Tuesday 21 August 2012

Bees in Granny`s Flower Garden & a Giveaway!

We`re back!  We`re in England.  We`ve escaped the incessant high temperatures, leaving poor hubby behind, although we clearly brought a little with us in our suitcase as it has been beautiful the last few days.

As promised, I have a back to blogging (well almost) belated 300 followers pre-birthday giveaway but first, let me tell you what I`ve been up to or just scroll straight to the bottom and look at the pictures!

Before we left Morocco, I dragged the machine out of its summer hibernation and fulfilled a couple of bee obligations.

First up was a stargazing block for Nicole in the We Bee Modern Too - a bee using blocks from Modern Blocks.  Nicole sent us all fabric from Kate Spain`s Joy collection. The block is made up of 3 different sized wonky stars and Nicole asked us to alternate the points of the stars in red and green.


It was a little strange making a Christmas block in Morocco in August but here it is - ready to be mailed off to Nicole.

Next up were blocks for Dolores who is queen bee for August in the Care Circle of do.Good Stitches.  Dolores asked for granny squares in hot pink, orange and yellow.  I love grannies as the effect outweighs the effort involved but this was a challenge as I had very little yellow and most of my orange had been used in my hexies.  I did however have pink. I then remembered the Silent Cinema FQs I had bought back in May and I`m hoping that the yellow prints will be okay for Dolores.


 My aqua, orange and grey hexie flowers continue to grow - I`m loving the slow relaxed progress. Here are some of the latest to join grannies flower garden...


...and here is a close up of the variagated versions using up the fabric which I love but don`t have enough of to make a whole flower.



...and lastly, here are some gorgeous fabrics which the lovely Susan generously donated to my hexie quilt and which came all the way from Australia in a record breaking 3 days!!  So I won`t hear a bad word against Aussie post anymore.  Thank you Susan - I love them!


Now you`ve been patient enough. Let`s get down to the giveaway. I was looking around the UK fabric shops for something to give away and then I saw this fabulous bundle of loveliness in Cindy`s gorgeous shop. A fat quarter stack of eight Kona solids Kona Basil, Teal, Turquoise, Peacock, Azure, Bahama blue, Lime and Jade..

Under the Palm Tree FQ Bundle (photo - Fluffy Sheep Quilting)
I love this bundle of cool sea colours and the name just spoke to me. I may just have to go back and buy a bundle for me! I would love to make an improv.pieced quilt using these.

So you have 3 chances to win - no hoops.

1. Leave a comment about what you are making right now.
2. If you are a follower, leave a comment and say so.
3. For an extra chance, tweet or blog about the giveaway and come back and tell me.

That`s it!  I shall post anywhere after choosing a winner on my birthday - that`s next Tuesday August 28 (there`s always a bank holiday in honour of it don`t you know).  Good luck! (Make sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger.)





178 comments:

Run Quilt Knit Write said...

I'm currently trying to make Katy's block for Stitch Tease...and you know what that means!!!

Kay said...

I am currently making my 3rd hexagon craft bag following apattern in Cath Kidston's Sew. The other 2 were for friends but I decided I needed one too. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
ks(dot)eyles(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Right now I'm not making much (no energy) but I am EPPing a very small something out of some Japanese charms - they're so cute! I love your bee blocks and the hexy flowers are fab - the colours are gorgeous!

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

I am currently making several things - I am two blocks from finishing a Christmas quilt, and I've made 5 out of 9 of my great granny squares for another quilt...

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

Yay I am a follower :) You have been busy making lovely things!

Pippa Parsons said...

I'm a follower ;o)

Pippa Parsons said...

Im taking out the paper from my hexagon globe ready to applique it on the background but it's a bit too hot here atm

Pippa Parsons said...

I tweeted it https://twitter.com/me0wp00/status/237900594986221570

Mommarock said...

I am working on my hexagon quilt.. STILL! Hand pieced, and now in the final stages on the hand quilting. But I hope to finish some day soon.

