Sunday, January 14, 2007

Well, I've been merrily ticking things off my list this weekend. First, I did my tax return - it has to be in by January 30th. I have been putting it off and putting it off, and how long did it take me? About 30 minutes! I used to do some self employed work as well as a salaried job so that is why I've ended up having to complete one, though I haven't done the self employed bit for 3 or 4 years now.


So, once it was out of the way I could enjoy myself. My friend's little girl had asked me to make a patchwork quilt for a little animal doll she has. It only needed to be 5 X 7 inches. I cut 1 1/2 inch squares from leftover strips from Antique Cutie to make it. Somehow I don't think miniature quilts will ever be my thing. On the picture for scale (though I don't think I'm in much danger of anyone mistaking it for a full size quilt) you can see my favourite sewing tool, a pair of little thread snippers. They are so cheap but sharp and they just fit my hand and I don't know what I'd do without them. You can see how much use they've had from where the paint has rubbed off. I saw another pair when I was in Carlisle and bought them so I could have a pair by the sewing machine and a pair by my sofa in the living room - at £1.25 who could resist? What is your all-time favourite sewing tool?


I also made up a string block in honour of Nancy's Birthday Request. Thought you might like to see the clutter in which I work - and you know what, I kind of like it that way! I did another star block too, but I'll wait to show that until I've got a bunch more done. Hope the pics will enlarge if you click on them, but it doesn't always seem to happen.


Now I'm back in the throes of working I think my posts will get more sporadic again. I think I'm better at posting in the summer - you can work better in natural light. DH and I went for a walk this afternoon as it was actually bright and sunny - we are thinking of moving, probably in the same neighbourhood, but we need more space so we thought we'd go out and see what we could see. Not a lot, I think people wait for the spring to put their houses on the market. Means we've got to get our act together by then too, and sort out that loft. Oh yes, that would be the one that is so cram bang full of stuff that you can't walk from one side of the room to the other :-( It's going to be a mammoth task!

14 comments:

The Calico Cat said...

Why are your taxes due on my birthday? - not much of a present...

Love the mini quilt!

Joyce said...

There's nothing like moving to get organized and to get rid of junk. We haven't moved for over 20 years and I absoultely dread the thought. We have soooo much stuff. Maybe we'll just stay here till we die and let someone else deal with it all. Lol.

meggie said...

Moving is such a pain!
I hope we dont have to, but we have stairs which can be a problem for me. we have only been here 8 years, but I seem to have accumulated MOUNTAINS of 'stuff'. LOL.

Unknown said...

So tell me Fiona - why should your loft be any less cluttered than anyone elses (TIC) - love the mini-quilt I'm sure the recipient will too

Tazzie said...

Your miniature is just lovely, the fabrics are so sweet. I think my snippers are among my favourite tools too, and I purchased them by accident!
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

Libby said...

The mini is just darling -- tiny little pieces just send me over the moon *s*

Lois R. said...

I love the mini -- it is darling! Minis are my new favorite thing.

Nancy said...

Thank you for the string block for my birthday! And I have to ditto the snippers as a favorite gadget. I have them all over the house and in my notions bag I carry to bee with me.

McIrish Annie said...

cute mini!! I need to start thinking about my taxes too. I took tax accounting in college and ever since I've become the family accountant! at least the computer program makes it easy!

Finn said...

Hi Fiona, the little quilt for the animal doll is just darling. I think those little projects are fun..especially when requested by a child..*VBS* glad you got those taxes out of the way. Hugs, Finn

Anonymous said...

Very cute little mini! I was thrilled to see you're in Leicester - I was born in Oadby and worked at the Leicester Royal Infirmary for several years before emigrating to Oz. I've been here now for about 22 years. I'm glad to see patchwork and quilting is alive and well in the Midlands!

Judy said...

The mini is so marvelous! Just a tiny little treasure!

Shelina said...

Whoa, you did your taxes in 30 minutes?!?! Hmm, the old instructions used to tell you how much time they thought it would take you to complete it. Doesn't anymore, but I think it was around 4 hours.
Your doll quilt is cute. If I showed a picture of a block with the clutter, you wouldn't be able to find the block!

Clare said...

That's not clutter - that's tidy! I saw those thread cutters when we were over. Will have to ask Mum to send over a couple of pairs. I also discovered Dunelm - wow! I love the doll's quilt.