Craftsy BOTM 2012 Catch up 1

1. Craftsy BOTM 5, 2. Craftsy BOTM 6, 3. Craftsy BOTM 7, 4. Craftsy BOTM 8

Whilst I have been more (or less) keeping up with getting my Craftsy BOTM blocks done, I haven't posted any of the images anywhere. These blocks were completed on time for each month.  March saw me learning about foundation pieceing, with the string block and the broken spider's web block.  April saw me "coming home" with English paper piecing - there was a time when I was first introduced to patchwork when I took it to just mean doing frustratingly inaccurate things with hexagons.  This time I completed the hexi stripe and sunny with a chance of hex blocks in good form after being introduced to the delights of using copier paper wrappers (the stiff paper kind) which do a similar job to freezer paper.  I did have some issues with my can of spray starch  - less spray more intense jet of starch which ends up discolouring and going yukky.  I have since picked up the tip from another quilter to use a pump bottle spray starch than a can of spray starch.

I really liked both techniques - both could be useful in using up scraps in my fabric compost.  The English paper piecing is a good portable project which can be done whilst TV watching or waiting about.

More to follow but - I need to pack for a pampering.....

Last weekend's adventures part 2

 

 Last weekend was a lovely long one in the Brecon Beacons, staying just outside the town of Brecon. I wasn't in the best of health (or fitness) to do some of the cycling planned by my fellow travellers (great company, good curry eaters, fantastic bakers and breakkie chefs). I did however, get a little walking - a 7 mile walk which turned into more like 8 as we lost the path. The walk was mainly sunny but it wouldn't be Wales without a little rain. This was also the muddiest walk I have ever completed due to some forestry work which had churned up some of the trail. The mud river was soon forgotten after climbing to the open moor and being able to see the stunning views of the snow topped Fan y Big and Cribyn and enjoying the cool delights of some of the cascades of the Nant Menasgin.

Last weekend's adventures

With textile jewellery:

at Walford Mill Crafts in Wimbourne

with Melissa Warren a textile artist and designer based in Wales.