The Saga Continues...

So I thought the sewing machine crisis was over... I cleaned and oiled it, wound a bobbin on, all the time feeling very self-satisfied. Then disaster struck; I couldn't get the fly-wheel to re-engage and so I am machine-less again. A  mechanic is coming to see it next Tuesday. Moving swiftly on...

Here are some Works In Progress:

This is a piece of fabric I bought on Ebay a few months ago. My plan is to quilt/embroider it, then frame it and hang it in my bathroom. The positive outcome of having no sewing machine is that it's enabling me to spend some time on all the hand-sewn jobs that I feel too guilty to work on when I could be making things to sell. And I enjoy hand-sewing, I like the added control, and because it's literally 'hands on' I think it's more intimate. Generally hand-sewn pieces take longer, so I consider the choices and decisions I make more deeply.

Here's something else I can crack on with while the S.M.C. continues. I'm knitting a patchwork blanket in muted pinks and greens for my bed, to keep me warm. Making this reminds me of Tita from 'Like Water For Chocolate', a good film and a gorgeous book.

My Mum lent this to me when I went to stay last week. I really want to learn how to crochet so that I can make one of those multi-coloured patchworked granny crochet blankets, or one of the really cute crocheted animals I've seen around, I think they're called 'granimals' (what a fab name). I also thought while I'm practising I could make some squares for my blanket.

And finally one of Annie's W.I.Ps: her first piece of knitting- she's making a scarf for her baby-doll.

My multi-talented daughter is also responsible for my new 'author' portrait. I encouraged her to draw what she could see rather than what she thought was there, and to be honest, there is an actual resemblance, I can see where she's coming from! And I'm actually quite fond of it now.

So I have plenty to occupy my hands and mind. Pictures of fabrics waiting to be cut and stitched next time...