Mugrug reveal!

Tis completed mugrug number 1


Big owl theme going on in this swap it seems....and Hoo am I to deny a person their favourite birdy?  You should see my collection of glass bird paperweights in loads of different colours, shapes, manufacturers....but that's another story!





I have had a bit of a love hate relationship with this make.  Things have not gone smoothly partner and multiple changes have been made.  So that it why little Hoo is looking for a new home cos he thinks I'll start messing with him again!


Anyway here is the front...

And this is the back....

This little guy Hoo! needs a home...any takers?  He comes with a necklace and that's all at the moment...partner no 1 this is for you - hope you like it!

This is a very scary moment for me as I find myself very nervous...!  




Please be gentle but honest!

Visit to the Bead Shop - Giraffe Gems

I sneaked off on Thursday to a great bead shop, Giraffe Gems, as I thought I'd make a bead necklace for my partner in the goodie swap.

I chose the colours my partner likes.

They will also go with the mugrug I am making! 

Here is a photo of a gorgeous rainbow of colours in bead form...

And here is one of the owners, who always finds the time to discuss your project with you and enjoys seeing what you have made.  She will show you the skills you need to work at your own projects though the shop runs courses if you want them...

I love coming here....

And this is what she was working on....

After I got home I realised I talked and shopped too much and hardly took any photos but you will have to believe me when I say this is a top craft shop.  The owners know so much and willingly share their knowledge.  They sell lovely beads - I have never left without buying lots - and their stock is always being updated. They also teach children and do parties - what more could I ask?  


And now it is 10 minutes away from my children's school!  


Guess what?  I think I will be visiting quite often...


What do you look for in you local craft shop be it patchwork or something else?

Sneaky Peeky!

I spent a bit of time recently on my first Goodie Swap mugrug.   I know I am a bit slow off the starting block but I prevaricate like billy-o when I am not sure what I am doing...I was not sure what I was doing, but now I do!


Here is a sneaky peeky photo - can't show more or it will give the game away....

More will follow so if you think this could be yours partner keep watching!


Next up a goody to go with and I have two ideas at the minute but which should I go with???


Here is a clue to what I am thinking as one idea....

This person lives overseas so I cannot be slow to finish if the package is to get there in time!  But whose name is on the address label?

Bordering on ....across the sea!

After quickly stitching up the rows of the Across the Sea QAL quilt - bit of a mouthful I know - I thought I may as well stich up the borders.

The pieced borders were easy to do as I had cut out most of the pieces already!  But then I thought how nice to take advantage of the Dan Stiles fabric design I am using as the main focus of my quilt.  The design pattern seems to go in horizontal lines - what better for my top and bottom border. I chose one design  which I had had to chop up short in my blocks and features kissing whales!  Awwww!

So here it is quilt top done

Still a bit windy today!  But I do like quilts blowing about in my photos....

I am not adding the second border as I haven't got the fabric and I don't think it needs it - kissing whales are surely enough!  But I will need a cool binding so I will need to think about that.

And as it was sunny at lunchtime I got two baby quilt tops dancing on the line - pity I don't have a baby myself!

I love them both and do not know how I am going to give them up - even for a cute baby...?  Sorry no I don't get the baby in exchange - didn't mean to suggest that!  Tempting though....!  Heehee!

Across the Sea QAL 2!

No name for this one yet but enough background fabric has arrived to make a start. This was fun to do yesterday while the wind has blowing and the rain came down.  


I came home after the school run and a bit of shopping but there was a flash of light and the power went off!  That put paid to my plan to make a start on the goody swap makes as I have now had some thoughts of what to make for one recipient!  One who has given me lots of clues.  The other one has not been so forthcoming so is testing my imagination a bit more!  


So I started cutting out the fabrics for my original Across The Sea QAL project - a baby quilt from the Dan Stiles Marine fabrics 




And this is how far I got

Yes the power came back on and I sewed away until school pick up time so I only need to put the rows together today.   And get on with those mugrugs....

Twinkle! top complete!

 Sorry about the photos today - the weather is windy outside and a bit gloomy.   Autumn is definitely on it's way!

As you can see all stars are completed and here are the few extra for Bee Blessed. 


This is a worthwhile cause if you feel like joining in.   I'm sure you still can at the Bee Blessed Flickr Group!  This month was wonky stars but Judith will be giving us another block to tackle next month to challenge us and keep the fun coming!

These will be flying over to Ireland!


All my stars are joined together.  All ready for layering ...but maybe a border needs to be added??  What do you think?  It measures 42" square.  Is that big enough for a baby quilt?

I was wanting to add baby's name but hadn't decided how!  Still don't know but it may well depend of whether there is a border or not....I have already had some suggestions but keep them coming.....all ideas are welcome...

Baby love!

As you know I have started a new project called Twinkle! with wonky stars as a baby quilt.  The recipient is a teeny gorgeous baby with the cutest button nose and I got to hold her today at church this morning!  Cluck! Cluck! Cluck!  Am I broody or what?  She gurgled her way through the service so I ended up listening to her....


I have to say I had to restrain myself from running off with her but her dad is a policeman and the grandparents do know where I live!  Her mum is a nurse and I think she couldn't really have nicer parents - lucky wee girl!


So for her benefit I cut out some more fabric - I thought enough for 16 blocks in total but miscalculated.  Only half the number of yellow pointy bits have been cut out...

But as I have discovered some other yellow fabrics to give the blocks a pleasant scrappy look I am quite happy not to be finished.  Better get back to the cutting then....


I am also looking forward to seeing the border in the Across the Sea QAL today!  




My Fright Nite border will be toothy to go with my scary theme of course but I may yet be starting a boy baby quilt with the Dan Stiles fabrics and Caribbean Blue - here is a reminder of what it all looks like....

I have found a supply for my background fabric now - though I haven't got a boy baby to give it to ....yet!  But two other baby girls need quilts....where have all the boys gone?