Happy 200th!

" However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters."

And so gentle readers it began. Today is a very special day. On January 28th, 2013 we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice".

I am not sure when I fell victim to the P&P mystique but I strongly suspect it had something to do with Colin Firth's portrayal of Austen's Mr. Darcy. Since then I've listened, read and watched several renditions of Jane's book. And loved each and every delicious moment.

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.

“I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for. It is, I believe, too little yielding— certainly too little for the convenience of the world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of other so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.” 

And so... today I am celebrating. I rise early, pack lunches and send every one out the door. I will assemble my threads, fabrics, needles and thimble. I will clip the crusts off my cucumbers sandwiches and sip tea.

I have the 1995 BBC miniseries on DVD (with Colin Firth of course). Let the Pride and Prejudice marathon begin!

Happy 200th!

" However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters."

And so gentle readers it began. Today is a very special day. On January 28th, 2013 we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice".

I am not sure when I fell victim to the P&P mystique but I strongly suspect it had something to do with Colin Firth's portrayal of Austen's Mr. Darcy. Since then I've listened, read and watched several renditions of Jane's book. And loved each and every delicious moment.

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.

“I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for. It is, I believe, too little yielding— certainly too little for the convenience of the world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of other so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.” 

And so... today I am celebrating. I rise early, pack lunches and send every one out the door. I will assemble my threads, fabrics, needles and thimble. I will clip the crusts off my cucumbers sandwiches and sip tea.

I have the 1995 BBC miniseries on DVD (with Colin Firth of course). Let the Pride and Prejudice marathon begin!

Finished!

First things first... Happy New Year! I had a great couple of weeks in hibernation. Santa was wonderful (as usual) and I am now the happy owner of a lightpad! This is the newest version of a light box. I began coveting one after my first fusible applique class - and could see the advantages of not having to tape everything up on the window for doing transfers. But I'll talk about that later (in a future post).

Now for the matter at hand. (See pic above). I've had the Abbey Bag pincushion & scrapcatcher pattern for a couple of years now. I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the number of incomplete stalled  in process projects I have going at the moment, so I needed something quick and easy that "smelled of success". I also needed a pin cushion. I had seen this particular pattern done up in the "Housework Whenever" fabric line - and being as that pretty much is my credo for life (think grave marker material) I finally found it online in an Etsy store. (I had to purchase a whole quilt kits worth however - so I anticipate I may actually go to my grave swaddled in the stuff).

I have to say I really enjoyed making this pin cushion. It has a little inside pocket to hold anything from your TV remote (I confess I do watch telly while sewing something repetitious) or my glasses. I'd never heard of using crushed walnuts for stuffing but was willing to give it a go - and I am converted! I liked it much better than rice. I found it at Petsmart and I probabely have enough to make pincushions for everything person in my neighbourhood. I initially overstuffed the cushion the first time round and had to dump it out and start over.

The pattern also called for "fabric glue" - again something that I've never used before. But I ventured on. I decided to alter the pattern using a velcro patch to attach the scrap catch to the pincushion because I haven't really found the best place yet to put them both together  - *being left handed I like to keep my pins etc to my left*- so most of my notion etc are all there.

(* I have just had a eureka! moment and gone to Google images to ask "how to pin a seam allowance" it looks like lots of people pin with the pin head going to the right. I do the opposite. Hmmmm - I've never seen that before. I was taught to sew by my mom who is also left handed - is that why? I will try this to see if I can actually pull out pins and pop them into my pincushion with it on the right side - if this works then the scrapcatcher has a perfect home!)

Okay - back to the better at hand - here is my pretty pincushion all done! I will make a few more in the future to give as gifts...the Abbey Bag is delightful! So based on my personal taste of fabrics selected and my abilities I give this project a big 4/5 thimbles up!

Finished!

First things first... Happy New Year! I had a great couple of weeks in hibernation. Santa was wonderful (as usual) and I am now the happy owner of a lightpad! This is the newest version of a light box. I began coveting one after my first fusible applique class - and could see the advantages of not having to tape everything up on the window for doing transfers. But I'll talk about that later (in a future post).

Now for the matter at hand. (See pic above). I've had the Abbey Bag pincushion & scrapcatcher pattern for a couple of years now. I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the number of incomplete stalled  in process projects I have going at the moment, so I needed something quick and easy that "smelled of success". I also needed a pin cushion. I had seen this particular pattern done up in the "Housework Whenever" fabric line - and being as that pretty much is my credo for life (think grave marker material) I finally found it online in an Etsy store. (I had to purchase a whole quilt kits worth however - so I anticipate I may actually go to my grave swaddled in the stuff).

I have to say I really enjoyed making this pin cushion. It has a little inside pocket to hold anything from your TV remote (I confess I do watch telly while sewing something repetitious) or my glasses. I'd never heard of using crushed walnuts for stuffing but was willing to give it a go - and I am converted! I liked it much better than rice. I found it at Petsmart and I probabely have enough to make pincushions for everything person in my neighbourhood. I initially overstuffed the cushion the first time round and had to dump it out and start over.

The pattern also called for "fabric glue" - again something that I've never used before. But I ventured on. I decided to alter the pattern using a velcro patch to attach the scrap catch to the pincushion because I haven't really found the best place yet to put them both together  - *being left handed I like to keep my pins etc to my left*- so most of my notion etc are all there.

(* I have just had a eureka! moment and gone to Google images to ask "how to pin a seam allowance" it looks like lots of people pin with the pin head going to the right. I do the opposite. Hmmmm - I've never seen that before. I was taught to sew by my mom who is also left handed - is that why? I will try this to see if I can actually pull out pins and pop them into my pincushion with it on the right side - if this works then the scrapcatcher has a perfect home!)

Okay - back to the better at hand - here is my pretty pincushion all done! I will make a few more in the future to give as gifts...the Abbey Bag is delightful! So based on my personal taste of fabrics selected and my abilities I give this project a big 4/5 thimbles up!

Dear Jane ...

So after a few fits and starts and set backs and reviews and resuming, assuming, redressing, digressing etc etc...I am finally deciding to call it a day....

I've decided I won't be making the "Dear Jane - nearly insane" quilt  after all anytime in the near future.  It's taken alot for me to admit that it's just not in the cards for me...

I've got the book. And the software program. And the rulers. What I don't have is the commitment. Or the gumption.I started my whole "learn how to quilt" journey with the intention of someday making what is affectionately (awestruck) known to all as "that quilt". Groups from all over the world meet, blog and commiserate over their "baby janes".

But... it turns out that applique has hit me in a big way. And I've been hit hard. I have lots of projects in process - from nearly to not even nearly done. Projects that are on my wish list and my wistful list.

Having said that - another quilt has caught my eye... she's all applique - and I am smitten!

... come on now - what's a 196 blocks between friends?

Dear Jane ...

So after a few fits and starts and set backs and reviews and resuming, assuming, redressing, digressing etc etc...I am finally deciding to call it a day....

I've decided I won't be making the "Dear Jane - nearly insane" quilt  after all anytime in the near future.  It's taken alot for me to admit that it's just not in the cards for me...

I've got the book. And the software program. And the rulers. What I don't have is the commitment. Or the gumption.I started my whole "learn how to quilt" journey with the intention of someday making what is affectionately (awestruck) known to all as "that quilt". Groups from all over the world meet, blog and commiserate over their "baby janes".

But... it turns out that applique has hit me in a big way. And I've been hit hard. I have lots of projects in process - from nearly to not even nearly done. Projects that are on my wish list and my wistful list.

Having said that - another quilt has caught my eye... she's all applique - and I am smitten!

... come on now - what's a 196 blocks between friends?