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 B...

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 201...

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 (variegat...