Goodreads Book Giveaway
Enter Giveaway
If you haven't already purchased a copy of StarMark, then how about trying to win one? There's a Giveaway on Goodreads if you're interested...starts today, ends at the end of the month.
Tuesday, 5 July 2016
Giveaway time!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Enter Giveaway
If you haven't already purchased a copy of StarMark, then how about trying to win one? There's a Giveaway on Goodreads if you're interested...starts today, ends at the end of the month.
Saturday, 2 July 2016
COMPETITION TIME!
Well, it's gearing up to the summer holidays - not that you'd believe it, the amount of rain we've had during June - and lots of folk will be going away and looking for something to read on the plane or by the pool or on the beach.
Can I suggest StarMark?
And just to make it interesting, if you DO take StarMark on your holidays, why not send me a photo of where you end up reading it?
In fact, why don't we make it REALLY interesting and turn this into a competition?
There'll be a StarMark T-shirt as a prize for the most interesting place where StarMark is read. And as a lot of readers so far have been adults, why don't we have an adult AND a children's category? TWO T-shirts...And yes, if it's on your Kindle rather than a paperback, you can still enter!
So to recap;
1. Take a copy of StarMark with you wherever you go over the summer.
2. Take a photo and mail it to me at microscribbler@gmail.com before the 1st September. (I will share some of the photos on the blog, so please only send them in if you're happy for your fizzog to be on the internet OR take the picture in such a way that it doesn't show your face but we can still see you with the book...)
Simples!
Happy holidays everyone!
Can I suggest StarMark?
And just to make it interesting, if you DO take StarMark on your holidays, why not send me a photo of where you end up reading it?
In fact, why don't we make it REALLY interesting and turn this into a competition?
There'll be a StarMark T-shirt as a prize for the most interesting place where StarMark is read. And as a lot of readers so far have been adults, why don't we have an adult AND a children's category? TWO T-shirts...And yes, if it's on your Kindle rather than a paperback, you can still enter!
So to recap;
1. Take a copy of StarMark with you wherever you go over the summer.
2. Take a photo and mail it to me at microscribbler@gmail.com before the 1st September. (I will share some of the photos on the blog, so please only send them in if you're happy for your fizzog to be on the internet OR take the picture in such a way that it doesn't show your face but we can still see you with the book...)
Simples!
Happy holidays everyone!
Friday, 1 July 2016
Hexing...and not a spell in sight
What a week. In the UK, we're still reeling after the results of the EU referendum and everything seems very topsy-turvy. To say that I am worried for our future is an understatement, but I am trying to keep positive and let things run their course. Although how the heck we do that with no effective political leadership at the moment is beyond me...
However, in an attempt to keep things positive, I have been doing some nice things. Like decorating church for a wedding, cooking nice dinners for the family, playing around with the Crystal Keeper's Daughter, (my new WIP - I've gone back to the writing chart and am trying to write something every day) and I've been hexing.
No, not spells - quilting. Over the last couple of months, I made up hexagons of fabric-on-card (known as hexies in the quilting world) to produce flowers for a single bed quilt in the spare room. I stitched them all together and last week I added the border and backing and got some advice from Sue at Quorn Country Crafts about cotton for top quilting, and I was on the home straight...
Now, my rainbow quilt was machine-stitched together, then hand quilted. This hexie quilt is hand stitched together and machine quilted. It took a long time to hand quilt my rainbow squares, but I never realised how much time it takes to machine quilt too!
I've decided I'm a bit anal about straight lines and whether or not top stitching takes away from the pattern in a fabric by stitching all over it. (It doesn't, as proven by the fabulous quilts that were on display recently) But with my hexie quilt I decided to have a play. My ancient 1950's machine only does straight stitch forwards and back, so I could do straight lines or irregular wavy ones... I decided to follow the lines of the hexies with a beige/grey/cream mixed cotton, gradually adding lines in different directions until I was happy with the finished effect. In the end, I've gone with three directions, so the flower section will look as though it's made up of lots of little triangles, and I end up with diamonds down the sides of the green border.
