Weekending

from left: Gwyneth, Me, Mel, Rachel(Woodenspoon) and Deb - the other Rachael is the photographer

Another successful sewing day with the usual suspects, Rachel, Deb, Rachael and Gwyneth - also newcomer, Mel.  This time Deb was the birthday girl (we celebrated a few days  early) and she got thoroughly spoiled.  Deb had admired the Fractal Pillow I made for a swap way back here, and has frequently dropped hints about having her own, so I could not disappoint her . Again a rainbow ring with low volume background, a deep purple shot cotton backing and that prismatic rainbow fabric for the binding.  I think at some point I am going to have to make myself one too.  As usual a Liberty pincushion completed the package.  The Fractal pillow was  also the second finish from my Q3 Finish-Along goals.

Lots of yummy food again - I made a beetroot coconut soup - recipe from my Sarah Raven cookbook - again lots of similar ones on google.  Yes, margaritas were consumed - this time, they were frozen pineapple.  A beautiful chocolate Baileys mud cake  was made for the birthday girl.

All in all another fun day, great food and company  lots of laughs and oohing and aahing over projects and fabrics.  The perfect way to end a weekend.

Lately

Making : a list of things to take to my sewing day
Cooking : porridge in the mornings for my breakfast
Drinking :  Earl Grey tea and hot chocolates
Reading:  all sorts of books at present - lots of new authors have been recommended to me lately

Wanting: the housework fairies to visit
Looking: forward to my sewing day on Saturday with my friends
Playing: AlphaBetty on my son's ipod
Sewing: secretly for my next sewing day birthday club recipient (photos this weekend)
Wishing: more people would use tissues or handkerchiefs rather than sniffing all the time

Enjoying: sewing random blocks for my sampler quilt
Waiting: for summer
Liking: my shorter haircut
Wondering: what to cook for dinner tonight
Loving: my new pendant from KP Beads

Hoping: we don't have a frost tonight
Needing: chocolate and maybe a walk
Smelling: Daphne flowering in my garden
Wearing: layers of clothes to keep warm
Following:the debate and discussions on the possible new flag designs for New Zealand

Noticing:that it is staying light a little longer in the evenings now
Knowing: that there is only one more day of work for me this week
Thinking: it must be nice to be a cat sleeping in the sun
Feeling:  very proud of Miss B and Mr J for their results in different mathematics competitions
Bookmarking :this blog, which details the stunning costumes from the Outlander TV show
Opening: and emptying packets of ingredients into their storage cannisters

Weekending

Reading - two books on the go at present

• Hot Pink Spice Saga - ritten by two New Zealand chefs, this part travelogue and part cook book, makes me want to pack up and explore India, taste all the food, hike the tea plantations and shop for scarves, jewellery and fabric.
• Marriage of Opposites - a fictionalised account of the life of Pissaro's family, more importantly his mother, I am enjoying this read, especially all the descriptions of tropical colours, beaches and forests. (Can you tell I am over winter by any chance)

Sewing

• a few more little blocks for my quilt
• some progress on my slow EPP project

Baking - such a nice way to keep warm on a cold winter weekend

• Cheese and Fennel scones - I used a recipe from a Sarah Raven book, but there are lots on the internet if you google it
• Lemon and Chia seed cake - recipe from here
• Louise Cake - a recipe similar to mine here

Hope you all had a great weekend and have a fabulous week.

Sewing with Scraps

The results of some weekend and evening sewing sessions.  Scrappy blocks for my sampler quilt - these range in size from 3.5" up to 6.5".

Some patterns are from the book, 500 Quilt blocks, the triangles are Rachel's Sugar Loaf block, and the others are just blocks I found while browsing pinterest and made to my own dimensions or just little 9 or 4 patch blocks.

Again lots of mess in my sewing room, but the scrap basket has gotten a little lower.

Dreaming Of an Anna Maria Horner Quilt

Made by Adrianne at on the Windy Side

Made by Sarah Major

Made by Cindy at Hyacinth Quilt Designs

Made by Megan at Jaffa Quilts

Even though I still have  my scrappy sampler quilt to complete, my SWAK envelope quilt to finish and my  Christmas place mats to bind, I am already thinking of a new project.  I know I am not the only quilter to do this.

Over the past couple of years I have gradually been adding to my Anna Maria Horner fabric stash, through online purchases, swaps and gifts (thanks Janine).  Recently I have begun thinking I need to make a quilt from these fabrics.  They deserve to be seen and enjoyed, not left in a container under my cutting table.  I know my husband isn't to impressed with the idea - I think the combination of all these clashy bohemian  colours and patterns is to much for him, but he realises that a happy wife means a happy life.

I have a pinterest board for AMH inspiration, but seem to keep coming back to this pattern.  It is pretty simple but looks so effective and I think it will show off some of the larger prints best.  My next dilemma is what colour to use as the chain, I think I want something really rich and vibrant - maybe a deep red, gold or jade.  Luckily there is no hurry for this to be completed and I can keep looking for the perfect pattern and fabrics, and maybe even add a little more to the stash.

Do you have a special fabric stash that you are saving for that extra special project?