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April is over, already!


Lily's Quilts


I'm about to start a new hand piecing project and realised that I didn't have a spare pin cushion or thread catcher to put in my project tin so, of course, I had to rectify that situation!  I spent longer than is probably sensible making this cute pin cushion who was going to be given a name (possibly Ethel) until I realised that naming her may prevent me from sticking pins in her.

Mouse pin cushion


I adapted this pattern and made her from Liberty lawn.  As you can see, she's got a little gingham tail and lilac eyes (she tested several and liked these best), nose and whiskers - I'm really quite fond of her!

The question is, can I bring myself to stick pins in her...

Mouse pin cushion

Of course I can!!   (sorry, Nicky!)


The other thing I needed was a thread catcher and I can't tell you how much trouble this gave me, especially considering how many I've made and how very, very simple they are to make.  (Skip to the photo if you don't want to read about some really stupid sewing!)  The first problem was when I turned it through and the wadding was too big for the fabric.  Thinking I'd done something daft (and blaming tiredness) I unpicked it and started again.  And the same thing happened.  That's when I realised I'd picked up the wrong piece of wadding and was using Hobbs Heirloom instead of Warm and Natural.  The Heirloom, it turns out, has a bit of give in it, whereas W&N doesn't, and turning it through the stitching gap had stretched the wadding.  I cut the front off that attempt to salvage the fabric, put the rest in the scrap bin and found a piece of Warm and White and started again.  This time all went well until I discovered that the button I'd stitched on wouldn't/couldn't anchor the ribbon so I took it off and stitched it on again but this time adding a thread shank to lift it off the fabric and create room for the ribbon.  That attempt also failed (but at least I tested it before tying the knot) so I had to go back upstairs and empty out my button jars to find a larger orange button.  No joy.  So I picked out a pink button and looked for an orange ribbon.  No joy there, either.  Then I realised that the original orange button sat nicely on/in the pink button so I went back downstairs to stitch it on.  Guess what?  It wasn't in the centre!!!  Off it came.  Fortunately the second attempt (at this button combination!) was successful. If you're still with me, here it is!

Thread catcher

So, I finally have a project tin (and I've prepped the first block but I'm keeping it a secret, for now!) and I'm ready to go:

Ready to start stitching


This month I've made quite a lot of progress with my hexies and have added 83 hexagons (I know, eighty three!  It's amazing how stitching two or three a day really adds up over a month) and eight trapezia and it now looks like this:

Hexy progress


In other almost exciting news, Archie has a new collar:

b--is-this-my-best-side_8698217676_o
What about this pose?  Does it show off my smart new collar?
And a new lead:

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It's about time I had a new lead - the old one is really tatty and not fitting for a dog of my standing...

Doesn't he look handsome?!

And when the sun is shining or it's dark and a torch (or camera flash) shines, this happens:

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It's shiny!!


I think that's a happy note to end on, don't you?!  I'm linking up, as usual, to the lovely Lynne and her Fresh Sewing Day post - thanks for popping in!


P.S.  If you go here you can see some of my embroidered Summersville squares on the DMC blog - eek!

Comments

  1. Love the new collar, lucky Archie! And the hexies are coming along nicely, It is so beautiful!

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  2. How cute is that wee mouse! Love your hexies.

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  3. I love your mouse, Liberty makes a pretty pincushion. I have yet to make a thread catcher but sometimes like you I seem to faff and change my mind over the small details. I think Archie's collar is suitable for a Wonderdog. The weather is improving here, I hope it is with you as well

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  4. Love the mouse - too cute! Your thread catcher adventures sounds very... me :) Thanks for the batting tip though. Is this the 80/20 heirloom or the 100% cotton (which seems almost impossible to find)? Looking forward to seeing what your new hand sewing project is. The hexies look great. It is amazing how quickly it grows with just a little each day, isn't it. I've noticed the same on my current project.
    Love the new collar. Sorry Archie, no more hiding in the dark :)

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  5. extremely cute voodoo mouse doll!

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  6. ROFL look at his face! How on earth did you get him to sit like that with his lead on! Our Sam would have been running around chasing his tail, once we pick the lead up he jumps up and down (literally leaves the floor) until we are outside and ready to go. Love all your sewing but especially your mouse, and, yes, I could stick pins in her as well, not sure what that says about us :-) Your hexie quilt is coming along too, I love it. I think after reading your problems with the thread catcher I won't bother trying to make one!! Hugs xxxx

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  7. Very smart Archie! quite right to show it off!
    And the wee moose is a pet!

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  8. I like your pincushion very much. Ethel is a lovely name for it. Though I must admit I am very fond of alliteration (does that word exist in English?)in names. So it would be Polly pincushion,or Poppy.

    Archie does look absolutely handsome with his new collar, shining indeed. And how I adore his first picture in which he poses like a real model. He is a genius, your dog! He can come and stay with us any time. ( Though are 3 cats won't be so happy I'm afraid)

    And your hexies definetely have a sense of heaven. I am a real quilt woman and this one is the most beautiful I have ever laid my eyes on.

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  9. Wow! You're getting about girl! Well done! Ethel is adorable! Next time make a hedgehog and then the pins will be easier to stick in!! A productive month there H! Jxo

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  10. Your mouse pincushion is lovely! Well done for persevering with the thread catcher and not hurling it out of the window.

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  11. You got a lot done this month! The hexies are looking wonderful, and you keep us in suspense about the new project. Wonderful for you to be featured on the DMC blog!!!

