Espritpatch

This month I unearthed another UFO that I started as a BQL challenge 3 years ago. I had this little panel pieced and waiting on my design wall. I thought I had made enough cushions recently with my small panels so I decided I would make this one as a long wall-hanging. I unpicked the panel and pieced the 4 squares in a row.   Because I wanted to keep it skinny to place on a small piece of wall, I decided that I wouldn’t add a border. This little panel was a great opportunity to practice free-motion quilting. After browsing through the fantastic Free Motion Quilting Project blog , I settled on the Sharp Stippling  stitch. I finished blind sewing the binding while watching the Olympic Games opening ceremony (2 days later...) Another UFO finished and another OPAM for me this month. Celine

We have had a glorious week of sunshine during our holiday in France. It was almost too hot... if I can say so after the atrocious weather we've had so far. We had a great time. Miss Strawberry Shortcake took half of the week to recover but eventually got better. We spent plenty of time with family having up to 7 kids to look after between 4 adults. So it was hectic at times, busy all the times, fun and tiring but a great week. Mr Cars found some friends - boys! because he was greatly outnumbered by his (girls) cousins and sometimes fed up of the girls! He spent a brilliant week with his new friend and keep talking about him! I didn't find much time to sew during the week really, I had great plans but didn't have enough energy left when the kids were finally in bed! I finished my hexie flowers for the Inchy Hexie Swap and they will be on their way to Cynthia tomorrow. I work a little on my Dear Jane blocks that I had prepared before leaving but didn't even complet...

Last week, I received a very nice surprise in the post. I won a giveaway at Johanna’ s blog last week and received the lovely book she has been contributing to: An Apple a Day. Thank you so much Johanna, I am delighted to have been the lucky one on your blog!   Johanna sent me the book lovely wrapped and Miss Strawberry Shortcake, who was at home because she was unwell, was delighted to have a present to open. The book is lovely and the projects presented are innovative and gorgeous. I have already earmarked a couple that I’d love to find the time to make. Watch this space... Celine

I have been playing with my Sizzix recently. I bought the sewing room die sets by Tim Holtz but I hadn’t tried them yet. I thought I could try to create a sewing room for my partner for the British Quilt Swap. Now before I started cutting fabrics etc., I thought I could do a quick draft with paper.   I used a piece of leftover gift wrap in lilac and cut my pieces out of yellow paper for a nice contrast.   I must say I am pleased with the general look of my “sewing room”.   I then created a couple of labels to stick to the room depending on my mood or all at once! Well, I hope my partner likes the idea… ALL I need now is to transfer it onto fabric. Celine

Today was last of school here. Mr Cars went in with 2 little presents for the teacher and assistant. I used my BigShot to cut out the labels for the present. I really like how they turned out. I should remember to use my Sizzix more often really! Now what was inside the presents? Well I made some little pouches following the Orchard Tweed Pouch tutorial from the Zakka Sewing book. I had bought some lovely vintage linen a little while ago and thought that would be perfect for the pouch. Because the fabric was patterned, I used plain fabric for the corners and didn't applique any hexagons. I used the tutorial by Kelly to cover the ends of the zip. As you can see I made a pink version and a black one. Well I hope the teachers liked it! Celine

Mid-July, it is supposedly summer - nice and warm. Well not quite, today is grey (again), wet (again) and quite cold and windy outside (16 ⁰ C) again... So I made my own sun Last night I finished piecing my yellow Flying geese for the (May) Rainbow Challenge. I am a little behind with this BOM but I am slowly catching up. 2 more to do: purple for June and blue for July. I also completed block #4 Christmas presents for the Christmas Block-a-Thon on the Free Spirit blog . I am now 3 blocks behind, although I am half-way though the block published last Wednesday and I haven't started the blocks from last Friday or today. My BOM Rehab for this week-end. I also finished my June block for the Bee Weave It or Not! We are making some lovely Basket Weave blocks following Nydia's tutorial. June disappeared so quickly that I never got around to make the blocks I was due to send. But here they are finally and I will be sending them off tomorrow. 2 blocks for Nydia a warm bl...

I have just created a mosaic of some of the UFOs buried in my sewing room. I have always been very reluctant to go through my UFO and make a list because I knew it wouldn't be a pretty view.... This is it now, I have made it public I have (far too) many unfinished project. Well I sure hope the Lazy Bums are going to help finish or progress some of these... Watch this space (but I won't promise anything!) Celine