Espritpatch

Pot holder pass

2012-02-11T12:11:00.001Z

Another week, another trip to London. We went to the consulate again, to pick up Baby Daughter's passport to hear that we could have a dispense to avoid bringing her back, nice to hear about it when it is too late... I wasn't impressed - to say the least.... Anyway with another hours spent in the car, I managed to hand sew the binding on my Log Cabin Pot Holders. And I added some ric-rac to finish off yesterday so these are now ready to fly to my secret partner, I hope she likes them.

I also had time for stitching a simple heart on my hexie to Lyn who has asked for some redwork embroidery. It was fitting with this month of course. Funny I was doing her hexie in December as well and found that red was really fitting with the month too back then!

I finish that hexie yesterday too so it is now ready to fly to Australia.

When we got back on Thursday, I found this lovely hexie from Vicki in my mail box, it will go very well with all my others, thanks Vicki.

I have been trying to catch up with other projects as well but my play time as been very limited the last few days and with the kids off school for a week, I don't think I'll have much time this coming week...
Celine

Snow covered flowers

2012-02-07T21:54:00.000Z

This month, I am making flowers for Coralie in Canada for the Inchy Hexie Swap.

She didn't have any colours requirements only that the petals and centres should be contrasting colours so I decided on "snow covered flowers" to go with the current weather here. I started sewing them in the car last week and finished the last stitch yesterday so my flowers are now on their way to Canada.
Celine

Bee Europa 2011 - February

2012-02-06T18:27:00.000Z

This month we have received a pile of colourful solid scraps from Susanne to make a mod mosaic block following Elisabeth Hartman tutorial at Oh Fransson!
Here is my block:

It was fun to make and I really like the look of it with solid fabrics, I think it works great. Another month and it will be my turn to send out fabric with my request for blocks. At the moment I can't decide what to ask for so I need to have a good think about my plans for the Bee.
Celine

Playing with log cabins

2012-02-05T21:35:00.000Z

I have signed up for Pot Holder Pass #10 organised by Amy at During Quiet Time, she runs it on Flicker and it is always a good swap. I've already done a couple of rounds.
This time I choose the Log Cabin option. My partner's choice of colours is cream, red and blue so I dived into my scrap boxes and played with the Log Cabin pattern to come up with this "Framed Cabin"

and the "Cornerstone Cabin"

On the paper craft front, I have sent over 50 of the announcements now and have about 10 or so to finish off but we have run out of ink again. And because this week, winter has come at long last, I haven't been able to go shopping for ink today. We woke up this morning to find that a thick blanket of snow had covered everything.

Of course the kids had fun playing outside and building a snowman! but I stayed indoor in the warmth with Baby Daughter who is already 6 weeks today!
Celine

Papercraft

2012-02-03T14:09:00.000Z

Finally, I came up with something I liked for Baby Girl's birth announcement. I couldn't find an idea that worked or came out as I imagined it until recently... So before she is 6 weeks old, I have been busy busy in the last few days playing with paper and ribbons.

We started printing the cards and of course, we quickly ran out of ink so that task had to be put on hold for a while.

I printed the vellum - aka plain tracing paper and embossed it with my Big Shot Sizzix machine

before assembling the announcement and tying a ribbon around it to make it look like a ... Christmas present of course! What else for a Christmas baby...

I have about 70 of these to make and have completed 24 so far so I should be busy with paper craft for a few more days.

Celine

Last day of the month

2012-01-31T22:07:00.000Z

We had a busy today as we drove down to London (and back!) to apply for a passport for Baby Girl, always an experience but we can't go home without it. Anyway, it all went as well as it could despite the nearly 4 hours in the car... With so much time spent in the car, I managed to do some sewing of course. I made one hexie flower for the craft forum swap which will be on its way to Sandra very soon! She wanted a blue and cream flower.

I have also started on my flowers for the Inchy Hexie Swap but these are not quite finished yet.

When we finally got home tonight, I was quite tired and decided to sit down and do a little bit of sewing rather than rush around the house to do countless jobs... And that was good as I managed to finish one UFO! My first and only OPAM for the month... In November 2010, I participated in a swap for a candle mat. The instructions given were for making 2 at a time. So I finished and sent the first one out then but the second one was only partly pieced and it slowly made its way to a plastic bag as a WIP where it stayed until last month. I got the pieces out of the bag in December and finished piecing the top before Christmas.

I was hoping to quilt it and finish the mat by year end, but that was without knowing that Baby Girl has other ideas and decided to arrive on Christmas Day. So the top had been patiently waiting since then. I picked it up tonight and quilted it on my machine before sitting in the sofa to sew the binding by hand. I actually cut the backing bigger and folded it twice at the front to make the binding.

Now this mat is finished I have a present ready for a friend's birthday later in the year. Amazingly, I won't have to finish it the night before hurriedly!

Today I also received a swap back, I got my blocks from the mini-scrap basket swap.

This definitely makes me want to make more to have a decent size quilt. The next round cut off date is 10 March so you can join the fun if you wish.

I haven't fitted as much as I was planning/hoping this month but I am glad I have been able to do some sewing with a tiny baby in the house!
Celine

Framed hexie

2012-01-28T21:28:00.000Z

This week I received this lovely framed hexie:

It will fit very well with my collection. Thanks Suzzie!
Celine

CQ Journal - block 1

2012-01-27T14:23:00.000Z

This week as well as doing some hand-sewing, I have practised embroidery stitches again on my first CQ journal block that I showed you a few days ago. I have taken inspiration from Sharon at Pin Tangle with her Take a Stitch Tuesday challenge and have browsed through all the ribbons, lace, motifs, threads and beads I have accumulated through the year for CQ - sadly largely left untouched over the last few years - to embellish my first block.

I have always been of the "less is more" approach to embellish my blocks in the past so I would say this one is moderately heavily embellished for me! I am happy to have completed this first block and have really enjoyed making something different. It is relaxing to sit in a chair and do a couple of stitches now and then.
Celine

Dear Jane - again

2012-01-26T21:20:00.000Z

More Dear Jane progress to report, how good is that? Hubby has had to travelled to the US on business this week and while he was away, his parents have kindly come over to help me with the kids. That also meant that I have deserted my sewing machine while they were here and have done some hand sewing instead while my MIL was doing her cross-stitch.
I have finally completed the triangle I started over a week ago before the week-end. TR12 Jane's Oak was a simple applique triangle but it was a good one to start back on the triangles

and yesterday I also finished another block, applique again B12 - Starflower

This takes my grand total to 113 blocks, 6 triangles and 2419 pieces.
Slowly, very slowly my quilt is growing! Here is my virtual wall this week:

Celine

OPAM 2012

2012-01-24T13:07:00.000Z

Another year to challenge myself to finish at least one project every month. It is a great to keep motivated and also to keep track of what you've achieved month by month. Plus it gives fantastic opportunities for blog-hopping! OPAM 2012 is here and sign up are until 31 January 2012 on Peg or Kris's blogs, so if you are tempted don't delay, sign up now!
Celine

Rainbow Scrap Challenge - red Circle of Geese

2012-01-21T18:44:00.002Z

Yesterday evening was Friday Night Sew-In and I didn't sign up for it as I wasn't sure I'd found some time to do anything at all. But in the end between a feed and a few cuddles to Baby Girl, I managed to find a little time to finish off my Rainbow Scrap Challenge block that I started earlier this week. This month was red so I dived into my red and white (background) scrap baskets to make this pretty Circle of Geese. I had admired those blocks for a while and thought it would be a good one for a rainbow quilt. And it doesn't use that much of the focus colour but quite a bit of background and my white scrap basket is overflowing so that should help to get it down. I used a paper-piecing pattern from Piece by Number that was very easy to follow.

This week I also prepared a block for my CQ Journal 2012. I was going to go for a monochromatic block (as I usually do) in red to keep with the colour of the month. But when I selected my fabric for the centre of my block (a scrap of silk tie), I changed my mind and decided to use colours from the silk piece for the block, this will be challenging to work with as I have so far almost always worked on blocks with just one colour. This is my "naked" block that I am still hoping to have time to embellish by the end of the month.

Finally, I also finished my framed hexie for Sue. Her criteria was that it should go with blue so I decided to stitch a little bird adapted from last year Birdie Stitches BOM and used a blue and yellow fabric for the frame. It will be flying to Australia on Monday. Hope it goes with her other blocks.

Until next time,
Celine

Just takes 2 - first blocks

2012-01-18T14:00:00.000Z

Here are my first 5 blocks for the Just Takes 2 mystery quilt. I have chosen to do mine in blue and cream (Kona Eggshell). I had a stash of blue vintage fabrics that I bought years ago because I liked the look of them but without a project in mind so I think they'd be perfect for this one. I have used bits and pieces of these blue fabrics in various projects including the candle mat swap I did in November 2010 but I still have almost yardages left for each of them so hopefully that will work for the quilt.
Anyway here are my blocks:

Block 1 (8 pieces)

This fabric is very special as I bought in Japan when we went there 4 years ago, it even has Brenda's name on it!
I followed Sophie's idea and pieced the block (curve piecing) rather than applique-ing the circle on the background

Block 2 (17 pieces)

Block 3 (9 pieces)

Block 4 (36 pieces)

Block 5 (21 pieces)

Total = 91 pieces

I have block 6 cut as well and ready to be sewn and I also need to get on with the new blocks (7-11) released on Sunday by Brenda so I don't fall too much behind!
Celine

Hexies flowers

2012-01-17T22:00:00.000Z

At the week-end I received 2 lovely flowers from Hanne in Denmark. I sent hers mine at the same time as she sent hers! Here are her pretty dotty flowers and spring like card. The flowers will fit very well in my growing garden!

Celine

A3 Hunter's Moon

2012-01-16T13:46:00.000Z

STOP PRESS: I have completed one Dear Jane block yesterday afternoon!

OK it was a relatively easy one that I choose to do with reverse applique but it is a milestone for me as I hadn't done a block since 2007. I did 3 triangles in 2010 but that was the extent of my progress in the last 4 to 5 years. I have over 100 blocks done so I am really not that far but equally, there is still lots of work left to finish this quilt that I would really really love to be able to send to Belgium for the exhibition in April 2013 which Brenda is planning to attend. That's a motivating factor I think. Anyway, here is my A3 which will definitely feature in the "Finished is better than Perfect" category!
This blocks now bring me to 112 blocks completed and 2415 pieces altogether.

I have also started a triangle yesterday TR12 that I am hoping to finish quickly enough. Stay tuned for more I hope!
Celine

Bee Europa 2011 - January 2012

2012-01-15T10:16:00.000Z

This month we are making blocks for Ulrike who sent us 2 white strips and 2 printed strips of fabrics and asked us to make some Bento box blocks with them.

Amelie found a very good tutorial to make the blocks from the Quilts of Love blog and the blocks got together very quickly. So much so that I have decided to make a quilt for myself as well. I have combined this with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. The colour is red this month so I have made 2 red Bento box blocks. Although I am slightly cheating because I haven't used scraps for my blocks but fabrics from my stash. These are fabrics I bought because I thought there were pretty but without a project in mind and the fabrics have been sitting in my stash ever since (some of them for over 5 years I guess), waiting for the right quilt/time. I was also scared of cutting it off because there are pretty - how silly! Anyway, here is a way to use and ENJOY the fabrics I bought because I liked them!
Anyway here is my first red block

and my second with a Japanese import fabric I bought years ago

Now I am not sure how to sew my Bento box block together, should I mix them up like this

or should I keep the same fabric together?

What do you think, which looks the best? Let me know your thoughts, hubby and I have different opinions on the matter!
See you soon with more!
Celine

Framed hexies

2012-01-14T12:00:00.000Z

This week I received a lovely sashiko flower from Jeanette for our framed hexie swap for December, I love the colours!

I also received a surprise framed hexie from Helen at Aunty Henny's made of gorgeous Japanese fabrics

And here is a picture of all the lovely hexies I have received to date, I am starting to have a significant number!

Celine

Flowers on their way to Denmark

2012-01-13T12:56:00.000Z

This week, I have managed to finish my 2 flowers for Hanne on the Inchy Hexie Swap. They are now flying to Denmark. Hanne had asked for bright green and bright blue petals with a yellow centre so I used some fabrics from my scrap basket that I used in my son's Hungry Caterpillar Quilt. I hope they fit in her lovely and bright garden.

I have also made a start on a few projects this week (Just Takes 2, Rainbow Scrap Challenge, Bee Europa 2011), maybe it isn't a good idea to spread myself around at this stage, but I couldn't resist. I hope to be able to show you some of the blocks I am in the process of making soon!
Celine

Playing with my scrap baskets

2012-01-10T21:57:00.001Z

Of course my time to play has gone significantly down with a 2 weeks old baby who LOVES feeding - that alone keeps me occupied for the best part of the day and night! It didn't help either that I felt poorly at the week-end and my blog is not very active these days.
But... I have actually managed to sew some blocks for a swap on flicker called Mini Scrap Block Basket Swap.

We were to make string blocks based on a tutorial by Film in the Fridge. I made 3 sets of 4 blocks and mailed them by the deadline of today. Hooray!

I really like the look of the blocks when they are put together and I regret not having time to make more. The good news is there is a second round starting now with a mailing date of 10 March and we are making the same block again so I will definitely *try* to make a couple more sets. If you also want to join the fun, head over to the flicker group and sign up for the swap.
See you soon with more!
Celine

Just Takes 2

2012-01-04T17:18:00.000Z

Have you seen this new mystery quilt designed by Brenda Papadakis of Dear Jane and Gay Bomers of Sentimental Stitches? It is based on the red and white quilt exhibition which was held in New York last year.
The blocks will vary in size from 3'' to 15''. The first few blocks are available to download now if you are interested in taking part. You need to head over to the Just Takes 2 blog and register to access the files to download. I am thinking of using blue and cream to make mine... Watch this space!
Celine

Hexies

2012-01-02T22:00:00.000Z

I haven't had a hexie-related post for a while, which is quite unusual as it seems that this was all I was doing the last few months.... so I have kept all the hexie pictures for this one.
First this is the hexie I received from Donna earlier in December for the hexie flower swap on the Craft Forum.

and the one I got from Gloria on the same swap at the end of December:

Second is the framed hexie that is now on its way to Lyn for the swap on the Craft Forum. Her theme was red work which is quite fitting for the season really. So I designed a Christmas Tree for "Noel". I hope it fits in her collection

Third is the hexie flower I will be sending to Jeanettte for the swap on the Craft Forum. Another red and white around Christmas time!

These are the lovely hexies I received from Kris on the the Inchy Hexagon Swap. She sent me a gorgeous card and a piece of spotty fabric to make more flowers as well as some cute hexie templates. Lovely additions to my garden!

And last but not least the thank you hexie I have sent to QuiltJane who organises the Inchy Hexagon Swap. Jane has sent me 2 welcome packs with hand made flower because unfortunately the first one never made it to the UK and she is doing a great behind-the-scene job keeping the swap running with people joining in or leaving almost on a monthly basis.

I also got a lovely package yesterday from Benita from Victoriana Quilt Designs as I won one of her giveaway in November. I received some lovely fabric. Thanks Benita!

Celine

A wonderful Christmas present

2011-12-31T19:27:00.000Z

I haven't posted for a while because we have been rather busy. Santa came - with lots of presents - and went and we had a lovely day at home, with loads to do!

I was unwell for most of the day so spent it in bed but we went out in the evening because Baby had decided it was time to make an entrance in the world. So on Christmas evening, our beautiful darling daughter was born for the joy of the all family.

We were lucky to be able to come home the same night so she met her brother in the middle of the night when she got home and her sister the following morning. We have all been adjusting to life with a new baby since

and of course, I gave the Boxing Day Sew In Challenge a miss - there was so much better for me to do this year!
I guess I might be less present on blogland in the near future but I wish you all the very best for 2012!
Celine

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T20:00:00.001Z

I hope you are all in the mood by now. I doubt we'll have a white Christmas this year but we'll be together with close family only - because of my own travel restriction - to celebrate the day. The little eyes will be mesmerised tomorrow morning when they discover the tree and the wrapping paper will be ripped off and flying away quickly. The magical Christmas mood will be with us through the kiddies eyes for sure, and will help to compensate for those we can't be with at this very special time of year.
I wish you all a very magical Christmas and a happy day!
Until next time,
Celine

Boxing Day Sew-In

2011-12-23T17:24:00.000Z

Have you seen this Boxing Day Sew-In organised by Sandy on her blog. You can play along from midnight until midnight (US time), it starts at 5 am for me in the UK. There will be giveaways and challenges on the blog as well. So you can choose either to go shopping or to go sewing. I am sure I won't be able to go shopping so maybe I'll squeeze some sewing, that should be fun! Who knows?
Celine

Macintosh Rose wall-hanging is finished and another 2 kits for free

2011-12-21T16:05:00.001Z

I finished sewing the binding on my Macintosh Rose wall-hanging yesterday evening so it is now finished and ready to be given to my Mum for Christmas. It won't be a surprise to her because it has taken me so long doing it that she has seen it in progress. Never mind, I know she likes it! I started piecing the top in February 2010 (!)

and left it until last January when I added the black bias binding

and then it waited until earlier this month to be picked up again and finally finished. And it is the 24th at midnight yet, what a performance for me to finish things "almost early".

It will go on her stairs wall to compliment the first one I made her about 5 years ago after her trip to Scotland.

Both wall-hanging have been made using the same focus fabric that I hand-dyed in the summer in 2006. I have all the colour wheel and have only use a few pieces for these 2 wall-hanging to date as I was too scared to cut through them! Maybe I'll use some for the Colour Challenge 2012, that could be a great opportunity.
Anyway, another UFO finished for me and another OPAM, it feels so good that I have digged out yet another one to see if I can finish one more by the end of the month!

On the decluttering front, I have unearthed another 2 embroidery kits that were given to me a while ago and that I will never use and would very much love to send away to a good home, you just cover the postage if you are willing too!
The first kit is from Rowandean Embroidery and is called Waterlilies. It is about 40 cm x 32.5 cm (about 16 x 13 ''). I found at least one kit available on ebay for £40!

It has been started but all the supplies are still available in the pack. So far the trees have been embroidered and the blue organza has been sewn onto the background.

The fabric and ribbon to frame the embroidery are in the pack as well as a very stiff cardboard to mount it when finished.

The second kit seems to have been ordered from a magazine or somewhere in 1996, for this one I only have the explanations and the printed fabric with the design on it. It is called Floral Fancy and the kit is supposed to make a cushion.

Again the kit has been started, the middle embroidery is done as you can see below.

I don't have the threads for this one but there are all listed on the explanations (Anchor references but you can use DMC threads if you use one of the Anchor/DMC conversion chart available on line.)
Leave me a comment or contact me if you are interested by any or both kits. I would be happy to send them on to someone who will use them.
Celine

Life is beautiful, giveaway winner and mug rugs

2011-12-19T18:30:00.000Z

Thank you for all of you who have taken the time to leave a comment and entered the giveaway from the Quilting Gallery blog hop and thanks as well to those who have decided that they would follow me and my next ventures. I hope I'll keep you entertained! Now let's share with you the news you have been waiting for I am sure! the giveaway winner is #53 as you can see below

When I checked back the comments, #53 was Peggy who said:

I have emailed Peggy asking her for her snail mail address to send her her prize.

This week-end I managed to finish stitching my block #5 of the Life is Beautiful quilt. I am keeping my "one a month" target at the moment, which is great even it is a slow progress as it means it is moving along. I have now stitched all the blocks I had prepared in the summer though so I'd better prepare a couple more that I'll have ready when Baby has arrived, in case I had some free time :-D

I also need to pick up the Birdie Stitches BOM again as I haven't finished October yet and haven't even started November and December so I am more than 2 months behind now.

And today I finished my 4 mug rugs (2 sets) that I started on Friday night. Another 2 homemade Christmas presents ready to be given away. I don't think I have ever made as many presents myself.
The first set is more country like and is for my Uncle - who is a farmer and my Auntie - who has decorated her kitchen with lots of roasters so I think they should like their set.

I had a tea-towel with chicken that I bought a while back to do something with it, one day so I used it for the backing of this set - very fitting:

The second set is more "Arsenic and old lace" for my Auntie who likes delicate floral china. Again I think she should like her set too.

I used a similar fabric as the cup for the backing of this set:

This gives me more to add to my OPAM list too, this is by far my most productive month ever! But it shall soon slow down once Baby is there, I am sure. Hope you are getting things wrapped up too before the week-end.
Celine

Friday Night Sew-In - no thread!

