The Postman doesn't always knock twice...

...he just leaves stuff under the mat or with those neighbours.

But deliver he has, well it is his job I suppose; I just wish he would deliver my FQ Name Tag to my partner, because otherwise I am going to have to make another one this weekend, grrrr!

Anyway, my absolutely wonderful Aurifil case has arrived from Italy, and the colours are so much more vibrant and amazing than I could have imagined when I was picking from the screen!

Yes, I did put them straight back in the case afterwards!

Thanks again to Lynne, Alex, Katy, Laura and Anna.

I also received the beautiful Stitch at Home book from Mandy...

I have mentioned Mandy Shaw before, she is one of the stitchery masterminds working behind the scenes with Kirstie Allsopp, which makes her great by default, but the fact that she designs and makes amazing things and is fantastic at everything, makes her someone I love knowing even more. 

There's also been this bundle of goodies from the fabulous Sunni, following the recent Farmer's Wife series...

And today I got access to the latest issue of Fat Quarterly.  There are so many excellent quilts and smaller projects in there I am going to have to have a good old think about what to make first.  Those twin baby quilts that I cut a while back may need to be re-thought, as honestly, I have no excuse for not making them a bit more exciting now!  Oh and if you subscribe, you may even spot a little picture of mine in there, thanks John ;)

So basically I am sitting here feeling really rather happy to say the least, even though the prospect of squaring up all the petals for my Precious Retro Flowers is filling me with a little dread for this evening!

Lucky Cow!

Before I start, thank you so much for all the wonderful comments on my Stained finish - it means a lot that so many folks I love and respect have said such sweet things about something I've made; you guys know how to make me smile, and I will answer all your comments as soon as I can.

And if that wasn't enough to boost my ego today, remember my little not-the-FUNC thread catcher for Sunni's Farmer's Wife In Your Life linky party?  Well I only went and got an honourable mention from Laurie Aaron Hird didn't I!!! 

So, I've been meaning to show off tell you about this too for ages.  Before Easter I received a discount code for Moo, combined with some googled free shipping and cashback, (I use TopCashback to keep me in the lifestyle to which I have become accustomed!), I excitedly sent off for some minicards.

Ordered Wednesday, received Saturday!!

I know some of you already have them, and I have been jealous for a long time, stewing away quietly, but now I have some too; oh they are so lovely!

Obviously I won't be handing any out, they are just for me to look at and add to the illusion that I am way more important than I really am!  I don't think there is anything wrong with that, once in a while ;)

Farmer's Wife - Get a Life!

My wives have had a rather terrible existence, confined to a box with only each other for company - sounds like a movie or some terrible story you see on the news.

Anyhow, Sunni over at LoveAffairWithMyBrother hatched a rescue mission for these neglected old ladies and has just finished running the brilliant Farmer's Wife In Your Life series.





Unfortunately I had to decline doing a tutorial as it all came about in mid-terrible February and I wasn't really up to committing; however this week, whilst the kids were happy being ill in front of the TV, I grabbed my least dreary old dear and gave her freedom!

I decided right away that I wanted to use as few additions as possible, making nothing bigger than the original 6" block.  Not a lot of scope there really, but a challenge none the less.

Now, in the winter, I favour flannel pyjamas as evening attire. We have leather sofas, so when I am hand stitching a binding or trimming threads, I tend to use my knee as a thread catcher, needle-saver etc.  All well and good, works a treat!

But now it is getting warmer, my winter 'jamas are almost ready to be put away for 6 months and I need a simple replacement.   So here, may I present my Calico Puzzle Threadcatcher.

I used a square of lightweight wadding, and some flannel for it's awesome sticky powers and added a little felt for the needles.  A hairband and button to hold it all together, and now I have a wife with a purpose!

I kind of like it, and know I will use it, but it is giving me a little too much FUNC flashback to be confident about it!

So have you got any rogue Wives in need of a makeover?  Check out the wonderful tutorials and if you make something, link up with Sunni and you could win prizes! 

Laurie Aaron Hird, author of The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt book and Michele Foster from Quilting Gallery are the judges!  So I have potentially embarrassed myself in front of more than the regulars (again)!