Sadly Gifting My Could You Live Here? Quilt

Yesterday I enjoyed goodbye drinks with my first and best friend since I moved to live in the States five years ago.

The Green Green Grass Of Home

The old home town looks the same as I step down from the train and there to meet me is... 

...my friends, my Mum, and all my kids

lyrics by Curly Putman (apart from the last bit which is all mine!)

Occasionally I ask my readers to indulge me while I share a post that's less about my craft and more about my family; this is one of those posts.  I know some of you love to see what my kids are up to these days and something of where I'm from, so for you here are four photo collages summing up my April 2016 trip home to England.  On the other hand, if that isn't your sort of thing please click and close me down, I won't be offended, and next time you visit everything will be back to normal - Chris :D

Stop Blogging; Start Making

This morning I've had a bit of a shock that has to spark me into action for the day - my June Bee Block fabric arrived in the post along with a class supply list for a course next week's LQS Free Motion Machine Quilting: Next Step and I see that there's prep-work required beforehand.  I'm starting to think that I'm a bit snowed under.

To explain, I've finished Surprise Project I but haven't labelled or photographed it yet and on Monday I planned out my top and backing sheet for Surprise Project II but I really must get on with making it now as my deadline is approaching fast, very fast.  I've not done any prep work for my Transparency Quilt course - final class tomorrow- think maybe that should become a priority today!  I've also had a class supply list for another LQS course that also starts next week, Sparkle Plenty Star Quilt by Stephanie Dunphy of Loft Creations and I need to put a bit of thought into my colourways/fabrics for that.

So why am I falling behind with all my quilting commitments - the answer is that I'm too busy pinning to Pinterest and following quilting blogs - so for the rest of today they're banned, it's the only way I'll get anything done though obviously posting to my own blog doesn't count! ;)

Here's a peep at the wonderful fabric selection that my June Queen Bee, Kim, has posted to me - batiks in stunning jewel colours.

Kim's requested two New York Beauty (NYB) blocks with the same or different patterns from a 10 pattern choice.  Here's a look at her guidelines (June Bee Block instructions) and she's also pointed us at an NYB Block Quilt Along which will be very useful.

Lots of points and curves so I'm going to get together with my friend M, who is in the same NYC Mod Bee, and we can give each other encouragement and support and put our thinking caps on.

While I've been busy swooning over fabric and quilt block patterns Tatty has achieved another puppy milestone.  After she realised only yesterday that she can jump on to the sofas all by herself, she has put her new found skills to the test and scaled the dizzy heights of the coffee table - and who can blame her for as we all know a crafty girl just can't live without her sellotape!


Related posts:
New York Beauty (June Bee Block) - Sunglasses Recommended!
Liberated Log Cabin - My August Bee Block

Wonderful Friends

Just took a call from my apartment doorman - a flower delivery for me.  And here it is, the most beautiful flower arrangement, stunning colours and I'm only sorry I can't share their fragrance with you as it's fabulous.

Thank you very, very much to my wonderful friends W and K for your help, for caring and for making life so much more bearable right now.  I send you both a very big tearful hug x

Lunch And Textile Art

Jumping on the Path now to have lunch in Manhattan with my friend and fellow quilter, M.  Decided to take along some scraps of fabric and embroidery threads along with my sketchbook and see what develops - haven't touched my textile art since last July so looking forward to it.

The Beginning!

Haven't got a clue where to start this blog, I just know that I'm buzzing to share everything I'm making with others and I'm starting to feel sorry for my facebook friends who may or may not share the same interests as me but their walls are being bombarded with photos of my latest creations.

So this morning it hit me - time to start a blog.  Hopefully some of my facebook friends actually are interested in my stuff and they'll follow me here but maybe, just maybe, I'll find even more new friends who also love fabric and yarn, sewing and knitting and any creative process that keeps their hands and minds busy.

I'm looking forward to sharing my ideas and work with you.  Enjoy!