One problem I've had has been the tension on my old machine. For some reason, the tension can vary in any one run of stitching, and I'm not sure whether that's to do with the difficulty of handling the weight of material and I'm feeding it through too fast, or whether it's just the machine. Because it's so inconsistent, I daren't play with the tension of the bobbin, and I've resigned myself to the fact that nothing's going to come un-stitched because there's so many lines of stitching - so it's going to be a Unique Feature of this quilt. *winks, and hopes you never look at the back side of the quilt*
Another problem is that when I began stitching, there were tucks on the backing fabric, even though I'd pinned all the layers together. I had to undo the lines to allow the tuck of fabric to smooth out and resew; I was not happy. I wondered if it was because I was being lazy in only pinning the layers? Some quilters tack everything together for security before top-stitching, but that would take even more time... Eventually, I realised it was probably due to the direction in which I'd placed the pins; they were at right angles to my line of stitching, so the fabric couldn't move with the stitching. Once I changed the pinning to the direction of the sewn lines, the problem disappeared.
The last problem was the cat, who took great delight in cosying up on the quilt while I was still trying to machine it!
The quilting stage is one of the most physical parts of quilting, and I can't do too much at a time on the machine before my neck and shoulders are aching. And, funnily enough, my hip on the left side - even though the foot pedal's operated with my right foot. I must sit funny on the chair...
I'm almost at the end of the quilting phase and then it's onto binding the edges, which is tough on the fingers but more satisfying because I can hand sew that bit. Everything's prepped and I'm hoping I can get the quilt finished in time for camp in August, because I think I'll be a lot toastier in my sleeping bag and under that than wrapped in a blanket!
After that, who knows? I have a growing stash of fabric in my dining room that's just begging to be made up into something...
However, in an attempt to keep things positive, I have been doing some nice things. Like decorating church for a wedding, cooking nice dinners for the family, playing around with the Crystal Keeper's Daughter, (my new WIP - I've gone back to the writing chart and am trying to write something every day) and I've been hexing.
No, not spells - quilting. Over the last couple of months, I made up hexagons of fabric-on-card (known as hexies in the quilting world) to produce flowers for a single bed quilt in the spare room. I stitched them all together and last week I added the border and backing and got some advice from Sue at Quorn Country Crafts about cotton for top quilting, and I was on the home straight...
 |
| No two flowers the same... |
Now, my rainbow quilt was machine-stitched together, then hand quilted. This hexie quilt is hand stitched together and machine quilted. It took a long time to hand quilt my rainbow squares, but I never realised how much time it takes to machine quilt too!
 |
| The full quilt top with the border added |
I've decided I'm a bit anal about straight lines and whether or not top stitching takes away from the pattern in a fabric by stitching all over it. (It doesn't, as proven by the fabulous quilts that were on display recently) But with my hexie quilt I decided to have a play. My ancient 1950's machine only does straight stitch forwards and back, so I could do straight lines or irregular wavy ones... I decided to follow the lines of the hexies with a beige/grey/cream mixed cotton, gradually adding lines in different directions until I was happy with the finished effect. In the end, I've gone with three directions, so the flower section will look as though it's made up of lots of little triangles, and I end up with diamonds down the sides of the green border.
One problem I've had has been the tension on my old machine. For some reason, the tension can vary in any one run of stitching, and I'm not sure whether that's to do with the difficulty of handling the weight of material and I'm feeding it through too fast, or whether it's just the machine. Because it's so inconsistent, I daren't play with the tension of the bobbin, and I've resigned myself to the fact that nothing's going to come un-stitched because there's so many lines of stitching - so it's going to be a Unique Feature of this quilt. *winks, and hopes you never look at the back side of the quilt*
 |
| Grandma Betty's sewing machine... |
Another problem is that when I began stitching, there were tucks on the backing fabric, even though I'd pinned all the layers together. I had to undo the lines to allow the tuck of fabric to smooth out and resew; I was not happy. I wondered if it was because I was being lazy in only pinning the layers? Some quilters tack everything together for security before top-stitching, but that would take even more time... Eventually, I realised it was probably due to the direction in which I'd placed the pins; they were at right angles to my line of stitching, so the fabric couldn't move with the stitching. Once I changed the pinning to the direction of the sewn lines, the problem disappeared.
