Pottering

 I woke up this morning to one of the best emails EVER.  Let me explain - a few weeks ago I went to lunch with a lovely bunch of Canadian quilters who were in town on a quilting tour. I got chatting with a lady who is a rep for Moda. I told her how much I love Bonnie & Camille so I was asking her if she had met them, of course she had and she was seeing them again very soon at Quilt Market which is actually on right now. I gave this  lady a copy of the Patchwork and stitching magazine  so she could read it on her travels, it just so happened that it was the issue my profile was published in so it was kind of extra special. Anyway we said our goodbyes and I wished her lots of fun at market.  This amazing lady took the magazine to quilt market yesterday and had it photographed with the famous Bonnie & Camille. I was so excited. I still can't wipe the smile off my face.  So thankyou Noeline you are the best.

 Its been a funny kind of week, I haven't done alot of sewing as I have spent most of my spare time pattern writing for an upcoming magazine publication so that takes alot of time. I also taught a patchwork class at my favourite quilt shop.  I did however find time to whip up this cute pouch. I bought the fabrics on Thursday night after class. I had no intention of buying anything but all night they were staring at me and that cute little deer.... well need I  say more.

 I loved how it turned out. I added a few extra things to make it a but more fun. I like using the fabric tape measure twill.

 Yesterday after I finished the pouch I was really liking the coral and navy theme so I dug into my stash and found a few navy pieces. I have made a few stars blocks, I think I might make a big cushion cover.

Sometimes its nice to sew with fabrics that are a bit out of  my comfort zone. I quite like them for a change.

So what have you been sewing lately?

Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm going to sew a few more stars.  xx

Another week gone by

 I have had a quite a busy time this week, working full time and trying to fit in everything else I want to do has proved quite a challenge but I managed to do nearly everything I set out to,  Remember last time I shared my fabric baskets I was making, well since then I have made a few more. Check out my cupboard. 15 baskets in total. My cupboard has never looked so organised. I decided to really make an effort to make sure it stays that way. These baskets fit alot in them and I like how I can find my fabrics without having to dig everything out. I still want to make a few more.

 Of an evening I like to sit in the lounge and do a bit of hand sewing so I have been working on a new English paper piecing project , scrappy fabrics in my favourite autumn colours, these cute little blocks will become a table runner for my coffee table. Quick to stitch up very enjoyable.

 I love adding a bit of fussy cutting for that added interest.

 While I have been working hard at my job my husband has been working hard at home, We decided to renovate our kitchen, its been a very long and hard job but its almost there. We had all the walls replastered after we gutted it all and started with a clean slate.

 The oven arrived on Friday so it is yet to be connected up. The sink went in yesterday, I tell you its no fun washing up in the laundry sink night after night, then carrying all the dishes back to the kitchen to store in boxes. Tonight I can actually wash up in the kitchen, yay!!!!

 Paul also sanded back the wooden floors so they are yet to be revarnished, that will be the last job. We still have to tile around the cooktop and above the sink.

 I have a new set of cupboards on the other side of the room and I love having the extra bench space. I have always wanted a tea & coffee corner.

 Now I have one, its still looking pretty basic but once I get my pretty dishes back out it will look gorgeous (I hope)

I have bamboo bench tops and I love them, the old benches were black so you can imagine how brighter the kitchen looks, we used the cut out bits of bench top from the sink and cook top and used them for chopping boards. (That was my brilliant idea)

I just can't wait for it all to be finished.

Now its time to enjoy my Sunday and do some sewing, have a wonderful day and I hope you find some sewing time. xx

New Projects

 Hi there, hope you all had a good weekend, mine was good. They always go so fast don't they. I was playing in my sewing room on Saturday afternoon, going through my cupboards looking for some fabric. They were in such a mess, I decided to tidy up a little and to keep things organised I got to work and made some of these hour baskets, they are fantastic. They really do only take an hour to make.

 I first saw these on Instagram and everyone was making them. You can find a free tutorial on craftsy.  Just type in Hour Basket.

 I have made 4 already and yesterday I cut out a couple more, they are great for using the odd fat quarter you have just sitting in your cupboard. All you need are 2 fat quarters, one for the outer, one for the lining and some scraps for the handles. I used batting inside my baskets instead of the iron on pellon like suggested in the pattern. I felt the batting made them a bit sturdier.

 They really do hold alot.  Now isn't that organised.

 During the week I got some new English paper piecing patterns, OOOOH I love these and I can't wait to get started.

 I purchased them from Sue at Patchwork with busy fingers.

I think I will start with this cotton reel pattern first, it looks easy enough.


Thankyou for stopping by,

Have a wonderful week.