March Fresh Sewing Day

 1. Gee`s Bend Inspired Mini Quilt, 2. Pouch back, 3. We Bee Modern Too - February Block, 4. For the Love of Solids Mini Back, 5. do.Good Stitches (Care Circle) February Blocks, 6. Pouch Front, 7. perle hand stitching detail, 8. For the Love of Solids Mini Front, 9. do.Good Stitches (Care Circle) February Blocks

Oh my, February was one frenetic month and was fairly selfless as nearly everything I made was for someone else - either one of the two swap makes (Mouthy Stitches and For the Love of Solids) or bee blocks (We Bee Modern Too and do.Good Stitches). There was definitely a green and yellow thing going on too!

The only thing I made for myself was the Gee`s Bend inspired mini, which I love.  I made it as part of Jennifer`s super fun Modern Mini Challenge, the linky for which opens on Monday March 5.  This is my entry. It has really inspired me to use solids more and to experiment with improv,piecing.  The mini will hang in our kitchen and remind me that trying something new is fun!

I finally got my pouch finished for the Mouthy Stitches swap after the linen I needed finally arrived.  It`s winging its way to my partner and I hope she likes it.

I`m really hoping that March will be more laid back. There were times last month when it was all beginning to feel like work (because vital supplies took an age to arrive which is all stress inducing believe me) and for me that`s not what it`s all about.  So time for a breather.

Linking up with uber talented Lynne at Lily`s Quilts for Fresh Sewing Day.  Do hop over and see what people have been up to the last 29 days and check out some great smaller blogs in the Small Blog Meet.

 

*Edited to add Lynne`s new button*

February Fresh Sewing Day

1. First Attempt at a Zippered Pouch, 2. Lark Selvage Pouch, 3. Lark Quilt Top, 4. January Blocks for Care Circle, do.Good Stitches, 5. Perle handstitching, 6. First Attempt at a Zippered Pouch, 7. DSCF9847, 8. Lark selvages, 9. Blockade Block for Debbie, 10. Blockade Block for Leanne, 11. Baby George`s Quilt, 12. Lark Quilt Top, 13. January Blocks for Care Circle, do.Good Stitches14. Not available15. Not available16. Not available

I confess to having had to pad out my mosaic this month as I was only in the company of my beloved stash for a couple of weeks. 

While I was in England, I finished Baby George`s 1001 Peeps` quilt and he posseted over it immediately. I`ll take that as a good sign.

When reunited with said stash, I finished my blockade bee blocks for the 4x5 Modern Quilt Bee, made a couple of starflower blocks for Karen in the do.Good Stitches bee, whipped up a super simple quilt top form Amy Butler`s Lark in the Glamor colourway, made a practice pouch for the Mouthy Stitches swap from its selvedges and another in Echo.

This month looks super busy already what with more bee blocks, the Mouthy Stitches pouch swap, a make for the For the Love of Solids swap and Jennifer`s Modern Mini Challenge,..oh and add in to the mix Zaki being on his school holidays for the next couple of weeks - EEEK!

Linking up with Lynne`s Fresh Sewing Day - thanks as ever to Lynne for hosting this fun blog hop. Only 3 more link ups until you know what!

Fresh Sewing Day

Like September, much of October was spent sewing although looking at this mosaic I don`t feel like I accomplished as much as I wanted but isn`t that always the case?

Last month, I was pleased to get shot of a couple of UFOs in the shape of the Union Jack cushion, which I started back in February (I think) and absolutely love.  I also finished the Marrakech Rose quilt.

Other highlights included being busy with the Scrappy Swap 2011 organized by Kat and which is now winding up.  After the pink puffy pouch was rejected (by me for quality standardss - not my lovely partner who said she loved it), I sent her the Terrain fabric basket, some scraps and a couple of local items.  They have a long way to travel and haven`t arrived yet.  I hope she likes them.

I was also working on the fabulously fun Modern Tablerunner Swap being organized by Susan.  Design done.  Fabrics chosen.  Just waiting on additional fabric ordered online for backing and binding.  I`m lagging behind on this one but it will get done.  Never fear.

I made a quilt top from Moroccan Mirage for the Duo QAL and it is basted and ready for quilting!  On time on this one (after a massive catch up!)

What else?  A fall tote bag made from fabric and pattern brought over by my lovely mum during her recent lurgy ridden visit, my second block and a remake of the first block for the Bloggers` BOM and now I have work to do for the 4x5 Modern Quilt Bee.  There`s my colour inspiration mosaic bottom left.  My colours are purple (think deep amethyst and plum), orange and grey.  No pink. When I saw the talent in this bee, there was an audible gulp.  Have I got myself in too deep this time?

Linking up with Lynne over at Lily`s Quilts.  Thanks as ever to Lynne for hosting this linky party.  Hop over there and see the amazing talent out there.  Lynne also hosts a Small Blog Meet Up every first day of the month so go and show your support to the smaller blogs and get following a few.

Hand Quilting Again??

This quilt is rapidly heading for the Guiness Book of Records as the quilt completed in the longest time.  I started it in October 2009 and now it`s March 2011 and Z is significantly longer yet the quilt is the same size. It seems I never learn.  I`m handquilting Z`s quilt because I want to fill it with love so that when Z is snuggling in it he can feel his mother`s love wherever he is. 

At least I got to do some quilting this week.  I did the beastly basting a couple of days ago and started the hand quilting yesterday using masking tape as a guide for my stitching - a tip I picked up from Jane Brocket`s The Gentle Art of Quilting - it`s re-usable and doesn`t leave any marks. Super easy! I think I may unpick the stitching so far as I`m unsure of stitching at right angles to the pieces.  I think it might look better stitched following the length of the piece instead.

The front is an Arcadia Moda layer cake and the backing is Cloud 9`s `Clearing`, which I thought had a retro `50s feel about it, which complemented the front.

There is a link to this post on Lilys Quilts Fresh Sewing Day  - a new project by Lynne to celebrate her blogaversary.  Each 1st day of the month, Lynne is having a fresh sewing day when she is encouraging everyone to share with others their favourite or latest project and to create on her blog a link showing it.  Lynne explains it much better so hop over to her blog and share something you are doing at the moment...oh, and visit each others blogs and share the love.

Happy Weekend!