Shop News....

I made some mini quilts for the shop, they are in there right now! The sun was so bright here today it has washed out the pictures, so I will have to try and sort that over the next couple of days. Ho hum!!! (a photographer I am most certainl not!)

Anyways...let me know what you think!

So, I've done the quilt swap...what's next?

My mini quilts have been sent out, and received (and I am pretty sure they are liked too - by the response - phew phew phew). I am now happily waiting for mine (that's not a hint for some speediness - I am actually happily waiting!)
here's Lucys....

and Gina's....

then I made one for my friend, Beth (who has made Grace the most amazing doll quilt - pics will come next time, I need my Dad to help me!!!)

And after making those, and having the most fun ever I made this for the G...because she doesn't get much made for her to be honest, I leave her out (I am a bad mother). And I had made ginge a couple of cushions, hadn't I?


And the first ever quilt attempt. Don't look too closely, it's very wonky. But I am hoping my cousin likes it. Her baby is due in August (don't know what flavour - I thought this would do for either?)



So I am kind of stuck now. What's next?

This Quilt Swap....(see right....got it?)

Has got me all excited. I am all done - and both of my quilts are in the post (well, they will be later on today when I get to the post office). So Lucy and Gina - keep your eyes peeled in the morning!

I have had so much fun making them that I got all obsessed with applique and stuff. I ended up making these cushions for the ginger one.....



And a bag for a friend's little girl (who has a birthday coming up soon), but you can't see that because it's a surprise.
And I made a proper baby quilt, well, nearly. It's almost done. And it's not very straight, but it's the thought that counts, isn't it? (I tell myself that far too often!). And it was my very first attempt, so I am rather chuffed. Pics to follow in the next post, when it's come out of the washer (I am not afraid of it falling to pieces - HONEST!!!)

And in other exciting news......this piece of fabulous post popped through my letterbox yesterday.....


The Moomins are far too cool, as is their fellow Finnish friend, Kajsa , who sent me this postcard and fabric. Thank you soooooooooooooo much. I could kiss Kajsa, but I think she'd get a bit afraid, as it would obviously involve a plane trip, and hunting her down (stalkerish? Maybe) so I send virtual kisses instead, which carry less germs (and my house has plenty of germs at the minute, the ginger one has been struck down with something involving sleepless nights, a temperature and sickness - poor lamb. On the plus side - I get cuddles all day long).

Drum Roll, Please........

Blimey - I didn't realise there was so many people out there reading my twitterings (let alone that many people who'd actually like to win a little teeny quilt thing). I am overwhelmed, and really rather pleased! Thank you for all of your lovely comments, and for letting me know what your fave bird is. I can't look at a solo magpie without nodding at him and sayimg hello, which is slightly mad, I suppose. I've even got the smallfry to do it (always best to get them started on paranoid superstitions early on, I think)

Anyway, back to business....the random number generator thing (I was going to cut out names, but it's saturday morning, I haven't had a cup of tea yet, I couldn't summon up the energy)

And the winners are....................numbers 15 and 32, Congratulations!!!!!!!

(that's Rebecca and Clare by the way)
I'll email you both and get your little birdys out on monday.

In other news. The postman has been good to me again this week. Which, after the week I have had, I needed some cheering up! My router decided to break sopmetime in the night monday, and I have been internet free all week (shudder shudder). After speniding far too long on the phone to someone in a foreign land (thanks to BT outsourcing) who struggled to understand me (I hate to think how'd he get on if someone with a regional accent phoned up - I speak quite clearly, and - dare I say- a bit posh). The new router turned up, yesterday, but isn't a wireless one, and took 2 hours of poor husband on the phone tearing his hair out. So I am sat on G's bed, in her room, as it's the only place I can get the internet. I hope (please please please) to be back to normal next week.

Anyway...I digress, where were we? Ah, yes, the postman....


this lovely pink parcel...

revealed this pile of gasp inducing lovelies (I did actually gasp - that is the truth!!!) And was a complete surprise from my totally brillianter than brilliant friend Sarah . Thank you Sarah, I am in awe of those perfect stitches - I am sure you have those Tailor of Gloucester mice helping you. And the ribbon pack has felty ric rac in it. I can't cope with the excitement of it, felty ric-rac just tips me over the edge. You should all go and get some, I tell you.




Then I bought myself (sssh, don't tell husband) some very oilily type fabric from here . And I got a metre free (so it was a bargain, yes?)



and this pretty fabric gift bag was a PIF from etsy seller old bag crafts . So it was also a bargain, and is keeping his gingerness very happy (despite being quite floral, he seems to like it, he calls it 'pretty bag' - I think he's got excellent fabric taste already - hurrah!!!)




I wonder if Mr Posty will bring me anything today?

It's a Giveaway!!!!

I've been having so much fun doing the mini quilts for the swap on Lucylocket's blog that I thought I'd make a couple of itty bitty birdy ones (about the size of a postcard each) and have a giveaway.
So, leave a comment, tell me what your favourite birdy is (mine is a raven - those birds are so blooming cool it's unbelievable) and I'll put all the names in a hat this weekend (or bowl, or some other hat like vessel) and pick out 2 names.

Getting Ahead of Myself....

After my initial fear of being paired with the hugely talented Gina
for the mini quilt swap, and then deciding to do an unofficial swap with Lucy , swap organiser extraordinaire, I have got on a roll.....the sneaky peeks above give you a little taster of what I'm on with. Ooooh, I'm excited!!!!

Oh, and another thing...I'm going to have a giveaway this week, so come back and have a look (if you want to , obviously if you think it's a pile of rubbish you don't have to at all!!!)

Swaps and Stuff

I must admit, I get a bit excited by swaps. Not just proper organised swaps, any old swap gets me all a quiver. It's like going shopping, but without actually spending any money (although my other half will beg to differ here, because he says you do technically part with something - yeh, WHATEVER!!!). But you know what I mean - there's no paypal receipt, no handing over of cash - just a lovely parcel in the post, in return for a parcel of your own.

I have been swapping quite a lot lately. And I have more to come. I think I am waiting on 3 parcels, or is it 4? And then there's the Lucylocket quilt swap (eyes right folks - see the icon, go click....) so that will make 5. Actually I think there's another one. Oops.

Anyway, whilst I have probably forgotten how many parcels I am waiting on...here's some that have arrived.....

A beautiful little lady from Scottie


and some fabric too....


Lucykatecrafts sent me this parcel of gorgeousness (and I didn't even have a swap with her...although she did get a pif doll from me, but still - this was totally unexpected!). The LKcrafts family came to mine on saturday for some tea and cake. It was lovely. Amy's hubby had to pick some framing equipment up from nearby so they all came for a visit on the way. The kids played very nicely together, there were no tears (and I even made sure I had tidied up, so they wouldn't realise what a slovenly mess I am usually!)


This bag came from a friend I made on flickr, called Beth who is over in Texas, with her 3 kids. She makes fab quilts and bags - and is far too talented for my liking ;)
Beth wanted a doll of her little girl, Madelyn, so I asked for a bag - and this beautiful Amy Butler fabric creation is what I got. I definitely did better out of the deal. (But don't tell her that - she won't want to do any more!!!)


And these last 2 pics are swaps from me.......this little bunny is the swap from Lucy's blog. She is now safe and sound in Canada (my bunny has decided to take the scenic route over....probably stopped off in Europe for some sightseeing)


And this is a secret...Mindy is all wrapped up and ready to go to Vermont with Stacey . But she's a surprise, I don't want to show her yet.


See - I told you, I LOVE swaps!!! I'll keep you posted on my next batch of parcels!!!