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May [review]

May was a bit of a slow sewing month. Instead I've been enjoying time with this these two fruitcakes!


Jess is now 6 weeks old, desperate to see whats going on and be involved, giving out great big smiles, and starting to chat away! I forget how quickly they start to interact.


And speaking of chatting away, Mia doesn't stop! She's taken a liking to map-reading in the photo above!

Having completed 43 blocks in April, I had a feeling May would be a drier month - just 27. But my running total for the year is still a healthy 283, so my 365 blocks in a year goal is well on track! But this month's blocks were more varied: I finally made a second Zodiac block.



This project has been held up because I do freezer paper piecing and I had to replace my iron, and it just didn't get hot enough to melt the wax, making freezer paper foundation piecing a thoroughly unenjoyable experience. I've now replaced my iron so hopefully I'll get caught up on the BOM over the next few weeks.

I started a new project: I couldn't resist the Summer Sampler. I had the perfect fabric already in my stash: Dreamin' Vintage by Jeni Baker. But I'm not loving the blocks as much as I loved the fabric before I cut it. I think I'm finding it all too busy, so I've splashed out on the coordinating Art Gallery Pure Elements Solids, and once they arrive I'll get going on the next block. I may remake the first block if I have enough fabric left at the end.





I made nine Splendid Sampler blocks and prepared a load more: here they all are to date.



I also made nine #365 blocks.



I'm behind on both these projects, but not too upset by it. I have a few blocks prepared ready to sew in grabbed moments, and I have all the patterns, so I'm happily plodding on.

I did a single Farmer's Wife block



Four blocks for Mia's big girl quilt...



And just one Jane Austen block... which turned out the wrong size. Bugger. I want this quilt finished in just 7 weeks time... need to get a move on! One correct block, many more to go!



My other May sewing was an embroidery hoop for a birthday present and another scrappy pouch, christened the Baby-Brain pouch because of the stupid mistakes I made on it!



I quilted two quilts for my mother-in-law: a blue and red one and a low volume one.



I finished piecing a quilt top which I hate... suggestions on a post card



I also worked on a couple of other projects meaning some finishes in June! Watch this space! Non sewing, we've had some great days out as a family, to Plessey Woods, Alnwick Gardens (where we became "friends" so we get free entry for the rest of the year!), and the beach. I baked my first ever loaf of bread...



And we sadly had to say goodbye to Archie.


It was quite the emotional rollercoaster of a month. Here's hoping June is a bit calmer!

Comments

Anthea said…
Wow Jennie, what a busy household you have... Jessica & Mia are changing by the month... you're doing a wonderful job of your sewing... and I am really so sorry to read of your dog passing, our pets are such a presence in our lives - RIP to him. xx
Shelly said…
You are one busy lady! I got tired just reading all that!
I'm so sorry about your poor doggie. What a sweetie -- I'm sure you'll miss him.
Lin said…
Even with two little ones your output is amazing! Wish I had your energy. Jess has a very cheeky grin. xx
Allison said…
Wow! And wow! So basically you never sleep, right? What a prolific quilting output but best of all - two very beautiful, happy daughters ☺
Wendy said…
So sorry to hear about your dog, that must have been heartbreaking.
Do you live near Alnwick? I was in Alnmouth in April
Wendy said…
So sorry to hear about your dog, that must have been heartbreaking.
Do you live near Alnwick? I was in Alnmouth in April
I can't believe how much you've done in a month, and with a baby and toddler in the house!! Sorry about Archie xx

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