Quilt along continued!

I've finished my next 3 blocks this weekend:
As promised here are the photos
Block 2
Block 4
And block 5
Here are all my blocks together!
Miss ashleigh xx

Thank God it's friday!!

hiii,

I haven't looked forward to Friday as much as I have today, we've had a unexpected visit from OFSTED this week which meant that stress levels went through the roof!!! Happily it's over now and the count down can begin for the summer holidays (10 days!)

This weekend I am looking forward to a fabulous weekend with lots of quilting!! I'm really enjoying the quilt along and want to complete the 2nd, 4th and 5th block this weekend!! Pictures will follow probably on Sunday!

Last night I tried to enter this competition http://quiltinggallery.com/2012/07/06/patriotism-quilts/ on quilting gallery. Unfortunately I couldn't upload the photo but I've enjoyed looking at the entries today.

This is the quilt I was going to enter- it was my first ever quilt. I made it with the help of my cousin. I made about 15 rows of 10 6x6 squares and backed in a navy blue- turned out pretty good if you ask me!

 till next time- Keep Quilting!

Ashleigh x

Quilt-a-long =]

Hiya!!
I've desided to kick start my summer with the quilting galleries quilt-a-long.

Like always I've started things backwards. I've started the Quilt-along today (3 weeks late) with the 3rd block- time for ice cream

I've chose to make a christmas quilt (I hope I made the right desision) - I haven't seen all the squares yet as they are revealed each week.
I thought this way I could kill 2 birds with one stone- learn different techniques and finally make the christmas quilt I've been wanting to make for ages!!

I've had a real crafty day today and I've also completed block 1- play hopscotch

only one more to do and then I've caught up!! peek over the fence (block 2)- it looks fab!!

On a more personal front- I've now lost 1st 7lbs!! woo!! Andy (@Alfatraining) has been pushing me hard!! I even enjoyed spin class with Nathan Pow!! on friday! You just can't say pow without saying Pow!!

I also made a gorgeous tomato soup today- 2 potatoes, 2 carrots, passata, 750 mls of water, a veg stock cube and some chilli. simmer on the hob for around 25 mins and blend together! easy as pie and tastes sooooo nice! Fresh and healthy- yumyum!

Anyway- till next time: keep crafting!!

Ashleigh xx 

God Save our gracious Queen!

Happy Friday everyone!!!!

Today is definitely a happy Friday: an extra day off school, the beginning of half term holidays and I've finished my patriotic union flag cushion =]

I've had a great couple of weeks since my last blogging. Training has been kicked up a bit and I'm now over a stone down =] Spent my first night of the holidays running tabata on the treadmill, on the spin bike  and doing some circuits - who would have known a month ago I would be able to do this! Thanks to Andy (@Alfatraining) for pushing me to my limit. I'm going for my first spin class tonight and we just know Andy won't go easy on me!!

I've been celebrating the jubilee in style with my school!! We've taught the kids the national anthem and land of hope and glory (sang by the entire school 400+ kids on the field to kick start our Jubilee day). We had talent shows, cake baking competitions, drama performances, a balloon release... the list goes on and on!! Needless to say our kids did the Queen proud and showed great pride in their country.

Continuing my patriotic couple of weeks I have completed my new cushion.

I copied a similar cushion by sass and belle. Using their idea of the adaption of the union flag, but completed measurements and calculations myself to get this end product. I'm pretty proud of it. Like always there are little things that aren't perfect but hey I said I was a beginner!!

This cushion is going to my brother's friends Dave and Helen. Hope they like it!!


Ok till next time- Enjoy your bank holiday weekend and Enjoy half term holiday for those of us who are lucky enough to have one!!

Ashleigh xxx

Back to my Christmas cross stitch me thinks!!

Go hard or go home!!

Hi everyone,

I haven't had much time to craft lately as I've started my new keeping fit agenda. Which is awesome!! I've hired a personal trainer (Andy) who is AWESOME! I've never worked so hard in my life- I don't remember the last time I ran or sweated as much as I have done during these training sessions.



No more lounging on the relaxing bike watching tele! Hello tabata and interval training OUCH!!! But after just over 2 weeks I've lost 9 and a half pounds- Not bad!!


I'm still working on my jubilee/ union jack themed pillow. I have found some gorgeous fabrics to use and I've completed my calculations - I've even started the cross part although after pinning on the wrong side I need to unpick a little OOPPS!

Till next time

Ashleigh x

I can't wait for the weekend to begin!

I'M BACK!!!!!

Friday night blogging has began again after my Easter break to Florida on vacation- my second home. I had a fun packed weekend escaping  dinosaurs, a fight with dementors and comic villains. Just a normal day at Islands of adventure- I was SOOO lucky- should have put the lottery on!
I've been to see a magics game, been to sea world, visited America's best natural beach, etc etc.

