Quilting for beginners workshop, day two.

On Friday last week Piran went off with his Auntie and Nanny to the zoo and I made my merry way back to the Owl and Sewing Cat over in Eastbourne for day two of my quilting course. I had enjoyed week one a great deal and was looking forward to getting back down to it and finishing my quilt.

We started by 'stitching the ditch' up and down the grid on the front of the quilt that was made up of the four fat quarters. You can just about see the stitching here on the back. I am afraid to say that I found it quite difficult to stay in a straight line. Practice makes perfect though and I was getting there at the end, I just needed to keep going and be more consistent with my speed. Our machine had a walking foot on it but you needed to go at a very slow steady pace to keep the control and I struggled with that at the beginning.

The next step was to mark out the pattern we were going to quilt in the squares. We were provided with a template and we marked up a few squares at a time and then we had to forget the straight lines and get on with the wiggly ones!

Again, it was a trial and error kind of thing and I did have a few problems where I was stopping and moving the fabric and then starting again creating a jump in the lines. But I must admit that I preferred doing these wavy lines to the straight ones!

Then we did a wave along the border, which I think you can see in this picture below. That was my favourite part, I found it the easiest of all and as it was one continuous line I got in the groove and it turned out really well.

We then just stitched on the border strips, flipped them over and tacked them to the back ready for hand sewing. By then it was nearly 5pm and time to go home!

Here is the finished item with me, as proud as anything!

Two nights of TV watching later and the binding is fully hand sewn into place and the quilt is completed. It is a thing of beauty and it is mine, all mine. I did think that it might be for Thumper but I very rarely make anything for myself so I have decided to keep it. I am already dreaming up fabric combinations for one for her.

I really had an amazing time, I loved sitting sewing in the shop and I am keeping an eye on the sewing classes that they have coming up once I am on maternity leave, if I can get close enough to a table / sewing machine that is!

A month of Sundays - February

Silent Sunday #15

The Gallery: Expressions

This is my favourite expression.

Quilting for beginners workshop, day one.

A friend who is fully aware of my fabric addictions came over a few weeks ago and she bought me an article she had pulled out of a local magazine about a new fabric shop called Owl and Sewing Cat over in Eastbourne. I noticed that it had a website and had to have a little look. I was interested to see that they ran sewing classes and a 2 day Quilting for Beginners course caught my eye. So, last Friday I waddled off to Eastbourne for my class. I was very nervous but I had a really great time.

The shop is relatively small but packed to the ceilings with beautiful things. It is set out really well too with a table with sewing machines for workshops and demonstrations. Spending 6 hours there it was very tempting to go mad and spend all of my money on fabric but thankfully I had other things to keep me busy. There were four of us on the course in total. We got settled and had a bit of an introduction from the tutor Yvonne, and then it was straight into the sewing.

It was really nice to be sat sewing with other people. I am so used to just being in my spare room all alone. There were times when we chatted and times when you could have heard a pin drop (there were plenty of those) we were all concentrating so much.

The quilt is made from four fat quarters cut into 8 and a half inch squares and sewn together with a quarter inch seam allowance. Then we added a 4 inch border. I was relieved that I managed to get all my birds the right way up and the sequence right on each row! (I splashed out and chose this Michael Miller fabric. I big fat squishy heart it). We were taught how to iron the seams and pin the rows together so that your squares met perfectly at the corners. I was very impressed.

I had my camera, my phone and a book for notes. I do not trust my baby brain. I am in love with this machine. It is so much better than mine. I think that now I am sure that sewing isn't just a passing phase, that I love it like I do that I should buy myself a good machine.

Another period of concentration and I had my borders on. It was done in a way I hadn't seen before and was really easy.

So pretty! Then we had time to put the layers together. My quilt is backed with the bird fabric, and has a polyester wadding in the middle. After much smoothing I was introduced to my new dream tool, the micro stitch. A magic little gun that shoots little plastic tacks through the material to keep the layers together. No pins. No basting. Click, click, click, done.

I went click, click, click, add micro stitch to wish list. It was just amazing.

That was the end of day one. I had such a great time and in the quiet periods I amused myself by tweeting my progress and had some great comments. Next week we are back to learn how to machine quilt and then add the binding. It was just so nice to have the opportunity to do something I really love and learn some new skills.

I will definitely take more pictures next week and show you all how I got on. I highly recommend their sewing classes if you live anywhere near - check out their website. If you don't live near they have a selection of their fabrics for sale online.

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post or review. I paid for the course myself and I am just writing about it because I had such a wonderful time.

Silent Sunday #14

Those magical moments in pregnancy #3

When going all the way to the Baby Show it is a good idea to double check where it is being held or you might find yourself in the rain on the wrong side of London.

Could I be the only person that didn't make it to the Baby Show due to Baby Brain?

