Hello my Friends

Well  I have received the details of my swap partner and this time I've gone 'international' and the lovely Beverly has contacted me all the way from Oz, she apparently has no particular leaning toward any specific colour so I am free to 'do my own thing'. I have selected some fabrics that caught my eye in 'the stash' and suffice to say that construction is under way. Of course I can't show anyone yet but I really like what I have chosen so watch this space as they say.
Wednesday was spent (Shhhhh) Shopping as I went of on a jolly trip with Wesbury Park Quilters to the lovely Lady Sew & Sew in Henley on Thames, who had an open day at their warehouse, we were warmly welcomed with tea or coffee then had a talk about 'gadgets & gizmos', then it was time to shop. I set off with really good intentions NOT TO BUY FABRIC... I even had a list but somewhere along the way the fabric elves gremlins got me and instead of getting only the 3 small items on my list I came home with a carrier bag full of goodies. First up this was the bag

 

 not too big I agree and when you look inside there are these

the original 3 items on my list, 3 metres of Vilene iron on stabilizer, a new fabric marker pen and some new blades for the rotary cutter all of which were bought by the time we had lunch, following lunch we had another talk this time about waddings and believe me when I tell you the Lovely Vanessa really knew her wadding, so if you are in any doubt about which to use give her a call and she will help you out. There was enough time for some more browsing before we headed back to the coach and I think it must have been while I was relaxing and listening to the talk that they got to me (the gremlins I mean) and by the time they had finished their work my bag contained these....

A selection of blues (I had to have these for my new bag Honest!)

Oh and this one!!!

Some yarn (well I do need a new scarf for winter!)

a couple of journals (they were in the sale and such a bargain!)

Then... just as I thought I really had spent more than enough, this simply jumped out on me and I had to have 1/2 mtr of each for Little H who is completely dotty about Maisie Mouse, so she will be getting a cushion for her playroom and a little dolly's quilt for the new 'baby' she's getting at Christmas (but that's all a secret so don't tell will you!)

Well I guess that all for this time so I'll be off.
See you soon
L

Another swap joined and an Invitation.

It must be addictive - joining in swaps I mean! as you will all know I have done two this year, not as many as most and probably more than others but no one warned me they are habit forming. Still it's not a dangerous activity and it is VERY enjoyable- all the anticipation of waiting for your partners details to arrive, then visiting their blog to see preferences for fabric and colour etc. This one is a Christmas stocking swap via the Quilting Gallery and I have my pattern ready and waiting, my partners details are due on the 7th  Nov. then I can start to sew.
I spent a day at Malvern quilt show, I went on my own this year as Sheila couldn't go at the last minute so I planned to spend most of the time doing some workshops. I arrived early and got signed up to 3 from my list. Then off for a cuppa and a quick look round at the quilts. The first workshop was with the lovely Sadie Yeomans for some Christmas Redwork, a very good workshop with everything supplied to complete a small wall hanging.

Next it was off to try my hand at Image Transfer with Ruth Brown which I found great fun if a little messy but managed to produce this, though I'm not sure what I shall use it for!

After a quick bite of lunch I was off again this time to an intriguing workshop called 'Striptease' with Jane Davies. I was not sure what to expect but we had great fun layering all sorts of fabrics onto a curtain fabric base then securing it with lots of random embroidery stitches.

Detail

 I also bought this kit from her which looks fun to do

by then it was 3.30 so another cuppa was enjoyed before a final walk around the traders before heading off for home.
In the last couple of weeks I got fired up about using teeny scraps while reading a post at 15 Minutes of Play , now I have always said I don't 'do small', I love miniature quilts and really admire and appreciate all the work that goes into making one but it has never occurred to me to try it out for myself. However the idea set out by Victoria just seemed to appeal, so I set to at the machine with some reeeeeally small bits of fabric and tried it out. Within about 20 minutes I had produced these,

 now I was really fired up and decided to try to use them to make a mini quilt and in the course of last Tuesday afternoon I had produced 9 little blocks. Then using some leftover 1.5" strips as sashing I put together this little project

The whole thing is 8" square and it needs to be 12" to comply with the challenge, so now I have until the

end of the month to make it a bit larger. My first thought is to try to make a really tiny Prairie Braid border then bind it but I'm not sure yet as I have never done Prairie Braid before. All suggestions be considered!!

And now for that invitiation. Several weeks ago while catching up on some of the Blogs I follow I read a post from Dianne over at The Cheshire Quilter who posted about a Pay it Forward idea currently doing the rounds and soo... I joined in, I think this is a great idea and a lovely way to give someone a nice surprise. So how does it work? Well, sometime in the next year she makes a small gift for me and in return I do the same for 3 of my followers who want to take part so if  you are interested in taking part leave me a comment and I will get back to you, I promise not to forget, I will write down your names and put them in a prominent place to keep reminding me.
So as they say that's all for now folks, I'm off for my tea!!
L

Di