I Haven't Got A Winning Smile......

Did I say, yesterday, I'd won the Travelling Stash Box? Well, er...., no. Someone wasn't happy about it and complained. Poor Julia got a proverbial slapped wrist and I'm out of the running.

Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

Win - Win

I don't enter that many giveaways, honest. When I do, it's only if I actually want what's on offer. There's always lots of lovely things out there, but they are not always for me.
Well, not only have I won something, again, but it's from Alabama, USA, again.
This time I've won The Leap Year Traveling Stash Box

 

I am beyond excited!

The premise was a new one on me, but the explanation can be found on Cherise's Blog (who is also my newest follower - Hello! )

I look forward to getting this, but also have the dauting task of replacing what I take with suitable items. My initial thoughts are that, as it's the first time it's been out of the US, I should add something with an English twist - any ideas?

Anyway, it will be my turn to offer it as a s giveaway at the end of the month, (on the 29th, obviously) so watch this space!

Big, big thanks to Julia at Green Quilts for organising this.

New Books!

 

 

My lovely friend, Ali manages a charity shop on the other side of Manchester. A few days ago, she emailed to tell me she had had some quilting books donated. 'Would I be interested, by any chance?' Er... yes!

 

 

So, next chance I got, I went for a coffee and a catch up and made my purchases.

They're all over 20 years old, but in lovely condition with loads of exciting colour plates to browse.

 

 

I paid the going rate for them, but they were still ridiculously cheap, so a real bargain. She doesn't charge much for books, as the local population don't buy that many. She does, however run an incredibly busy and profitable charity shop.

 

This one really caught my attention. I'd never heard of Amy Emms, but it's a really interesting read. Seemingly some of her work is on display at York Quilt Museum.  I've been meaning to visit it for a while and now have even more reason. It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive and should make for a nice day out.

WIP on a BH

Firstly, a warm welcome to my newest follows Alice and Florence and Allison at A Messy House is a Sign Of a Happy Quilter.
My Bank Holiday was relatively productive. I've cut out the basic squares, ready to be made up into blocks. Four blocks completed.
I'm making a quilt for the end of my bed, in pink. I gathered together every last bit of pink fabric I could find in my stash. Hoping I have enough contrast.
After all that slaving over a rotary cutter, I decided to make a quick shopping bag, using up some scrap curtain material I was given.

Of course, it wasn't quick - it took all afternoon. I probably went a bit over the top, as well. Did it really need the front quilting? I lined it with a vintage pillow case, bought from....you know where.
Still it is a good size and has been utilised all in transporting my library books, lunch and shopping. Good job I made it nice and sturdy.
 Been busy during the week, mainly with that work thing, so no sewing done. However, I've managed a bit today.
I've been tasked with making a quilt for a male family member. As he has a connection with the aviation industry, I had the very original thought that I would make aeroplane blocks (never, never say planes, it's aeroplanes!).
I searched t'internet for some ideas and from that made my own pattern, sort of.

 

I've made this practice block, today out of scrap fabric. As you can see, the tail piece isn't prominent enough. My measurements were a bit out as, squared up it's only about 11 1/2" - I wanted 12" square.

I've only used two fabrics and obviously, they need to have a greater contrast.

So, clever quilters out there -

Should I use more than two fabrics?

Should I make the whole quilt out of these blocks or intersperse with another design?

Any good ideas out there.

Right off to re-do my dodgy measurement for the pattern.