All in a week!!

Hi all,

I've tried to keep my mind focused this week as I tend to get a little sidetracked by so many wonderful ideas and different projects. I've finished off a few projects and have drawn my new characters for a farm quilt that I've been meaning to make for quite a while. I've even managed to keep on top of the cleaning!

Here is a photo of a quilt that I finished fairly recently (not made this week but at least I got around to taking a photo!) - it is based on a safari quilt that I made for a Christening gift and had lots of fabric left over so I thought I would create one in a different style with a couple of additional characters. I'm really pleased with the result.

This week I managed to finish two Christmas stockings that were customised and personalised for two young children. I hope they are as pleased with them as I am.

I also made the bag with the pattern and materials given away by a member of the Rocheberie Quilters group last week - the bag is for a leuikaemia charity and only took a few minutes to put together - I'm definately going to make one for myself! It comes with a little pouch which can easily be fitted inside a small handbag.

Whilst at Rocheberie Quilters I fell in love with a bag that a mother and daughter attending the group had made. The bag was called a 'squishy bag' from Kona and I wasted no time when I got home to google a company that sells the pattern and fabrics. A couple of years ago I bought two charm packs from the same company that has been in my stash awaiting such an idea as this. The pattern arrived on Wednesday and I managed to do all the cutting out straight away. The quilting was done yesterday (Thursday) and the bag was finally completed today (Friday). It's gorgeous and I would really love to keep it but alas this one is promised as a Christmas present. Oh well I shall just have to make another!!

It has masses of space inside ...

What else this week; I'm just about to start cutting the fabric for a new farm quilt which I will post pictures of - again another applique piece with a bit of a departure for me; Also lots of walks with Henri my Jack Russell!

Keep well and happy.

Caroline xxx

Thank You Rocheberie Quilters

I attended the Rocheberie Quilters group for the second time yesterday and must say how wonderful it was and how happy I am that I have found it. The meeting was packed to the brim with wonderfully talented people, all of whom have something to give.

There were several stalls offering mini tutorials and instructions on various crafts - there was a Chrismas Tree Mouse decoration complete with materials (I sat and made one during the speaker - I apologise but it does help me concentrate by have something to do with my hands). There was also a tutorial on a wine glass sock, a jester bag (which I am definately going to have a go at as a gift idea - thank you Denise), and a shopping bag with free materials - to make up for a Leukaemia charity. There was also a quilting goods trader, quilting magazines to take (donation given), the raffle prize table and various people selling their wares. I seleceted a couple of mags to look through and chose a couple of jar quilt packs to make up for Linus.

I was in heaven, there cannot be anything nicer in life than to chat with like-minded indivuals, each with different ideas and talents. The tea and cake provided was also another favourite way of spending the day. I sat and chatted, swapping ideas, finding out new blogs for patterns and was truly inspired during the Show and Tell by all the amazing works of art.

To top off the day we were all given a free jelly roll. This was apparently an early Christmas gift and was very well received, everyone was stunned by this wonderful gift. We were also attended by Stephanie Redfearn a ceramist turned textile artist. Her work was beautiful and has really motivated me to get cracking with my next project.

So, a great big massive Thank you to Rochberie for another wonderful meeting.