......... in other words, I've been shopping.
I've taken the plunge and ordered EQ7. Whoohoo.
I've ordered some fabric ready for the next Christmas Quiltalong. Woohoo.
We're going on a short holiday next week. Woohoo.
Well, it's only right isn't it that I help support the economy?
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Monday, 23 August 2010
Just call me stubborn .............
.......... Remember a few weeks ago I won a jelly roll and some yardage through SewCalGal? Well, I've used it.
I came up with this design, which was very quick and easy to make. Then came the borders. Well, I had quite a lot of odd pieces of fabric left, so I had a bright idea (I was going to do "arty" and "scrappy") - or so it seemed last Friday morning. Well what followed was almost farcical. I did some piecing, cut some background fabric, then cut some more, this time to the right size. Made 2 borders, pieced a bit more, cut some more background fabric, needed to cut some more to the correct size this time and realised I hadn't got enough. Rethought the background for the piecing, made up all four borders and sewed them on. (All of this piecing for the borders by the way involved bias edges, so I was trying to be very careful.) Stood back and looked, and realised I did not like the border! Aaaargh. This had taken me Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons to get to this point. I spent Sunday evening with a stitch ripper in hand, and then went back to non-arty, non-scrappy traditional borders, and this is the result.
Here, just to satisy your curiosity, is the top with the troublesome borders.
So now you see why my middle name is Stubborn.
I came up with this design, which was very quick and easy to make. Then came the borders. Well, I had quite a lot of odd pieces of fabric left, so I had a bright idea (I was going to do "arty" and "scrappy") - or so it seemed last Friday morning. Well what followed was almost farcical. I did some piecing, cut some background fabric, then cut some more, this time to the right size. Made 2 borders, pieced a bit more, cut some more background fabric, needed to cut some more to the correct size this time and realised I hadn't got enough. Rethought the background for the piecing, made up all four borders and sewed them on. (All of this piecing for the borders by the way involved bias edges, so I was trying to be very careful.) Stood back and looked, and realised I did not like the border! Aaaargh. This had taken me Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons to get to this point. I spent Sunday evening with a stitch ripper in hand, and then went back to non-arty, non-scrappy traditional borders, and this is the result.
Here, just to satisy your curiosity, is the top with the troublesome borders.
So now you see why my middle name is Stubborn.
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Win a Go! cutter
Pssst .....
Want to win a new toy?
My friend Paulette over at Sweet P Quilting and Creations is having the most fantastic giveaway on her blog. She is giving a Go! cutter to one lucky person, courtesy of AccuQuilt.
As you know, I already have this wonderful toy, and wouldn't be without it, so I won't be entering which gives you lot more of a chance to win. I can promise you that if you do win you'll be blown away by how quick and easy it is to cut strips, squares, triangles, circles, all sorts of applique shapes, etc. So, if you fancy winning a fantastic new
Thursday, 19 August 2010
and while I was at it ......
.... I went to the Quilting Gallery site, and entered this small quilt in their current weekly contest.
The theme for this week's contest is Flowers, so I entered this small quilt of Irises which I made in about 2006. You can see all the quilts and vote for your choice in this contest, between tomorrow and Sunday, by clicking on the button to the right of this post.
The theme for this week's contest is Flowers, so I entered this small quilt of Irises which I made in about 2006. You can see all the quilts and vote for your choice in this contest, between tomorrow and Sunday, by clicking on the button to the right of this post.
Pets on Quilts ..........
..... really, I do worry about me sometimes. I knew that SewCalGal was hosting another of her great virtual quilt shows - well, you all knew that I knew, cos I talked about it in a post a couple of days ago, but I hadn't entered a quilt cos I hadn't got any.
Well, today, I was looking through some photos on the computer, and what do I find? Dogs on quilts, AND cats on quilts, so I'm entering these two.
This quilt is called Dottie Scotties. Bet you can't guess why. I designed and made it in 2006. It is about 36" square, I think. I can't be certain as I don't even know where it is now. I wish I did.
This is called Cats in the Belfry. The feature fabric all has cats on. Why "In the Belfry"? I can't be sure, but I think it was cos I decided I was batty to have designed this as it is not as easy as it looks at first sight.
If you go over to SewCalGal's site here, you'll find she's always got the coffee on, and you can look at some really great quilts and get to vote for your favourites.
Now you see why I said I worry about me sometimes?
Well, today, I was looking through some photos on the computer, and what do I find? Dogs on quilts, AND cats on quilts, so I'm entering these two.
This quilt is called Dottie Scotties. Bet you can't guess why. I designed and made it in 2006. It is about 36" square, I think. I can't be certain as I don't even know where it is now. I wish I did.
This is called Cats in the Belfry. The feature fabric all has cats on. Why "In the Belfry"? I can't be sure, but I think it was cos I decided I was batty to have designed this as it is not as easy as it looks at first sight.
If you go over to SewCalGal's site here, you'll find she's always got the coffee on, and you can look at some really great quilts and get to vote for your favourites.
Now you see why I said I worry about me sometimes?
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
I've finished ...........
........... the top I was making during the Christmas Quiltalong day last Saturday.
I used a jelly roll plus some white tone-on-tone fabric that I already had.
Just out of interest, I thought I'd show you just how much I had left from the jelly roll. Pheww, that was a bit close wasn't it?
I used a jelly roll plus some white tone-on-tone fabric that I already had.
Just out of interest, I thought I'd show you just how much I had left from the jelly roll. Pheww, that was a bit close wasn't it?
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
I'd like to thank ............
.... Betty from Betty's Love of Quilting, my parents, all my teachers, the school dinner ladies, my first pet and of course my family and the doctor and the .........
What am I on about? Betty has given me this award because she thinks I'm funny. (I think she means funny ha-ha, not funny peculiar?) I've never received any sort of award before, not even the "Best Speller in the Class" when I was 4, even though I was best, but Johnny cheated so he won!
I feel very flattered to receive this and now I need to nominate someone to receive this from me. I have been thinking and thinking and it was impossible to nominate any one person, so................ I'm nominating each and every one of you!
What am I on about? Betty has given me this award because she thinks I'm funny. (I think she means funny ha-ha, not funny peculiar?) I've never received any sort of award before, not even the "Best Speller in the Class" when I was 4, even though I was best, but Johnny cheated so he won!
I feel very flattered to receive this and now I need to nominate someone to receive this from me. I have been thinking and thinking and it was impossible to nominate any one person, so................ I'm nominating each and every one of you!
Monday, 16 August 2010
Bartering at it's best ..........
........ is how my bloggy friend Paulette describes what we've been up to. She has recently made me the most gorgeous penny rug, and in return I am going to quilt her latest quilt top for her. So, this morning, there I was, up to my elbows in potato peelings when the doorbell rang, and there was postie, clutching this.
I forgot all about potatoes as I was so excited to open the box, and when I did, just look at what I found inside.
I have always loved Paulette's wool work and am totally in awe of the penny rug she had made for me. It's even got a sunflower on, which is probably my favourite flower in the world. On their journey, the chickens had even laid some eggs, well, OK they hadn't, they were cute little egg-shaped pebbles from the beach near her and they brought me some Canadian chocolate and as if that wasn't enough, there was a lovely little scissor fob of turquoise with my initial on, so no-one can pinch my scissors again.
Also in the box was the quilt top I am going to let Bertha play with. I think it is gorgeous, and just hope we can do it justice. It looks good on my sofa though, so perhaps I'll keep it and tell her it got lost in the post when I sent it back. She'll believe that, won't she?
I forgot all about potatoes as I was so excited to open the box, and when I did, just look at what I found inside.
I have always loved Paulette's wool work and am totally in awe of the penny rug she had made for me. It's even got a sunflower on, which is probably my favourite flower in the world. On their journey, the chickens had even laid some eggs, well, OK they hadn't, they were cute little egg-shaped pebbles from the beach near her and they brought me some Canadian chocolate and as if that wasn't enough, there was a lovely little scissor fob of turquoise with my initial on, so no-one can pinch my scissors again.
Also in the box was the quilt top I am going to let Bertha play with. I think it is gorgeous, and just hope we can do it justice. It looks good on my sofa though, so perhaps I'll keep it and tell her it got lost in the post when I sent it back. She'll believe that, won't she?
So now you see why the title of this post is "Bartering at it's Best"
Walkies ..............
........... yes, it's time we all went walkies. My friend Quilthaze, over at Cotton Cocktails has entered a wonderful quilt, which you can see here in SewCalGal's latest quilt show, Pets on Quilts. The voting has now opened here for the Viewers choice in all the different categories. Now, I'm not telling you all to go and vote for Quilthaze's puppies, but I know where I'm off to now.
Oh and I should have asked the winners from the Christmas Quiltalong to email me with their addresses so I can put their little prizes in the post.
Oh and I should have asked the winners from the Christmas Quiltalong to email me with their addresses so I can put their little prizes in the post.
and the winners are ................
................. randomly generatedby www.random.org, although I still can't work out how to show the results on here, so please trust me.
There were 8 entries in the quiz, and the winner was the 3rd entry I received, Joanna of Needle, Thread, Happiness.
