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

Gypsy Girl quickie

I know a title like that is asking for trouble but I couldn't resist ;) I bought a Gypsy Girl layer cake from Jane and designed a quilt in TouchDraw in anticipation of its' arrival. It went together super speedily and here's the finished top on the line :) I'm not sure how I'm going to finish it but it will be heading in Mum's direction when it's done.

This line of fabric is just fabulous, shabby chic meets bright hues. I can see myself buying yardage of some of the prints when they're available. In other news, I've managed to do a bit more to my Love Spring Carnival project. It's slow going but I'm enjoying seeing it grow.

Catch you soon x

A change from diamonds

After cutting diamonds for the Not-so-lonestar quilt for what seems like an eternity (I'm not known as drama queen for nothing!) I fancied a change. So today I've been cutting triangles :) I started this quilt ages ago and for one reason or another it got shelved. When I blew the dust off it, I can't tell you how happy I was to see this fabric again. I'd forgotten how beautiful Lark is. I've managed to add 4 rows of triangles today :)

 Here's a close-up of one half of the rows so far. Don't pay too much attention to the squiffy third row, not sure what happened there and I don't care as it's for me  ;)

 Here's the other half. What did I tell you? These fabrics are gorgeous! I'm not sure how big I will make this quilt. I had originally intended to do 5 rows of hexagons but I love this fabric so much I might just have to add more rows. We'll see...

Catch you soon x

Eye candy

Two posts in one day, will wonders never cease! I'm just so excited with my progress on my Not-so Lonestar quilt that I had to show you!! This project is a slow burner as it's so labour intensive but over the last few days I've managed to complete the first quarter. I will most definitely be sending it out to a long-arm quilter when it is finished as it's going to be a monster.

The colours aren't great in the photos but in real life they are beautiful! Here's a close-up of the corner star.

Here's the point of the large star. Not bad even if I do say so myself ;) 

This photo gives you a better idea of the scale of the quilt, it makes this double sofa bed look fairly tiny.

So, only another 3 quarters to go....It's still going to be a while in the making but I'm so pleased to finally see some real progress :) Catch you soon x

Siblings Together Linky Party at Lily's Quilts

As part of the 100 quilts for kids blog hop Lynne asked those of us who contributed quilts to Siblings Together to write a post about why we joined in. So here's mine.

Regular readers will have seen all these quilts many times before but for those of you who haven't I've put links underneath the photos so you can see the stories of the individual quilts.

 Pips, It's a Hoot Half Time x2, Grey, Cape Ann and Dr Seuss

I was delighted to be a part the Siblings Together Quilts initiative for a few reasons. First and foremost the chance to contribute to a sense of worth and belonging in the life of a child/young person has been a privilege. Growing up in a loving family it is very easy to take for granted the love that we share and the things that we possess that have been gifted to us. When I read about Siblings Together it actually hurt. I have a younger brother who I adore, so to imagine my life without his presence as we grew up(rocky as it might have been, we're not perfect!) just doesn't bear thinking about. It was my good fortune to have been born into the family that I was and I know that I speak for Yvonne too when I say that I believe in sharing that blessing with other people wherever possible. The absolute bonus of this initiative has been that we could do something we love, playing with fabric, to benefit other people, win-win in my book!! The majority of quilts that Yvonne and I make are gifts for loved ones or people in need of cheering up so this project fitted perfectly. I'm delighted that it has been so well supported and have no doubts that I will be making more quilts for Siblings Together in the years to come. 
I'm very grateful to Wendy and Claire at Patch Fabrics for their generosity in donating fabrics to enable me to contribute as many quilts as I did this time round. I know a great many of the readers of our blog have given generously of their fabric and quilts which makes me smile but if you haven't yet maybe you've got a little quilt lurking somewhere in a cupboard that could put a smile on the face of child this year...
Catch you soon x

Glued!

I didn't trust myself not to make a total mess of the gluing of my In the frame purse  so I took some naked shots for you to see. I managed to make the purse look quite tidy by turning through at the top which was a necessity with the middle panel being sewn into the lining. At least if it falls out of the frame it looks quite presentable ;)

 I used a thin iron interfacing to keep the linen in position, well you know how stretchy it can be, and batting to add a little substance when I quilted the diagonal lines.

 I went for the less is more option on embellishment so hopefully my partner will happy with that :)

I wish I'd used a stiffener in the central panel to give it a bit more structure but I didn't so it will have to do as it is. There is a little personal detailing on the other side of the panel but it will be a dead giveaway to my partner so I can't show it! What a tease?! Thankfully gluing went without a hitch. That is to say I got it where it was supposed to be and not all over the fabric. Whether it will hold is another story. I used some purse frame cord on the lining side of the purse in the hope that it will stop things moving too much. 

I have to say I'm pretty chuffed with how it turned :) Now to stitch up a little something extra...Catch you soon x

HipBees and Purse Frames

Hello, I thought I'd do a quick post today to let you know Yvonne is recuperating at home following her angiogram. She's very tired and sore as expected but in good form otherwise. Thanks for all your well wishes :)

While I'm here I'll tell you a few other bits of news :) I was recently invited to join a new UK bee called hipBees. I'm so excited to be joining a great group of ladies for a year of sewing fun! There are lots of familiar names in there along with some that are new to me, so it will be lovely to play along and get to know each other.

Tanya - Second Chance Tan - http://sewasecondchance.blogspot.co.uk/

Rachel Addison - Mamma Fairy Sews - http://mammafairysews.blogspot.co.uk/

Karen  - Lisnaweary Quilts - http://lisnaweary-quilts.blogspot.co.uk/

Fiona - Sew Fi - http://go-sewfi.blogspot.co.uk/

Collette - Poppie and Poochie - http://poppyandpoochie.blogspot.co.uk/

Reene - Nellie's Niceties - http://nelliesniceties.blogspot.co.uk/

Lynz - Domestic Light and Magic - http://domesticlightandmagic.blogspot.co.uk/

Jan - Isisjem - http://isisjem.blogspot.co.uk/

Catherine - Sew Wonderful Life - http://sewonderfulife.blogspot.co.uk/

Sarah - Sew Me - http://sewmeblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Judith - Just Jude Designs - http://judith-justjude.blogspot.co.uk/

Di - Willowbeck Designs - http://willowbeckdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/

I've taken on the first month's Queen bee responsibilities so you'll be hearing a lot more about this bee as I prepare for August :) I don't remember if I mentioned that I'm joining in with the In the frame purse swap over on flickr. I've been procrastinating for the last week over what to do for my partner and today I finally made a start.

 I had to be cocky and choose a frame with a centre panel for my first glue in purse didn't I?! I'm sure it will be fine.....I've loosely based my design on this fabulous purse by Kerry which was in lots of people's inspiration mosaics. I say loosely based because my fussy cutting skills and fabric choices are way off the heights of Kerry's brilliance but I hope that the finished article will be even half as effective as hers.

 I've used a cute bird house print for the lining.

 All ready for the final seam to attach lining to exterior.

Next stop turn inside out and glue!! Here's hoping for a good result with minimum mess :) Catch you soon x