What to do, what to do

Well so far the New Year is turning out FABULOUS.

I have spent the last two days pottering around in my new sewing space.

I have added the binding to one long outstanding project. I whipped out some pillow cases (no photos, 'cause I think they're ugly, but my SIL will like them for her new house) Then I stared at my pile of WIPs and UFOs and decided that they didn't look like any fun at all, but I REALLY wanted to keep sewing... So I pulled out some more fabric, from my gorgeously organised fabric stash and started chopping! Yay!!!

So I'm including photos of my gorgeous fabric choices. I've cut the big print into 11" squares. 11" I hear you ask. What a random number. Yes, yes it is. But I folded the fabric in four, and that's what I got. I really wanted big squares and I wanted the most out of this fabric - I think it's just so beautiful - So this was the absolute most I could stretch it out to.

And then I cut random width strips from all my other colours and started sewing them together, as improv-y as I could. My first ones are quite linear, it as I go on, I know they'll get scrappier and more organic, and then I'll just have to place them randomly mixed up.

I picture a checkerboard effect with big squares of print alternating with my choppy squares. I know it's not really original, but I think it'll be right for this fabric. I hope so, because it's all cut and ready to go!!

I took a picture before I finished my days sewing to show you the three squares I finished. I do like them. And number 4 is about halfway.

Does anyone else find that the improv style, sometimes takes more time than just working off a set pattern/block? I think it's because theres more thinking and each piece of fabric as you add it gets thought about... Also, this time, for the first time, because I love this fabric a lot... I am ironing after each seam. That is taking forever!! The first block I even ironed the seams opened, but I gave up on that after 1.


Oh, and all this sewing was in addition to stalking the Stitched in Color blog, waiting for Rachel to open registration for her Handstitched class. I was so anxious I was going to miss a spot. I checked every 20 minutes. Of course with the time differences I knew it wouldn't be quite when I would have put it up, but I waited and waited and waited and waited and waited and finally went to bed, and while I was sleeping... It appeared!

And reading Rachel's blog today, there are still spaces! So I needn't have worried, but Murphy's Law says if I hadn't I would have missed out - guaranteed.

But if you think this sounds like you, you should head to :
http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2013/01/registration-opens-today.html?m=1
And sign up. (sorry it's not a proper link, I'm using the Blogger app and I can't do all the fancy pants stuff I normally do. Will fix it next week when I'm at work on a normal computer)

And for anyone who missed my Random Update, I want to say again, that I have been reading all your posts (it's what I do in the morning before I even get up) but the iPad has issues with adding comments. If I need to make a single correction it freezes me out and then makes me run around three times with my hands on my elbows... and that's before I even have to retype my comment. So I'm reading and excited with you all about what's been going on. I've seen lots of sewing, gift making, Christmas baking, baby announcements... Life has been busy for everyone, and please know, that I haven't ignored you, I've just been unable to talk back :-P

Welcome to the New Year, everybody! May it bring with it many blessings, and may your bobbins always be full!

E xx

Edit: the colours in my photos are terrible. The light downstairs is not good, and until I get back to a real computer, I can't load from my real camera, so the dodgy phone photos are all we've got. I promise it's prettier than it looks! E