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!

Give it away, give it away, give it away, give it away now...

***The Giveaway is now closed***

Guess what folks, I have been blogging for two whole years!  733 posts, over 93,500 page views and 11,000 comments - I can't quite believe it!

Some days it feels like I have been doing this for 20 years, other times those first few faltering steps seem like yesterday.

I have made such a bunch of terrific friends through these here ramblings, I wouldn't be without any of you.

I have been inspired to make, and have made to blog.  Even when my Inbox has been exploding with comments and I've had dozens of posts to catch up reading, I have blogged... everyday!

I guess that means I deserve a prize?  OK you do, for putting up with me, coming back time and again; sticking by me when I have the hump, and humouring me when I am getting too big for my boots.  Thank you one and all!

So what can I give you for your trouble?  A big internet hug and a great big fuzzy thank you?

Hows about the Fat Quarterly Shape Workshop for Quilters book, I won a copy at Retreat but had already bought it, so I saved it especially for the occasion, its really good...

...and what about a cute little frame purse; Walk In The Woods, Essex linen, gridded interfacing technique and a little bit of swearing...

...and since you are all so nice, in the main, I will probably pop in a few other bits and bobs.

Is that enough to keep you interested?  I hope so, 'cause that's what you could be getting!

I know there are loads of giveaways running right now, so if you don't want this little offering I won't be offended!

But if you want in, no humongous hoops to jump through, two chances, two comments...

1. Leave a comment telling me, for fun, which craft really should be an Olympic sport and;
2. Be a follower (new or established, all welcome) and leave a second, separate comment telling me so.

If Blogger duplicates your comments, I will delete the erroneous ones, to be fair.  I will read all your replies, but for this one I won't be replying to individual comments.

Please don't be a 'no reply' blogger, leave your email address in your comment if you are - if I have no way of contacting you, you won't win.

International entrants more than welcome and I will close the comments, and draw a winner with the assistance of Mr RNG, next Monday (23rd July) at about 8pm BST.

I think that's everything.  Good luck and thank you xxx

My Neighbour Hates Me...

...but I don't care!!!

Long story short; three separate deliveries whilst I was at work yesterday, 3 little red cards for me, 3 times off her or her husband's lazy arses to answer the door to the postman!

The fact she was on the phone the whole time that she was handing over the goods, and I didn't twig at first that the moaning was directed at me, meant I just grabbed the goodies and got home as fast as my legs could carry me.  Apparently her husband was trying to work at home... like he was on Wednesday probably, when all I could hear was his golf putting practice in the garden!  Pah!

So here's the loot...

Warning - you will be jealous!

And here's what was inside...

March Brit Bee goodies from Jo; I'd eaten the chocolate before I had finished opening the rest - I needed the energy!

Then some reading material...

This is absolutely gorgeous!!!!

Then more material...

White (it's there, honest), Dresden and Pomegranate Klona

And then the parcel to end all parcels!  Back in the New Year I won a giveaway over at Amy's Glitter, Vinyl & Thread; now I won't embarrass Amy with the whys and wherefores, hee hee, but her parcel finally made its way to me, and boy did she spoil me rotten!

Here are the giveaway prizes, wonderful Melody Miller coasters,  Japanese craft books and a sweet purse, there may have been mention of a few sweets and bits'n'bobs also...

Here's the 'also'...

Too much to fit on the lid!

And if these weren't enough, there was this - oh I should have videoed the happy dance!!

I was, and still am over the moon!!  Amy you are the best!

Oh, and just so the postman didn't get withdrawal symptoms from our door, he popped some DS from JoAnns courtesy of wonder Di through this morning...

I know I am lucky, so today I have been doing something for others; but more on that tomorrow x

Going places...

New car, begging to go on a little road trip yesterday, we ended up in Chichester - a treat for me!

I bought fabric!  I needed some for a new Bee, I needed some for an idea I'd had for my sister's birthday present and I needed some for my sanity.  Eternal Maker to the rescue.

I now have Kei dots, only FQs, so don't shout at me...

I now have some voile, flannel and more herons...

And the postman also finally showed up with my last Christmas present from my sister c/o Amazon...

It looks brilliant, and I am thinking I need to make one of these soon, 20" zipper and all...

 Maybe for when I have somewhere to go in June?!

The Blessed Path...

I took the Route of all Evil, so to speak, back to work today, whilst yesterday I passed a lovely few hours making a couple more blocks.

Judith and Sarah, for those not already in the know, run a real-life sewing group and simultaneous virtual Bee, called Bee Blessed, making quilts for the needy in Northern Ireland;  I have made a couple of blocks in the past, missed the last round, but was determined to send some back along with my Brit Bee blocks this month.

Asking for blocks for sampler quilts, any colours, any block, had me dashing for my thus far merely 'perused' copy of Modern Blocks...

On the cover is probably the least 'fun' of the whole 99 illustrated inside, however that was to be my starting point...

So after a quick scrabble about, I plumped for a bit of Solid action and a couple of charm squares and came up with these Pathways blocks...

Katy C - this was your Japanese Import choice I believe!

