Neglected

So I've been busy... yes with my 3 kids... housework boringness... but more importantly sewing the blues away! There's nothing like starting a new project to lift my spirits:

They'll be more on this at some point but it is the most brilliant cheater print I've ever seen!

Other fabric I adore is Geekly Chic, available here at the Fat Quarter Shop

and those glasses were my contribution to the fabulous Low Volume Swap brilliantly organised by Rebecca - these are my beautiful 10" squares:

and if that wasn't enough she sent me some (can't get in the UK) Denyse Schmidt fabric:

Rebecca is a total star and the gal knows me well! Thanks so very much chica!

In other yummy fabric news...

there is a brand new quilt along featuring the gorgeous Pearl Bracelets by Lizzy House! My sponsor, Christa Quilts, is starting her 6th in a series of complete quilt alongs on her blog. String of Pearls will launch Wednesday, June 5th at ChristaQuiltsBlog.com.  Christa will have a limited number of kits available with 10% off any kit purchase through 6/30. Just use the coupon code CQA2013 at checkout. For complete details along with the quilt along schedule, visit ChristasQuiltAlong.com. It will be fun!


Tonight is the first time I've put the baby to bed and used the monitor... I know that's crazy but I've really enjoyed keeping her with me in the evenings, after 4 months though it seems a little much and since she slept for a total of about 40 mins today I thought she might need a good nights sleep! So far I've gone up once writing this blog post but fingers crossed I will be able to spend a bit more time reading blogs etc. in the evenings now! ooohh look at me, I'm hands free!! ;)

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boomage

Little 1.5" squares, take that!! Fourth attempt at this block and it's not so shabby, not perfect but that's as good as I can get and I'm happy! I hope Kerry will like it!

I'm still hand quilting for Cindy of Fluffy Sheep Quilting (all these lovely fabrics and perle thread are available in her shop!), just one flower left to do and some blue stitching on the edges and then on to binding:

I'm also working on a new project - a tie for my son to wear at my sister's wedding at the end of the month. I wasn't sure what fabric to use but I won this Kona Modern Quilts bundle from Marmalade Fabrics and I decided to be brave and steal this one out of the bundle since I think it would make a really cute tie!

Oh and I have my dress (matron of honour, don't cha know!), it is stunning, and you will definitely see pictures of it on the blog next month - I may crop my face out of it but the dress is divine!!
Lastly the theme for Le Challenge this month is MARITIME. Check out the blog and start working on your projects to link up on June 15th and be in with a chance of winning a $20 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop!

Linking up:

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Flying in for Le Challenge

Things are a little hectic round these parts but I'm flying in to show you my embroidery I did for this month's link at Le Challenge!

A pretty little swallow from Sublime Stitching gracing the shoulder of my much loved denim jacket.

I could only get this rubbish selfie shot but you get the idea!

Head over to Le Challenge to link your WINGS finishes and stay tuned to find out the next theme!

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underway

I've begun hand quilting and I'm really pleased.

Fabrics and perle thread from Fluffy Sheep Quilting.

In fact it's made me feel so positive that I'm attempting to make the block with 1.5" squares again:

A lovely feather flew to me from Australia from the very talented Jodi:

I love it, thanks Jodi! I can't wait to put all my feather bee blocks together and I know I will be hand quilting them. Linking up:

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winner and info for UK peeps!

The winner of my Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway is:

(she is 472 - it's that silly counting thing)

Congratulations Michelle! I've sent you an email.

Thanks so much to everyone that entered! I really want to make a chart showing the results of the favourite muppets but seriously that is perhaps a little OCD for a fun giveaway question and as if I have time ;)

In other news the UK Government has gone mad (like it wasn't already!) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is proposing that craft is no longer included as part of the creative industries. They consider it to be manufacturing as opposed to 'creative'.
If you would like to petition, please GO HERE.

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bag a giveaway

**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**

I will cut right to the chase...

I am giving away this pretty clutch I made using this pattern by Michelle Patterns.

This clutch should be 'just right' because it is the middle size - suitable for an e-reader maybe? I think it would be a cute place to keep notecards or what ever your heart desires. It has a secret pocket too!

For the purposes of the giveaway I will be filling it with these yummy scraps:

Some larger pieces and some teeny but all lovely!

**GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED**

You have two chances to win:
- Leave a comment telling me who is your favourite muppet (mine is Kermit if you were wondering!)
- Follow my blog and leave another comment telling me how you follow... the bloglovin' button or email follow are over on the right there if you'd like to hit them :) **The giveaway is open internationally and will close on 11th May. The winner will be chosen by Random.org not by who your muppet preference is** **PLEASE be sure I can contact you and leave your email in the comment, no reply bloggers will NOT win** Once you've entered be sure to hop back to Sew Mama Sew to see all the other giveaways!

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baby steps

**Last chance to enter my giveaway - closes Sat 11th**

**Enter the Le Challenge giveaway here**

I have a small finish. I made this extra bee block for Jan using this tutorial - since I thought she should add an extra column to her quilt top it only seemed fair to lend a hand :)

That's it for now... no more finishes... I'm spending my time kissing these precious feet

And since she's finally sleeping more at night and less in the day I get to make this cutie laugh by being silly all day!

Have a great weekend!

Linking up: at Quilt Matters this week and finish it up friday at Crazy Mom Quilts

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bee happy

** If you're looking for my SMS giveaway go here - open until Saturday 11th**
welcome to my new followers, some of your answers have really made me laugh!

**For another giveaway check out Le Challenge**

There are times when sewing goes so well and these bee blocks have made me so happy! I want to keep them but I will be sending them on their merry way...

These pineapple blossom blocks are for the very lovely Catherine, they were so fun to do:

Also sending her these clever bonus blocks you get from following the tutorial:

 This stunning block is for Jess, using this easy to follow tutorial, and I hope she loves it as much as I do!

Sometimes, though, things go horribly wrong. This is my third attempt at this block and it's not going well. I'm giving it one more go and then throwing in the towel!

Those little solid squares are not my friend but Kerry has been very understanding and I hope I can do her proud.

Today though I was getting on with basting this quilt I'm making for Cindy (I used this pattern):

while chatting away to this little wriggly onlooker:

I'm going to be hand quilting it, using these lovely DMC perle threads - this and the quilt fabrics are all available at Fluffy Sheep Quilting

Linking up:

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deer oh dear!

I have finished April of my Woodland Sampler.

Here's how it looks so far, super cute!

I also managed to sew a skirt for my eldest little girl, sadly when we went to take pictures outside she was too excited and ran off joyfully to jump on her swing and swing on her belly... and ended up face first eating dirt. So it all ended in tears and a muddy skirt:

I know terrible mummy taking pictures but we had LOTS of cuddles first ;)

I have felt a lot like crying myself recently and my lovely friend Moira sent me a cute note and divine fabric to cheer me up. She knew just what fabric would do the trick too. To know someone so thoughtful is truly enough to lift my spirits, huge thanks again Moira! x

To help pass on more joy I sent this little bundle of fabrics off to The Greenwich Free School after reading about the project on Lynne's blog. 

Come back tomorrow for a giveaway!

Linking up:

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