Getting even more prepared...

With less than 5 weeks until FQ Retreat, I am trying to get all prepared.  FQR, the end of the school year, and my long break from work all clash, and things are only going to get more hectic from here on in.  Next week we have two sports days, my birthday, Village Day along with two lots of swimming, Cubs and Rainbows, and then it doesn't really slow down.

So I am already suffering from a delightful cold that dear son has brought home from school, and I will probably flake out completely tomorrow.  But for now, I have just cut all my class fabric; I am using Architextures for all my classes, curved EPP, Portholes and Cathedral Windows, so I am aiming for three matching cushions at some point after the weekend.

If anyone is after 'calico/muslin', I got a meter of Moda 90" wide from Eclectic Maker and I had enough for the cathedral windows, and 4 porthole blocks.  It's an off white, more cream than pure white and is a lot softer than Kona solids. 

Also in preparation I have made a purse for Krista; we talked about a private swap yonks ago, but life intervened, but seeing as she is coming all the way from Canada to see me, it would have been extreamly rude not to.

So Liberty-linen frame purse it a tick off the list...

I used Emily's brilliant tutorial from over at The Village Haberdashery again; I love the size this comes out.

So that's me for now; if this cold kicks in, I doubt I'll blast through my To Do list tomorrow as I was planning, but either way, I am going to settle with a cup of tea at some point and listen to Rhonda's latest podcast. 

Oooh lovelies!

Today I, and I suspect many other lucky peeps, received our Low Volume Charm Swap bundles.  As with all swaps, fabric got sent and the reality of why, ie. a return envelope packed to the gunnels with lovely charms, soon got forgotten.

But they arrived and I did that traditional (OCD?) thing of sorting them, sticking them in an almost-circle and taking a photo or two...

A big ol' thanks to Lolly for organising this fine ensemble, and to all the swappers, there are some mighty fine choices in there.  Now what to make??

I also received my penultimate January Brit Bee block from Lols, and a fun pressie that I ordered for my sister, but I will show you that tomorrow.

For now, I am going to spend the evening doing a big fat nothing, except maybe checking out a few blogs, watching TV and drinking tea; there has been too much child-manoeuvring, as well as actual thinking required at work today, so now I need to rest my weary bones under a cosy quilt xxx

Geese on Sunday...

The sun shone, the kids went to the park with Daddy, (armed with a thermos of coffee, it was about 1'C); I sat in the warm conservatory and sewed.

And sewed, and sewed; made a spot of lunch, then sewed some more.

The second commission quilt for Sizzix now has a completed top...

OK, it needs a good press, and some decent lighting.

I really do love how it has turned out.  I hope it is not too modern.  I have the idea in my head already to maybe make another, some day, for myself, but reversed, using patterned scraps and just white for the geese... maybe.

And as I was feeling so buoyed with getting so far, so quickly, I signed up for round 6 of the Pretty Little Pouch Swap.  I have been 'umming and 'arrhing all week about joining in.  There's still time if you are interested; it's a quick turnaround swap, with rather specific skill categories.  I opted for Intermediate; no uber-fancy-pants piecing or embroidery required.  I am good with that.

Here's my mosaic...

With the prospect of no snow here any time soon, I guess it'll be business as usual tomorrow.  Hey ho...

Don't you, forget about me!

As is the mysterious way with flickr swaps, for all the time and energy spent commenting on pictures in the pool, and the stalking then second-doubting of what I mail off to my secret partners, I always forget about the flip-side, and it comes as a total surprise when a swap parcel arrives for me!

My neighbours kindly took in a delivery yesterday, and after school I had to wrangle the stamp-covered jiffy bag from the hands of my 3 eager beavers; I was so excited to recognise the name of the sender.

Everything was out of that envelope before coats were off!

Wonderful Marg sent me a fantastic selection of scraps, some chocs, a sweet Camper magnet and the most wonderful pin cushion, so brilliantly channelling my Scrappy Swap inspriration mosaic...

Didn't I do well!

I have already thanked Marg, who is now on her holidays, (Susan, you don't have to act as special envoy!), and I am planning on making a dent in those Koalas very soon!