I hope they will fit in with your grand plans my dear ladies x

I can finally confirm that the way the book is laid out, and the clear instructions given, made this block so easy to put together, and has added to my enthusiasm to make a quilt of more adventurous blocks, which, after the day I've had, is something I would love to spend my working hours buried beneath just now.

If you want to join in, and send a block or two, check out the flickr group too; I'm sure Judith and Sarah won't mind me pointing out that last month was 'granny block month', so do not be put off by the muted florals that await you at first glance!

Great post...

I received 'my' first Bee block - woo hoo!

Trudi was first across the line, and now I have mine and hers together, I am seeing the total awesomeness that this quilt is going to 'bee'!  Thank you again Trudi x

Unfortunately today was also the worst weather we have had in a while, so photos were not on the cards, by the time we got home from school at 3.30pm we needed the lights on and a complete change out of soggy clothes - maybe tomorrow you will get luckier and I will show you my gorgeous pair!

My other amazing mail was my long awaited copy of 'Modern Blocks: 99 Quilt Blocks from Your Favorite Designers'.

Thank you Amazon - I borrowed your picture x

This book is crammed with the most awesome blocks, including 2 by Mrs Goldsworthy, and another by Mrs Hennebury (who has already told me to trot along a few steps behind her now she is famous!!); I wholeheartedly suggest you let Santa know that you really need a copy too, even if you have to spell 'favourite' without the 'u'!

If you are making a Christmas list, the aforementioned Mrs G has added to her Christmas Gifts for Quilters, and you could also win a bundle of amazing Klona solids from Alice at Backstitch if you feel inclined to try.

So as not to leave you picture-less, here is dear son last night being invested into Beavers...

Now all Mummy has to do is work out where all the badges need to be sewn!

Early Years...

When I was young, I would spend hours and hours colouring in the patterns in Galt Pattern Books - they were the most brilliant way to pass the time on a rainy, and probably not so rainy day.

When dear son and I were browsing a toy department last week, I came across one of these nostalgic books.  I didn't buy it and have been kicking myself ever since; I may have to pay Amazon a visit.

Maybe I am now thinking of these patterns with a 'quilter's eye', or perhaps I just fancy doing a bit of colouring-in for old time's sake!

Half Term... part 1

I've actually had a productive couple of days, being that it's half-term an' all, but not a lot to show you just yet!

I discovered a fantastic tutorial and made a couple of 'gifts' which will remain under wraps for now, but I promise to show and tell soon. 

I've made significant progress on the hideous Boutique quilt, thanks to a virtual kick up the bum by Jennifer at Ellison Lane Quilts; but a combination of burgundy-fleece-fluff and pig-farm-smell meant my outdoor binding mission was put on hold yesterday...

... and I've pieced the Union Jack backing.

I've also re-sealed the bath with white gunk, and registered us all with the local doctor and dentist.   Tick, tick, tick.

So for today, a couple of snaps to keep you going...

The fantastic wall in the bathroom of the local bookshop/tearoom...

... a pile of library books I took out for inspiration...

...'Fez's are cool', and £2 from the antique shop...

... the cool dude on the beach...

... and the big blue sky full of looping-the-loop bi-planes... oh, OK, just the one!

Hope the sun is shining wherever you are...

I heart Inset days!

Firstly a big thank you for all your kind words about the HUG, they really mean a lot - check out today's new Flickr pic!

Today then, taking just 3 hours flexi-leave, I managed to cram in loads especially as there was no school run, no rain and no furniture to build for a change!

There were huge Belgian Buns for breakfast, (apologies to any Danes reading, but the Belgian variety looked yummier this morning), a lovely pot of tea, with a tea strainer, and a huge chocolate milkshake for my companion; the parcel was safely posted to NZ, we did some reading about tarantulas - not my choice, a few random rounds of eye-spy, a quick spin around Tesco, all before collecting the girlies from nursery, then back home for a bit of mummy-time!

We are still in need of a large picture or 'something' to go above our bed, to cover some incumbent holes and scuffs, and also to inject a bit of colour and personality.  So after a little ponder, here are my first 'drafts' using some of my beautiful and beloved Echinos and some previously covered canvases...

I have a real problem cutting into these gorgeous prints, so I am thinking that they will remain largely intact and be able to be re-used in the future should we tire of them, and I would get to see them all the time - so a win win.  Dear hubby seems to be onside at first glance, so I may well get happy with the staple gun over the weekend.

Taking the photos, and trying to get all 4 canvases in wasn't so easy, even with assistance!

Then, as if playing with fabric wasn't enough, I just needed to make a little something, some good old instant gratification, and what better way to use up some of those scraps left over from the bunting, than pin cushions.

I literary had my conscience pricked last night; check this beauty out by lovely clever Fi (Patchwork Delights) - I can only dream of making anything so perfect!  When Verity said at New Year that she was going to make a concerted effort to make things from the books she owns, this was one of those 'things' I vowed to make!

So I grabbed my Quilting In No Time and got going!

I didn't want the frilly bit, and I probably didn't follow the instructions to the letter, and if you don't look too closely, I am really rather chuffed! 

The pink one is for my mum, sort of a early consolation prize for looking after dear son for a few days over half term!  The other one is just for me. 

The postman also came laden with literature, (well you may beg to differ), and I now have these to look forward to...

 
I love days like these.