Flowers From Ceri!

My uber talented Brit Bee buddy Ceri is queen bee for April.

Last month, she asked us to send her a simple doodle!  It could be absolutely anything!  I sent her this:

Ceri then hand carved stencils for all our doodles & screen printed them onto fabric! How cool is that?  Here are my screen printed flowers:

One of these goes back to Ceri as a siggy.

So the plan was to incorporate some of these screen prints into 2 log cabin style blocks, along with some screen prints from the equally talented Karen (Blueberry Park) & using other solids and prints that Ceri had provided.

Block 1 using Karen's screen prints

Block 2 using Ceri's screen prints

It must have taken Ceri hours to make these stencils and prints, and she made enough for us all to have some leftovers to keep!  What a darling!

This is one of the many great aspects of being part of a sewing bee.  You get to try out lots of new stuff that you wouldn't otherwise do!

I'd highly recommend it!

Sunday Squared!

Today I got my 112 charms cut up for the Fluffy Sheep Quilting Rainbow Charm Swap.  Can you guess what colour I was allocated?

Riley Blake - Pink Jack

I've also been squaring up some Bee blocks for April:



Whirlygig Block for Karen/Hipbees

 

Wonky Chevron Block for Eva/Modern Irish Bee

I also got my Brit Bee blocks finished today too, but they'll get a post all of their own tomorrow!

Hope you've had a lovely stitchy Sunday!

Real Women Have Curves 2

Today, 8 more brave and enthusiastic women stripped off their nether regions to make up their very own bespoke skirt patterns!



Some of these gorgeous skirts just need finished off at the hem!  Aren't they lovely!  We have A line and Pencil, tweeds & linens, side zips and back zips!

What a lovely way to spend a wet Saturday!  Job well done ladies!

What Should I Call This One?

You may remember some months ago I made 2 sewing machine covers: Hector's House and My Wee Brother!

By popular demand, I have finally gotten around to writing the pattern for these, and tomorrow I will be teaching this!



I have written the pattern in such a way that folks can measure their own machines and make a bespoke cover.

I love being able to use up smaller scraps for the patchworked section of these covers, and the quilting and decorative possibilities are endless.  It was nice being able to use 2 of my Sizzix dies here!



There are a few more technical aspects to the construction of this cover e.g. letter-box handle opening, elasticated pocket etc., but there are ways of simplifying things e.g. go for a non-elasticated pocket instead.

It has taken me a looooong time to write this pattern, and once my unsuspecting willing students test it out for me in class over the next 5 weeks, I will be putting it into my Etsy shop.

So the question remains, what name shall I give this rather girly sewing machine cover?

Ahhhhh!

It was so wonderful to hear the sweet purring tones of Mr Pfaff again yesterday!

Before I went on holiday I made a start on a Messenger Bag, and yesterday I got it finished.

Approx. 12" x 14" x 2.5"

This is a birthday present for my niece who turns 15 next week!  While she loves the colour pink, I didn't want it to look to 'youngy' and so needed to choose just the right pinks!

A good friend had shared some of her fabric winnings with me last year, and these were just the perfect pinks I needed.

I've been asked a few times now to teach a messenger bag in class.  There are quite a few stages to making this style of bag, but I think this one is a 'simple' enough design without looking too simplistic (if you get my drift!!).



So this one will soon be flying its way to the south of England. 

Hope you're having a great start to the new week!

Yikes!

This week we've done some hairy things ....

Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge - NEVER AGAIN!

..... some funny things ....

Sampling the shots at the oldest Single Malt Distillery in the World!

... and appreciated the natural beauty of our surroundings!

L: Ballycastle Beach    R: Giant's Causeway

It's a sewing free week for me, though I did bring some crochet with me, but so far I've done 3 rows!!!

In a few days I'll be back in the sewing saddle, whirring up Mr Pfaff!

Hope you've enjoyed a great Easter week!

No Fool Like an Old Fool!

Here in the UK, we have just endured our coldest March since 1962!

With such unseasonal weather, there's nothing else for it than to quilt, sew, buy more fabric, join swaps, and meet up with bloggy friends!



All of the above (bar one) are presents.  I hope to get some pics this week of 'wee man' with his Plus Quilt!  It was very well received!

And with a reprieve in Brit Bee this month, not just as many blocks to make either:





The highlight for me this month was getting together with some very special bloggy friends!



Let's hope April is A LOT WARMER!

Linking up with Lily's Quilts Fresh  Sewing Day.