But no rest for the wicked - after arriving home on Sunday at 5pm I then had to get up for an early start back at school on Monday morning! Despite being a little tired I have had a good week although no time for crafting. BUT..... I do have purchases to share!!! :-)


First my pastel collection....

My fat quarter pack has floral, polka dot and striped prints.

Here is my selection of miscellaneous materials.

Heidi Grace material in the middle, and the two fabrics on either side cost $2 each for a yard!! Got to love America!

Here are my gingham materials....

and finally my Christmas materials....

Thank you JoAnns and Wal-Mart for having awesome fabrics for awesome prices- can't wait to visit soon.

Till next time- Keep Crafting!!!

I'm planning on making a union jack cushion this weekend- I will keep you posted!!

Ashleigh xxx

Friday blogs

Happy friday everybody...
my friday blogs are becoming a little bit of a ritual. I wish I had something fabulous to share but the truth is I haven't done any quilting this week. I haven't really done any cross stitch- I've done a little on my christmas sampler adding a few gingerbread men.

Trip down memory lane.....

Since I haven't made anything new I thought I would share my first ever project. A cushion I made for my head teacher at school. I placed a x stitch in the middle and with the help of my fabulous cousin we managed to make this gorgeous cushion.

I'm planning on crafting tomorrow or sunday- maybe both! so I will hopefully have new projects to share soon- can't wait!!

Till next time: Keep crafting
                                                                 Ashleigh xx

Make time to do the things you love

Oh my goodness this week has been busy!! - I'm starting to think there are no quiet weeks!!

This week I've celebrated my birthday, developed our outdoor area, carried out assessments and been bogged down in data to mention just a few things!

Unfortunately there has been very little time for crafting. Although tonight I have worked on a little project for school - I'm creating an Easter display for my classroom. On the display there will be an Easter tree and I have made these little hearts for it to go along side my Easter eggs.

I created my own template by drawing a heart, stitched with my janome, turned, stuffed and dog teethed to finish!

Till next time: keep crafting!

Ashleigh x

good things come to those who stitch

Happy friday everyone!!

I'm writing today after a much calmer week at school.And, I'm looking forward to a fun packed weekend starting tonight as I'm going out for a birthday meal =]

Although this week has been much more enjoyable unfortunatly not much crafting has been carried out.

However, I have done a little cross stitching - working on my historical sampler christmas cross stitch. It is looking sooo nice even if I do say so myself!

I love cross stitching- so relaxing

All the women in my family love to cross stitch so I guess there's no wonder I do. Although my mam says I take after my Gran.

 

Till next time: Keep Crafting

Ashleigh x

Quilted pillow competition

I've entered my America America cushion at the quilting gallery so go vote please!! Just a little bit of fun :-)

A work in progress

Happy Friday!!! and Happy Birthday to the gorgeous Miss Mattea!!!

Omg I don't think I've ever been any happy that it's friday afternoon!! This week has been go go go- poorly school kids, lots of chicken pox and a world book day dressed as where's wally to name just a few things.
I could write a comedy with the events of this week alone!

Anyway back to crafting!!  Here is my latest work in progress.....

I used my buttons and bloom panel and built my own quilt around it using long panels and key squares. I made up my own quilt design and this has worked out ok. I think I should have created a whole gigham border. I then created a squared border which isn't perfectly measured as you can see by the pictures

You live and You learn

But I still can't wait to see it finished I need to complete the back and attach. Then I will need another pillow and I will place my whole buttons in bloom set together on the couch!! Can't wait to see it all finished!

What to do  for my next project????

Till next time: Keep Crafting

Ashleigh x

10 things I love about you!

HaPPY Friday everyone!!!!

My first week back at school seems to have dragged!! But I am looking forward to a weekend off!

Tonight I've been reminiscing about my favourite movie: 10 things I hate about you!! Loves it- I mean have you seen Heath Ledger in this movie. This has gave me a great idea I am gunna share some information about myself, here are 10 things about me!

1. I was born in Sunderland and I grew up here! I guess that makes me a mackem
2. I'm a primary school teacher. Two years working with 4 year olds: Pure bliss!!!
3. I adore america. I often convince myself I'm an american just born in the wrong country!
4. I hate eggs!!
5. Ceaser salad pizza from Rosas on long island is the best food in the world! i've just discovered a restaurant that sells them in Sunderland- I'll keep you posted on how good it tastes.
6. I've only been quilting for about 6 months! I'm loving it
7. I'm scared stiff of needles yet regularly give blood- sucker for a treat!
8.  I went to a small school called Argyle House School: it was the best days of my life!
9. I'm a camera Nazi! live life so that it is worth the memories!
10. Disney world is a real life fairytale and the more hours I spend there the more magical it becomes!

For those who don't know me I hope you feel like you know me more now. For those of you who do maybe you found out something new!
Pay it forward!! Next time you blog tell others about yourself.....

