Espritpatch

It has been a busy month again, but also I have been away on a very lovely holidays for half of the month. It was so nice to sit on the beach, enjoy the sun and the waves and do little for a lit bit over a week. We went in the Landes area (south West of France just north of Spain) where there are kilometers of unspoilt beaches and lots and lots of pine trees. We had such a great time! :-) I crammed quite a lot of sewing before I went and did just a little while I was away! Let's have a look: Hoping for Finishes! 1. Zodiac swap mini - my hexies are all ready to be applique on the background. 2. Paris swap - I started my paper-pieced Eiffel Tower but this one needs a bit more work. 3.  You've got Mail wall hanging - This was my  A lovely year of Finishes  challenge for August and I am so pleased that it is finished! 4.  IG Secret Pal swap  -  June item due and sent! 5.  Skirt Sew Along - no progress Bee Blocks  1.  I love Lucy

I am not sure I REALLY need new projects, but temptation is so high and I am so weak :-) In case you have missed these, Nina is hosting a Tokyo subway map quilt-along  based on Elizabeth Hartman's pattern  made of 1600 squares of fabric! This one has been on my wish list since we went to Tokyo years ago so I will try to join in. and Angie is hosting a quilt-along based on the New Farmer's Wife book out this year. I must confess I ordered the book to join her :-) This one will start on 28 September, plenty of time to gather supplies and get the book which is sold out in plenty of places actually. There is also a quilt-along on Kerry's blog for the same book too. This one will start on 14 September so I supposed it is possible to follow both quilt-alongs to get even more productive! And finally while at the Festival of Quilts, I signed up for the Susan Claire from the  Gourmet Quilter Block of the Day Town and Country Quilt starting on 1 January 2016.

I tried very very hard to resist, but then I have no will power and Instagram doesn't help! So I caved in and joined the Christmas fun proposed by The Frosted Pumpkin for the A Very Merry Christmas Town mystery stitchery . I ordered some custom dyed linen fabric from Jodyri designs which is gorgeous and got started while we were driving to our holiday destination. Although I stitched for several hours, it doesn't look like I have done that much! But then I made quite a few mistakes and had to umpick quite a lot :-( Anyway, I love how this is turning out. The second chart is already available and I haven't finished the first one yet but never mind, let's hope I can have it finished by this Christmas! Wish me luck... Linking to Let's Bee Social . Celine

Yes I have been a busy bee back in my sewing room and I have caught up with a few bee blocks. One more bubble finished, this time for Bettina one book for Janine one Patchwork of the Cross block for One silver Birch block for Hannah 9 Plus Blocks That makes my total of blocks this month for the 350-projects to 14! Linking to Building Blocks Tuesday . Celine

I had a brilliant time in Birmingham for the Festival of Quilts. Lots of gorgeous quilts to be seen and also the joy or meeting 2 close friends I have met on Instagram over the last few months. It was so nice to be able to meet in person with Cathy and Esther. And now for a few pictures of my favorite quilts. Enjoy the tour! Celine

This week-end I managed to make my block for Sandra for Bee Europa. I love the fabric and design she chose and I can't wait to see her quilt. That's my first block for August for the 350-blocks project Linking to Tuesday Building Blocks . Celine

2 days late to be able to claim it as my Lazy Bums finish for July but last night I finished hand sewing the binding on my You've Got Mail wall-hanging from a fantastic pattern by Ayumi in Patchwork Please. I started piecing the envelopes in March 2014. I made about 4 or 5 at the time and then cast the project aside, moving to another one...as I so often do. And of course I wasn't planning for this small but labour intensive project (there are quite a few pieces in each envelope!) to take well over a year.  Anyway, I picked up the envelopes again a few weeks ago and finally made the last few blocks I needed. And then I took advantage of having the quilting frame out in June to quilt a panel using this fantastic  Lines and Spirals Tutorial  by Lori Kennedy at the Inbox Jaunt , and I love the final effect on this panel. I used Superior Thread King Tut #996 and also YLI Quilting Thread Ecru #002  on the top of my panel and Gutterman Sulky #4017 (variegated lime gre

Time to sit down and think about what I can possibly try to make/finish in August, with the Festival of Quilts in Birmigham around the corner, the kids off school and also the holidays coming up. Maybe I should have a more focused list this month? Is it possible for me though? Hoping for Finishes! 1. Zodiac swap mini 2. Paris swap 3.  You've got Mail wall hanging - I will pick this one for my A lovely year of Finishes challenge for August 4.  IG Secret Pal swap  -  June item due 5.  Skirt Sew Along - no progress Bee Blocks  1.  I love Lucy international  block (July and August)  2.  Flower hexies for the Inchy Hexie Swap (August)   3.    Bee Europa (August) 4.  Book Bee (August) 5.    Flying geese Bee  6. Fat Stash Bee (August)  7. Bee Hive (July and August)  8.  Block Lotto blocks  9. Bubble Bee (July and August) 10. Plus blocks  WIP 1.  M r Snowmen cushion - quilted! need embroidery, buttons and finishing