Catching up ...

I have become such a poor blogger (still blaming Instagram!) that I'm not sure if anyone will even read this post - except for Aunty G ... hello x - but I was going through my photos since I last blogged and really wanted to capture what's been going on. I'm linking up with Lorna @sewfreshquilts and will see what I've been missing!

September was our return to the USA. Before the trip, I made my friend Gerrie some patchwork gifts out of her brother's shirt:

It had been 5 years since our last USA visit and there was a lot to cram in -  combining our 15th Wedding Anniversary, with a family wedding and visiting relatives in Maryland (MD) and Pennsylvania (PA). Cousin June has quilted for nearly 40 years and had a bit of a destash just for me:

Yes, I was very happy to take dozens of yards and fat quarters off her hands! We also spent a few days at Lewes Beach, Delaware and June and I 'got lost' for a couple of hours in the lovely Mare's Bears fabric shop with the friendliest and most helpful staff.

And this was me in The Old Country Store, PA ... could have spent days in here! I would've if DH had let me: 

Just a glimpse of what managed to come home with me ... there's still a box in MD with my name on it :) 

Upon our return to Wales, it was Autumn and the leaves on our Virginia Creeper had turned gorgeous shades of red:

A very special young lady turned 17 and instead of 'normal gifts' had asked for cash towards driving lessons - I couldn't not make her a themed gift to go with that now could I?

I finished a Christmas table runner for my sister (made mainly from Scandi Makower) and added a little bunting too:

I found the first quilt blocks I had ever worked on - shoved in the back of a drawer (how sad) but they forgave me and after a little fixing and trimming, I added some sashing and now have another quilt top ready to be basted:

I finally finished this quilt for our cousin in Florida (posted nearly 2 weeks ago ... I hope it survives the journey!):

I have started on a 'Stag Quilt' for my God-daughter who us 18 in January (think this deserves a blog post all of its own!):

And yesterday, I finished making for my friend 8 little Pants Bags for her 6 year old to give as Christmas presents to her school friends:

What a couple of months and what variety! One of the most used hashtags I add to my Instagram posts is #ilovemyhobby ... and I do - after nearly 7 years of discovering Patchwork and Quilting (thanks to this special lady): 

I still love it.

A week off work = lots of sewing :)

I have taken this week off work, not to go on holiday, not to entertain guests, just to spend time with hubby at home and recharge my batteries. It's been great. As well as spending time with loved ones, I have been doing a lot of sewing!

Three quilts basted:

And quilted:

And binding attached:

I made a Pants Bag:

Cut 257 pieces for a new quilt:

And made one block for a Xmas table runner:

Phew! I shall be glad to go back to work for a rest!! 

Linking up with the lovely Lorna:

And cute Kelly:

A few finishes :)

I have been enjoying this little hobby of mine lots lately but haven't been blogging much. Aunty told me off yesterday (she loves to read my blog) so a quick round-up of what I've been making.

A new quilt - made for a much longed for little boy:

And I tried some different free motion quilting, which I think worked out okay:

Better to see on the back:

Great timing, I had the fabric but was waiting for inspiration to hit me ... bought the Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine:

thank you for the dresden plate templates - turned them into this bright chicken table runner for dear sister's birthday:

Appliqué, zig-zag and stippling:

The back: 

A peg bag for my friend Fran @PatchyRose:

And my latest quick gifts? Some tissue holders - aren't they gorgeous??

Have been posting regularly on Instagram - mustn't forget my blogging friends - linking up with Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Off to create some more loveliness now! Happy weekend x

Table runner WIP ...

I am slowly getting back into being uber-productive! Within obvious limitations. Remember the Cath Kidston bundle I bought a few weeks back?

 

I started cutting it up at the weekend: 

 

And then made the table runner and  place mats:

 

Nothing fancy - just 10 1/2" squares bordered by the 2" red polka dot. But what to back it with? DH's suggestion was, 'big green spots'!

OK! Ordered some linen-type fabric online, it arrived today and is perfect:

Thanks hubby  - fancy some basting??

I've also made drinks' coasters from the leftovers:

 

 

I have a few little finishes which I'll save until Friday but here is a sneak preview of a carrier bag holder in progress for dear niece made out of leftover fabrics from her mats and table runner:

Linking up - this week's WIP Wednesday is being hosted by Lucy @ Charm About You:

and with the ever-lovely Lorna:

Gifts for dear niece for her new home :)

We live in London and our family live in Chester (a 4 hours drive) and North Wales (a 6 hours drive) so when I have gifts for family that need finishing, and I run out of time in the week, I know I have a good few hours on the car journey to get them done! (Thanks DH for driving!) Which was just as well as we were driving to Chester today and I still hadn't finished the binding on the table runner and 4 table mats I was making for dear niece.

Forgive the leg shot but I was trying to find a comfortable position! I'm sure every bump in the road made me miss a stitch:

I had finished her cushions at home during the week:

We were expected for pre-dinner drinks at 6pm and I was still stitching at 5.50pm! But I did it and 'girly' (dear niece) was over the moon! She had chosen the fabric herself the last time we were home but was still so very surprised and pleased when I took her gifts out of the bag and instructed her to 'close her eyes and open her hands'. She 'whooped' and did a happy dance :) Doesn't that make it all the more worthwhile?

Here are the cushions in situ in her bedroom:

One of the table mats - front and back:

The back of the runner and mats:

And the table runner and mats in their full glory:

Have said it before and will say it again; you can buy stuff in the shops that is cheaper and (perhaps?) better made but there really is no substitute for hand-made, unique, time-donated, lovingly-made gifts ... and her face was a picture (though she wouldn't let me take it!) Worth every minute that went into making these special things for her :)

Linking up with Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts and Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict: