Part solving my UFO problem

I've been on a drive to finish some of my UFO projects since openly admitting to what was lurking under my craft desk here. The flurry of activity has kick started a couple of pieces but made me re-think others, there is a reason they are unfinished.

 

One such UFO is my big red, white and blue quilt.

 

I started this an age ago and it has a special place in my heart. My husband bought me a quilt book and the money to buy fabric for Christmas 2009 (yes you have read the right, 3 years ago!). Read about it here and here

 

It came on really well for my first quilt and I put the sandwich together in May 2010. But then I started the quilting. It didn't go well. The fabric seemed to move a few millimetres leaving puckers which I was unhappy with and the king-size bulk was just so huge to manipulate through the machine, my novice ambition was disheartened.

 

I love the fabric and the sentiment so was determind to finish this, BUT, as I've picked it up again

It isn't right

It's not perfect

I'm not proud of it

What to do?

I don't want to waste any more time or resources on the piece, so, I've cut it up. The fabric I can save will be used in other projects and the fabric I can't will be sent to fabric recycling to be made into house insulation so it's not really a waste.

It's been quite a learning experience I've learnt to -

Start small

Unpick as soon as it goes wrong

Don't be afraid to stop

Whilst its hard to take apart, at least it wont looking sorry and unfinished under my craft desk any more, that has to be a good thing.

Onwards and upwards, does this mean I can start something new now?

Have you admitted defeat on a large project?

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

The Not-So-Secret Diary of Becca Lou Aged 34 1/2

I remember starting a journal when I was about 13. I don't know if this was in response to reading The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4, being a teenager or the fact my friends were doing it, but it seemed a good idea at the time. I guess most teens go through this

I have to admit that after struggling on and off for many years I gave up on the idea. I wasn't dedicated enough to write regularly, I really didn't see the point if no one was ever going to read it, and I simply didn't think my life was interesting enough to need documenting. I grew up and gave up. It was definitely the right decision for me.

But I've made a slight de-tour to this decision recently.

I stumbled upon Christie over at Grace Is Overrated. She has drawn a set of 50 journal template pages, they are full of fun pictures, thought provoking tasks and inspiring quotes.

I was most definitely interested

- This is journaling but not as we know it -

The pages offer escapism and day dreaming, not a detailed account of the days calorie intake and water cooler conversations. They are bliss to complete.

I've printed and bound the pages and keep it next to my bed for evenings when I need to wind down before sleep.

I've rediscovered colouring, it really shouldn't be saved for the young, it allows my hands to be occupied so my brain can wonder and its incredibly relaxing and it feels like I'm achieving something at the same time - win:win. And the pages are becoming a treasure trove of bright colours and thought

The little tasks are so simple but so incredibly clever "5 people who make you smile", but my relaxed mind then takes this further....am I really spending enough time with these people? What about those I didn't put down, what is the reason? Do I need to think about those relationships? ...

 

I really don't want to be too deep here but wanted to share the gem over on Christie's blog.

 

I may not be about to become the new Adrian Mole but I'm certainly enjoying ending my day colouring and journaling once or twice a week

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

My New Toy - Husqvarna Viking Opal 650

When I went to the Spring Knitting and Stitching Show in March I mentioned I made a few purchases....some fabric....some magazines.....A NEW SEWING MACHINE

 

Mine had been making funny noises for a little while,and whilst my parents did manage to stop the jamming it was over 10 years old and was good at the basics but did nothing special.

 

I went to the show with the intention of having a look. I'd done some research before going so had an idea of what I wanted and my budget. I wasn't certain I was going to buy though.

 

Anyway, towards the end of the day we spotted a sewing machine stand and went for a chat. They were selling Husqvarna Viking machines. Neither my friend or I had experience of these but strangely both our mothers had mentioned them as good machines in the past few weeks so we were definitely interested. The sales lady from The Sewing Rooms (Putney, London) was lovely but it was fatal for our wallets as soon as we both sat down to try them.

The machine purred....it did 80 stitches + alphabet, more than we will ever need but hey we loved the....and there was an offer......