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  12. Hi! I love your new mouce! I have made one just for fun and it makes me happy. Your idea for pin cushion is lovely! Great new collar, Archie! Happy walks with your new lead!
    Just love your quilt! x Teje

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  13. I'm rodent phobic and even looking at your beautiful Liberty mouse quickens my heart rate! It's nice to make special things for special projects - your EPP looks amazing. Off to go and look at you on the DMC blog - congrats!

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  14. Your mouse is adorable! I really want one, so will be checking out the tutorial.
    Your hexies are coming along nicely, won't be too long before they are all pieced I bet.
    Archire, your new collar is very smart. You look dashing! And the new lead completes the ensemble perfectly. Mwah xx

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  15. I need an Ethel! She's beautiful and looks like the type of girl that would find acupuncture relaxing ;)
    Did you make her up or did you follow a pattern?
    Archie is very handsome as always and Murphy is a bit envious of his smart new collar

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  16. 83 hexies - you have been busy - I love your hexie quilt. And I really love the mouse! it is so cute.

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  17. So much happy, lovely news!! I am in love with your mousie!! What a great article about your Summerville embroidery. I always enjoy seeing that project. Gorgeous hexies! Archie.....handsome as ever.

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  18. Archie! Portia says hello from across the pond, she's become increasingly find of Miss O these days and is a happy pup! Helen, the mouse is divine as usual you make the cutest pin cushions and the DMC feature is well deserved!!!

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  19. Ethel is adorable, as is Archie in his new collar. I think we can all relate to the thread catcher drama. It usually happens to me when I'm on a tight deadline and nothing goes right. Congrats on the DMC love!

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  20. Oh my gosh - how cute is that pincushion?! I absolutely love it. The quilt guild I belong to is having a pincushion swap in June... I just might have to create a little mouse myself. And Archie is indeed very handsome in his new shiny collar. :-)

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  21. The collar is amazing! So is the super cute pincushion!

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  22. Love the mouse and that collar is super cute all lit up!

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  23. That looks like a very stressful sewing kit!

    Loving the glow in the dark dug - he'll go so well with the glow in the dark roads I saw on the BBC news site earlier :oD

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  24. What an adorable mouse pincushion!
    Amandakk@whatthebobbin

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  25. Oh my gosh, your hexie Project is fantastic...

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  26. what a cute pin cushion, not sure I'd be able to stick pins in it though as I have a great aunt called Ethel! your hexies are so stunning, just incredible. Love Archie's new collar I think our pooch could with a new one, although she's in the bad books for sneaking through to the neighbours garden again!!

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  27. Your hexies are looking fab. I'm sorry you had so much trouble with your thread catcher. What a nightmare - especially as you've made tonnes. It looks lovely and so does the pinnie mouse.

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  28. Oh that collar looks quilt blingy.

    Do you find that no matter how many buttons you have in your button jar, you rarely have the right one?

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  29. I love you little pin cushion, so cute! Your hexie quilt has really come on quickly. And Archie is looking great in his new collar

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  30. The thread catcher was worth the agro! Hope you won't just be shining a torch at Archie whilst he's trying to sleep, just for laughs!

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  31. I am really impressed by your hexies... I just started this week... With three LOL!
    Esther
    ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com

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  32. Wow! All those intricate hexies! Congratulations! Looks awesome! Archie is so cute...what a snugly good boy... Congrats on the DMC post...very cool!

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  33. Oh my goodness your hexies are looking amaaaaaaazing!! Your sewing mishaps made me chuckle, I do rubbish like that all the time - grrrr! But they turned out brilliantly. I love your liberty mouse. And Archie looks very fetching in his new collar. xxx

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  34. Oh dear poor you! Maybe you shouldn't be so picky and bodge it like me!? Your quilt is totally gorgeous - I bet it will make sleeping and dreaming a piece of cake!

    Poor Ethel - I shed a tear for her but laughed at Charlotte's comment!

    Archie really is the George Clooney of the dog world (insert your own preference if GC is too old for you)

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  35. Good job filling up the project tin! Can't wait to see what the project is. ;) That hexie quilt looks amazing!

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  36. That mouse is absolutely adorable. I'm not sure I'd be able to stick pins in it at all!
    Your hexie quilt is looking fabulous. As is Archie with his new collar and lead!

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  37. That mouse pincushion is so cute! And especially in Liberty fabric! Archie looks very handsome in his new collar. He is such a sweetie!

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  38. Hehe lovely mouse, but lovelier collar- and its magic too! Bonus!

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  39. Looking very dashing young Archie! I love Ethel, and the hexies are looking amazing!

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  40. You have been busy! And such lovely things. Do you follow a pattern for the thread catcher? DMC blog - eeek! Congratulations. Love Archie's new collar, he looks very handsome.

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  41. I love that you share your sewing woes as well as your triumphs. Being a new sewer, it's encouraging to see that others make mistake too ... but what a fabulous project tin you created! Can't wait to see what you create with it - I better click follow to make sure I don't miss anything.

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  42. I enjoyed your post! The stitching on Summersville fabrics is so creative and fun! I popped over and saw you on the DMC blog - so cool! Love Archie's new collar- he is soooo handsome!

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  43. Cute pincushion! I can see how you might not be able to use it for pins LOL :-) Archie looks handsome with his new accessories :-)

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  44. Hello! I just wandered onto Archie's dog patch via a link on another blog and I have to stop and say that I am a new fan ... and a new follower so I can follow the thread trail back to this quilty goodness. Amazing hexagon quilt in progress! ... :) Pat

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  45. Really cute pincushion and thread catcher--you can step out in style! And of course, Archie is as adorable as ever!
    best from Tunisia, nadia

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  46. Swooning over handsome Archie (oh, and those hexies)
    Lucky for the divine Ethel that Archie is not a cat...I dont know how you can dream of stabbing that wee pretty baby with the lilac eyes.

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