End of Term!

My kids finished school last Friday!  Yippee!

My Spring/summer programme of classes finished last Friday! (pics of finishes to come)

Bee Blessed finished yesterday for the summer!  Here are 2 pics from the day:

This is 1 of 2 quilts we are donating to Siblings Together next month.  Based on the Funky Wrench block here, we have put together most of the donated blocks we received to make this wonderful quilt.  Isn't it a beauty!

And the Starflower quilt top is now finished:

Love how this one is shaping up!

And just because I don't have enough quilts of my own waiting to be quilted (?????), I thought I'd make another one!

This is a class sample for an Autumn Quillow class, based on the Disappearing 9 Patch block.  My original sample from previous classes is based on a scrappy block with sashing . ...

... but I wanted to offer folks a non-sashed, design alternative.  I will be updating the Quillow pattern in my Etsy shop soon with this additional design option.

So that brings my stockpile of quilts needing quilted up to 7 (with another one waiting in the wings!).

What am I like!!!

Jxo

Shirley's A Hit!

My youngest daughter turned the ripe old age of 12 yesterday!

She loved the 'Shirley' cushion and messenger bag - phew!  And enjoyed opening more presents, eating chocolate cake (made by Shannon) and has ear-piercing & roller-blading to look forward to on Saturday!

Bethany has been busy herself making end of term pressies for her besties!

These are scented cushions for the girls' bedrooms, all made with fabric from Bethany's own stash!

And look what arrived for me today!

This is my name tag for the Fat Quarterly Retreat in London this July.  Kathie made this for me, in my all time favourite colours!  And those hand stitches on the front are teeny tiny!  Thank you Kathie! I will wear it with pride!

I'm dying to show you the name tag I've made for my secret partner, but despite it being posted over a week ago, I still haven't heard yet from the recipient.  Fingers crossed it has arrived safely!

Have a lovely day!

Jxo

Looking Back!

Just thought I would show you a couple of quilt backs I've made recently.

This is the back of Salty Giant, a day workshop I will be doing next term based on this tutorial.  I was working from a FQ bundle - 8 were used for the front, and the leftovers and 1 more fq were used for the back, along with some navy yardage.  I kept back the stripy fqs for the binding (love a bit of stripy binding!).

Next up, my Brit Bee '13 (part 2) quilt back:

I was short a few siggys, so thought I would just go ahead and make them myself and get the backing made!

Some of my Brit bee buddies very kindly made me mini blocks with the leftover cuts from the main block.  I love them floating in the back of that vintage sheet!

So these 2 are now basted and added to the growing pile of quilts needing quilted (currently at 6!). 

Can you tell I'm more of a patchworker than a quilter?!

Have a great Wednesday!

Jxo

Celebrate!

The other day, a salesman at my door asked me if I had any children or grandchildren!

GRANDCHILDREN?????

I realise (as of yesterday) I'm another year older, but really!  Grandchildren!!! 

Thank you everyone for your lovely birthday wishes on FB, texts and emails.  I got some lovely gifts .....

A beautiful art canvas made by my daughter! Sorry about the wonky pic!

..... and enjoyed a wonderful meal out with my 3 favourite girls.



Jxo

A Special Delivery!

On Thursday night, a few Bee Blessed ladies had the privilege of handing over 19 baby quilts (+ 1 cushion) to a local Mums & Babies HIV unit.



The lady 2nd from right is Pat.  Pat was receiving the quilts from Bee Blessed on behalf of the unit, 65% of which are asylum seekers with very few possessions.

It is such a joy to see these snugglies going off on their way to bring comfort and warmth to babes in need.

Thank you to everyone who contributed blocks and fabrics to make these cute quilts.

I've no doubt we will enjoy making more baby quilts for this great cause!

Jxo

A Shirley Saga!

You may remember my previous angst over Shirley the Cow!

Well I took the wise advise of my readers and turned both Shirleys into presents for my bovine-loving daughter!

Shirley 1:



'Shirley the Cow' Cushion is approx. 18" x 15".  She is paper pieced & I ditch quilted the face and did a few rows of echo quilting in the background.



Doesn't she look like she's smiling!!!

Shirley 2:



'Shirley the Cow' Messenger Bag is approx. 14" x 13.5" x 4".  The cow panel was also paper pieced, but a few mistakes made this Shirley look like she'd had a stroke!



I used a stiff denim for the bag, layering it with wadding and muslin.  I also used sew in Vilene with the duvet cover lining. To give the bag even more structure, I've put handbag mesh & feet into the base. 

Only 1 needle was harmed in the making of this sturdy bag!!

So the Shirley saga is complete!  I'm confident my daughter will enjoy these makes, but I won't find out for sure until next Wednesday! I'll keep you posted!

Jxo

Didn't They Do Well!

A few of my project classes are coming to an end as we near the end of term.

My Monday night crew finished up their Welcome Wall-hangings last night:

Aren't they brilliant!  Wouldn't you love to be welcomed by one of these!

If you fancy having a go at one yourself, the pattern can be found here.

And last Saturday was my Swing Bag workshop.  Here are some of the finished lovelies!

These designs are based on the Amy Butler swing bag, but with some additions (ruffles, contrasting yokes, box corners - there's even a crazy patchwork version!).

Well done ladies!  Your makes are beautiful!

Jxo