Amazing Grace!

I've been busy sewing for Grace who's growing like the proverbial weed. I haven't managed to get to see her for a fortnight and I swear she's grown two inches and even more gorgeous than ever. I know I'm the doting Nana but scroll down and you'll see what I mean.

First up are a couple of little summer dresses although if the weather we've been having lately keeps up she'll be too big for them when the sun does make a reappearance.




And a little pinafore dress based on the same pattern. The sharp eyed amongst you may have noticed an absence of buttons on these. That ISN'T because I can't do buttonholes but because her Mum has a "thing" about them. So velcro and hooks and eyes to the rescue. Can you guess what fabric I used for this?


I had some fabric left over from making her cot quilt and bumper so ran her up this little elasticated waist skirt.



And this one is my favourite - the fabric was in the sale for only 99p a metre and the broderie anglais trim at 50p. I can't resist a bargain so bought five metres of each. I may make her Mum a (more grown up style) matching skirt and maybe one for me too.


I looked after Grace for a couple of hours last night while her Mum popped out. And wasn't I surprised to discover that in two weeks she's mastered cutlery!


Here's proof it goes where it should (most of the time at least)


All done Nanamanda - wipe my face please!



Isn't she just adorable .....


And for those of you still guessing what the checked pinafore dress is made of - two teacloths that cost the princely sum of 36p each!

A bit of this and a bit of that

Now the pressure is off I've just been enjoying myself doing a variety of things.

First up is this machine embroidered panel, the inspiration for which came from one of the wonderful photographs taken by the amazing Yann Arthus Bertrand. The original photograph is of a flooded valley after the construction of a dam with the dead tree stumps sticking up out of the water.


And a close up


I've also played around with a canvas covered with crumpled tissue paper and painted with acrylics which I've called 'Fire in the woods' for want of a more inspired title.


I treated myself to some Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks and made some cards.




And I've embarked on a new piece since getting Maggie Grey's new book, 'Stitches, Straps and Layers'. This is very much a 'work in progress' - here are the beginnings of the first two layers - more anon.

It's finally finished

(Click image for close up view)

My final piece for my NCFE Level 3 Creative Textiles course is now finished and submitted. I have to admit, the last few weeks I've done little else and I've actually grown to really dislike the end product. And if I don't stitch another bead in the next six months I won't be unhappy.

All that, together with all the paperwork that has to go alongside the piece, has meant I've decided not to take my tutor's advice and embark on the two year C & G Level 4 course come September. I may reconsider in a year's time but for now I'm fed up to the back teeth with form filling, client briefs, 'evidence', aims and outcomes and want to work in my usual spontaneous, fairly unplanned way for a while!

I was lucky enough to get a place on the Jan Beaney/Jean Littlejohn five day course in October at www.masseriadellazingara.com which I'm looking forward to immensely and have already got my name down for a course at the same place (doesn't it look divine) with Maggie Grey in May 2010. Those, some online courses, Festival of Quilts in August and Ally Pally in October will suit me fine for a while.

So - now I'm free to do as I please! Watch this space .....