Canadian Abroad said...

I am making not much of anything in this house right now, other than peace. It is a full time job!

Canadian Abroad said...

I am a follower with pleasure.

B Greene said...

Love your hexie-flowers! I am also making a quilt of these lovelies right now - no color scheme, just scrappy goodness. As a side project, I am making 3/4-inch hexagons of some of the leftover bits. These are going into a bin to be used on some fabulous project at a later date :-)

Thanks for the great giveaway - love the solids bundle you selected!

B Greene said...

I am a a happy follower of your blog.

B Greene said...

Tweeted the giveaway, too.
https://twitter.com/AlphaBecky/status/237905162893656066

Cecilia said...

I'm working on my Farmer's Wife blocks and quilting on a UFO. :-)

Cecilia said...

I'm a follower. Thanks for the chance to win a yummy stack of fabrics.

Anonymous said...

I love the hexy flowers, but I'm EPPing a lozenge (stretched hexagon) quilt from the templates Lynne at Lily's Quilts posted recently.

Emaile motherissues at gmail dot com, if it doesn't come through otherwise.

Strawberry Patch said...

I am a follower :D

Strawberry Patch said...

I am making a mess...fabric everywhere, so un-me! Other than that I am making baby gifts for all my overly fertile friends ;-)

Lisa England said...

Right now I'm making a scrappy lap quilt that will become a Christmas gift. It has a paper-pieced owl on it and I'm very excited about it. Thanks for the giveaway -- love the colors!

Lisa England said...

I follow your blog. Have a great birthday -- nice that they made it a holiday! LOL

Allison C said...

I'm working on three things. I'm slowly piecing hexies, I'm making a rainbow scrap quilt, and I'm making a semi scrappy triangle quilt. The triangles are fun, but can be tricky as they are less forgiving. I'm also waiting for my single girl quilt pattern to come so I can completely overwhelm myself.

Kelly said...

Welcome home :) Love those blocks!

I am making hexies at the moment :)

Kelly said...

I follow and thanks for the giveaway :)

memmens said...

I can't tell you what I'm working on right now, it's top secret but I can tell you it's got a lot of curves and in a years time I'll share all! thanks for the great giveaway

memmens said...

A very gorgeous bundle I'd be delighted to have in my stash! I'm a follower.

Gill said...

Gorgeous colours!
I'm a happy follower!

Gill said...

I'm making a KeykaLou bucket bag for my sister's birthday!

memmens said...

I tweeted: https://twitter.com/MaryEmmens/status/237929322126639104

stephmabry said...

So many things in progress, but right now the most pressing thing (as in, the thing I've been putting off but really need to finish ASAP) is a commissioned baby-clothes-quilt for an online friend of mine. :) I've actually been making grannies out of the clothes - and never, ever again will I volunteer to work with KNITS. AAAAAH!

stephmabry said...

I'm also a follower. Thank you for the chance to win! :D

linda said...

yes i am a follower :))

linda said...

i am on hol and making nothing !!!!but i was making star blocks before i came away hope that counts :)))

Cheryl said...

happy birthday- almost. Mine was last week.
no hexies for me yet, but I am starting to catch the fever...

Cheryl said...

PS I follow.

Anonymous said...

HAPPY TO FOLLOW YOU VIA BLOG LOVIN'!

msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

HELLO! I'M WORKING ON A BLUE/WHITE CHARITY QUILT+PINWHEEL+SO NEAT!
THANKS FOR SHARING!

msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Does nothing count? I haven't started anything...I've been getting school things ready for my children...first year of home school. =) I did finish two bee blocks yesterday and need to make an apron this week, but haven't started yet. =)

Thanks for a chance to win.

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog too! =)

Prof. S (the enchanted bobbin) said...

Hi Annabella. I'm working on my Loulouthi hexies from last summer :)

Prof. S (the enchanted bobbin) said...

