Oceans and Bayeux cockerel

 I've had a very productive week and that is always very satisfying!  I completed the 7th part of the Oceans SAL which includes a Bluespotted ribbontail ray, Lanternfish, Seahorses (Pacific and Crowned Seahorses), Leafy seadragon, American lobster and some Seagrass!  A total of 1542 stitches, the smallest section so far which probably accounts for me finishing it so quickly.

and a close up of those lovely seahorses and the lobster!

The Bayeux tapestry arrived in London in the dead of night, a couple of weeks ago.  It is going on display at the British Museum, one of my favourite museums in London.  It arrived under police escort and to celebrate it's arrival The British Museum projected a picture and the word 'merci!' onto the white cliffs of Dover.  How cool is that!!!  This is the first time the tapestry has been in England since it was created here nearly 1,000 years ago.  When we visited Bayeux several years ago we did see it and it is pretty amazing, especially the detail and the vibrancy of the colours.  Quite close to the museum in France is a shop that sold kits in the style of the tapestry and I bought one of a cockerel.  I really liked the picture but the black outlining and the three layers of stitching got a little boring so it's been waiting to be loved again and now seemed the perfect opportunity to give it some love.

This is where I was when I last picked it up.....

and this is where I am today!  It feels really good to have progressed this far.

Unfortunately when I picked it up again I over tightened the frame and some of the black outline on the cockerels feet broke so I will have to unpick some of it and restitch, but it should be easily remedied.  

On Sunday I will link up with Kathy for some slow Sunday stitching

Happy stitching

Oceans, Chirp and Moon Trees

 The next part of Oceans was posted on Wednesday and it is not such a big section so I have  made a start.

On the left is a blue spotted ray with a few squiggles of water and on the right I've started on some sea weed and a lobster.  I have quite a bit of outlining to do on him which hopefully I can do tomorrow.  There are only four parts remaining which makes me think they will probably be quite large sections when I think how much fabric there is left to fill.

Waiting for this to be published I got out Chirp again.  Haven't done anything on this for quite a while and only had the French knots and detached chain stitch on his body to finish bird nine.

As with the other birds there is quite a selection of stitches involved including couching, bullion knots, chain stitch, crested chain stitch, eyelet wheel, drizzle stitch, woven circle and fly stitch!

And here he is with the rest of the flock.

Next stage is sewing the nine squares together and the border (two shades of green) before starting on stitching 24 flowers to the edge.  But first I had to cut them out!!

I also added some running stitches to the Moon Trees.  I really enjoyed making these and want to do more, but I don't want a large quilt of them so just need to decide what I could make?

Well thats it for this week.  As we are having a quiet weekend I will get plenty of time to link up with Kathy for some slow Sunday stitching

Into the Woods and Moon Trees

 Another week has flown past and another exhausting week of very high temperatures!  Some parts of my county have put in place a hose pipe ban and a warning of potential for forest fires.  It's always a bit of a problem here because its popular with visitors and the New Forest is full of trees.  Those two things unfortunately in the summer are a bit of a risk.  

Anyway this weather has meant I don't go out unless absolutely necessary, which allows for more sewing time!

I quilted the 'Into the Woods' wall hanging with a grey variegated thread and decided a colourful border would be nice.  Because I had used all my tiny scraps of fabric to do this I had to cut into my selection of plains.  So after cutting 2" strips, I sub cut several times and attached it. 

BUT didn't like it once it was attached!

I unpicked it and took a drive to my local quilts shop.  It's really tiny but it's only about a 20minute drive and there is a really good selection of fabrics.  I came back with a choice of three.  Two greys and a green (which I couldn't resist, especially as this line is being discontinued)

Much happier!  The fabrics in the trees/flowers are now the stars not the border.

The next group of classes with the Thread House Academy is with Jo Avery called Moon Trees.  She has curated a selection of fabrics from an online shop called 'A Beautiful Thing' and the use of aurifil  12 wt. for the actual needle turn applique.  I'm not a fan of needle turn but thought I would buy a selection of fabrics to give it a go and see if it made any difference!

They are gorgeous fabrics and feel really nice (OK I probably bought more than I actually need).  The fabrics are 100% cotton yarn dyed wovens by Fableism and Robert Kaufman 55%linen/45% cotton dyed wovens and Essex yarn dyed. The trees are all cut improv so I decided not to cut into this scrumptious bundle of fabrics I would have a go with some from my stash before trying them out.

I learnt a lot from this practice square and will do things slightly differently next time, but I'm pleased with how it turned out and the process was really enjoyable.

I've also been adding to my hexie flowers but more of that next week maybe.  I'm off out to lunch now with my darling husband (anniversary tomorrow) but tomorrow we are off to see our son in London to celebrate his 40th birthday which is today!

I will link up with Kathy for some slow Sunday stitching tomorrow although I don't think I will have time for any stitching - mind you I think I've made up for it this week!!

Happy stitching

Ocean wonders and Into the Woods

 I'm very excited to show the next part of the Wonders of the Ocean SAL mainly because it has not one but two Sperm Whales!!  Whales are the reason I signed up for this SAL.  My three year old grandson is obsessed with them and I was really banking on there being at least one whale in the process!  Thank goodness they made an appearance.

And here they are in amongst the other sea creatures.

 

Now I just have to wait for the 15th July for the next release.

I've also been working on a Thread House Academy project.  It's called Into the Woods and is by Lynne Goldsworthy.  I wasn't really up to making a large quilt so reduced the pattern pieces down to 40% and one 30% and have had great fun going through my bag of tiny pieces of fabric that I couldn't part with.  I just knew they would come in useful one day.

 

That's it for now.  On Sunday I will link up with Kathy for some slow Sunday stitching while enjoying the British Grand prix!