the last post of the year

As Christmas is now over, I can show Jo's diary cover which I made for her this year. I embroidered the design on my embroidery machine. She actually laughed out loud on Christmas Day when she opened it. It made me smile too! This is the front:

This is the inside which, sadly, isn't seen unless you take the cover off!

And the back.

I used to have such trouble getting the covers to fit well but these days, I buy the exact same make of diary every year - obviously one year on from the previous year!! - and then I know that the cover will be the same size every time.

Our next door neighbours had a baby girl at the end of November so, naturally, I made her a quilt. I'm really happy with how it turned out. All those wonky triangles just make me smile!

The back is one side of a downie cover bought in the sales at the end of summer. That's quite a quick turnaround for me to have used it already!

My next project was to make myself a dress to wear for Christmas Day. I decided to use McCall's 8553.

I am not scared/wary/terrified of zips in the slightest but this one nearly broke me. I was so close to just throwing the whole thing in the bucket but I didn't. In the end, I decided to ignore the pattern's instructions for the zip and did it the way I thought it should be done and that made all the difference. By the way, the pattern tells you to use a metal zip and to cut off the ends to make it fit. No way was I doing that! I used a normal plastic zip and it worked just fine!

I'm so glad I persevered. I LOVE this dress! (As usual, my facial expression is just silly! 🤣)

It was so comfy to wear on Christmas Day - no tight waistbands to worry about! LOL

Jo got a kit to make a "gingerbread house" out of chocolate. We had so much fun sticking it all together with melted chocolate. We've made a few real gingerbread houses over the years and they've never gone together as well as this one did!

And demolishing it a few days later was fun too! Nom nom nom! 🤣

This was the last thing I made this year. I have so many tree wallhangings that I've decided it's my thing. You know, some people collect frogs or pigs or whatever. I make tree hangings! That's okay, I enjoy doing it and there's plenty of wall space to hang them! 🤣

So, that's 2025 nearly over. See you in 2026!

lemon curd, sewing, dogs and a quilt

I had an urge to make some lemon curd so dug through my recipe book to find the recipe I used to make many, many years ago. Here's the result. Oh my goodness, it was delicious. I say "was" because it didn't last long. I really need to make some more!

In case anyone's interested, this is the recipe.

Lemon Curd
Makes 2 x 250 ml jars.

4 lemons
200g granulated sugar
100g unsalted butter cut into cubes
3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk

Method
Zest and juice the lemons and put into a heatproof bowl along with the sugar and the butter.

Put the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir now and again until all the butter has melted.

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and egg yolk. Add to the lemon mixture and stir until everything is combined. Leave to cook for about 12 minutes stirring every now and again.

When the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, remove it from the heat and pass it through a plastic sieve to remove the zest and any egg white that hasn't mixed in. Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally.

Once cooled, spoon into sterilised jars and seal.

Keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks if it lasts that long!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I made myself some trousers. I used the old faithful pattern which I've used many times before - the Jalie pull-on pants. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!! I forgot to take a photo of them before I wore them so took one after I'd taken them off hence all the creases! LOL They are black, by the way. It doesn't look like black in the photo, but they are black!

Next, let me show you what we did with the frame for our old swing which finally gave up the ghost. Well, the swing part did. The cover needed replacing - it would have been the third time I'd recovered it - but, before I even got the idea in my head to make another one, Douglas sat on the swing and one of the metal parts holding the seat part together sheared off making it unsittable-on. (I'm sure that's not a word, but you get the idea!)

We had put it beside the side gate with the intention of taking it to the tip when our big bird feeding station bent over in one of the storms we've had recently depositing all the bird feeders and seed and suet balls all over the grass. I wondered if we could re-use the frame of the swing as a bird feeder thingy. It's not perfect but it works. The birds don't care what it looks like - in fact, I think they like it!!

Next, let me introduce you to Maisie. Debbie (and her family) got a new puppy. She's a Cavapoo and a wee terror by all accounts but then she is a puppy so that's her job! Isn't she adorable?

I was chatting on FaceTime the other day with both Joanna and Debbie and both their dogs put in an appearance. I suspect Tilly was quite glad that Maisie was in Canada. She really isn't sure what those funny little squeaking noises are. We're just telling her it's Maisie's Canadian accent! LOL

Lastly, Jo's neighbour is expecting her first baby so I offered to make them a baby quilt with all the appliquéed squares like one I made before shown here. This is the pile of all 49 appliqués. It took me nearly 2 weeks to make them all!

