Too busy for comfort!

I can't say that I have been busy making Christmas items to sell at the big fayre I am going to take part in, nor can I say that I have been overrun making items for the family for Christmas either...

So what has taken my days up?  

Gall stones, yup thats right, I have a few gall stones hanging about inside me preventing me from eating fatty foods.  Why is that an issue?

I am not a big person, not super skinny, but not big and not enough fat on me to sustain a harsh winter.  So the food's I do eat, do contain quite a natural high fat content and this keeps me warm, awake, and 'going'

Now I can't eat them, for fear of unimaginable labour like pains in the diaphragm area.

What will happen to my weight then? it will go down, and I will need new clothes.. no thats not the issue really, its the weight loss.  I don't need to, yup not many people are heard to say that, but I don't.  I can hardly keep myself awake as it is, today I managed to stay awake for 3 hours for the craft sale, then when we got home I went back to bed, 3 hours later I was woken up.... because it was nearly time to put the babies to bed.

and now, some 4 hours later I am falling asleep at the PC!  I fell asleep sat upright two nights ago, I can't hear the youngest wake up in the morning and dance about in his cot (which is right next to me!), but I do hear him in the night when he wakes for his comfort feeds (18 months old and I still feed him 3/4 times a night!)

There are many mitigating factors keeping my wakeful hours limited, but that still does nothing for my wakeful and productive hours.  

That said, I did finish the baby boy's quilt, and I love it.

Unfinished Quilt (backing is baby blue fleece)

all in all and whilst I think I've not been productive... I think actually that I have...

Things That I HAVE done

see for yourselves

In the next blog the October Giveaway challenge will be annouced, now I wonder what the theme will be? ;-)

New Project!!!

WOW!!! 

If I could marry a quilt pattern I would happily sign that contract with this!

Stargello

Follow the link to the designer, they also design and sell the templates that go along with the quilt pattern, however if you are a little strapped money wize, just buy the Gem Thirty cause this has the template of the Gem Ten on the paperwork inside.  Allowing you to complete the quilt without the hassle of working out the angles etc yourself.

Also, when you buy the pattern you also get a free complementing pattern that shows how to turn it into a square, thus creating a quilt rather than wall hanging!   Does it get better?  Well actually yes, they are based in the US, but don't let that put you off.  The exchange rate is quite favourable at the moment and this means that you will be buying a fantastic item for a very cheap price (I thought so as you can't buy it or ought like it here in the UK yet!)

Am I starting on it right away?  

Erm no, I have to make 7 Hen sashes and One Bride one... for ladies of large bossoms.   Luckily I do have a large stash of silks in to make them for them, and all in the right colours. ;-)

Happy Quilting,

Come back on Sunday, I will be announcing the October Challenge and prizes, which include the ones rolled over from the Sept challenge.  Come on and have a go, you have nothing to lose and friends to gain!

Such an amazing journey!

My quilt is to go to Houston!

The above is a link, this will take you to the AAQI web site where all mini quilts are held for sale, auction etc.  I made a quilt for them, it actually took me a very long time to get it right, and to get the scene set on it.

There it is, quilt number 11506, I had expected it to go onto the wall for max $10.  I never think much of my own work.  I was very worried because I couldn't find it, maybe they have taken it down because it was so terrible..?

No, I searched on the quilt number and there she was, Two Tree's heading off to the Houston 2012 International Quilt Festival!!!! OMG!!! an international quilt festival!!!!

You have no idea how extremely pleased, happy, elated, over the moon.. and any other way you could describe a  deliriously happy woman.

Happy Quilting all, and may the Challenge go smoothly for you all x

J x

The End is Nigh...

The challenge ends tomorrow, at midnight on the Western most reach of the world.

Which is approx 11 hours behind the GMT, I will confirm this first before I close all entries, but I am fairly certain this is the case.

