Pink elephants, hexies and crumbs

The rainbow scrap challenge for the month of January is pink. So this weekend I've been working on some pink projects (not much admittedly but I don't actually have a lot of that colour!)

OK so its only got a pink background!  Anyway this is for a friend at work who has got one of those '0' birthdays and she really likes elephants.  It is ages since I've done any work in silk - I had forgotten how nice it is to work with - hope she likes it.

For my grandmothers garden quilt I thought I would do a few hexies in pink
(now they are pink, so it should count)!

And last but not least I thought I would have a go at a crumb block - not sure it is going to make my favourite list but it made a small dent in my basket of scraps that I really can't throw out!

Scrappy trip around the world

I've caught the Scrappy Trip Around the World bug!!!  Ive never done this pattern before and I love the fact that it can be done from the scrap pile (well if you call a 2.5 x 16 inch piece a scrap that is?)  But it is a great way to reduce the stash - maybe it should be called stash busting trip around the world?  Anyway I am going to have fun with this one.  You can see more about it at Bonnie Hunter's blog http://www.quiltville.blogspot.com

Rainbow scrap challenge

I haven't started participating in the 2013 Rainbow Scrap Challenge because I haven't finished last years challenge yet!  I was really good until I reached December and then every thing went pear shaped, but today I have sewn my years supply of blocks together!!!  Yay!!!!

I opted for the above layout although the one below looks nice as well.  My eye is drawn to the pin wheel in the lower left hand corner which represents December (multi-coloured).  I'm really pleased with the outcome.  I can't remember which blocks I did back in January 2012 - but it was good fun and all except the joining fabric, is made from my stash.

Rainbow scrap challenge

I finally got round to finishing the last three blocks for December's rainbow scrap challenge - it was a finishing off month so I chose random colours.

Snow!!

Woke up this morning to about 4 inches of snow.  Not a lot some may say but we are just not used to it.  Lots of schools are closed around the country and Faye has just text to say that she got into work OK but trains have now been cancelled and luckily for her someone is giving her a lift home!

We ventured out first thing this morning and took the dog up to the cliff top but the wind was biting so we turned round (much to Roxy's relief) and came home again.  Which means I have had a great day so far in my sewing room - more of that later!!

In the meantime I thought I would post a picture of the tree outside our house.  A large branch has split (not sure if its because of the weight of snow or the cold).  We've moved the car so it doesn't get squashed and will need to do some work on it once the snow has gone!!

The Maltings - Farnham

The Maltings - a yearly quilt show and fabric sale, has become a bit of a tradition for Faye and I.  Every year we plan what quilts we think we want to make, compose lists (although Faye went with a list of I want to make some new cushions this year!) and talk fabric for quite a few weeks leading up to the show.  It isn't a huge show but we do always come away with some great ideas and lots of enthusiasm.  Below are our two favourite quilts - both incidentally made by the same lady whose name escapes me at the moment, but she belongs to Region 2 Quilters Guild.  they are amazing and her workmanship and originality are fantastic and I can only aspire to it - still everyone has to aspire to something I guess.

We did of course buy fabric as well!  My stash comprises several metres of fabric to back quilts and some for my step mother who wants to make a little girl and little boy quilt!

Christmas presents

Ive been doing some odds and ends and making a couple of bits, but unfortunately I haven't been able to post any pictures but my very clever daughter has come to stay for the weekend (we're off to the Maltings quilting show and exhibition tomorrow) and done some clever things on the computer that now means I can post photographs.  So here are some of my fabric/quilty Christmas presents!!

 The fabulous pin cushion pig came from a friend at work along with the antique pins from Japan!  The delicious Christmas fabric came from DH and the Tilda books (I just love Tilda) came from my son.  I also got a wonderful Ipad for Christmas but I didn't post a picture, you'll be glad to know!!

This wonderful clock (its got stripy coloured sides by the way) came from my daughter and I just love it!

2013

Welcome to the first day of 2013!!!!

Hopefully it will be an exciting year with lots to do and many  quilts to make.  Its been a good start anyway.  The day is clear and bright with the sun shining - yay (its been so long since that has happened)  We took the dog for a long walk around Christchurch bay, along with everyone else in Hampshire and Dorset it seems!  But that was really nice.  We watched the mad people going for the first dip of the year in the sea - its amazing how many people actually do that (and lots without wetsuits!) .  We strolled up to our favourite cafe - couldn't get a seat unfortunately but it was still a very nice walk. 

So here's to a great 2013!