Caitycat, Caitycat, where have you been? And More Mirandas

March 8, 2008 in Health, Other Sewing Projects, Pattern Reviews, Quilts and Quilting by Caitlin | 8313 comments2008-03-08+03%3A53%3A31Caitlin

I’ve been ASLEEP.

*sigh*

Remember I told you about the horrible chair at quilter’s? Well, that set me up for several days of worse than usual pain, which buggered my sleep patterns, which made the pain worse – and round and round and round we go, where it stops nobody knows!

At least I got out of the house and had blood drawn on Thursday. Back to the doctors next week to see the results.

I have managed some sewing – more Mirandas – and since Mum doesn’t have internet access at the moment (she’s in Adelaide, with Dad, visiting my brother & his family, and going to all sorts of exciting things like the Adelaide Festival and Womadelaide) I’ll show you her Miranda bag, too. (She knows she’s getting it, she just hasn’t seen it yet!).

This is the inside of Mum’s Miranda bag. I added a hooky thingummy (What ARE they called?) for keys/phone – as soon as I can find some more I’ll be adding them to my bag, too! I actually finished Mum’s bag and book a while back, but there was no point posting it to her yet because they’re away. I adore this fabric – it’s long gone from the shops now, though. (Chez Moi for Moda, “Fresh Air”. Too too yummy!)

Then I did two Mirandas using the same fabrics in part of them – I think they came up well.

This one’s for J, in Oregon, a late birthday pressie. Might have to wait until after next pension day to mail it though! and that’s another little (A6) blank book covered to match.

Here’s the inside: more of that yummy suns/moons fabric (which I’ve had in the stash for ages) and some clouds for the pockets. The stripes are another stash find – I’m using up fabrics that I’ve held on to FOREVER Because they were “too good” to use up. Nope, off they go – into the world where they will (hopefully!) be enjoyed!

And finally, here’s A’s Miranda. Same sun/moon and blue fabric for the top half, but with a wild orangey swirl for the bottom. Because I’m pretty sure A works in a big visual diary, I decided to cover an A5 brag book – room for 80 photos – instead.

and Here’s the inside of A’s Miranda – hand dyed fabrics, because A is a hand dyeing GODDESS. This one’s going in the post whenever I get out of the house next – probably Monday. (I can afford to post within Australia this week…I think… eeeks!)

And now – I need to write up my tutorial for Quilters on Tuesday. Just a quick demo on Flying Geese – and some paper pieced variations. (I’ll pop it up on the Toowoomba Quilters blog after Tuesday, too.) I know there are other quick ways to do flying geese, but honestly – paper piecing is so quick and accurate – and no bias triangles to deal with (because they’re stabilised by the paper, you can ignore fabric grain if you want to) .

I’ve made this pattern of offset little geese just 1 inch wide… no way would I even ATTEMPT that without foundation paper piecing!

And there’s V8s on later – wooo hoooooo!

Tags: Health, Other Sewing Projects

8313 comments2008-03-08+03%3A53%3A31Caitlin

Dianne Cahill on March 8, 2008 at 18:08

These bags are just gorgeous. Sorry you have been suffering from the torture chairs. Funny, I just blogged about using up fabrics I have been hanging on to for years. Had a blog error though so not posted yet. Look forward to Tues to see the little flying geese
Caitlin on March 8, 2008 at 18:26

Thanks, Di, I’m really pleased with how they came out! Definitely the best pattern of the year, that Miranda bag.

I’m writing up my flying geese tutorial in a similar style – LOTS of pics!

Can’t wait to see what you turn those squares into! I’m cutting strips of dead stash too, ready for next Saturday…..
Joan Hawley, Lazy Girl on March 8, 2008 at 20:53

Hi Caitlin,

Your Miranda-fest is wonderful. I love seeing your beautiful fabric choices and combinations. Each bag is terrific. I really like the extra stitching on the handles.

Thank you for sharing a little Lazy with your loved ones.

My best,
Joan
Sue on March 8, 2008 at 21:19

Caity – good to see you back on board – you hadn’t blogged for so long I was getting worried those chairs had done you in! Thanks for thinking of Sean this morning – that was him who answered the phone – he is out tonight – clubbing (first time)- OMG another thing to worry about… he had an interview on Friday & I hope it leads to something – can’t understand the ad in today’s paper about the traineeship though – but we will get to the bottom of it! Look after yourself, Sue
Annie Morris on March 8, 2008 at 21:38

Dear Caity,

Despite the pain, you are very much the busy little vegemite! I loved the fabrics. I love to see you so very productive and re-firing the creative self, that poor health is so good at burying.

Yes! Isn’t it liberating using the holy of holies, especially when they go as far as the USA! These bags will be loved (especially by your Mum).

It’s funny, but when I saw a few of the Moda ranges in Addicted to Fabric, I really didn’t like them that much.

But after seeing the charm packs up close at a Queanbeyan Quilter’s meeting (Rhonda from the Calico Patch), I wuz hooked!

I have some of the Three Sisters on order from Hancocks as we speak… It wasn’t my fault… they were REDUCED I tell you REDUCED!

I really must get round to cutting up some of that Hoffman checks and sending some to you.

Canberra Sewing Centre, ahh, the memories of 11+ years…
Annie Morris on March 8, 2008 at 21:41

Holy Crap. I just noticed in the pictures…

YOU HAVE LONG GREEN GRASS!

Lucky, jammy bastards.

And what’s this about 1 inch flying geese!?!

Madness.
Caitlin on March 8, 2008 at 23:13

PS – Miss Annie – you know you’re the “A” that the bag is going to, right?!?!? I sure hope your PO Box at Calwell is the current address!!
Caitlin on March 8, 2008 at 23:14

OMG OMG OMG Joan likes my bags! SQEEEEEEEEE!!! Thanks, Joan! I ADORE this pattern, but you have to make another groovy new one soon – otherwise what am I going to make them for NEXT Christmas?!
Caitlin on March 8, 2008 at 23:16

Thanks, Sue! Yep, I was really knocked for 6 by those !@&*#% chairs! It seems like such a little thing….

Sean – CLUBBING?!? Sheesh, wasn’t it bad enough that he was DRIVING? I honestly thought it must have been your husband who answered the phone (until he called “Muuu-uum!” )

Hope you’re not a nervous wreck!
Caitlin on March 8, 2008 at 23:22

Annie – we have long grass because we don’t have chooks. Or so says my darling brother in Adelaide, who is a total permaculture fan!

It rained a few weeks ago and the grass went WHOOSH! It’s taller than the dog, and now all the neighbours have bloody well gone and mowed, bugger ‘em! Oh well, it’s race 2 & 3 of Eastern Creek tomorrow, so there’s no mowing happening this weekend….

1 inch flying geese – the 1 inch is the measurement across the block, so the geese are actually smaller – it’s easy when you design them in EQ6 and print out the foundations!

3 sisters reduced? WHERE? WHICH ONES?!? Ah, but I have spent my pay money for this fortnight – so sad. And Hancocks are even faster than equilter – gotta love that!
Annie Morris on March 10, 2008 at 21:19

Dear Caity,

$(###@(%$^#(@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And other sounds of great joy! Thank you so much, ya wikkid woman! AND a beautiful journal to boot. I am greatly honoured!

As much as I cannot WAIT! Please don't put yourself out financially to post it. You have been so generous as it is.

Great minds think alike. I just did a hand sewn book workshop, and made you a wee little watercolour journal, with a Moda-esque cover. As I am still learning, it's not that great and it's only paper, but I promise it's good quality paper at the very least.

I'm off to do another excited lap of the house!
Caitlin on March 11, 2008 at 00:14

Dear Annie – you DAG!!! I has posted it today so :-pppppp!

You made me another pressie? I am SPOILT!! WHEEEEEEE!!!
Naiiad on April 8, 2008 at 10:29

Oh my goodness. I LOVE those bags!