Hello Again!

Sorry it's been so long dear blog,

but life gets in the way...

And quilting luckily does too! 

I have been longarming for others...

Here are a few pics of gorgeous quilts that were collected today:

This one was backed with fleece...

which was superb quality and quilted beautifully...

I also made and attached all the bindings...

I am very grateful that fellow quilters 

and friends trust me to finish their quilts for them. 

It is always lovely to see the final results.

Sheep Quilt - Baby Shower Gift

I was very pleased to be able to give this quilt

to a special work colleague today 

as a baby shower quilt.

That meant that yesterday I had to dash out 

and take a few photos to remember it by :)

I am also very lucky to have an amazingly helpful 

(and wonderful) friend

who after a quick plea-full phone call offered her sheep, 

her fence... 

(and a bucket of food to call the sheep!)

The wind was blowing an almost gale,

but I wanted to capture the backing fabric too

so no problem with a bit of wind...

The backing is a piece of fabric 

that I have had for a LONG time!

 I liked it so much that I never wanted to use it.

Crazy!! But using it for someone special was worth it.

(No point saving my favourite fabric for best!

As I have probably said before, 

if I don't watch out and use my stash,

 my husband will send it to the charity shop!!)

The backing is a sort of American Country Fair print

with a 'Quilt Show' tent and Fairground attractions

as well as farm animals and red barns.

I thought it worked well as it is fairly neutral.

The recipient doesn't know what her baby will be...

But boy or girl, 

all we hope is that it is healthy and happy

(and feels free to use and abuse this quilt!)

Wordless Wednesday - Aero Mint Ball Birthday Cake

Counting Sheep

Still working on this,

but at least now it is quilted...

And I used a piece of fabric from my stash 

that I was 'saving for best',

but I figure if I don't use it somebody else will 

when I die and my husband sends all my stuff to the charity shop!!

Loving a bit of Holiday Sewing....

The best part about going on holiday,

besides being by the sea,

was staying in a cottage with no internet!

This meant I got a chance to do

LOTS of handquilting.

I started this quilt in 2006!

(Eeek! that IS 10 years!!!)

It's is my 'BQL Ostrich'

The story of it can be found here: 

http://sewkalico.blogspot.co.uk/2007/05/ufo-of-week.html 

I don't hand quilt much anymore

when I can longarm quilt my quilts

in a matter of days.

But it is very enjoyable now and again

to have something in your lap

while you unwind 

from a day of unwinding on the beach ;o)

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

 Our new favourite holiday destination is Northumberland.

 When the children are not on the beach we head into Alnwick...

 Alnwick Castle is a great day out 

and these school holidays were no exception

with chain mail... 

and armour to try on in the inner Bailey...

  (as well as the usual fabulous dressing up closets!!)

A great time was had by all!

Wordless Wednesday - A Flock of Sheep

Blocks & Baking

I haven't sewn much lately....

 but I like the way these blocks are working out.

I have definitely spent more time baking...

Chocolate cake:

  ...than I ever used to do.

Banana Bread:

And I have definitely spent more time grieving

than I ever thought possible.

I miss you Mom. every. single. day!

Tractor Blocks

My handwork project for a while has been these tractor blocks,

that I designed as a part paper-piecing and part applique project.

I tend to take them with me when I am waiting for the children 

at dancing or an activity where I have to wait for a while

(sometimes even babysitting for friends :o) )

I have made 2 quilts using my original tractor blocks.

They were just simple ideas to make some children's quilts that you can see here:

http://sewkalico.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/tractor-quilts.html

Now that I have an ever growing collection of tractor blocks, 

in a variety of colours, 

I decided that I should probably make a few more small quilts.

I am cutting 3.5" squares to create the first border...

*****

When putting the fabric squares together

I always use pieces of paper pinned to the start of rows

to keep a track of which row goes where.

Sometimes I use numbers,

but this time, top, bottom, left, right... seemed more appropriate.

Now to sew the rows and make these blocks grow!

Aspire Photography Course

I had the privilege of spending Friday learning more at

Aspire Photography Training....

A gorgeous model is provided on the day

(As well as a huge amount of knowledge

and a superb lunch!!)

*****

There were lots of lovely people on the course too 

and it's great to hear about their photographic journey.

We learnt many techniques,

but the best for me was working out 

what on earth half the buttons on my new camera are for....

Our model was really fun and so pretty 

 and she was very patient with all of us 

asking her to do this and that...

...while we adjusted settings and wiggled reflector boards

The bluebells were out,

but I personally thought our model 

suited the 'yellow flowers' better....

The shoot was a lot of fun 

and we had great help from all at Aspire....

I learnt loads and really had a fabulous day -

Thank you!

My Etsy Shop

It's been a long time since I listed anything in my etsy shop,

but there are so many things I want to do

(Courses to pay for and go on etc...)

that I thought it was worth a try..

I will be added things as I go along,

but have only listed a few things for now.

Check me out here:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/sewkalico