A Spring In My Step...

I have been making up for the lack of sewing this weekend, by getting the backing of my Orbit quilt pieced, and also my Brit Bee top all sewn together this evening...

I still have 2 names left to embroider into the siggie block, and then I can piece the back for that too.

Does anyone know if I should be worrying that after a wash and tumble, my 3 strand Cosmo floss names are going to look like my kids have attempted embroidery with their eyes closed??

Ideally I would like these two basted on Wednesday, so that I can hopefully aim for one finish over the coming weekend; with all the fun and games of the last few days I could do with a bit of a relax, and a Sunday afternoon stitching down some binding sounds like heaven to me!

I had happy mail to get me in the mood today too; a layer cake of Summersville Spring courtesy of Justine...

I still have my first collection layer cake and a bit of yardage waiting for the perfect project, so I am hoping that my spend to use theory will again pay off and I will be able to stash-bust and make something using both together.  The additional colours are lovely, so time to start trawling for the one.

Did you see Rita's beautiful Having A Starry Time blog hop post today?  I think I am going to have to work on my presentation skills before Friday!!

And as promised, more details on the Sizzix hop...

Katy kicked off today with her 2 Minute Treat bags, then I will be joining these other lovely ladies with Spring and Eastertime makes...

Tuesday 19th March - Carolyn at carolynforster.co.uk/wordpress
Wednesday 20th March - Lauli Pops at needlespinsandbakingtins.com
Thursday 21st March - Me!
Friday 22nd March - Anna at cafecreativo.blogspot.co.uk

And whilst I'm all about the info, and despite not feeling the lovin', I am joining the hysteria and doing the claim thing just in case the world ends if I don't!

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I think that's about it for tonight... crikey, is that the time!

It's Fabric Friday!

Well this week I have received a few squidgy packages, some I shopped for and others were gifts and I am over the moon with them all!

Firstly some long awaited yardage of Summersville from Brenda at Pink Castle - I did have plans, then I changed my plans, now I think I will wait until I have finished off a few other things first... probably!

With specific plans, I ordered the backing for the twin quilts.  You know when you just order with your fingers-crossed and hope that the online photo really is what you will receive, and when it arrives you are so totally thrilled that the plan came together?  Well these Essential Stripes from Seamstar so perfectly match the Reunion colours, and were on offer too, so I did a little happy dance when I ripped off the lovely tissue paper!

I also ordered 1/2m of Domestic Bliss to assist in making my Spring Carnival cushion - I know I won't need it for ages, but why pay two lots of postage and not take advantage of 10% off?

And then onto real treats...

A generous benefactor, who may have a lovely online shop in Galway, sent me an amazing sample pack of the full Mama Said Sew line to play with!!!  It's so gorgeous, I thought I was really going to have to think long and hard about what to make, but Lynne's ET Phone Home block is obviously a strong contender.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

And finally today - the mail to end all mail!

I got home to find that 'popping a few bits of Denyse Schmidt fabric in the post' actually meant 'sending a dream parcel of wonderful fabric that will make you giddy'!

My lovely friend Deborah, you may know her as Simply Miss Luella, spotted my persistent moaning around blogland about how we are so hard-done-by in the UK having neither Joann's nor Spotlight to satisfy our DS cravings and so she asked (asked!!!) if she could send me some.  Guess what I said!

I also received a smashing parcel from the one and only Terri - I asked if she could pick me up some DS fabric on her recent trip, (having found out where she was); and she also enclosed was a beautifully wrapped birthday present which I will, (if my resolve remains strong), save for Tuesday, and show you all then...

I have already gushed my thanks by email - but I need to say it again, online quilting friends are the most generous wonderful group of ladies and gents anywhere.

Now I am going to sit back and let my long weekend begin - I am not back to work until next Thursday, which is probably for the best, as I think I need to go and clear some space for all these new additions! xxx

New Look!

Well as I know some of you already spotted, a ShabbyBlogs.com malware attack put pay to my trusty old background and has forced my hand on a blog revamp; so as an interim measure I have had a little tinker about and I am liking the fresh new look.

Please let me know if anything doesn't work for you; I use a MacBook Pro, so how things look to me may not be how they appear on a big ol' PC.

I have also finished the project I was working on over the last couple of evenings...

Keyka Lou/Michelle Patterns Ditty Bags!

These 3 are for the twins and their friend who has a birthday next week.  Super Heather Ross courtesy of Kerry's destash a week or so ago...

Nice bit of subtle orange for lining!

And a couple of Summersville pretties...

I made these in the Small size, which caused a couple tricksy moments, but nothing determination couldn't overcome, or small people won't notice.

They are pretty fun, and I am definitely loving the production line making.

And yes, I have been at the PicMonkey again, (and they are going to start charging for some of the best bits soon - blame Susan!).

So the Bank Holiday weekend has started nicely; tomorrow dear hubby and I will be hitting Bluewater while my parents kiddie-wrangle, so hoping I will have some 'shopping' to show you!

Happy Weekend everyone x

Twofer...

Yesterday, having the choice of trimming more Retro Flower petals, urrrgh, or making something from start to finish; start to finish won!

I needed some happy sewing, because this weather is really starting to take its toll on me, I am getting grumpier by the day; I know it was sunny on Friday, but I was stuck indoors and that makes it worse!

So I opted for a double win - finally using some of my gorgeous Summersville fabric and the Keyka Lou padded pouch pattern I have been meaning to have a go at for ages.

I was going to use the black Summersville prints, but having pulled some flannel for the inner lining, I swapped to the turquoise without hesitation.

As with the wristlet pattern, this was really easy to follow.  Piecing was a breeze until the final joining of the exterior and lining.  We are talking at least 2 layers of wadding, interfacing, muslin, flannel and cotton layers to join without the circumference to run it round the machine arm.

I made the small version, so I am guessing that the larger sizes would be rather easier in comparison.

But look, boxed corners and flukily matching quilting...

A whole bunch of hardware I had forgotten I had, along with some perfect pink cord...

I swapped out the velcro from the pattern for the magnetic snap; I couldn't bring myself to stick a strip of the crinkly white stuff smack bang over those cute houses.

Lu challenged me to make something lovely before Retreat; something that wouldn't make her sob at the mess I'd made of her fabulous fabric, and I think I have succeeded; it made me feel happy and think of day trips and sunny holidays, even though the rain has kept on pouring.

In the absence of any sunlight, I turned to technology to make the pictures look nicer; thank you PicMonkey, you've done a nice job x

I can see my house from here!

Last night I built a house for the Bee Blessed ladies...

It's a lovely Spring-like scene that many in the UK would love to see right now, but with snow or a hosepipe-ban not much chance of the lawns being this beautiful any time soon!

And that's not my only house, ooh get me!

Today the lovely postlady handed me my Summersville winnings!

Lucie has challenged me to make something, (that ideally won't make her sob into her hands - my words, not hers!) in time for FQ Retreat...  I'll try my best, I have an idea or two.

I had already pre-ordered a couple of charm packs, and I am fearing those will definitely not be enough; the prints, Lu's first for Moda are beautiful and fun, and I can't quite bring myself to ruin their perfect stackiness just yet!