I'm still here!

While I'm waiting on batting to arrive I've been busy trying out some simple embroidery. I saw some fab needlebooks a little while ago (I believe it was on mmmcrafts)and as someone bagged my favourite one and I'd just bought some lovely felt, I simply had to try and create my own version.



I have a couple of new projects I'm gathering fabrics for and have currently cut into this little festive bundle:



I am somewhat of a Christmas fabric addict. I know, I know...I could just use regular fabrics in festive colours but theres something that draws me to those cute little designs!

I also wanted to say thanks for sharing all your projects, I continue to get lots of inspiration from you guys but blogger has not allowed me to leave you all comments under my blog I.D but I have managed to solve this my unchecking the "remember me" box when signing in, I hope this might be helpful to other blog users who might be in the same situation.

:-)

Hexie Cushion finished and a thank you

I managed to get quite a few of these hexies done while I was in Florida. I have to say, they wernt my favourite thing to do but its probably my technique and I would definitely try another way if I were to have another go. Still, I'm fairly pleased with the results and my far far away quilt now has a matching cushion.

As I'm nearing 100 followers I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has become a follower and has commented on my blog. Your comments and advice have given me confidence and I am greatful for each and every one of them. In celebration I will do a giveway but you will just have to wait till I get to 100! (and till I think of a suitable prize.)

I also want to say a huge thank you to Val from Sugar and Cianide
who had read that I loved the Wizard of Oz and very kindly offered to send me this fab vintage pillowcase she had all the way from Texas, how lovely is she?!!



So lovely infact, that not only did she send me this pillowcase-(and refused to let me, at the very least, pay her postage)but she also sent me not one, but two fat quarters of DS fabric which I also love!

Now Val, if your reading, I have your address and Im putting together a little package to say thankyou, but some hints on what fabrics/colours you like would be handy so speak up as I want to get this right!

Toodles
x

Back from the land of..

I'm exhausted, but had a lovely time, and check out my hawl...



I've been after a thread rack for ages, this came home in my hand luggage, it was only around $10 from Walmart, which was much cheaper then Joanns..

well I was only a few minutes drive from here so it would be rude not to pay a visit...

I'm sure someone out there is laughing at my exitment of visiting this store but you have to understand that we have nothing like this available in the U.K.

Masses of quilting and craft books. It was like looking at my Amazon wish list, very differnt from the half a dozen craft book that can be found in Waterstones or Hobbycraft in the U.K.

Bolts and bolts of fabrics...

I dont know why there seems to be a little snobbery about Joanns fabrics but I came out with some of the Denyse Schmidt line and some great basics.
Not to mention books, magazines and notions.

I did try and visit a quilt store while I was there but sadly it had closed down...Think I spent enough in Walmart and Joanns anyway! and my research showed there wernt any modern fabrics in the other places on my list so instead I placed an order online with fabricworm and saved myself postage costs by sending the package to the management address of the villa I stayed in (Rental villas dont have mailboxes sadly but where theres a will theres a way!)and the lovely lady very kindly dropped off my package when it arrived.

I know I can now get pips in the U.K but its cheaper in the U.S :-)

Righto, I'm off to relax for the rest of the day and open up all my post
:-)

My last post before Florida :-)

Firstly, I wanted to say a huge thankyou to everyone who commented on my post yesterday. I think making all the half square triangles had finally got to me!

I was very flattered that most of you said not to change anything but I decided to make changes anyway! I took out 3 fabrics completely and swopped them for a new one. The changes arnt drastic but I think it looks more serene and harmonious which is the look I was going for. Here is the new arrangement:

Im a little happier with it now, but I may still add/takeaway something else. Im just waiting for some new fabric to arrive.

Florida here I come!!! I am SO exited about this trip, not so thrilled about the 8 hour flight with a 2 and 5 year old but their ladybird trunkis filled with toys and activities should help!

So, what am I going to do without a sewing machine for two weeks?



Kandi very kindly posted a link to a fab website where you can print off your hexies for free and make whatever size you want. I didnt realise just how time consuming cutting all these out would be! If I had the time to wait for Mr postman I would have bought one of Kandis kits from her Etsy shop.

(Almost)Finally, I have been green with envy at all those people who went to the Spring Quilt Market in Utah. Reading that people were getting their hands on new fabric lines was just making me more envious that we are the last to get all the good stuff here in England. So, I decided to look into what might be going on a little closer to home and ended up getting one of these:



Yes! Im going to the festival of quilts in August!

Finally, I have added the blogpress app to my Iphone just Incase I just have to share something with you whilst I'm away and bookmarked google reader on my phone so I can keep up with all of you!

Wish me luck in finding some fabrics shops when I'm not in Disneyland!

AMH Lolouthi Love Giveaway

How could I not enter this giveaway over at Justabitfrayed , sponsored by pink castle fabrics.

My favourites are 10,19,22,25 and 29. It would be sooooo nice to win a giveaway one day!

Help! I need some advice on colour!

Im working on a quilt to be gifted to my sister as a wedding present. I really want it to be special but I'm finding it a challange working with someone elses chosen colour palette. The request was "duck egg blue with gold spun through it." When gold got struck off because you cant use cotton if you want gold, yellow was the substitute. I really like this yellow (third from the top) but it just didnt seem to be working for me no matter what design I choose, so I replaced it with something more subtle.

The trouble is I've cut all the squares now... oops! I think it would have looked  nice as a binding but now I cant get hold of that fabric ouch!!

I keep taking a break with these half square triangles,  I'v taken out 3 fabrics as it all looked a little to busy, played around with the design, completely changed it and have now reverted back to the original design. I think I've just been staring at it for so long I cant see what Im looking for to change.  I have a creative block! has this ever happened to you?. I think I need your help, so, what would you change about this?  Does it look to busy?  Does it need another colour?  or have I been looking at it for to long?

Any suggestions?

Bloggers Quilt festival

Today Im linking up to The bloggers quilt festival and for my entry I have chosen my Cathedral window quilt. The reason I have chosen this particular quilt is because I am not normally the sort of person to throw myself in at the deep end, so it was very much out of my comfort zone. I new it would be a challange for me to make as I am a relatively inexperienced quilter but I thought I would feel the fear and do it anyway! so for that, I am proud:-) I also thought I would never have the skill or patience to make it.

I have also chosen it because I have grown to love it even more since making it. My kids love playing on it, and its so bright and happy that I just love to look at it and take in all that colour.

>

There are so many lovely quilts at Amys Festival you really must go look.