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And that was February...



Before I start my Fresh Sewing Day post I'd like to say thank you for all your lovely comments on my last post.  I decided that there were too many comments to reply to and that, rather than wearing myself out trying to reply, I'd save the energy for making the prize!  I extended the deadline by a couple of days as I knew I wouldn't be able to organise an Archie picking session until Sunday.  If you haven't left a comment yet then why not go there now?


I've been really tired this month and that's partly because I'm still recovering from Christmas (it wipes me out and takes me until about Easter to bounce back) and partly because I went on a workshop to make a bag.  It was a fabulous day and about a fortnight after the workshop I finished my bag.   There was quite a lot of work in it (adding to the tiredness!) but I think it was worth it...

Cord bag - front
The front (royal blue cord is from Annie at The Village Haberdashery)


Cord bag - side
The side - I do love that pink zip and piping!


Cord bag - inside
The inside (Kona Pomegranate) - you can't see it but there's also a pocket in there!


It's going to be my knitting bag but I don't have any knitting on the go at the moment so I'm using it for my crochet!  I was knitting a blanket (one of a pair, for twins that are due in a few weeks) but Mam finished her blanket a couple of weeks ago (she started before me!) and didn't have any more knitting to do that she wanted to do so I offered to let her finish off mine!  Fortunately our tension was the same so she could just knit it off my circular needle (which she hates!) and onto her straight needle, and I could carry on with my hexies!  Speaking of which, they currently look like this:

hexy-progress_8515263599_o
Don't leave me out, I'm the important one in this photo...


I'm joining them to the 'blob' one at a time and pressing the seams regularly.  You can't see it in the photo (there's a photo of it here, if you're desperate to see it!) but I'm also tacking down some of the seams after they've been pressed because some of them are being pressed against the bulk (rather than with it) and tacking will make it easier when it comes to  preparing the top for layering and tacking.  I've done it before with seams that didn't want to play nicely and I just remove the tacking stitches as I quilt.  It means that progress is slightly slower but it'll make my life much easier in the long run!


I've added a border to my hexy cushion and fusible wadding to the back and just need to decide how to quilt it and what colour thread to use.  All ideas will be gratefully received!

Hexy cushion - a bit more progress
Marmalade hexies (from Leanne) and Kona Honey Dew (from Simply Solids)


And completed another red work picture:

Another red work picture
My, but it's boring stitching!


I also had some lovely post from Kelly:

Giveaway prize from Kelly@Jeliquilts/Chunky 09
Eek!  The pouch is even better in real life and there are lots of fabulous projects in the book!


Archie loves his new bed.  In fact, he loves it so much that I'm going to have to get him another one so that one can go in the conservatory this summer (the intended destination for it!) and the other can stay in my sewing room 'cos he's in there all the time, even when I'm not!

b--i-like-it-under-here_8515262091_o
It's lovely and comfy (and warm) under here!

For the curious among you...the rolled up (hand) towel is for my 'non-pedal' foot - it helps keep my pelvis level when I'm using the machine and means I don't end up stiff and lopsided when I get up!  And the pedal has a bit of stick-on Velcro under it so it doesn't creep away from me!   


He managed a morning in the conservatory before the sun disappeared:

b--i-love-my-new-bedand-the-sun_8516379936_o
Did you realise the cushion went so well with the floor and my white coat?  No, it's a happy accident!


And he wanted to check which was his best side:

b-is-this-my-good-side_8516381576_o
Is this side my best side?  No, don't tell me...they're both good!  I'm a handsome divil, good job I'm so nice with it...


Oh, before I forget!  Liz nominated me for a Liebster award, thanks, Liz!  It would be lovely if you would pop over and say hello to her - she makes the most wonderful things and has two gorgeous (and huge!) rescue dogs!  Regular readers with very good memories will know that I don't pass awards on (there's an explanation here) so I'm contemplating doing some more random facts - what do you think?


Thanks for popping in!  Don't forget to leave a comment (or two!) on my last post, you could be getting some happy post if Archie chooses you.  And why not pop over to Lynne's Fresh Sewing Day post to see what everyone else has been up to?  Perhaps you could also visit some of the smaller blogs, like Brigitte's and Liz's, and leave them a comment?


Right, it's time I went visiting so I can catch up with all the sewing that people have been doing.  Archie will be doing his choosing on Sunday (keep your fingers crossed!) and I'll start the making on Monday...good luck!  (And wish me luck - photographing a dog to choosing a number isn't the easiest thing to accomplish, especially when you're not especially talented with a camera!)

P.S.  Why, oh why, does Blogger insist on removing the tick from the 'Open this link in a new window' box when you close a draft post?  It's driving me batty!

Comments

  1. Archie is looking as handsome as ever. Your bag is stunning H! Looks soft and snuggly! And your small and large hexies are taking shape beautifully! A productive month! Take care! Jxo

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  2. You have done a lot this month H. I might kidnap you knitting bag so watch out! Di x

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  3. Lovely bag and great progress on the hexies. Love the hexie cushion too - a great month for you!

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  4. The bag is such a nice shape and Archie is a cutie as usual!

    I'm totally stealing your towel idea, at the minute I prop my foot on the little ledge at the back of my sewing desk but it's slightly higher than my pedal, I wonder if this is why I've had lower back pain every day for the last 18 months?!

    I also have that book, I was sent it to review and from my flick through it looks great, I might even make a skirt this weekend using the patterns if I need an excuse to procrastinate. I had better get on with it really, I've had it over a fortnight...

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  5. Helen love your pink piping - it is just the accent your gorgeous blue needs! It looks like you could fit lots of knitting in there! Love, love, love the hexies and am amazed at your progress given all the handstitching required!

