Christmas Baking - Part 2

So after a few weeks of attempting to feed my Xmas cakes with brandy (they were fussy eaters!) I have finally got to the decorating stage.  I had forgotten quite how much time should be dedicated to this to allow for drying out.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

And finally they were popped in boxes as we're not eating them both ourselves.

I found these boxes in a local cake shop and think they're perfect for gifting.

Sunday Progress

A fair amount of progress to report this weekend.

Firstly a finish...

My magic loop socks are off the needles and on my feet.  The magic loop technique took a little getting used to but I'll definitely use it again, I didn't miss juggling multiple dpns.

Next, I've started binding the table runners...

I found the binding fabric in my stash, I was going to use plain black fabric but in reality it looked a bit harsh.  I'm glad I had a large enough piece of the spotty fabric, I still have enough of it for its original project too.

I've re-started my next sewing UFO; not a huge amount done but it's got me back in the groove.

And finally there's the Xmas things...

Enough said about that at the moment! (Although it does seem to be going a little better)

Not quick, not easy!

As I have finally finished one of my knitting UFOs I decided to move onto the next item on the list ... the cryptically named Xmas things.   I have made these before and I remembered them as a relatively quick and easy project.

WRONG!

After two hours work last night this is what I had to show for it...

A wonky beaded cast on and one row of knitting.  The cast on required the use of the thumb method which I haven't used a lot but am usually ok with, apart from last night! Add to that not checking number of beads and yarn colours before starting and a huge knotted join in the green yarn and I'd have to say last night was not a fun knitting night.

I'm sure things will improve. At least I've decided to be realistic and aim to finish these things for Xmas 2018!

Sunday Progress

Between work busyness and it being the time of year for social events galore I didn't expect to have much to report this weekend, but a spurt of activity on Friday has helped this post.

I've basted and quilted the two table runners, nothing fancy just diagonal lines on the random one and horizontal lines on the other.

The second photo is more representative of the backing fabric, just a random piece I bought in a bundle a few years ago.  I may regret not quilting more heavily as I've used both heat resistant wadding and a layer of normal wadding as recommended somewhere.  Hopefully I'll get the chance to put the binding on this week.

I also have just 14 rows left of the sock foot before the toe, that's got to be doable this week!

Christmas Shopping

I know it's the time of year for buying things for other people, but I've found one or two crafty items falling into my shopping trolley...

A Lewis and Irene Fabulous Forties in Small Things at Christmas...

West Yorkshire Spinners signature Christmas yarn and a coordinating ball.

I do have a plan for using these, but I've had a reality check and decided they'll be finished for next Christmas!

And just in case anyone is concerned I have managed some non-crafty Xmas shopping.

Beautiful distraction

I can't remember why but I decided to treat myself to the Millefiori Quilts book without knowing much about it except it's all English paper piecing (EPP) and the front cover quilt is stunning.

The book is lovely just to look through. There's an interesting section on the author at the front and it's in French and English.

Now I own the book I also know that the shapes are small

On average the sides seem to be no longer than an inch.

There are pages of instructions for each of the quilts which require hundreds, or even thousands of shapes.

And finally it's not only the front cover quilt which is stunning, all of them are in my opinion.

I also know I want to make at least one of them, can't decide which one, and I need to get my brave pants on.  Luckily this should suit my crafting style in that a quilt will take years to complete!

This book is definitely distracting me from what I should be doing and I'm still only at the browsing and deciding stage.

Christmas Baking

The fruit for our Christmas cakes has been soaking for several weeks and there was no need to put the central heating on during the day (we have a range cooker which runs our central heating, it rises to above the temperature I needed to bake at when the heating is on and can't easily be lowered) so today seemed the ideal day to bake the cakes.

I had decided to bake two cakes as we're visiting over Xmas, in future I won't try and mix both cakes at the same time!

All these eggs went into the mixture.

The completed mixture ready to be split between two tins. A slight delay was caused by needing to find the base of a tin and then fiddling round lining the tin. 

All worth it though...

These two are sitting on the kitchen side cooling prior to being given their first brandy feed.  Decorating is planned for the Thursday before Xmas.

The recipe I use is Ruth Clemens' from The Pink Whisk which can be found HERE

And just in case anyone is wondering I haven't finished the sock, although I have turned the heel.

Thursday Progress

A bit delayed with this month's progress report but at least progress has been made!

I've got as far as the heel flap on the sock

Considering the first one took me over a year and at least two false starts this is extremely rapid progress. Joking apart there is a slim chance that I might have it finished this weekend.

A bit of effort has also been dedicated to the blanket resulting in an almost completed square. 

This is actually quite a quick one but I find using the cable needle I currently have a little tricky.

Onward and upwards!

Friday Night Sew In ...the results

A late start to this FNSI but I managed to get what I planned done and for once it was wholly sewing.

My workspace all set up

Work in progress

I concentrated on nesting the seams so that everything would line up.  I was mostly successful and at least not noticeably unsuccessful!

Two complete tops

I'm really pleased with them and quite amazed at how bright they are. I still don't think I strongly prefer one layout over another, which is a good think as it means I want to finish both.  I have a wildly optimistic idea I could have them layered and quilted by the end of this weekend, judging by what else we've got planned this weekend I think that might be too optimistic!

