Time to do some sewing and knitting.

Over the Christmas and new year break I haven't done a lot of sewing or knitting. I needed time to wind down from a really busy autumn term at work. Just spending time catching up on reading, cooking and just having fun. We also spent time with family which has been a lot of fun. Unfortunately I didn't get to meet up with my brother over Christmas as both he and his partner had flu. Hopefully the weather will be kind and we'll get to see them this month.

Yesterday older daughter and her family came to visit for a New Year's lunch. Our grandson settled down to play with some Lego and in between he stroked Twiglet, who he says is his best friend. We took the two dogs to the park with grandson holding Twiglet's lead and being very pleased with himself. Twiglet had a second lead being held by my son, just in case grandson let go.

The main project I've been working on is the knitted baby blanket. This is very nearly finished but it will need to be blocked before I give it to my daughter. I've made this blanket several times before as it's fun to knit. The changes of the pattern blocks along the blanket length mean I don't get bored with the knitting. It's knitted in double knitting and will be nice and warm for a January baby. The colour is really pretty in person.

Today I bought a pattern for a baby jumper and cardigan and I bought the yarn to knit the cardigan. It shouldn't take long to make.

I wanted to spend some time sorting some scraps and I checked out the scrap colour for January, which is blue. I want to make some donation quilts for a local children's charity and using the Rainbow scrap challenge colour of the month will help to move things along. I sorted some sets of 9 patches ready to be stitched and I also pulled out some of my blue scraps.

I didn't feel like setting up the sewing machine so the sewing will get done tomorrow. I let my mind consider the blocks or pattern I may use for my brothers quilt. For Christmas I had been given a copy of 'Quilting with liberty fabrics'. 

Instead of doing any sewing I spent some time looking at the 15 quilt patterns in the book. There were several I liked. It gives you the picture of the quilt, the fabric and cutting requirements and how to piece the quilt. I haven't chosen a pattern from the book as I'm still trying to make a decision but here is one of the patterns.

If I did make a pattern from the book I doubt I would use all liberty fabrics. I like to mix and match my own choices of fabrics and colours, not follow what the pattern tells me. I love many of the liberty designs but there are also several that I would not be using as they don't suit my taste. 

Tomorrow the machine will be set up and sewing will happen. I'm thinking I might make a log cabin quilt for my brother but this isn't my final decision. I don't think I've made a log cabin block so it would be fun.

London UK is very cold where we live but no snow, just ice in places. John and I went out for a walk this afternoon and although I was dressed for cold weather I was very pleased when we got back home and I could warm up. The bad news is that the temperatures are staying low and will get colder next week. Does anyone have any objections if I hibernate until the weather gets warmer? Whatever the weather conditions where you are, make sure you stay safe.

Take care

Lyndsey