If at first you don't succeed ....

Truly can 4 months have gone all ready?  Where does it go?  What do I do with it?  If I was here more often then I would have a visual memory but I have never found my blogging rhythm again.  Here's to try, try, try again ........

Lots has been happening - college course, sewing, holidays, building work, decluttering, explorations and lots of wonderful Home Ed activities - too numerous to list but tucked away in a little corner of my memory and hopefully the girls' memories aswell!

I was just looking at BlogLovin and saw that the Quarter 3 link up to Adrianne's 2015 Finish-Along is open.  It really inspired me at the beginning of the year but I trailed off after a few finishes.  I am determined to join in again this quarter and as soon as the girls are asleep I will be rummaging around in my newly laid out studio to find all my unfinished bits and bobs.

The warwickshire open studios is on at the moment and I spent a good few hours on the weekend visiting some local artists in the homes around my area.  Such talented people and such beautiful work.  This photo is from one of the shops hosting a group of artists - such lovely angel wings made of metal but they got me thinking about angel wings made in fabric ....... x

The story of a quilt ...

Pieced together in 2012, in New Zealand

Made from various pieces of the girls' pyjamas and thrifted finds of scrap brushed cotton

Fast forward 2 1\2 years and a return to the UK

I searched my stash thoroughly in order to piece a back but to no avail

Newly bought brushed cotton from local quilt shop was pieced to make backing

Laid out ready for pin basting

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Such a great feeling once this stage is done

Quilting lines 1/4" to either side of seams

First time I have quilted like this and I had a lot of movement

Not sure if this is common to this kind of quilting or whether it was from the brushed cotton

 And the verdict on the unfinished quilt was 'awesome Mum'

 I didn't have enough brushed cotton for binding but realised that I could use the extra from the backing to wrap around and bind (I am sure there is a technical term for this but it alludes me!)

First time I have done this but quite happy with how it turned out and nicely mitred corners all done on the machine

First blogged finish for my stated finishes for the 2015 Finish Along

Just another 5 to go!! x

Joining in with Finish it Up Fridays over at Crazy Mom Quilts 

A January round up ....

I love seeing other bloggers monthly reviews so thought I would do the same.

Sewing

Working, and finishing, a quilt for Miss C; cutting some donated fabric samples to be made into a charity quilt; playing with different forms of appliqué to make birds for a childrens workshop.

Hooking

Reading

Whilst I have always been an avid reader joining up to the 26 Books Challenge has inspired me to try different books this month.  Here are January's books - some of which will tick off certain categories.

Creating - in lots of different media

Lego buildings constructed at a Lego Electricity Workshop for our local Home Ed group

Miss M's first quilt finished and in use - only took 5 years to complete!

I picked up this book in a bag of book son Freecycle and it really captured the girls' imagination.  This was Miss M's first attempt and it was then given as a birthday present.

Spontaneous creativity for their toys!

And finally meet Fred!  We didn't get much snow this January but when we had our 'biggest' fall Miss C was straight out there, in the pitch black, making a snowman.  As you can see by the picture he had already started to melt by the time I deemed it sensible to go out!

Home Educating

All our regular groups and clubs started up again after the Christmas holidays and it's been lovely catching up with friends and their families.  On the home front we have joined a great FB group called Passport Around the World Ideas and have started swapping postcards and flat travellers.  I also signed up to Postcrossing and have loved getting postcards through the door.  So far I have sent to Ukraine, Germany, Russia, China, Netherlands, Belarus, Taiwan and USA and received from Germany, Norway, USA, Ukraine, Japan and Germany.  The most wonderful little package arrived from Japan containing two postcards depicting a local temple and festival along with little key chain figurines and some origami figures.  Check out the origami ET below! xx

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An expansion of my reading horizons ...

I came across this challenge for 2015 whilst reading Very Berry Handmade last night.  I am an avid reader but do tend to only read in bed at night so generally pick safe bets that are easy to read and fall asleep with!  So I am hoping this will expand my horizons and introduce me to some new authors and genres.

The girls and I went to the library this morning and I picked up four books that might just tick off a few of the categories.

I will be looking forward to seeing what other people read and using their recommendations for some of the categories.  I looked in various books in the library this morning but didn't come across one with a great first line (Number 21) still I aave the rest of the year to find one! x

Sunday morning walk ...

Everything was crunching under my feet as I set off into the mist .....

and spotted this amazing fungus growing on the tree.  

There were two locations and they were tiny ....

I have no idea what they were but they certainly made me stop a while.

This tree always catches my eye with its extensive root system covered in moss and algae ....

and in the light this morning it seemed to glow.

The mist was lifting and gave way to clear blue skies which was the perfect backdrop for these winter trees.  It always amazes me how these empty trees burst into life each spring.

Blue skies one way ....

still misty the other.

The Welcombe Hills obelisk standing proud in all its glory.

All in all a beautiful walk and a wonderful way to start the day! xx

It started with this book from the library ....

which the girls quickly spotted and started making their lists!

Some for them, some for their toys to have as toys, names given, priority numbers issued, houses discussed and materials gathered to make said houses ......

It ended with 4 crocheted amigurumi animals ....

the menagarie will have to wait because I didn't enjoy making such little things. 

 However, the looks on their faces on Christmas morning were worth the discomfort, frustration and, yes, occassional cursing!

Our burrowing cat ....

We can't remember what life was like before Smiggle joined us.  One thing that has changed is you have to check the beds before you sit or lay on them because there's a good chance Smiggle has burrowed under the covers! x