Those magical moments in pregnancy #2

When Piran was a few weeks old I decided that all nappy changes at home would happen upstairs. I thought this would be a good way of making sure I got a teeny bit of exercise each day walking up and down the stairs.

As I wrestled Piran up the stairs (refusal to climb, wanting to be carried) for the third time the other day it suddenly occurred to me that now I was pregnant I didn't really need to go up and down the stairs all day and could change him downstairs.

Wish I'd realised that a few weeks ago!

Those magical moments in pregnancy #1

Recently there have been some little snippets that I think are too short for a blog post, but that I want to capture so I am going to start a little series of these.

A couple weeks ago we were at the Royal Albert Hall at a performance of Cirque De Soleil. Towards the end of the interval I popped to the toilet. I was dismayed to find that despite the fact I was in a hurry, and definitely needed to go, the baby was in such a position that it seemed impossible. In my attempt to find a better angle to empty my bladder I leaned backwards, accidentally set off the automatic flush and got a rather cold shock I wasn’t expecting!

The Gallery: Togetherness

The Gallery this week is Togetherness. This one was easy for me. I never tire of seeing these two people together. I love to stay out of the way and just watch them together. I love the way their heads touch or they hold hands. I love just being in a different part of the house and listening to them play. He thinks his Daddy is the most amazing person in the world and I think I might agree.

I couldn't pick just one photograph this week. So here are some of my favourites.

Review: Baby Loves Disco at The Komedia, Brighton

Our Sunday afternoon was a little more exciting last weekend as instead of having lunch with the inlaws and mooching around the house Piran and I had a date with some friends and Baby Loves Disco at The Komedia in Brighton. I really wasn't sure what to expect at a disco for small people and it certainly was an experience!

We arrived and after queuing for a short while went upstairs in a lift to stow the buggy and then downstairs to the basement to party. Piran was wide eyed and amazed at what he saw. The room was set up with a big dancefloor, a few tables and chairs around for resting those tired legs and some various tables around the room. There was food included in the ticket price (£8 per person / child, non walkers allowed in for free) and it included a simple spread of savory snacks, fruit and fruit juice. No sweets in sight which was good.

It took me a little while to adjust to the fact it was a club filled with babies and small children. It was hot and dark and very disco, with flashy lights. I have been to the Komedia many times before but I am usually watching comedy and drinking. It was a good venue for it though and the room size / access was great. I met up with friends and their small people and everyone seemed to be having a great time.

None of my photos came out very well at all but you get the idea!

For the adults the fully licensed bar was open so if a room full of tiny dancers was a bit much for you (it was like 10 children's parties all in one room!) then you could grab a beer or glass of wine. At one point there were free ice lollies for the children, although I didn't see anyone giving them out. There was free face painting and a 'chill out zone' with toys and various bits for the under threes.

The music was strictly disco, no kids music at all which was great. The music did remind me of a wedding reception disco but it was all fun and easy for the kids to dance to. There were dance competitions and prize winners as well as free face painting which was lovely.

Piran unfortunately at 18 months found it all a little overwhelming and for most of the afternoon insisted that I held him or clung to my legs. At 6.5 months pregnant that was a little interesting to say the least and my back and arms were killing me by the end! I think in future I will wait until he is a bit older before we return and get our groove on. He did let me get far enough away to take this picture and he looks like he is having fun!

For more information check out the Baby Loves Disco website - there are dates in London, Manchester, Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling. The next date in Brighton is Sunday 15th May.

Disclaimer: Piran and I were given free entry to the event for the purpose of this review. I will admit I was pretty impressed he was on the guest list of his first disco ever.

Silent Sunday #13

#RANT

Dear Everyone*,

The fact I am pregnant does not mean the first thing you should comment on when seeing me is my size. It's rude.

No I'm not 'really big'. You obviously have no bloody idea what size a pregnant person is, and the midwife says it's normal, so there.

Saying "Oh you look well" in a shocked tone of voice does not make me feel good. What did you expect? I'm pregnant not ill.

Saying "Oh you look nice" in a shocked tone of voice is also bloody annoying. It's a black tie do, what did you think I would wear? Tracksuit bottoms?

I actually don't mind people touching the bump if 1) you ask first 2) I have met you before.

Dear shop assistants / strangers / old people please see my first point. I don't need you to comment on my size.

Yes I really do have three months left. Yes I'm sure.

No it's not bloody twins in there.

Yes we do know the sex, it's a girl. No I don't consider that getting a set, I'm not collecting them FFS.

No I'm not "relived" that this one is a girl so I don't have to have any more. I want children, probably three and no one is forcing me to have them until I get one of each.

Sneezing / laughing / coming down stairs quickly will not make the baby come out. I wish it was that easy.

How am I feeling? I have constant indigestion, and I'm tired, moody & pregnant actually. Might be better if you don't ask that one.

I am able to still have a conversation that is in no way baby / pregnancy related. In fact I may kiss you if you talk to me about something else.

