Fiesta

Another week has passed by in a flash and we've celebrated Jess' 18th birthday. It seems like only yesterday that she was a chubby little one, now look at her! A beautiful young woman inside and out.

When we weren't celebrating or recovering from celebrating I took some time out to design yet more blocks on EQ7. Most of them are secret for now but I can show you this one that I designed last night for a block challenge on the Electric Quilt blog. The challenge involves using Fiesta from Michael Miller which has lots of large scale prints that are tricky to use in small scale but that wasn't going to stop me trying. I drafted this block in Patchdraw as I'm partial to paper pieced designs (I'm sure you hadn't noticed that, cough) and I find this the easiest way to use unusual but accurate shapes in EQ7. I'm still learning so I'm sure there is probably a better way of doing it but for now this works for me.  

As per usual I designed this block with secondary shapes in mind, that seems to be my style these days.

I'm not sure how easy it is to see the patterns in this colour way so here's another in solids which is much more defined.

The challenge is open to anybody, even those who scribble on paper ( I still do that too) and there are some great prizes up for grabs courtesy of Michael Miller and The Electric Quilt company. You might want to check it out for yourself. The challenge is open until March 11th. (Note. I'm not being sponsored to promote this I just thought I'd let you all know about the fun.)
Catch you soon x

Catch up

Time flies when it's boiling hot!  I've been doing my best to stay cool and less grumpy during this rather disgusting heat-wave so I haven't got a lot to show you today. I have made my very first pair of trousers though! OK that's not quite as impressive as it sounds, they are for a 6 month old ;) I've never been one for making clothes, it's the pattern pieces that put me off, way too scary! This year I've decided to take the bull by the horns and try to conquer my fear of them. I've bought 3 very lovely books which make the art of clothes making look easy! For my first project I used Lotta Jansdotter's book, Simple Sewing for Baby. The Simple Pants pattern was just that, really simple, start to finish in about an hour with faffing! I used a fantastic Michael Miller print that I bought in a destash some time ago to make these funky little trousers for my little nephew :) I think he's going to love them, see those fish...he loves Nemo so these should be a real hit! I'm really looking forward to the next project now, whatever that might be :)

The posting window for the In the Frame Purse Swap opened on Wednesday so I've been stalking the post lady since then and today she came up trumps! I received a super package from Tracey of Quilt me happy. I got not 1 but 2 purses and a gorgeous lavender bag!!! The purses came in a cute bag made from a page of a magazine, so cool :) The first purse is natural linen with Liberty hexies front and back and hand stitchery;  the second is a very pale pink retro transport print with vespas and funky cars. I'm going to feel very hip and trendy using these babies! the lavender bag is tiny but perfect with the most amazing long-arm quilted flower on it, I'm in total awe of that!! Thanks again Tracey :)  

My partner has also received her parcel so I can show you what extras I sent! I was lucky enough to be partnered with my blog pal Hadley. I've already shown you the purse that I made for her but I didn't show you the sneak peek of the owl that was waiting inside in the double frame :) As soon as I got my partner allocation I was determined to make a brown purse, knowing Hadley's tempestuous relationship with brown fabrics, I'm such a bugger ;) So I made a large brown linen purse with an "antique gold" fancy frame. I raw-edge appliqued strips of brown innocent crush to the front and back and lined with a brown Kaffe Fassett target print. I wrapped the pretty grey purse in brown Kaffe millefiore spots and more of the brown target print and tied it with a brown bow. I've been chuckling to myself ever since. I'm not totally mean though as I did include some bits and bobs that I knew she would like as well.

I've had such a fun time in this swap, thanks to Helen and Nicky for organising it all. I've been very good at limiting my swap sign-ups this year and I can't tell you how enjoyable it is to be making for people that I 'know' for a change. I'll be back with more news soon including a giveaway for our 2nd blogiversary which I successfully missed a few days ago. Hope you're all enjoying the Olympics! Proud to be British right now :) Catch you soon x