    And as for Archie - all sides are his best side - and for heaven's sake don't get him a mirror or he'll be saying 'mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the handsomest dog of all?!' And we already know the answer

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  6. Sorry you've been so tired Helen but you've had a good month by the look of it. Your bag is great - I love cord - reminds me of my skirts as a child in the *ahem* seventies :-D Archie is so beautiful and the photo of him guarding the hexies is priceless. Pats from me.

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  7. Gosh you've been busy! So happy you got your bag done, it looks very cool - the piping is very fancy! Hugs to you and pats to Archie xx

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  8. Busy, busy, love those hexies, they are great, and the book and pouch, lucky you, I've just had the paving slabs quilt top from the book, but there are so many more fabulous projects in the book, looking forward to seeing what you make from it! : )

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  9. You have so much progress to show this month, I love the marmalade cushion. Any of the colours from the hexies would look good or perhaps a variegated thread. Archie looks very happy to pose for the pictures of his bed.

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  10. Wonderful work and Archie is so lovely.

    Grit from Germany

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  11. lovely chatty post! I feel like I was sitting in your living room having a cuppa :-D

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  12. love all the hexies that you show - the pastel quilt is looking so wonderful and all the others. Archie of course is adorable as always

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  13. I am always amazed when I see the progress on your hexagon quilt. so many tiny pieces!!!! You made a great bag. I think I need to try the trick with the towel next time when I sit down to sew. Sounds great not being stiff after

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  14. Hexies are looking good. You are making much quicker progress than I expected. Especially as you made that amazing bag, the stitching, the mini hexies, etc. Hope the tiredness passes soon.

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  15. I'm totally in love with your hexies. And also with Archie on his beautiful cushion and even with your leaping lord.

    Now, let's see whether I can get into your contest mentioned above. It seems alluring.

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  16. I just adore all your hexies above! Archie is such a little sweetheart!

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  17. Loving the hexies and the red work: have been wanting to give that a try. And as for Archie, well he looks fabulous whichever way you look at him! Great idea with the towel: will have to give that a try

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  18. Great post, super bag, fabulous hexie cushion - I would quilt to match the plain hexies.
    Archie certainly is a handsome devil this weather.x

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  19. You have been accomplished in this short month! Archie is looking sleek and well--for the first time, I notice the little spots on his ear--so sweet! :-) Your hexies are coming along wonderfully, and your idea of tacking down unruly seams intrigues me, so thank you, I keep it in mind next time I work some hexie combinations and am pulling my hair! Also, for your hexie cushion ( great colour combos!) if it were me, I'd quilt with a kinda 'soft' zig-zag, in the style of Jacquie Gering. Well, you did ask... :-)
    A bi! Hazle

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  20. Love the hexies! It will look gret.

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  21. Love the bag!!! You have had a brilliant month - keep it up xxx

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  22. Oooh, bet that bag is super touchy feely, love it!

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  23. What a joy to see all your lovely projects! Your paper piecing is coming along beautifully. Archie is as debonair as ever!

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  24. I cant believe you have beavered away so industriously during a 'bad' month....what will you achieve in a good month?
    So glad to see that red work getting an airing...those wee characters have been longing to get a life. Great bag too...lots of neat detail.

    Could Archie look any more Regal?... perhaps a Crown is in order?... I can see the headlines.....Archie : Duke of Cushion Corner..demands biscuits on a silver platter from Helen and all who visit...Woof.

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  25. Love all the eye candy in your post...and that's just Archie! You have been busy, all that in one month and a short month a,t that. Really like your bag and just love those hexies. Hugs. xxx

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  26. What a great looking month. And so kind of you to donate your knitting WIP to your mum. Now you can start on something fun for yourself. Any ideas?
    Great bag. Love the contrasting colours.
    Your hexi quilt is going well.
    And yes, Archie is a handsome wee man

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  27. Love your hexies :) no wonder Archie looks happy with his de-luxe pillow!

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  28. Archie just loves his new bed. I'm working on one for Fleury, but it's taking me longer than I had thought it would. Your hexis are looking good! You have such patience. And what a good tip - sticky velcro to the back of the sewing petal - I am totally stealing that idea since mine does tend to wander. :)

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  29. All your projects are looking lovely. I really like your red work stitching and both hexie projects are gorgeous :) Nearly forgot to say the bag is great too. I love pink accents :)

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  30. So sorry to hear you've been so tired. It is the pits feeling so tired you can't do anything. I hope you will pick up as Spring comes in.
    Love your yarn baggy :) This is on my list of things to make. My current yarn bag is a free bag I got from Mills and Boon over a quarter of a century ago! LOL... it is pretty tatty.
    Your hexagons are just so beautiful! This is going to be one of the most beautiful quilts ever!!
    Nose rub to gorgeous Archie :) hugs Ellyx

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  31. Happy Blog Birthday, I am still catching up on all the blogs so I am late to say so. Your projects are all looking great, I love what you have done with the marmalade hexies. Archie looks lovely on his new bed too.

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  32. Archie is such a handsome little helper. You've got a lot going on. I guess it's one way from getting bored.

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  33. What lovely sweet photos of Archie!
    I've loved seeing your hexie cushion, it's similiar to an idea I've had in my head, but not sure I'll get round to doing anything with it.

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  34. How did I miss this? Love the hexie cushion. Lovely colours and great use of negative space hexies. I like your bag too.

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  35. Congratulations on your 18 months! Your bag is beautiful. I love the pink piping and zipper! Makes it look so fun! Your sweet Archie looks so cute in those photos... happy birthday to him!

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  36. The bag looks fantastic and so does gorgeous Archie. It's always great to see your projects.
    Happy blogiversary, I hope you feel better now.

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