Espritpatch

I6 years ago (yes 6 ... hanging my head in shame), I started a bag for my cousin's 30th birthday and I got as far as making the bag, the flap, the zip closure, the pocket and the lining. You can check here . Then I needed to make the handle, seriously how difficult is that? Well it's not but for some reason that was a road block for me. I am not quite sure why, apart from not being able to decide on what to use to make it. Anyway, I didn't make the handle then and the birthday came and went and the bag stayed as a UFO (and has been since then, yes I am ashamed). I have been challenged to finish a few times over the last few months by my fellow Lazy Bums partners. Of course, I couldn't remember how much there was to do so I didn't even got it out to check. But miracle, I finally did last Sunday. And first thing I decided I didn't like the lining I had used: boring plain muslin and decided that needed jazzing up a bit. So I was brave, really brave and cut...

I have signed up for a few more swaps (of course!) and one of them is the one-hour basket that is currently so popular in IG. I thought it would be good to have a practice and it would also make a good present for my friend's birthday. And my one-hour basket (which has actually taken about a week because I was so slow) was actually easy and fun to make. The instructions are great and it should really take an hour if you keep at it. I used a deco-weight fabric with Scottie dogs and some Art Gallery jungle for the lining. I really love how it turned out, I hope she does too. And today I have been trying a mini version to send to my IG swap partner. Someone (and I can't remember who to credit, sorry) posted dimensions on IG so I decided to try it out. The construction is the same as the big basket but starting with pieces 8 x 4.75' and cutting a 1' square of the bottom. I can see more of these in my future. And that's 3 more OPAMs for April. Linking ...

So I had lost my sewjo recently and hardly did any sewing, but at the week-end I managed to make the Bee Europa block for Tsoniki, all made of selvages she had sent us And I also picked up my Sew Euro Bee an blocks from 2013 (I know that was 2 years ago...) Anyway, I decided to put them together to see what I needed to finish that quilt and realised that I was only needed 2 more blocks. I thought I was missing more so that was a nice surprise. I remember when we did the bee, some people dropped out and not all the blocks were sent back sadly. Anyway, seeing this top nearly completed had really made me want it finished so I have been working on making the scrappy strips at the week-end, hoping I can soon have the 2 missing pieces to my puzzle. Wish me luck, I hope it won't take another 2 years... And I finish one of my 2 flowers for April - another on the go project Linking to Building Blocks Tuesday , WIP Wednesday . Celine

I didn't realised I hadn't blogged for so long but at least I have something to blog about! The UK mini swap is over which means I have sent mine to my partner and I have also received one back! I made a rainbow hexies for my partner. I made the hexies when we were on holidays so all was left was to applique them on the background fabric.  I quilted with a very simple straight line quilting to secure the hexagons.  I really like how it turned out and could have easily kept it. I also made a tiny scissor fob for my partner I have collected a few goodies to send her too. I received this fantastic mini from Heidee, I love everything about it: the design, the fabric, the colours, the quilting. and the extras too! Heidee made me some lovely pouches and send lots of extra goodies (including eatable ones, yummy!) Thanks Heidee, that was a fantastic swap. Linking to  A lovely Year of Finishes  and this is also my first finish for the Q2 Fini...

Last week has been all about hand sewing or cross stitching as I was away from my sewing machine. It was a great way of catching up with some late blocks and also get started on new blocks. I made a second flower for my partner for March My 1 block for the 350-blocks project challenge for April. Linking to Building Blocks Tuesday . Celine

So the first quarter is over and we are going towards Spring and Summer here. Let's hope the longer days help me finish more projects than the 5 I crossed off my previous list! Still following our cheerleader in the lovely  Adrianne  who lives at the other end of the world from me and who will be celebrating her 30th birthday during the year! 1. M new quilt 2.  UK mini swap -   working on some hexagons now 3. Basket for my friend's birthday 4. One-hour basket for swap 5. Lighthouse quilt for my cousin's 30th birthday 6. Quilt for my friend's 40th 7.  Make myself a skirt with the Skirt Sew Along  - cut and ready to be sewn 8. Work bag for myself - started years ago but stopped because of a zip fear! - this one is on my list since the beginning of last year so I am really hoping I'll eventually pick it up and finish it...    9. Bag for Maud -started 5 years ago...  -  this one is on ...

Quarter 1 is over already, time to check how many finishes I can cross of my list from January and how many I will yet again, push to next quarter(s). 1. Work bag for myself - started years ago but stopped because of a zip fear! - this one is on my list since the beginning of the year so I am really hoping I'll eventually pick it up and finish it...   - no progress 2. Bag for Maud -started 5 years ago...  -  no progress 3. Star Plus quilt -  top ready for quilting  -  no progress 4. Cat bag as a Christmas present similar to the one I made 2 years ago  -  no progress 5. Triangle Quilt take #2  - all the triangles are cut  -  no progress 6. My Auntie's purple quilt - UFO from 5 years ago -  -  no progress 7. Spools and bobbins -  to be finished promptly so I can gift it to my Grand-Mum for her 90th birthday  -  no progress 8. Finish my Little Forest with ...

So March is over and the first quarter of the year as well. We started the month with the last (but not least of course) of the kids birthday celebrations and of course more baking. I am not going to hide that I am pleased that the "birthday season" is over for another year! I had a lot on my list again this month and especially lots of catch up I was hoping to do and I must say it worked pretty well. Let's have a look now and plan next month! Hoping for Finishes! 1.  Sugar and Sweet Easter Swap - finished and sent on time 2.  Star Plus - no progress 3. Kawaii swap - this will be my choice for  A lovely Year of Finishes  -  finished and sent on time 4.  Skirt Sew Along -  no progress 5.  IG Secret Pal swap -  finished and sent on time Bee Blocks  1.  Little Blog Bee  block (January and February) - January sent, February in progress 2. Block Lotto blocks - 9 done 3...