A few last minute makes

So Christmas was a delight, I managed to get everything done and even organised in time for my extra child to stay, with the usual annual quilt pile ...




but this year I had to store them in the fabric pantry as well! Oops!

I can now show you these two gift bags that were given ...



and my DS requested a girlie pretty pouch for his girlfriend, and this was the result



filled with handmade soap and a Lush bath bombe! Success!

There were some others, but in my haste I didn't get any photographic evidence - oops!

The dining table remains clear, shocking I know, and we continue to eat our way through the Christmas cake, one of my goals for the coming year may have to be to banish the extra pounds that came to visit, and brought friends too!

I hope your Christmas was all you hoped for, I'll be back with one last finish for 2012 before the year is out!

It's nearly time ...

The spare room is ready ...




The quilts have been moved for their annual stack, and this year there were too many for the one pile - oops!

Gifts have been made ... I still have a couple to sort out in the morning, but they will be quick :)

And the wrapping is done ...




we have baked ...



and we have an iced cake ...

ok, I do need to find a decoration for the top!

but I think its fair to say, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Here's to a Very Merry Christmas to one an all x

A little something for the weekend ...

The nice people at Fons and Porter approached me and asked if I would review one of their e-books.

Build your Best Log Cabin Quilts

you may have already seen a review or two on this, but then again maybe not!

I found this little e-book very informative, with historical reference, as well as clear and concise instructions, though they do assume an element of competence in cutting skills, having said that, the tables for cutting instructions are very well presented, giving plenty of alternatives for different size blocks on each sample quilt.  

this book covers 3 basic log cabin patterns, traditional, courthouse steps and chevron, with visual examples of both historical and modern made quilts giving the reader plenty of alternatives and creative scope in the decision making progress.  

if I were to have any criticism of this book , it would be the modern versions of the quilts made are all very traditional in their use of fabrics, which, whilst beautiful, may not help someone with a more modern fresh  outlook and stash to see the potential this traditional block can have. 

Thanks to Fons and Porter for asking me, and for the e-book too, I do love a good reference book and this will be added to my collection.

You too can have your own copy by heading on over here!  

now, back to some last minute makes :)

Smell like ...

so whilst I continue the quilt festival at the bottom of the garden I left this happening in the oven ...





and now, it's starting to smell a lot like Christmas round here!

( thanks Susan for convincing me it's time I made my own again!)

The haul!

If you are a little faint hearted, you may want to look away now ...

Just sayin!

Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow  - backing!
Pink Castle Fabrics

Splendour 1920 from Bari J for Art Gallery Fabrics

Fat Quarter Shop

Notting Hill, by Joel Dewberry

Pink Castle Fabrics

and with the Splendour came some Lace Elements from Art Gallery Fabrics

Fat Quarter Shop

which is suppose to finish off my second big star quilt ...

but ... it looks great with the Splendour 1920 too!

oh, and I've seen something else that will go well with these too! 

and there have been a couple of other packages too!

Are you up for some more?

Lovely Liberty from Alice at Backstitch ...

oh, these are so much more beautiful in person, honestly, I was shocked at my love!

and some long lusted over voiles, a bundle of Art Gallery Fabrics to accompany some I already have, and some Lecien grey spot for something new!  

all from the very lovely and generous Tracey at Quilt Me Happy!

and finally, well, maybe not ...

remnants and must haves from the marvellous Cindy at Fluffy Sheep Quilting!

so there you have it, my Black Friday Haul, and a few extra's 

there are more packages of backing on their way, as Brenda at Pink Castle Fabrics recently had an inventory sale which it seems I could not resist! 

and my winnings arrived, and just in case you skipped that bit, I may have started something else new too!  

how time flies

when you're busy!

I've been head down, nose to the grindstone on the quilting front

nothing pieced or finished of my own,

however, I did get this one quilted and will be delivering it on Monday

which meant I could make thread decisions for a certain other quilt 

and whilst I was quilting it, I fell head over heals in love with this fabric!

I'm delivering this one tomorrow, and once the owner has it, and has declared complete and utter love for it, Ill be able to show you more!

and so then I was able to load up the next one, and make another thread decision ...

\mmm, Superior Threads Rainbows Fuchsia Fusion,

right, time to finish off some secret Santa gifts :)  

I'll be back to show you my black Friday haul too! 

November ...

I think the Grinch arrived early and stole November!  

Gone before we knew it!

but it seems I've been busy!

4 customer quilts, bee blocks (though I am still to do my Brit Bee blocks - sorry Sarah)

almost 2 tops for me, framed purses, some EPP, yeah really! and maybe just a little shopping! 

Busy!  

December is shaping up much the same, and the last pic in there is what I am still working on at the moment ...  I may be a little absent, thanks to lots of work, but I will be back!  

Linking up to Lynnes Fresh Sewing  Day 

so go see what everyone else has been up to and say Hi!  

Happy December!