Just Keep Stitching!

Although I am feeling down in the dumps with so much on my plate at the moment, I pulled myself together a little over the weekend, and it felt good.

On Saturday there was a quick visit to my parent's to drop off the She Loves You cushion, a success, and then on to Bluewater.  We hadn't taken the kids there since the girls were babies, we wanted to postpone the continual begging to go to The Disney Store, The Lego Shop, Build A Bear, Claire's Accessories, Hawkin's Bazaar et al for as long as possible!

We had a lovely lunch in GBK, I got to spend an early birthday White Stuff voucher from my parents, and grab a few more bits and pieces, including a little home dec from John Lewis to make a summer bag.  Hubby got to do some birthday shopping too, (I hope!).

Sunday was a quiet Father's Day, but there was cake and ice-cream along with the school project work and grass-cutting, so a smiling Daddy here nonetheless.

Today I failed to dodge the rain showers, but just now I happily managed to sew up the cushion pieces I prepped last week…

This is to be my blogiversary giveaway prize in a couple of weeks, giving me enough time to finish it off without adding to the stress!  Bonus.

First class prep...

My first session at FQR2014 will be hand quilting with Jen Kingwell (yes, Jen Kingwell!!!), and the supplies list says we require a 50cm square quilt sandwich, and that solids are good.

You know I don't easily do solids, nor do I hand quilt, so I am starting a long way from my comfort zone, which, I suppose is the point!  I don't see sense in paying to do something you are already good at.

So I dug deep and whipped up this panel all ready for some quilty action...

A bunch of Kona solids and white Essex Linen, I had to have a little texture.

This, and a couple of my other class makes are destined to become cushions, I hope.

I have two classes with Jen, (we are friends already, but she doesn't know that yet!),  so I am hanging my head in shame that my Midnight At The Oasis has been untouched for months.

I am hoping that I will return from Retreat inspired to hand stitch as much as possible, and get those applique flowers on so I can start on the teeny, tiny-pieced borders.  Well it's a plan!

Let the mayhem and indecision commence...

2 minutes after I spotted my FQR2014 class list in my Inbox...

I have a great bunch of classes, fab teachers and now I need to get all my prep work done, and I can see me swapping and changing fabrics and threads a million times in the next month.  Fun though!!

Prepped and ready...

I crossed a couple of things off my To Do list today, keeping myself occupied with the help of a little skiver so-called poorly child, who, 10 minutes after pick up at 9.30am, seemed as right as bloody rain!

So first I made the binding for Terri's quilts.  As far as I know, the tops are still in block form and then need to be quilted, but I am ready!

Then I made the next additions for Jude's Brit Bee Medallion, but I forgot to take any pics, but as they are secret anyway, no biggie.

And although I have the MATO applique at the ready, I feel a little lost when I don't have a bunch of EPP on the go; so I sizzixed into yesterday's bundle and a dozen complementary prints, mostly Liberty, including my first quilty fabric purchase from the V&A exhibition in 2010!

I am not sure what these will become yet, whether I will stick with my usual random, or make pretty flowers, I cut 8 hexies of each print to keep my options open, and time will tell.  I am just happy to have some basting to keep my fingers busy.

So until next time dear folks; it'll be Random Thursday, and if the sedative hasn't worn off, you can probably expect something a bit more random than usual!

...and relax ...

Eyelash tint - check
Haircut - check
Provisions to stop husband and children starving - check
Supplies packed - check
Final decision on clothing - check
Paint toenails - check
Dangle legs in the pool whilst the girls have their swim lesson and relax for a minute - check

Look at the time and know you will be on the train to Fat Quarterly Retreat in 12 hours time - check


Good nights sleep - hope so xxx