Swapping

I've joined another swap. This is an IG based one and a cushion swap. Limited to 100 people so not thousands of photos to browse through, comment on and like. I like swaps and love making for someone else, but I needed an easier swap and this one was it.

So I need to make a cushion for someone, somewhere in this world. Partners have been assigned. It's that fun stalking, planning and designing stage.

Here's what I have in mind.

I'm thinking a low volume background and bright 'orange peel' bits. But I also think that my vision doesn't translate well in the drawing. I will have to do some test blocks to show how I really see it looking. Or get out the colouring pencils. But it's nice to be planning something that I can show you right from conception.

Susan

I Made A Quilt...

... And I liked it.

I can't show you yet, but it was made with a big pile of these fabrics from Lecien - Ls Modern Basics.

Obviously a fabric line totally suited to me. Colour on colour and tone on tone. You should have seen my face when they first arrived. Happy!

After I was allowed to use my sewing space again come the new year I cut and I piece, and I cut and pieced some more.

I had my usual self doubt bit in the middle of the making but came to love my design in the end. (phew!) I do look forward to showing you. But breaking the rules - here's a sneak peek of the backing in the process of making it.

Seriously, all that colour! I couldn't decide if I loved the front or the back more when I was finished.

Susan

Stitch Tease

I'm not teasing about stitching here. I'm talking about my second bee - Stitch Tease - which I have been proudly a part of for three years now. There is ever so nice a group of ladies in it. Some who I have been lucky enough to meet in person which makes it even better. And this January was my month.

I took my inspiration directly from our bee mama herself - Di of Random Thoughts of Do or Di. She made this marvellous quilt towards the end of 2015.

I loved it so much I decided to have one similar for myself. I asked for wonky quarter log cabins in jewels tones, with one section of navy inserted in each block. I specified tone on tone fabrics, or solids. Looking at Di's quilt I am not sure why I specified it. But I did.

I made my two blocks and more blocks have been arriving at a steady pace.

I am now up to 14 blocks and here's how they are looking together.

Kind of loving all that in your face colour. I asked that they not square their blocks off and that the size could be in a range because I will bring all the blocks together myself, with a navy solid. And I want the wonky appearance to carry over to the way they looked once sashed with the navy.

Ten more blocks to arrive and I will have another quilt in the making. I love this part of being in a bee. It just thrills me every last time.

Susan

Thank You

Thank you for your patience. Thank you to those of you who emailed me directly and asked if I was okay as I disappeared for an extended period of time. Thank you for still being around to read my ramblings.

So, yes, I am okay. More than. Life has been barrelling along at its usual rate and I've been enjoying it immensely. Christmas was quietly fabulous. It is times like these that I truly appreciate the family that I have because watching my girls react as silly happy over a calendar with photos of pugs as they do over their main presents really means a lot to me. And it fills my heart with smiles. Don't get me wrong. They are teenagers. Every day is most definitely not perfect, but in the scheme of things in life I have lucked out with two seriously nice teenagers.

After Christmas we snuck off up north to see my mum and stepfather for a few days. Back home for new years and seeing friends. Then 2015 was over, and what a year it was. I have to say that it was the best year I have had in I don't know how long. So much happened. The trip to Canada and Florida. Venice. Scotland and the north of England. Seeing my girls grow in confidence by leaps and bounds. It was just a freaking good year. No complaints here.

I made a few things too. Theses are just a few of my favourites. I am not going to do a full recap, because seriously I don't have a clue what I made this time last year. I just know that I made some things I am rather proud of. That feels good inside.

Before I knew it we were back to the school run. Quickly followed by the arrival of my best friend from Canada. She could only come for eight days but that was eight days that we filled as much as possible. Her and I spent a day in Oxford. I live close to Oxford. Too close to have any excuse to explain why I haven't been in about ten years. I shall not let ten years elapse before I go again. We also took the girls to London for a day. The girls and I decided that Francine really needed to experience afternoon tea in style.

And there is a tradition that Francine always does with the girls when she comes for a visit. That is make a cake with them, and decorate it. We have had some pretty elaborate creations in the past but this time they chose to do a carrot cake. That didn't mean no decorations at all mind you.

Now Francine is back in Canada. I sent off my latest commission quilt to the magazine yesterday. I have the next one all lined up with the fabric ready for cutting. But I have also joined a swap and have bee blocks to make for Brit Bee. And January is my month in Stitch Tease. So still loads to tell you.

I think I will leave that for future posts though. So that I don't leave it so long again. Sewing is happening. My mind is full of things I want to make, and desperate for time to make them. But I also have injected a trip to the gym into most of my days. I'm no thinner really but I am more fit and I do sleep better so maybe the slightly thinner will come eventually. Eating may have to be modified for that though and that is a sticking point for me. I like food. Just saying.

And for those of you who might be curious. The chickens are thriving, though a bit soggy what with the weather we have been having.

You think they would go into the coop if they hated being wet so much. Bird brains!

Susan