Happy is as Happy Does

Forrest Gump was a clever man, though it might be possible to explode with too much happiness around here. Sure feels like it.

First off, the delectable and inimitable Ange came around today to entertain me. Despite my mouth moving constantly I still got some sewing done. Almost done my sample swap hoops. Yay! And the weather. Well, all I can say is check out the weather prediction for the coming days. We are having a summer here folks, and I am loving it.

Second up, I have got two more bee blocks done. The one on the left, the half hexie, is for Nicky. The pattern for the arrowhead blocks is from Modern Blocks book. I copied out the template onto freezer paper and that helped keep my points clean, and with any stretch from sewing seams on the bias. They went together very quickly and I love the contrast of the different values of tone on tone fabrics.

The block on the right is for Carly. I am not in her bee but I was telling her how much I loved her idea and volunteered to make one. It's a late but she was very understanding about June being a bit messed up round here. I loved doing an improv block after doing lots of precise piecing of late. It was very liberating. Please check out this post on Carly's blog to see the other blocks she has received and how amazing this quilt is going to be.

Still more good stuff happened when the post arrived. Amanda - Westwood Acres on Etsy - had a giveaway on Instagram (@acraftyfox_amanda) and I won. Woohoo! She sent me a delightful framed purse stuffed full of scraps. I love the way the Madrona Road, and other fabric lines, look so good with the Briar Rose scraps. And if you are ever looking for the most amazing fabric bundles then check out Amanda's shop. She is where I bought my Inside Voices IV low volume bundle. And the Full Moon Lagoon.

To top off all this goodness, Ange and I had chocolate cake. Seriously, how good can a day get?

But to keep it real - While we sat in the garden I either had a lunch plate on my lap or an embroidery hoop. Um, this has made for the most interesting sunburn. Sunburned knees and the top of my right thigh. It just looks odd!

Susan

Gremlins Vanquished

My IT man (aka - my husband) coached me through gremlin killing last night, sending me links on how to do it, and talking me through the 'I do not know what the f**k I am doing' moments on the phone. And it worked. Damn, he's good. I feel much more secure with a working computer. Sad, but true. My opinion of people who write the programmes for viruses is less than congenial though.

I've been working on my bee blocks to hand deliver as many as possible in London. Here are four more blocks, two pairs, that I have completed.

For Terri, in Brit Bee, I have stars. She provided the fabric and just the instructions to make stars of any kind we liked. She trusted me with some of her HR stash so I hope I did her proud.

And for Katy, in Stitch Tease, I did two foundation paper piecing blocks. Yes, I did struggle at times. Despite Katy being the nicest person going and giving me the very easiest feathers that you could ever imagine doing. The seam ripper had a work out but I think I got there in the end. I really do think I am missing the essential bit of DNA for this sort of piecing. Curves? No problem. English paper piecing? Yay! Freezer paper piecing? Happy to. Hand stitching anything? Yes please. So why do I suck at this so much? Why?!

I do hope that Katy likes them as she has waited for them long enough, and she did make sure I got the easiest, peasiest block to do. With luck these will suit her quilt.

Susan

Oh Crap!

Blogging is temporarily suspended as someone in this household has got a virus onto my computer. The computer geek won't be home until Friday. I can't get photos onto my iPad. Blogging without photos is boring. I shall therefore go quietly into a corner and whack my head on the wall repeatedly.

Susan

And The Winners Are...

Thank you to everyone for all the birthday wishes. I had a fabulous time, the whole weekend. Honestly, I feel like I have been on holiday. What with my mum being here, eating out, larking about, seeing the girls dance show (twice), cake, and the most amazing amount of sunshine England has seen since 2006. I kid you not! We haven't had this stretch of good weather in that long. Is it any wonder we complain about the weather here?!!

I will show you some of my wonderful birthday presents tomorrow, or the next day. Today has been flat out, but I wanted to let the winners know that their names had been drawn. So, without further ado, here is who gets what.

First out the hat was number 50...

... and that would be -

So the hoop of sarcasm will be on its way to you soon, Reene. I will email you for your address.

Next up was...

... and that was...

Since Anneliese didn't specify a favourite item but the third person out the hat did, I have designated the tote bag to her. Hope you are happy with this, Anneliese!

And last, but certainly not least, was...

.. and the person commenting in slot 81 was...

Deanna I will be emailing you for your address as well. The fabric will be on its way to you soon after.

Thanks everyone. I have found out that there is life after 50. I've had three days of it so far and no complaints. But I am going to dye my hair before I see anyone at the retreat. Just saying!

Susan

Name Tagging

I received my name tag from my secret partner a little while ago, but didn't show you here yet. I think it arrived in my middle of my bloggy hiatus. So with apologies to the lovely Catherine, Sew Wonderful Life, who is also a real life friend to - here is the fab name tag she made for me with the most tiny of piecing and great hand embroidery of my name.

 

Thank you so much, Catherine. I will be wearing it with pride.

And I can now reveal the name tag I made for Miriam, Berlin Quilter, as she has now received it.

Front, with selvage lanyard.

Back, with butchered name tag
providing the fixings.

I am really pleased with how the stitching came out.
Especially the purple outlining the pink on Miriam.

So now we will all know who it who come the start of the retreat. If you still aren't sure who I am and you are there, look for someone who never shuts up.

Susan