The last problem was the cat, who took great delight in cosying up on the quilt while I was still trying to machine it!
 |
| The look that says 'Yes? You have a problem with this?' |
He did the same when I was working on the rainbow quilt too...
I'm almost at the end of the quilting phase and then it's onto binding the edges, which is tough on the fingers but more satisfying because I can hand sew that bit. Everything's prepped and I'm hoping I can get the quilt finished in time for camp in August, because I think I'll be a lot toastier in my sleeping bag and under that than wrapped in a blanket!
After that, who knows? I have a growing stash of fabric in my dining room that's just begging to be made up into something...
Thursday, 23 June 2016
Politics...
I don't 'do' politics. By which, I mean I don't understand a lot of it. That makes it very difficult to know how to vote, especially when many politicians seem to be more self-serving than people-serving at the moment. And I'm not just talking about the UK here - you can see the same phenomenon in many places in the world.
Yet there ARE politicians of integrity, who serve their fellow humans in their constituencies as well as having a heart for those beyond our shores. Like Jo Cox, whose life was so brutally cut short last week because of an apparently political motive. I wish there were more like her...
Today's referendum day in the UK, where we vote to decide whether or not we remain a part of the European Union.
The campaign has been fought with much mud-slinging, many accusations, and lots of fear-mongering based on suspected untruths. It seems to have brought out the worst in some politicians, rather than their best. I had hoped to see a more adult approach taken towards campaigning, but it was not to be.
I have cast my vote.
Whatever the outcome of the referendum is, I will accept it and I will not hold against anyone who voted differently to me. I will continue to pour love and light into the world where I can, and try to make a difference to those who need help. I know that doesn't help with many of the issues that have become so important to the referendum, but I will not let that stop me from being a compassionate human.
And I will be praying that our politicians become kinder to one another and more truthful with the voters as they attempt to rebuild the confidence of the UK public in their representation of us.
Yet there ARE politicians of integrity, who serve their fellow humans in their constituencies as well as having a heart for those beyond our shores. Like Jo Cox, whose life was so brutally cut short last week because of an apparently political motive. I wish there were more like her...
Today's referendum day in the UK, where we vote to decide whether or not we remain a part of the European Union.
The campaign has been fought with much mud-slinging, many accusations, and lots of fear-mongering based on suspected untruths. It seems to have brought out the worst in some politicians, rather than their best. I had hoped to see a more adult approach taken towards campaigning, but it was not to be.
I have cast my vote.
Whatever the outcome of the referendum is, I will accept it and I will not hold against anyone who voted differently to me. I will continue to pour love and light into the world where I can, and try to make a difference to those who need help. I know that doesn't help with many of the issues that have become so important to the referendum, but I will not let that stop me from being a compassionate human.
And I will be praying that our politicians become kinder to one another and more truthful with the voters as they attempt to rebuild the confidence of the UK public in their representation of us.
Sunday, 19 June 2016
A teensy weensy announcement
This is going to be short (like me) and VERY sweet!
I am delighted to announce that my second children's novel - Kingstone - has been signed by Dragonfeather Books, an imprint of US Indie publisher Bedazzled Ink, who've recently published StarMark.
The ink's not wet on the contract yet so I don't have much else to tell you at the moment, other than I'm pleased as punch that Bink are willing to take on my second novel before StarMark's proved its worth.
I'm looking forward very much to introducing you to Katia and her story at some point in the future...
I am delighted to announce that my second children's novel - Kingstone - has been signed by Dragonfeather Books, an imprint of US Indie publisher Bedazzled Ink, who've recently published StarMark.
The ink's not wet on the contract yet so I don't have much else to tell you at the moment, other than I'm pleased as punch that Bink are willing to take on my second novel before StarMark's proved its worth.
I'm looking forward very much to introducing you to Katia and her story at some point in the future...
Saturday, 18 June 2016
A very special show
Today I visited the DeMontfort University Art and Design degree show in Leicester for two very special reasons.
One of those reasons was that Squidgeling T is getting a taste for product design, and we thought it would be a good idea to see what kind of things were being created by the class of 2016. We were very impressed with the portable camping pod, the motorbike leathers that lit up front and back with LED lights, and the entire interior design section.