The winner of my "door prize" was no 6, Elizabeth fromSand and Sunshine. This prize was generously donated by Quilters Haven, when I was placing another order and happened to mention the Christmas Quiltalong. Wasn't that lovely of them? Do pop over and have a look at their website, they have some great stuff there, and they are sooo quick. I placed an online order at about 11 am one morning, had an email at 2 pm to say it had been despatched, and received it the next day.
Then, just because it was my party, so I can do these sort of things, I picked another winner too, who was no 14, Midge from Soggibottom.
Later on today I will do another post as I want to tell you about my friend's entry in SewCalGal's Pets on Quilts Show.
I also have to show you a MOST exciting parcel that arrived just now from Canada.
There were 8 entries in the quiz, and the winner was the 3rd entry I received, Joanna of Needle, Thread, Happiness.
The winner of my "door prize" was no 6, Elizabeth fromSand and Sunshine. This prize was generously donated by Quilters Haven, when I was placing another order and happened to mention the Christmas Quiltalong. Wasn't that lovely of them? Do pop over and have a look at their website, they have some great stuff there, and they are sooo quick. I placed an online order at about 11 am one morning, had an email at 2 pm to say it had been despatched, and received it the next day.
Then, just because it was my party, so I can do these sort of things, I picked another winner too, who was no 14, Midge from Soggibottom.
Later on today I will do another post as I want to tell you about my friend's entry in SewCalGal's Pets on Quilts Show.
I also have to show you a MOST exciting parcel that arrived just now from Canada.
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Christmas Stars .............
........... this is what I was working on yesterday. The pattern is in Kim's fabulous book, Scrapbasket Surprises where it's called Summer Breeze. It certainly went together like a breeze. Although it's scrappy, in that I used a jelly roll, I did have to exercise some control over it, so I kept all my stars the same colour rather than random and in the other blocks I put the 2 light colours next to each other in the middle. I have still got to add the borders, and, they are pieced and scrappy, so that is going to be a challenge to me to not try and match them up too much. What was that? Did I hear someone call me a control freak? No, I knew I was mistaken.
Here are the links ...........
... to all the people who had signed up with Mr Poorly BossyBoots Linky during yesterday, so that we can all go visit each other some more:
I'm VERY sorry, I got the link wrong for 11. Lynn B in AZ. It is correct now in the list below.
1. QuiltSue, 2. Gina,
3. Hazel, 4. Trudi,
5. Shazy, 6. Elizabeth,
7. Notjustnat, 8. Joanna,
9. Reenie, 10. Mandycharlie,
11. Lynn B in AZ, 12. Tracey,
13. Ali, 14. Midge,
15. Lynn, 16. Paulette Doyle
"They" needn't think "they" can beat me!
By the way, you still have a chance to enter the quiz, as I haven't done the draw yet. I will do the draw tomorrow morning.
Now I'm off to finish what I was sewing yesterday. Pictures to follow later, along with the names of the prize winners.
I'm VERY sorry, I got the link wrong for 11. Lynn B in AZ. It is correct now in the list below.
1. QuiltSue, 2. Gina,
3. Hazel, 4. Trudi,
5. Shazy, 6. Elizabeth,
7. Notjustnat, 8. Joanna,
9. Reenie, 10. Mandycharlie,
11. Lynn B in AZ, 12. Tracey,
13. Ali, 14. Midge,
15. Lynn, 16. Paulette Doyle
"They" needn't think "they" can beat me!
By the way, you still have a chance to enter the quiz, as I haven't done the draw yet. I will do the draw tomorrow morning.
Now I'm off to finish what I was sewing yesterday. Pictures to follow later, along with the names of the prize winners.
Oops ...........
... some of you may notice that Mr Bossy Boots Linky's disappeared overnight. That's cos his site has crashed, and stopped me getting into any of my posts with him on it. I fixed him. I've deleted him. That should teach him a lesson, shouldn't it? I will put all of the links back in shortly, but it's 9 am and I really should go and have a shower first. I'll be back soon, and hopefully will have found a workaround.
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Night Night .................
.......... everybody. It's now almost 9.30 in the evening for me and so I'm stopping for tonight. It's amazing how tiring having fun can be! I will be back in the morning and will show you then what I've been working on. I'll also post the winner of the quiz and of two other prizes. I think I've tamed the random number generator thingy now, so I'll be using that, since my other helpers are now on holiday. Kids, eh, they're never around when you need them.. It would be great if you could all post a picture of what you've been working on before you finish for the day, then we can all go round to every one and have a look.
I do hope you've enjoyed yourselves today, and will be back next month.
I do hope you've enjoyed yourselves today, and will be back next month.
Recipe Swap ............
............. OK, I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours. I thought it would be fun to all post a Christmas recipe, so I'll tell you how to make my gingerbread men/snowmen/blobs.
