Precious little progress...

on the sewing front but I'm ever hopeful that things are about to change.    I know I've said that before but this time things might just work out.... fingers crossed!

I did work on framing the Lori Smith quilt block I showed you all last time.   Now... I've never framed anything fabric before and don't know what the rules are so I just winged it.  Did what I thought might work.

First off.....

I stitched on a wide border to give me some fabric to 'stretch' over mount board.    I loved how it looked surrounded by white.  Almost made me decide to make a whole quilt like it using more of Lori's blocks.... heck I still might.

Then.....

I layered the block with a piece of wadding and a square of sticky backed mount board.  The mount board is sticky side up hence the piece of backing paper in the centre to stop me sticking myself to it.   That stuff really is sticky.  I finally had to give up on trying to pluck Licky Lou's fur off it (that stuff gets everywhere around here) so you could say at this stage it has a textured finish.

After that....

I turned the outer border to the back making sure it was tensioned.   See how the paper in the middle comes in handy.... actually I have to admit this was Chris's idea.  I'd already stuck myself to it before she mentioned the paper trick.  Some folks just know it all... but I love her anyway.     What you can't see here is that Chris also suggested mitring the corners and I did do that too.   She didn't bother taking a photo of me un-peeling the fabric and chopping a triangle off all the corners so I'm afraid you'll have to use your imagination.

Now for the really devious bit

I centred up the prepared block on the picture frame backing board and pressed down firmly.  Ta Da!!  The sticky back mount board stuck the block firmly to the backing.   Clever eh!   

I popped on the top mount and dropped the whole lot into the frame......

it's resting on the bookcases on the landing just waiting to be hung.   Have to say I really love it.  In fact I love it so much I'm going to make another one.   This one....

I think they'll make a great pair.  I'm going to reverse the design on this one so that the birds will be facing each other once they're hung on the wall.    I intend to make a couple of those cute fabric birds to hang in that little bird cage on the bookcase too.   Guess I have a 'theme' going on.   More by accident than good planning I must say. 

I chose bird block number two from this Lori Smith pattern.....

Heck there are so many lovely blocks on this pattern I was spoilt for choice.   I think these 'Fit to Frame' patterns are a brilliant idea.  I'm addicted.

That's it for the sewing stuff I'm afraid. 

In case you're wondering what's been taking up most of my time I'll show you.....

I re-claimed this path.  It's been buried under a foot of soil and debris for the last couple of years.  One of those jobs I just couldn't get around to in the past because the weather was too bad.   Lots more digging done here then.... I'm proud to tell you that  my trouser 'seat' is still intact.  Love the way the path disappears into the distance in the photo.   Do you wonder where it goes.....

right to these steps which take you down to the lower part of the garden.  Had to dig these out too... fun!  

The steps at the other end of the path are a work in progress...

and I've still to find the lower connecting path.   It's somewhere under here...



Wish me luck!

The neighbours have been snooping around to see what I've been up to .....

this lot thought if they kept to the tree line I wouldn't notice them.....DUH!!

This bunch weren't quite so intelligent....

it's a sheep thing!!

OK... I'm off to watch a bit of baseball (Brewers v Cardinals) and I've a Yankees game recording.... well a girl needs to chill out in her own way.  Right!   Now... where did I put the Gin......

See ya soon...

until then have a great time doing whatever makes you happy (that you can't get arrested for)!!

Hugs

Josie