CHARM ABOUT YOU

It's been block-tastic round here over the weekend. The mojo had definitely returned! Despite still having morning sickness (in the evening) I've been working round it and I'm not feeling so exhausted anymore so I'm going to sew all I can!

Before I get to the blocks I'm going to link up to Rhonda's Third Quarter Linky Party for the Finish-A-Long:



This quarter I'm going for it!!

- First up a baby quilt that HAS to be finished for my very dear friend who's due next month! I can't show anything except the fabrics because she reads the blog and I don't want to give anything away!



- I was trying to get an embroidery-to-go bag made before the Fat Quarterly Retreat but only got as far as the embroidery and some cutting and I really want to turn it into a cute bag!


- The Retro Flowers QAL - The QAL has finished and I've still only done 1/2 one block!!! hahaha! Although I have done all the cutting so it just has to be SEWN!


- I want to finish the 'Postcards from Paris' cushion that I started at the Fat Quarterly Retreat. I really love paper piecing now, thanks to Lynne's great teaching, so this shouldn't be too taxing. I made two blocks at the retreat and haven't touched it since then...

Stolen from Lynne: http://lilysquilts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/london-has-been-and-gone.html but since it's a pic of me I'm sure she won't mind!

- I also have a little project that I'm making as a Fat Quarterly challenge using some yummy fabric. I have it planned and have done a bit of cutting but need to finish this up asap!


So that's what I want to do! What I have been doing is this...

Blocks for the fabulous Queen Bees of Scrappy? Sew bee it!


Because of not feeling so hot I got really behind and can only apologise to those who are getting the blocks late - I hope you will understand and forgive me!!


May's block was for the fabulous lady that created the bee, May of Confession of a fabraholic.
I really enjoyed making this block, having never done one before. I was a bit intimidated but it came together so easily and was a lot of fun to do.


June's block was for Annika of Quiltar och Silver.
I have attempted a log cabin block before but I think my seam allowance was off and it looked all wrong but thankfully this went together nicely! I love her white, yellow and blue theme.

They aren't all late either (hopefully I won't be late again or no one will ever want me in a bee)...


I also got July's block for Jeanne of Grey Cat Quilts done on time! (the background grey is all Charcoal, it looks like different shades in this picture but it's not!)
I love her idea for this quilt. We all make blocks using 2.5" squares of scraps in any simple design and use different greys for the background. The idea is that one of the blocks on the outer edge will meet up with each other so it will be like a big puzzle when it's all put together! I'm looking forward to seeing this one finished because it will be so original.


I got them all in the post today so they are winging their way to different parts of the world!



I also got behind on the Blogger's BOM. Here's my blocks for May and June:


As if I haven't got enough things on my 'to sew list', after seeing the post at The Elven Garden, I couldn't resist joining the fabulous Jess' (plural) and their quilt-a-long:

I had to answer Lynne's call for help. Siblings Together is an amazing cause and having kids it just pulled at my heart strings. I haven't actually blogged about making this quilt but it went together so fast there wasn't much to say! I started this before heading to the Fat Quarterly Retreat, intending to take it with me but I hadn't quite finished. The other day I managed to put the binding on and it's all ready to be sent off to 'Siblings Together'.


I got the idea for the quilt from Amy's off-set square block tutorial, I wanted to show off the large prints and this worked really well. The fabric is mostly Emily Herrick's Hall of Fame (and a couple of solids) - I won a fat quarter bundle from her blog. I think it'll be a great quilt for any sporting boy or girl!

There has been lots of involvement in this project, check out Lynne's post to see more great quilts!

I'm linking up to:



I managed another finish because it was my amazing friend's birthday and I got to give her a pressie this weekend. I made her a weighted pincushion, using this great tutorial.



I used some of my precious Blend button box fabric, which just looks so cute! I love that this is adaptable and you can take off the little basket, so useful. Now I have to get on with making her a baby quilt :)

I was lucky enough to get an awesome gift in the post from the fabulously talented Rachael of Blue Mountain Daisy, after I left a rather rude comment on her SMS giveaway. Who knew being crude could get you prizes?!!

I was in love before I even opened her gift, the packaging was even gorgeous!



And inside was this brilliant double sided pincushion:



I love it!!! She is so kind and also included this gorgeous fabric:


Thank you so much Rachael! I assure you I'm usually much more ladylike (although those that met me recently will likely disagree!!).

Things have been a little overwhelming recently... lots going on. My brain is also still coming to grips with all the information, excitement and brilliantness of the Fat Quarterly Retreat.
I have written posts in my head about it but I just can't seem to cram it all in!! I think rather than do one post I'm just going to include things as and when.

