Friday, 10 April 2015

Stitching....














 



    

...happy...mischievous...smart...beautiful...brilliant...
...a treasure...


The days just before Easter were really dark in our corner...so much so that I even had to put the fairy lights on in the workroom to take pics of my quilt strips hanging over the coat hangers on the magic cupboard....192 squares...16 pretty strips of 12 ...ready to be joined for my quilt top...

    

Having thought hard about which fabric to use for the border I finally decided on the print you can see in the top photograph and below (with a really pretty plaster pink base...one of my most favourite shades)....and an aqua shade to make the binding ...yesterday afternoon I pieced together the backing fabric too (the fine stripe pink above)...and ordered the wadding (batting) after much decision making as I'm using a new variation...which means I'm ready to make my quilt sandwich just as soon as it arrives! (one lovely daughter has made a claim so no time to hang around :) )

I'm also planning to make a daisy themed crochet cushion too making use of more yarn leftovers...I think I'll make the final round of each square white...It does seem a long time since I last picked up my hook as I've been doing so much knitting and it's lovely to be crocheting again in quiet moments...


...and may I introduce you to Daisy?...
...our little pup who we brought home from our local rescue centre at just 8 weeks old in January (pictured above sitting under my table while I  sew) ...she's a little bichon/schnauzer cross and was part of an unwanted litter and we feel very lucky indeed to have her...you'll be seeing much more of her I'm sure as she loves spending time in my workroom and sitting outside the doors on the decking in the sunshine...she's very curious about the flower pots, birds, butterflies and bees...


Back soon



Happy Weekend All

    






57 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness Susan, how absolutely gorgeous is Daisy, she'll be a great little sewing companion for you. Well done on giving her a loving home, I'll look forward to more Daisy stories in the future!! :)
    Your quilt looks amazing and I'm not surprised it has been claimed already!
    Also looking forward to seeing that beautiful cushion take shape, such pretty shades.
    Happy weekend my friend,
    V x

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    1. Thank you lovely Vivienne....yes, Daisy's perfect company (although she likes to make a very quick exit if she finds something interesting and we tend to all end up chasing her around the garden! ;) )...Have a happy, crafty weekend ♥ xx

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  2. Daisy is adorable and how lucky you both are to have found each other. We have a rescue Springer Spaniel who came into our family almost 5 years ago and he's such a good boy and companion we all love him. I'm doing some crochet today, bright little coasters for my Folksy shop. It's warm here in Kent but I'm not feeling to good and feel cold

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    1. Thank you Amanda ....they really are the best company, aren't they? Enjoy your crochet time...sure to make you feel better :) Take care..x

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  3. Hi Susan,
    What a wonderful and beautiful little doggie! You are going to have so much fun and happy times together!
    Your quilt is looking stunning - the fabrics you have chosen look marvellous. Your post has given me so many ideas for the weekend!
    Wishing you a very happy and sunny weekend, and I shall look forward to seeing your delectable little Daisy again!
    Take care,
    Lynda.

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    1. Thanks so much Lynda...hope you have a lovely, crafty weekend ♥...x (P.S Fingers crossed for sunshine! ;) )

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  4. Miss Daisy is cute as a button. Having the company of a beloved pet when crafting is so good. You once gave me a link/name of the company where you buy your stuffing from Susan - unfortunately I've lost it and need to buy some - can you possibly remind me of the company name please.

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    1. Hi Ann...I either purchase from Knitwell or Christie Bears (the Knitwell stuffing is slightly more grey so I use it with darker yarn and the one from Christie Bears I use with lighter shades as I think it makes a big difference to the finished project ... both have a very high loft quality too)...Thank you for the lovely comment about Daisy who's just been enjoying the sun on my workroom sofa! ;) ..Have a lovely weekend ♥ xx

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    2. Thanks Susan, it was Knitwell I used before.

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  5. Oh Susan, Daisy is completely adorable!! It looks like she's settling in beautifully and I'm sure she's going to have a truly happy life with you :) I'm already looking forward to seeing more photos :)
    The quilt is looking very exciting and the crochet daisy cushion is going to be gorgeous!!
    Hugs and happy weekend ♥ Vicky ♥

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    1. Thank you lovely Vicky....hope you have a wonderful weekend ;) ...♥ x

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  6. Awh Daisy is sooooooo cute. Looking forward to seeing the quilt finished.

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    1. Thank you Ali...(Daisy had her first clip yesterday and seemed to return half the size but we were told she was extremely well behaved and she does look very tidy and pretty with her new hairstyle ;) ) ...really enjoying making the quilt too ♥...x

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  7. Isn't she a cutie! Your fabric choices look lovely for your quilt xx

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    1. Thank you Joanne ♥....I did think maybe white for the border but very pleased now I decided on the pretty pink fabric ;) ...x

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  8. Awww Susan welcome to sweet Miss Daisy...how adorable she is and she must be such fun and great company. You have a wonderful quilt on the go and no wonder your DD has staked a claim....I would too. Your little granny square is perfectly coloured, I have actually started my crochet and I'm loving it. After practice with just cheap wools I want to move on to others....is that a cotton mix you are using, it looks delicious. Happy spring, I hope your girls are both well. Hugs xx

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    1. Thanks Susan, I will put that on my wish list, hugs xx

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  9. Such beautiful projects! They harken the beginning of spring for sure! I am in the middle of cutting a similar flowery quilt top and I am very excited to start sewing it together. And you doggie - he is the cutest! We got rescue dog this past weekend. His name is Casey and is a beagle cross. The kids and I are in love!

    www.queenbcreativeme.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Bronwyn! It's great to see lots of florals mixed together, isn't it? ;) .....Have a wonderful weekend with Casey...lovely to know he has a new and happy home too....fingers crossed for sunshine along the way ;)..x

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  10. Loving the quilt ,crochet and flowers. Your little Daisy is so adorable! Have a wonderful weekend. X :)

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    1. Ooh, thank you Sonja....hope you have a lovely weekend too ♥...x

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  11. I can't wait to see the finished quilt. It'll be lovely with all those fabrics. Miss Daisy is adorable and I look forward to seeing ore of her and hearing about her adventures. Keep your dolls up high when she's around. I know this from experience.

