January Projects

Hello from a very dark and gloomy North of England.  Outside it's trying to snow, but inside it's lovely and cosy here in my sewing room.  Radio is on, the daylight lamps are making it feel like spring, and I am sitting down to write to you about my latest projects. 

I am continuing this year logging all my finished articles and so far in my book I have completed:

My 'Stained Glass Window' quilted wallhanging.  This is from a design set by Anita Goodesign and I am really pleased with how it came out.  I started this design in early December and finished it mid January, so about six weeks work, whilst working on other things as well.

Each block is applique, and the 'lead lines' are machine satin stitch.  I stitched a pocket on the back to thread the rod through that is set above the woodstove in the living room.  I am pleased with the brightness of the colours and it certainly brightens up these dark days of winter.

Next is a baby cardigan for my friend's new baby:

I am not sure if the buttons are a bit close together, so next time I will space them out a little more.  The buttons are wood and are rather cute!  I wish I could wear teddy buttons on my cardigans!

I've also made some small items which I can't show you as one is a present for a friend, who may just read this, and two are trial items I have made which will be Christmas gifts, so I can't show you those yet either!! Sorry!!!

OK, on to current projects that I can show you!  I knitted a pair of socks for Christmas for my friend's husband (he's also my friend!) and he is apparently wearing them so much I am knitting him a second pair as a surprise.  I am taking part in Winwick Mum's Winter Haven KAL, but in a loose sense as I am using Christine's original 'sockalong' sock pattern and some King Cole Zig Zag yarn.  It's still really lovely feeling I am part of the KAL though and I like that feeling of community.  This photo was taken on week 1 of the KAL and I am a lot further on now!

My current large quilting project is a set of placemats.  A few years ago we added a large extension to the house, which was originally going to be our 'garden room'.  However, once it was finished we liked it so much we use it for our main living room, and have our dining table in there, two large sofas, sideboard etc., and our woodstove.  The original siting room and dining room, whilst fully furnished as a sitting room and a study, are not used as much at all now as the 'new' living room is bright and cheerful in the summer, having 2 large sets of glass doors that open out onto the garden.  In the winter the woodstove and soft lighting from table and wall lamps make it feel so comforting and welcoming.  

Anyway, I have completely digressed, but felt we needed some background to the theme here! I wanted to echo the original feeling for the room, as a garden room, and have a bird theme to the placemats.  They are pieced using a lovely fabric collection from Lewis and Irene called 'The Hedgerow'. 

Each placemat features a large block with an embroidered bird, again from a collection of patterns by Anita Goodesign, called 'Songbirds'.  

This is proving to be a very long project - the embroidery takes a considerable time in itself - plus it's like making seven mini quilts (six placemats and a table centre!)  I dip in and out of it so I don't get bored doing them!

This year I am continuing with my sockie scrappy Friendship Blanket, which I making from generous donations of sock yarn leftovers from my lovely friends at Cooper's Creative.  I am using my friend Lucy's (Attic24) solid granny square pattern.  When I saw Lucy last week we worked out how many 4 ply squares I would need to make it single bed size... Let's just say it was several hundred!  Again, this is a work in progress that I dip in and out of.  The tiny blocks are so soothing and rhythmic to make and they are a great project for travelling too.  This is how it's looking so far:

I bought the silvery grey for the alternate squares from Wool Warehouse, and it's Drops Flora.  

I've certainly got lots to keep me busy, which is just how I like it at this time of year. 

Donna x