The joy of giving ...

I finished this quilt a couple of weeks ago and it arrived safely in Florida on Tuesday ... phew! I started it back in March but, for various reasons, I just didn't get around to finishing it for 8 months which isn't like me. I think it might have been because I wasn't working to a deadline ... the quilt was for hubby's darling cousin but it wasn't for a birthday, a wedding or a specific fixed date.

Looking back ... I might have also been a little busy making lots of other gifts too ...

I started making the blocks:

And then it was nephew's 21st:

There was a baby quilt:

Then a couple of Siblings Together charity quilts needed making:

And this very special quilt which went to Dallas (Quilts for Peace): 

I kept coming back to it:

Then came the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline raffle prize quilt: 

And finally the wedding quilt: 

And let's not even mention all the Pants Bags, cushions, tissue holders, zipped pouches, table mats that I have made and gifted since March ... oh, and the Siblings Together Quilting Bee and my other Bee and 3 other WIP quilts ... 

But finish it I finally did:

And these photos this week of cousin Natasha, as well as a beautiful message, cuddling her quilt make me so happy that I finally did finish it. Better late than never, hey? Look at that adorable face ... 

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

I'm nothing special ...

... well, I am special - we all are, aren't we - in our own way? But I mean I'm no different to thousands of other quilters across the world in that we just - keep - giving. I have been busy making lots of little gifts over the past few weeks - and I just want to keep going! 

Friends and family often comment, 'you should start charging' or 'you can't keep giving everything away for free' ... but I can. And I will (until circumstances dictate otherwise) because I really do love my hobby. And I love how much happiness a small gift can give.

Take my friend Shauna @ lovinquiltin who won my birthday giveaway. She received my gifts this week and wrote the most lovely post. Please go and check out her blog - it was her birthday this week too!) This was the sewing mat I made for her:

It was Mum's birthday (at the end of May) and I made her a new peg bag (the last one I made was very sun faded) I struggled to find an easy tutorial so just made it up as I went along. Anyone recommend one, please - my friend wants one now!

DH said we 'needed a big one' - your wish is my command, m'dear (that's our old one next to it!):

Dear niece needed some new cushions:

And my little zipped pouches have gone down a storm at work (perfect for keeping things tidy in your handbag) so I have been making lots of these as well:

Speaking of DH - he was 50 last week and I surprised him with a trip to the homeland of his father - Poland - we had an amazing time. It is my new favourite European city and we will go back:

 We loved the flavoured vodka - even made our own cherry beer one night:

Loved it so much, we brought some home! Didn't spill a drop :

But I mustn't be distracted further this weekend! I have two more weekends after this one to finish my piano quilt for my boss. Just needs a border today and basting - then I will have to think seriously about how to quilt it:

All of this activity has meant I have been neglecting my blogging friends and I have missed seeing what everyone has been up to. I shall link up with Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts and Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict and check in later on everyone else's finishes.

Have a great weekend and whether you sew for yourself or others - it's your job or just a hobby - you get paid or give it all away - enjoy yourself. And never forget - you are special too.

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 😍

Beyond generous! Thanks Carla :)

The wonderful Carla over at Creatin' in the Sticks is one of my oldest (and most special) blogging friends. Living in Kansas, we have an obvious affinity.  We began by leaving occasional comments - as you do - then became loyal followers - and have even exchanged a couple of gifts in the last two years. She really is lovely and very talented. I have seen both her blog and sewing skills grow and am so proud of her.

Just over a week ago, she posted this about making a Tammy Project Bag:

Perfect for keeping scissors, thread, and needles close by.

I made one with a friend in mind, Tea for Two.

Oh how I wish we could sit down and share a cup of tea.

It is now stuffed with goodies and on it's way

for a belated birthday...

I did not know she'd made it for meeeeee! It turned up today and I LOVE IT!!

But, if that wasn't gorgeous enough, look what was hidden inside:

I cannot wait to use these 4 Wizard of Oz fat quarters - you can't get the like of them in the UK. To think, I may have gone my whole life without knowing they even existed!

Belated or not ... these are such fabby gifts. From an even fabbier lady. Thank you, dear Carla. And one day, my friend, we shall sit down over a cup of tea, of that I'm sure :)

Showing off sharing your work: 

I am a lucky lady :)

Today's my birthday - am now closer to 50 than 40 ... not sure how I feel about that! I've had a lovely day - Mutter (my Mum) is staying with us for a week, looking after me. Am still in a lot of pain and not sleeping too well but it'll get better soon, I'm sure.

And in the meantime, I get to enjoy all my lovely presents!

Two of my team came for a visit and we had Afternoon Tea and they brought me a gorgeous 'get well and come back to work soon' pink hand bag and flowers:

My niece bought me some fat quarters last week as a thank you for a quilt / playmat I had made for her fiance's neice:

And I had a couple of surprise gifts too. From the lovely Shauna - all the way from Canada, a quilting magazine and get well card:

And from Maja - all the way from Sweden, the prettiest little triangle bag, full of sewing gifts:

I am a lucky lady - thank you everyone xx

Linking up with the lovely Lorna: