She likes dogs ... and girly colours!

That's what my friend said when I asked her about what style of quilt our God-daughter would like for her 18th birthday! 

I found some lovely dog fabric online and it inspired the colour choices for the rest of the fabrics:

I made this block and then just built around it:

Friends know I am challenged by straight line quilting - whether, it's me, my machine, the way I baste (spray not pin)?? Who knows ... but I gave it a go on this one using my zig-zag stitch. I put my gloves on, I went slow, I gripped (and it hurt my shoulder!) This was what happened with the walking foot on:

But it didn't happen when I just had the ordinary foot on?? Go figure ... so I quilted it without the walking foot, persevered and after a glass (or 2!) of the white stuff:

And using both my chins:

It was done ... Phew!

Finished sewing the label on this afternoon and took a few garden photos:

I love it! I think she will too ... dogs and girly colours she has! Linking up with Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts and Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Hitting the right note ...

Do you ever get that excited feeling? When you start making a new quilt and you just know it's going to be a good one? I have that feeling about my 'Piano Quilt' and I really can't wait to get at it again today.

My boss is retiring after 37 years and I wanted to make him a special quilt. I know he plays the piano and enjoys many a soirée at his home entertaining his guests, so I did a Google search for musical themed fabric. There wasn't a lot (in the UK) so I narrowed the search to 'piano quilt'.

And now I am so happy! It is perfect:

I couldn't find a pattern anywhere so have been working just from the image. I bought some new fabric (as you do!) but also used a lot from my stash: 

12 x 14 is a lot of squares to cut. I never clear up as I go along! Do you?

I made the piano keys first - figuring that once they were made, it would be easier to build around. They were fiddly and time-consuming and my fingers got very close to the iron! But the overall effect is worth it:

Just the rest of it to piece today then! You can check out my progress on Instagram (@glindaquilts) but I will blog about it too :)

Linking up with the lovely Lorna and Lee:

Catch up post from Jersey :)

I do have to wonder lately where does all the time go?! Since my last post, I have been working on our god-daughter's 18th birthday quilt:

I took a bit of advice from my birthday giveaway comments and included a churn dash block. My giveaway winner Shauna has let me choose fabrics for the sewing mat I'm going to make her. So I have chosen these four (and there'll be some left over for her to use):

I finished a couple of cushions for a friend's birthday:

And I made some cushions for me from fabric DH bought me for my birthday:

Have made a start on my 'Piano Quilt'

And am currently on holiday in Jersey! Five days with DH, his Mum and my Aunt. Yesterday, we just happened to stumble across a delightful fabric store (as you do) called Treadles and I made a few purchases. Today we visited Durrell Wildlife Park and stopped by the sea:

Busy couple of weeks, yes, but always enjoyable. Hope your weekend is fun too xx