Across the river...

Yesterday between parcels and partying, I managed some basting!

I gave the deck the elbow in favour of the conservatory floor as the Across the Sea quilt is a bit of a beast, and bigger than my usual spraying-box set up.

So here we have an as accurately aligned bit of spray basting as I will need for the quilting.  It is not millimetre-perfect, but as I have decided not to do my usual straight line mirror quilting, it won't matter.

After spraying, I pinned the block corners out of interest to check my lining up, and to keep the acres of fabric from coming apart.

So I am ready to quilt, and I can't wait!

I know you are all eager to hear how we got on in IKEA, and I am pleased to report that I have two big packages to open and get constructing - I will show you once built, hopefully later in the week; they meant the kids had to travel home with their knees under their chins, but I can live with that!

We have obligatory serviettes, notebooks, wrapping paper etc etc and a pair of wooden hangers for classier quilt-related photos!

I got rather a lot of fabric, but all with purpose; it was so cheap it would have been downright idiotic not to.  Oh, and this, which even I am astounded at how excited I was, once the wheels were on...

I can't wait for school pick-up tomorrow!

PS. Hubby had the meatballs, I went for spinach and ricotta ravioli, and the trio of little cakes!

What's a girl to do?

Well now this roll of bungee gorgeousness has arrived, I have a choice of things to finish!

It makes me quite hungry just looking at it!  I reminds me of a great big chelsea bun, or some other doughy treat!  As it measures about 15" wide, even I couldn't finish it (in one go!).

Anyway, I think the Pips are top of the list, but I'd like some 'interesting' thread to quilt it with - I had a vision of some variegated pink/grey/aqua, but I must have dreamt it - unless anyone knows different?!  Or maybe I'll start the union top, or just concentrate on the scrappy... oh I don't know!

A very craft-less post I'm afraid, as I was doing the mummy-thing in spades since 3pm yesterday - school runs, ballet fittings and lesson, birthday party and the school open evening for September entrants!  I did spend the 30 minutes of peace whilst the girls tippy-toed and picked imaginary flowers looking at a Jaycotts catalogue though, quality time!

I've decided that I really do need a new sewing machine!  I'd like a walking and proper 1/4" foot, the option that one day I may be able to try to FMQ but I don't think I will ever need 3000 stitches or 20 types of button hole, but there are still so many to choose from!  Time to get reading that Brit Quilt flickr thread I've been skipping!  Any suggestions?

Finally, I've ordered a little inspiration from Amazon for the Brit Quilt Swap, although I've already told 'Advanced' Sheila, who is valiantly trying to control the Mystery Quilters, (NB that's skill, not years!), I don't want to risk spoiling any chance of a pleasant surprise for my victim just yet!

The first rule of Brit Bee is...

...you do not talk about Brit Bee!!  So I can't tell or show what I have been up to until Trudi has received all her blocks back.  However, I am finished and hope to get to the post office before the end of the week and get my GiddyAuntBobTrudiSquarePants off! 

So before I forget, 'To Do List' numbers:
5. Keep up to date and do my total best with all the Brit Bee blocks; and 
6. Keep up to date and try not to cheat on the mystery quilt
... have both been achieved for the time being.

So I will show you these beauties to banish the working week blues...

They are simply the most fabulous, happy colours in the world!  Lovely Lizzie, one of the Brit Quilt group had some thread that she was simply offering to anyone who was interested; I mentioned my favourite colours hoping she had some left, and she kindly sent me all three!  Thank you again Lizzie, you are wonderful!

So looking forward, my wadding will be arriving this week, and I have had a burst of inspiration for the scrappy quilt, so I think the next few evenings will be spent playing with scraps, and then I may try to finish the Confetti Pips quilt!

Pips away!

I got a lovely parcel today containing some of the Sherbet Pips that I pre-ordered from Prints to Polka Dots...

Having earlier succumbed to the new Fat Quarterly (Issue 5), all about pre-cuts and containing Lynne of Lily's Quilts' fantastic Dr Seuss pattern amongst others, I was set for the off.  Within the electronic pages, I'd had a 'eureka' moment, when I spied Quilt Dad's Confetti quilt made of Pips!  With the Royal Wedding looming, what a great omen!

So this evening I got on and joined trios of Pips and pressed them ready for cutting tomorrow. 

I am so happy to have found a quilt design that will enable me to confidently crack on and make something that is not going to stress me out nor require copious amounts of unpicking and is made for straight line quilting.  It will also look fantastic (well I hope!).  Thanks Dad!

I need to get some more batting and am still awaiting the backing fabric, but if I can get the top completed over the long weekend, along with maybe quilting and binding my Dresden and making a final decision on my scrappy quilt design, I will be very happy and then ready to concentrate my energy on Trudi's Bee blocks (the fabric is in the post!!), the mystery quiltalong and maybe join the Brit Swap! 

Oh lordy, seeing all that in black and white is a tad daunting!

More than half a century!

Oh happy day, I have reached the psychological milestone of having more than 50 followers! Thank you and welcome one and all!  I wish I had more to show you for your loyalty, but just another couple of scrappy blocks in my favourite scrummy citrus green today...

Today was filled with shopping for the Easter weekend, too long on the phone to an 'electrical giant' trying to resolve a problem with our microwave (argh!!), taxi to swimming lesson with doggy-paddling son, and spotting that I have merited a mention here, and here!

Tonight I am planning to fill this...

...with all the things I've committed myself to, so that I can work out if signing up for the possible Brit Quit Swap would be one too many plates in the air!

All this sunshine is making me itch!

I love the sunshine; my idea of heaven, until recently, would be lying on a sun-lounger with a good book.  But something crafty has taken over and now I am torn.  I want to make the most of this glorious weather, but I also want to be inside, sat at my sewing machine attempting to make beautiful things!

I know the weather won't last, but I've got a feeling this sewing malarkey will!

It's going to be crazy for the next twelve months at least as I have signed up for my first quilting Bee!!  Very nervous, excited and looking forward to a year of madness!

Today's scrappy blocks, in green and purple bring the total to 14; I'm aiming for 25 in all.

And for all UK-based quilters, why not join the new Brit Quilt group on Flickr for fun and fabric-related chat, (well OK sometimes we deviate from the point a little!), and if you are not a 'Brit' there appears to be a non-UK based splinter group developing from the Lily's Quilts group too.

Finally a huge big thank you and apology if you have commented here or on flickr and haven't received a reply - I am overwhelmed with the reactions I've had to my recent makings and my Inbox is overflowing with your much appreciated words!  Thank you, thank you, thank you.