Dragons and dinosaurs

Ages ago I downloaded a series of patterns called Dragon Virtues from Dragon Dreams, always liked them but didn't know when they would get stitched.

I started on them, initially for myself, in 2009 when my dad was first diagnosed with cancer, but had no firm plan for their use. As well as the concentration I could apply to them when sewing, I would recite, Arya like, the list of design names at night to keep my mind distracted. I didn't finish them at the time, but when my twins came along I decided to finish the series and make them into quilts for them. There are two others which I didn't include on the quilts.  Strength (which I felt had too much red in it for these) and Love (I didn't want to put this on one and not the other)

After the girls were born my mum treated me to a new sewing machine which does embroidery and applique.

One thing I often mutter about is that dinosaur patterns/fabric/ clothes are all boyish, so I decided to make them 'girly' dinosaur quilts. I normally steer away from pink for them, but in this case, the girlier the better.

I made them, and want them to be special and appreciated, and while I don't want them to get trashed I do want them to be used. I have been rather touched recently that Posy wants to use them on her bed at night rather than her duvet, she loves to be cuddled up with her dragons.

Squirmy's dinosaur - illustrating that even a dinosaur likes to look pretty.

As an aside I have recently found that JoJo Maman Bebe does occasional girls clothes with dinosaurs on. Rawr

Last month's progress

It has been a busy month, with studying for an exam (long wait for the results) and DH working away for much of it, but that doesn't mean that there has been no time for sewing. It is what keeps me sane, and if necessary sewing will take priority over housework!

I can't believe how far we are through the Fantasy SAL now, February, month 7, is a delightful little mermaid. I have stitched this pretty much to the pattern but with the addition of Kreinik blending filament in her tail to make it look a bit more iridescent. It took a bit longer than usual (4 nights rather than 3!) as I ended up having to frog about an hour and a half of stitching so that was a full evening wasted. Finished on the Saturday night, so Sunday stitching can be something else.

On to month two of the Under the Sea SAL (oh great, I'm now humming the tune from the Little Mermaid). We have a shark for this one, "fish are friends, not food"! It looks like he will be a nice quick stitch then there are the surrounding flurry of tropical fish - think this might be the place for a bit more sparkle to be added.

The Irresistible Insects SAL doesn't start until next week, but I have treated myself to the bespoke fabric that Lakeside had prepared for this one. It's a lovely vivid green fabric, not something that I would ever choose to stitch myself, it looks like a leaf, and there is a speciality silk thread too, I'm looking forward to stitching with this one. Thank you Kate, and for the sneaky peak that was given last week. Can't wait to see what is in store for this one.

Beautiful Sea, parts 8 and 9, up to date on this one too, kind of, I have left the two partial motifs to start once the adjoining section comes out rather than doing part of it and leaving threads hanging. I am almost at the point where I am going to trust that the border is symmetrical and complete that in advance of the patterns coming out.

And finally for the SALs - Stitchrovia's Mind SAL. I have finished the first quote and made a start on the banner at the top. My problem, and this is why I so seldom change colours, is that I am unhappy with my changed colours. I have swapped out the blues for browns, and am using an oatmealy colour fabric. I thought I had my colour swaps sorted, but on stitching I'm not happy and keep unpicking. There is insufficient differentiation between the two shades of brown I am working with, but I can't find a second one that I am altogether happy with. Then there is the problem that part of the border is in two shades of grey, and they don't work with my fabric choice. So I'm swithering between changing these for golds or more browns. I guess I need to get into some good light and set out some more options.

And then there is The One Ring. I have just about finished page 3 (of 15, so not too big). The next two pages are pretty much all shades of grey and brown, So are not going to be the most inspiring to stitch. Having said that, once I get to the detailed bit I'll probably be longing for sections where I can stitch 20+ stitches in the same colour!

The rest of the month in summary:

• Exams sat - 1
• Exams passed - 1 (sat in November)
• Marmalade made - 25 jars
• Meals cooked - sufficient, 
• Hugs received from cubs - many
• Rooms cleaned - few.

Have a good week, and happy stitching, xx