"We're all mad here..."

But in a good way.
xxx

All sorts...

I laid out all my Stained pieces yesterday afternoon, and found that I was only one small piece short, so I was rather pleased and surprised at myself for that...

I ended up bagging each individual block separately, as I was anticipating a bit of a muddle and continual need to re-lay the whole lot out if I wasn't completely organised.

Whilst listening to my two buddies, Rhonda and Cindy chatting away on the latest Quilter In The Gap podcast (so funny!), I cut all the block sashing too, so I am now ready to start the sewing at last.

One thing I must say, cutting up on the kitchen worktop was so much better than hunching over the dining table.  OK so you are all saying 'yes obviously, didn't you know?', but I don't think I have ever had to cut so many pieces in one session, and I am so pleased I thought of it before rather than after!

***Edited 5th May 2012 - you will not be able to subscribe to the following magazine - probably best to just buy copies you find in the shops; should it be resurrected from Administration - do not risk your money ***

Yesterday I also received the first issue of Modern Quilting in the mail; it's fantastic.

I spent my first flick through saying - "I know her, and her and her", so I felt kind of 'in with the in-crowd', but it really looks like a great magazine, with or without friends in high places.

Look there's Brit Bee Judith D in the scarf!

Hopefully later today I will get the chance to actually read it rather than just grin at all the lovely pictures; who knows, I may even get to make something.

The sun is shining, and I suspect a stroll to get the paper will be in order shortly; Spring is in the air, happy Sunday everyone x

Time To Cut My...

Losses Winnings!

Yep, I have finally made up my mind to get cutting for my dear friend Sarah's Stained QAL.  I have been pondering fabrics for too long, and today I finally decided to use my Moroccan Mirage FQs that I won from Annabella, courtesy of Julie at the Intrepid Thread.

I don't know if it was because the sun was shining and it was unseasonably warm, or if I just wanted to blow away my grey mood of the last couple of weeks, but the bright colours made me happy today, and now I am raring to go.

So this evening I am going to pop a new blade for my rotary cutter and get down to business.

I really do not enjoy the 'preparation' stage, seeing the fabric pieces getting smaller before they get bigger again seems to contrary to my logical mind, that and it makes my back, hands and head hurt; I am not cut out for manual labour!

Hopefully I will be all chopped and able to catch up with the others soon enough, although some people, naming no names, Ms KC, have finished piecing their tops already!

Half Term... part 2

I received a lovely bundle of post yesterday morning...

...my long awaited Riley Blake FQ; my fabric purchase of the week, the pretty Jenean Morrison - California Dreamin' Yosemite print from Quilty Pleasures, and there's also a cute ribbon sample that Liz generously popped in too - thanks lovey.  There'll be more on this fabric's raison d'etre over the weekend.

Also arriving, the lovely pack of fabric for Miss June's Brit Bee blocks.  Fiona wants Disappearing 9 patch blocks made with her Dream On fabrics, and I am more than happy to oblige, I'll do anything for chocolate!

I also made use of the returned fresh air to spray-baste the Union Jack on the deck, so quilting can now commence, and I must admit, I am a tad nervous about this one!

We then spent the afternoon at my parents;  the studio is all set up for the next three weekends, and looking brilliant.

There was plenty of time for investigating (in sparkly Doodles)...

... and simply being bonkers in the Fez!

Long may the sun keep shining x

...and I'm back in the room!!

Hello world!  How have you all been?  I will try to drop by your blogs over the next few days to catch up - I bet I've missed loads, and I have missed you loads!

It's been a long couple of weeks, but BT and Virgin finally got their act together, so here I am at long last!

The move went as smoothly as it could despite the torrential rain - the removal guys were great, the money moved around the virtual universe quickly enough for us to have the keys by midday and dear son came home from school just in time to see the last bits being unloaded.  We put the girls in nursery for 'long days' for the move and following day, so they didn't see the house or garden in daylight until the weekend, but they have all adjusted to the mayhem very well!  No-one misses the old house at all, me included.

We are still surrounded by boxes and piles 'to be sorted', but after the months of packing and deadlines, it's quite nice to know that we only need to unpack to keep our sanity, we can take as long as we like.  The fact I have not seen my new iron, or a few other probably quite crucial things since we've been here is a bit of a drag, but we can survive for now.

