I am back

It has been awhile. My number 2 son had pneumonia and was in hospital for 2 nights and then he had a virus and then there was school holidays and then there was the backlog of ironing to do! But I have actually done some sewing and although I missed the end of my beginners QAL (I will finish it) I decided to begin another one! I am binding my lap quilt (name still being bandied about) and need to sash and border and quilt my beginner QAL and then i am up to date. My new project is The Scrappy Stash QAL. I will add a button. Join in it looks great and I am going to try Maureen Cracknell quilt as you go method. I will also get my photo's up.!!! I have decided to give myself 1 week to update my progess. Watch this space.

What a week

Well I haven't been able to do much sewing as I am sick after my lovely boy decided coughing in my face a good idea. But I have managed block 9 of the beginner QAL. I really, really enjoyed this one and it worked first time with no unpicks so I am over the moon. I should now catch up on the Xmas QAL but I am not sure I can find the time. The blocks are a bit more intensive than I was expecting and while learning is great, I am flat out just keeping up with everything else in life and I really want to finish my quilt for the lounge. Decisions that will have no answer today. I am hoping to get the backing for my quilt at least done today as it will consist of 2 fabrics. If I can get that far before starting dinner for the family and the Olympics coverage beginning I will be content.

Books!!!

I have bought myself 2 books this week! I have ordered The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt and have just received Fat Quarterly Shape Workshop for Quilters. I had to order the Farmers book after reading the blogs from a quilting life!!   http://www.aquiltinglife.com/
The Shape Workshop book has amazing quilts and blocks and my head is spinning with opportunities. I managed to get a fat quarter bundle of sherbit pips so that is also in the mail.  But as per usual I am jumping ahead and have to finish my quilt and 2 QAL's before i start the next one or 2. I have ideas that will need hexagons.... Fingers crossed that I will have my current projects ALL finished by the end of August and I really must get my machine serviced at some point!!! I have been using it for 6 months but i was talking with another person who has hers serviced after every quilt!

Strips

Well I have spent an hour trimming my blocks to start the quilt top of my "sugar crosses" (title still being considered). This has led my to the question of what to do with the off cuts that are to small for anything. I read a blog that suggested putting them outside for birds to use in their nests. It's a great idea but I think the neighbors will consider me bonkers!!? So I have no idea what to do. I need suggestions....

Xmas QAL still going.

I did block 10 and 11 and really enjoyed them. I am starting to struggle working colors from my stockpile as I didn't get a bundle so I am worried in the back of mind mind it will be too many differences. Only time will tell. When I get the chance I will take a proper photo rather than a phone one as the colours aren't quite true. I am hoping more people will start putting their photos on the Flickr group again as I love seeing all the different blocks that come from I pattern!!

working in the blog

I am still learning and formatting how I want my blog to look. I have added a finished quilt button in the nav bar so I am stoked. It took a little confusion, a little requesting not to be pestered for cups of chocolate milk and a little research online!! I still have 1 more quilt to post which I finished late May. I cant wait to finish the 3 projects I currently have on the go so I have more to add to my menu bar option! :)

block 9 xmas QAL

Wow. This is a lovely block. It took me quite awhile as it was the first time I have done kite shapes. The tutorial was great and really easy to follow. Overall I am super happy with this. The yellow is a branch out but I figured the star needed to 'shine'. The more blocks I have completed of this QAL the more I really want to see what the quilt will look like:) I am hoping that at the end all the colours I have chosen will blend ok.