E-i-adio...

It was raining, the kiddies were happily playing, so I couldn't drag out the engagement any longer.  I have finally started on some, albeit easy, FWQAL blocks; the pile of fabric put aside for the nuptials was driving me crazy just sitting there waiting.

So we have my first, and least favourite Basket Weave, I think because it looks odd against the others with no white; but I will make more without or with different solids, so it will balance and fit in fine, but just not today...

Box...

Autumn Tints...

and the one I am proudest of, Calico Puzzle...

OK, so I am very late, and have at least 20 more blocks to do until I catch up, but these only took a couple of hours, so I am hoping I will be able to catch up at some point before... the end!!

Practice makes...

... well I am not going to say 'perfect', but I wanted to practice making some smaller hexies, just because I thought they would be a super-quick and sweet skill to have in my 'virtual bag', (to go with my 'actual hexie' bag no less!).

So, with my trusty scrap box raided over the weekend, I made this...

... which I then turned into this today...

I found a brilliant tutorial (and remembered to Pin it) on binding non-right-angled corners, but this would have been just too small for a first attempt, and I was way too nervous about spoiling it, so I went square.

I suppose it could be a 'coaster' for want of a title and use; it measures 5" square, the edges of the individual hexagons are a 1/2" and I think it is rather cute.

I also used my machine on the slow setting and it was wonderful!  At first, my gung-ho nature swore I would never stitch at anything slower than maximum warp speed, but I was so wrong.

I've decided that this little hexster is going to go off to a new home in the morning, as a little surprise for someone ;)

Colour me up!

Guess who's over at Live A Colorful Life today!

After yesterday's 'colourful' post, quite apt don't you think? 

Please go and take a look.  If you are not familiar with Cindy's blog, please have a look around whilst you are there, it's lots of fun, and I was obviously chuffed to bits to be asked to join in - thank you Cindy.  If you have popped over here from there, 'Hello to you'!

Well just a couple of pics to prove I have actually been doing a little bit of sewing, and not just talking lately...

Yesterday I put together some little hexies, I'll tell you more about those soon...

I've also started trying to catch up with my Mystery blocks...

Two down, a tonne of paper-piecing to go, so wish me luck with those!

Then when it got late and dark, I also did a little more playing with the Mosaic Maker...

... this one is pre-empting the up-coming Mug Rug and Goodie Swap over with the other Cindy in my life at Fluffy Sheep Quilting, there's still time to sign up folks - you know you want to!

The Colour Purple and Others...

Now it will be no surprise to anyone who has been here more than a couple of times that I am a bit of a turquoise freak.  I will pretty much add turquoise or aqua to anything I can; the current Hexie bag for instance, the choices for that were a no-brainer!

But now I think I have another colour to rank along with 'orange' on my 'New favourite colour that if you'd asked me 6 months ago I would have hated' list!

Purple is not one of the colours that I normally consider using when making something for myself.  Twin 1 tends to get purple as an alternative to pink-mad Twin 2, but it has not been 'up there' with the cool kids for me!  I still have the pile of purple Sugar Pop charms left over from these cushions!

However I think this has been rightly challenged by the Ruby Star Spring line - I did have a dilemma in choosing between the Springtime or Nightlite colourways, the green print swayed me... eventually, but there is a lot of purple in the prints I chose!

I decided that my Central Park layer cake would be a good starting place for my Across The Sea fabric selection, and this, as you will no doubt be aware, has lovely purple prints, (and also orange, green and turquoise!!). 

Deciding that I didn't want a mix of the whole palette, I then had a moment of clarity/confusion when I started looking at the two Just Wing It layer cakes I'd safely put aside for November's Brit Bee blocks.  Hmmm...

The Momo has a lot of pink and red in; pink is great, but not what I have in mind for the quilt I want, and red just isn't a colour I like a lot of.  There are good reds, and there are bad reds in my book, and probably only in my crazy mind can a distinction be made between them.  Think 'yes' to Bliss and Sherbet Pips, but 'no no no' to so much more!  There are major flaws in my dislike, red and navy blue, yuk, however, sonny-boy's Cath Kidston cowboy quilt is a really great for example of 'yes yes yes'... but I digress!

I have pulled all the reds and pinks from the Just Wing It, and will no doubt find the perfect project for them in time.

I managed, by combining the 3 layer cakes to meet the fabric requirements for the Across The Sea QAL.  I finally went for this lovely combo of purple and green to go with a Natural Klona background fabric...

... and 72 squares in a pretty pleasing spectrum for the Bee blocks...

I am looking forward to having new colours entering the FB Mansion!

PS.  Fellow Bees, I have sneakily stated elsewhere in blogland what I am intending to put you through in November, look around, you may find it, and having ordered the backing and binding this week, I am getting excited already!  M'wah ha ha ha!!

Food, family and fabric...

