Tuesday 16 June 2015

Mindfulness doodling

Its been hard not to notice the huge rise in popularity for adult colouring in books at the moment, which are being marketed as a form of relaxation and de stressing.  When ever I have seen them, I have always thought they looked very beautiful, but I just don't have time, and honestly thought I really should draw them my self!

Then with this months 'The Simple Things' magazine, there were 2 free one, so why not lets have a go......be careful its addictive!
then I got thinking (very dangerous)

A few years ago we produced this range of postcards with a sliver
of the tapestry and the rest of the card as a line drawing to colour in

 
Definitely similar to the Mindfulness colouring ins, and size wise a bit quicker to do,

I do like being ahead of the trends!

Monday 8 June 2015

patchworking for a few years I think......

I think I will need to lay this issue at my Mothers feet!
As I was growing up, the moto I absorbed is that 'there is no guilt in buying books or fabric'
And I still live by that!
So now I have over flowing book cases (which I love)
 and a fabric hoard that fills one whole cupboard

and two large boxes under our bed.....
......and a lot are very silly sizes, mere scraps, something needed to be done.
 
Well I was introducing my self to Pinterest and came across some amazing patchwork quilts, and that really was the kick up the watsit I needed.
I have always loved the look of a traditional English Paper Piecing quilt, using lots of scraps of fabric that hold memories for you.  But I had never done any patchwork at all ever. And I want to make this for our bed.....which is a super kingsize. Is this a good idea?  Have I bitten off too much??
Well there is only one way to find out and that is to go for it!
 

 
The pattern I decided on was traditional but not so common, three little rectangles.  And I am working them in squares, so five little squares by five.  This photo above is nearly three of them. 

The reason being, that if I feel this project is tooooo big then by doing it in squares at a later date I can just make it in to a throw to go over the sofa or something?  Its my 'get out of jail free card'!
 
 
I really love how its looking already, there are scraps from our curtains, my Liberty shirts, Chris's old work shirts, tops I had as a teenager, dresses I have made, bits friends have given me, all in all a proper memory quilt.

Though I must admit I have brought a few pieces for it, so maybe it has achieved my aim entirely!
 
Think this will take rather a long time to finish, but I am loving doing it and will do some more posts on it later (months or years who knows!)