A Happy Winner ...

OOOhhh how happy was I when this wonderful bundle from Kate at M is for Make arrived in the post yesterday.  I thought they looked familiar when I saw these fabrics on her website - I actually purchased 1/2 m of this range at The festival of Quilts this year - they are organic cotton fabrics that were beyond my price range, why I could purchase so little. I added some solid to it and managed to make a little pram quilt for a baby. 

Thanks to this generous giveaway I now have more fabric to play with and can make something a little larger for a very special baby I'll tell you about next time.

Thank you to Lynne from Lily's Quilts Blog found here for hosting the giveaway and again to Kate for sponsoring a very generous giveaway.

Thank you

Anyone for an 'I Spy' Fabric Swap?

THIS DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH INTEREST - MAYBE I'LL TRY AGAIN SOME OTHER TIME!!!

MANY APOLOGIES FOR THOSE THAT DID SIGN UP ON FLICKR

I have wanted to make a couple of childrens 'I spy' quilts for a while, but have found it hard to find enough fabric to make a suitable one.

I could go out and purchase lots and lots of novelty fabric - finding the right fabric is not the issue ... making it economical is!!!

It would cost a fortune to find enough fabric, then wasteful for the rest of the fabric ... I have trawled the internet to find shops that sell novelty charm packs but never came across any that I thought would either give me enough fabric for a decent sized quilt or that I liked each and every fabric.

So...

I have decided to host my own 'I Spy' Fabric swap.

I will need 28 members. 

The swap will run like this;

1. Each member purchases 1m of fabric suitable for use in an 'I spy' quilt. I

 opened a flick account here which explains what type of fabric is suitable and will have some photos soon.

2. Members cut fabric into 50 x 5" squares.

3. The cut fabric is sent to me (along with a cheque to cover postage fees to send you a pack back)

4. I organise the fabric into 28 new packs, two of each fabric x 56 squares and send them back to you.

5. Members make, create and can post pictures to inspire ... above all having fun in the process!!!

 Just some ideas of what can be created;

 Interested then either leave a comment here or hop on over the flickr link here  and sign up there. 

Once I have members signing up I will have a better indication of time frames for choosing fabric, giving you enough time to cut and then sending it to me!!

Look forward to hearing from you!!!

An owl adaptation ...

So i'm in love with this pattern - and can't seem to stop making owl quilts!! 

One owl seemed quite lonely sitting on her branch, so I made her a little owl baby friend,

for someone very, very special.

Pink, red and aqua - definitely my favourite colour-way at the moment.

Hope you all have a great week xx

The Wanderer Returns ...

I can't remember the last time I blogged ... but it has been too long!!!

 Despite not blogging I still read all your amazing blogs and gaze in awe at all the fabulous creations  I see everywhere.

I'm not even sure if anyone will read my latest Blog post ... I'm sorry for such a long absence.

There has been good reason to prioritise my life after the loss of my marriage, quilting, creating and blogging came low down on the list for a while, but I actually did not stop creating - I can't - It's been a therapy really. I just didn't have the time to blog about them. 

Still my life is all good now, I have lots of reasons to smile and maybe this is the start of a way back into the blogging community and keeping myself motivated and inspired to create more.

 Recently I've enjoyed making some Baby Gifts for a work colleague who went on maternity  leave last week. Small projects are great for keeping me motivated on a day-to-day basis, I can pretty much knock out a couple of these on a work night!! 

Soft flannel, taggy cloths backed in fleece.

 Burp cloths, I love making these!!

An owl quilt made from pattern found here

 All set out in a pretty basket ...

 along with some patchwork bibs ... I loved making these and can't seem to stop!!

 A great way to use up scraps left over from a quilt!!

And there we have it ... my first blog post in far too long.

It's good to be back feeling positive, energised and with a lot more to show over the coming months.

Lots and lots of reasons to smile :-) xx

Crafty little Minx

There is no doubting that my crafting mojo has returned.

Phew!!!

Along with finishing off my tax returns for the year I've also managed to complete a few smaller projects which have really helped me get back into the swing of things.

My friend Helen recently gave birth to a gorgeous little baby boy called Logan James Keeves. I knit him a little Henri dog. This was a project by Fuzzy Knits and was lovely to put together. It was knit in an organic wool and ended up being smaller than intended but a perfect size for a little baby to cuddle up to.

I also designed a little stitchery project with some quilting mice. I had no idea what purpose to put the stitchery to until I thought about a sewing roll. Once the stitchery was done the sewing of the roll took no time. There are pockets, zipped compartments, a pin cushion, ribbons for holding cotton reels and a needle book - I'll try to take a photo in daylight!!
I also made a cute pin cushion using a cross-stitch pattern from Cross Stitcher Magazine. The button motif was stitched on linen (which I swear almost broke me) and some pretty pink ditsy floral fabric. It was filled with rice to give it some weight.

So i'm pretty pleased with my Week 3 makes.

I've also managed to rearrange my sewing room and some of my vast array of bits and bobs.

Hope you all have fulfilling weeks with work and craft.

Caroline xx

Your prayers are needed ....

For Tripp

and his amazing family.

I have been watching this little boy's story for the past year.

I am always moved to tears by his mum's words.

Tripp's short life is sadly nearing it's end and his family need to know that they are not alone on this journey.

Please pray for them and tell them you are thinking of them ...

visit here

**** Note after post ****

If you managed to pop over to Courney's blog Thank you.

All the prayers were answered and her little boy passed peacefully and pain-free whilst in her arms early Saturday morning.

God Bless Tripp and his family. Cxxxx

Avert your eyes now .....

... if you thought Christmas was over!!!

Well not in my household.

Actually this is not a late Christmas present but a Christening gift for a little girl whoe daddy works/worked on the Arctic Survey.

The request was for blue fabrics, polar bears and penguins and fleece backing.

I scoured the internet for appropriate fabric but didn't really like a lot of fabric until I happened upon Riley Blake's 'A colourful Christmas'.

I love the snowball block - so simple yet effective - with fussy-cut characters!!
Of course I couldn't resist a little applique too!!

I love it and can't wait to put it in the post.

I'm qualifying this as my project of the week.

I surprised myself over Christmas by making quite a few handmade gifts and some cross-stitch items for myself - whilst working in a full time job, running a home and a small business.

I thought that if I really pushed myself this year to make at least one item each week (however small) I may build up a little collection for selling at Craft Fairs later in the year.

I know there are 52 weeks in a year and I would need far more than that to make it worthwhile - but it's a start and gives me something positive to aim for this year.

So week 1 is achieved and that makes me smile!!!