time flies

Eep! Where did the last month go? I have spent it mainly working and swapping...I signed up with a few supply (teaching) agencies in September and didn't get anywhere but I have had a fair bit of work during October and then I've had 2 interviews this week for long term supply. It's kind of fun being back in school and I think it is definitely good to keep my teaching up to date and rust free but I also still feel sad that my luxurious year off to get POD up and running is over. I think my time management skills will be well honed once I have a couple of terms of teaching alongside running the business under my belt!

On to cheerier topics............I am doing two year long block swaps on flickr at the moment -Bee (A Little Bit) Japanese and Tag Square Bee. This is the first time I have participated in this type of virtual Bee (or any type of Bee for that matter!) as apposed to monthly quilt swaps of the miniature or doll persuasion. These two work differently from each other - for the Japanese one we have each been assigned a month - when it is your month you send out fabric and block requirements to each of the other members and they all make for you then for the rest of the year you are making one or two blocks for someone different each month. As the name of the group implies we are all including Japanese fabrics for our blocks but that is the only theme. I am finding this really fun as you get to try out different styles + I love Japanese fabric! So far we have done scrappy spiderwebs, square in squares, wonky houses (mine all mine mwahahaha) and improvised forests. We just found out that for November we will be doing wonky log cabins and I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of this month's fabrics. It is serious fun this swap and it is full of fab people with fun ideas.

My month was September so I have now got all of my blocks from everyone, my next task is to chose some fabric for sashing. I am after something ugly, multicoloured and floral. I really should stop describing it that way because when I find it I am going to be scared of showing people for fear of insulting anyone who either designed it or finds it pretty! I don't technically mean it needs to be ugly I just um..well..don't know how else to express what I mean. I suppose it needs to be kind of 'grandma'ish but I am probably just digging myself a deeper hole so I'll shut up now!

I will leave you with a rather rubbish picture of some but not all of the gorgeous and inspirational blocks that the group made for me.

I am going off to start pressing and trimming them all in preparation for a little photo shoot that does them justice and includes all of them................that is if I don't get called to do supply this afternoon (sigh)

I simply remember

One of my favourite things to play with at the moment. Sorry, if this is a bit blurry! I am in the midst of experimenting with making a scark from my new Tattoo range. I recently bought a quilted scarf that was made from old worn saris and it got me thinking! I will get back to you!

London calling

For those of you who haven't seen them yet here is my new London range - It was launched at the Festival of Quilts and I am delighted to say that it sold out! Not to worry though, it is now reprinted and back in stock.

A bit of fun

My Gran moved to France last weekend so today I made this little quilty to hang by her door welcoming visitors, it was fun to make, a little piecing, a little quilting, a little embroidery and a little whimsy. Nice and neat and small, ready to pop in the post tomorrow!

Lovely things!

I was lucky enough that two lovely ladies came up to me at the FoQ to show me what they had made with my fabric. Quite honestly I think this is one of the best things that happens to me, I love seeing how people have used the fabric they bought.

At the top we have a quilt top that has really inspired me to do something similar with solids. I wish I could tell you this ladies name but to my shame I didn't ask....if you happen to read my blog please do let me know in the comments! I believe you were a Shirley Quilter?

Underneath we have a cushion that Maureen Flower of the Icknield Quilters made for a friend's daughter who was having a peacock theme for her wedding (how fab?!). Isn't it gorgeous?

Festival of Quilts

Better late than never! Here's the stand....you might even be able to spot two quiltys that I have been waiting to show you!

I have had lots of fun over the last couple of weeks getting out there and meeting lots of lovely quilters as I make my way around doing talks at the different groups. It never fails to be a great evening and even thouh I feel like I am just babbling on people do manage to stay awake!

I have a small confession......my wild goose quilt.....I decided not to do the outer two borders (yes, that means I left out an entire border of flying geese!). I just did one white border then called it done. I would feel guilty but I am too busy feeling happy about having finished it! I wish I could show you a picture but it is currently at The Wandering Line being long armed by the fab Debbie. In fact - to fully explain how fab she is - it is finished and waiting for me to collect and I only dropped it off on Tuesday afternoon, the woman is a quilting machine! While I am on the topic of The Wandering Line I should let you know that they have an amazing sale on at the moment so if you are able to get there over the next week you should!

I finally finished my yellow/green quilt and will take a picture tomorrow because it is currently in my car. hmm.

I can show you a picture of a cute little (actually BIG) pouch that I made using Lynne's union jack tutorial, how sweet! I made it as a gift and am having a hard time convinsing myself to give it away!

Ok, I apologise, for whatever reason, I don't seem to be able to move the pictures.......I'm going to bed now!