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    1. Oh dear Sue...it definitely sounds as though something very unfortunate happened there! :( Yes, all the dolls are sitting in a row high up on a shelf and keeping a close eye on Miss Daisy ;) ...xx

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  12. Such a beautiful post, Susan! I enjoyed seeing your gorgeous quilt in progress, how pretty it looks! I love your new crochet too! And your dear little puppy....how cute Miss Daisy is!! She will be such a good companion while you work on your lovely projects.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
    Helen xox

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    1. Oh, thank you Helen ♥...I'm really enjoying working with all these pretty fabrics although unfortunately will have to wait for my wadding now so there'll be no sewing for a few days! ;) ...Hope you have a happy, crafty weekend! ...x

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  13. Lovely Quilt Susan. Congratulations on your new puppy too :)

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    1. ♥ Thank you Renee...have a lovely weekend! :) ♥

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  14. Susan! HELLO! I have missed your bright and colorful posts, and what good timing; I am in need of some color around here! We had snow yesterday and today as well, but it melted quickly, which is a good sign meaning we are getting warmer!

    Your photos....OH DEAR, so clear and beautiful, and all the aqua love in the fabrics is so refreshing. Your new little addition Miss Daisy is just precious. I hope you have wonderful weather so she can get outside and enjoy! Much love, Anita

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    1. Lovely Anita... thank you so much!...and you've had snow!....Oh my goodness, keep warm and cosy over the weekend in your corner dear lady ;) ♥...x

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  15. Hi Susan, how envious am I of your new family member Miss Daisy, she reminds me of our little dog which was a Lowchen. How cute mmmm.
    Your patch work looks lovely the prints all go together cannot wait to see the finished throw.

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    1. Thank you ...I think this is going to be my most favourite quilt (although it has already been claimed! ;) )...Löwchens are such lovely little dogs and yes, I can definitely see a resemblance!...Have a lovely weekend ♥...x

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  16. Your quilt is really pretty, and your doggy is adorable :)
    Jillxo

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    1. Thank you Jill...wishing you a lovely weekend ;) ♥...xx

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  17. Oh Susan.. your new "baby" is adorable! And I love the name you picked for her. Your quilt is exquisite and will be a treasured family heirloom. I am going to have to try doing some pastel projects as the things you do such as the little granny square just thrill me. After a few trips I'll be going on this month, I will start to knit my doll! Have a wonderful weekend. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Thank you dear Teresa!....I love using pretty pastels (...and added white around the square last night which I'm definitely liking at the moment! ;) )...Have a wonderful weekend in beautiful Oregon ♥...xx

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  18. Awww Daisy is a little sweetheart and your quilt looks gorgeous too :) Catherine x

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    1. Thank you Catherine...wishing you a lovely weekend ♥ ♥...x

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  19. Hello Miss Daisy, she is gorgeous. Fairy lights in your workroom sound magical, have you elves in there too working through the night??
    Your quilt strips look lovely, I love those gentle florals.

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    1. Thank you Helen...hope you're having a lovely weekend ♥...and ooh yes, I would definitely appreciate a few elves around here :D..xx

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  20. Love the fabrics for your quilt, the pretty granny square and your sweet, little Daisy! Have a great weekend!

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  21. Daisy is gorgeous. Funny I have been making a a quilt too!
    Julie xxxxxxx

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    1. Oh thank you Julie...I'll be coming to visit you later :) ...have a lovely week ♥..x

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  22. Oh wow....such gorgeous images - as always!! Such a delight to visit your blog, it's been too long x

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    1. ♥ Thank you Michelle...so lovely to see you :)...Hope you're well and having a great week!...xx

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  23. such a beautiful blog! I'm now your follower. love your dolls! beautiful.

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  24. Love Daisy, she looks beautiful and would be wonderful company. I enjoy reading your blog.Have knitted your lovely Molly doll. Had trouble finding the right looking looped yarn for her hair here in N.Z. but my perservernce paid off and will be doing her hair in a auburn gingery colour and really delighted. My friends love her. Think I will be keeping her for myself, she's so lovely. I was going to give her as a gift but would miss her:-) Shirley

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    1. Very happy to read you found your hair yarn Shirley....I love all the red/auburn shades too...I'm sure your Molly will be beautiful and so lovely to read she is going to be staying with you too ;)....Have a lovely weekend...x

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  25. Oh wow, your quilt is going to be stunning Susan. And that gorgeous colour palette ... so very 'you' x

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    1. Thank you Annie...I'm really enjoying making the quilt...have done most of the quilting now and I'm ready to stitch some kind of border pattern....Hope you have a lovely weekend ♥...x

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  26. The colors you're using for both your quilt and your pillow are just so soft and beautiful. And I love the pictures of your new little helper too.
    I'm sure Miss Daisy is very good company in your workroom.

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    1. Thank you Susan!....Have a lovely new week :-) ...x

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  27. I love your fabric choices! so bright and cheerful, your miss daisy is SO cute :)

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    1. Thank you Summer....my quilt is almost finished...I'm just sewing the binding! ;) ...xx

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  28. Beautiful fabric. beautiful crochet and beautiful doggie xx

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  29. ♥ Thank you Cheryl ....hope you're having a lovely weekend ;) ...xx

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