Gingerbread Men:
Ingredients
350g plain flour
100g butter
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp ground ginger
1 egg
4 tbsps Golden Syrup
175 g light, soft brown sugar
Method
Preheat the oven to 180 C/350 F/Gas Mark 4
Put the flour, butter, bicarb and ginger in a bowl and mix to fine breadcrumbs
Add the egg, syrup and sugar and mix to a firm dough
Chill for 30 mins. (I meant the dough, not you.)
Dust your surface and rolling pin with flour and roll out to about 5 mm thick
Cut out shapes of men, trees, blobs or whatever you want, and put them on a baking tray, leaving room for them to spread, just as I did as I got older
Cook for 10 - 15 mins
Cool them on a wire rack, and decorate as you wish.
This makes about 15 men.
Mr Bossy Boots Linky is 2 posts back now.
Take a break ..............
........... and have a go at this quiz.
Email the answers to me, and I'll have a draw for a little prize and announce the winner tomorrow.
Christmas Quiltalong Quiz
1. What Christmas Ballet is the most famous of all?
o Rudolph’s Surprise
o The Nutcracker
o Frosty Goes to New York
2. Where was Mommy kissing Santa Claus?
o On the Corner
o Under the Mistletoe
o In a Dark Alley
3. Who wrote the song "Here Comes Santa Claus"?
o Michael Jackson
o Gene Autry
o Percy Douglas
4. What does Alvin want for Christmas?
o An iPod
o A Bottle of Rum
o A Hula Hoop
5. What should little children leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve?
o Milk and a Biscuit
o Chewing Gum
o Cheese
6. What is Frosty the Snowman's nose made of?
o A Carrot
o A Potato
o A Button
7. Who is Ebenezer?
o The Milkman
o The President
o Scrooge
9. Which reindeer's name starts with a "B"?
o Bart
o Burt
o Blitzen
10. Which reindeer does not belong below?
o Dancer
o Roger
o Dasher
and when you've done that, why not go and have a look at what everyone else has been doing.
and definitely go and have a look at what Midge has just posted.
Email the answers to me, and I'll have a draw for a little prize and announce the winner tomorrow.
Christmas Quiltalong Quiz
1. What Christmas Ballet is the most famous of all?
o Rudolph’s Surprise
o The Nutcracker
o Frosty Goes to New York
2. Where was Mommy kissing Santa Claus?
o On the Corner
o Under the Mistletoe
o In a Dark Alley
3. Who wrote the song "Here Comes Santa Claus"?
o Michael Jackson
o Gene Autry
o Percy Douglas
4. What does Alvin want for Christmas?
o An iPod
o A Bottle of Rum
o A Hula Hoop
5. What should little children leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve?
o Milk and a Biscuit
o Chewing Gum
o Cheese
6. What is Frosty the Snowman's nose made of?
o A Carrot
o A Potato
o A Button
7. Who is Ebenezer?
o The Milkman
o The President
o Scrooge
9. Which reindeer's name starts with a "B"?
o Bart
o Burt
o Blitzen
10. Which reindeer does not belong below?
o Dancer
o Roger
o Dasher
Would you like a gingerbread man?
I know, they don't look like gingerbread men at all do they? That's cos I couldn't find the right cutter, so I used a snowman one instead. Don't anyone tell me they don't look like snowmen either, I know they don't, but they taste very good.
I was going to give you useful(?) Christmas facts here, but blogger isn't playing very nicely at the moment, so I'll try again in a little while.
I know, they don't look like gingerbread men at all do they? That's cos I couldn't find the right cutter, so I used a snowman one instead. Don't anyone tell me they don't look like snowmen either, I know they don't, but they taste very good.
I was going to give you useful(?) Christmas facts here, but blogger isn't playing very nicely at the moment, so I'll try again in a little while.
What the ....................
........... "does she think she's making Christmas decorations?" you're all asking.
Nope. I'm making these. Aren't they pretty?
Lunch time ...........
......... so I've just been to see what everyone else is working on. Nosey? Yep, that's me. Don't forget to go and visit everyone else.
Ready .............
I'm going to try and Move Mr BossyBoots Linky every time I write a new post today. Keep your fingers crossed that it works OK.
Decision made ......................
All that's left of a jelly roll ....................
All nice and neatly cut and ready to go ...............
I should also add that I have got a few fun (well I think, anyway) things planned for later. I'm just trying to give those of you who's time is behind British Summer Time a chance to get stuck in first.
Decision made ......................
All that's left of a jelly roll ....................
All nice and neatly cut and ready to go ...............
I should also add that I have got a few fun (well I think, anyway) things planned for later. I'm just trying to give those of you who's time is behind British Summer Time a chance to get stuck in first.
It's Christmas .............
............... well actually it isn't, but it is Christmas Quiltalong day.
Mr Linky is going to move each time to the latest post - I hope. If you put your name and blog address in there, then this clever Mr Linky produces a list of the names for us that we can click on to go visit each other. How clever is that?
By the way, you don't have to leave a comment if you don't want to, even though Mr Bossy Boots Linky tells you too.
Mr Linky is going to move each time to the latest post - I hope. If you put your name and blog address in there, then this clever Mr Linky produces a list of the names for us that we can click on to go visit each other. How clever is that?
By the way, you don't have to leave a comment if you don't want to, even though Mr Bossy Boots Linky tells you too.
Friday, 13 August 2010
Are you ready ...........
.......... for some fun tomorrow?
I have one or two little surprises as we go through the day, which will require some audience participation. Of course, you don't have to join in the games, but I'll sulk if you don't. Oh and I'll keep the prizes, so there.
You'll all be pleased to hear that I have decided what I am going to make, and I don't even need to go shopping first. Of course, the same may not be said for next month!
Now I'm off to make sure my camera batteries are charged up.
I hope you will all post during the day and I will put one of those clever Mr Linky things on here tomorrow, so anyone who's taking part can put their blog address, and then we can all visit each other during the course of the day to see what everyone's been up to.
I have one or two little surprises as we go through the day, which will require some audience participation. Of course, you don't have to join in the games, but I'll sulk if you don't. Oh and I'll keep the prizes, so there.
You'll all be pleased to hear that I have decided what I am going to make, and I don't even need to go shopping first. Of course, the same may not be said for next month!
Now I'm off to make sure my camera batteries are charged up.
I hope you will all post during the day and I will put one of those clever Mr Linky things on here tomorrow, so anyone who's taking part can put their blog address, and then we can all visit each other during the course of the day to see what everyone's been up to.
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
I've got a problem .........
....... yeah, yeah, quiet at the back there those of you muttering "we KNOW you have". No, my problem is regarding the Christmas Quiltalong. I can't decide what to make. I've got loads of different ideas in my mind, and they're all jumping up and down shouting "pick me, pick me!" and I can't make up my mind. Most of them aren't "Christmas" quilts, as such, but whatever I make will be a present for my sister. Has anyone else got this problem, or are you all so well organised that you know just what you're going to do, and have got all the fabrics sorted out and so on?
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Helppppp .........
...... as some of you know, my daughter (aka Mrs Nomad) is in Florida on holiday at the moment. Now I have somehow conned persuaded her that there is nothing she would like more than to go shopping for me. Fabric shopping, that is. The thing is, I'm no good at geography (failed it 3 times at O level at school!) so I know she's in Kissimee, but I don't know what quilt shops there are that are fairly near her. Is there any one out there who could tell me where to tell her to go?
Monday, 9 August 2010
It's nearly Christmas ...............
...... well OK, it isn't actually, but, I wanted to share this with you in plenty of time.
Last year SewCalGal organised a virtual quilt show, which was great fun, with loads of gorgeous Christmas themed quilts for us to look at, and loads of prizes too for entrants and viewers. I entered a quilt and in the unlikely event that you've forgotten it, you can see my entry again here.
Anyway, this isn't about me (for once) and my entry, it's about the fact that SewCalGal never learns, so she is planning another show for this Christmas. The good news for us is that anyone who takes part in the Christmas Quiltalong will get an additional entry into the prize contests. So come on everyone, lets all get cracking on our Christmas quilts so we can show them off to the whole bloggy world in a show where our quilts won't be juried or judged, just appreciated by like-minded people, and where we might win great prizes too.
Last year SewCalGal organised a virtual quilt show, which was great fun, with loads of gorgeous Christmas themed quilts for us to look at, and loads of prizes too for entrants and viewers. I entered a quilt and in the unlikely event that you've forgotten it, you can see my entry again here.
Anyway, this isn't about me (for once) and my entry, it's about the fact that SewCalGal never learns, so she is planning another show for this Christmas. The good news for us is that anyone who takes part in the Christmas Quiltalong will get an additional entry into the prize contests. So come on everyone, lets all get cracking on our Christmas quilts so we can show them off to the whole bloggy world in a show where our quilts won't be juried or judged, just appreciated by like-minded people, and where we might win great prizes too.
Sunday, 8 August 2010
It's nearly time for the festivities to begin.
So I spent some time this afternoon getting ready.
Festive fabrics? Check.
Festive threads? Check
Festive music? Check.
Festive candles? Check.
Festive food? Not yet.
