Espritpatch

  Another very old project... I will confess that I used to be a swap addict! The swap blocks were from before the high speed internet since they were made in 2006! The idea for this swap was to prepare some blocks with 3 raw edge hearts applique on top of each other. The hearts have an indent on the side and in the middle to be sliced up. This is a variation on the "bull eye pattern". After the blocks had been swapped, we were supposed to cut them in 4 (in half vertically and horizontally). Next step was to pick pieces from 4 blocks and assemble them together into a new heart. I had started rebuilding the blocks but not all of them. I even used some blocks to make photo album covers. I had made those in 2013 for the wedding of my son's favorite teacher and probably had one extra. You can read all about it here . When I found those blocks, I knew I would never do anything else with them so it was time to let them go and share the love. They have now found a new home! Celi...

I still find it very difficult to find some sewing time. Either I am spending my evenings looking for a job or, when I am not, I find myself lacking motivation, energy, brain space to do anything at all. I am lucky that I have had interviews and am progressing with a few companies for now until I get finally an offer that works for me and for all but it is rather a draining process.  Anyway, over a few sessions, I have finally managed to sew the binding down on this long-time UFO.  The string blocks came from a swap I did on Flicker in January and March 2012. I picked them up and made the  top  in February 2019 And I finally quilted the top, with a variety of designs back in May, almost as a "lesson in free-motion quilting".  I went through my sewing room to find all the bits of strips I could find to make the binding and used fabric I had in my stash for the backing. Quilt stats: 7 x 8 blocks from 2 swaps in 2012 Backing and bin...

I hadn't joined a sew-along for such a long time and suddenly there are so many I want to take part in. The latest one I have found on Instagram is the #kingfisherstitchalong organised by Tales of Cloth and Stiched in Color . And although I really don't need another EPP project, I thought it would actually be the perfect project to use up the hexie flowers I collected along the year of the Inchy Hexie Swap . So for now, I have gathered all my flowers and will need to pick the ones I want to include in this Kingfisher top soon. Of course, my initial plan was to sew a lovely flower garden with a grey path between the flowers and I have at least 50 shades of grey hexies too! But after 8 years of starting playing with hexies, this is as far as I got.... Not likely to happen soon really. Hopefully that will be one UFO less soon! Linking to Let's Bee Social . Celine

Welcome back, today, I have once again the honor to be guest blogger for Jen at  Quilter in the Closet   for her Building Blocks Tuesday.  Welcome if you are new here and coming from Jen's blog. Jen started the linky party while I was in a swap with her, a while ago and I have been trying to link up with her as often as possible.  I love the idea of a block linky party because I am not industrious and able to produce a quilt every other week! And also this year I have been particularly busy making blocks with the quilt along etc I have joined Let me show you the blocks I made recently and then why not linking yours in the linky party below? Well contrary to the last few months, I have hardly made any blocks this week because I have been busy working on other projects, trying to finish a quilt and teacjers' presents! Yes school is not out yet here, one last week before the break! But I have had some time for hand stitching so I can show you my last Sashiko bl...

I am always amazed and tempted by the variety of swaps available on IG and Flicker, and I sign up for (far too) many! The last one I had to finish was the Zodiac swap that was due this month too. And I have been on swap-diet recently because I end up only having time to sew for swaps or bees. Anyway, I posted my Zodiac mini last week but never had time to post about it until now. My partner for the swap was Cancer so while on holidays, I made about 30 mini hexies (3/4' in size) to draw the Cancer sign. Now some saw other things apparently.... I found a lovely night blue background for the mini that I quilted with a constellation And applique the hexies on top. For the back, I added some music I hope my partner likes it! This is another OPAM for September and one more of my Q3 FAL list. Linking to Whoop Whoop Friday . Celine

A long while ago I signed up for the Paris Swap on IG that Deanna was organising. I went to Paris the following month so picked up some goodies then. But of course as usual I left it to the last minute to complete the swap. I started just before I went away on holidays but didn't manage to finish it then. And I had an idea but it was vague and changed over time. Anyway I decided on a paper pieced Eiffel Tower from a pattern by quietplay. I then decided on some French flags and thought that it would be good to make a tote bag from my blocks. So I went for the no-pattern tote bag and loved how it turned out (if I can say so myself!) I sent it off at the week-end to my partner with a few goodies. \One more OPAM this month as well as one to cross off Q3 Finish Along my Celine

There was lots on my list this month. First the children were breaking up for school on 17 July so I made some teachers' gifts. And even if every year I promise myself I will be organised and won't finish them just the night before....well it always end up being a mad rush the night before. So I made 3 open wide pouch from Noodle Head pattern and tutorial that the kiddies gifted to their teachers: This was my choice for A lovely Year of finishes I also made a pencil case to Big Boy who needed one for his roll-over day to Middle School. I used a pattern by Ayumills in her Patchwork Please book and lovely Diary of a Wimpy Kid fabric. He loved it! And then there were the swaps. Yes plural because I am a swap addict :-) and ended signing up for (too) many. The first to go out was the round 2 of It's so Kawaii swap. I don't know if my partner has received yet but I hope she liked it. I made a little embroidery from The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery, which I loved an...

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...

I sent my last swap for this month, which was the It's so Kawaii swap. For once, this wasn't a secret swap and Mara asked me to make items for her 4-year old daughter. I like the Open Wide Pouch I made for the Sweet and Salty Easter swap so I decided to make one with some mini charm Kawaii squares that I had in my stash and I paired with a lovely emerald happy bee fabric that I bought years ago because it was happy and fun :-) One good thing about re-organising my sewing room and my ever-growing stash (an on-going project since January) is that I rediscover fabrics that I had completely forgotten about. Some are nice surprises, some not so nice ;-) Next I made a little hand-bag from a pattern by Rachel called the friendship bag with again some Kawaii fabric pieces I had in my stash and some yummy strawberries Nice, fun and easy mini handbag perfect for a little girl, which made me think that I really ought to make one for my mini girl too... maybe one day! And fi...