahead For Christmas

Each year I like to make a little textile something for family and friends. The other day I received my copy of Quilting Arts gifts Holiday Issue magazine. I was inspired by one of the articles and decided to make these gift bags/decorations. I have made six so far and am enjoying making them so much that I cannot stop. Hope you like them.

Walking in the Peak District

Instead of pottering about and ending up not doing very much as is usual on a Saturday we finally arranged to go for a walk in the Peak District with very close friends of ours. So armed with rucksacks full of food supplies myself, my husband, my two daughters, my very good friend L and her husband M, their two daughters and their son set out for the Peak District.

After hitting a couple of traffic jams due to roadworks we eventually arrived at the beginning of the walk. We piled out of our cars all raring to go when one of L's daughters realised she had not got the correct walking boots with her. After a bit of swapping about the poor girl ended up doing the walk in boots rather on the large side for her and not only that she wasn't feeling too well either! Anyway she completed the walk without a moan. Well done L's eldest!

Beside all that we had a lovely walk. It was rather steeper at the beginning than we had anticipated but we all coped well considering some of us (meaning me and dear husband) haven't been walking in years. The views were lovely, the rain held off until the very end

and I for one thoroughly enjoyed myself. Even my eldest daughter was running up and down hills like a mountain goat and all after she had been pulling a face because she had to get up early. She had said she would never forgive L for making her get up so early on a Saturday morning (I am meaning teenage early which is not early of course!). We had one stop for lunch and the only other stop was for a re-arranging of L's son's socks to stop him getting blisters.

After we had been home and sorted ourselves out we rounded off the evening by spending it at L's where we had a Chinese meal. Thank you L and M and family for being such good friends and company. We always enjoy ourselves when we are with you. Looking forward to the next walk.

Feeling Blue Quiltie Swap

This month's quiltie swap for Unlimited Textiles has the theme 'Feeling Blue'. This is the quiltie I am sending to my swap partner. I hope she likes it. Also I am sending a few bits and pieces that she may like to play with.

The background fabric for the quiltie is hand dyed calico. I then layered a piece of chiffon on to it then added machined coloured papers with one of the automatic patterns on my sewing machine. I machine couched and hand couched thread, stamped a repeating pattern with one of the Sherrill Kahn Sorbet Paints, added pieces of organza by machine stitch, added more handstitching and finally added flower sequins and beads.

I do not normally work with blue but I really enjoyed using the different shades of blue and will certainly use it in the future.

A Lovely Surprise

I have had a lovely surprise. When I bought the latest issue of Stitch magazine in it there are photos of some of the stars from the star swap. I am so excited that a piece of my work has been published in the magazine. What a real buzz to see the star I had made there alongside all those other wonderful stars. Plus the star I received is there as well. There are some very talented people out there.

Quilted Bag

Tonight I made the quilted bag from the material and pattern that my friend Ali bought for me. I really enjoyed making it and am pleased with the result. Ali was right - she knew I would love the colour scheme and I do. Have taken a photo of the inside with the magnetic fastener just to prove to Ali that I have finished the bag off properly.

Another Felted Bag and Look What I Got in the Post

I had another go at knitting and felting a bag. This time I used Twilleys Freedom Spirit 100% wool. As I was sewing up the seams the top edge folded itself so I decided to sew this down and it has made a nice rolled edge. I then sewed round some fashion yarn just to give it that finishing touch!

When I arrived home from work this lunchtime I had a lovely surprise of two packages in the post. One was from Annica who is also a member of Unlimited Textiles. She was my swap partner this month for the postcard swap. What a lovely postcard. Annica thank you I really love it. Just my colours and I really like the texture. Please look at Annica's blog she does really lovely work.

The other parcel was from my very bestest friend Ali. We have been friends for more years than we care to remember and although we live a fair distance from each other we are constantly in touch and I am very very grateful for her friendship and support. Anyway back to the parcel. Ali had sent me some lovely fabric that has a pattern for a bag with it, some sari ribbon (gorgeous colours) and two lovely wooden angels. Thank you Ali for the lovely present.

Last night I started a calligraphy course at the local college. The two hours I was there flew by. I think I am going to enjoy the course and hope to include some lettering in my textile work (obviously when I get a more proficient at the calligraphy). That may be a while yet as it isn't the easiest thing to do and will take lots and lots of practice. Looking forward to it though.