Grecian Waters HSTs - Return of a WIP #2

I'd like to say thank you to all of you who were as thrilled as myself to see this quilt return and have made useful suggestions helping me with my colour choice dilemma as well as providing creative input - looking at you Molli.

To avoid buying more fabric than necessary I trialled Kona charms from the dark palette.

I'm drawn to the less purply, less blue, less dark colours so these three are out: purple, midnight, raisin.

These two are much closer: eggplant (left) and hibiscus (right). Surprise surprise, they're both from my original set of choices! Guess somebody might be a little bit biased...

Berry, number three, isn't part of the charm pack but I'm now convinced it's a tad too light anyway. The picture doesn't capture the colours perfectly, meh, but they do look great in daylight. Both are sizzling contenders, however, I have made a decision and will be ordering yardage soon to keep this project going. Stay tuned to find out which one made the cut!

Happy sewing!

TGIFF - Zig Zag Scarf Edition

Finally! I've finally finished the blue and grey zig zag for my sister. Never mind that it had a November 2013 birthday deadline, I'm just glad that it's done after nearly 11 months and ready for the approaching autumn weather.

Knitting began in October 2013 once I had quickly made up my own version in a thicker yarn to gain confidence in the pattern. Alas, the fingering weight yarn which the pattern called for drove me insane. Progress could hardly be seen even after sessions of several hours which was demotivating. Transitioning into work life and new responsibilities also took it's toll. I'm not a summer knitter and with gran's death and the pregnancy - I ended up not touching this WIP for at least six months if not eight, best not think about it, although it was only a few repeats from a finish.

Anyway, it's done! My own version was a bit longer than necessary so I'd decided to make the one for my sister shorter. This is how the loops compare in size.

And another close-up. It's a beautiful pattern, easy to memorise and easily manipulated for wonderful colour effects but if I make another one it'll definitely be in DK weight or thicker. Now, cue the celebration that I'm freed up for other guilt-free knitting projects as well as my quilting.

Happy sewing & knitting!

A Changing World

Where to begin? I have been off blogging and off sewing for five long months.

A few days shy of my 30th birthday we lost my gran. Subsequently my birthday became the worst day I have ever endured as we laid her to rest. There aren't enough words to describe how I felt and still feel, how all of us feel. Let it suffice to say that I have lost one of the most important persons in my life - a person I will aways be indebted to because of her contributions to who I am today, a person who is part of so many treasured memories, and a person I would have loved to share this other piece of information with because she would have rejoiced with the husband and me.

Yes, the year we lost our beloved gran will also be the year that we're adding to the family. And we're thrilled. Terribly excited. Incredibly happy.

The pregnancy has been pretty easy-going so far with little to no heavy symptoms. However, I have been tired a lot and I feel the grief has added to that. Combined with work and joyous occasions such as my sister and friends' weddings, my nephew's first birthday, and our 2nd anniversary yesterday, this has taken its toll on my hobby.

Now, I think it's about time to get back into the game. I am still sad, of course, but I am also looking forward to so many things and sewing is a part of that so I have indulged in some fabic shopping for our little arrival.

These fabrics are to become a quilt and I might throw in these from my stash.

I've also bought tons of yardage on sale to make curtains for the little one's room, though I still need to order a solid for the backing - I'm considering Kona Regatta.

You know my love for all things teal and aqua so it comes as no surprise that I've chosen these as main colours for the nursery. I love that it's gender neutral and works for both blond and ginger (though I am keeping my fingers crossed for a ginger addition, tbh) and with a little grey and yellow it'll make a sophisticated winter baby combination.

Right, I've not yet mentioned when we're due to be parents. Are you seated? If baby decides to arrive on time it'll be a Christmas gift - 26 December!

Well, I hope to be firmly back at my machine with these projects and hopefully blogging and commenting more regularly as well. There's another baby quilt project on the cards which should help with both goals. My little friend B is expecting a sister in October - better get going to make something cute to mix and match with B's viking quilt.

Happy Sunday and happy sewing!

W.i.P. - Red Riding in Aqua

This is what I'm currently working on.

After finding out that my sister is having a boy I'd put this block aside but then it came to my attention that a friend who's having her little one really soon is having a girl. So I rescued it from the UFO pile, decided to make a cushion cover, and turned it into this little top.

I'm currently quilting it by hand.

Some of you know that I'm not overly fond of pink, so when I remembered this unloved leftover from the pixelated Kirby I thought this was a good project to reduce the amount I still had. Turns out it's perfect! Turns out I love it next to those aqua stripes and lagoon pindots. So much that I wonder whether I'll be able to give it away rather than stash it for when I'm having kids.. haha

I told you that I usually only give away things I really like. It can make giving pretty complicated...

Stats

Finishes - 1
Easter egg fabric basket

Ongoing Projects - 4
EPP hexies - 52 finished flowers + 14 nearly-theres
baby things
Grecian Waters/Emerald HST quilt - finished the top!
cushion cover

Stalled Projects - 1
EPP parallelograms/stars

Planning Stage - 2
Wedding Anniversary quilt
Quilt for the husband - I might have come up with the design! More on that soon.

Happy sewing!

Linking up with Lee's W.i.P. Wednesday.