Earlier in the week my parcel arrived in the US of A with my partner Karen.  Karen was co-host with Kat, and so I had to be on my best partner behaviour, and I am pleased to report that the typewriter frame purse went down rather well.

Big 'Thank Yous' to Kat, Karen and Marg for a fabulous swap.  I have a couple of Bee Secret Santa's in the pipeline then my 2012 swapping is complete.  It's been such a good year for swaps!

Here we go...

So I can tick off this week's first little task, hurrah, cutting the charm squares for Lolly-Jane's Low Volume Charm Swap.

I had plumped for some nice pale spots, but they had gone out of stock, so with a bit of to-ing and fro-ing of emails with Jo at the Brighton Sewing Centre, I opted for some more super-duper Velocity by Jessica Hogarth...

The buildings are a larger scale than the grey print that I used on Kelly's tote bag, and when the whole meter was laid out for a quick pre-cut press, I was a little sad to have to cut it up, it's such a great print.

But chopped I did, and now I will be able to get these in the mail and await an awesome mix back in return.

Now to get my Travellin' Pic Stitch post written for tomorrow...

Scrappy Swap... Sorted...

When Kat announced a few weeks back that she was going to be running a low-stress scrappy swap, who was I to resist?

Now I love mama-ing the Mouthy Stitches swap, despite the swearing which may appear to the contrary, (stop sniggering Susan & Cindy), but it sure is lovely to let someone-else take the strain.

When I received my (lovely) partner's details, I was easily able to pull a bundle of scraps which I hope are to her liking, OK it may be a bit more than an FQs-worth, (but who's measuring?), and then decided I would make a pouch of some description.

Emily's timely tutorial over at the Village Haberdashery sprung to mind.  I drafted the pattern under her guidance, made a couple of panels from scraps to the required size and got this little beauty made up yesterday...

I would love to keep it, I really would, so I will generously let my partner have 30 minutes to make a gushing comment over in the flickr group, and if she doesn't, I'll swap it out for something I'll be glad to see the back of!  Fair enough?

Emily's tutorial is brilliant by the way - I love the shape and size of the pouch, and will definitely make more for my family at Christmas.  I am now even planning on using my lovely bigger-balled frame, which I took to Retreat but didn't use as the pattern there was for a slightly different size frame.  Thank you Emily, you're a star xxx

As one swap closes...

...another opens.

As proud Mamas, Susan, Cindy and I are busy checking, ticking and relying on the postal services of the planet, now the Mouthy Stitches totes have started travelling round the globe.

Over on the other side of the world, Kat is organising a cool Scrappy Swap.

Nice low pressure, FQ of scraps, small scrappy handmade gift and a local delicacy with a quick turnaround.  If you think you might be up for it, I believe there are still spaces, so check out the flickr group for information.

Here's my small inspiration/likes mosaic...

I feel I have reached the point where my likes, tastes and dislikes are pretty apparent here and on flickr; and to be honest, in the swaps I have been in, most of the items blatantly not destined for me, based on my specified colour choices etc, I would be more than happy to receive anyway.  So I am keeping it simple.

I know I was trying to get my To Do list in check sometime this side of Christmas, but, I suppose that was not meant to be!

Cut cut cut cut cutting...

I have finally turned my yard of Black Sewing Guide - Mama Said Sew fabric into 5" charms for the Addicted to Text swap.

I sat out the Japanese Charm Swap, so I have obviously been jealously looking on as all the lucky ladies have been receiving their bundles of loveliness, but I am really looking forward to this one.

The selection of prints in the flickr pool is awesome.  I am busting with ideas of how to use them!

I have more Mama Said Sew for you tomorrow - and if you haven't signed up for the Fluffy Sheep Quilting newsletter, you may wish to do so right now, just saying!

TFI Friday everyone x

I've been framed...

She made me do it!

Nicky was so quick to set up a frame purse swap after our foray at Retreat, there was no way I was going to miss out!

I think sign ups may have closed already - there's a desperate select group of 30 swappers all eager to get busy with the glue.