2011-12-17T17:56:00.000Z

Yesterday was (this time) the last Friday night Sew in of the year and although I fully intended to participate and get things down, it wasn't until nearly 10pm that I actually sat down and got my fabric and stuff out. But I was determined to at least make a start on the project I had decided to work on last night. So it was a Sew-In with no thread or needle for me (didn't manage to get that far) but I managed to make a start on the Mug Rug I wanted to make. These will be Christmas gifts for my Aunties and Uncle. I bought them a lovely jar of Hot Chocolate and thought it would be a nice idea to wrap the jar with mug rugs. I designed the pattern yesterday, selected the fabrics I wanted to use out of my scrap baskets and bounded the fabric to the background before going to bed. And this were I got to (sorry the pictures are pretty poor quality with the lack of light)

I haven't had a chance to continue yet today as we have been out for a great part of the day getting last-minute baby stuff that I hadn't bought yet and I now feel exhausted. If I find a bit of energy after I have put the kids to bed, I might start sewing on them, otherwise it'll have to wait until tomorrow. I have a slightly extended deadlines for those anyway as I will give them to my Mum to take home with her when she comes (I can't travel at the moment) and she will be with us until 28 December. Hopefully I'll be able to list a 4th OPAM this month, that would be a record for me!
Celine

It is becoming to look a lot like Christmas!

2011-12-16T19:05:00.000Z

We had our first dust of snow this morning, last day of school. Sadly, it was all melted by lunch time but at least it was pretty this morning.

Last week-end, our tree went up ... before the skirt was ready

but I am proud to say that the skirt is now done, I did the last stitch on the binding last night. I made my skirt using blocks I made and received from the Christmas Scrappy Block Swap I took part in in August 2009! I know that was a looooong time ago... You can read more about the swap here and here and there.
My blocks have been patiently waiting to be used since then. I only got them out about a week or two ago and decided that this was the year I was going to get them into a quilt, they were not going to wait yet another year until next Christmas

so I pieced my tree skirt,

quilted it

and finished it with the binding - one stitch at a time - over the last week or so,

to finally be able to show you a finished tree skirt that we have now put around the Christmas tree.

My third OPAM this month, I am on a roll! Plus this one is a real UFO when you think the blocks were pieced about 30 months ago...
I am also very proud to report that I have taken a few "Dear Jane" stitches in the last 2 days. I have started sewing L12 that I cut out a long time ago.

Hopefully I'll finish the block soon.
And don't forget tonight is Friday Night Sew-In if you want to catch up with some last-minute sewing before Christmas....
Celine

A Christmas gift for cat lovers

2011-12-15T14:55:00.001Z

Yesterday I worked on a Christmas gift that I still needed to post abroad.

I had seen a lovely cushion in a craft magazine in the summer when I was going through all the magazines I had and thought that would be a great present for a cat lover. My niece is now a teenager and had a new bedroom recently so I thought I could make her a great pillow to decorate her new room. She loves cat and I made her this bag last year so I knew what to make this time. Because I haven't seen her room I decided to stick to neutral colours.

I got the magazine out a few days ago and realised that although there were instructions explaining how to make the cushion but there was no pattern for the cat etc, so I decided to use the picture as inspiration and to go my own way.

I have written my instructions for this cushion cover as I was making it so I will try to write a tutorial with pictures and a pattern for the cat if anyone is interested? Let me know your thoughts.
Anyway, the cushion cover is finished and ready to go. I hope it gets there in time to go under the tree.

This makes my second OPAM this month, hopefully I can still squeeze a few before the year finishes!
Celine

Have a Homemade-Merry Christmas with Mencap - 12/18 December is Make Week

2011-12-14T22:41:00.000Z

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to deck the halls and get crafty with Make With Me – the making & baking initiative in aid of learning disability charity Mencap.

Make With Me has teamed up with actor and comedian Mathew Horne and TV presenter/actress Lynda Bellingham and a host of other makers who have created some spectacular homemade gift ideas. From 12 - 18 December it’s Make Week, visit www.makewithme.org.uk and find an exciting, new Christmas craft project every day – all FREE to download. Join us and get Making now!!

Whether it’s a stocking or tummy filler why not get together and create something special and unique for a loved one this festive season and help raise £25,000 for Mencap. With homemade gifts, not only will you beat the Christmas shopping rush, you’ll have something truly personal to put under your tree, so download free ideas and make a donation at www.makewithme.org.uk today!

Mathew Horne and Lynda Bellingham have all designed their own stylish hat patterns, which have been brought to life courtesy of The Knitter Magazine. ‘Head’ to the website now to download and make these exclusive Christmas gift designs to keep your noggin toasty this winter!

Lynda Bellingham said "Although for Calendar Girls I dared to bear all, for Mencap I am more than happy to cover-up with this gorgeous knitted-beret. Downloading my hat pattern is a fantastic way for knitting fans to not only get their hands on a great new knitting pattern but to also raise money and help support the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK."

For those who want to add a personal touch to their Christmas presents this year; why not have a go at making one of these simple yet fun gift tags, thanks to Crafty Makes – all you need to get started is on the website http://www.makewithme.org.uk/.

More great pressie ideas for you to have a go at such as cards, festive fabric wreaths and a patchwork gift sack have been donated by Sew Ray Me, Bustle & Sew and Lucy Farfort all available from http://www.makewithme.org.uk/.

Make With Me in aid of Mencap is a fun filled, homemade initiative that encourages people to get creative and raise much needed funds for Mencap to support people with a learning disability, their families and carers. Visitors to the website can hold their own Make or Bake Parties and donate money by downloading a free fund raising pack to get started!

To stay up to date with all the Make With Me news, stop by and say hello on Twitter (@makewithme) and Facebook (facebook.com/makewithme). Got a crafty idea? Anyone can donate ideas to make with me via the website’s your projects section, just head to http://www.makewithme.org.uk/.

VISIT Makewithme ONLINE: http://www.makewithme.org.uk/, www.facebook.com/makewithme, twitter.com/makewithme

I hope you find some good ideas to work with. I'll be back tomorrow to show you one Christmas gift I made today.
Celine

Baking for Christmas

2011-12-13T22:47:00.000Z

I made some dough for some Lebkuchen on Sunday and realised half way through that I was supposed to leave it in the fridge overnight so that was all for Sunday.

So yesterday afternoon, Miss Strawberry Shortcake and I started cutting out some biscuits with our Christmas cutters, just before school finishes while waiting for Mr Cars to come home, as he wanted to do some too. But unfortunately he had a scooter accident on his way home with Daddy, the handle of his scooter broke and he went flying before landing on his side on the alleyway, scratching the side of his face as well as hurting his side. So he came home sobbing and needed some comfort and cuddles. I think the pain and the scare he had while falling were enough to upset him really badly. So he decided after all that he wasn't going to cut some biscuits. Mummy had to finish cutting the dough on her own, the two little helpers had flown to the TV - even though that didn't stop Mr Cars tasting the raw dough raw as well as a freshly baked Lebkuchen. Someone has to be the taster I guess!

The recipe suggested adding a glazing of icing sugar and lemon juice when the biscuits were still warm but with the unfortunate events, I didn't prepare it in time for the first batch and was too tired to do it for the next batches. Anyway, all the biscuits were baked last night and today, I prepared those cute boxes that I had bought for home-made treats, ready to take to school and to our lovely childminder by week end. And next week we will start again to make 2 more boxes for my grand-parents.

Today, I finally finished hand sewing the binding around my tree skirt. I just need to cut the middle off and sew the binding around the middle "hole" before it can go around the tree, slowly I am progressing but it feels good to sew a second binding on a quilt in about 2 weeks. It hadn't happen for such a long while that I had almost forgotten the sweet pleasure of putting those last stitches to a quilt. I am hoping to post a picture of the finished quilt very very soon. Stay tuned!
Celine

New Friday Night Sew-In for December

2011-12-12T21:40:00.000Z

If you missed last week, there is an extra Friday Night Sew-In organised by Heidi this Friday. Do you want to play along? I signed up because I still have some projects I'd like to focus on and finish before Christmas and I got quite a bit done last Friday despite nearly forgetting about the event!

This week-end wasn't as productive as I anticipated because

we were busy decorating the house for Christmas with the kids and went out to buy a lovely tree
Mr Cars had karate grading on Sunday morning and did very well, getting his yellow and black belt and we went for lunch afterwards
I am really tired again and need a nap during the day most days
my back is playing up again so it's not fun
I spent some time baking for the teacher's gifts I need to send to school at the end of the week: Lebkuchen shaped with Christmas Cookie cutters by Miss Strawberry Shortcake.

I had set myself a goal of having my Christmas tree skirt finished before we put the tree up but I failed as the tree is up without its skirt. But I managed to finish quilting it yesterday evening and added the binding this afternoon so hopefully I should have it finished in a day or two. I have also written a tutorial for the skirt that I'll share with you when it is all done. Watch this space!

FNSI - the pictures of my work

2011-12-10T18:12:00.000Z

I was feeling rather lazy last night and thought I couldn't find enough energy to do much so I thought I would just browse a few blogs/websites before going to bed.... until I remember it was FNSI and I had signed for it. So I gathered some energy and decided I would at least try to finish the little wall-hanging I started last Sunday. I had finished putting the top together a few days ago and yesterday during the day, I finished the embroidery. So last night, I picked up my little top to finish it. I pieced a backing and sew the 3 layers together then turned it inside out. I sew the seam back in my pieced backing and then quilted my top. I am so delighted that it is now finished, ready to hang up, and in lots of time before Christmas

The pattern came for the lovely Cotton Life magazine from last Christmas and was designed by Laurraine at Patchwork Pottery. This is the actual design which got me interested in the magazine in the first place so I am very happy that I have done my version of this little snow-covered tree.

This is also my first OPAM for December but I hope it isn't my last!

Because it wasn't too late yet when I finished my wall-hanging and I was on a roll by then! I started quilting a Celtic quilt that I made a long time ago. However I stopped very quickly because I wasn't happy with my decision on the "filling" of the space which I will now have to un-stitch. But at least, the 3 layers are together and the echo quilting will stay, I just have to think about what else I want to add.

All in all it was a very good and productive night and I should join again next year if Heidi continues to run it! Hope you have been productive too!

