I Have (a) Curious Nature

Firstly, I`m loving all the positivity about the dressmaking plans.  Thank you for all your comments. The books are ordered and a pattern too but they are going to my mum`s so not much will happen before we go back towards the end of May for you.know.what. We`ll be back in England for 3 whole weeks and just can`t wait!

Anyway, with pre-school hols there hasn`t been much sewing at all.

The postman made a welcome return today with this little package of loveliness.  I knew as soon as I saw Parson Grey`s Curious Nature that fabric diet or no fabric diet I had to have me some. I bought these 12 FQs from The Fat Quarter Shop and it came with a coordinating Kona Solid in Herb. I`m thinking a man quilt for my man and perhaps I`ll use my curved ruler.

Curious Nature by Parson Grey

Yesterday, I made a couple more x and plus blocks for the Care Circle of do.Good Stitches...it`s my month as quilter and the quilt(s) will be donated to Siblings Together.

...and the postie delivered a couple more from Cindy who hangs out on the emerald isle, and they fit in very nicely. Thank you Cindy!

Cindy`s blocks (top middle and bottom left)

 

 

I`ve been playing with embroidery stitches. I hope to be able to embroider my partner`s name on her tag for the FQ Retreat.  It`s definitely harder than it looks. I`m sure I must have embroidered initials on a felt purse or needle case as a young child at school, but I`m counting this as a first attempt so be kind.

I was rubbish at back stitch.  How could that be?

I was better at Stem Stitch.

Passable French knots

Star stitches

A wonky lazy daisy

and there were attempts at letters of the alphabet but that would be telling...

That`s all for now - hope you are having a great week!

Annabella

Modern Mini Challenge

 

I was super excited to be invited by Jennifer of Ellison Lane Quilts to take part in her Modern Mini Challenge -  a 5 part series which kicks off on Monday February 6!

The idea behind the MMC is for you to think big, make small - inspired by this bunch of incredibly talented gals who are sure to get your creative juices flowing. As a newbie hopper, I asked Jennifer if she would put me towards the end of the line and she did.  She`s sweet like that.

2/6: Stitchery Dickory Dock

2/7: Fairy Face Designs & Amy's Creative Side

2/8: Lily's Quilts

2/9: Patchwork Notes

2/10: Don't Call Me Betsy & Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycle

2/11: Sukie, Don't You Know Who I Am? 

2/12: Freshly Pieced

2/13: From the Blue Chair & Poppy Makes

2/14: Needles, Pins & Baking Tins

2/15: Mon Petit Lyons & Felicity Quilts

2/16: LR Stitched & Random Thoughts Do or Di

2/17: Life's Rich Pattern & Twin Fibers

2/18: Cut to Pieces & Sew Sweetness

2/19: Swim Bike Quilt

Jennifer`s newly completed mini quilt. Washington Sidewalk blocks 24" x 24" 

Did I mention this is a competition and that means prizes?!  5 to be exact and they are A-MAZING!

 Kimberly at the Fat Quarter Shop is generously sponsoring all five fabulous prizes!

The five winners will be chosen as follows: 

James’ choice (Jennifer`s husband chooses his favorite) 

Viewer’s choice Mug Rugs

Viewer’s choice Mini Quilts 

(mug rugs and mini quilts- the viewers choose from a selection chosen by Jennifer and three other bloggers) 

Luck of the Draw (Random Number Generator chooses 2 winners)

  

Source: fatquartershop.com via Jennifer Mathis on Pinterest

Both Viewer’s Choice Winners will receive a fat quarter bundle of the FULL LINE of Flea Market Fancy reprint by Denyse Schmidt.

 

James’ Choice Winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop
 

Both Luck of the Draw Winners will receive a $75 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop

The when: February 6- March 9- Enter the contest on March 5!

The where: Ellison Lane Quilts

The why: To inspire you to try something new- something challenging- take a big idea and make it in a mini.

Contest Requirements: 1. Create a modern mini quilt or mug rug - only one entry per person 2. Enter your mini quilt or mug rug in the linky party at Ellison Lane Quilts on Monday, March 5. You do NOT have to have a blog to enter. You may link a picture from your Flickr account. 3. Your entry (blog post or Flickr description) should include the size of the item.

Here`s the button.  Now go grab it!

 

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