are you nuts

I am delighted to report that Blogger is back up and running today - I have no idea what Google did with it yesterday but it was most frustrating.

I was determined to make this hanger but I said to myself, "Are you nuts?".  You see, I'm not very good rather useless with sewing wee pieces.  I could never make Barbie doll clothes -  I could crochet them but not sew them.  I dug out this pattern, which is from Kim Diehl, and started to cut the appropriate pieces....how many 1.5 inch squares?  Anyway, I persevered and finished it.  It's not an award winner but it was an accomplishment and I don't ever have to sew with wee pieces again (unless I want to) because I've been there done that. And now I have another door hanger to display for the season.

Blogger issues?

Anyone having problems accessing their blog today?  Mine isn't working - actually, I can't even access it although I did manage to, somehow or other, find this and am hoping it is posting to my blog.
I just hate it when crap like this happens.  Happy weekend everyone.

Happy Halloween!

pattern testing ??

Having four different patterns for pocket/travel tissue pouches I made up several using all four patterns to test them - here are the results.  The green pouch is the most compact (and most suitable for my handbag), uses the least fabric, and goes together really quickly - I gave it thumbs up.  For me the red and black one would be ideal sitting on my desk;  it uses two pieces of fabric - one larger than the other to create the trim, which is very clever.  The 3rd design is the criss-cross shown in the pink/red (and mauve/ white in photo on the right) - it seemed to need very careful selection of fabric that is sometimes a challenge for me;  the 4th design is in the lower picture featuring the scissors and thimble fabric. What do you think of the four styles?

 Unfortunately, finding the travel tissues themselves has been difficult but when I do find some I'll stock up.  I figured these would be  terrific to have on hand for whenever a little something was needed.

I'm linking up with the Needle and Thread Network.

dusted off the sewing machine

The sewing room has been having a ceiling installed and that means my sewing machine and all my junk paraphernalia has been under wraps.  It's a back breaking job at our age to install a ceiling so every time the man of the house took a day off I did a bit of sewing.....

No plans for this one yet.

The design for the snowman can be found here.

I was wanting the primitive look for this one using tea dyed muslin for the stitchery and a faded homespun for the rest - I couldn't get the lighting just right for the photo (it looks much brighter than it actually is).  The holly is a design from here. 

 I  remember making wine jackets for gifts many years ago.   I was pleased that I still had the pattern.  The black one is just some whimsy and the aqua one is for a certain someone.  They are a nice way to dress up a gift of wine or dress up a bottle of wine on the table.

this and that ....

On Saturday we took in the first of the fall craft shows and it happened to be out of town. Unfortunately, it was more trade than craft.  There was a good turn out but it was so crowded that one could barely walk around so taking photos was out of the question.  The vendors that we spoke to were friendly and that was enjoyable.  When we were finished what else could we do but go to our favourite Chinese restaurant for a delicious lunch! 

Saturday evening our first snowfall of the season arrived  -  just a skiff that collected on the grass.  It's much too early for winter to start so we appreciated that it disappeared on Monday only to return Monday evening, alas ... there seems to be a pattern here.

The other day when I was unearthing the oddball quilt blocks for their photo op I came across a stitchery that I'd done ages ago and forgotten about.  Obviously, I'd tucked it away until the right idea for it crossed my mind and lo and behold when I laid eyes on it the light came on  I knew exactly what I was going to do with it!

By the way, there is a linky party going on here.

 Here is some of the countryside enroute on Saturday.

                                                    

my oddball collection ....

I'm intrigued by unusual quilt blocks and usually have to make one just to prove to myself that I can.  Consequently I have a wee collection of oddball blocks some of which I'm showing here.

 This is a pleated tree block that I made this morning and that's what gave me the idea to share some of the others with you.  I've tucked a piece of paper between two of the pleats since they aren't that readily seen in the photo.  I was really pleased with this one.

 These are some other Christmas ones that I've made.  The big one with the red 'ribbon' has a 3D bow in the centre.  The small one is supposed to be a snowflake.  My favourite is the package block.

My favourite one here is the small faux cathedral window - what a magnificent quilt these would make!  The small aqua one is called 'hugs and kisses'.