Now if you have arrived here and are looking for the blog hop and giveaway post, please go here!
Celine

Blog hop and a giveaway

2011-12-09T12:00:00.033Z

Welcome to my blog if you are new here and found me from the Quilting Gallery website and welcome back if you are a regular reader. I have written a blog for over 2 years now but started quilting about 10 years ago, mainly self-taught. I love fabric and my stash is probably too big for my needs, but can a girl really have TOO MUCH fabric? I don't think so!

Michele at the Quilting Gallery is organising a blog hop for the 4th anniversary of her site. If you don't know the quilting gallery yet, you need to hop over there and have a look around, there is plenty to browse at. Every week, there is a themed-contest. Everyone can enter their quilts and everyone can vote on the entries. Well worth having a look at, you can even enter your quilts if they fit the theme. I have entered a few times in the past, but never won!

From September until December, 36 designers shared a Christmas block for free in the "Celebrate Christmas Quilt-along", you can still collect the patterns if you want to make the blocks. There are lots of different styles to suit everyone taste. Have a look and I am sure you will find some inspiration. You could even use a block or two to make some fast last-minute Christmas gift or decoration!

Thanks if you read that far, now to my giveaway for this blog hop is a book called "Quilting with Beads" for something slightly different. It has 6 easy projects to give you some inspiration. Just leave me a comment on this post to enter the draw. I will draw a winner after the blog hop is finished.

Comments are now closed, I'll draw a winner shortly and announce it in a new post.

Good luck and thanks for your visit! I hope you come back often.
Celine

From the mailman

2011-12-08T18:57:00.000Z

I was lucky in the autumn and won 2 giveaways during 2 different blog hop. I won a pack of Terrain mini-charms by Kate Spain, after I guess the weight of gigantic pumpkin and I received her lovely gift a while ago.

I also won a a grab bag "Striptease" by Robert Kaufman that I only received today, however it was well worth the wait as it had some lovely scraps of fabric and most of the strips are about 4' wide so very versatile.

I have continued to work on my Christmas projects today but nothing is finished as yet, although I am (slowly) progressing. Another peak at one of the project until I show you the finished object hopefully soon.

I have done a little bit more sorting out of my craft supplies today and have gone through the cross-stitch stuff, found 2 nearly finished wall-hanging but my back is still very painful so I am pacing myself.
I haven't had any request so far on my free offer from yesterday so please if you would like any of the kits, let me know!
Celine

A bunch of flower - and a giveaway

2011-12-07T17:06:00.001Z

My back has been playing up (again) so I haven't been very mobile lately. This meant that I couldn't do all the tidy up and cleaning I ~~wanted~~ needed to do. So I have listen to my back and sit down in the chair now and then, taking a rest hoping it will be better soon. While sitting down, I have been busy sewing some hexie flowers for my swaps. So yesterday a blue and white flower went on its way to Australia to Norma for the craft forum swap,

these 2 pink and white flowers will be flying to Lisa in the UK tomorrow for the Inchy Hexie Swap

and finally this blue and yellow friendship flower will be on its way to Elizabeth in Australia tomorrow too.

And now for the giveaway:
Although I haven't done as much sorting out as I planned, I have been started having a good tidy up and clear out of my craft supplies. I gave a whole bag to school yesterday with fabric bits, threads, buttons etc for them to use in craft or other activities. Today I found 3 kits which were given to me but which I'll never use so I have decided to bless someone else with them. If you are interested by any of the following kits, they are free to a good home - I would just ask for postage to be covered if you wish - so please leave a comment on this post with a way to contact you.

The first kit is a tapestry depicting the Godshill, Isle of Wight in UK, although it has been opened, it is complete. Finished size is quoted as 8.5 x 12' (22x30.5 cm)

here is a better picture of the scenery:

The second kit called "Waterfall Cottage" by Dimensions is a crewel kit. Again it has been open but it is complete apart from the needle. Finished size is indicated as 5x7' (13x18 cm)

again a better picture of the scenery:

And finally, the last kit called "Birds and Butterflies" by Jannlyn is crewel embroidery kit to make 4 small wall-hangings. The kit is complete but for the needle, oval frames are included too. However, work on one of the design (bottom left) has been started (and is wrong).

or here is a picture of the 4 finished frames.

All 3 kits are still available in shops at the moment if you want to find more details about them, google will help you!

And to finish off this post, I'll show you a sneak peak at the new project I have started this week-end, taken from my favourite Cotton Life magazine.

This is the very project for which I got interested into and bought the magazine in the first place. I hope to be able to show you the finished wall-hanging this week-end. Wish me luck!
Celine

My list to Santa

2011-12-06T08:45:00.000Z

I don't know until when you are "young" enough to write to Santa but I thought I had been a good girl this year so I contacted Santa and Mother Christmas electronically with my wishes for this year. I'll see if they've read my emails come Christmas morning!

The first thing I have put on my list is the 4 issues of Cotton Life (5 to 8) for 2011. I bought the first 4 issues earlier this year and although the magazine is all written in Chinese, it is well explained and easy to follow with lots of pictures.

If you read Laurraine's blog Patchwork Pottery some of her designs have been featured in the magazine. You might remember from previous posts that I used one of my magazine (pictured above) earlier this year to make an "Autumn Bag" for a swap and a purse for Mr Cars.

I have also asked for a few of the kits for the blocks from Quiltaid Europe 2011, Whimsy and Wonder.

It is the first year the kits are available in Europe, based on the Australian project. Some of the money generated from the sales is used to fund a project in Ethiopia to help women who suffer horrendous childbirth injuries, you can read all about it on the Quiltaid website. So you're helping other women while indulging in your hobby, great idea don't you think?
There are 12 individual blocks by 12 designers available from 6 shops (in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany), each shop sell 2 of the kits for the blocks (pattern and fabric). Some of the shops also sell the finishing kit if you are planning on to make the whole quilt. I really love some of these blocks so I have put a few on my list to Father (and Mother) Christmas.
I believe the kits are only on sale for a limited time or until the shops run out of them so don't delay if you are interested. I am not sure if they are already on sale yet though.
Anyway, I hope Santa finds I have been good enough to bring me some kits and magazines. I'll keep you posted after 25 December 2011.
Celine

Friday Night Sew-In - last one this year

2011-12-05T11:45:00.000Z

I have just signed off for the last Friday Night Sew-In of the year on Heidi's blog. It is organised for this coming Friday (9). Will you join?
I, for one, have lots of projects I'd like to finish off before the Big Day so hopefully the FNSI will help me to focus and concentrate on what I need to do...
See you there!
Celine

Crazy Quilting Journal Project 2012

2011-12-04T17:32:00.000Z

I have signed up for another interesting challenge/project for 2012: the Crazy Quilting Journal Project which starts in January 2012. The rules are simple, we piece one block a month - 6x6 minimum in size - and then embellish it during the month. It is an individual project but with the encouragements of the others in the group. The project caught my eye because I haven't done any crazy quilting for a while, despite having collected lots of supply over the years and also enjoying the process! Moreover, this is an easily transportable project as it is made of small squares that I might be able to leave around for when Baby has a nap for example (wishful thinking maybe!). I am hoping to be able to follow the challenge but because it isn't a swap, I know I won't disappoint anyone if I can keep up for a few months.

If you are also interested in this lovely challenge, and in promoting Crazy Quilting on your blog/website at the same time, run over to the CQJP website to register. Registrations will be open until 27 December 2011.
I hope to meet you there throughout the year and admire your lovely creations.
Celine

More lovely siggies to show you

2011-12-03T21:04:00.000Z

I have gone through more of the lovely siggies I have received over the last year or so and I am so happy that I have now catch up with everybody who had send me their little square, it feels so good. I am now catching up with people who emailed me to ask if I was interested to trade with them. Anyway, here is a picture of those lovely blocks I received, organised for me by Miss Strawberry Shortcake:

I believe I have now received over 50 siggies from this swap, I will soon have to think what I could do with them!
Celine in UK

Colour challenge for 2012

2011-12-02T18:00:00.000Z

Have you seen this great challenge that Judy Laquidara at Patchwork Times and Vicki Welsh at Field Trips in Fiber are organising for 2012?

If you want to play with colours and push yourself possibly outside your comfort zone, this is definitely one to consider. Vicki will create a new palette each month and we'll be asked to create and complete something with that particular palette. Sounds interesting? Want to play? Head over to Judy's blog to check the details and stay tuned until 1 January 2012. I will give it a try depending on the free time new baby gives me, if any!
Celine

Snail pace

2011-12-01T14:48:00.000Z

Finally my Advent Calendar for Miss Strawberry Shortcake is finished. I did put the last stitch in the binding yesterday evening before going to bed. It felt so good to sew a binding by hand as I can't remember the last quilt I finished, it has been so long. What felt good as well to finally re-use my big machine. My sewing table had been in such a mess that it was too much trouble un-burying everything to use my big machine so I have been using the small one only for a far too looong time. I have been trying very hard since I stopped work to tidy up a little bit everyday and decided that the Advent Calendar would have to be quilted on my big machine. I did free-motion quilting and although it is far from perfect, it was a great practice piece. So here is (it is now even filled with chocolates of course!):

This was my second and last OPAM for November.

Yesterday I also finished my framed hexie for Diane. She has a garden theme for her hexies and although I knew what I wanted to do from early in the month, I hadn't managed to get going until lately. Here is my ruffled snail for her, I hope she likes it! It will be on its way to Australia today and I hope its pace will be faster than mine!

Celine

Last minute lotto blocks

2011-11-30T11:24:00.000Z

Just finished 5 more blocks for the lotto this month, by the deadline! It is useful to be in Europe with the US deadline I guess as it gives just that little bit more time to finish off and post my blocks before the deadline.
I started to randomly sew some strips together during the course of the month to make more blocks after I completed one a little while ago and when I pulled them off yesterday, I realised I had enough started to make an extra 5 blocks. I finished sewing the strips yesterday evening and completed the 5 blocks this morning. Here are my 6 blocks together

and each of the 5 blocks I made yesterday.