Last night I put together my 'likes' mosaic...

Follow the link here to see the full details on flickr.

I may also have spent a little time and money at U-handbag to boost my supplies, although that may have been a dream - I'll see what the postman comes up with tomorrow!

Swaps and Goodies...

This is my final Retreat round up, although there will definitely be a lot of harking back over the next few posts, I have already finished some more embroidery!

As you know I entered into the Sample Swap organised by the enthusiastic Trash.  I made little pouches based on the Zakka Style Pretty Little ones, I made those key fobs and x+ brooches as gifts too, along with a mini Constellation for Katy - it made her cry, I didn't think it was that bad!

In the Sample Swap, I was in a group with my crazy friend Kelly (a drawstring London Underground bag and zakka mini flying geese magnets), fellow Stitch-Teaser Di (a Moo card holder that can survive nuclear attack, apparently), Mandy-Mand-a-lin (a Japanese style drawstring bag, sweeties and pins) and another wonderful lady whose first name escapes me, but she was the lovely Mrs Richards with a vintage Liberty bag!

I am very happy with my haul!

I also received an awesome tote from the classy Liberty Lifestyle lady - sadly I managed to miss out on the Liberty fabric being given out in various classes, but having seen the new line I have become just a little bit smitten!

As well as swaps, I handed over parcels of Quilt Blocks and needle books to the Brit Bees in thanks for the second placed Constellation in the Festival of HSTs.  Other BBs made gifts too, a sweet tape measure bracelet from Ceri, lavender bag from Fiona and a super duper purse and keyring made by Judith and amazing little owls by her daughter...

Oh, and a very apt coaster from Terri, who is finally a certified blogger!

I also swapped brooches with Mary, who was responsible for my totally brilliant name tag that I sported all weekend.

The FQ swap organised by Miss Lolly of Pops was fun; I parted with some text, Anna Maria Horner and a couple of others and picked up 4 beauties in return; it wouldn't have been right to have not spent any money on fabric, so I splashed on a Summerville layer cake and a few FQs from Mandy at the last minute too...

In the raffle I was lucky enough to win a copy of the Fat Quarterly book - those with good memories know that I bought this pre-release, so keep 'em peeled, I suspect I may now have an extra to put towards a giveaway soon - 2 year blogiversary in a month, whodda thunk it!

I also bought a set of Carnival templates off Katy - everything made with these blocks look amazing, so I really need to get in on that action.

There was also the Goodie Bag - from such amazing sponsors as Aurifil, Oakshott, Robert Kaufman, Moda and more.  Those of us in Aneela's embroidery class also received some luscious Lecien threads.  All too generous for words.  Thank you to all.

I will leave you with photos (some borrowed from Leanne and Lynne), which for me, sum up all that is great about this stitching mularky, the joy of a group of people finally meeting for the first time after a full year of online friendship... Priceless.

Brit Bee l-r: Terri, Jo, Sarah, Me, Judith & Judith, Susan, Jennie, Ceri, Fiona, Laura and Trudi xxx

Thank you again to the Fat Quarterly super stars, I know I am not the only one looking forward to FQ Community Retreat 2013.  Bring. It. On.

xxx

Thank FQ it's Friday!

Oh I am more than glad this week is over; Twin 1 was back at school today, so we were all where we were meant to be again, and getting home from work with 5 minutes to spare before the school run, I was met by 2 lovely parcels.

Parcel One, I was expecting.  As soon as my Amazon Wish List showed that Shape Workshop for Quilters from the awesome Fat Quarterly crew, had gone from 'not yet released' to 'out of stock' on Wednesday, I was on the case, abandoning loyalties and heading for The Book Depository, who not only showed it as 'in stock', but are 10% cheaper than Amazon right now.  Bonus.

Anyhoo, 48hrs later...

I am looking forward to having a proper look through later when peace and quiet descends, but the whole book looks beautiful, and there are lots of amazing blocks I can't wait to try.

And then parcel Two, well it was one of those 'expected but not expected' kinda ones, you know the feeling, it had the surname of a blogger I knew on the return address, but I couldn't think why she was sending anything to me - then I remembered...