So yes we both got one and got a few bonus bits thrown in for buying 2, yippee. It took a few days to arrive and the bonus treats took a bit longer, but it's all here now

Here it is - my new Husqvarna Viking Opal 650

So today is the first time I've really had a chance to have a play

It purrs when you stitch which is lovely. The only negative I've found so far is that it would appear you HAVE to use the Husqvarna Viking bobbins. So all those bobbins I have filled over the years are redundant. I suppose it isn't a bad negative really, just wish it had been in neon flashing lights at the beginning of the manual as I wasted an hour in YouTube trying to figure out what I was doing wrong as my bobbin kept bird nesting! Grrrrr!

 

I'm looking forward to practicing my freehand machine sewing, leaving that for another day... Too manymore stitches to try

 

Mum will be down in a few weeks and I know she will want to have a play...might have to check her bags when she leaves ;)

 

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

UFO Declaration

We all have a pile of projects which just need that last burst of energy to complete them. I know we are all the same as I keep spotting UnFinished Object posts on other blogs.

My pile is quite significant! It's not good. I've had some stern words with myself this morning and I am not allowed to start anything new until I start to finish some projects. This is a harsh reality of the state of my craft desk and (I hope) will spur on some energy to finish or ditch as I've got some lovely projects brewing in the back of my mind.

 

I've started well ditching a few projects including frogging an early attempt at knitting which didn't start well. It was part thrown in the textile recycling bin and part recovered to be used in another project

 

And here are some of the projects In my UFO pile at the moment

Ripple blanket - I've done 82 rows, reckon I'm about half way there, not ad seen as I only started in Jan/Feb

Zpagetti bag - loving the Hooked Zpagetti products so thought I'd give one of their bag kits a go - nearly completed

 

 

Mega stitched matt for the floor under my craft desk - about 1/3 complete

 

Quilt which was started years ago and I just need to finish quilting and bind

So no new projects for me until at least one of these is completed... Feeling exhilarated and deflated at the same time....although pleased I've shared this with you... Hi ho hi ho...

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Easter Bunny treats

The Easter Bunny visited my house today much to the delight of my 2year old son. It's the first Easter we've introduced the Easter Bunny.... Someone visits and leave chocolate....amazing my son thought!

If you follow me on twitter or Facebook (if you don't links at the top left if the page) you will know that I started work on some Easter tags last week but in true Becca style was finishing them off last night! (I've never been one of those people finished days before the deadline.... I'm a midnight oil girl!)

I used this template from nanaCompany, 4 different designs - chick, bunny, egg and carrot. Fabric and ribbon scraps from my stash were used to make these so practically free just a bit of thread and some time

 

 

I scattered them round the house and garden to indicate a hidden Easter egg.

 

Meant I didn't have to remember where I'd put all the eggs and they help to direct my little man. Brilliant.

 

Hope the Easter Bunny was good to you

 

Posted with Blogsy

Patchwork Paper Piecing

I mentioned in my summary of the Spring Knitting and Stitching that I'd been to a couple of classes.

 

One was on Patchwork Paper Piecing which is a technique I remember learning at school but had forgotten all about. So simple but really effective and really quite therapeutic in doing the tiny stitches

 

I got round to stitching the remaining pieces together last night. Not entirely sure what I'm going to use it for but pleased at how this had turned out. Maybe an interesting feature on a quilt or placemat? We will see where this end up.

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Great British Sewing Bee - new TV show

I'm quite excited......I'm sitting on my hands bouncing excited....I've just heard that the BBC are due to broadcast a new craft programme in April - The Great British Sewing Bee. I understand it will be based on The Great British Bake Off format and will be presented by the fabulous Claudia Winkleman so I'm sure we are in for some great dry humour.

 

Roll on April, looking forward to a nice cuppa in front of the TV, willing on the contestants as well as hopefully learning some new tips....

 

Fingers crossed this grows into the enormous success of The Great British Bake Off and we can look forward to some great episodes and competitions year after year.

 

How exciting.....AND IT STARTS NEXT MONTH ..... Bring on The Great British Sewing Bee

 

Posted with Blogsy