Cole Terrance Smith:

This is my adorable grandson Cole. I called in today and whilst I was there I was given the honour of changing a dirty nappy and feeding him an expressed bottle. What a lovely treat. Michaela and Ian are taking to being parents like ducks to water and are doing a fabulous job. So very proud of all of them.

Grandmother and Grandma's Country Album Quilt:

Yes folks, I am officially a Grandmother. Michaela gave birth to a beautiful seven pound perfectly healthy boy on Monday 12th October. His name is Cole Terrance Smith and he is adorable. It has been a very busy week to say the least so I habve not yet managed to take any pictures of Cole, I hope to do so tomorrow. Also look what I have just completed? Yes my Grandma's Country Album Quilt. Phew :) All I need to do now is save the pennies to have it long arm quilted. I am really pleased with the end result and it was a lovely quilt to make.

Rose Pincushions:

Why is it that we all have the never ending to do list and a certain amount of UFO's, yet we still manage to start a new project? This year I promised myself I was going to finish my Grandmothers Country Album quilt, I still have two borders of flying geese to attatch. My medalion quilt,(designed by my friend Janet)I am stuck on the 6th boarder. I can not decide which pattern to use or what fabric to do it in. I still have several postcard swaps to honour but can't seem to get around to making them. This morning I came into my sewing room and looked at my list of things to do and decided I was going to get stuck in. First things first, lets have a look through the fabric stash to co-ordinate the next lot of fabric for the medalion quilt. I opened my red fabric draw and what did I find, a beautiful srip of fabric with lovely roses and hearts in gold framed squares. Before I knew it, I had made three delightful pinchshions for Judy to sell at the AGM. The theme is the red Rose of Lancashire. I have another three cut out and ready to go but I think it time for a coffe break now.

Embarking on a new adventure:

Janet and I attended are very first meeting as area reps for Merseyside and West Lanc on Saturday. It was lovely to meet the other ladies who represent the rest of region 13. It was truly an eye opener to see just how much work, time and effort goes into organising regional days and area days. Our area day will take place at St Lukes church in Crosby on 7th November 2009, the guest speaker is Rosalind Johanson. I have to say that the hard work was already done for this event by the previous rep Kathy, (a truly committed and lovely rep, a hard act to follow). Janet and I only have to add a few personal touches to the day and ensure it runs smoothly. It is the next area day (7th May 2010)that will be our make or break. With that said I am sure it will be a great sucess and I look forward to meeting lots of new people during my time as joint rep with Janet.

Josie:

Meet Josie my very first COMMISSIONED Doll. While I was in Birmingham my daughters friend Kathy, came to stay with her for a girls night in at my flat. Kathy fell in love with the dolls I have made that decorate my sewing room. When I got back from the NEC, Kathy asked if I would make her a doll based on her mum JOSIE and she would pay me for it. I was a bit dubious at first as I did not think I could pull such a request out of the bag. I have only ever made a doll following someone else's pattern from magazines or kits. I took a deep breath and before I knew it i had agreed to the task. Kathy gave me her specifics for the doll (ie; three quarter lenght jeans, black wool cardigan, leopard skin bag and scarf, type of shoes etc.) This really was a challenge. I did a few scribbles in my sketch book and made notes on how I visualised the doll and how I was going to achieve certain aspects of Josie. I have to say Josie's hair was the most challenging part of making her, Kathy said her Mum has short blonde her. I have just finished Josie tonight and I am thrilled with the end result I hope Kathy will be to.

journal quilts March and April:

I have struggled with these journal quilts and I am a couple of months behind. Here is March and April. March was based on the great news I received from my daughter Michaela that her and her partner Ian were expecting a baby. My heart was so full of love for them both. April I went to a Party with all the colleagues from work and I bought a gorgeous pair of shoes. As you all know I am a shoe girl so April was based on my shoe fetish.

Ribbon Slides:

Hurray I am finally back on the Internet, I have had a nightmare of a time with BT but thankfully all is now resolved. Yesterday I went to town with my niece Paige. I took her to Quiggins as she wanted to buy some rave paint, for a friends birthday present and some bracelets for herself. Whilst we where there Paige spotted a little basket full of Ribbon slides that were selling for a £1.00 each. I told Paige not to waste her money and that we were going to Abhakan fabrics were she could pick some ribbon and buttons and I would make her some ribbon slides. We then went and bought a pack of clips and this is the finished result. Total cost to make £2.22.