Espritpatch

We had a very hot and humid week-end and I had no energy to do anything so the curtains were not finished when our visitors arrived on Tuesday. I assumed the lack of energy and extreme tiredness was due to the weather but when we had thunderstorm on Tuesday and a drop in temperature I still felt as tired as before. So the doctor signed me off for a week yesterday as I need to rest. Pity that I have so much "free" time and no energy to do anything. I can't even pick up enough to do some sewing. What's wrong with me? Anyway, I better be reasonable as it is not just me I have to look after but also our new baby due very early next year! See you soon. Celine

This week I have been working on curtains for the lounge. I have bought the fabric over a year ago and we decorated the room in August last year but I never got around to actually sew the curtains. We have visitors next week so I decided it would be great if I could hang the curtains before they arrived. I have also worked on my little birdie block and finally finished stitching the block for May on Friday. I still have to put the squares around it but at least the stitching is done. Maybe I'll be able to start stitching the June block before the end of the month. I now next block will be published on Friday but I am slowly catching up. I used a former birdie (March one) for my framed hexie for this month and my bird is ready to fly to Australia tomorrow. Celine

I finished the jacket just in time for the photo shot this morning. Baby Daughter had a great time, she was shy initially but then really got into it jumping and dancing. I can't wait to see the pictures now as they should be gorgeous! And Mummy finished the jacket yesterday evening but for the buttons.I sew my little elephants on the jacket this morning after checking on her where to put them and did the button holes as well. Doesn't she look gorgeous? Next on my list: my living room curtains for which I bought the fabric about one year ago. We refurbished the living room last summer and I never got around to make the curtains. I am aiming to have the up by Friday when my Mum arrives for the week-end. Watch this space! Celine

I hadn't participated in the Friday Night Sew-In for a while but I am glad to report that I made good progress. I guess it helps to know which project to work on and to have a tight deadline. Anyway I managed to finish the dress (but the elastic band in the belt as I didn't know which size to cut it) and to start sewing the body of the jacket. I waited for my model to be up this morning to take a picture. She looks cute I think (I might be biased!). What do you think? I used patterns and fabric that I bought last year at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham. The pattern are from Pink Fig Patterns. The skirt was supposed to be a patchwork skirt made of different squares but I used strips instead. The jacket is normally quilted but since it is nearly summer here (hard to believe though with all the rain and cold), I won't quilt it or use wadding in it. I will just lined it with cotton. OK I now have until tonight to finish the jacket if I want her to wear it for her photo ...

Tonight is Friday Night Sew-In. The kids are in bed, I am comfortable so I can (almost) start. Tonight I will be working on a new project I started on Monday night. I am trying to make a skirt and a jacket for Baby Girl as we are taking her for a photoshot on Sunday. I cut all (or so I thought) fabric for the skirt on Monday and started assembling it during the week. The first 2 strips went together fine but I had to unpick and try again several time with the third. Until I realised yesterday evening that I hadn't read the instructions properly and my third strip wasn't the right size. I couldn't face unpicking again last night so I started cutting the fabric for the jacket. I think I will start with the skirt tonight and then move on to the jacket if it's not too late. Hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures tomorrow. Enjoy your Sew-In night! Celine

I was nearly 3 blocks behind with the Birdie Stitches BOM from Little Miss Shabby. I had printed and prepared my blocks when they were published but never got around to start stitching them. Well, this morning I finish my Easter Bird when I finally gave him its eye. Do you like it? Of course I still need to sew the square around the blocks but at least it is all stitched. I also started stitching the block for May with all its flowers this morning, let's see how long it will take me to catch up! Celine

I should be back in action on Friday for the Friday Night Sew-In. I think I have missed the last two months unfortunately but I am really planning to be there this Friday. Do you want to join? Go and sign up on Bobbi's blog .  It's a lot of fun and you'll get some things done! Celine

In March or April, when I was making my Autumn Bag from the Cotton Patch magazine, I also started a purse for Big Boy (for these times when he needs to take money into school, etc). I had made good progress and was only needed to put on the binding and zip but it was stashed away until yesterday evening. I must admit I am never comfortable at the idea of sewing a zip so that's probably why I had put it aside. Next Sunday is Father's Day and this week Big Boy will have the opportunity to buy a present at school for Daddy so I promised myself that I would finish his purse before the end of the week-end. Well it's all done now. He was very happy when I showed him this morning and insisted I took a picture of him with his new purse! And of course Baby Daughter needed to be on the picture too! I have also join the Farmer's Wife quilt-along this week but haven't made a start yet. I have now chosen my fabric and the blocks I'll start with so more on that soon.....

For May, Elisa sent us lots of colourful scraps to make a crazy scrappy block as presented by Aneela here . I finished my block last night and it will be on its way to Elisa in Portugal tomorrow. Hope she likes it! Celine

Last week, I received a lovely framed hexie from Kim with a Japanese pagoda embroidered on it. It is gorgeous and I love it. I also received a lovely flower from Sandra. I really like the "different" dotty fabric she has used. It is a batik fabric. Celine