Old is the new New...

During the week this arrived…

It is beautiful!

Now I don't mind admitting that when I first got into quilting I was really quite dismissive of all those old quilts made with basket designs and a load of other old fashioned stuff.

The blocks were made worse by the awful brown and beige florals that were used to make them, I am sure I am not the only one to feel that way!

But I don't know whether it comes to us all in the end, or if it's a trend, but I can't get enough of the older, traditional appliqué and pieced blocks with modern fabrics and a twist…

Maybe it's the Aussie thing, Jen Kingwell, Sarah Fielke, Kathy Doughty, they just appeal to me in a way that most others don't.

Who could fail to want too make one of these, solids 'n all!?

Fashions change, tis true, but I think this love is here to stay!

Merry Mug Rugs Blog Hop...

It's almost Christmas, are you ready yet??  At the time of writing I am still living in denial!  So take a couple of minutes out from your busy schedule and welcome to my stop on the Merry Mug Rugs tour…

When Jennifer asked me to join in this blog hop I knew exactly what I wanted to make.

Since buying the Little Quilts book by Sarah Fielke and Amy Lobsiger, I had been eager to get a little hand-quilting action going, so this was the perfect opportunity to give a festive twist to one of my favourites…

I used the paper doll templates as the basis for Santa, gave him trousers and a felt beard, and topped Mr and Mrs Claus off with a hat...

I actually followed the pattern for the rest, no, really!

In a first for me, I used pre-made bias-bindng, and OMG isn't it good?!  I wouldn't use it on anything bigger, but it was lovely to work with on this mini.

Despite photographic staging to the contrary, cups of tea and mince pies will not be making themselves at home on this mini; food and fabric, they just don't go!  But it does already have pride of place on a side table, with a wipe-clean coaster for company ;)

Sorry love!

So as a thank you for pandering to my irrational fears, here's the link back to the giveaway over at Ellison Lane.

I hope this has inspired to you put a little Christmas cheer into a little make or two, you still have time, and if you haven't already, take a little time to check out the other Merry Hoppers.

Thank you for having me Jennifer, and now you can all get back to panicking xxx

Keep calm..

... and sew on.

Despite the best efforts of the builders next door to drive me out of my mind own home for the day; pneumatic drilling, 30 seconds on, 5 seconds off, from 9am to 2.30pm, 5 meters from my conservatory door; I gritted my teeth, (and swore loudly when they couldn't hear me), and stitched up my Cherry Christmas quilt top.

I used Sarah Fielke's Ups and Downs block pattern from Hand Quilted With Love.  I had charm packs, so I simply used the 5" squares, plus my yardage to make the HSTs...

It measures up at 54.5" x 68", which will be a very useful sofa-sized quilt come the festive period...

 I just have to ponder the backing.

I was thinking some minky or fleece, but am a bit worried about quilting that, so maybe flannel may be the solution?  I have plenty of time eh. 

Famous last words!

Busy doing...

... bugger all really!

Playing with my Cherry Christmas stash, ordering some more of the white prints from the ladies at Pin It & Stitch; they have loads you know, if you are trying to get in the festive spirit too.

And I have been master-minding in Touchdraw...

I am thinking of using Sarah Fielke's ups and downs block as a starting point.

So I am going to get back to humming Christmas carols, and you can roll your eyes all you like; I am determined to have a festive quilt this year!