Learning something new: Brush Script

A few weeks ago Rachel shared some brush script tips over at ASWC and then I started following Polkadot Creative over on Instagram and suddenly I was seeing brush script popping up everywhere. It looks like fun so when the kids wanted to do painting on the weekend I sat down next to them and started playing.

I had fun but was also feeling really stiff and tense. I think I need to loosen up a bit and just practice writing a few phrases first so that I have some muscle memory there for how I want my text to look.

And whilst my first effort is far from perfect, it's a start and that's better than nothing.

Have you done any brush script? Do you have any tips for me?

Or is there another craft you have wanted to try but have held back for fear of failure? 

ModernQAL Month 8: Crosswalk

It's month 8 of Modern QAL already and it's my turn to share with you how I put this block together.

This month block is Crosswalk and it was designed by Angela Pingel.

The block was pretty straight forward to put together. I used a piece of cardboard to mark out the fussy cut pieces. It worked, kinda, but I really do need to work on my fussy cutting technique...

Cut all pieces as per the picture below:

Make sure you layout all of your pieces correctly and then work in rows to piece together.

Construct your block in the following manner:

Piece each of the 8 units around the middle square by sewing strip B to either side of a fussy cut C rectangle. Press seams and sew an A strip to the outer end of each B/C/B unit. 

Sew the 3 units in Row 1 together and press the seams in one directions. 

Sew the 3 units in Row 2 and press the seams in the opposite direction of row 1.

Sew the units in row 3 together and press the seams in the opposite direction of row 2. 

With right sides together sew rows 1 and 2 together then sew row 3 to row 2. 

Trim to 12.5 x 12.5.

ASWC: Where We Craft

Next month over at And Sew We Craft we are sharing our where we craft BUT we want to share where you craft too!

Alyce put a call out on the blog a few weeks ago, but it seems that people are a little shy about sharing their craft spaces and we have only had a handful of submissions. Please don't be shy! We want to see ALL craft spaces, big and small. You might craft on your coffee table or in your dining room. Well we want to see it!

For all the details on how to get your craft space featured on And Sew We Craft please see this post: http://www.andsewwecraft.com/2013/10/craft-show-us-craft-room-space/

ASWC Crochet Along Progress

Or lack thereof...

Crochet and me, we have a troubled relationship. I have finally got me head around the concept of it, but I still struggle with it.

It is also slow going, so bets are on that when this crochet along winds up, I won't even be half way through my blanket. It will also be full of mistakes.

But as I was sitting down and doing my first row of double crochet today I think I came to peace with that fact. I mean who cares if there are mistakes in it? I am making this blanket for myself and no one else. It will also be my first ever crocheted blanket, no one is going to expect it to be perfect. I should have probably used a smaller hook too, but hey you only learn from your mistakes...

So I am just going to keep on keeping on, mistakes and all.

Are you crocheting along too?

ASWC Crochet Along

 So I am finally going to finish a crochet project that I start. At least that is what I am telling myself at the moment!

You see, Tonya aka The Crafty Mummy is hosting a Crochet Along over at And Sew We Craft and it starts today.

I have my yarn picked out and my crochet hook ready and I am pumped for some couch crafting but first I need to wind these skeins into balls, FUN!

The timing of this crochet along actually works out well as we have a few long drives in the next few weeks so it will make for the perfect car craft. Yipee!!

Will you be joining in?

Catching up

These past few weeks have been crazy busy and my sewing time hasn't taken priority so I am so so behind in my BOMs.

I really really wanted to finish the 2012 Fat Quarter Shop Block of the Months before the 2013 kits started to arrive, but alas that didn't happen and whilst I have started cutting the finishing kit I only just completed the 12 block this morning.

And you can tell it has been a while since I have made a pinwheel...

But it feels good to have it done.

And I even finished my one of my August blocks for the Modern Blocks quilt a long. I can't share the full block yet, but here is a little sneak peek-

I still have to make my solids version though. Maybe tonight!

It feels good to have them done, but I think my sewing will be limited for the next two weeks. We have visitors! Yay!

ASWC Fat Quarter Swap- Sign Ups close today!

Over on And Sew We Craft we are hosting a fabric swap.

But signups close today so get in quick!

Sign up here: http://www.andsewwecraft.com/2013/05/aswc-fabric-swap-sign-up/

Me, elsewhere

Lately over at And Sew We Craft:

 Creative Mess

Block 1 of the ModernQAL

The Block List for the QAL

 

And Sew We Craft Together Linky Party- Have you linked up yet?