Here's the quilt all finished.

And here's the fleece on the back and the label.

If I make this again, I need to remember that it takes a l-o-n-g time to make all the squares but that it's worth it in the end. I just LOVE this quilt and hope Jo's neighbours and their baby will too!

busy, busy, busy

I've been busy sewing again. Nothing new there! LOL

First of all, I made another blouse using the Gilbert Top pattern from Helen's Closet Patterns - here.

I made this version about 1½" longer than my previous version which I showed here. I like the slightly longer version and might even make it another inch longer next time I make it.

Next I made some wee pouches for Joanna.

She likes them all. Yay! Also, I used scraps to make them so that's always a good feeling - it's like getting something for nothing.

One of Joanna's friends had a baby boy so she asked me if I'd make a baby quilt for him. Of course I would! I must say I am especially pleased with the way it turned out! All in boy-type fabrics and colours.

The back is a fleece which makes it cosy but sturdy at the same time.

Jo's friend texted her after receiving it in the post and said to Jo that her mum is soooo talented. That's me! And, yes, I am! LOL

I sold one of the knitting project bags I had for sale in the tartan bee. Yay! I made another one and got it loaded in - here.

Next it was time to sew some more Christmas stockings. 2 each of these fabrics:

One of each of these fabrics:

And 4 patchwork stockings - 2 with red backs and linings and 2 with green backs and linings.

I know it's a wee bit early but I confess that, whilst I made the stockings, I had Christmas music playing on my computer! What fun! 🎄🎅🏻

lots of different projects

I've been busy making lots of different projects recently. First of all, I made a rag dolly for Isla. She doesn't have a name yet - I'm leaving that to Debbie to do.

I had made the same dolly for Emily back in January, 2019. Her name is Sally.

When I made Sally, I promised myself I would never make another one - the pattern was very finicky and I can't say I enjoyed making it. Needless to say, I *had* to make one for Isla. Thankfully, it was much easier to make this time around as I'd written down a few changes to the pattern last time and it was much easier and enjoyable to sew!

Next it was back to the crate of Debbie's bits and bobs. I made up this quilt from a panel. It must be the quickest quilt I've ever made!!

Showing the fabric on the back.

I stayed with Debbie's crate and made up a couple of Christmas tablerunners. These were bits that had been left over from other projects so it was just a case of working with what I had. I'm really chuffed with how they both turned out.

The front:

And the back:

The front:

And the back:

Next it was some pinnies for Emily. One like this:

And 2 of each of these fabrics:

Next I decided to make a few embroideries. These two are now on my kitchen wall.

These 2 will be heading to Joanna's house when it's allowed.

Lastly, today I made a wee tutu for Emily. More of a wee net skirt, really. I'm a bit worried that there's not much of a swirl to it. I have more of the fabric so I can easily make another one for her if it's not swirly enough!

My next plan is to go through the box of bits for dolly's clothes. It's overflowing as it's been a while since I dived in there. I'm looking forward to playing!

Stay safe!

!!! 3 !!!

Our wee Emily is 3 today. Goodness me! How did that happen? I remember exactly where I was when Jason phoned me to tell me she had arrived ... at long last!

We all went to Emily's house on Sunday to have a birthday picnic/party with her. No way could we go outside but we were all quite happy inside! Before I show off the photos of her playing with her picnic basket and blanket, let me show you the finished quilt - the front:

The back and the embroidered label:

I made some mini napkins to go with it:

Then I had some fun making "food". First of all some sandwiches - ham and lettuce on the left and cheese on the right.

Some Oreos and jammie dodgers:

Some ginger nuts on the left and crackers with cheese on the right:

Some triangle cheese and some babybels:

And some egg sandwitches on white bread.

Honestly, I had way too much fun making the food and had to make myself stop! LOL

Here's Emily on Sunday emptying out her picnic basket with all the goodies inside. You'll notice she had put the quilt upside down - Pooh had to be upwards!

She had lots of fun sorting things out -

Then her mummy and Auntie Jo joined in the picnic fun pouring cups of tea and filling plates for anybody who wanted one!

Isla was very tired as she sat on her Grammie's knee wearing her bear ears hairband but she would not give in!

We all had a lovely time - it was a really fun day.

Happy birthday, Miss Emily. Have a lovely day! 🥰