Festive pattern for the festive fabrics? Well, yes and no. I have designed something, but I'm not sure if I'm going to use it yet. I may well revert to Plan B instead.
Who else is ready for some festive fun at our Christmas Quiltalong next Saturday?
Festive fabrics? Check.
Festive threads? Check
Festive music? Check.
Festive candles? Check.
Festive food? Not yet.
Festive pattern for the festive fabrics? Well, yes and no. I have designed something, but I'm not sure if I'm going to use it yet. I may well revert to Plan B instead.
Who else is ready for some festive fun at our Christmas Quiltalong next Saturday?
Friday, 6 August 2010
The benefit ........
......... of having an uncle who is an ice-cream man!
Little Person and his Mummy and Daddy have been here this week. We've also had The Professor and Chatterbox here as it is school holidays.
Little Person and family went home this morning, and the Nomads went off to Florida for a 3 week holiday today, so it's going to be a bit quiet here for a while.
I might even go and do some sewing today.
I must also start getting my things ready for the Christmas Quiltalong.
Little Person and his Mummy and Daddy have been here this week. We've also had The Professor and Chatterbox here as it is school holidays.
Little Person and family went home this morning, and the Nomads went off to Florida for a 3 week holiday today, so it's going to be a bit quiet here for a while.
I might even go and do some sewing today.
I must also start getting my things ready for the Christmas Quiltalong.
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Thank you ..........
..... so much to everyone who triedd to help me find the pattern I was wittering on about. I have now found it. Whooppee. I have a lovely little collection of batiks in bronzey-browny-yellowy colours that I just thought would be ideal for this.
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Wanted ............
.... I have been trying to find a copy of Quiltmaker Magazine, Sept/Oct 2002, which has a pattern in it called Turning Leaves, which is a positive/negative type of block. I've seen pictures of the block and of quilts using it on google images, but I can't show you cos of copyright, so I've tried to do a picture to give you the idea.
You have to use a bit of imagination here and imagine the central diamond shape is really a leaf!
I have tried the magazine's site, but they don't have it. I've tried googling, but can't find it there. I've tried Ebay, but can't find it there either. So I wonder if anyone out there in blogland has a copy they would be willing to sell? Please? Pretty please?
You have to use a bit of imagination here and imagine the central diamond shape is really a leaf!
I have tried the magazine's site, but they don't have it. I've tried googling, but can't find it there. I've tried Ebay, but can't find it there either. So I wonder if anyone out there in blogland has a copy they would be willing to sell? Please? Pretty please?
Saturday, 31 July 2010
I've done it! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
....... I've created a Christmas Quiltalong button. Do you like it?
If you do, you can easily add it to your blog too and help to spread the word. All you have to do is ucopy the code in the box underneath the button, go to your blog design page, choose the "add a gadget" option, then choose "add HTML" and paste the code in and save it. With a bit of luck, you'll then have a nice button on your blog too.
If you do, you can easily add it to your blog too and help to spread the word. All you have to do is ucopy the code in the box underneath the button, go to your blog design page, choose the "add a gadget" option, then choose "add HTML" and paste the code in and save it. With a bit of luck, you'll then have a nice button on your blog too.
Friday, 30 July 2010
Now, where was I? ..........
.......... oh yes, I remember, I was having a good idea wasn't I? Would you like to know what it was? OK, here goes.
From comments made on my giveaway post, it seems that I am NOT the only person in the world who is full of good intentions in January about starting my Christmas projects early this year, and then finding myself in December rushing to finish things. Soooo............
What's a Christmas Quiltalong? It's where we get out our Christmas projects and all set aside one day each month, (I thought maybe the second Saturday, would be good,) lock the doors, cook the meals in advance, tell everyone that you are not to be disturbed, and take yourself off to your sewing area, take out your Christmas projects and cut, sew, press, sew some more, press, cut .... well you get the idea. We could then post on our blogs a couple of times in the day to say what we are doing and maybe include photos, and then we could all visit each other to see what's going on.
I'll even design a little button for everyone to put on their blogs saying we've joined the Christmas Quiltalong. (Finding out how to do that is what I have spent all morning doing.)
From comments made on my giveaway post, it seems that I am NOT the only person in the world who is full of good intentions in January about starting my Christmas projects early this year, and then finding myself in December rushing to finish things. Soooo............
Why don't we have a Christmas Quiltalong?
What's a Christmas Quiltalong? It's where we get out our Christmas projects and all set aside one day each month, (I thought maybe the second Saturday, would be good,) lock the doors, cook the meals in advance, tell everyone that you are not to be disturbed, and take yourself off to your sewing area, take out your Christmas projects and cut, sew, press, sew some more, press, cut .... well you get the idea. We could then post on our blogs a couple of times in the day to say what we are doing and maybe include photos, and then we could all visit each other to see what's going on.
