Medallion ......start

In my last post I told you I was going to join a friend in the sewmamasew 'quilt-along'.  My friend started her quilt, and you can see how she got on here .... This week I have been working on mine...

First bits cut and ready to sew

First sewing steps

Just a start

Lots of bits to sew

That small half square triangle will not be used, it was my first mistake.....didn't read the instructions properly and made 8 x 1 1/2" finished instead of 2" finished.

Coming together now

Mmmmmm - maybe that pink is a bit pale

That is my first weeks 'quilt along' done and dusted..... I now see that the second and final part has been posted over here so off to cut up more fabric.  

End of the Easter Hols

My daughter 'S' came down from Yorkshire with her family to spend a couple of days with us.....Yeah! They arrived on Friday, and Saturday we caught up with her Aunt, Uncle, their two girls and their family.  We all trundled off to a country restaurant had some great food and catch up......it turns out that we met for the first time the littlest member of the family who is 5 years old.....how bad is that!!!!!!  It was a great afternoon, shame the weather wasn't better, but the children enjoyed the garden play area.

What a motley crew????  

On Sunday Northampton Saints (the ruby team) were playing at home, so tickets were bought and the boys went off to see the match.  Outside the stadium my grandson manage to get a photo shot with Dylan Hartley, so it made his day extra special..

Dylan was injured and couldn't play, so spent time meeting and greeting 

S and I had a trip to 78 Derngate, the Charles Rennie Mackintosh House and although I have visited before, it always amazes me.  We finished our tour of the house with a cream tea in the restaurant...Yummy!!!

Back to earth today, my family left this morning and the house is down from 7 (almost adults) down to 2, so a bit quiet and empty........ still, got the washing done, so ready for the next visitors.

I have been working on my 'flickr' swap, but of course can't show and tell until my partner has received it.  I do have a sneak peak,  to add to the flickr group, not sure she will gain a lot from this......

Add caption

A friend mentioned this to me, so I signed up (that wasn't easy) and I am now joining in with the sew-along. I have spent most of an afternoon finding and cutting my fabrics.  

Just look at all of those squares

The beginning of my Medallion Quilt 

I didn't have much sewing time, but have made a start at least.

Hope the Easter Bunny was good to you x x

Mini's .......

As usual on Monday I went off to my sewing group, and this week was one of our 'all days' (rather than just an afternoon group).  The 'events' that the ladies had worked hard to impress us with were some cute sewing aids, that we could make if we wished.  I decided that I would like to make a mini handbag that would contain a travelling sewing kit.  I thought the little bag would keep me quiet for the morning, and in the afternoon I could start something different........little did I know that it would take 4 hours of cutting, glueing and sewing before my bag would finally get  finished (so much for a different make in the afternoon), but what a cute little bag it has turned out to be.

 The size of this bag as approx, 3" x 5" 

Plenty of room for cotton, scissors needles etc 

I have also been sucked into one of the 'flickr' groups that I belong to.  I was hoping it would spur me on to get me sewing again, and I think it is helping.  I had been invited to join the new Mini QT swap group, and I didn't need my arm twisting as this month the mini's are  Pinwheels, Log Cabin, and Chinese Coins, and I get to choose which I make. In this group we know our partners, so its not a secret swap, but we are not allowed to show the finished quilt until our partner has received it.  My partner has mentioned that she likes 'earthy tones' and I felt I had just the selections that would be needed for my project.  

Think I must use these 

The fabrics that I choose for my partner reminded me that I had kept the spares from a quilt I made a few years back, so have raked them out and I am going to use them in some English Paper Piecing.

These left overs will turn into .......

These..... please don't ask when it will be finished!

As some of you know, we have a crochet club and smocking club at our local quilt shop and I am the lead on these groups, so try to make a few things that the ladies might like to try.  

crochet tub to keep bits and pieces 

Getting ready for Christmas me thinks!

and lastly just look at my beautiful PINK hyacinth.  

Stunning

We have had some really warm days, and today after I had jet washed the patio, I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on it reading a book and lapping up the sun.  Easter is just around the corner, lets hope the warm weather stays for the holiday.  x x x

Starting slowly

Sewing has taken off very slowly, so I thought I would share some embroidery that I have been working on with a few of my friends.  We are making Cathedral Windows and are embroidering some flowers to peek out of the windows.  I took inspiration from  Jo's pillow..... isn't Jo's one stunning.

Got to have a blue bird

This one is a little different

Bit more work in this 

Foxgloves and Hollyhocks just a reminder of Summer

Must  have a love heart 

Flowers and trellis

Love this one

Primroses....a must

Some nice bright Daisy'

As Easter is just around the corner, and  we are meeting up with some of our family I thought I would make some little fabric boxes, fill them with eggs and give them to the little ones.  

Sitting pretty

Now they look Yummy

We have had the odd sunny day, so we bought a really cheerful plant for the patio, and just look who came to visit......hope its not to early in the year for this beauty

Touch of cheer

I received some Narcissus 'Tete A Tete' for Christmas, and a friend tended  them while I was on holiday. When we returned the bulbs were about 2" out of the soil, but since then we have watched them shoot up and flower........burst of happiness with each cheery head.  But all good things come to an end....

Looking a little sad now, but they have given their all

I am now going to give my Hyacinths a place of honour in the kitchen and am looking forward to see these bloom 

What colour do you think they will be?.

Thanks for popping by, see you next time. x