Espritpatch

Well I finally managed to make a grand total of 8 African Violets to go in the block lotto. The draw will be in the next couple of hours so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I was so desperate to make some blocks (and increase my chances of winning more!) because I absolutely love this block, as I supposed you have guessed by now! The colour scheme would be so right for my bedroom that I could see a lovely wall hanging made of African Violets. Just dreaming, really! Aren't those blocks lovely though? Celine

I have managed to make (only) 2 more African Violets for the block lotto. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the draw though! Celine

Last week while I was at my Mum’s I managed to stitch the first of the 32 quotes from Life is beautiful:  “Life is a journey, travel it well.”   About a year ago, when I went to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, I bought Life is Beautiful pattern by Helen Stubbings from   Hugs’n’Kisses.   Although I had looked at the pattern and planned to get started a couple of times since, I hadn’t made any progress at all so far. But this month, I have finally assemble all I needed to get started on the stitcheries: muslin and thread and stabiliser. And I drew a few blocks to take away with me. Here is my block alongside the pattern: Celine

I am very slowly catching up and finally finished stitching the June block. This one was a very busy block and took a while to complete. I started stitching it late June/early July and hadn’t picked it up until last week. I took advantage of being on holidays to rest while stitching. I have also started on the July block with its fireworks, I am half way through, don’t know if I will finish it by end of the month. We are only a few days off September block but I am trying to keep focus as I would very much finish this quilt as a wall hanging sometime early next year.   Maybe this one won’t join my pile of UFO, who knows! Celine

A little while ago I did a beach bag for my Mum and gave it to her as a Mother's present almost finished. All that was missing was a button to close the bag as I couldn't find one I liked in my stash. I went shopping shortly after and found THE button which I thought would finish the bag nicely with its nautical theme. So finally after having the button in my bag for about 2 months in my bag, I have managed to sew it on her beach bag last week. I can't really claim this is my OPAM for August but I don't think I will manage one this month. Celine

I have finished my first 2 flowers for the Inchy Hexie Flower Swap. They are now flying to Canada to Natasha. She didn't have any preferences for the colours so used some fabric from my stash. I finished the second flower on our way back to France so had to take the picture in the car with my jeans as background while we were stuck in traffic. I posted my enveloppe in Dover just before boarding the ferry a few days ago. Celine

Have you seen the block for this month lotto? It is called African Violet and it is just gorgeous. I have only made one block so far but am hoping to make more before the end of the month. And then I will be crossing my fingers and toes very hard to hope to win a set. Don't think I can be lucky twice in the same year but one can hope! Here is my first block: If you want to participate and make some wonderful blocks as well, there is still time. Hop over to the block lotto blog to read the rules to make the block and marvel at all the blocks already submitted (over 150 to date). Then contact Sophie to tell her about your blocks. Be quick though you only have until the end of the month. The blocks are put together quite quickly I must say. Good luck if you are playing, and I hope I'll be one of the lucky one too! Celine