Please note, always asking about Piran as a change of subject can be just as annoying. I love talking about my kids as much as the next person, but I'm still an interesting human being, not just a mum. Okay?

*If you are reading this it probably isn't you I'm talking to. You are all lovely.

The Gallery: 24 hours

This week's gallery theme is 24 hours. I went to sleep on Friday night considering which of the next few days I could use where I would be able to take some interesting photos. Then I got home on Saturday and realised that I had completely forgotten so it would have to be a different day.

When I sat down on Sunday to take the pictures off my camera from our couple of days away in London, there it was just staring me in the face. I had taken pictures all through Friday. Dingbat!

Anyway, this is not a typical day in the life. Mr C and I were away on a work do (we work together hence we both went). It was nice to have a couple days baby free (except Thumper of course) and get spoilt a bit. There is a bit of a random mix of photos!

Review: Lumilove Penguin Nightlight from Pabobo

First impressions: I love anything penguin so I was very excited when this light arrived. Piran was also quite keen and grabbed it and ran off with it. Not great when it needs charging!

We liked: It is a great shape for little hands to hold. It has small cold LED lights so doesn't get warm so I didn't mind if Piran picked it up. It has a nice blue glow and isn't too bright. Each full charge is meant to give eleven hours of light, and I think it is probably longer as it is still glowing when I get Piran up after 12 or so hours.

We didn't like: I don't understand why it doesn't glow when it is on the base. It has an on / off button on its base so in my mind I would have liked it to glow when charging too, as I could use the button to turn the light off if I wanted. If I forget to place it back on the base every morning then we don't have it for that night.

Edited: Statement from Pabolo: You said you don't understand why it doesn't glow when on its base. We would have liked it but an EC Standard settle that a product which is charging can’t be glowing on its base. It is to avoid children to be attracted to the light or to the power plug. However, This EC standard enable the use of the Lumilove Penguin from birth.

Overall: I really like this nightlight and we will continue to use it. I like the idea that Piran could carry it to the toilet in the night when he is older. Unfortunately I am unable to find the penguin for sale in the UK, but you can get this ghost shaped one from Amazon.

Further information: Check out the Pabolo website for further information on their products. The chain light is very cute.

Disclosure: We were sent the Lumilove Penguin free of charge for the purpose of this review.

Third trimester, the downhill stretch?

Time is a funny thing when you are pregnant. On the one hand that Sunday back in August when I found out I was pregnant feels like a lifetime ago. On the other hand I can't believe that we are six months in and only have 12 weeks left. 12 WEEKS. That isn't long at all. Mind you, I am expecting it to be more like 14 weeks, we have been down this road before.

No idea why I am doing my Wallace and Gromit smile - Cheese!

I am certainly pregnant now that's for sure. My bump aches and I have a lot of heartburn! I think it is amazing how much you actually forget about being pregnant once it is all over. I keep feeling things, or things start happening and it all comes flooding back. Things I now remember I have to look forward to include being unable to remove my socks, having to get out of bed to turn over, stretch marks, the hormones, gestational amnesia and general pregnancy madness. Oh and waddling and being unable to get off the sofa in one go.

Things are very different this time round though. For one thing I didn't know how easy I had it first time! There is a lot of bending and lifting required with an 18 month old and it gets very sore and tiring. I just don't have time for all of the daydreaming and mooning that I did last time. I can remember getting Piran's nursery ready, going in there every day to look at things and rearrange and just fold and sort and dream. I remember the excitement of putting together the crib and cot and carefully ironing and folding and putting the tiny clothes into drawers. So far I just haven't had the time to get excited. Perhaps when I finish work and have a couple days a week to myself I will get the chance. I hope to spend time making things for the new baby anyway, which will be lovely.

There is a certain amount of guilt that comes along with a second baby. I know that I will love her as much as I love Piran but I wonder how he will react and what will happen when she arrives. This time round the baby doesn't even get her own room yet. She will eventually but not until it is time for her to move out of ours because her room is our spare room and we will need it for the influx of grandparents from Cornwall and other visitors. I am still not even sure how we will work the rooms as we will still need somewhere for these people to sleep when they come and stay.

I have bought her a couple little bits of clothing but we have a lot more gender neutral things for newborn and 0-3 months than I thought we did. It is a good thing though as I have discovered a weird thing about pink. I just don't like it. I had absolutely no idea!

I wonder if these next few months will go fast or slow? I am working two days a week until the end of March and then my maternity leave starts. I am keen to ensure that Piran's routine stays the same as much as possible so he will still be looked after by his Nanny and Grandad on Monday morning and all day Wednesday and go to nursery on Monday and Friday afternoon. I am also trying to think of some lovely things for us to do together before the baby comes, before I get too big! I think that we will start with the Sealife centre in Brighton.

If you have come to read this post from the Huggies website, welcome and thanks for reading. Please feel free to read more of my recent posts, I blog about life with a toddler and being pregnant and everything else in between.