It seems like a bit of an age since I made it on here. Last week we were both off work for half term with the girls, and ended up having rather a roller coaster ride. Of course, I had planned one of those idyllic weeks that just never come to fruition. You know the kind.....where you imagine yourself with a bluebird on your shoulder whilst you bake a pie, with the sweet smell of fresh laundry lingering in your home, the sound of loving laughter from your children who are playing monopoly together, hot tea by a roaring fire.....get the idea? This did not happen. No. Man went fishing and dragged home lots of wet smelly fishing stuff, the girls are 11 and 15 and not speaking to each other, and the dog got ill, really really emergency surgery kind of ill. The Moo is absolutely fine thank goodness, and that is the most important thing. I didn't realise quite how much I loved her and all her muddy paw prints until I nearly lost her.
What I did achieve, was this.
I made an actual bag!
I have wanted to try patchwork for forever! It looked a bit intricate, and like precision and patience was pretty important, and I was unsure just where to start. I met with my cousin and my sewing friend, and we talked it through.....
It ended up being not as scary as I thought, and so I went home, gathered up my favourite pieces of fabric, and I made a template.
I think the thing I found most difficult, was getting the fabric neatly folded around the paper templates. I'm sure that this would quickly become much easier with practise.
When my panel was complete, I started to contemplate what it should be. A cushion? Should I keep adding and try out a quilt? A bag? I wanted a small project really so that I could make my mistakes and learn my lessons, and not attempt something too big and get cross and out myself off. I settled on a bag, and spent a while admiring my tiny stitchery, and planning how I would line it, and working up to getting the sewing machine out.
I'm so SO pleased with ow it turned out, as needle and thread is not in my comfort zone, and I didn't quite believe I'd manage anything as well as this as an impatient novice. So the sewing machine and I have started to get to know each other, and The Moo is fighting fit and back on doggy form....so all in all, a terrifically rollercoastery week!
Wow Jo ... where to begin ... well firstly, I laughed out loud cos yes, I too have those thoughts where I imagine myself with a bluebird on my shoulder & everything is just perfect & fine & dandy in my world!!!! And it is so NOT in reality !!!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, that bag . . . pat yourself on the back girl !!! You have done a fantastically wonderful job - it is just beautiful, I love your fabric combinations & I love the pattern you have used & your blanket stitching but Oh that doiley ... my heart beats faster now :-)
Thirdly, precious Moo - I can just reach into the screen & feel how soft the fur is on her face like my old fat fluffies used to feel. Gentle hugs to her from across the oceans & the miles. Look at her curled up into a ball like butter wouldnt melt. x0x Great post x0x Julie
Julie.....thank you! I was excited to share my bag. I kept hollering at the girls - "look, I MADE this!!!" but they didn't seem to get half as excited as me?! I'd like to try hexagons next, maybe a quilt....a little one xXx
DeleteThat bag is well baggy (highest compliment for a bag) and love that your dog looks like Mickey Mouse in last pic. Hope girls are speaking now, my two were the same and I also have a fishy man chum so I feel your pain. Wishing you bluebirds and fresh laundry. Eco Ethel xx
ReplyDeleteI love the highest compliment! I shall exclaim to the world that I have a well baggy bag x
DeleteI don't think my girls will be speaking for another 2/3 years....not because of any big fall out, they just don't seem to like each other at all now they've hit this miserable age! I let them snipe their snipeyness at each other most if the time, then occasionally I snipe back! Gosh it's exhausting, all this negativity.
I hadn't seen Mickey Mouse, I saw the grandad from The Munsters with the severe hairline!
what a lovely bag and hopefully a good end to a stressful week - all the people i have been "following" seem to have gone awol and i was beginning to feel that you had all ganged up and gone to another place without me - just call me paranoid - so glad to see you back!!!! in my experience family life is real and seldom twee AND moo really does look like mickey mouse in the pumpkin photo!!!! have a good week and take care xx
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm still here! I often seem to be last in line for access to a computer in my house....I've actually been trying to write for days. You're completely right, life rarely resembles the twee and idyllic, I love it just the way it is really, though I would like to fit in the baking if a pie once in a while x have a great week too Lynne. It was fabulous to hear from you xXx
DeleteHi Jo, you must be feeling right chuffed with your stitchery efforts! There's nothing worse than deciding to use precious bits of your fav fabric & it doesn't quite turn out how you wanted & it all seems such a waste so good for you...you made it & it's grand : ) I've loved bluebirds for a while now..because they of course bring pure happiness & bliss. I am always thrilled when I find one embroidered on old linen. Mmm we well remember the special teenage years. I hated most especially the cooking for everyone & then someone didn't turn up, someone else was in a huff & not hungry, Rob was on afternoon shift & not here etc & I still ended up doing all the clean up by myself..how did that happen! Glad the pooch is fine...phew. Have a good week. Love Catherine x0x
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to get back to you for days.....I hate to leave a comment unreplied to.....drives me nuts. Yes, the cooking is a bug bear of mine. My man works shifts, and is often blissfully unaware of the drama at home. It's when the girls turn up with extra friends for dinner, and I realise that I have just a couple if slices of stale bread, I didn't defrost any chicken, and can't even muster the topping for a slice of toast! I have however traded the evening dishes as payment for my eldest a mobile phone contract, and the drying up for payment if my youngest's contract. Some how, I still find I'm clearing up after their clearing up! Have a fab week Catherine xXx
DeleteLovely bag! Well done x
ReplyDeleteAh so it's handsewn patchwork - that makes it even lovelier! A bag is a great idea as you can use and enjoy it more quickly than a quilt, and if you do make a longer project (you should!) you've got something pretty & complete to inspire you to keep going! Also I really want to make a patchwork bag now!
ReplyDeleteAnd finally a cheeky plug for the handmade giveaway on my blog, hope that's ok! http://theowlclub.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/happy-handmade-giveaway.html?m=1
Ps if you want an easier paper piecing project try hexagons - easier to fold the paper round!
ReplyDeleteHello Jo i seem to have lost you from my blog list ...you have disapered which has made me very sad so i will try and fix it and hope it works...so happy the Moo is feeling better sorry you had a pants week, i get those too xx lots sa love xx
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