'Mum I need a present!'

This was the declaration from my eldest daughter when she got home from school on Friday. 

It's the birthday of one of her best friends on Monday.  Being car-less all weekend meant  no shops (hooray!) and instead, rustling up a handbag for the birthday girl (a 15 year old can never have too many bags!).

I recycled a child's dress for the centre panels, a summery yellow pillowcase for the lining, and leftover denim offcuts for the rest. 

Crisis averted! (til the next one!)

Lily's Quilts 'Quilt Along'

I've taken the brave step of joining a Flickr Group Quilt Along.

Lynne, from Lily's Quilts, will take us through this fab dresden plate block, step by step. 

(For really adventurous types, they can make lots of blocks and build up to a full size quilt.)

This is week one, where we choose our fabrics. 

As always I'm trying to recycle some fabrics I've acquired (the top one is one of my blouse's!) together with leftover fabrics from other projects.

I'll keep you posted with the QAL progress. 

Sneak Peek at Summer!

I'm currently working on my Summer program of classes (can't say I'm feeling especially summery though looking out at the rain!) and thought you might like a sneak peak of one of the items we'll be making.

Beach huts remind me of where I used to live on the sunny South Coast of England, and I know that bunting is a particular favourite with some class members! 

I designed a foundation pieced pattern for my cute wee huts, which will be a new skill for some to learn. 

Given the unpredictability of our summers, we might well be needing a sunny, summer project to keep us going! 

Postage Stamp Mug Rugs

A few years back a friend gave me a sweet little bag of assorted 2" pre-cut squares.  They could well have been the ends of jelly rolls or such like.

I was looking at them recently wondering how I could put them to good use.  So play time ensued!

(P.s. despite my best efforts, I couldn't get the photos to rotate, so you're looking at them side on!)

These mosaics were yelling 'mug rugs!' to me, but alas, I didn't have enough squares to make them big enough.  

So I combined a few and came up with these ...............

I thought the two pastel mug rugs had a slight 'Easter' feel to them; great idea as a wee Easter gift with some chocs thrown in!

Fabric Giveaway

Just to let you all know there's a lovely bundle of fat quarters being given away on Vignette in Stitches blog. 

You don't have to be a blogger to enter. Check it out  - if you're not in you can't win!

Completed projects

I love to share in the euphoric feeling of a completed project! 
Here are some pics from ladies in my recent classes who have managed to get their UFOs (unfinished objects) turned into FOs (finished objects)!



Maureens' floor cushion

 

Marion's Quillow!

Ruth's pair of floor cushions.

Ruth's first quillow.

Ruth's 2nd quillow!

Well done girls for sticking at it!  Enjoy your magnificent creations!

The weekend/project bag class finished last night.  Here are two of the gorgeous bags!

Maureen's denim wonder, with a gorgeous Indian Sari for the lining.



Sarah's stunning bag in purple & gold!

Just the hotel to book now for that relaxing weekend away!  Enjoy! xo

Flying Geese Finished!

I swiftly acquired another iron this morning (see earlier blog!) and pressed on (get it!) with this present for my friend's daughter.

I have a love/hate relationship with flying geese - love the versatility & finished look, love the no waste technique of making them up, hate it when the points don't meet, hate it when you get a bias stretch at the bottom of the goose!


I also hate the maths of half square triangles, but thanks to a fab wee conversion table by Pieceful Kwilter, the mental torment was removed and pleasure ensued!


For a 'no waste' tutorial on flying geese, check out Dotty Jane.