I'll even design a little button for everyone to put on their blogs saying we've joined the Christmas Quiltalong. (Finding out how to do that is what I have spent all morning doing.)
If we started this in August, just think how much we could get done before Christmas. How about it? Anyone going to join me?
Thursday, 29 July 2010
I've had an idea ..............
...... when I was on the committee of Tuesday Quilters, the other committee members all used to groan when I said that. They just knew that somehow it was going to involve them in some work.
and the winner is ................
Since I can't get the random number thingy to work properly for me, I used my own versionm which comes in two parts. Before I could activate it, I gave each entry a number and typed a list of them. I cut up the numbers, and put them in a basket.
Then I activated the random number generator, part 1:
which drew out the number
then part 2 started working, and referred to the list to see who the winner was.
He also took the close up photos, as my camera couldn't take a clear enough picture. So there we are, I have a winner.
What's that? Pardon? I've forgotten something? I don't think so. Oh yes, you want to know who the winner is................
Well, here we are , the winner is .........................
Number 36
Mind you, she might not get the book cos I really would love to keep it. Think she'd notice if I "forgot" to post it to her?
Then I activated the random number generator, part 1:
which drew out the number
then part 2 started working, and referred to the list to see who the winner was.
He also took the close up photos, as my camera couldn't take a clear enough picture. So there we are, I have a winner.
What's that? Pardon? I've forgotten something? I don't think so. Oh yes, you want to know who the winner is................
Well, here we are , the winner is .........................
Number 36
Fiesta from Quilting Fiesta.
Mind you, she might not get the book cos I really would love to keep it. Think she'd notice if I "forgot" to post it to her?
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Roll up! Roll up! .....
........... for your last chance to enter the giveaway for this book.
You have until midnight tonight to enter and I will be drawing the winner tomorrow.
To enter, just leave a comment here for one entry, become a follower for a second, and blog about it for a third chance.
Simples!
Sunday, 25 July 2010
I just thought ............
.......... that since I'm doing a "Christmas in July" giveaway, that a Christmas background was appropriate!
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Christmas giveaway .......
........... Christmas? Well it is July, so I think it's time for a Christmas giveaway and so did those wonderful people at Martingale & Co.
If you’re anything like me, every year, when December rolls round, you promise yourself that next year you will start your Christmas projects early. Well this year, I can help one of you to do just that. I have a copy of this super book, called Christmas Quilts from Hopscotch to give away, thanks to the wonderful Martingale.
This was written by a mother and daughter called Heather and Elissa Willms, and it is a really clever book as there are seven country-style projects, then you flip the book over and there are seven bright and contemporary ones.
Please note the following pictures are copyright and you must have Martingale's permission to use them.
Like applique? How about this wallhanging then?
Like working with wool? How about this?
Want to make a Christmas stocking or two? Here they are.
Fancy snuggling up under a cosy quilt on a cold Christmas evening? Here is the perfect quilt for you.
or maybe you prefer this one
This was written by a mother and daughter called Heather and Elissa Willms, and it is a really clever book as there are seven country-style projects, then you flip the book over and there are seven bright and contemporary ones.
Please note the following pictures are copyright and you must have Martingale's permission to use them.
Like applique? How about this wallhanging then?
Like working with wool? How about this?
Want to make a Christmas stocking or two? Here they are.
Fancy snuggling up under a cosy quilt on a cold Christmas evening? Here is the perfect quilt for you.
or maybe you prefer this one
Really, there are projects in this book to suit everybody, whether you are an applique fan, a paper piecing novice or just love traditional piecing as you can see. The instructions are all beautifully clear, and I particularly loved the "Hopscotch Hints" which appear here and there which are little boxes with helpful tips, such as how to apply your binding to a curved edge.
Sadly, I have to give this book away, I can't keep it for myself, so, if you want to win it here's what to do. You get one entry just by leaving a comment on this post. If you become a follower, or already are one, you have another entry, and if you post on your blog about this giveaway you can have a third entry as long as you tell me that you are claiming a second and/or third entry.
Here's the small print: please, if you are entering, make sure you leave an email address so I can contact you if you win. I can not accept anonymous entries and this giveaway is open to everyone, wherever in the universe they live.
This giveaway will be open until Wednesday (28 July) evening, and I will draw a winner and post the name on Thursday morning. Since I did not get on with the random generator thingy, I will probably get Mr Fixit to pick a name out of the hat.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
The Grand Days Out ....
............are over. They've all gone home. I'm sad. I'm also very hoarse with a sore throat. I think we may have talked too much cos we've all got the same problem.
