Tuesday 23 October 2007

Honey...

Madness...the last few days have been a bit of a 'making' frenzy...Usually I plan to make something and other things take over...housework, food shopping, cooking and even a little socialising...not this time...busy busy busy. So without further a do I will 'show and tell' First I would like to introduce you to the new member of the 'Suzie Sews family' this is Honey Bear. Yer!!!I made him! I know I am in shock myself...I went on a one day work shop taken by a member of my patchwork class. This is not something I have ever felt a need to make, but as I like the person doing the class and it was a good excuse to spend the day at my sewing machine I went along. The day did not disappoint. Now let me tell you...there is nothing cute about making bears...pins, washers, making holes and sticking in huge needles...not very cute at all...but look at the results...How cute is he!!! Of course the children all wanted a cuddle and to claim him for themselves, but as he is jointed and with glass eyes he is more of a Mommy kind of bear...The children named him, it was between Shmoo, Toffee and Honey and Honey won.
Now for a little late night crafting due to not being able to sleep I got round to making the cushion to match the quilt (see previous posts), it helps as the cushion pad is a very fluffy feather filled one and it makes the perfect little Autumnal set to snuggle under whilst doing a little hand sewing or knitting as the nights are now so dark and cold!!!
Its not just been me that has had the sewing bug...my two babes have taken to sitting on the sofa in my sewing room and as long as I provide them with their leap pad's or some books they tend to sit there quite happily. I noticed yesterday my older one eyeing up my machine and then he got upset 'Mommy have you got rid of my sewing machine???' In the clear out to make the play room in to a sewing room the children knew a lot of the toys they had grown out of got taken (with their OK) to the Hospice charity shop. Of course I have not got rid of it, its all packed away in the corner...'BUT!!!I want to sew now' What was a Mommy supposed to do...SO with a scrap of fabric he got busy making a bean bag, he filled it with split pee's (dried ones) and hand sewed the gap...now I know it does not look that much, but as my little one has had a hearing problem for many years his hand eye co ordination is not as good as he would like, so this is a major achievement for him, as for me I am one proud Mom!
Saturday was my patchwork class and I am now on to another quilt...yes I know the last one is not yet finished...Anyway after a rather sleepless night I found this class incredibly hard...I just could not get it...suddenly I had one of those light bulb moments and it all came together...I just have to sew the eight pieces together and my first block is done. That night I return home, put the children to bed and fell asleep with my youngest one (Oh the power of that child's cuddles) and I awoke the next morning after ten hours sleep...It is over eight years since I have slept like that...EIGHT YEARS!!!
Now I know not many people know this, but I am a qualified florist, this was the career I fell into (well actually...gently pushed) when it was felt that art college was a little to bohemian for a fragile daughter like myself. As with most careers when art is involved the pay was very low and I was unable to support myself so I sadly gave it up and worked in a travel and sales. I miss this profession and I am aware that even now if I went back to it I would not even be able to cover the childcare costs. So every now and again I get to make an arrangement for Church. This week was special as it was a wedding so I had three large pedestals to make. Armed with four buckets full of flowers and greenery cut fresh from my garden I got busy...sadly I did not get a picture of the three pedestals finished, but this one gives you an idea of what they looked liked, it was requested that lots of ivy and cream flowers be used with a touch of gold...

So busy busy busy...I am off to make a rabbit cushion now...projects not shown that has been worked on over the last few days... baby bibs, crochet squares, knitting and some lovely Reading...an amazon order arrived with some great books I have seen out there in blog land...

15 comments:

Locket Pocket said...

Wow you have been busy! Congratulations on all those wonderful projects - hope you are enjoying half term with your littlies. Lucy x

dutchcomfort said...

I always knew there was an artist behind the sewing Suzie!! Your bear, quilt, cushion, patchwork and floral arrangement look all very beautiful!

Anonymous said...

That bear is so cute!
Have a lovely half term break, sounds like your son is taking after you and getting into sewing.

Anonymous said...

I love the bear! I love the new quilt block! I love the flowers! I'm a full of love, all for you!

AC said...

I have not been at the computer much recently but made a special effort tonight to say a huge THANK YOU...my parcel arrived this morning:-)!!!!!
It is perfect...I just love the bag project and by the looks of it Heather wants me to make her one as well.
Only got to last till bonfire night then things should look up.
Take care,
Thank you.
Alison xxx

Mrs Moog said...

Beautiful bear, beautiful everything! I love your son's sewing too. My Minx has had the sewing bug this week.
Glad to meet a fellow florist - I was a trained florist who would have loved art college too and left the profession for the same reasons. Long hours, poor pay etc but it is something that never leaves you, which you so beautifully demonstrate with your church arrangement :)

Monkee Maker said...

Heavens to mergatroid, you've all been busy!

The bear is so cute, the cushion lovely and the flowers beautiful!

What a talented family you are :)

weirdbunny said...

You have been busy ! love the patchwork, and that teddy after all the hard work must definately be a mummy's teddy !

Unknown said...

Spiky chrysanths - my absolute favourite - we had a January wedding and they were in short supply - the family friend who did the copious flowers for the church bought the entire wholesale stock and the florist couldn't get hold of any for my bouquet. The arrangement in your post is absolutely luscious - flower arranging is something I just can't seem to get my head (or my fingers) round at all :o)

Thimbleanna said...

Gosh, you've been busy! Honey is adorable, the quilt and cushion are beautiful and the flowers are gorgeous. Such talent!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely bear, quilt, cushion and beanbag! You are so productive. I wish I could actually get around to making something too!

saraeden said...

The bear is very cute :0)

I was a florist too i had my own florists for about 3 years but sadly due to family problems it had to close .... i miss the flowers but not the early mornings and late nights !!!

Sara x

Linda said...

Lovely busy-ness! I did my first ever bit of quilting the other day, not as good as yours I am afraid!

Heather said...

I love the new patchwork star - I am not a quilter can you tell? I am probably calling it the wrong thing. My mom is a quilter, so I should know, but...
Your floral arrangement is gorgeous. I am sure the bride was thrilled!
Heather

this is my patch said...

Crikey, how do you find the time to read your books from Amazon with all those other projects on the go. I do agree with you though about the mundane things in life taking over from the pleasurable ones, every once in a while you have to say no to the former. I love your miniature bear, I have collected a handful of miniature bears over the years, I have a photo of my favourite one on my other blog, yours is definitely a grown-ups kinda bear. One of these days I would like to have a go at flower arranging, I have a book with some simple ideas in, which I must give a try sometime. Thanks for your latest comment on my blog, you may find that your neighbours are feeding the birds as well so the birds are sometimes having to be elsewhere, this happened to me, but keep looking as they are about. Louise x