I have finished my erm item.  It was put together under stressful circumstances, and was a huge rush job as other things have take top priority... Babies quilts for Xmas, making a skirt from a huge pair of linen trousers!... I mean huge! (why I thought they would fit me god only knows)

Paper printing for the price tags ready for the Craft sale on the 13th, getting in the equipment ready to make paper with my daughter and step daughter - I really can not wait for this one! It is difficult to separate the adult and child sometimes.

To make life even more unbearable, my beloved Silver Viscount 20HD is still in the 'repairs' and until yesterday I was left hanging around waiting to find out whether the cost of repair would still have to be forfeited by myself (on a two week old machine?), or if it could come under the warranty...

You will never ever guess what caused the problem, and it was a big problem. Due to it being stuck in the bobbin race, the needle shaft was bent, several internal bits were bent and bruised, so say it was a battle to get her repaired... they did and on Friday I got the good news that she would be home most likely on Monday.  Oh yes the offending item...?

A piece of cotton thread!   Can you believe it? a piece of cotton thread like any other had caused a professional machine to go totally belly up!   and yes it came under warranty... so I can look forward to £29 in my bank some time whenever... (after the banks have stored it in their off shore accounts accruing millions of interest on other peoples money before they allow it to go into the real owner's account)

Anyway!..... 

I will give you a peek at what I did... remember I like liberated quilting, formality isn't necessarily the best way for ward, fluid thoughts produce fluid outcomes and that is what came from me....  I could only use the things I had to hand, I used what ever I could get my grubby hands on too ;-)

What Have I Done?

Look carefully at the numbers

You will see 4 clear quarters....

This one shows summer going into spring....

Number ten..... 

 There you have it,  My item, I have used a clock face and have basically made it my own.

Time doesn't flow as you'd expect and the seasons aren't all they should be either, But that is the beauty of falling back in time!  Things won't be as they should because time space continuum has been compromised thus leaving a wobbly whirly world... 

That is my take...

What is yours?  Oh and if you have any comments re my creation, please leave them, though abusive ones will be removed  so don't do it ! 

Be nice, smile and hug those that need it x

J x

How is the challenge going?

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I hope this finds you all extremely and fabulously well.

The very lovely and talented ladies at Pin it and Stitch have donated two fat quarters for this month, adding that to the three items in the basket already it is making for a great little package for one lucky reader/crafter.

To whet your appetite for October's challenge we already have a confirmed prize of a quilt pattern from the talented Izzy at creative quilting, she has donated her quilt Jessie to the foray of bits and bops cumulating to bring a stunning package for another lucky crafter.

Remember 30th Sept is the cut off time for this months challenge, the theme of falling back in time, or anything around that area should be enough to get some fantastic pieces put together x

take care and I can't wait to see what you are all doing x j x 

Give away pictures

Thank you Pin and Stitch

Contact them direct for details on their other items

This is a lovely duck egg blue, the photo doesn't do it justice 

The ivory rose is equally as beautiful, so much so that I bought one myself...

There are loads of projects in this delightful book to keep any crafter busy for a while

Embellishing a jacket

adding a collar and cuffs to another!

Resin photo frame, any little lady or not so little lady will suit this frame completely 

Extra items in the giveaway!!!

Wow you are in for a real treat this month!

In addition to the book, adhesive spray, picture frame....

I have now taken receipt of two fat quarters of......

Moda 1/4M Fabric - Felicity Aqua Blossoms Sentimental Studios

Ivory and Blue...!

The lovely ladies at,

Pin it and Stitch - on Ebay

Pin it and Stitch - Website

very generously agreed to take part in the giveaway!  

I will be a repeat customer to this very pretty shop, Moda fabrics to quilt all the way to the moon with!   

Moda Layer Cake - Coquette by Chez Moi  has really taken my eye and once I have done a fall back in time item (Shamballa bracelets for a local Craft Fayre have taken my time up!), I will most definitely be buying this 10" square package!

What are you doing so far?  I still haven't quite decided what item I will make, whether to quilt, make a dress, felted item, piece of jewellery or even a card?  The options are huge and whet my taste buds just thinking about it! ;-)

Email me if you have any questions,

Take care and speak soon 

J x