Smiles all round!

I had the wonderful task of handing over this quilt today:

I made this quilt this year as part of my mate Sarah's Stained Quilt Along.

A little earlier than scheduled, my sister and I decided it would be a good day to present her handsome 'almost 18 year old' son with his birthday quilt.

After the deliberations on what to call this quilt - 'Stained Blue', 'Stained Grey', 'Slated', 'Hip to be Square' etc. (thank you everyone for all the suggestions) I decided not to give the quilt a name.  Unusual for me I know.  But nothing seemed to be quite right and it just felt ok to leave the quilt nameless.

And despite my wonderful nephew still affectionately calling me 'Auntie JuJu', I decided to put a more grown up label on the back.

 

(I think he was a little disappointed it didn't say Auntie JuJu!)

Anyway, he loved it and proceeded to drape it fully over the sofa in his room!

Ah, giving is so satisfying!

Another reason why I'm smiling today is because a very special lady (& her daughter) are coming to stay with me tomorrow!

Many of you will know her (most certainly will know of her!!!), she's as nutty as a fruit cake and is one of the most selfless and caring people I have the privilege of knowing (not to mention uber talented too!).

Check back this week to find out about my crazy visitor!

Hope you've all had a wonderful weekend!

Pins & Needles

Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions on what to put into the Sewing Bits & Bobs pouch I made for my friend.

I decided to go with Nicky's suggestion - a matching pincushion and needlecase.

And here they are!

This is actually my first needlecase!  It's only 3" square, but I love it!

And 'thank you' to Terri for sending me some gorgeous little scraps - they came in v.useful!

Now we have a matching set, ready to be wrapped up for the birthday girl on Saturday!

Happy Monday!

Sewing Bits & Bobs

My 2 weekly classes started back this week.  

There was lots of fun and laughter, as well as a little stress and nerves for those learning for the first time!  I love the wonderful buzz of creativity and fresh ideas and inspiration that everyone brings, and most of all the warm and friendly atmosphere that my ladies create, making new folks feel especially welcome.

I don't have as much time to sew over these few days, but yesterday I managed to make a birthday pressie for one of my friends.

After I overdosed on cosmetic purses pre Christmas, I now seem to be having a run on more creative pouches!

These are such fun to make, and are limited only by one's imagination.

Got the idea for this picture from here

Now if you were getting this little pouch for your birthday, what would you like to find inside it - a few fqs? some sewing supplies?  chocolate?

Hope you've had a great weekend so far!