Well I haven't managed to make the full set of 9 to maximise my chances to win the lottery but I will still cross my fingers, hoping I could win a few blocks this month. And this block is definitely one to remember to use some scraps when the scrap bins start to overflow. Fun and easy to make and a lovely random pattern.
Today the postman has also brought me some more siggies and a lovely book that I am eager to start using as soon as possible to show you the result. Just one hint, it is Christmassy! But before that, I need to finish Miss Strawberry Shortcake's Advent Calendar, it is all quilted now, just need to add the binding to be able to hang it to the wall and put the chocolates in it.
Celine

Life is beautiful - block #4

2011-11-27T21:58:00.000Z

I started block #4 very early this month but ended up wondering whether I would complete it by the end of the month. We went shopping today with the whole family - most probably my last big shopping trip before Baby arrives as I came home exhausted. At least, we were able to do a big food shopping to fill the freezer for the weeks to come, including Christmas. We found some ideas of gifts to put on Santa's list and managed a tour on the Christmas train and 2 on the carousel so everybody enjoyed their day somehow.

On the way to the shops, I managed to put the last stitches on my fourth block for my Life is Beautiful quilt:
"Live well, laugh often, love much"

I am so glad I am still keeping up with my one block a month target. Of course, that means the quilt will take forever to be finished but at least it is progressing with baby steps.
Yesterday I also picked up Miss Strawberry Shortcake's Advent Calendar that I now *need* to finish by Wednesday night...
Celine

Siggies

2011-11-26T15:53:00.000Z

I must confess that I have been a VERY BAD swapper lately with the International Siggy Swap. I was months behind in sending hexies back but I am so glad that I have finally caught up in the last couple of days. I now have lots of envelopes flying around the world, hopefully they should get to their recipients soon.
This is my last siggy design with a pram as I am expecting Baby# 3 in the next few weeks.

Here are pictures of some of the lovely siggies I received since I last posted about them. Lots of pretty blocks.

I have also signed up for the Siggy Swap on the European DJ list so I should get some more soon.

Celine

Flowers

2011-11-25T15:54:00.000Z

I have finished this month flowers for Kris for our swap on the Inchy Hexie Swap. She's asked for purple petals and coordinated centres so I made these 2 flowers for her.

I also discovered on her blog that she is making a Kaffe garden so went into my stash to find her some scraps of fabrics. I was hoping to be able to sew the hexies for her but I ran out of time.

Finally she is also on the International Siggy Swap list so I'll be sending her a siggy while I am trying to catch up with those.

See you soon for more,
Celine

Playing with geese

2011-11-23T14:36:00.000Z

I have finally finished work last week until Baby #3 decides to arrive. I thought I'd have lots of time to sew but I also want to do plenty in the house that I don't usually have time to do so I have only really started playing with fabric yesterday. I had bought the Mah-Jong fabric a while ago because I really liked it but I hadn't seem to be able to match it so far. I have been doing big Flying Geese blocks using the no-waste method. It is such a great way of doing geese without fiddling with triangles! I have made an "all-geese" block

and a star.

I really like the way they came out! Well I think the dark blue fabric worked well with it in the end, what do you think? It is the same fabric in the 2 pictures below but it doesn't really look like the same for some reason.

Celine

Block lotto

2011-11-17T20:36:00.001Z

This month block for the lotto is a Scrappy Trip around the World block from Bonnie Hunter's blog.
I finished my first block this week and I really love the checkerboard effect it has.

I'll try to make more blocks before the end of the month to maximise my chances to win. It is again a lovely block and I really wouldn't mind winning the lottery this month!
Celine

swaps arrived

2011-11-16T21:18:00.001Z

I received an envelope from Australia this morning marked fabric hexies so I had to open it there and then to discover how spoil I am. Geniene was my swap partner in 2 swaps recently so she sent me a lovely framed hexie with a tiny hexie flower:

and not one but 3 hexie flowers for my garden, how pretty.

But wait that's not all, look at her gorgeous hand made card with a beautiful cross-stitch design.

Thanks very much Geniene, it was a lovely surprise and well worth the wait!
Celine

A Christmas flower

2011-11-15T20:05:00.002Z

This month I was sending a flower to Natalie in Australia and her theme is Christmas fabrics. She's asked for the centre and petals to be the same fabric too. This little flower is now on its was to her, hope it fits in her garden.

Celine

Bee Europa stars - round two

2011-11-14T22:03:00.000Z

I had quite a bit of fabric left over after I made the Swoon Star for Ulrike so I thought I'd tried another star from her gallery and settle on the "Sunburst Star" which I really liked. I decided to go for paper piecing as I didn't fancy cutting all the odd shapes individually. So I pieced 8 triangles and then sew them all together to form the star. It worked relatively well in the end, even though it isn't perfectly matching everywhere.

And because I still have enough fabric left, I made this last star that I have seen on quite a few blogs recently.

These 2 stars will finish as 6' blocks.
Celine

Bee Europa - November star

2011-11-13T12:17:00.000Z

After I did my tree for Johanna, I decided it could be a good idea to concentrate on my November Bee Europa Block. Ulrike had asked for star blocks, any size, any pattern and sent us a sample of what she liked. I received a lovely selection of pink fabrics to use with the grey background which will unify her quilt. So I set my heart on making a Swoon Star. I draw up the star on a piece of paper to work out the size of the pieces I needed to cut as well as how to use the different fabrics together to come up with this block:

I am quite pleased with how it turned out. I really like the choice of fabrics that Ulrike sent me to work with and the pink and grey combination. I hope Ulrike likes it!
Celine

Flowers from Rosalie

2011-11-12T17:17:00.000Z

This week I received 2 lovely flowers from Rosalie for the Inchy Hexie Swap. I have wanted to take a picture of them all week but it has been so grim outside that there was little light in the house. Finally today we had little sunshine so I rushed to take a picture. Here are my flowers, lovely spotty ones and you might not be able to see it but the centre hexie a spotty white fabric! Lovely hexies which will look great in my garden! Thanks Rosalie.

Celine

Strawberry Shortcake Messenger bag

2011-11-09T19:09:00.000Z

Baby Girl, soon to be known as Miss Strawberry Shortcake, started attending Playgroup last week so Mummy HAD to make her bag for the occasion. I finished the bag just in time on Thursday night, she was starting on Friday morning. This is also my first OPAM for November and hopefully not the last one this month!

I had bought this lovely Strawberry Shortcake fabric a while ago with no real purpose in mind so decided it would be much appropriate for the occasion.

I used the same design for the bag that I used for Big Boy's one a few years ago before he started school. The outside of the bag is all the same fabric.

I used a contrasting "pink bubbles" fabric for the pockets, the lining and the side of the bag. You can see the pockets here slightly hidden by Miss Strawberry Shortcake's favorite friend.

and now the front of the bag with the 2 pockets.

And finally a Big Girl proudly showing off her bag and happy to have join the Big Kids at Playgroup!

I was lucky enough to be a winner on the Bloggers' Quilt Festival organised by Amy last week. I won the "Versatile Messenger Bag pattern" offered by Candied Fabrics. Surely, I'll have to make yet another Messenger Bag soon to try out the pattern now.

Celine

Hexies from Erica

2011-11-08T20:00:00.001Z

Last week I received some hexies from Erica from the Inchy Hexie Swap.

Aren't they just lovely? I am sure they will fit well in my garden!
Celine

Bee Europa 2011 - October block

2011-11-07T22:10:00.001Z

We had some visitors again this week-end so I couldn't get much sewing done. In addition, Miss Baby Girl decided that night for sleeping on Saturday night so she kept us up from about 1 to 6 am. So I had little energy on Sunday to do anything I must admit. She didn't seem affected much by her lack of sleep though... So good to be young obviously! I did a little stitching on my Birdie Block (October one) but that was about it and the block is not completed yet.

Today, I finished my tree block for the Bee Europa for October. Johanna had asked for a forestry theme so I took inspiration from a pattern shared by Jennifer Bosworth on Quilting Gallery for the Celebrate Christmas Quilt-Along but pieced the block rather than applique it. I wasn't sure about the Y-seam but manage to do it by machine quite well! I usually avoid Y-seam altogether because I hate them!. It was a fun and (almost - but for the Y-seam!) easy block to make and I hope it will match the other blocks she have received.

Celine

Life is beautiful - stitcherie # 3

2011-10-31T10:10:00.006Z

I didn't do much sewing at the week-end. My Mum and cousin were visiting so I had to pack up my sewing from the dining room. I usually do the sewing in the dining room because the room is lighter, but also, I am ashamed to say because the office/sewing room is in a bit of a mess. So on Saturday afternoon, I decided to tidy up the table and got everything out to put things away correctly. I then started to pull things out from under the table and from the side as well and I ended up pulling almost everything out. So my efforts at tidying up ended up with a big mess in the middle of the room! I went back in on Sunday and did manage to tidy and clear up almost everyting so now the floor is a lot tidier. I need to put away the fabric in my stash boxes now but at least that's an easy task! So in a way I am proud that I finally took the courage to sort everything out, something which was long overdue...

This last week, I also managed to stitch my block #3 for my Life is Beautiful quilt, as the title of this post hinted to. Here it is:

I am keeping at one block a month at the moment, which is great as this was my *realistic* goal for this quilt! I have already picked the block I will sticth in November so hopefully I'll have one more done at the end of next month. I haven't managed to start October's block of the Birdie stitches though and tomorrow November's block will be published. Too much to sew, too little time...

Celine

Swaps to go and received

2011-10-30T19:10:00.000Z

Last week I finished a framed hexie for Jeanette. She asked for pastel colours and I have already swapped a few times with Jeanette so I wasn't sure what to do this time. I got my inspiration when I finished my teacup coasters and decided to make her a teacup too. I hope she likes it. It will be flying to Australia very soon.

I also received my lovely coasters on Saturday made with some beautiful oriental fabrics. Look at the bow tie blocks and the lovely quilting.

They look lovely on the front and on the back!
Celine

Blogger Quilt Festival - Fall 2011

2011-10-28T17:38:00.001+01:00

The Fall 2011 Bloggers' Quilt Festival organised by Amy at Creative Side, is officially opening today and this time I have chosen to share with you my own and unique entry to a quilt competition that I called Japanese Crests. You have seen this quilt before of course as I used pictures of it for my banner!

I did all the applique and quilting by hand (mainly doing the applique on the train to work). I used some of my Japanese fabric, that I love so much on a black background. Once I had finished the 3 panels, I attached them together with fancy thread and beads. I finished this quilt in September 2006 for an exhibition, and unfortunately to this day, it is still not hanging anywhere in the house. Maybe one day, we'll buy a little wood stick to be able to hang it...

The wall-hanging looks like this

and here are pictures of each of the panels. Each of the panel represents ancient family crests from Japan.