What I will say is that it was SO well organised, I ADORED all my classes and I was so lucky to meet and spend time with the most amazing people. Thank you to the Fat Quarterly team and all the great sponsors.
Truly everyone was even nicer, funnier and kinder than I thought possible. I had so many great conversations and can't wait to do it again next year :)... also because I want to talk to Sarah and maybe sit at her end of the table if we go for dinner!

I even got invited to join some amazing ladies in their kitchen quilt guild and we're meeting tomorrow! I'm not sure who invited me exactly but I'm pretty sure they're going to regret it... with no mum on hand to babysit I will have my daughter in tow. Lynne may seriously never speak to me again!! I'm super excited to get to know them all better and I know it'll be great fun. I'm going to take lots of pictures just to prove I was there once!! ;)

I also met my soul mates, Nicky and Emily - who I just got on with like a house on fire. I actually suspect Emily and I would make some genius creations together if we lived nearer, that or just cause total chaos and havoc ;)
I haven't laughed so hard in such a long time!!
If I was a better blogger I'd list all the brilliant people I met but I haven't time and I have a memory like a sieve - just know that if I talked to you I am probably in love with you (especially you Moira, not least because you say amazeballs!!).

I'll show you one thing I got finished...  a little stitching from my embroidery class with Aneela Hoey. She was a great teacher, I was happy to learn couching and hear her advice. She was truly lovely, so honest and very helpful. I'm hoping she doesn't think me and Emily are psycho for getting her autograph on some fabric (ok Emily might be a bit, she's already stitched hers!!) ;)
How cute is this little robin?!


Now I have to think what to make this into...

As well as working on getting Katy her own TV show, oh and trying to get my hands on the book so I can join in Allegory's awesome QAL!









Linking up to:








Lucy

p.s. For those cheeky folks wanting to know the rude comment...

Rachael asked for the answer to 'why did the chicken cross the road?' and without thinking I wrote 'because it was chasing the cock'

Ok there's not actually a disco but there's loads of panic!!

I've not packed ONE thing for the Fat Quarterly Retreat and I'm getting on a train to the big smoke tomorrow... help.

Actually the best solution is probably to get off the computer and go and pack everything I can find into the smallest case possible... first I want to quickly show you two amazing things I got in the post this week.

Today I went to the sorting office and picked up my beautiful name tag from Sarah (who had sensibly and kindly sent it next day delivery at the beginning of the week but I was out and I couldn't collect it until today!).



I adore it!! It's so pretty, the hexies are awesome and the stitching is beautiful. So neat!


Ok I'm going to go do what needs done and pack my **** up!!

Have a great weekend and if you're going to FQR see you Saturday, I'm the one wearing the cute hexie charms name tag!! :)

Lucy x

Just wanted to quickly share a couple of little finishes...

These are the first two (of four) swaps for the Fat Quarter Retreat.





I have machine sewn them onto the teatowels and put a random lone hexagon on the other edge.

I hope you think they're pretty (just in case you're going and get one)!


So two done and two to go...


Linking up to the fabulous There & Back and TGIFF at Color Me Quilty this week:

Over the weekend I finished my last two little stitchings for the Fat Quarterly Retreat swap so just need to get these pretties on some teatowels



I also managed to get my Blogger's BOM blocks done for March and April:


On a roll I just finished these two blocks for charity Bee Blessed:


Hope they're ok Judith! They're like a boy and a girl converging corners!

It was fun making them and I was glad to dip into my scrap bin giant bag because it looks like this:


Serendipitous then that Sana should post about joining a bee that is using scraps and asking for followers! It's called Scrappy? Sew bee it! (great name!!) and is being run by the delightful May over at Confessions of a fabraholic. She is so sweet, incredibly organised and very helpful - I've gleaned all that just from emailing her today so I'll be happy to get to know her and the other bee members better!
If you'd like to join there's still room so go see May and sign up :)

I've never been in a bee before but already I'm enjoying it and so glad I joined on a whim!!

In other fun news, the gorgeous Katie is starting a fun link party each week for hand stitched items. This is such a great idea and I can't wait to see what hand sewing there is around blogland!



Check out her great blog There & Back then get to hand sewing something and I'll see you there on Friday! Maybe with some progress on this:

http://www.sewsweetness.com/2012/05/tutorial-embroidery-to-go-bag.html

The icing on the cake today had to be the wonderful news that the lovely Cindy of Fluffy Sheep Quilting has opened her online shop!