New Baby Playmat

This is my latest quilt.  I have used the lovely tufted cotton fabric again as I love the texture it creates.  I love making these.  I always thought hand stitching too slow, but I have begun to enjoy it and its therapeutic effects, and I love the effect the circular stitching has on quilts.  You just could not do it with my machine, it would be a constant battle and I would end up with an unsightly splodge effect. 

I listed this quilt on my Etsy shop yesterday evening and have received a message to inform me that on the same day it was listed, it was chosen for PolyAndClayed's treasury which you can see here.

My youngest niece also loved it.  I had made it for the arrival of the new baby, and took it over last weekend when we went to visit.  It went down a storm with her and she claimed it as her dancing mat!  Not sure that this is a good idea considering it is for baby to lie on.  I guess he is going to have to become accustomed to being trampled on.  It's a good job she's a little diddly dot!!!

My hands ache!!!

I managed to sit out in beautiful sunshine today to finish the baby quilt/playmat I have been making, and my hand are aching!!!!  I can't believe the time it has taken to hand quilt, and then hand stitch the binding.  I do love it though, it is really pretty and has been worth the effort.  It will however be going into my Folksy shop over the next few days as it needs a lovely home.  Its a little too small for my fairy and I don't think it would get the use it deserves (plus I have it in my head that I am going to make her one using pieces of her old clothes that I haven't been able to part with!).

I really must get on with some real work now before a fair I have at the beginning of September, which isn't actually that far off... I can't believe it!

Domestic Goddess. Well trying to be!!!

I can't believe that a week ago today we were waiting very patiently for a very delayed plane to bring us back home.  A week later I am still trying to get on top of washing, whilst also trying to be super mum/wife by managing numerous piles of mess (toys/papers/crayons), creating food, and finding things for the children to do... not only is the weather counterproductive for my washing, it is so much more difficult when the children can't get out.

Yesterday, I made fairy cakes (it always has to be fairy cakes, "well I am a fairy mummy"!!!) with both of the children, and when the little tinker was having his afternoon nap, the fairy got out her decorating equipment.  Knowing what the fairy is like when it comes to decorating cake with sugary bits, I put six of the cakes to one side and asked for her to keep them very simple.  The rest she could do what she wanted.

Here's what we got...

... the plain ones were 'just' covered in buttercream and two different types of sugar strands!!!  Proper fairy cakes, wouldn't you agree?!

It was fabulous though.  Our little chatter box of a fairy was so absorbed in her decorating task, I had peace and quite for almost an hour!!!  I was able to start piecing together a patchwork that I have been meaning to complete for months.  Today, whilst the tinker was asleep and the fairy was busy creating secret codes I was able to start quilting...

... I am hand quilting as I am doing circles.  Although quite relaxing, it is very time consuming and I have only managed to get half of it done.  It has also given me a sore finger.  I tried to use a thimble, but it just wasn't working for me (if anyone can recommend a thimble, please do).  Hopefully I will have it done by the end of the week (?!!!)

Ant to finish with...

... hooray, summer is here!  Well, it was for about an hour and a half anyway.  Thought we would make the most of the sun peeping out through the clouds by venturing into the park.  Three quarters of the way round we heard the sky start to rumble!!!  Time for a game of 'charge'!!  We made it back without getting wet, and managed to get the washing (very, very nearly dry for the first time since we got back) off the line before the rain started.