I used patterns from a book called Circles of the East by Kumiko Sudo.
I hope you've enjoyed your visit and that you'll call back again whether you have discovered my blog through the Festival or you are regular reader.

Celine

Flower

2011-10-26T20:54:00.000+01:00

I received this lovely flower from Jeanette for our October/November hexie flower swap on the Craft Forum. It is lovely and will go very well with all my other dotty flowers.

Celine

Farmer's Wife Quilt-Along - 4 more blocks sewn

2011-10-25T19:02:00.001+01:00

After 2 months without any progress, I got my WIP out again and started cutting fabric to make more blocks a little while ago. I had set myself the goal of making 10 more blocks by the end of the month but I am not sure whether I will manage. I have cut more than 10 blocks, just need more time to sit down at the sewing machine and assemble them. Anyway, I did managed to finish 4 last night after my babies went to bed.

Block #10 [84] Spool
Another block with squares and HST. I cut 2 sizes of squares in 2 different fabrics.

I then assembled the block like a 9-patch.

I should have squared up my HST unit before I sewn them to my squares but I forgot and the result is not that good so I might have to unpick that block and make it better. I'll see if I get some time/energy to do so. I'll count it as finished for now.

Block #11 [81] Snowball
Same principle as block [84], I cut 2 sizes of squares in 2 different fabrics for the square and HST units

It is finished off as a 9-patch again.

Block #12 [72] RailroadFor this block, I cut 2 long strips for the mini 4-patch units and squares of 2 fabrics for the HST units.

I then assembled the block as a 9-patch.

Although when I selected the fabric I was happy with my fabric selection, I am not very pleased with the final block as I don't think there is enough contrast between the 2 fabrics and the block is very difficult to read. Another one that I might have to re-do with different fabrics.

Block #13 [71] Puss in the Corner
For this block I cut 2 different squares for the HST units, one big square for the middle and 4 rectangles for the side.

Again once the HST units were sewn together, I assembled the block as a 9-patch.

Here is my progress for now - 13 blocks (far from the 2 a week from the quilt-along really), I still have more blocks cut so hopefully I'll manage to put a few more together before Thursday when my Mum is coming for an extended week-end.
Celine

Another Christmas quilt along and a giveaway

2011-10-24T21:50:00.000+01:00

If you haven't yet started working on a Christmas project and are willing to do so, check Project Town blog tomorrow as Julianna will be the first to share a block for the 12 Days of Christmas' Sampler Quilt Along. I didn't know this blog yet but have spent a lovely time exploring it tonight. Well worth a visit!
The Sampler Quilt Along is organised by Sara at Sew Sweetness and there is also a flicker group to join if you like. This will run from tomorrow until 1 December, one 12.5 square block a week. I might join in, who knows?

And if you fancy trying your chance at winning a Accuquilt Go! hop over to Vicki's blog The Pickledish Patch and enter her giveaway... or not as I really want to win it (could be my birthday present!)

Celine

September birdie is sticthed

2011-10-23T20:58:00.000+01:00

We went to London yesterday and I managed to finish stitching my September little birdie with all the leaves falling off the autumn tree. I love how it turned out and my little ones even commented that it was lovely. What do you think?

I am still one behind but at least I am not slipping further behind. Maybe I'll even manage to make a start on the October block this month before Pumpkin Day! Watch this space!
Celine

Hexie flowers

2011-10-22T21:04:00.004+01:00

This month I have been playing with stripes to make these interesting looking flowers for my partner on the Inchy Hexie Swap. I love the look of them, I hope she likes them too!

Celine

2 blocks for the lotto

2011-10-21T23:04:00.000+01:00

I don't know where the time is disappearing this month but I don't seem to manage to get much done. Maybe the cold is making me lethargic, strange when I feel I am rushing around all the time. Anyway, this week I managed to use up some of my tone-on-tone scraps in blue and cream to make 2 blocks for the lotto. I was surprised that I didn't have that many tone-on-tone specially in blue. This month lotto is a sampler so any design of block is allowed. I went for some "free form" blocks made of 4 patches and played around with strips of various width. I ended up with a block inspired from rail fence quilt

and one "H" block

Celine

Rocket

2011-10-12T22:17:00.000+01:00

After finishing my little cups this week-end, I also finished my (overdue) framed hexie that is now flying over to Geniene. She wanted a boy theme with blue fabric so I decided on a rocket.

Hope it goes with the rest of her collection!

Celine

One cup or two

2011-10-09T18:18:00.001+01:00

It was Baby Girl's turn to be ill this week-end so the nights have been disturbed and short and as a result my energy levels were quite low. But I did manage to finish a few swaps. I signed up for PotHolder Pass #9 organised by Amy but decided to only do the coasters this time. I had an idea early on and then kind of went off it so I browsed Flickr yesterday to find something else. I looked at my partner mosaic and used one of the idea that I modified slightly to make a set of cups for my partner.

I hope she likes them, I was happy with the results if I can say so myself! I think I might reuse the idea for gifts as it easy enough to make, use a few scraps and come out quite nice.

I alo worked on my little hexies and I finished the flower for Gloria that I will be able to send tomorrow and started on my flowers for the Inchy Hexie Swap.

Celine

Little Bird - August block

2011-10-04T21:00:00.000+01:00

Well, I am still running 2 blocks behind but last week-end I finished stitching the August Little Birdie BOM block in front of the TV (We have bought season 1 of Downton Abbey to catch up). I know the October one has already been published but I am still trying to catch up!

Celine

A very enjoyable day

2011-10-03T22:09:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I spent the day in very pleasant company, for our Regional Day (Region 7), we had the pleasure to be invited to a workshop with Philippa Naylor. The workshop was to cover feathers and trapunto, all in 6 hours!

Philippa is a great presenter and the day was thoroughly enjoyable. She also has a huge wealth of knowledge that she is more than happy to share from threads to needles to techniques etc. I learnt a great deal throughout the day and she was always available to give advices and comments on our work.

We covered feathers in the morning and I found that was a very difficult exercise to achieve a far from acceptable result - a lot more is required in my case! We did a little warm up with wonky squares which were not too bad to do and a great filler as well, a bit more original than the usual stippling and then we moved on to feathers.

The regular, straight feathers were very difficult to master as you see from my trials below and would require lots of hours of work to have a lovely result.

However, Philippa gaves us some ideas about how to use feather in a different way and I must admit the "liberated" feathers were easier to do and more relaxing. Definitely an idea to keep in mind.

After lunch, and after I learnt that Big Boy had temperature and was crying on the phone for me to come home to give him a cuddle, we moved to trapunto. I stayed on because he was looked after at home by Daddy and he wasn't feeling bad just hot. After the drama of taking his dose of paracetamol he was alraedy a lot cooler after an hour. Anyway, I missed most of the explanations unfortunately as I tried to comfort him on the phone but had a go at trapunto. Philippa had 4 different designs to try so I picked one with 4 hearts in the middle and used the hearts again to extend the design further. We attach the batting to the top layer and than had to cut the batting out. I didn't go any further during the workshop and did a bug OOPS as I cut through my top piece (I need to repair it now) but I will definitely try to finish off my piece as I really like it.

Despite the big OOPS I had a great time and think I might be trying out trapunto on other quilts in the future. I haven't quilted my Forest yet, maybe that would be a good place to add some trapunto.

We finished the day with a lovely eye candy as she shows us 2 of her quilts which are just so stunning. Unfortunately,my pictures don't really do justice to the vibrant colours she has worked with in her quilt.

Did I say I enjoyed what was most probably my last day out sewing before the birth of baby #3? Maybe I am biaised because I love her work but I had been waiting for an opportunity to go on one of her classes locally for about 3 years now and I am glad that day finally arrived! If you have the opportunity to join one of her class, don't miss it. Philippa is running 5 days course that I would love to go to but I don't think this is realistic in the near future with a new baby. On my wish list for later I guess. She also teaches abroad at least in the US.
Celine

August flowers have arrived

2011-09-30T17:11:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I got a lovely package from the USA with not 2 but 3 lovely dotty flowers from Debra from the Inchy Hexie Swap. She had posted them such a while ago that I was worried they might have got lost in the post, which would have been a real shame. In addition, she spoilt me with a lovely piece of dotty fabric, well worth the wait! Thanks Debra.

I thought I had make more progress on my projects this week or even add an other OPAM to my list but unfortunately not. The weather has been extraordinarily warm for Autumn here and I have been really tired again. I had a lot of work as well so I didn't have the energy to do anything in the evening. Hopefully I'll find some time to sew this week-end.

Celine

Flower and birdies

2011-09-26T22:03:00.000+01:00

I haven't done much progress this past week. I was trying to finish the bathrobe I started for Big Boy but I kept doing it wrong and having to rip it off, what a pain... Anyway, I managed to finish my second hexie for Natalie that will be in the post tomorrow, finally! The end of the month is fast approaching so it is about time. Anyway, I hope she likes both the pink and the green hexies I made for her.

Yesterday evening, I watched the second episode of Downton Abbey and once I had finished the ironing, I picked up my Little Birdie block from August to continue the stitching. I haven't made much progress yet but maybe I can finish it by next week-end when October block will be released.

Celine

Life is beautiful - stitching #2

2011-09-20T21:14:00.000+01:00

I started cutting and sewing Big Boy's bathrobe yesterday afternoon and the whole house was covered in little red bits yesterday evening. I used my "so-called vintage pattern from 1985" - which made a couple of you smile ;-) but I was too tired to continue when the kids went to bed last night. I don't have much more to do but it was too much. Hubby was away in Sweden so I was drained when it was time to sit down and relax. Anyway, instead I went to bed early and finish stitching my second "Life is Beautiful" block.

I have a couple more drawn, ready to be picked up so maybe I can keep my target of one a month. I know my quilt won't grow fast at that speed but progress is always good! I had had the pattern for a year before I picked it up and made a start so I can't pretend it will be finished quickly. The sayings are so nice though that it helps to focus on the positive in life!
Celine

Lazy Sunday...

2011-09-19T21:28:00.000+01:00

Yesterday morning was karate grading and Big Boy did very well getting his full grade and a new red and black belt. During the grading (which last for 2 hours as it is all color belts at the same time - up to brown), I managed to finish one of my hexies for Natalie for the Inchy Hexie Swap. I need to do the second one before I can ship them to Australia.