Modern Blocks Linky Party {link up your month 1 Follow The Leader block for your chance to win an awesome prize!}  

I shared why I blog my makes...

Me, elsewhere

Next month on ASWC we are kicking off a year long quilt-a-long! I am super excited about this.

I posted about the QAL here:

Intro to the Quilt a Long

and here:

 Quilting Supplies

Do you quilt? Or would you like to start? I would love it if you joined in on the QAL with us x

Me, elsewhere

Here are a few of the posts I have written over at And Sew We Craft lately:

 

I shared this DIY: Sewing Machine Extension Table

And these gorgeous fabrics 

Also about how I was inspired by a fabulous presentation from QuiltCon

Me, elsewhere

Some of you may know that I have another blog. It is a blog where I solely talk craft. Be that sewing, quilting, stitching, painting, my measly attempts at crochet and occasionally knitting when my wrists and hands let me.

BUT many of you don't and I just wanted to share what has been happening over on And Sew We Craft of late.

Last fortnight we welcomed Anne of Domesblissity to our fabulous list of contributors! We are so happy to have Anne on our team and can't wait to see what yummy recipes she has to share with us.

Some of my most recent posts over there have been:

11 Ace Mod Podge Projects To Try

Stitched Notebooks

 I played with some spray paint and made this Neon Patterned door mat

And I shared my haphazard quilting techniques after I spilled some secrets about my fear of quilt patterns!

Things I'm Loving

It has been a while since I have done a Things I'm Loving post and thought today would be a great day for it.

This week has been pretty good.

B got a promotion!!! I might not be permanent as he has to complete the trial first, but I am still pretty excited for him.

I made myself a dress! I hadn't made any clothing for myself until this week.

I am loving my new ring!

And matching bookmark.

And check out what I received in the mail yesterday!

I can't wait to show you what I sent to my partner. I'll hopefully have it up on the blog on the weekend.

See I told you it was a good week. Well a part from the teething toddler that won't stop screaming or the fact that it looks like I have PCOS, but hey look at all the great stuff that did happen!!!

What are you loving this weeks?

I am linking up with Paisley Jade for Things I'm Loving

I have run out of things to say...

I was planning on writing a post here today, but I can't seem to get my words to come out properly, but not to worry, I posted over here this morning too.

I am sharing some last minute handmade gift ideas, so please pop over and check them out.

Image from here

Are you all ready for Christmas?

You can find me...

...over at here now too!

In all the excitement I forgot to tell you that I launched my new blog, And Sew We Craft on Sunday night.

I am still tinkering with it but please do check it out and let me know what you think.

Piquing my Pinterest

This week my Pinterest Pins have been pretty much all about crochet. It is something I have been trying to teach myself for the past 12 months, but I always throw my hands up in the air and give up.

Well, that is no more! My new blog will be going live this week and the first crafty challenge I am setting for myself is teaching myself to crochet. I figure if I do it publicly and have people follow my journey, then I will at least get one project finished!

Here are just a few of my 'Learn to Crochet' pins... I went a little pin crazy again!

Source: tipjunkie.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: easymakesmehappy.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: sixinthesuburbsblog.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: innerhooker.bigcartel.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: olavas.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: creativejewishmom.com via Amy on Pinterest

Can you crochet? Or do you think it is a skill best left to your Nana?

I am linking up with Tina from Tina Gray {dot} me for Piquing My Pinterest and Natasha from 5 Minutes Just For Me for Pinning and Singing.

Things I'm Loving

I haven't written a Things I'm Loving post for a few weeks, things have been crazy busy here and I haven't had a chance to stop and take stock and reflect on what I'm loving at the moment.









So here are just a few things that I'm loving today.

I'm loving the Caden and Mahli are coming along leaps and bounds in their swimming. They are just doing so well and are enjoying themselves in the process- No photo's of that, people get all funny about cameras at public pools...

I am loving that B and I got to go away last week and spend two whole days and nights being us and not Mum and Dad. Wish I could say we came home rested, but Melbourne is one big city and we walked... A LOT.

I am loving that at the Bloggers Brunch last week, they sung happy birthday to 6 of us and gave us cupcakes. We even got to blow out candles... okay, I was a little embarrassed by it, but it was a great gesture!

Add caption

I am loving this necklace that I made the other day. It is a pay-it-forward gift, but I think I need to make one for myself.

And I am loving that I am finally putting together a new blog that I have been dreaming of for a while. It should be all up and running next week sometime! I am looking for contributors too, so if you think you might be interested shoot me and email. I'd love to chat!

What are you loving at the moment?

I am linking up with Paisley Jade for Things I'm Loving.