Cat update

A couple of people have asked about Icicle, our new cat.
She is getting on very well in her new home. She really is the ideal cat for us, quite playful ( but not too mad!) and very affectionate. She doesnt 'talk' though. I've never met a cat before who doesnt 'miaow'.

She's been out in the garden this week, marching about and letting the other cats in the neighbourhood know that she's here.

At last - some progress!

I had a day off work today, it's half term, so the children are off from school, and I was able to enjoy a bit of time with them. There was a bit of running around with DS, up and down to the stables, as he was riding this afternoon (again! That makes 4 times this week - so far!) and I took DD out for lunch while Niall was riding.
But I have also managed to squeeze in some time in my own room, working on putting together these 2 quilts.

The photos are a bit rubbish, as the light was going, and I've got on a bit further after I took these.

This crayon box quilt is so very nearly done, I'm having to be careful, this is the stage when I always make stupid mistakes and end up unpicking a stack of seams.
I just have 1 more strip to put on, and the sashing on one of the outside edges.




This Surprising 4-patch needs 2 more rows and the borders. I had hoped to finish this one as I will be taking a class tomorrow with the lady who taught this class, and I thought it would be nice to take it along with me. Never mind, I will probably see her next weekend at the Guild area day.

When work interferes with quilting...

I didn't leave work until 7pm tonight, so I haven't set foot inside my little room to work on that Crayon Box top. I've just had my tea, a bath, and spent a little time checking some blogs before be time.
I found one new to me, Lisa Boyer, the author of the Dorky Home-made quilt books. I just love those books, they really tickle me. So, I shall be checking this one out on a regular basis.
Just thought I'd share.

I'll be home at a more normal time tomorrow, so I should get some more done to my quilt - or at leats be able to document it's progress more thoroughly.

Busy weekend

Well, this weekend has been pretty good. I didnt have any prior committments, apart from taking DS ( the Rock God ) to a music exam - he thinks he did OK, so fingers crossed.
The rest of the weekend has been spent watching the rugby ( and trying not to get carried away with Wales' second win!) and stitching.
The crayon box blocks are all done and 2 of the 4 rows have been joined together. I need to cut some more sashing pieces now, and then I can get this top finished.
I've got a long day at work tomorrow, so I probably wont be able to get much done after work, but I will be off on Wednesday and Friday. Stitching time later then!
Hopefully I should be able to post some photos later this week, especially if I can get my crayon box top finished.

Wow - another lovely pressie in the post!

My Four Seasons swap quilt is here!
Look at this lovely litle chap, isn't he gorgeous? This beautiful quilt is from Elke in Austria.

He certainly makes me feel chilly.



And a close up.




I have been admiring these stitcheries on quite a few blogs recently, but have never tried this technique myself, so it is really nice to have a quilt that I would not have made for myself.

Something exciting in the post today!

I do love to get surprises in the mail!
Last year I joined my first ever round robin. I've always loved seeing the results of other Round Robins, both on the internet and in magazines, but they have made me nervous. It seems like a big investment in something so risky. So last year I joined a mini round robin. We had to send in 6 inch block, and then 3 other people put borders onto it. This also meant that each of us only had to make borders for 3 other small quilts.
I had completely forgotten all about this swap, especially as the 3rd block for me to add a border to never arrived at my house, until this morning.

Look what has come home!
Isn't it lovely? The photo isn't great, it was already getting dark when I got home from work, but the colours are just so rich - exactly my sort of thing!



I had originally thought about turning this into a cushion, but now I'm thinking it might look nice on the wall! Perhaps I'll machine quilt it first and then see what it says to me!

Four Seasons Swap

Sorry I have not been able to get on here over the last few days, life getting in the way of quilting once more! Ho Hum!

I finally sent my little Winter quilt on it's way. I do hope the recipient likes it - I've sort of gone off it now. I dont know what it is, something I just cant put my finger on, but I'm disappointed in it!
This, of course, makes it very stressful waiting for it to cross the globe, worrying that she will see the same whatever it is and be disappointed too!

What do you think?