Sunday 29 April 2012

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


14 comments:

Raewyn said...

Love how your framed block turned out - I'm not surprsed you'll be amking another one - they will look fabulous as a theme thing. I like the shot of the sheep keeping an eye on all your hard work out in the garden - digging out steps doesn't sound like lady's work! Have a nice week :-)

Fiona said...

Love the framed picture.... looks fantastic in the fabrics you chose...
Hugz

Anonymous said...

Josie your framed piece is unreal,i love it,well done and lol,love your posts and great stuff you are doing in the garden well done.xx

Lynda said...

Wow that framed block turned out great. You made it look easy! Love the hard work you have been putting in on that path and garden area. I got quite lazy this year and hired a couple boys from next door to weed and clean up my yard. Saves me from an aching back.

marina said...

Your block looks fantastic framed!!
The pair you have chosen are gorgeous too, they will look so pretty all together.
Thanks for the walk up the garden path! You should have got the Time Team in and told them it was an old Roman pathway... The ewes and their lambs are so pretty.

Larissa said...

That block looks absolutely fabulous Josie!!! And your chosen 'sister' block is a perfect choice!! Looking forward to seeing them hanging together there on your wall!!
Also, that little path looks fantastic!! Your garden must be a magnificent place to just hang out in!!

Tatkis said...

Such a lovely block, and wonderfully framed!

Hugs,
Tatyana

Pat said...

Great photos of the sheep!

Grethe said...

Love the framed block,Josie.Very nice colours and pattern:-)
Lovely neighbours! must be so pleasant to live close to nature.

LuAnn said...

What a tough job digging out that path, but it looks like such a beautiful place to walk. I love your nosy neighbors! The Lori Smith framed is just beautiful. I just saw her at the quilt show last weekend and have several of her patterns. Beautiful photos.

Kitty said...

Love the framed block, it looks beautiful. I see you've been working on the garden to get it in shape for my next visit . No doubt you're saving the lost path for me.......

annemariesquilt said...

You made a very clever job with framing the little quilt and I absolutely adored it !!

Wendy said...

I LOVE your block, it looks perfect framed too ... love your mini tutorial ... and I love how your garden is looking too, that's a lot of work though!

Käranån said...

That block looks fantastic framed! Nice colours and you have lovely neighbors...