I actually got something done!!!!

I actually managed to get some of my goals done (a little miracle).
I finished the binding on my New York Beuaty Scrappy Quilt (which I will be using as a wall hanging).

I joined two swaps in flickr (one is for a fabric bin/basket and the other for a mug rug).
I made the fabric bin today (isn't it great having a day off from work).  My partner likes text fabrics and the colours blue, green, gray and navy.  I used a tape measure fabric for the lining.  This was really easy to make.  You'll find the tutorial on Birch Fabrics and you can make it in three different sizes (I made the small one).

 I hope to get the mug rug made on Monday (long bank holiday weekend).
I've also been working on kaleidoscope blocks.  So far I have the sections done for four blocks.  12 more to go.

 I have loved watching the Great British Sewing Bee (the second series) on the BBC and treated myself to the book which comes with patterns.  Another to go on the To Do list.

  We're making a charity quilt in my quilting group for a cancer charity (some of our members and families are going through treatment at the moment) so I need to go through my fabrics and see what yellows and greens I have.  We're making a crazy patch one.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

New York and other things

I had a wonderful trip to New York with my friend in February.  We were there for five days and I loved it, especially because there were so many dressmaking fabric shops and I also got to visit The City Quilter where I purchased some New York city fabric, a cushion kit, a book for using charm squares and some fat quarters.  I could have easily spent the whole day there. We visited Ellis Island which was the best $18 I ever spent.  We were there for three hours going through the exhibition and listening to the audio tour.   You can feel what it was like there for the immigrants and how frightened they must have felt waiting to see if they would gain access or not.  If you are ever in New York and you have the chance to go, please do, it is the best history lesson ever.



Inside the hall in Ellis Island.

We also visited the Empire State building at midnight.  It was very cold but the views were worth it.   We even managed to get to see Mamma Mia on Broadway (loved it).  We didn't get to see everything in those few days so I am definitely going back and I have some willing volunteers at home who want to go with me.  Maybe it will be the holiday for next year.

We had a "do what you want" workshop with my quilting group in early March.  I decided I wanted to start on making a blouse for myself.  I used New Look 6232 pattern and a tan/cream spot cotton fabric.

I have the front button facing, collar and buttons to finish it off so hope to have it to show in a couple of weeks.  I have some nice fabric for a skirt so need to get started on that as well.

I'm working on my New York beauty scrap quilt.  I just have the binding to finish so here is a work in progress photo.  I'm using a strippy fabric for the binding.   I used charm squares and some solid bright colours for the blocks and grey for the sashing. 



 

 

I've also started working on a hand pieced foundation by the yard kaleidoscope quilt.  I'm using black, some charm squares (which I got in a rainbow colour charm swap) and some of the strippy fabric left over from the binding of my New York beauty quilt.

 

 

I hope you all had a great St Patricks Day.  I'm heading off in a couple of weeks with some schoolfriends to Edinburgh for a weekend to visit a schoolfriend.  I know there is a patchwork shop in Edinburgh so I am determined to find it.

 

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and keep sewing (anyone else watching The Great British Sewing Bee, I'm shouting for my namesake Lynda).