Espritpatch

I have finally finished my hens! I had finished the piecing in France and showed it to my Grand-Mum on the day we celebrated her birthday. And then I had to take it back to finish it. We are going again this week-end so I really wanted to finish it off to be able to give it to her for good this time. So I did the quilting over 2 evenings this week. No the quilting is not so expansive that it required 2 days it is just that I don't manage to sit down at the machine for very long at the moment. Anyway, only the label left to do and sew now but that can be done in the car on the way there! How do you find them? Celine

Today is the last day of the month so it is also the last day to post a picture of the BQL challenge and I haven't quite finished yet but it will have to do for now... This month was a bargello quilt which I had never tried before. I really liked it also I have discovered that it is really easy to have it wonky with such tiny strips and bits. I used some of my scraps, some of them you will recognise from the Disapppearing 9-patch blocks and went for a pink and beige combination. It seems to be my favorite at the moment! Celine

This is the problem when strolling through others' blog. You read about what they are doing (great), marvel at the pictures they are posting (great), read about the swap they've signed up for (and that's where you get very tempted to join! Not so great? Maybe or maybe not, depends on what else is going on!). Anyway, I was reading about the Christmas block swap that Beth is organising and when I looked up all the details, I HAD to sign up for it! I am never so early to make Christmas' stuff so this year will be a very good exception! Celine

The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles is organising a tombola at the forthcoming Festival of Quilts in Birmingham to raise funds for the Quilt Museum and Gallery. They have asked for contributions of A4 "Little Gems" quilts. I have finally done mine (has to arrived at the Guild by the end of this week). "My Chinese Love" is ready to go now. I did a trapunto chinese character which I then covered with red lace. I am quite pleased with the result, what do you think? If you want to read more about the Little Gems and read others contributions, go to the Little Gem Quilts' blog . Celine

I know it probably sounds mad when I have just started work again but I couldn't resist. I have joined the Stitchers' Angel Swap that Helen is organising. It sounds so much fun. Plus although there are a minimum of 3 hand-made objects to make, the deadline is not until the end of October. This is plenty of time isn't it? If you want to join in, you have to register your interest before 8th August. Celine

First day back at work is over and I survived! Didn't fall asleep on my desk or anything like that! Charlotte also survived her first day without Mummy around. She still doesn't like the bottle so much but she will have to get used to it. I felt quite tired when I first got back home so will have to see if I have any energy to do a bit of sewing before going to bed. I would really like to finish piecing my bargello mini quilt but equally I need to be able to get up at 5.45am tomorrow morning for work. I'll keep you posted! Celine

Today is officially the last day of my maternity leave. I will be back at work tomorrow leaving my little daughter at home with my Mum while my son will go to childminder as usual. How strange will that feel after 7 months at home... Can't believe how quickly the time has gone. But then you are never really bored with 2 little ones! I have done a few things but of course there were plenty more on my to-do list. I haven't even started my darling daughter's quilt. I bought the Teddy's Playhouse pattern from Kids Quilts at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham last year. The pattern had sold out so I had it sent all the way from New Zealand. Their stand at the show was delightful and I really wanted to buy all the patterns. I bought some Christmas patterns at the same time and made a stocking and a toy bag for my son last December. There were fun and quite quick to make since I managed to finish them both in time for Christmas (just) while starting on 20th December. I have...