The second - and most important reason - was that Laura, who illustrated Granny Rainbow for me, was exhibiting her work in the Graphic Design and Illustration section. Here she is...Laura, not Granny Rainbow!
Laura's definitely developed a distinctive style, and she loves to draw animals. Here's one of her keepsake cards that you could take away; the bird's wing is latch-hooked with strips of plastic bags to 'Make Art not Litter'.
Laura had also written and illustrated a children's story, called What Do You Want To Do? It's a lovely story about not listening to others tell you what you can and can't do, but to live your dream. To go with the book was a story bag; a rucsac filled with activity sheets, question cards, an audio version (read by Jane, Laura's sister) and three handmade stuffed toys based on the animals in the book. Gorgeous!
Then there was her stationery range; eco-friendly and based again on animals.
And then there were more latch hooked cards; a squirrel with a bushy red-brown tail, a seagull with black and grey wing, and a turtle with a woven plastic strip shell. So clever!
I can't believe that Laura's degree is finished - it only feels like a few minutes since she started on the course. You can see more about her and her work HERE on her website. And if her degree exhibition is anything to go by, I'm sure she'll be heading for a bright future in illustration.
One of those reasons was that Squidgeling T is getting a taste for product design, and we thought it would be a good idea to see what kind of things were being created by the class of 2016. We were very impressed with the portable camping pod, the motorbike leathers that lit up front and back with LED lights, and the entire interior design section.
The second - and most important reason - was that Laura, who illustrated Granny Rainbow for me, was exhibiting her work in the Graphic Design and Illustration section. Here she is...Laura, not Granny Rainbow!
 |
| Laura with her display |
Laura's definitely developed a distinctive style, and she loves to draw animals. Here's one of her keepsake cards that you could take away; the bird's wing is latch-hooked with strips of plastic bags to 'Make Art not Litter'.
Laura had also written and illustrated a children's story, called What Do You Want To Do? It's a lovely story about not listening to others tell you what you can and can't do, but to live your dream. To go with the book was a story bag; a rucsac filled with activity sheets, question cards, an audio version (read by Jane, Laura's sister) and three handmade stuffed toys based on the animals in the book. Gorgeous!
Then there was her stationery range; eco-friendly and based again on animals.
And then there were more latch hooked cards; a squirrel with a bushy red-brown tail, a seagull with black and grey wing, and a turtle with a woven plastic strip shell. So clever!
I can't believe that Laura's degree is finished - it only feels like a few minutes since she started on the course. You can see more about her and her work HERE on her website. And if her degree exhibition is anything to go by, I'm sure she'll be heading for a bright future in illustration.
Thursday, 16 June 2016
Stitching for Charity 2016
I am lucky enough to have, in my home town, a fabulous shop - Quorn Country Crafts - which, if you are into needlework, knitting or quilting, is a treasure trove. You might remember I recently attended a quilting course there? One result of that course is my rainbow quilt.
(Another result is a huge stash of fabric; a patchwork duvet cover made by J; a hexie quilt for the spare room; AND a patchwork duvet cover for my bed. Plus a few other projects... I'm led to believe that this is one of the downsides of quilting! Though a REAL quilter would not see a huge stash of fabric and unfinished projects as a downside, I bet!)
Anyhow, today, I attended my first ever quilting exhibition, a bi-annual fundraising event held by Quorn Country Crafts in All Saints Parish Church, Loughborough - about a five minute walk away from the shop - in the centre of town.
It was A-MAZE-ING.
Having made my own quilt recently, I was stunned at the hours of work that must have gone into the creations on display. The largest quilt was 100 inches square - twice the size of the one I'd made. Some were appliqued with stunning pictures. There was machine and hand stitching in evidence. There were colour combinations and designs to suit everyone's taste and as a result, the church was filled with colour and pattern.
There was a competition corner, a first quilt section (was proud to have been asked if they could display mine), a cushion raffle, books and magazines and knitted or sewn items to purchase, with all donations going to support Asthma & Allergy UK and Leicestershire Glenfield Hospitals HEARTLINK charities. And refreshments - the lemony shortbread was melt-in-the-mouth, and I overheard several people saying how good the chocolate gateau topped with red berries was.