We had our first, and probably only BBQ of the summer today - Mum and Dad came down and we did the whole shebang, including grabbing the plates and heading indoors after a couple of mouthfuls when it began to rain.

Immediately we were re-seated it stopped, obviously, then the sun came out and we ended up with water fights and snoozing in the shade. 

'Chillaxing', as our four year olds like to exclaim, I decided to try some hand stitching embellishment on my hexies, but it didn't look good, so I have binned off that idea.

Even the breakfast cereal is in on the hexie-fun!

I can go no further now until my anticipated lining arrives from the US; I will search out my stash for anything else that may look good; what if I wait, and then what I am thinking of looks pants?  I don't want to be back to square (hexie) one eh!

I have also been playing with the fabrics I have in mind for my Across The Seas QAL and my Bee month - they are a little interchangeable, so I need to make the decision soon.  Water-fights and sunglasses made this a short-lived attempt, so I will be back to it, after this.

Finally the missing pic from yesterday, more goodness from Lizzie...

Hope you've had a happy Saturday too x

Today I feel lucky!

I think this from time to time, and probably should realise it more often than I do, but today was one of those reflective days.

A wonderful lady I know through the magic of the virtual world, has had an horrendous op today, so my thoughts have been with her and her family; I can't wait for you to be up and reading this 'T', and if you win any of those Take a Break competitions, you owe me half xxx

Here the sun shone, hubby took the kids off to the shops for an hour or so, leaving me with peace, quiet and hoovering, so the house is now clean, washing done, and all is good in the FB nest.

To top off the relative tranquillity, later than usual, the postie knocked with a parcel for me.

This was not an unexpected parcel, but the contents have had me grinning way more than I had anticipated!

A few weeks back, Lizzie posted a picture of her latest quilt on flickr, and was unsure what to name it.  Immediately I thought of 'Diamonds In The Night', as in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...  Liz opened up the naming to everyone, and whilst on holiday I found out that this was the name she had chosen, and I get to have a name-check on the quilt label too - such a brilliant idea that I might have to 'borrow'! 

To entice the most and best names for the quilt, there were temptations in the form of fabric, and I 'won' a full 42 charms and a few extras of Denyse Schmidt 'Picnics and Fairgrounds'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you may remember that I had to literally guide my sister 'by text' around Spotlight, in Wellington NZ to get some of these beauties for my birthday, that is how much I love this line!  So I was completely blown away by this wonderful package.

There were some other extras that Lizzie sent me too, but I totally forgot to photograph them in my stroking, rearranging and generally drooling 'happy place' this afternoon, sorry.

Thank you again Ms Allen, you made this old bird very happy and reminded me how lucky I am to have so many wonderful 'virtual' friends!

Bee brave...

Yesterday we enjoyed what is becoming an annual family trip to the Spinnaker Tower and Gunwharf Quays; it's less than an hour away, but always seems like a big treat.

There was obligatory glass-floor walking, and looking out to sea, a nice cuppa with a view, then shopping and Pizza Express.

Apologies, my feet look filthy and just a little bit weird!

I came away with a White Stuff skirt and a spotty Cath Kidston rain-mac in the sales, but didn't spend too much, as I was saving myself for the journey home.

A 2 minute detour took us right to The Eternal Maker.  Fancy that!

So the crew remained in the car, whilst I literally made a beeline for the 3 fabrics I wanted, scrumdiddlyumptious Melody Miller, Ruby Star Spring, in the Springtime colourway and some, da da daaah Aurifil thread!

It was a good excuse to catch up with the lovely Anna, recovering slowing from the manic FoQ, and although I could have stayed for hours, the sad little faces in the car made this a mission and no time for browsing, just a birthday voucher and only a teensy bit more spent, honest.

Anyway I didn't drop working Wednesdays from September for nothing - I think I have just filled my calendar with 'things to do and places to go alone'!

The fabrics are destined for the Noodlehead 241 bag which I bought yesterday too - I am yet to decide if I'll use the big bee as the main panel - reaction from the family wasn't even mixed - but I love it!

Choices...

Some days I really struggle to think of something worthy of telling you (don't pretend you haven't noticed!), but other days I have difficulty knowing what to choose - today I have loads to show and tell!

So for now, I am going with the 'kindness of friends'.

Since coming back from holiday I have received some lovely pieces of post, a pretty Thank You from Victoria, who blogs at Boutique Uniquely, makes lovely things and received one of my PIF packages; and I also got some 'winnings'!!

Yes I do sometimes win - I was so lucky to get these beautiful Denyse Schmidt and Tina Givens from the lovely ladies Reene and Yvonne over at Nellies Niceties; fellow Brit Bee Fiona was their overall winner, I was 3rd, you really should check out the fantastic apron she received - I think 'pinnies' should be the new 'hoodies', but it won't solve the problem those poor boys suffer not being able to pull their f-ing trousers up over their skinny butts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyhoo, I digress and I want to show you these...