Fat Quarterly Retreat Name Tag swap!!

And I got a beauty...

So perfectly me, I am soooooooo happy, thank you again Mary,  I love it and I will be wearing it the whole FQ weekend and probably around the house from now 'til then! 

And as for her daughter's Screamadelica card!  How cool is that?

I feel a bit guilty now about not getting to the post office to mail mine yet, but I will tomorrow, promise, rain or shine x

So a lovely end to the week, with a bit of icing on top courtesy of Mr V's tweet. 

Happy Friday everyone.

Proud Mama!

I take back all the nasty things I have ever said about the Canadian Postal Service, as yesterday it did itself proud!

I got back from the weekly shop to be met, not only by 3 smiley kids, but dare I say it, a far more exciting Mama payback!

A parcel all the way from Leanne!!  Friday, I left this comment on her blog...

Oh I am soooooooooo happy!

Unbeknownst to me, Susan had partnered Leanne and I in the Mouthy Stitches swap, and I am absolutely over the moon.

Wouldn't you be thrilled too...

Talk about all of my favourite things!

Those individual squares measure at just over an inch, the colours are perfect, the lining is Echino and the back pocket is lined with Denyse Schmidt, although I must add that it was full of brown scraps on arrival!

Leanne is an ardent member of the I heart brown fanclub, and to be honest, with the selection of scraps she sent, I could be turned!

But not only browns, I also received all these beauties too...

Kokka goodness!

Heather Ross, mine Susan, mine!!!

Denyse Schmidt and selvedges!

I honestly could not be happier!

And guess who is also coming over to the Fat Quarterly Retreat in June, how fantastic is that?!

Thank you again Leanne, you have made this Mama as chuffed as can be.  And I have to admit I can now check out the 'received' notifications in the group without fear that this one had arrived with someone-else, (who incidentally would have been thrown out of the group and barred from all future Mouthy Stitches activity in a fit of spite!).  Everyone's a winner xxx

Anybody ready for a SWAP??

Ladies, there's a new swap in town, and now is the time to reveal all!

For months, my dear bloggy friends Susan, Cindy and I have been chatting away, plotting and scheming, and now the Christmas makery and New Year excitement has passed, it's the perfect time for a swap to share the love with a stranger!

We have called this venture Mouthy Stitches.

The clue is in the name; we are aiming for a chatty, actively creative, fun and friendly flickr-based group.

Obviously it won't be much of a mystery swap if there are only the 3 of us, so please come and join in!

I suppose you need to know what you could be letting yourself in for this round, (yes, we are thinking long-term here!), we are having a:

Zippy Purse & Scrap FQ Swap.

A purse, by my definition might be what you call a pouch, or a clutch or a wristlet.  We are not talking a full handbag, more something to hold a little money, cards and phone when you pop out, or maybe to keep some hand sewing gubbins, or your pens and pencils safe in style just like these...

You will be assigned one partner to make for, but they will not know you are making for them, likewise you will not know who is making for you.

We also want to limit the 'extras' which are customary with such swaps, to a simple fat quarter of scraps, be that 2 fat eighths or 20 smaller pieces; you should ONLY send those, along with a handwritten message.  We want the purse to be the focus, and no competition or anxiety about what else to send.

This swap is open to international participants, so you must be prepared to make and send to someone anywhere else in the world.

What you need to do:

• Join the flickr group here and express an interest in the sign up thread.
• You MUST then complete the sign up questionnaire, signing over the rights to your children, car, home and more scarily, fabric stash, should you renegue on the swap rules.
• You MUST also post a photo mosaic in the group pool.
• This part must be completed and uploaded by Sunday 22nd January.  NB sign ups may close sooner if we reach over 90 swappers before the 22nd.
• Partners will be assigned and notified by Sunday 29th January.
• Posting must be during the window Saturday 25th to Wednesday 29th February.

That gives a month to stalk, ponder and make for your partner.

In the meantime if you do not have any zips, or need to practice, maybe get a bundle ordered from Zipit or any other retailer you prefer - pick a multi-colour bundle and there's bound to be one to match your partner's loves.

