Christmas Danglies:

Wow! What a fabulous day I had yesterday at North Lancs Area Day. I just had to go because the speaker was none other than my good friend Janet. I have been privileged to have seen Janet's work on many occasions but there where pieces I had not seen. We have been friends now for quite some time and Janet still inspires and gives me hope, that one day I to will be able to produce such beautiful quilts. It was a great day which I thoroughly enjoyed. I met up with some friends and made a few new ones. I had a scrummy yummy piece of home-made Victoria sponge and was made very welcome by Margaret and Christine the area reps. The atmosphere was fun and relaxing, in the afternoon Janet did a work shop a Christmas tree ornament or dangley (as I like to call them). I did not do the work shop so I took the pattern home and here are my Christmas Danglies so far. The beauty about them is they are quick and easy to make and you can embellish them however you want. Thank you Janet for another great project and for being a true friend.

MMMMM á cushion maybe????

Last week I was given several quilted blocks and was asked if I could make them into a quilt. Unfortunately, the blocks where????? errrr! mmmm let me think? arh yes all different and a quilt was not the answer. I had to think on my feet and the only useful thing I could make were cushion covers. I picked out the best of the blocks which amounted to two and here they are. I was going to return the other ones to the lady who gave me them but mysteriously they disappeared. I can only assume they where accidently thrown out with the rubbish whoops!!!!!

Treasure Pot:

A couple of weeks a go another dear friend of mine had a bag bonanza and costume jewellery was on sale to. At the end of the day we still had a lots of necklaces, bracelets and earrings left. As I was helping to put them away it suddenly dawned on me! Many of the pieces of costume jewellery could be taken apart and would make fantastic embellishments. I donated a couple of pounds and filtered through the remaining items and here is the result. A lovely glass jar that holds the most wonderful treasure of beads of all shapes, colours, textures and sizes. I have already delved into my new treasure trove and embellished Judith's journal covers. The blue beads came form a bracelet and the read embellishments began life as a necklace. There is also the element of satisfaction that I have recycled and saved my self a few bob all at the same time. In this current financial climate that can only be all good.

A commission:

A couple of weeks ago a dear friend (Judith) commissioned me to make two journal covers one blue and the other red. I was excited and very flattered that she asked me. Other than the colour requirement the covers were left to my own imagination. I knew straight away the soldering iron had to come and off I went fusing and cutting voiles and felt. This project was great fun, just being able to go with the flow was so relaxing and very inspiring. I was so pleased with the end result and I hoped Judith would be to. Last night I gave Judith the books and held my breath. Phew!!!! she was delighted with them and even showed them to the Liverbirds at show and tell. I was so glad they got such a positive response, it has boosted my confidence no end.

Best laid plans:

Remember those plans I made several days ago, where I was going to finish the two little girls quilts? Well I managed to almost complete one before an awful stomach bug got a grip of me. I am still feeling a bit wobbly but glad to say on the mend and I am hoping to do a bit of sewing today. Just before the bug got me, I had the delightful company of my button (Michaela) and my beautiful little man, who is rapidly finding his feet.

Pink shock:

A few weeks ago my sister Natalie asked me to make her two baby quilts as gifts for her friends daughters.I could chose any design I wanted but both quilts had to have the girls names on and pink and white was the colour scheme. I was itching to make a start. As you can see I opted to use the delightful Sun Bonnet Sue block for Lorna's quilt and the delight bunny from Tone Finnagan's book Spring Gifts. As usual I ran out of fabric for the sashings and borders but a quick trip to Dots (Quilters Needs)solved that little Hick up. tonight I managed to finish both quilt tops and I am hoping to layer and quilt them tomorrow but you know what they say about the best laid plans and all that? so we shall see what happens. Natalie is delighted with both quilts and is looking forward to giving them to the little girls.

Left overs:

So what do I do with the left over 1 1/2 inch strips from my log cabin strippy quilt? Of course make a journal cover! Its been some time since I last made a journal cover and what with Christmas creeping round the corner I have been thinking about gifts. The front of the big journal was a left over block from the appliqué flowers, the front of the little journal was a stitchery design I doodled in my sketch book whilst in France. These journal covers are relatively quick to make, but best of all the make ideal gifts.