Feeding the monkey ...

Do you ever get that feeling that you just have too much to do, and too little time to do it?  Hmm, me too, especially just lately, I have started way too much and finished way too little. 

So this weekend I tried doing a little 'ketchup'...

After a little work down on the allotment, we picked 1.5Kg of these...

which then turned into another batch of jam, mmm, delicious!

I got the borders put on to the 'It's a Hoot Bricks quilt'...

and it's now loaded up on the frame and quilting has commence!

I finished the pieced borders on my Arcadia Hexagon Park quilt...

... loving this quilt top already!

And pieced the Brit Bee blocks for Miss June!

But I can't show you any more than this, cos it's in da rules!

So I pieced this block for Sue of the Many Jeans group...

so after all that, the monkey was a little happier, and me?  I tackled some of the ironing mountain that seems to have sprung up.  (just how do two people create so much ironing is beyond me!)

I even have a finish for you!  But that's for a whole other post!

Happy Quilting!

Fourteen!

Happy Birthday to my Teenage Diva! 

Fourteen, she's taller than me, and growing into a beautiful young lady already! 

Love you Lissie! x

If Size Matters ....

... and size matters to me!  When it comes to quilting on my New English Quilter frame, my Juki 98P does the job fantastically.  But, only with 9" sewing arm space!

Just imagine!

So if you could stretch your machine, to achieve your dream machine, just how big a sewing arm would you have and why?  Tell me what size you would want and why that specific size.

Me, well, the minimum would be 16" but ideally 18".  When I'm quilting on the frame, by the time I get to the end of a quilt the rolled up quilted layers can be about 6" thick.  That equates to a 6" loss of quilting space between the needle and the back of the arm.  I'd like to quilt 12" blocks in one swoop of the needle and not roll the quilt back and forth to finish it.  18" would give me that freedom.  What luxury! 

So come on ladies,

tell me, what size matters to you,  and how would it make all the difference?

Another one bites the dust!

OK, June already, I blinked and May was gone!  Whilst I haven't blogged, I have been busy :)  Always a good thing!

So this month as part of Lynne's Sew Fresh Sewing Day, I'm going to celebrate my May achievements.

Starting top left:

I made the banner at Stash Manicure blog with this coins quilt,

Pieced Hexagon Park

Double Fat Jack

Brit Mystery Quilt Block #1

Bricks quilt top by Amy Smart for Moda Bakeshop

Pea Room Quilters bee block

caught up of Sassy Christmas Stars quilt along

First Strawberries of the season (18th May!)

Postcard and card from Brit Bee members

Scrappy Mug Rug Round 4 sent to my swap partner

Oriental quilt quilted for a friend

Brit Quilt Swap fabrics

Brit Mystery Quilt Block  #2

Scrappy Mug Rug received from my swap partner  :)

Brit Mystery Quilt Block #3

another large quilt quilted for a friend

Ruffled mug rug for a dear friend (you know who you are!)

Magic Lanterns quilt quilted for another friend

oh my Giddy Aunt - Brit Bee fabrics - I've been Miss May

Double Delight quilted - for me!

Go check out Lynne's blog and see what everyone else is celebrating from May!

Happy Quilting!

P.S.  Dear Blogger, please let me post comments soon!  I miss interacting with my friends :)

Sleeping Beauty

Today you can find me here! 

You'll get to see the 'back' of this quilt! 

(yes, that one you can just see on the Teenage Diva's bed!)

I risk my life posting this photo, I hope she doesn't read this!  lol

Happy Tuesday!  I hope you enjoy Story Time!



Sunday Round-up

It's another Sunday already!  But it's been a busy one for sure!

I got the Bricks top pieced....

Pattern by Amy Smart from Diary of a Quilter, get yours here!

Fabrics It's a Hoot by Momo for Moda.

Honestly this pattern is so easy, and if you get yourself a chunk of time, can be pieced in a day. 

I also go the Bee block for Pea Room Quilters made in readiness for our meeting tomorrow evening.

And I caught up on the Christmas Quilt Along Sassy Stars...

Block 3 ....

Block 4....

Progress so far in the quilt along ....

And whilst I was rummaging for the fabrics for the Pea Room Bee blocks I found this little nugget...

The colour is really off, definitely a dark green, but really ?  Yup that selvedge reads 1998!  I'm sure I have older fabric than that!  The challenge will be to find something older!  LOL

How old is your oldest fabrics?

Oh and in other news, I got my swap partner details for the British Quilt Swap! 

Now I'm afraid, very afraid! 

Happy Quilting!

Christmas Quilt Along #3

 We had tea, and I laid out my blocks (such that they are!)

 

Then I played a little with that ribbon...

yes, THAT ribbon!  lol

One little mug rug, possibly for Christmas, possibly not!

Have you been checking up on everyone else?  That's my next stop!

Time for bed, but I'll be back at it tomorrow to finish off that top, in the mean time,

Happy Quilting!