Please feel free to add discussion threads about great deals, tutes and patterns or ask any questions in the flickr group even before the making starts.

Please note, we want this, above all, to be fun and stress-free.  We do not approve of silent partners, we want Mouthy Stitchers.  We do not want anyone worrying that theirs is the partner who hasn't uploaded any pictures or commented on any of the marvellous creations that we are hoping will appear.  We want to have a laugh, inspire each other and produce beautiful, thoughtful makes that our partners will love.

You do not have to comment on every picture or thread BUT you will be expected to join in, plot your progress and to let your swap mama know if anything is conspiring against you as early as you can.  If you prefer to work quietly, without any interaction, this is probably not the swap group for you.

Susan, Cindy and I will be cracking our whips if we think you have gone AWOL!

If February is not a good month for you, or you already know you cannot make and post in the above time-frame, don't worry, we want to run regular swaps, so you can join the next one.

Think carefully if you have commitments that may impact your ability to meet the requirements, if you have unpredictable computer access or are off on your holidays.  Please do not leave it until the last minute to start making, that's common sense; life happens, we do understand that, but 'sloppy swappers' will have their cards marked and may be excluded from further swaps if they don't play fair!

Do you think the power is going to my head?

Well what are you waiting for?   Please come and join the fun, you know you want to, and we want you too xxx

Success!

Well you doubters and mickey-takers, I win!

I love it when a plan goes even better than I could have possibly imagined!

All this 'help' and a parcel of lovely charms to boot - I feel spoilt!

This evening I am starting to quilt the Across the Sea monster, so I can't hang about.  I'll be back to answer comments and blog hop once the novelty has worn off x

Awesome August!

A whole month of school holidays passed by in a flash!  So here I am again linking up with Lily's Quilts and Fresh Sewing Day.

We took a week away near Weymouth and had another week of family time, but I still managed to clock up a few finishes in August.

Firstly, I was able to reveal the mini-quilt prize I made for Rhonda at the end of July...

There were Bee blocks for Sarah...

... and also an eventual finish with a zip! ...

Phone cases...

Hexies...

... and a little Mystery...

A mini prezzie for Lizzie...

FWQAL blocks at long last...

... and my first 241 Tote...

I was lucky enough to win some lovely fabric from both Lizzie and Renee & Yvonne, plus a Jelly Roll from Mandy at Simply Solids; I got a spot on Rhonda's podcast and Cindy's Name Game, and also won a place in Pings' Japanese Scrap Bag Challenge!!

Some wonderful pressies came my way too...

There was the start of the Across the Sea QAL...

... and also a little shopping and behind the scenes preparation for my November Bee blocks (Mwaah ha ha - so excited!), and quite a bit of secrecy with Project 51, which I am so proud to say can be revealed really soon.

Oh, and this bargain baby...

I have to admit that even I am surprised at how much I was able to fit in!

September is going to be an even busier month, with Goodie swaping, QALs and the competition to make for.  School will be back and the girls will be starting for the first time on Tuesday!  I go back to work next week too and I'm shattered just thinking about it. 

Anyone got any energy going spare, I think I am going to need extra!

Colour me up!

Guess who's over at Live A Colorful Life today!

After yesterday's 'colourful' post, quite apt don't you think? 

Please go and take a look.  If you are not familiar with Cindy's blog, please have a look around whilst you are there, it's lots of fun, and I was obviously chuffed to bits to be asked to join in - thank you Cindy.  If you have popped over here from there, 'Hello to you'!

Well just a couple of pics to prove I have actually been doing a little bit of sewing, and not just talking lately...

Yesterday I put together some little hexies, I'll tell you more about those soon...

I've also started trying to catch up with my Mystery blocks...

Two down, a tonne of paper-piecing to go, so wish me luck with those!

Then when it got late and dark, I also did a little more playing with the Mosaic Maker...

... this one is pre-empting the up-coming Mug Rug and Goodie Swap over with the other Cindy in my life at Fluffy Sheep Quilting, there's still time to sign up folks - you know you want to!