Y seams

After telling one of my Monday Patchwork ladies last week that it had been far to long since I'd pieced on triangles on a 'Y' seam, I though i'd better 'Talk the talk & walk the walk'....So I spent a few very pleasant hours yesterday make a star block. (Needs a jolly good iron in this picture.)

Oh and while I was at the machine, I make my first Christmas present, a patchwork bag.

Thrift at its best

A vintage suitcase and fabulous Sputnik legs, put the two together and voila you have a SewingTable, BedSideTable or what ever you want it to be.

Being a thrifty girl...doing up an old tool tray.

My lovely friend Sharon gave me a fabulous old tool tray minus the rusty nails and a lifetimes worth of dust. And with the suggestion that it would make a great sewing box for all the usually bits and pieces needed in workshops, I could have waited and texcited about my gift, I got started straight away. Washing, sanding and then spray painting before I remembered to take a picture. 

Now completed and renovated, it looks fantastic.

I can't wait for tomorrow to take it to the Bobbin Shed and tomorrows Traditional Patchwork workshop and adding all the equipment needed. 

Time away....but it's all been work, work, work!

It's been far too long since I last blogged...it's been an incredibly busy term with workshops, events and starting new work that it was one thing I didn't get round to doing.

I have a new web site (I still have www.DrawnThreads.co.uk). 

The new web site features more of my work but also has a shop and updates on some of the events I'll be attending and people I'll be working with.

http://sarahoatley.simpl.com

The exhibition went stupendously well and now I'm beginning to work on a new set of landscapes...Based on the Yorkshire Dales, County Durham and the North east coast. 

Each piece will have a very 'Patchworked' feel with layering of fabric to add texture and depth and much more sketchy feel to the stitching and detail.

'Two Yorkshire Barns'

Radio interview and the thrift goes on.

After a wonderful morning talking to bbc radio about Shopping Local, using local markets for your shopping needs and the continuing Year of Thrift, I've come home and made delicious mushroom soup with a bag full of bargain mushroom. 

I'm very proud to shop at my local indoor market hall that offers superb meat, veggies etc. 

This weeks purchases of meat, veggies and dairy cost me £22.56 and I'm still making savings of around 1/3 cheaper than using supermarkets. 

Today I can gone with a huge bag of mushrooms that needed using today. So in typical thrifty style, I made a big batch of soup. 

After chopping, cooking and blitzing, I had delicious soup from market to table with in two hours. Perfect!