Sunday 23 October 2011

Handy Tip of the Day

If you are like me (careless that is to say) then you might want to heed the following advice. When you leave your rotary cutter with the blade locked in the out position (because I break the rules and I do this all the time), and your finger knocks into said blade in the process of placing a new piece of fabric on the cutting board, and then your brain registers pain - look at your finger! Don't wait until you realise that it feels 'sticky' before you take a proper look and realise that the sticky stuff is actually blood and you have been happily going about cutting fabric oblivious of the fact. It is just plain stupid! Thankfully I was not cutting the fabric for my bee blocks at the time because I do not how I would have been able to explain that one to Laura!

Once I had staunched the blood flow (superficial wound with not long term damage I assure you - it's just that fingers like to bleed, or mine do is seems), I did turn my hands to the Brit Bee October blocks. Laura sent some gorgeous fabric for us to play with and the only instructions were to make star blocks. Any kind of star as long as it was a star. Yippee! I could do that.


I set to the task, realising that I had characteristically left it to the last moment seeing as how I wouldn't be around to do any sewing at the beginning of the week, choosing to be out gallivanting with the girls and my mother instead.

The hardest part of the task was the pondering design bit. It took me a while, which surprised me as I thought stars were my element and that it would be the easiest peasiest task of all. But I didn't want to hand in a bog standard star. Laura knows I can do those kind. I wanted something a little different. I eventually came up with this (with a lot of help from Flickr and the originality of other quilters out there).



I have been using even more HSTs in the second block, and in the process exhausted the supply of white with my enthusiastic cutting, so shall have to wait for a top up from Laura Jane before the block is completed. So far I have this much done.



It might be a good thing that I cannot do any more on this today. Now I might turn my hand to other important things, like packing a small suitcase for this little gallivanting trip I am off on with the girls. Mustn't forget to pack the toothbrush and other essentials because my mind is all wrapped up in HST piecing. I'll not be responding to comments for a few days. Do forgive me but I will be too busy enjoying the pleasures of our capital city. Bye!

Susan

21 comments:

  1. Ouch! Glad no Bee fabric was hurt in the process and I hope the blood washes out of the fabric that got stained. The stars look great! Have a lovely time in London!

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  2. Did you have Hadley`s words about the DS fabric ringing in your ears all afternoon? Glad you are okay and I love the second unfinished star particularly. I`m sure you are starry eyed over them. Ehem. Sorry. Will leave you to your lovely trip. Can`t wait to hear all about it. x

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  3. I did exact same thing when I first started using a rotary cutter - never did it again!! LOVE your stars - I had the same fabrics from LJ but they look totally different done as different stars - so cool! Enjoy gallivanting! Jxo

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  4. Ouchy! Yesterday I was turning the bag I made right side out and even though I was being really careful I jabbed myself with a long flat headed pin. Thankfully I'd learnt my lesson previously that the pads of fingers/thumbs don't bleed immediately they wait until you're not looking so you can bleed right over your project - usually just as you're near finishing!

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  5. Yowie! Glad no bee blocks were sacrificed to the rotary blade finger slicing gods.

    Those blocks are looking amazing BTW

    Have fun on your jaunt, hope you won the 'too many clothes' battle with the girls ;o)

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  6. Been the done that! Just as long as you don't bleed on the fabric!

    The stars are gorgeous and Laura will love them once she's given you more fabric to finish!

    Any time in London to visit Liberty's for a bit of fabric love?

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  7. What a div!
    Love your blocks though, even if there is an inter-loper in the first one!
    Enjoy your trip xxx

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  8. Gorgeous stars - second one is my fave. Makes me want to make myself a star quilt (as if I needed more inspiration). Enjoy your break!

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  9. your stars are great and have a FAB time in London. Love London. I'm so jealous! (ps, hope the finger's ok)

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  10. Ouch, hop tha plaster is big enough and isn't inerfering with normal service! Had to go back and check for the 'inter-loper' - fits in beautifully imho! Have a gantabulous time in the big smoke! x

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  11. Hope you have a wonderful time on your wee trip... looking forward to hearing all about it!

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  12. love your stars - especially the 2nd one. Enjoy your trip to London - you won't be able to have tea with the Queen tough because she's here in Oz - bless 'er!

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  13. that's 'though', not 'tough' - fat fingers today

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  14. The finished block is lovely but the second one, not quite finished is stunning! i love everything about it!

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  15. Sorry to read about your accident, hope your digits are functioning
    A-OK now. Those blades are nasty at times! I managed to run over my finger :o(, thus realizing that I
    CANNOT sit and rotary cut my fabric! I definitely must keep my feet planted on the floor and remain in the upright position.
    Have a terrific time galivanting.
    Love the stars, the colours are amazing.

    Carolyn

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  16. Ouch! Oh dear. At least they weren't bee fabrics though as you say.
    Stars look grand!! I especially like the last one!
    xx

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  17. I ♥ both of them lovey :-) They are just perfect! And so so so cute with all the little HST's! I don't even mind the interloper (which btw, I just had to go an look up the definition of).

    Have a great time, and don't stress that finger too much! lol xxx

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  18. Quilting 101: Close your rotary cutter!!!! hehehe company leaves today. I love having them here but it will be nice to get back to normal.

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  19. Oooh blocks look awesome! I know you were strictly warned not to muller the DS, but I'm sure you werent meant to muller your digits either...

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  20. Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear about your finger. Are you OK? OK enough to travel? Hope you have a fantastic time.

    I love your stars - esp your second one. Pretty pretty!

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  21. Fabulous stars. Hope you have a brill tie in London.

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