Till next time: Keep Crafting

Ashleigh x

Half term crafting continued

Wooo!! Here's to celebrate one month of blogging- look at how many projects woohoo!! I'm loving it!

I have an obsession with hearts (nearly as serious as my owl obsession!!)
Heart garland, heart clocks, heart earrings, heart everything so today I desided to make a homemade heart for a birthday gift.
Heart hangings are my favourite creation because it usually takes minimum effort with maximum effect. It also gives me an excuse to use some of the gorgeous material I've bought but had no use for.

So I picked some fab patchwork fabric and chose the heart shape (big fat heart this time). To finish it off I added some 'home sweet home' ribbon to the front and hung it with red ribbon.

I got to use another new setting on my sewing machine- setting the needle slightly to the side so that I could finish the stitching using my machine.

What to make tomorrow....

Til next time: Keep Crafting

Ashleigh x

A beginner attempts Cath Kitson!

Todays project was the free project kit from Cath Kitson's book Patch.
I'm sooo proud I managed to complete the tote bag and it looks soo pretty.

I found the pattern really hard to follow as a beginner I didn't understand some of the technical terms such as a slip stitch but I perservered making a few changes along the way e.g. i straight stitched the patches together using my sewing machine instead of using a slip stitch and I blanket stitched the pattern onto the bag.

I love my new blanket stitch mode on my sewing machine!

Its not perfect but I love it- Here's the finished product.

I'm now looking forward to a week off school with lots of crafting!

Till next time: Keep Crafting.

Ashleigh x

America America...

Hi everyone!
My latest project is a cushion made with american fabric. My nana wanted a cushion for her friend at calligraphy class. So we worked together to make this project.

 My nana cross stitched the panel and i made it into a cushion with some lengths of fabric making the patchwork effect by straight stitching them together.
I made an 18x18 cushion so gave myself a 2 inch seam allowance (20x20). Measured and cut out the material using my rotary cutter. I made a envelope back by cutting two pieces of fabric 15inches by 17 and 10 inches by 17. This time I remembered to face the seams upwards when joining to the front panel this time- always a good thing!!
Next time I make a cushion I am going to put a zip in the back of my cushion. I don't no how to do it yet tho!! My janome has a setting so I'm hoping to try it out in the half term holidays - I will let you know how it goes! I've also got some cushions to make for school with calico material.

Until next time- Keep Crafting!!

Ashleigh x

Christmas projects

Since I've been poorly bad this week I have been looking for some crafting TLC. I have looked at starting some christmas projects.
I've started my historical sampler cross stitch that I have found in the world of cross stitching magazine.

It's the second one in from the left. Although the other patterns in the magazine are also awesome. This is issue 184 (November 2011- I think).

Here is my project so far....

I will keep you up to date with the progress of this project.

Fabric fabric fabric

I thought I would share with you some of the fabrics I have recently bought.

I've just discovered red rooster fabrics- which are lush!!

The first panel I bought is called winter wonderland.

Unfortunately I haven't decided what to do with it yet. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Continuing my love of red rooster fabrics I chose to buy a panel called Buttons and Blooms and matching material. I've already used some of my fabric on a cushion I created. I'm planning on making another cushion and a patchwork throw to match (I'll keep you posted). Here's the material...

I also bought some matching owl fabric- Gorgeous! Got to love Christmas money!

Here's the cushion I made using the fabric....

I used an envelope opening at the back so that the cushion can be taking in and out as you can see at the top of this picture. What do you think?

Keep Crafting

Ashleigh x

Welcome

Hiya
Welcome to my new blog!
With most of the women in my family avid crafters it was inevitable that finally I would follow in their foot steps.
Recently, I've started to turn my hand at a few different crafts- mainly quilting and cross stitch.
I've created this blog to track my projects and to share my ups and downs.

After using my nana's sewing machine for a few months it was pretty clear that I had fallen  for quilting. So for christmas I had a little word with santa investing in my new sewing machine. A Janome. Here it is ....
 If your anything like me having a new gadget to play with is pretty exciting. This sewing machine is awesome I would totally recommend it to any newbe. As a novice I have found this sewing machine easy to use with loads of handy tools to help you out- I especially love the hare to tortoise tool as it stops me from going way too fast when pressing the peddle.

Project 1

This weekend I desided to make the patchwork heart kit I had recently bought.
I've never really been one to follow instructions properly especially when they aren't very clear so I basically chose to attempt this one blind and thankfully the end product was totally worth it.

I cut the heart into 6 parts and straight stitched them together. I then chose to try out a pattern stitch on my janome to make it look a little more profession. A great idea if I do say so myself. So easy to do- set the machine to a pattern stitch and just keep the material straight as it passed through the machine- hey presto a lovely pattern down the seam.
I made the back plain with calico and finished with a button and ribbon.

Til next time: Keep Crafting

Ashleigh x