Something new

Now I'm not a knitter (well not really), I can cast on and do a knit and purl stitch but that is it! I have never followed a pattern as they look too scary and have only ever knit a couple of straight scarves, so in an attempt to try new things in 2013 this is my current plan ~

Circular knitting!!
I'm so thankful for the beginners videos on You Tube that make casting on and not twisting the work seem less daunting.
Hopefully this will turn into a cowl, getting there slowly! Fingers crossed.

Found the photo!

Yay! Found the photo of the other drawstring bag on my phone!! This version is a great size!

Great pattern and my favourite tool!

A while ago I finally got around to purchasing Jeni's from In Color Order Lined Drawstring Bag pattern. I'd seen so many great versions being  made I had to give it ago myself! I was not disappointed! It's a really good, easy pattern to follow and was quick to buy as a PDF file. Having made a couple (although I can't find the photo of the larger version I made as a Christmas pressie!!) I can see that these are going to be very addictive to make.

Making the bag also allowed me to use my amazing "That Purple Thang" gadget!

I love this tool, use it for so many different things when sewing and it made adding the drawstring so easy, plus it's purple one of my fave colours!! I like to be colour co ordinated when I'm sewing!

This was my first attempt at the drawstring bag that I made for the Secret Santa Soiree swap ~

Quilt Bee catch up

Yay I'm finally up to date with my quilt Bee "Bee Europa" blocks after Christmas crept up too quickly and I fell behind and felt very guilty but now even January's block is done and in the post!!
For any newbies to quilting I would definitely suggest joining a Quilt Bee! Here are a few of my own personal reasons that will hopefully encourage some of you out there to join in the fun!!

• It's a great way to get know other talented and like minded people, you may even get the chance to meet them in person as I did at the Fat Quarterly retreat which was so much fun!
• It really has helped develop my quilting knowledge and skill by making blocks that I would have otherwise not have tried.
• I have discovered an amazing array of wonderful blogs and tutorial sites that have inspired me greatly.
• I have been able to work with some wonderful fabrics that I never get to see in the shops near me and from actually seeing these in person I felt more comfortable when buying them on line without being to see and feel them first!  
• Finally when it is your month and all your blocks are back you have a wonderful range of blocks ready to be made into a quilt!! (As yet mine are still blocks - a quilt/s is on my to do list for 2013!) For the few years that I have been taking part in quilt bees I usually went with a set block so each finished block is the same but I have loved it when we have been given a bit more free choice and the recipient gets back a range of personal blocks, something I think I might try in the future!

So go on what are you waiting for!? Best place to start is Flickr, that is where I found my Bee.
Here are my recent blocks:

October block, paper piecing letters, great video tutorial here:

November block, mini bow tie, great tutorial here:

December block, Wonky Star, really easy to follow tutorial here:

January block, Mod Mosaic, great tutorial with really helpful photos here:

That's it for the Quilt Bee catch up, also linking up with:

 

Looking back to look forward!

I hadn't planned on doing a review of last year, especially seeing everyone else's amazing amount of finishes for 2012 and also my initial thinking being that work overtook most of my so called "sewing time" but looking through my photos I am quite pleasantly surprised, somewhat shocked with what I did accomplish in 2012! Here are a few ~

Some of my highlights/faves ~
My Amy Butler Cosmo bag
Attending the Fat Quarterly Retreat
Learning how to make a metal frame purse
The friends made through Quilting Bees
My goals for 2013?? Still thinking about them!