My urge to get on and make things has been kept in check by utter exhaustion, but I did make a couple of trinket pots for the girls from kits that their great-aunty sent them for Christmas, (not the easiest with a plastic needle provided - but all my bits and bobs remain as yet unsorted!).

I must confess that we were back online yesterday, but there are so many things to buy for the house, that without the internet we were going a bit mad, so surfing for a TV cabinet/sideboard took up most of the evening, with a quick diversion c/o Mandy at Simply Solids for a little shopping spree including an 'Its A Hoot' layer cake to make some bunting for the girls' bedroom.

Some of my lovely things have made it into the open already, and the stained-glass leaves from Dad have taken pride of place in the conservatory and cast the most amazing coloured shadows.

I have received some great mail in the post here already, some unexpected fabric, with the sender's details obliterated by the redirection sticker and my fantastic '40' sign thanks to Benita of Chez Larsson.

We have ordered some furniture from IKEA - some tall white Billy bookcases that would never fit in our car, and some bits for the bedroom, and I spent last Saturday evening putting together a superb Lotus lampshade from Next, which we haven't put up yet, but I'll take a picture when done.

So much to do, and so many (changing) ideas... but it's good to be back!

New toys...

Today I treated myself to a well-earned upgrade to my poor old camera in the Sales, (we popped to Curry's for a tumble-dryer vent hose, and well, came out with a Samsung ST61!).

To test it out, what better way than to show you my best Christmas presents!

Super-duper Father Christmas read my blog, and even got Emily Peacock to send me a personal note!

I did get loads of other wonderful things, and my dad gave us each a stained-glass leaf; I will definitely photograph them to show you once they have been given pride of place in the new conservatory.

This time next week we will still be surrounded by boxes, but in the NEW HOUSE!!!

I cannot believe that tomorrow is New Year's Eve - 2010 was pretty good, and a real turning point for us, but I cannot wait for 2011!

If you go down to the coast today...

Today was the first day of the Lancing College Weekend Craft Fair.  A spectacular setting, I arrived in sunshine and left with thunder and lightening for a full-on Hogwarts experience!

Amongst the obligatory teasle hedgehogs, toilet roll cosies, and miles and miles of liquorice, there nestled some lovely stalls.  Obviously I am allowed to be biased, and my father's stained glass was the best.  Frustratingly, this seemed not to be to the taste of today's predominately over-70s browsers, but each to his or her own.

Stained Glass by Paul Chave, Garden Glass Design

A close second for me was Liz and her Quilty Pleasures stall loaded with yards of the most beautiful fabrics, quilts, buttons, rik-rak and patterns.  Having been a keen follower of her blog, but not having been able to make it over to her shop yet, it was great to have a real chat face to face.  Not having a wallet to match my desires, I managed to narrow down my purchase to a yard of scrummy Moda 'Bliss' Aqua Tulip, to go with the charm pack I bought back at Hever, and a couple of fat quarters of Anna Griffin 'Lizzie' prints.

I also bought a nice bag of mixed buttons from Kittie's Closet.

I will be venturing back with 'the family' tomorrow, having had the opportunity to have a proper look today, and may well end up buying something from Robin Johnson; his pieces remind me of New Zealand crafts, using lots of drilled pebbles and driftwood.  Unfortunately his website is not up and running just yet.

So if you fancy a trip down to the coast tomorrow, pop in, and get yourself some beautiful glass leaves, fishes or other lovelies ready for Christmas presents or better still, treat yourself.

PS. Don't forget my Giveaway!

An unashamed plug!

A little while ago I mentioned that my father was going to be selling some of his stained glass at the Crafts at Lancing College show (23-24 October 2010).  I also promised to show you some pictures. 

I have been trying to be a good daughter and sort out his webpage today, (I am not a genius in this area, but I think we are getting there - again I will post a link when all is done), these are a couple of the pictures he wants included.

I love them and I am not just saying that because he's my dad!  If you can make it to the show, I will be helping out over the weekend, and it would be great to meet some of you.