So, with the permission of Sue, the organiser, I thought I'd share some of my favourite quilts from the exhibition...be prepared for a LOT of photos! I couldn't photograph them all, much as I'd have liked to, but every one was unique and beautiful and needed to be seen in the flesh, as it were, to fully appreciate them. Right - are you ready? Here we go...
Here's just one pew section - there are four in the church - draped in all kinds of quilts or supporting frames to display larger ones. Seeing the whole church decked out in the same way, with barely an inch of pew left 'unquilted', literally took my breath away.
I was reliably informed that circles are actually quite easy to stitch. I'll take their word for it. I loved the richness of the colours in this one.
This next one used a more muted palette, but I liked the diamond panel features.
Beautiful Japanese inspired fabrics in this one.
You might have to look closely, but a lot of the fabrics in this one feature music notes. Again, another more muted palette, but a striking pattern.
And quilts aren't just for the bed...this next one would lovely slung over a settee during the festive season.
Can't remember what this pattern's called, but it's an octagonal wheel and used some very intriguing fabrics printed with road name signs. I imagine there was a lot of expertise in the cutting of this one, to make sure each triangle had exactly the same bit of pattern on it.
Competition time...last December, some of the customers were challenged to create anything at all out of two-and-a-half inch squares. Everyone received a pack of squares, identical in size and shape from the same design collection. They could add any fabric they liked, but they had to use all of the squares. It was amazing to see the range of items that people had created.
This photo does not do justice to this next quilt. It was huge. It was stunning. It had the most detailed flower and bead applique and it positively glowed against the dark background. This one, you have to see to believe.
Now this one's very clever. Joined strips are cut at an angle, and then the quilting looked to have been done in short sections following the line of the strips...I think!
The outer edges of ts optical illusion is created entirely from small squares of graduating shades joined into strips. And the block in the centre is another illusion, based on six triangular panels to form a hexagon.
Rainbow stars...you could've guessed this one would be a winner with me!
Beautiful blended purples and a few curves...
My kind of colours; aqua, purple, blues and greens...
Children hadn't been forgotten either - these were just a few of the stunning applique quilts on display.
The peacock quilt. Just...wow! And all the quilting of that central printed panel was done in gilt thread, to pick up the gilt lines printed onto the fabric.
Some really accurate machining needed for this...
The next two photos are from first quilt corner - made by beginners in the craft who have attended one of QCC's workshops. Spotted one you recognise? *wink, wink*
Back to optical illusions with this fab 'cube' quilt design. Every cube used three different fabrics, but didn't need a lot of any single fabric, so perhaps this could be made from scraps?
Quilts are sometimes made to tell a story; this one tells of the men who lost their lives in the Great War and whose names are on the memorial in church.
One of the largest quilts on display, at 99 inches square - and for sale. I have to admit to gasping when I saw the price tag, but it is so beautifully made and designed, it would be a small price to pay for such an heirloom.
A monochrome design, where the bold flower fabric was used to good effect. And that central twisted square is rather clever too...
I loved this one. A relatively simple design, being just strips and squares, but a lovely mix of colours.
I might have to try that design myself with my Bali Pops jelly roll. Here's my colour mix, though I will need to get a couple of contrasts to make sure I can make it big enough for a duvet cover, which is what I'd like to create with it.
But my absolute FAVOURITE, among all those quilts on display, has to be this one:
The richness of colour, the striking design, the clever curvy quilting...just...perfect. In fact, I like it SO much, here's another photo of it, just because I can!
The exhibition continues tomorrow and Saturday (17th and 18th June) between 10am and 4pm and admission is £2.50 for over 12's. Huge congratulations to everyone at Quorn Country Crafts for an amazing display, and here's hoping you raise lots of money for your chosen charities.
(Another result is a huge stash of fabric; a patchwork duvet cover made by J; a hexie quilt for the spare room; AND a patchwork duvet cover for my bed. Plus a few other projects... I'm led to believe that this is one of the downsides of quilting! Though a REAL quilter would not see a huge stash of fabric and unfinished projects as a downside, I bet!)
Anyhow, today, I attended my first ever quilting exhibition, a bi-annual fundraising event held by Quorn Country Crafts in All Saints Parish Church, Loughborough - about a five minute walk away from the shop - in the centre of town.
It was A-MAZE-ING.