I'm a follower, of course...and a fellow Virgo (Aug 29th). Happy (almost) birthday, my friend!

barbara woods said...

i am a follower

barbara woods said...

i am making a mostly pink quilt for my step daughter

Heather D. said...

I'm working on a bunch of stuff right now! Ironically, I just started a Christmas quilt out of "Joy". Also working on bee blocks, a name tag for myself for our modern quilt guild meeting next month, and also a Proverbial Quilt by Denyse Schmidt.

Heather D. said...

I follow you via google reader.

Mom C said...

Today I'm doing the last block for the Tetris quilt a long. And then I hope to get several quilts quilted. They've been basted for a while and I need the pins! Happy Birthday, the 28th is my anniversary. Great day! Thanks.

Elisabeth said...

I'm making a mini quilt for a swap at the moment. Totally out of my comfort zone but so much fun.
Thank you for a wonderful giveaway.

eli@sharksdinner.com

Elisabeth said...

I follow you with Google reader.

moira said...

I'm hand quilting a lap quilt gift, binding a baby quilt gift and thinking about quilting my Brit Quilt Swap quilt. My head hurts!

grapes and hearts said...

I'm working on a quilt for my youngest. You are born the same day,btw. I'm not sure if I get it done until next week :o/ Have a nice time in the UK.

grapes and hearts said...

Oh, and I'm a follower ;o)

Liz DandeliondD said...

I'm currently making a pouch for the pouch swap.
Even trying my hand at hand quilting with pearle cotton.

Liz DandeliondD said...

I'm a follower

Rosalee said...

I'm working on a baby blanket. Lots of embroidering and sewing and so far from being done.
Hugs, Rosalee

Rosalee said...

I'm also a follower of your blog. Thanks for the chances.
Hugs, Rosalee

Lori said...

Right now I am sewing a civil war re-enacting shirt for my husband. And a skirt for one of my great neices. She will be turning 8 at the end of this month.
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Lori said...

I follow via email
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Katy Cameron said...

I'm currently making up an apologetic envelope with grey and aqua scraps *ahem*

Katy Cameron said...

I stalk you too...

JoyceLM said...

Working on a charity quilt top. When it's done I need to quilt it plus the other 4 tops I've completed. Thanks for the giveaway.

JoyceLM said...

I'm a follower-by email. Thanks.

Deb said...

I am currently making covered tape measures for my etsy shop.

Deb said...

I follow via Google Reader

Mike Pearson said...

Congratulations on your 300 followers! I am working on hexies right now too :)

Mike Pearson said...

I am a follower too :)

Mike Pearson said...

I tweeted it here: https://twitter.com/AmateurQuilter/status/237995963346735104

Catherine said...

I am working, slowly, on my double wedding ring quilt. I love those colours for the giveaway, thanks for the opportunity!

Catherine said...

And I am definitely a follower!

Janet said...

I'm working on a postage stamp quilt and a couple of scrappy baby quilts. Lovely Konas!

Janet said...

I am a follower.

Catherine said...

And just tweeted about the giveaway

Jennie P. said...

Right now I'm waiting for my iron so I can't do anything at the moment.
But, I'd love to win this bundle because it's actually the bundle that I designed for Cindy's contest. I didn't win 1st place unfortunately, so I didn't get the bundle. Maybe now is my chance hah! I'm so glad to see someone really likes it!

Jennie P. said...

I am a follower via RSS & Google Reader.

Jennie P. said...

I blogged about it: http://eclecticallydelicious.blogspot.com/2012/08/your-chance-to-win-under-palm-tree.html

Susan said...

Great fabric bundle! Guess if my number came up there'd be shouts of nepotism! I'm finishing my pretty Confetti quilt!

SIMPLESEW said...

I am making a King size Quilt that needs all these colors, Also 2 wedding quilts and xmas projects for my family.

Anna said...

Currently mastering paper piecing - a charm pack that was too small to be useful, turned into hexagons, hat will probably become a cushion cover.

Anna said...

I am also a follower of your wonderful blog!

Aideen said...

i'm a follower!

Aideen said...

i'm making a baby quilt using an X and O pattern with vintage modern and kona snow fabric at the moment :)

Susan said...

Oh, I nearly forgot- of course I'm a follower!

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

I'm currently working on a mini quilt.

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

I'm a new follower :o)

Heather A said...

I just finished a quilt for an Uncle's 90th birthday using old photos printed onto fabric. It turned out GREAT! And now I'm about to start playing with little hst's leftover as trimmings from a wedding quilt I made this summer. Good to have a baby quilt in the vault as I expect the newlyweds have twinkles in their eyes.

Heather A said...

I'm a follower. I, too, love these under the palm tree colours.

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

I'm a follower!

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

I've just finished my bqs3 mini and I'm deciding what to start next. Happy Birthday for next week :)

Sunnybec said...

Love the colour of your hexies! I am making Christmas presents at the moment and have also started a stitchery for a wall hanging. Linda

Sunnybec said...

I follow you. x

Catherine said...

Lovely giveaway!

I'm currently making: a throw quilt for the living room sofa, an embroidery based on my daughter's drawing and a cushion cover as a present for my mum.

Catherine said...

I follow!

Catherine said...

And I blogged about the giveaway:-)

Thanks for offering such a nice one.

Jenelle said...

I'm working on a Halloween themed embroidery, a wedding quilt, and a tutorial project for Sew Lux. :) I really should finish some of this!

Jenelle said...

I am of course a follower! Congrats my dear on 300+ followers!

Caryn said...

I'm workingnon three hexie quilts... A grandmother's garden, a charm and a mini out of the little half inch ones. I've basted around 1500 hexies in the past three months and am slowly starting to piece then.

Caryn said...

I'm a new follower.

Judith, Belfast said...

Your blocks are gorgeous A, esp. the hexies! I'm working on 4 quilts at the mo, several bee blocks and too many other things I'm afraid to mention! Jxo

Judith, Belfast said...

Already a follower. jxo

Sasha said...

I'm a follower!

Sasha said...

The only thing i am making is a mess. I have several quilts on the go, but I've just moved house so I'm unpacking lots and lots of boxes! I can't wait to get the sewing area sorted so I can get going again, but i think the children's rooms and kitchen need doing first!

Kirsten said...

Love all of your projects Annabella. I am currently making a mini quilt for a swap here in Australia.

Kirsten said...

And I am a follower of your blog.

Kathrynn said...

I am currently working on a jelly roll quilt and a couple of throw pillows for the sofa.

MaryBeth said...

Right now I'm working on a red-white-blue quilt by Bonnie Hunter called Smith Mountain Morning. I took 2 classes with her in Hershey, PA (the chocolate town) and really love this quilt. Thanks for the chance to win.

MaryBeth said...

I'm a follower. Thanks for the chance to win.

Kathrynn said...

I follow via email

Rhonda the Rambler said...

I am working on a quilt for my dad. It is actually Sarah's QAL. Thanks for a great giveaway.

Rachelle said...

I'm working on the planning for my son's bed quilt, I don't have a computer program to do it so I'm getting it in my head to put on paper shortly.

Rachelle said...

I'm a follower

Kris said...

What lovely, lovely colours! I am working on a few things. A stitched cushion, granny squares, and five quilt tops patiently waiting to be basted and quilted.

Fresh.Handmade said...

What a beautiful group of colours -- my favourite palette. Right now I'm working on a FMQ piece from a Craftsy class called 'Beyond Machine Quilting.' Highly recommend the class -- and others that I have taken.

Fresh.Handmade said...

And I follow your blog, too. Thanks for the giveaway.
Pam L.

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I am working on Helen's block for our Stitch Tease bee, shh! It's a secret

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I am a devoted stalker...I mean follower

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I'm gonna Tweet right now. Boom done!

Margaret said...

I am just starting the groovy quilt along. I am really excited to get started.

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

Sou seguidora,obrigada.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

Estou sempre fazendo hexágonos,estes são micros para aplicar em uma toalha de banho para minha neta,tem uma casinha e jardim,lindo...Você faz aniversário no mesmo 28 de agosto que a minha caçula que vai 27 agora.Desejo a você o mesmo que desejo para minha linda Catierine:Muita saúde,trabalho honesto sempre,e tudo mais que possa vir de bom para a vida de vocês.Sinceros votos e tudo de BOOOOOMMMM!!!!tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

Anita said...

I'm currently working on trying to finish up some UFO's..tablerunners, pillowcases, etc. Thanks for the giveaway!

Lisa C in GA. said...

I'm in a baby quilt and children's bed quilts run right now. I've almost never bought solids...this would be lovely!!!

Lisa C in GA. said...

I follow your blog :)

Sarah Craig said...

I'm working on quilting a bunch of quilts to take to New Orleans' school kids this October!

Sarah Craig said...

And I'm a follower! Thanks for the chance to win those pretty fabrics!!

Angie said...

I am making a sewing machine cover.

Tamie said...

I am getting ready to start two different block swaps with two different groups.

Tamie said...

I'm a happy follower.

Angie said...

I am a new follower.

Ella said...

I'm sewing on my Hexy MF.

Rebecca Lynne said...

Making a very straightforward quilt for Miss O to bring to daycare! Using kona solid backing and an Amy Butler print on the front...

Rebecca Lynne said...

I'm a follower...I'd follow you anywhere!!!

Heidi Staples said...

Right now I'm finishing a half-apron. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

Heidi Staples said...

I follow you through Google Reader!

Tricia said...

I am working on bee blocks and the Dresden challenge.

Tricia said...

I am a follower.

Ali said...

Ha! I love that vintage Coke ad. I'm working on finishing up some hand quilting on one quilt, and about to quilt a wonky star engagement quilt (though it looks like you do a better job making unique stars, mine are all the same!), and have started the QAL for the Totally Groovy quilt at Pile O Fabric's blog.
If only I didn't take on so many projects at once! Thank you for the giveaway.

sew.darn.quilt said...

I've got sew many things it seems on the go right now along with getting kiddos prepped for school in less than 2 weeks.
On the board are my GGA quilt to pin,quilt& bind hopefully by the end of the week and another quilt on the same waiting list but smaller and I've been playing with my hexies which I did manage to finish up while we were away last week. I'm also getting ready to start a spool quilt later this week {I think}. Too many irons in the fire? I think not!
Gorgeous fabrics I hope are destine to cross the ocean in my direction.
Thank you for the chance =)

sew.darn.quilt said...

I am such a follower!

Diann said...

I'm hand stitching the binding on a set of quilted placemats I made. Almost done!

Sarah said...

I CANNOT believe the parcel only took 3 days to arrive in Morocco by Australia Post! It probably cost about $20AU to get there too! Currently I am making a Helen Stubbings stitchery quilt "Notes of Love" for my local quilt shop. Love your blog. I'm an Aussie and can identify with the complete lack of desire to sew when it's 40+ degrees. sarahleighATinternodeDOTonDOTnet

Captain StitchyPants said...

Right now, I'm working on a set of place mats for our dining table - very badly needed!

I love your granny blocks. I keep seeing gorgeous bright zingy grannies around. Perhaps I should make some!

Jenny D. said...

I'm currently working on an Aussie Hero Quilts and laundry bag.

Janet said...

I'm working on a table topper meant to be a housewarming gift for my daughter.

Janet said...

I'm a follower

Kathy S. said...

I am a follower. Thanks for a chance to win your giveaway. Happy early birthday!

Kathy S. said...

Right now I am working on my tumbler charm quilt. It's getting bigger and bigger. Hopefully it will fit a queen size bed when finished.

Kathy S. said...

Tweeted the news!
https://twitter.com/KShahann/status/238264842992091136

giddy99 said...

I'm following your blog!

giddy99 said...

I tweeted: https://twitter.com/giddy99/status/238290468805431297. :)

giddy99 said...

I've been sewing travel accessories as gifts, but will switch over to my new Christmas stockings and tree skirt when I get all of the fabric!

Indianna said...

I'm still seeing a pirate quilt for my other half...... He thinks he is a pirate!

Indianna said...

Oops that should have been sewing.... Not seeing..... Perhaps I should go to Specsavers...... But I am a flower..... Oops follower :o)

Heather said...

Happy Birthday Annabella!

I am working on turning the March We Bee Modern Too blocks into a quilt!

Heather said...

I am a follower - I follow through Google Reader

Dawn said...

I'm doing some hand stitching on a table runner for a friend's belated birthday gift. At the rate I'm going she'll get it for next years bday! :/

Dawn said...

I am a follower of yours!

Quilting In The Cold said...

Those hexies are gorgeous!!. I am working on a granny squares quilt, only 2 more blocks to go and then I can start putting it together. It seems to be slow going at the moment.

Quilting In The Cold said...

I'm a follower.

Leanne said...

I am working on a tutorial for Cindy with that very fabric bundle and I can tell you it is lovely in person. And I have several other projects and a QAL to get started on. And moving home, making jam in a rush and cleaning up for the season. And working hard too. Maybe there are a few other things...

Leanne said...

And of course I follow your lovely blog, and I am glad to hear you are back and out of the heat too. Thank you for the give away.

Fran said...

I'm about to start on a Birdie Sling bag (Amy Butler Pattern) after a nearly 3 month sewing hiatus following a hand op - it has been so frustrating & I'm itching to start! Thanks for the lovely giveaway.

Fran said...

I'm a follower & happy birthday! Thanks again.

Beth said...

Right now I'm working on a swap project and thinking up a mini quilt for my sewing room.

Happy Birthday! August is birthday month in our family, so you're in good company (and so are they). :)

Beth said...

I'm a follower via email.

Beth said...

I tweeted! https://twitter.com/wordygirl11/status/238525737458614272

blandina said...

You have been so busy, with nice results!
Presently I am stitching a journal of my last trip, a row of embroidery for each day. It seems endless.

blandina said...

And I am a follower too!

Elizabeth said...

Gosh, I never knew there were so many blogging quilters on the planet!
WOW!
Have a super time in England.
Sounds just TOO hot in Marrakesh!

Jenniffier said...

I am working on two projects right now. One is an embroidery project and one is a quilting project called geese in the park. That one has one border left before the top is done.

Jenniffier said...

I am a new follower, thanks for the chance to win.

Very Berry Handmade said...

Oooh what sweet Bee blocks and love your hexies (great colours!). Just now I am working on my mini-quilt for the Brit Swap and a crochet bag for MIL's Xmas present.

(Happy Birthday in advance!)

designcamppdx said...

Hi! I am enjoying reading your blog! I am making a quilt with some improv blocks from a bee I'm in. They are all Lotta fabrics and I just love them. I signed up to follow. Looking forward to it! Michelle

SueSmilesAlot said...

I'm making some pillowcases right now. I need new ones!

SueSmilesAlot said...

I am a follower using GFC.

Anonymous said...

I have so many projects going on right now, but I guess the main one for the week is finishing a Project Linus girl quilt before my guild meeting Saturday.

Anonymous said...

I am a new follower of your blog.

Gwen said...

My current project is a set of embroidered pillowcases. They have a little grey kitten nestled in a bed of periwinkle clover. :-) I plan to use them in my guest bedroom which I want to decorate with shabby chic antique things.. Thank you for the chance to win these beautiful fabrics-- love those colors! :-)

Gwen said...

I am a new follower-- thanks again! :-)

Gwen said...

I shared your giveaway on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GwenWindham/status/240273007908618240