Busy , busy, busy.

I've been looking forward to a full day of sewing and today was the day. The morning started in the usual way, taking Missy and Twiglet for their morning walk. Usually this happens at 6 am but as I don't work on a Friday I gave myself an extra hour in bed. Missy and Twiglet just snoozed whilst waiting for the alarm to go off. As soon as it rang they were up and eager for their walk. Fortunately the overnight rain had stopped and the ground was drying . The walk was enjoyable and the three of us were eager for breakfast when we got home. Breakfast eaten and I needed to deal with some emails and then I could turn my mind to sewing. I wanted to work on the Christmas quilt I'm making. I started this quilt on 15 August and I need it to be finished completely by the end of November. Unusually for me I cut all the fabric for the quilt before I started sewing. 

There were nine blocks to make  and I started the day by making the last of the blocks

Next up was the sashing. The sashing creates a star at the join between the blocks and there is also two borders to make the stars round the outside. This is one very bright quilt top.

I've currently only finished the first of the borders. Hopefully I get to finish the second border on Sunday or Monday.

Once the stars in the border are complete there is a third border to go around the top. I haven't cut this border as I don't have any fabric at the moment. Next Friday I'm going to the knit and Stitch exhibition at Alexander Palace so I'll hopefully find some fabric to use.. The exhibition has changed its name this year. It used to be called the stitching and knitting exhibition. Whatever it's called there will be quilts and other exhibits to enjoy and there will be yarn, threads and fabric on sale. I started going to this exhibition many years ago when my children were small and as my daughters got older they liked to go with me. The last few years it has been me and John visiting and it makes a very enjoyable day out.

Whilst I was sewing, John was filling in his visits book. It's fun to look back at where we've visited and what we did over the year. Every so often he includes a drawing. He insists he's not very good but I think his Large White Egret and his Glossy Ibis are really good.

Later this evening I will be pulling out my storage box with my double wedding ring quilt fabric and templates. I want to move this project forward. I have been practicing sewing curves and I think it's OK to say I've got much better at them. I still need to take the sewing slowly but I now feel that I can get on with this project. I think I need to cut some fabric before I can start sewing but I'll find out later. I'm not in a rush for this quilt so I will be taking the process slowly and carefully because I want the quilt to look beautiful. I'm very pleased that this project didn't get pulled earlier in the Chookshed challenge. 

This evening I will also have three completed flowers to add to the grandmothers garden quilt. We have a film we want to watch and this is perfect to stitch whilst watching. I need to stitch the lower flower together first. I love the bat fabric.

Tomorrow John and I and some friends are due to go walking. Further north in the UK storm Amy is due to hit with high winds and rain. It isn't supposed to get down to the level of London but I will be checking the forecast carefully. I have no desire to get caught out in bad weather. Fingers crossed that the weather is good enough for a long walk.

Take care

Lyndsey