BSQ Mini Quilt Received

I was totally spoilt in the mini quilt I received in the Brit Quilt Swap

I had already admired and favourite this when it came up in the group so I was delighted to have it arrive here.  Its maker is Cottilello, she is a highly skilled UK based quilter and is involved in some Flickr  groups.  It is exquisitely made, from the carefully matched precise points, to the even quilting and immaculately stitched binding.   She also included a selection of lawn fabric strips.  They are a mix of Lecien and Moda- I didn't even know Moda made lawn!   The bottom right hand pink Lecien is my absolute favourite but they are all so pretty.

I haven't heard from the recover of my mini although Royal Mail tracking is indicating that it has been delivered.  My swap partner has been going through a hard time so I am just hoping the parcel made it to her and she enjoyed it.

Anna Maria Horner is a Genius

What is it with Anna Maria Horner, she is a creative genius.  Her collections have a bohemian melting pot quality, they never look mixy match and she makes me like things I usually can't abide- even leopard print.  Field Study is simply stunning.

I have already ordered my favourite prints from Annie at Village Haberdashery.  She is doing her build a bundle option just like she did with Flea Market Fancy as well as a colour way packs which are the pictures you can see here. 

Anna Maira Horner has a great selection of free patterns on her website, Katy Jones Imagingermonkey is just kicking off a Spinning Starts quilt a long and if you want a foundation pieced option for this quilt pattern rather than templates, I drew one right here to download for the quilt a long.

I think I am going to make the Feather Bed quilt, simpler than it looks with a strip pieced method for the feathers, genius design!  There are more fabrics to come in this range, velveteens and I am hoping for voiles too- fingers crossed.  I know from past experience, my favourite AMH prints can disappear whilst I sit and admire but don't get round to buying so I wasted not time for this collection.  If you just want a taster and want to save your pennies there is a 6" charm square pack of 30 prints, and a little can go a long way!

Brit Quilt Swap- Summer Medallion

I have finished and sent my quilt and it is on its way to its new and lovely owner!  Here are some pics.   A hint on where it might be going and a glimpse at the backing fabric- a vintage print which I picked for the colour, the motifs are crazy clocks and timepieces.

This quilt was based on 'Mrs Vigor's Medallion' by Brigitte Giblin, from her beautiful and inspiring book, 'Feathering the Nest'.  It is a scaled down version of the centre motif. It was a journey of construction, starting with English paper piecing the centre star- tricky with its subtle curves, I will do a separate post on how I managed that and some tips in case you fancy doing the same.

The scallop style edge is also English paper pieced and added to the centre star.  This whole motif is appliquéd onto the background.

The outer triangle ring was foundation pieced and then appliquéd around the medallion.  The solid background fabric is Verdigris from Connecting Threads.  Penny sent me this along with some of their other solids.  They have a lovely feel, a smoother than Kona and their colours are incredible.  They don't ship internationally, but USA and Canadian quilters and no doubt familiar with their fabrics.

I hand quilted- do not look closely, this is not my best skill.   I tried machine quilting but it was not going to sit well on such a lot of hand piecing.  I bound it with a lovely scrap that Marit sent me, perfect colours and print and added a scrap of Chloe's closet check to make up the length.

I loved making this,  It was a struggle at times but a new way of working.  I can't do sustained handwork as it is hard on the hands and arms but enjoy spells of it.  I was sewing this off and on all through the summer and it has been a summer of change.  I love it but I don't tend to cling to what I have make for swaps as I make them with the recipient clearly in my mind.  The selfish part was choosing this pattern- I was desperate to make this from Feathering the Nest from the moment I  saw it.  I think I have ticked enough boxes with colours and prints to tickle my partner's fancy.   It has been sent with a pile of goodies, I wish it safe transit.  And I wonder what I will receive in this swap too, hmm, curious...

Bella Winner!

 Congrats to Sally of Salamandaspaperadventures.blogspot.co.uk.  She is the winner of the great big stack of Bella from Annie at Village Haberdashery.   Annie will be in touch with you Sally!

Thankyou to all those who entered.  You can buy the Bella collection at The Village Haberdashery 

and there is another Bella giveaway going on here

Goodbye Bob

A sad night last night.  Our cat, Bob, was suddenly very unwell and had to be put to sleep.  He was very old at 15 and had multiple health problems but had been a happy, purring, companionable cat right to the end.    We spent a lot of time with him this summer, he no longer went upstairs, had a chair that became just his and came over for cuddles and strokes in the middle of our family games sessions of Cluedo and Carcasonne.   As we didn't go away, we all ended up spending extra time with him this summer and I am so glad we did.  He sat on my knee with Lottie most evenings, perched on the edge of my legs like they were a little mountain. 

And this picture was last week, on a sunny afternoon with Lottie in one basket and Bob in the other, under my cutting table.

 A sad end to a very happy life.  I have turned comments off for this post, I hope you understand.  I know many of you know what it feels like to lose a pet, so thankyou xxx

Summer

Summer highlights...

  Having pedicures for the first time

Spending time with Lula

Time to sew although not always finish

Getting jobs in the house sorted

Enjoying English paper piecing

I have had to have a home summer.  For me, although a little restricting, it could be a lot worse.  I love being at home.  I have a never ending list of things I want to do and Damian and Lula are easy company.  We can all be working away on separate interests and then come together for a drink and snack, or a game, we sit and chat and the animals come and join us.  I was sad we failed to get away twice, once because of extreme weather and the second time because I couldn't travel.  Labyrinthitis is a big PITA but has had some funny moments. Just one bottle of beer is enough to make me feel very  drunk and whoozy but with no hangover and within an hour or so I am back to normal.    Busy shopping areas are a trigger.  I generally carry on regardless until I get on an escalator- not a good place for vertigo.  My coping strategy is to focus as if I have tunnel vision so I have been up and down escalators staring at Damian's backside- as if my eyes are lasers and I am boring a hole.  I have saved a lot of money on petrol and spent a lot of money on a sewing machine.  I have changed my work patterns for the new school year-driving at busy times isn't possible at the moment, so I will have a little less money but but have gained a little more time.  I have rested and taken lived life at a more gentle pace and there have been improvements.  It will pass eventually and I just have to be patient.  But in the meantime, home is a great place to be and I am extremely grateful for that.  I love September.  The lower sun, my birthday month and the change in colours are all welcome.

Places to go, people to see

Fancy a crafty tour around my kitchen?  Click on to my latest post at Sew-Ichigo.  

Need a pattern?  I have to give another mention to Penny's Latte-to-go with its cute gift card sleeve- free tutorial here and pattern on sale here. 

And Ayumi's deliciously tasty 'Dishy Treats' August block for her Superbuzzy/Pink Penguin Quilt-a-long.  How does she do it?  Each variation is such a  clever mix of shapes.

And finally,  Leila's traditional Japanese style teapot pattern.   I love the chunky heavy base on this pot!

Happy touring x