Thinking of Easter

I've been getting things ready for the Easter bunnies and eggs basket class tomorrow night, kits galore, and more for another class on Sunday. They will be stitched in time to fill with chocolate - what's Easter without the odd chocolate egg (or two!).

I've also finished a bowl full of Marg Low's gorgeous fabric eggs - this is such a neat pattern, and the eggs were great fun to decorate. I think they look so good in dots.

Last year I made this little quilt top, a beautiful design from Rabbits Haven. Well, finally, last week I got round to quilting and binding it - it's no good to rush these things you know. Feeling quite pleased with my efforts and it is so nice to see it finished, just in time for Easter.

I forgot to take pictures of Debbies latest quilt blocks when she brought then in to stitching group about three weeks back, so I asked her for a repeat show and tell. Here they are - definitely pretty in pink...

and don't you love this friendship block....

Barb Smith, (Theodora Cleave Designs) has done a series of simply delightful little cat stitcheries and I am working my way through them, to make up into a mini quilt - this one was my favourite when they first came out so decided to stitch it first. They are real little cuties, about 4'', and so easy to stitch up in an evening. This one is ''Out on a Limb'' and I'm currently stitching ''Hollyhock Cat''.

Recently, as in last weekend, I gave in to the temptation of knitting (yes, I'm also addicted to knitting from way back) so I'm not sure how much stitching will get done over the next few weeks - I have a terrible habit of not wanting to put the needles down once I start a knitting project and sometimes other things get a little neglected. But with daylight saving about to end this coming weekend, the nights will be longer so maybe there is time for both! Happy stitching!

Jenny

Organising Photo Chaos!

I have just spent large chunks of this morning organising my photos, putting them into proper files and deleting masses and masses of ''just not needed anymore'' ones! It feels great! It's one of those jobs I have been putting off for ages as there is usually something else I can find to do which is far more interesting. But now that it has been done, lets just see how long I can stick to the plan - putting them in the right place and deleting rejects. So, while I was at it, I sorted out some for today. Here's one of Debbie's latest block of A Kittens Tale - how cute is this!?

And here's the Little Patchwork Village quilt, hanging in the nook, all finished and definitely one of my favourites.

I have had this Brenda Ryan pattern sitting at home for many months now, in my ''to do'' pile and the other weekend I pulled it out, ironed on the transfer, and started stitching. It is the sweetest little heart cushion

I must admit I am a huge fan of Brenda's designs - this is one of the very first stitchery's of Brenda's that I did, a few years back now - beautiful Briar Rose.

And these are from her Measured Stitch quilt - loved every minute of stitching this one.

This week at Cushion Club the girls have been doing some piecing, to make this simple little pillow. We made a matching cushion inner which just pokes out a little at the end.

I hope it's been a good stitching week for you - there's a little extra time to stitch these nights, isn't there, with it getting a darker a little earlier.

Happy Stitching!

Jenny

Cushions, quilts and bags.

Well, I'm not entirely sure where the second half of February went! It's a little hard to believe it's March already, and autumn is well and truly on its way. As I sit and write this, it is the most gorgeous day outside, sun is shining and a gentle little breeze. I could quite happily be at home today, pottering around in the garden - pulling weeds and prettying it up again. It never fails to amaze me how a visit from my Mum makes me stop procrastinating about weeding!! So, fingers crossed for a sunny dry weekend. Instead of gardening lately, these are some of the things I've been doing. I have just received the most delicious range of fabric in the shop - it's called Sumptuous Living and it's Robyn Pandolph's latest creation. I cut charm squares from it as I wanted to make up something quite quickly - so made up this little cushion and a lap quilt. I did a tiny little bit of hand-quilting on the cushion and had forgotten how much I enjoy it, which is not to say I'm very good at it - but practice makes perfect! I need alot of practice!

I am excited to be able to show you a couple of pics of Bronwyn Hayes new block of the month quilt that I am going to be running - called The Gingham Girls. Bronwyn has very kindly emailed these pictures to me and has allowed me to show them here - I can't wait to see the whole quilt. She has used some gorgeous novelty buttons on the quilt, and there is lots of beautiful stitchery and applique. Isn't it fabulous!

I've got a couple of little classes coming up which I needed to make samples for - this is a little Easter Egg basket - and I'm also doing a pink version but it's still only partly completed.

This is another fabric bucket class - I started out just making these plain and simple, but realised that the circles on the fabric were perfect for embellishing. The only trouble was, once you started, it was hard to know where to stop.

I also have a Quilters Bag class coming up in a couple of months and feel very pleased with myself for having the sample finished well in advance! This is the bag front...

and the bag back. Something I have always wanted myself, but never got round to making one. But now I have!

I can also show you the finished redwork quilt - Rosalie's gorgeous pattern - Little Patchwork Village. Here's a couple more of the blocks...

and this one...........

and this is the whole quilt. Not quilted yet, but there is hope that it will happen this weekend (after the gardening!)

Cushion club last week saw the girls making this little whimsy. Again it was amazing to see the different colour combinations that each person chose, and the end results - all were fabulous.

This is what we will be making at next weeks Bag Club. I think this might be one of my favourites.

So that's what has been keeping me busy lately - happy stitching!

Jenny