Having made my own quilt recently, I was stunned at the hours of work that must have gone into the creations on display. The largest quilt was 100 inches square - twice the size of the one I'd made. Some were appliqued with stunning pictures. There was machine and hand stitching in evidence. There were colour combinations and designs to suit everyone's taste and as a result, the church was filled with colour and pattern.
There was a competition corner, a first quilt section (was proud to have been asked if they could display mine), a cushion raffle, books and magazines and knitted or sewn items to purchase, with all donations going to support Asthma & Allergy UK and Leicestershire Glenfield Hospitals HEARTLINK charities. And refreshments - the lemony shortbread was melt-in-the-mouth, and I overheard several people saying how good the chocolate gateau topped with red berries was.
So, with the permission of Sue, the organiser, I thought I'd share some of my favourite quilts from the exhibition...be prepared for a LOT of photos! I couldn't photograph them all, much as I'd have liked to, but every one was unique and beautiful and needed to be seen in the flesh, as it were, to fully appreciate them. Right - are you ready? Here we go...
Here's just one pew section - there are four in the church - draped in all kinds of quilts or supporting frames to display larger ones. Seeing the whole church decked out in the same way, with barely an inch of pew left 'unquilted', literally took my breath away.
Beautiful Japanese inspired fabrics in this one.
And quilts aren't just for the bed...this next one would lovely slung over a settee during the festive season.
Can't remember what this pattern's called, but it's an octagonal wheel and used some very intriguing fabrics printed with road name signs. I imagine there was a lot of expertise in the cutting of this one, to make sure each triangle had exactly the same bit of pattern on it.
Competition time...last December, some of the customers were challenged to create anything at all out of two-and-a-half inch squares. Everyone received a pack of squares, identical in size and shape from the same design collection. They could add any fabric they liked, but they had to use all of the squares. It was amazing to see the range of items that people had created.
This photo does not do justice to this next quilt. It was huge. It was stunning. It had the most detailed flower and bead applique and it positively glowed against the dark background. This one, you have to see to believe.
Now this one's very clever. Joined strips are cut at an angle, and then the quilting looked to have been done in short sections following the line of the strips...I think!
The outer edges of ts optical illusion is created entirely from small squares of graduating shades joined into strips. And the block in the centre is another illusion, based on six triangular panels to form a hexagon.
Rainbow stars...you could've guessed this one would be a winner with me!
Beautiful blended purples and a few curves...
Children hadn't been forgotten either - these were just a few of the stunning applique quilts on display.
The peacock quilt. Just...wow! And all the quilting of that central printed panel was done in gilt thread, to pick up the gilt lines printed onto the fabric.
Some really accurate machining needed for this...
The next two photos are from first quilt corner - made by beginners in the craft who have attended one of QCC's workshops. Spotted one you recognise? *wink, wink*
Back to optical illusions with this fab 'cube' quilt design. Every cube used three different fabrics, but didn't need a lot of any single fabric, so perhaps this could be made from scraps?
The optical illusion is lost as you get closer - but then you can see how clever placement of six triangles makes the cube and the box.
Quilts are sometimes made to tell a story; this one tells of the men who lost their lives in the Great War and whose names are on the memorial in church.
A monochrome design, where the bold flower fabric was used to good effect. And that central twisted square is rather clever too...
I loved this one. A relatively simple design, being just strips and squares, but a lovely mix of colours.
I might have to try that design myself with my Bali Pops jelly roll. Here's my colour mix, though I will need to get a couple of contrasts to make sure I can make it big enough for a duvet cover, which is what I'd like to create with it.
But my absolute FAVOURITE, among all those quilts on display, has to be this one:
The richness of colour, the striking design, the clever curvy quilting...just...perfect. In fact, I like it SO much, here's another photo of it, just because I can!
Not sure that I will ever, in a million years, manage anything of this quality. For a start, I'd have no time to write if I became a serious quilter! But it was wonderful to be able to admire the work of others and dream a little dream...
The exhibition continues tomorrow and Saturday (17th and 18th June) between 10am and 4pm and admission is £2.50 for over 12's. Huge congratulations to everyone at Quorn Country Crafts for an amazing display, and here's hoping you raise lots of money for your chosen charities.
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