Easter Holidays

Lots of good stuff has been happening round here over the past few days. Much creativity from my two boys:

A trip to visit my parents in law in the wilds of North Devon and a ride on a narrow gague steam train:

Finally a little sewing of course - a spring cushion for my mother in law:

I hope Easter was good for you too!

festival of quilts

I went to the festival of quilts today at the NEC. I am really lucky - I only live 15 mins away by car. Unfortunately I forgot my camera so no pictures of the amazing quilts on display - boo! There were of course endless shops full of all manner of goodies, droolworthy sewing machines, interesting gadgets and endless quilting books and patterns to enjoy. I found some new bits to add to my growing aqua and red stash:

and some Paula Prass cobblestones just because:

I have however come away from the show not exactly disappointed but a bit unfulfilled I suppose (sounds a bit melodramatic - I still had a really fun day!). I think it was because much of the fabric was very traditional (nothing wrong with that - it's just not always my thing) and lots of it was fabric and designers I could get easily online. There was very little in the way of new, rare or unusual. I did however find this UK designer and fell in love with her origami fabric. Isn't it great!

I am off with the family camping and LARPing. I have been busy making costume for my son over the last few days but ran out of time for photos. I will have to take some whilst we are away. Have a great weekend!

this and that

I have been away in Yorkshire for the last few days visiting my family. We did a bit of this:

And a bit of that:

There was time for some sewing - I completed the binding on my painting with bleach quilt:



The I came home to a little packet from Kate at one flew over. There is a bit of a tale attatched to me recieving these pieces of lovliness. Months ago we arranged a swap via this group. My fabric arrived safe and sound from Australia, but my parcel to Kate never turned up. Kate was very patient but eventually we had to admit the worst - my parcel had vanished somewhere between the UK and Australia. Luckily I had enough of the fabric to send the swap again (by recorded delivery this time!) but Kate felt so bad for me that she sent this to make up for it! How lovely and how kind of her. Quilty bloggers are so wonderful. Even better is that I had just been reading over on Red Pepper Quilts about Aunty Cookie fabric and look what turned up from Kate - some Aunty Cookie of my very own!

a proud moment

I am one happy mummy today. My 5 year old son made his very first quilt! He asked if he could have a go and of course I said yes. He chose all the scraps and arranged the quilt to his own design. He pressed the machine pedal himself but had a bit of help with guiding the fabric and snipping threads. Making me even prouder is that this quilt is for grandma - he wanted to make something special for her. Finally to really make me cry he said 'thank you so much lovely mummy for helping me to sew my lovely quilt!' My first born son is wonderful! His quilt is so much fun - he really enjoyed going through my scraps and building up his quilt a piece at a time.



My second born son and very vocal six month old is also wonderful and for him I made a taggie blanket. I also made one for another six month old baby and a set of twins. These were fun to make!



I have also finished making my offerings for the giveaway day at Sew Mama Sew and have written a tutorial to go alongside. Here is a sneaky peak: