The One that Sneaked Under the Wire

We're in England!  Well we've been here almost 2 weeks actually and it's rained here almost every second. It was raining when we arrived, Christmas came and went and it's still raining. I understand now how difficult it is to take pictures in natural light as ... uhmmm, there is very little!

Converging Corners quilt

A belated but very Merry Christmas to everyone.

The first thing I did after arriving was to take my machine back to the shop I bought it from.  It's under warranty and they have promised they will fix it before we leave.

After sporadic periods of quilting, interspersed with shopping for presents and a trip to the local panto, I finished sewing down the binding on my mum's quilt on Christmas Eve.

I waited to share it with you as I wanted to wash it and show it to you in all its crinkly loveliness on some glamourous country location but the incessant rain have put a stop to that one.

You may remember this was secret sewing for my mum. With some Kaffe Fasset fabrics, I used Film in the Fridge's tutorial for her Converging Corner's block - when I showed a teaser here - most of you guessed right. These blocks are super easy to make but more time consuming than you might think.  With no sashing, you also have to make quite a few of them to get a decent sized quilt.  After 20 blocks, I called it a day and added a 6 " border.

For the backing, I used Amy Butler's Harriet's Kitchen from her beautiful Cameo line.

The binding is also from the Cameo line - Folly in zinc. I would love to make a shirt from this fabric.

I'm really happy with how the Cameo fabrics work with the Kaffe Fasset fabrics.

For the quilting, I did organic straight lines - while I like the effect, it took a long time to quilt!

So this is a very late birthday early Christmas present for my mum, and a satisfying late finish for 2012.

Quilt Statistics

Quilt Top Assorted Kaffe Fasset and Kona White
Backing Amy Butler's Harriet's Kitchen from the Cameo Line
Binding Folly in Zinc also Cameo
Batting Quilter's Dream 100% cotton
Measures 72" x 60"

Like a lot of people, I have tried to stay away from the computer over Christmas so that I can enjoy my time with family. After New Year, I am looking forward to getting my machine back and resuming some kind of normal service...

Fresh Sewing Day - The Scrappy Edition

Pinch punch, first day of the month!

1. Not available, 2. Megan's Star Block, 3. Mouthy Stitches Tote Front, 4. Scrappy X and Plus Quilt Top for the Care Circle of do.Good Stitches, 5. Mouthy Stitches Tote Back, 6. Christmas Star Block, 7. Lazy Day Lozenge Block No.2, 8. Mouthy Stitches Tote Front, 9. Megan's Star Block, 10. Not available, 11. Tote Lining & Handles, 12. Aqua, Orange & Grey Hexies

Looking back at October, it was definitely the month of scrappy but I like scrappy...it makes me happy!

A big highlight was the Mouthy Stitches swap, which is all but done.  My tote has arrived safe and sound with my partner but I'll tell you who tomorrow. I'm hoping the tote heading my way might arrive any day!  It was also the month of English paper piecing with Lynne's lozenges and my orange, aqua and grey hexies, which I continue to work at.  I was queen bee in We Bee Modern Too and I chose Megan's Star. I'm excited by the blocks popping up in the flickr group for me.  I also started my mum's Kaffe Fasset quilt and received the backing and binding fabric - it's going to look quite dramatic I think.

November looks to be super busy already so wish me luck!

Linking up with Lynne at Lily's Quilts.

Shhhhhhhh...

Sorry, I'm not meaning to shush you but I've been doing some secret sewing the last couple of days.

My mum chose these Kaffe Fasset fabrics too long ago to admit and I've been uhming and ahhing about exactly what to do with them but now I'm in full flow and I think she's going to like it.

Now I know many of you clever ducks out there will be able to work out the block I'm using but please don't share as she'll go straight off and google it.  This is a surprise!

Is it me or is blogland eerily quiet at the moment....I can only presume it's because so many people are at Sewing Summit.

Have a great weekend - whatever you are up to!