I also picked up my "Life is Beautiful" block to do some more stitching. When we got back in the afternoon I was so tired - again :-( that I slept for 2 hours so the afternoon went by very quickly. In the evening I watched a (new to me) series as Downtown Abbey season 2 was starting. I haven't watched season 1 so it was a bit hard to understand the relationship at times but it was an interesting series. I think I will carry on watching it over the next Sundays. At the moment it is featuring the Battle of the Somme with its enormous casualties, sad as this is the place I am originally from and it is mostly known for these terrible atrocities. While watching the program, I managed to almost finish stitching my block, only have the quote left to stitch now. I hope I will manage to finish block #2 this month. It would be good to aim to stitch one block a month, I don't think I can't really manage more than that at the moment. Anyone else stitching this blocks? Maybe we could do this together?

And to finish off a picture of the karate-ka and his little sister at the end of the grading.

Celine

Swap update - I am spoilt

2011-09-18T20:02:00.000+01:00

I received my Mug Rug Swap from Shirley yesterday in the mail and got a very lovely surprise, she did a great job on the Mug Rug which will fit perfectly in my bedroom.

But also in the package did I found a very cute pair of booties for Baby. How nice a surprise, they're just lovely!

Celine

My little forest has grown - Friday Night Sew-In results

2011-09-17T18:02:00.001+01:00

Yesterday evening was Friday Night Sew-In and for the first time in a while, I actually managed to do some sewing. I did finished all my little trees for my forest. OK it is only a small forest with 14 trees but maybe this project won't become a UFO.

After a rushed morning between football training and the weekly shopping, my backache came back again so I decided to take the afternoon easy while doing some sewing. Well, I am happy to report that my Little Forest top is all pieced together. Plus apart from 9 green triangles for the trees, all the other fabrics came from my scrap boxes. I don't have one single background fabric but I have used up some scraps. All my trunks are from the same fabric but I needed so little.
The assignment for the quilt-along this week is to finish all the trees and sew the row. So I am all done for this week!

Yesterday evening I also cut out a paper pattern to make some bathrobes to the kids but I haven't got any further than cutting the "vintage" paper pieces. I found the pattern dating back from January 1985 (!) in my Mum's stash of patterns this summer.
Celine

One, two, Tree

2011-09-16T20:58:00.000+01:00

I finally got started on sewing my little trees yesterday and managed to make 5 out of my scrap boxes. I had prepared all my paper templates for paper piecing the triangles in a square this week so I can get on with the fun sewing bit. I will now start digging into my stash to make the 9 others I need for my quilt. They come together relatively quickly and I think they are cute. What do you think?

Now tonight is Friday Night Sew-In and this is just what I am planning to do. Are you playing as well? The kids are in bed, I've had a shower and have my PJ on. The kitchen is clean and tidy so off I go make a few more trees. I am really tired but I feel some sewing time will make me feel better before going to bed. I'll show you what I've managed tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Celine

Hexie swaps

2011-09-15T21:27:00.000+01:00

Today was my lucky day! I got 2 swap packages through the door, both from Australia.
I got a lovely welcome pack to the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap. This was version 2 of the welcome pack as Jane originally sent me one in August which never made it to me. She very kindly made another dotty hexagon for me and send it again with a pack of templates from Joanne.

In the other package, I received not one but two gorgeous framed hexie from Diane. Diane was my partner for August and kindly made me 2 hexies to replace the one I never received from another partner in April. This is so kind of her. Swaps are as good as the people who swap and occasionally it can happen that you don't get a return gift for the one you sent. I didn't expect somebody else to make it up for me. This is very generous and I am really spoilt because Diane's hexie are just gorgeous.

I also sent a package across to Australia this morning with my Mug Rug and a flower hexie to Shirley. Hope she likes both!

I am off to start making some little tree for my "forest" now. And don't forget tomorrow is Friday Night Sew-In, there is still time to join in, if you haven't already done so.
Celine

Lovely framed hexie

2011-09-14T20:00:00.000+01:00

Last week I received this gorgeous, yummy hexie from Lyn in Australia and I just love it. The little girl is so lovely.

Celine

Playing with little tree

2011-09-13T17:00:00.003+01:00

I have started playing with the little trees from the "Little Tree quilt-along" this week. I thought I would trial the method with a larger tree that I was planning to use in a Mug Rug for a swap on the craft forum. My partner asked for green so it was perfect for the tree. I used Ariane's Crafts method of a triangle in a square to make my tree and it is very easy to follow and comes out nicely.
My tree is bigger than the "original" quilt, it measures 5' x 6.5' unfinished or 4.5' x 6' finished. The triangle in a square was a 4.5' square finished or 5' unfinished. The bottom strip is 2' unfinished and the trunk was a 2' square unfinished. I had this lovely bear fabric that I used for the trunk as if a teddy was sitting at the bottom of the tree.

To finish my mug rug, I added some strips of green fabric to the right of the tree, increasing in value and width (starting with a 1.25' and finishing with a 2' strip). And because I didn't my tree to be on the border of the Mug Rug, I added a very tiny strip of dark green to the left side of the tree.

For the backing I had fabric from IKEA which I thought was in keeping with the theme and colour scheme.

Quilting was in the ditch for the strips and echo-quilting for the tree. ~~(I'll try to get a better picture soon as this is too bright and doesn't show the quilting, although it is visible on the picture above of the backing!)~~

Et voila, a finished mug rug that I had fun making and I also like how it turned out if I can say so myself! Second OPAM in the same week-end, I am on a roll!
Hope my partner likes her little rug. This was my first attempt at Mug Rug so far but I enjoyed it very much and am thinking it could make a great present.
Now I can make more trees, smaller size for the quilt-along as the assignment for the first week is to sew half of them by Friday. Better get going.
Celine

Football bag is finished!

2011-09-12T06:00:00.002+01:00

The week-end was quiet so I managed to do some sewing and be productive. Hubby had a day out to learn golf yesterday (his father's day present from June) so decided that I'll have a rest and sew. I did my block for the Bee Europa but also finally finished off my "disaster" bag, which has turned into a finished football bag in the end.

I managed to assemble the bag in time for the first football training on Saturday and asked hubby to add all the eyelets. He had fun as the tool I had bought wasn't strong enough to make the holes in the fabric. I hadn't finished the flap before the training so I added it on Sunday after the first session.

Big Boy loves his bag and is trying to recognise all the flags.

Geography lessons combine with football training, fantastic! He has always been interested in flags and that's our long-term sewing project to sew the flags of the countries he has visited so far. Although he is only 5 the list is already relatively long so we'll be busy for a long while!

And this Friday is Friday Night Sew-In again. I haven't really been able to participate since June but finally I should be able to join in again. Not sure it'll be a late night for me but I'll try to at least do some sewing before retreating to my bed. Will you join as well? You only need to sign up on Heidi's blog and then get yourself set and comfy on Friday night.

Celine
Celine

Bee Europa - July (!) block

2011-09-11T17:35:00.000+01:00

Finally today I did my block for the July Bee. Ceri wanted to have a flower in her block so I thought I would use the African violet block from the blocklotto last month that I DIDN'T win as I loved that block so much and Sophie had nicely provided instructions for different sizes of blocks. I followed Ellie's example of a pansy block but modified it slightly when I realised I made a mistake in the cutting!

I used the triangles off-cuts of my pansy to make the tiny pinwheel blocks

and then linked the flower and the pinwheels with some piano keys.

I hope Ceri likes it and it goes with her other blocks.
Celine

Angel top is finished

2011-09-09T22:07:00.002+01:00

I made some (little) progress this week.

I finished piecing the top of the Advent calendar, all the pockets are sewn to the Angel. I know Christmas is not quite around the corner yet but
1) it will come fast
2) I still need to quilt and bind the top for it to be finish
3) I didn't want to lose one of the pockets now that I had cut them all off
4) I am always a last minute finisher so it is nice to feel ahead of the game for once!
Anyway, I like the way it turned out, even though the fabric hadn't been printed straight all the way along and some cheating/adjusting was required for some of the pocket.
Well, I hope I will be able to add this one to my list of OPAM very soon.
More on my "disaster bag" soon.
Stay tuned!
Celine

Disastrous week-end?

2011-09-05T18:36:00.000+01:00

I had a day out sewing on Saturday with my group. It started rather well in the morning. I cut my Advent Calendar panel, in the hope of finishing it before 30th November. This one is for Baby Daughter who hasn't got one yet. I had started one for her last year but I didn't really like the panel so much so I never finished it. This year I found this much nicer one. I cut the panel out and all the pockets on Saturday ready to be put together.

After lunch I moved onto another project. Big Boy will start playing football on Saturday so I decided I could make him a rucksack with some lovely football fabric I bought this summer.

I found a pattern in one of my book. I read the instructions a couple of times and couldn't understand it all but thought it would make sense as I went along.... I started cutting the lining fabric first because I only had half a meter of the main fabric and wasn't sure I'd have enough. I then lay all the lining fabric on my football fabric and was relieve to see I had enough. I started cutting my pieces for the outside of the bag and realised once I had cut it all that I had 1) turned the fabric around so wasn't cutting the way I thought, 2) that I had forgotten to take into account that I was using directional fabric and the way I had cut my pieces, all the flags would be on their sides.... I wasn't exactly pleased with myself and after some thinking decided that it would be better to fiddle with my pieces so that they would be the right way. So instead of having a full piece for the back and front of the bag, I ended up with pieced back and front.

I also managed to sew one of the piece upside down (obvious with the Canadian flag) so there was more ripping off to do. Anyway, when it was time to go home, I had managed to prepare and quilt the front, back, side panels and all the outside pockets. If I had gone wrong all the way through, I would probably have assemble the outside bag and the lining.... Some days, you wonder whether it is worth starting at all! I guess it didn't help that there were some mistakes in the pattern with the wrong size given for the base panel.
I went home and assemble the bag with the straps.

I now have to assemble the lining and finish off the bag in time for the first football session on Saturday. I thought I'd make some progress on it yesterday but was exhausted and had no energy at all. Maybe later this week...
Celine

Hexagon flower from swap

2011-09-04T20:00:00.000+01:00

I have received this lovely flower from Jude last week to add to my collection of dotty hexie flowers.

Celine

Curved batik rails

2011-09-03T08:00:00.002+01:00

Last month, I made my block for the lotto at the last minute so I thought I'd do better this month and make them earlier in the month. Well I am proud to say that I had finished my 9 blocks on 1st September.