How did everyone else's FNSI go?

Friday Night Sew In

For the first time in ages (possibly the first time this year) I will be taking part in Friday Night Sew In. For those of you who haven't come across it yet its a virtual get together of quilters around the world via their blogs.  On the designated Friday evening we all see together and then share our results on our blogs.

If you want to know more or to join in visit the sign in page on Wendy's blog ...HERE

See you Friday!

My Ultimate Gadget

After a trip to IKEA last week to pick up some necessary parts I finally got my new 'gadget' set up over the last few days.

This...

Plus this...

Becomes this...

Throw in my own sewing machine and a test piece of fabric and ... wallah...

...a freestyle quilting frame from Cotton Orchard Quilts, who are conveniently located about an hour from my home (and IKEA trestle legs supporting it).  

We first came across these at the Great British Sewing Bee Live.  I'd always dreamed of having a long arm quilter but space and finances prevented it, so I was in love when we saw these.  I've gone for a 2.5m frame which can hold quilts up to 2.1m wide ish.  I am going to try and squeeze the wedding quilt onto it, but in future if I want to larger quilts I'm going to have to probably quilt as I go.

Had my first play on it this evening...

(Underneath view - no eyelashes in this bit)

(It was suggested that initial practice was carried out on a cheap bedsheet without wadding to practice technique)

Lots more practice required and I'm going to have to re-read my FMQ books for inspiration.

Sunday Progress - Feels like déjà vu

Still going...

Halfway down the leg of the second sock. It's been a busy and tiring week at work so not a whole lot of progress has been made on the UFO's, but a little is better than nothing!

Fridays - Fruit and Gadgets

I'm in the lucky situation that I now often get Friday evenings to dedicate to crafting and I try to make the most of it (post working week tiredness permitting). 
This Friday I started to sew together my fruit squares.  They are destined to be a table runner, but I couldn't decide on the best layout even after drawing the options...



 So I decided to sew both seeing as I had plenty of squares.  (It has just occurred to me that I could have just laid the squares out and chosen my preferred layout but nevermind).  So far all the rows are sewn together and pressed.  Still waiting on so heat resistant wadding to be delivered, but hopefully it won't take too long.

This Friday was a very good craft day as I spent the afternoon purchasing a quilting "gadget" I'd never thought I'd own.

At the moment it looks like this...

And this...

 But hopefully after a quick-ish trip to IKEA I'll have something much more exciting to show.

Sunday Progress...Avoiding second sock syndrome

With minimal time dedicated to craft this week I have actually managed to finish my first magic loop sock.

And I have even started the second sock...

It's the sensible thing to do!

Being optimistic I have decided on my next UFO list:

1. Xmas stocking.
2. Little Xmas knits.
3. Sparkle punch quilt.
4. Cushion cover.

Again a couple of relatively quick ones and some more long term projects.  Of course nothing, well at least the Xmas stocking, can't be worked on until the mystery blanket is finished.  Good thing I don't want the stocking for this year!

Sunday Progress - Turning a corner

To a certain extent, work and work related socialising has impeded my crafty progress this week. Although saying that an overnight shift did allow me to focus on my sock knitting (and sort some random 2.5 inch squares that I have for some reason that I don't remember...more about them another time).

The outcome of this sock dedication is that I have finally turned the heel on my first magic loop sock.

I realised I'm a bit out of practice with any method of sock knitting but I got there with a bit of googling.

The magic loop technique definitely makes for an easily portable project (no chance of runaway needles) 
but it feels a little slower than using dpns with all the adjusting for front and back. Maybe I'll have to start another pair using dpns once I've finished this as a sort of experiment!?

Oh and this is how I port my portable knitting projects...

It's actually a large climbing chalk bag, but ideal for a single ball of wool and short needles or a crochet hook.  Ive recently noticed the loop on the front which can hold scissors or such like if needed.

Sunday Progress - a little late but (almost) worth the wait

The less exciting news first. I have finished another patch on my knitted blanket.

This one seemed really quick as it was pretty much just 2 rows repeated 25 times. 

Only three more squares to go (unless I've managed to miss another patch somewhere along the line).

And now onto the star of the show...

The Xmas quilt is finished ... binding on, ends sewn in and tacks removed. Started over Xmas 2011 it's finally done for Xmas 2017!

With the finishes slowly building up I'm considering what other UFOs and unstarted projects to focus on next.

Feeling Fruity

My crafting this week seems to have developed a fruit theme (assuming you can call baking crafting). 

I have finally started a project using the RJR Farmer's Market fabric, which I've probably had longer than this blog.

I'd always intended on making something for a dining table for the but wasn't entirely sure about a design. I bit the bullet and cut them into 3.5inch squares which I will use to make a simple table runner (maybe two if I have enough squares).

I love the almost photographic nature of the print.

The other fruit I have been working with is the fruit for a Christmas cake, once again I'm using the Pink Which recipe ... HERE ...tried and tested and all that.

Ideally the fruit has to soak in brandy and sweetened orange juice for six weeks, being stirred daily for the first week - smells amazing! Last year I made my cake very last minute and only soaked the fruit for a couple of days, still tasted good though.