Jennie's Threads

These blocks are flying by now - and I'm getting later and later posting these round-ups! Block 61: Vienna I lived in Vienna for a term as part of the Erasmus exchange programme durinng my third year at university. I didn't do much studying, but I did drink a lot of coffee! Vienna is an absolutely beautiful city! Block 62: Blyth My current home town in Northumberland. It's an old mining and port town which has seen better days, but a lot of improvements have been made to the town in the eight years I've lived here and it's great to see it attracting big events: we hosted the tall ships this summer and last year we were a stop on the Tour of Britain. Block 63: Aunty Barbara and Uncle Gordon Aunty Barbara is my mother-in-law's sister and Uncle Gordon is my father-in-law's brother: two sisters married two brothers: very confusing when you first meet the family! Aunty Barbara insists on being called "Aunty"! Block 64: Edinburgh ...

We're another ten blocks in so here's another ten things... just a few days late Block 51: Nottingham Swing We had an English ceilidh at our wedding and our first dance was Nottingham Swing: "long ways couples for as many as will". All the guests were up on the floor and as a couple we danced with every single one of them. Infinitely preferable, in my mind, to standing in the middle of the floor with everyone looking at us! Block 52: Well-Padded When I was pregnant with Mia I had to see a consultant, because I have an elevated BMI. Now I just call that fat, but my consultant described me as having a "well-padded physique". With me, what you see is what you get. I'd rather you didn't tiptoe round - just call me "fat" or "overweight". I will add that my consultant was no fairy and had certainly eaten his fair share of cake! I went into work after the appointment and told my team, who found it hilarious, except for a co...

Over the last few weeks I've been doing a fair amount of hand stitching, including raw-edge applique using blanket stitch for a few of the Splendid Sampler blocks. I was looking for a more interesting blanket stitch on Pinterest, when I came across a pin , as you do, and I had to drop everything and make one. I used Finca #16 perle threads in warms - all the warms. I changed thread colour when the length I was using ran out. I drew the "circles" free hand with a Frixion pen, changing the width between the lines randomly. It's mounted in a 6" embroidery hoop and will hand in Jessica's nursery. Then I was doing another Splendid Sampler block and had a bit of a play with a flower motif. I wanted to have more of a play than that specific block would allow, so prepared myself a little 4" hoop. That was an unexpected diversion!

I scared myself the other day. My WIP list hit 100 for the first time ever. My brain is exploding with all the things going on, so it's time to do a little bit of pruning.  I'm going to try and knock off some of those smaller projects which have been languishing too long - I'm going to make the decisions or buy the minimal supplies that have been stopping me from finishing them. There are some things which should have been finished last quarter but I just missed out on. There's some Christmas sewing. And there are 'just' three big quilts. I will definitely be joining the #ridiculouslylongfallistgang again. First up are the three big quilts: The most important is Mia's big girl quilt. We haven't made great progress on painting her new room, but she will definitely be in it by Christmas, and a big-girl bed needs a big-girl quilt! I can't even remember how many blocks I've made. I just know I've quite a few left to go. I have five...