This month we are making curved rails in batiks. They are super quick to put together, specially as you are making 3 at a time. If you haven't tried the lotto before and you love batik fabrics, I would recommend trying it this month. You'll have fun!

Celine

And another quilt-along for Christmas

2011-09-02T21:38:00.000+01:00

Another quilt along is starting in time for Christmas at the quilting gallery on 13 September. 36 designers will each share a 12' block. Will you be joining in?
Celine

Little Forest Quilt-Along - do you want to join?

2011-09-02T18:00:00.001+01:00

Linda and Stephanie are starting a quilt-along to make a "Little Forest" Quilt - made of... trees of course. Do you want to join in the fun? Run over here to find out more. This first week is all about deciding and preparing to make the quilt.
Celine

Birdie Stitches - July block

2011-09-01T18:00:00.008+01:00

Too bad I didn't win the lotto this month! Anyway, it was worth a try and I can always make the blocks again to make myself something for my bedroom!

Time to show you my birdie progress. We had quite a long trip to come back home from our holidays in Holland so I had plenty of time to stitch and I managed to finish stitching the July Birdie block. I am quite proud of myself, catching up with 2 blocks in August. I am still 2 blocks behind now that the September block has been published!

The theme of the blocks was fireworks and one of the bird had stripes while the other had stars in honour of July 4th. Well, fireworks are also relevant in France in July because of Bastille Day. So I modified the birds slightly and both ended with stripes, which I thought looked a bit more Gallic.

Celine

Final African Violets

2011-08-31T18:06:00.001+01:00

Well I finally managed to make a grand total of 8 African Violets to go in the block lotto. The draw will be in the next couple of hours so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I was so desperate to make some blocks (and increase my chances of winning more!) because I absolutely love this block, as I supposed you have guessed by now!

The colour scheme would be so right for my bedroom that I could see a lovely wall hanging made of African Violets. Just dreaming, really! Aren't those blocks lovely though?

Celine

2 more African violets

2011-08-30T22:12:00.000+01:00

I have managed to make (only) 2 more African Violets for the block lotto. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the draw though!

Celine

Life is Beautiful – A new project

2011-08-29T20:00:00.005+01:00

Last week while I was at my Mum’s I managed to stitch the first of the 32 quotes from Life is beautiful:

“Life is a journey, travel it well.”

About a year ago, when I went to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, I bought Life is Beautiful pattern by Helen Stubbings from Hugs’n’Kisses.

Although I had looked at the pattern and planned to get started a couple of times since, I hadn’t made any progress at all so far. But this month, I have finally assemble all I needed to get started on the stitcheries: muslin and thread and stabiliser. And I drew a few blocks to take away with me.

Here is my block alongside the pattern:

Celine

Birdie Stitches – June block!

2011-08-28T20:22:00.001+01:00

I am very slowly catching up and finally finished stitching the June block. This one was a very busy block and took a while to complete. I started stitching it late June/early July and hadn’t picked it up until last week. I took advantage of being on holidays to rest while stitching.

I have also started on the July block with its fireworks, I am half way through, don’t know if I will finish it by end of the month. We are only a few days off September block but I am trying to keep focus as I would very much finish this quilt as a wall hanging sometime early next year. Maybe this one won’t join my pile of UFO, who knows!

Celine

The right button

2011-08-23T17:13:00.008+01:00

A little while ago I did a beach bag for my Mum and gave it to her as a Mother's present almost finished. All that was missing was a button to close the bag as I couldn't find one I liked in my stash. I went shopping shortly after and found THE button which I thought would finish the bag nicely with its nautical theme.

So finally after having the button in my bag for about 2 months in my bag, I have managed to sew it on her beach bag last week.

I can't really claim this is my OPAM for August but I don't think I will manage one this month.

Celine

Hexie flowers flying to Canada

2011-08-20T16:17:00.000+01:00

I have finished my first 2 flowers for the Inchy Hexie Flower Swap. They are now flying to Canada to Natasha. She didn't have any preferences for the colours so used some fabric from my stash. I finished the second flower on our way back to France so had to take the picture in the car with my jeans as background while we were stuck in traffic. I posted my enveloppe in Dover just before boarding the ferry a few days ago.

Celine

African violet for the block lotto

2011-08-19T09:11:00.001+01:00

Have you seen the block for this month lotto? It is called African Violet and it is just gorgeous. I have only made one block so far but am hoping to make more before the end of the month. And then I will be crossing my fingers and toes very hard to hope to win a set. Don't think I can be lucky twice in the same year but one can hope! Here is my first block:

If you want to participate and make some wonderful blocks as well, there is still time. Hop over to the block lotto blog to read the rules to make the block and marvel at all the blocks already submitted (over 150 to date). Then contact Sophie to tell her about your blocks. Be quick though you only have until the end of the month. The blocks are put together quite quickly I must say.
Good luck if you are playing, and I hope I'll be one of the lucky one too!
Celine

Farmer's Wife quilt-along - 4 new blocks

2011-08-17T20:48:00.011+01:00

Last week, I did play with those blocks again and made a further 4 blocks, taking my grand total to 9! I bought the sashing fabric at the week-end so I think I will start adding sashing (chocolate brown) and cornerstones (beige) soon so I don't have to do it all at the end. And I can even start assembling my row as I go along. This is what I am also doing with my Dear Jane.

Block #6 [16] Calico Puzzle
Another block with squares and HST. I cut 2 sizes of squares and played with stripes to add a bit of salsa!

The finished block then assembled as a 9-patch block:

Block#7 [20] Churn Dash
Squares, HST and rectangles in this block so I cut 2 sizes of squares and 2 strips with which I did the 4 sub-units with rectangles.

I even managed to cut my strips too wide so I had to trim them off to sizes once assembled! The finished block assembled as a 9-patch block:

Block #8 [21] Contrary Wife
Again this block is made of squares and HST so I cut 2 sizes of squares

and assembled them as a 9-patch to make the final block

Block #9 [41] Friendship Star
And one more block to play with squares and HST, very similar to the previous one but for the orientation of the triangles and the middle squares

and assembled the sub-units as a 9-patch to make the final block.

Celine

Bee Europa 2011 - August block

2011-08-16T09:08:00.000+01:00

Patricia had sent us 4 strips to make some 9-patch blocks for this month Bee. I finished making her blocks last night and was just short of 1 square to make 8 blocks. Here is what I am sending back to her today:

Celine

Playing with hexies for swaps

2011-08-15T20:45:00.001+01:00

I have been catching up with my swap lately and have been sewing some hexies. First I sent this little cat to Ondrea for the July framed hexie swap.

And I received this wonderful "Good luck" hexie from Jeanette

Then I sent this flower to Robynne

and finally today I finished this cat and butterflies hexie for Doris and it will fly over to Australia very soon.

I am now trying to finish off my first 2 flowers for the Inchy Hexie Swap to send to Canada. One done, one more to do!

See you soon!
Celine

Quilt contest - vote for me!

2011-08-05T11:35:00.000+01:00

I have entered this week contest at the Quilting Gallery, the theme was Log Cabin.
A few years back, when my Grand-Mum turned 80, I made a "Log Cabin and Flowers" quilt for her. The centre of the quilt was made with red and green log cabin blocks. All around the log cabin, flowers were applique. This was one of my first attempt at needle-turn applique so it took a bit of time but all in all I finished the quilt in about 5/6 weeks. It was also my first try with prairie points. I made the quilt from a pattern from Magic Patch and I was pleased with the result.

My GrandMa liked it as well and sleep under the quilt every night.
If you like it as well, you can pop over to the Quilting Gallery and vote for me. My quilt "Log Cabin and Flowers" is about half way through the page. Voting is open from now until Sunday evening. Thank you!
Celine

Farmer's Wife - First blocks

2011-08-03T21:21:00.000+01:00

Finally some pictures of the first few blocks I have made for the quilt-along. As I mentioned yesterday, I have redrafted some of the blocks to have only squares and HST (half square triangles) to cut as much as possible. I am also showing here how I have made my blocks if anyone is interested!

First Block [1] Attic Window

I made this block as a nine-patch cutting only 2 sizes of squares, one for the nine-patch squares and one for the HST

I then pieced the block in row like a 9-patch to give this final block

Second Block [2] Autumn Tints

For this one I did cut strips for the 4-patch units and 2 big squares. I pieced the strips together 2 by 2

then sliced them off to assemble the small 4-patch units and finished off make the bigger 4-patch block.

Third Block [4] Basket Weave

I did cut 3 long strips for this block and pieced them together

before slicing it in 4 units

which could then be sewn together into the final block

Fourth Block [9] Box

Like for block # 1, I did cut 2 sizes of squares for this block, one square for the 9-patch unit and 4 bigger squares of each fabric for the HST units.

I assemble all the HST squares together before cutting along the diagonal and then placed all my pieces to finish off the block as a 9-patch.

Fifth Block [10] Bowtie

For this block I cut 2 big squares of 2 fabrics and 2 smaller squares of the brown fabric for the HST units. I then cut my HST in half along the diagonal, which was a mistake as I then had to work out how to cut the corner off the bigger squares and of course, I did cut the first one to big! I should have kept my (HST) brown squares and sew them onto 2 of the bigger squares before slicing the corner off.

Once each unit is made the block is assemble as a 4-patch again.

These are all my blocks to date, 5 made - 106 more to go!
See you soon,

Celine

Farmer's Wife Quilt-Along - a start!

2011-08-02T22:04:00.001+01:00

It is already week 9 of the Farmer's Wife quilt-along and although I joined in June, I hadn't made much progress to date.
I received the book as a Christmas present from DH a couple of years back but had never made a block until now. When the quilt-along was announced I thought it would be a good opportunity to join in and finally make this quilt. I have set myself the goal of making the quilt as a birthday present for my Mum's 60th birthday next June. She is a Farmer's Wife and Daughter so this is appropriate. A few month back I bought some Kaffe Fassett FQs without much idea of what to use them for so this will now be my scheme for this quilt. It was my first purchase of Kaffe Fassett fabrics. So my quilt should be a "old quilt with a modern twist" which will suit my Mum very well, she is young at heart and enjoying her second youth.
The book comes with a CD with all the templates so I had a good look at all the blocks to decide which ones to start with. I have redrafted some of the blocks as I didn't want to cut some triangles or odd shape pieces if I didn't need to. I will show you soon my first few blocks but I first need to transfer the pictures from my camera to the computer and that will be for another day.
Good night!
Celine