Finishing touches

It's been a holiday this weekend and beautiful weather. Unfortunately the kids haven't been exactly on their best behaviour so we have all been going a bit stir crazy. But anyway.... Did manage to get a couple of projects finished which is always a good thing!!

First off, my Amy Butler Birdie Sling. I have had this pattern for quite a while and the fabric as well (from my stash of Rouenneries), and have over the last few weeks tackled the bag in a few sittings. It came together pretty well, although I did have to use the quick-unpick a few times - mainly due to my failure to read the directions properly.... I added a zip pocket inside and a magnetic snap closure. I love the bag, and would love to do another, but next time I would lose the fusible fleece on the lining. I think one layer of interfacing is enough. There was way too much bulk in the seams around the band which made it tricky to do the final top-stitching.

And now for my second project finish - my first bee blocks for Fresh Modern Bee 2 - string quilt blocks for Scruffycat. This was my first attempt at string blocks and I love them! These were so much fun to do and I love the result. I hope you do too, Amy!

Now off to finish dinner - a roast lamb has been cooking away slowly all afternoon and it smells divine!!!

My (very late) creative space

Sadly I've been missing in action from the bloggy scene for the past couple of weeks, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy slaving over a hot sewing machine!! Some months ago I swooped on a big pile of Rouenneries fabric from French General. I am so in love with this line, it is simply divine. My initial intention was to make a quilt for our bed and I'm still toying with various designs.

But while I'm waiting for my inspiration to settle into something more concrete, I decided the time had come to cut into the lovely pile - well, at least a little bit of it - and whipped up a tote for my aunt's birthday.

In the meantime I've also been progressing with the pink quilt. Now all that's left to do is put on the binding. I decided to put a solid pink around each of the blocks, using several different shades of solid. I didn't really plan it and when it came time to arrange the twelve blocks it turned out to be a bit of a task to set them out without blocks of the same colour adjoining each other. Anyway, I think it turned out OK in the end! The quilting is a pretty simple pattern, just in-the-ditch around the blocks, a cross through the centres, and some (occasionally wonky) railway tracks through the solid pinks.

All the while my head continues to swim with other ideas for new projects! Not enough hours in the day at the moment!