One came from the Midlands, one from the Lakes, one from the east coast and me. We all met at RHS Harlow Carr on Monday, and, despite not having all been together for several years, the talking started immediately. It didn't stop for the next 48 hours, apart from when we were asleep.
We had not made any plans, other than when and where we were meeting. First things first, we decided to have lunch. The menu was so wonderful none of us could decide what we wanted, so we probably horrified all the "ladies who lunch" who were enjoying a nice quiet and refined meal by ordering 4 different meals and sharing them! There is no picture of the food - we were too busy eating it, but I can say there were no leftovers! Then we went for a walk around the fabulous gardens. Sadly Mrs Flummery from VegHeaven could only be with us for the one day, so we returned to the carpark, where we had the only bit of "quilty" talk or time in the day.
In the evening, Mr Fixit and Sewali's OH joined Bilbo, Sewali and I and we went out for dinner in a nearby restaurant. Again, there are no photos, but we enjoyed our meals and there wasn't much left on our plates.
The next day was spent here, and we talked a lot, and had a demonstration from Bilbo about designing a quilting pattern.
We had a ploughmans lunch which was lovely and simple after all the rich food we had eaten. Then everyone went home. So now we will have to start planning our next gathering.
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Only one more sleep .............
......... till three good friends and I meet up for a couple of days of fun, food and talk. We live in various parts of the country, so meeting like this doesn't happen often, which is why I'm looking forward to it so much.
I got this cartoon from here.
I got this cartoon from here.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Monday, 12 July 2010
The story of a quilt .......
........... This is the story about Sew-Easy Railfences, which is the quilt which I have been showing as my current favourite.
One day when I was working at the shop, Mrs PennyPot and I were talking about a workshop I wanted to do which would allow a beginner to make a quilt top in a day. I wanted to do something a little more unusual than a 9-patch or railfence quilt which are what immediately came to mind. We thought that using one fabric from a new range, which I loved as a feature fabric in large squares, would help to achieve the make-it-in-a-day aim that I had. Anyway, I went home and we both had a think. Have you ever tried to collaborate with someone by email about a design? It's not easy. Mrs PP would suggest something to me, I would draw it up in QuiltPro and email it to her with my adaptations where appropriate. She then emailed back suggestions, and so we went on. Yes, I know it would have been easier to do it when we were together, but there you are. This is the resulting design, which I thought was a good easy one, although it looks complicated. It doesn't even have setting triangles to worry about. It was certainly a popular one, and we ran the workshop several times, and also sold the pattern or a kit for it. One person loved it so much she made about 4, in various sizes after her first one. I still love this pattern, and one day, I might even get round to making one for myself!
One day when I was working at the shop, Mrs PennyPot and I were talking about a workshop I wanted to do which would allow a beginner to make a quilt top in a day. I wanted to do something a little more unusual than a 9-patch or railfence quilt which are what immediately came to mind. We thought that using one fabric from a new range, which I loved as a feature fabric in large squares, would help to achieve the make-it-in-a-day aim that I had. Anyway, I went home and we both had a think. Have you ever tried to collaborate with someone by email about a design? It's not easy. Mrs PP would suggest something to me, I would draw it up in QuiltPro and email it to her with my adaptations where appropriate. She then emailed back suggestions, and so we went on. Yes, I know it would have been easier to do it when we were together, but there you are. This is the resulting design, which I thought was a good easy one, although it looks complicated. It doesn't even have setting triangles to worry about. It was certainly a popular one, and we ran the workshop several times, and also sold the pattern or a kit for it. One person loved it so much she made about 4, in various sizes after her first one. I still love this pattern, and one day, I might even get round to making one for myself!
Monday, 5 July 2010
I forgot to tell you .........
.....I was one of the lucky winners in Amy's online Quilt Festival. I won a fabulous jelly roll and some co-ordinating fabrics from Burgundy Buttons! Woohoo. Thank you Amy, and thank you Leah.
I have spent today thinking about what to make with it. I have also spent a little(?) time on Burgundy Buttons' site, and I reccommend that you all do the same. There are some fantastic fabrics at fantastic prices, and Leah is lovely to deal with.
I have spent today thinking about what to make with it. I have also spent a little(?) time on Burgundy Buttons' site, and I reccommend that you all do the same. There are some fantastic fabrics at fantastic prices, and Leah is lovely to deal with.
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Psstt ...........
......... Wanna see some pictures? I'm still enjoying the tennis, so I thought I'd tell you about a quilt slide show I've found. Apparently McCalls Quilting is having a competition, and we can all see the quilts that have been entered, (and vote for their favourite) here. There are 148 entries, so I had a lovely cup of coffee before the tennis started and thoroughly enjoyed the show.
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