Chickens ...

I have been working with my 'unsexy fabric' again today making more HSTs ... just 20 more to make :)

A month ago, my dear SIL bought 3 rescue hens. She has wanted some for years and has finally pecked her hubby into agreement! Meet Mabel, Gertrude and Hilda:

They are adorable, sis loved them immediately, and they've already produced a few eggs. I wanted to make her a little Christmas quilty gift so, of course, it had to  be hen-themed. This bundle caught my eye on eBay so I just had to buy it:

There was no selvage so I went back to the ebay listing and it only described it as - midnight blue hen house fabric - so I Googled that and it is made by Westfalenstoffe, who I admit I've never heard of. It says it's organic fabric sourced from Egypt and Pakistan ... never used organic fabric before - seems very fitting.

I'm going to make her another charm square bag (her choice) from this fabby  tutorial by Missouri Star Quilting. This will be her 'winter bag' - this was her summer birthday bag (which she really liked): 

Linking up:

Not so sexy Sunday Stash :)

Sometimes, your fabric choice just doesn't grab you. This Makower Spraytime bundle (and some others from my stash I'm using) is not the stuff to get your heart racing, it won't get me any 'oohs' and 'aahs' and it certainly wouldn't win any prizes in the Míss Fabric beauty contest! 

But, it is what I'm working with at the moment so I'm just going to have to suck it up and get cutting and sewing. 52 HSTs done and 92 to go:

This is for my 'frolleague' who has had a nightmare conservatory-building experience this year so am hoping the gift of this lapquilt will help her relax in there now it's all built and it has been designed to match her rug (the inspiration for this quilt):

Why don't you pop over to see the delectable Ms Molli Sparkles where there is a bundle of far sexier fabric to ogle at! Or my friend Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts who's fabric wins all the prizes this week :) 

Gorgeous gift and a little finish :)

Like most of us, I'm sure, when I first started blogging, I wasn't sure if anyone would ever read my blog or if I'd even enjoy blogging. I hoped I'd at least make a friend (or two) along the way. And I have! One of my newest friends is Jasmine @ Quilt Kisses, a really sweet lady who makes the most delightful quilts (check out her latest for Halloween!)

This week, she sent me this gorgeous mini-quilt 4,500 miles across land and sea as a house-warming gift ... I love it! Thank you xx And the cutest handmade card:

Jasmine is not afraid to try out new stuff and her quilting is even better close up. I wish I had an 1/8 of her talent. 

She spurred me on to have a little finish of my own and I've been meaning to make a cushion for the fireside chair in the snug. So yesterday, I took my design inspiration from the rug in there:

Here are some steps along the way. Had to push Nell off the ironing table! I love making cushions with binding:

I tried some fancy black cotton quilting in the centre square - it did NOT work out! Hence the appliquéd centre 'kiss'! And the finish:

Linking up with Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts. It feels really good to have made something this week 😍