Time for Tea

Kitchens are still top of my list at the minute, so even although my swap for the Crafty Cooks Apron Swap is complete I still had a kitchen project to tick off of my to-do list.

A few weeks ago Gemma at Pretty Bobbins asked for pattern testers for her new paper-pieced patterns. Rather foolishly I volunteered myself even though I was due to go on holiday in the next couple of days. Still, when Gemma sent me the pattern for her Very Triangle Teapot block I knew I wanted to have a go at it.

Needless to say it took me rather longer than I had wanted to complete the pattern, but it is now finished and ready for use.

As well as one layer of Insul-Brite wadding I also added a second layer of bamboo wadding so this teapot hot pad will protect my tabletop from the hottest teapot. The pattern was really straightforward to put together, although I did have some problems matching up the points on one row, but that was entirely self-inflicted :)

I thought I might have problems with quilting the pad through two layers of wadding, but it all went swimmingly. I quilted in the ditch around the teapot and then FMQ'ed swirls of steam for the background. 

You can see the quilting better in this photo.

The teapot pattern is available as a free download at the Pretty Bobbins Craftsy  pattern store.

Next up Kristy's Retro coffee pot pattern but before that I have some birds to sew for my day on the


I have a plan, I just need to get ahead and do it!

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Crazy Mom Quilts

 

A little bit of French style

Many years ago when my boys were little I drove a green and white 2CV. The boys loved the fact that the roof could be rolled back and they could wave to their friends out of the roof during the many hours of hanging about in car parks that school sport entails. My mother was less impressed by the window de-misting system, which was a flap under the front window that popped up! Not too comfortable on a freezing cold day when the last thing you want is icy, cold air streaming in at you:) I loved that car.

So you can imagine my delight at coming across these in a car park in SW France recently.

Aren't they adorable? Apparently the design brief for the original 2CV was that it must be able to carry eggs across a ploughed field without any of them being broken! I never tried it but I guess it worked as the cars were made for 42 years :)

The cars might not be available any more but wine harvested when the first 2CV rolled off the production line still is.

 

And plenty older than that for sale, no prices marked though so it might be cheaper to buy the car.

If wine older than yourself is not your thing how about a wine tasting of a more recent vintage. The town of St Emilion is a homage to fine wine but also caters to more realistic pockets. 

 Recent years have seen huge controversy over the classification of some St Emilion wines with accusations and counter-accusations being flung around with gay abandon. When lots of money is at stake emotions can run high!

Just in case you thought that I had completely forgotten about sewing on our break. I found these engravings that would be ideal quilting patterns in the Cordeliers Cloister in St Emilion.

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Post and progress

The first of the month and a WIP Wednesday that is definitely a good time to check out progress :)

The monthly mosaic definitely shows that sewing and baking were top of the list for April, could it be something to do with all those buns and cakes around at Easter, do you think?

1. Insulated pot mat, 2. Crafty Cooks Apron Front, 3. SMQ block April 2, 4. SMQ block April 1, 5. And Sew On April block, 6. Crafty Cooks Apron back


So to the WIP's where progress of a sort has been made.

I have started the quilting on my In Color Order HST BOM quilt! Only one line of sashing quilted in the ditch, but at least it is a start. (Excuse all the fluff it is everywhere!)

 

I can't decide on how to quilt the individual blocks, should I go for similar quilting for each block or a pattern that is particular to the block? All suggestions welcome but bear in mind my (limited) quilting abilities :)

I've even found the time to make a start on some paper-piecing for a block that I volunteered to test for Gemma at Pretty Bobbins. (If you love FMQ'ing Gemma has a great giveaway on her blog right now!)

With a fair wind the block will be finished this week and I can read Gemma's blog with a clear conscience :)

The last bit of progress is actually not mine but Linda's. Linda was my secret partner in the Crafty Cooks Apron and Recipe Swap and her parcel was waiting for me on our return from a trip to London at the beginning of the week.

Matching apron, teatowel and pot holder! My kitchen has never looked so smart. Linda sent me her tried and tested cookie recipe, which my son has already put in an order for so it looks like the apron will be seeing action very soon.

• In Color Order HST BOM - quilting started!
• (Almost) Irish Chain quilt basted
• 5 blocks of NY Beauty QAL completed and fabric cut for remaining 5 blocks
• 18 blocks of Craftsy BOM completed (only 2 more to go!)
• Sunday Morning Quilt Bee blocks received
• Sunday Morning Quilt2 Bee blocks sent (on schedule)
• Star of Africa Bee blocks completed and sent (1 month behind schedule)
• And And Sew On BOM - three blocks completed (one behind schedule)
• Crafty Cooks Apron and Recipe Swap  - COMPLETED AND SENT
• Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition entry    COMPLETED
• Madrona Road quilt - waiting to decide on pattern!
• Paris Cushion - no progress

So that's my progress looking forward to seeing yours.

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Lily's Quilts