It seems I have been sewing....

This year it feels to me like I haven't done much in the way of creating and this pains me, it really does. 

I feel like I have been lost in a flurry of business growth and parenting and trust me when I say there has been no room for anything else, Ha!

Looking back through the images on my iPhone I thought I'd share with you a couple of things I've managed to complete over the last couple of months.

These are my most favourite make of the year so far! They were commissioned by Quilt Now magazine, I supersized my favourite quilt blocks to make this trio of cushions.

The fabrics are all from Aneela Hoey's Foxglove Collection for Cloud 9 Fabrics which I just adore. 

Another of my projects landed in Quilt Now recently too, a quick and easy improv quilt in Halloween fabrics. A perfect weekend make, suitable for beginners too.

I used another of my favourite collections this year, Boo! from Cotton + Steel fabrics. 

I've also made a couple of swap items for my friend Amanda, she was my Secret Sewer partner whilst we were on retreat. {Did you know my business also runs a yearly sewing retreat?}

I made the very gorgeous Makers Tote another great pattern from Anna Noodlehead.

In my rush to hand this gift over I never took any of my own photo's of it, so I've nabbed this one from Amanda's Instagram feed!

I made the bag mainly in Carolyn Friedlander fabrics as they are Amanda's favourite and some co-ordinating Sprinkle by Cotton + Steel. 

I also made her this sweet scissor case in Elizabeth Hartman Paintbox Basics fabrics, which I love!

I think next year I really want to make more things for the home and for my kids.

A little catch up!

I always seem to be playing catch up, do you?

It's been such a long time and there has been so much happening I thought I'd just share a few photo's of what the last few weeks have seen me doing!

There have been lots of family birthday's and meals out, including the big 40 for me....

I've worked lots at the shop and squeezed in some sewing time too, I really don't know how!

 I've made 3 Stitchy Pie needle cases so far, they're super cute! The pattern is by my friend Lucy, if you'd like to make one too!

I've had a project in Quilt Now magazine

 

I've nursed a really poorly baby that needed hospital treatment

It was the worst case of Noro virus any of my kiddos have ever had, poor thing. I needed a calmer that weekend I can tell you, luckily I'd treated myself to an amazing candle

 If you've not tried this brand I really do recommend them! All their scents are divine!

We've had a new baby in the family, ahhhh.

 Say Hi to baby Rocco, I'm one proud Aunty! Here he is with my mum, even though he's my husbands side of the family!

Today marks the 1st anniversary of my nephew's death. I'm feeling saddened and lost today, the world really did lose an awesome little guy when Elliot passed and we miss him like crazy.

 

 

Mini Quilt Heaven!

Since the start of the New Year I've signed up for a number of Mini Quilt Swaps over on Instagram! They were all so tempting I just couldn't say 'No' despite my heavy work load and family commitments!

The first swap has just come to an end and was the #rainbowminiswap. If you search the hashtag over on Instagram you'll see all the lovely mini's that were swapped around the world. 

These swaps are basically blind so you know who you are making for but you don't know who is making for you - exciting right? The idea is you stalk your partner across social media so you get a feel for their style and then make a mini to suit them. Here's the Rainbow Mini I made my partner Janine all the way from Australia!

 

I went for a Rainbow Churn Dash which I love! The background is Sketch Black/White and the Churn Dash are made out of Confetti Dots, both from Timeless Treasures. The mini is then quilted in Aurifil #4660 Pink Taffy which is variegated. I included a pouch filled with some fabric scraps, a couple of mini spools of Aurifil and some Soak Mini's. 

The same day that I posted my mini the Postman brought me my mini! How weird is that?

Isn't she a beauty? My partner Claire got it just right with the solids and the Anna Maria Horner fabric! I love it so much I'm going to put it up in the shop on our mini quilt wall! 

My next swap mini is for the #ukminiswap and this is what I'm working on

It's an English Paper Pieced mini using a Wafer pattern designed by my friend Reene who blogs at Nellies Niceties. I'm using Priory Square fabric which is from Art Gallery and available in my shop here if you like it!

I've started the quilting and this parcel will be wrapped up and posted by Monday next week!

As you can see I use a Hera marker for making my quilt lines, the tool basically puts a crease in the fabric which you then use as a guide for your quilting, genius right!

That's as much as I'm going to share on this swap before I post it as I don't want my partner to have seen it all before it arrives!

Finally for today a heads up my Scrappy Log Cabin Quilt is in Issue 10 of Quilt Now magzine! Woo Hoo!

 

I loved making this quilt and it really made a dent in my scrap bucket which is always a good thing! If you'd like to buy a copy of the magazine please head here but be quick as they never stick around long!