Lovely lovely Sarah, oh she of Narcoleptic In The Cupboard, who was my partner in the Brit Quilt Swap and received my full-on Skull quilt package, and recently her August Bee blocks and birthday bits - well, she unexpectedly sent me this most wonderful thank you.  The mug rug is totally brilliant and hilarious and will be given pride of place on my desk when I go back to work - move over files and keyboards (I have 2, don't ask), I am going to put this right there, in the middle of my workspace!

The noughts and crosses are made of the most brilliantly twisted and funny Japanese print of murderous critters which Sarah deemed suitable for your Master O - she was completely right, he, and we all love it!  I seem to have forgotten to explain the rules and tactics to the small folk, so the winning goes on!

And then there's some fab 'softies' to make up...

Sarah, you are such a great, talented and remarkable friend, and I am such a lucky lady to know you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you ladies xxx

Across the sea and around the world!

Some of my favourite bloggy pals have been tempting me, again!

Firstly Sarah and Jennifer.  Not only have they got me writing (and completing) Summer to-do lists, and sending fabric charms around the world, but now they have combined their awesome talents to start a brilliant 'Across The Sea' quiltalong; check either Fairy Face Designs or Ellison Lane Quilts for full details.  How was I ever going to be able to resist a double-sided Greek Cross quilt, (already on my mental 'I need one of those' list) especially as I have just realised that I have some perfect fabric already!

Sarah also has a first year blogiversary giveaway, so if you haven't already (and I know that a lot of you have anyway, so I am not reducing my chances too significantly), then go go go...

Another lovely friend and charm-swapper Cindy is organising a Goodie Swap over at Fluffy Sheep Quilting, and although the 3 weeks we will have to make 2 rug mugs and 2 small 'goodies' coincides with the first 3 weeks of school and going back to work in September, my faltering lasted almost a good 5 minutes before I committed!

Don't let this lot put you off!

Have a look and see all those who have signed up already, and jump in too - it's an international swap, and all abilities are welcome, so no excuses; and I for one am ready for a little stalking and mini-makery!

So all this gives me a little window of time to get up to date with my Mystery blocks, finish the hexie bag and also catch up on 20 (yes, 20!!) Farmer's wife blocks!

As an aside, today we went to see Cars2 (long!) and I got some great variegated light turquoise perle cotton.  I also have some parcels to show you, but I am not going to until you have signed up for at least one of the above!

I see Hexies...

My holiday sewing of, not only choice, but necessity, was the beginnings of my Hexie sewing bag.  Armed with my pre-cut papers, and a small bundle of fabric, I spent about an hour each evening on this project.

My romantic dreams of sewing by the pool were dashed by the need for us to constantly watch the 3 little monsters doing their best impressions of drowning (and waving), and not allowing us a second of 'looking away'.  So between their bedtime and dark, I managed this...

...then yesterday this...

One side complete, and the other should be easy-peasy quick now we are home.   Then for the actual 'bag' bit.  I want to get some grey or cream perle cotton for some hand stitching, making this a real 'first' for me.  I am waiting on some fabric from the US that I am hoping will be great for the lining, and I'll be off 'pinning' any handle-attaching options I can see!

I've got to admit, hexies are so cool!

I'm back!!!

We have just had a really great week near Weymouth, Dorset - the weather was kind, the children were not at their worst, but I honestly never want to eat chips again!

I was surprised how much I missed you all - we had a sporadic phone/internet signal; Blogger was being a complete and utter arse, so apologies on their behalf for all sorts of muddles and with only a teeny touch screen to play with, it got a little frustrating.

Thank you for all your comments during the week - there is no way I am going to be able respond to them all individually, the ones that got delivered to my phone have now vanished (?!) and although I tried to keep up with the blogs I follow, I don't think I can go back over all of them and add the comments that immediately sprung to mind!  I will shortly do a post about setting up for mobile blogging, as the joy of reading blogs set up for 'on-the-go' browsers compared to 'web-view' was immense!

But hey, back on the laptop and ready to roll, and normal service will be resumed (Blogger-pending!).

I won't bombard you with a tonne of photos, but these pretty much sum up the last seven days...

The view from our cabin; next year the Olympic sailing will be right there, behind that tree...

Monkey World, was full of monkeys...

...but lemurs are the best!  (Sorry Sarah x)

Chesil Beach; with miles and miles of pebbles...

We spotted fish, sharks and turtles at the Sea Life park...

...and posing children (everywhere we went)...

A lot of time was spent in the pool...

...and a little window shopping...

More time at beach at the end of the lane...

... and running joke of the week:
"What time is it?"
"Willy o'clock!!"
(A full 360' sweeping second 'hand'!).

As for my hexing... I'll be saving how little I managed to get done for another post!

I hope you all had a good week.  I am so jealous of all you lucky FoQers!

For now, it's back to the piles of laundry I go x