CHARM ABOUT YOU

So yesterday I made a list of the projects I want to get finished...

last night I did a bit of work on one of them and I now have a cushion top!

Pattern by the fabulous Lynne Goldsworthy and available in The Fat Quarterly Community Retreat Special Issue 2012

Seriously paper piecing is a joy and this pattern is brilliant for a beginner. I'm hoping once you've got it it makes sense because I'm up for trying something more complicated.

I'm going to do a bit of machine and hand quilting on this and then get it finished up.


...So can anyone tell me why I've just spent way too long looking at patterns for various things and now have these two piles of fabric waiting to be turned into things that ARE NOT on my list?!!!



Internet (and by that I mean fabulous free tutorials and patterns) you are sometimes my nemesis.

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:

Recently I've not spent as much time at my machine as I'd like... the good news is I have finished quilting my Shattered Stained Navy and just have to sew the binding on so I should have a reveal soon!

I also managed to make a cute I-Spy baby quilt to donate to my son's school PTA raffle. I hope someone will enjoy it.

I am officially in love with scrappy binding! This is the first time I've used it and it just looks so fun.


I have done a little bit of hand sewing. I finished another Rose Star block:


I adore making these but I'm trying not to think how many I still have to make to do a whole quilt! This is the fifteenth one I've done. If you like to try, please go and visit SelfSewn and her marvelous tutorial!

I also decided to start (and finish) a new project. After seeing Laura's gorgeous veggie stitched bag I decided my plain bag from the Fat Quarterly Retreat could also do with a bit of stitching loveliness! I've totally gone off veggies since being pregnant though so I had to think of something else... and since I'll be carting around baby gear with me again I thought I'd stitch a baby bag theme!


We're not going to find out the gender of the baby (unless my husband can convince me otherwise... although I'd need a really big bribe - like a new sewing machine!!), so I went with bright fun colours.

All the patterns are from the Sublime Stitching book. I seriously can't recommend this book enough! Great tips and I want to sew all the patterns in it, they are so fun.



I have no idea what happened to the glorious sunshine but it's raining cats and dogs here today. Thankfully I was able to relax yesterday and spend some much needed fun time with the fantastic Kitchen quilt guild over at Lynne's. Sitting in the sun, eating cake and talking sewing - life doesn't get much better :)

Yet again I forgot my camera but there was a fabulous show and tell of the wonderful things these creative ladies have been making - go and visit Lynne, Trudi, Katy, Mandy and Laura (whose birthday is tomorrow, Happy Birthday chick!) to see what they are working on. They are so talented! I really enjoyed getting some tips from Trudi and getting to see her outstanding quilting up close was totally wonderful and so inspiring.


Now if you're getting your sew on and fancy a fabric splurge, what better way to do it than take advantage of a SALE!

Prints to Polka Dots are having a fabulous sale, with up to 50% off!! Check out all the great reductions and also use the discount code below to stock up on goodies!




  at Quokka Quilts this week

This weekend I'm determined to catch up on much neglected bee blocks, wish me luck!

literally...


I am pregnant with our third child! It's still pretty early days but I had the first scan and everything is as it should be :) My due date is in January, which is really exciting as I think 2013 will be a awesome year!

You may have noticed I've not been posting as much, commenting nearly as often or even actually sewing very much at all recently... that's because I'm kind of exhausted and I've often been going to bed at 8 or 9pm, which is ridiculously early for me! I know that this is the most important time and I am just doing whatever I feel necessary, so please excuse my slight uselessness but I know you'll understand :)

I am also constantly dropping things, saying utterly stupid things (or repeatedly asking the same thing... my poor husband!) and am completely forgetful!! I guess all of me is concentrated on growing the little one!

clever planning... quilt made even before the baby was!

Now I'm going to try and get my toddler to take a nap so I can too!

Linking up:

I need to send you on a little journey but first I just wanted to check in quickly...

Firstly I had an amazing time on Wednesday with the kitchen quilt guild. I'm officially in love with Lynne, Laura, Katy, Brioni, Amanda, Justine and Mandy! Such a great bunch of women and a proper laugh! I got no sewing done, ate a lovely lunch in brilliant company and was able to see some of their fabulous creations up close. Even my daughter said 'can we go again next week?'

I took no photos because I'm a numpty and forgot my (husband's) camera. I did come away with this gorgeous stitching from Justine - she'd done one for all of us, she's like Superwoman with a needle!


Thank you Justine!! It's a reminder of the best weekend :)

This week I'm linking up to...

Stitching bliss!

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'