Two by Two

Second post of the week - shocker!
Good reason though - yesterday I was really surprised to receive my Mouthy Stitches tote - I am usually stalking the postman but this time he surprised me by arriving in a van & ringing the doorbell!

 This came all the way from, I think, Pennsylvania, (proper quilting country) from Kathy who flickrs under the name TimeCapsules
I love this bag - the colour combination is probably my favourite, I find myself drawn to bundles in these colours when I trawl through online shops. What you can't see in the picture is that behind the pieced section, is a large pocket, as well as there being a wee pocket inside too. The grey fabric is heavyweight so makes a nice, robust bag. And as for the key fob, have you seen anything more delightful? Love it, thanks again Kathy.

Then today, parcel number 2 arrived. This time it was a pincushion for me from Collette, our introductory project in the Brit Bee Stingy.

The picture doesn't really show just how chunky this pinnie is, it will be a really practical one and I just love all the handstitching. She also enclosed a wee embroidered Russian dollie, I know Collette enjoys hand embroidery, I don't tend to do much at all so it was a real treat to receive it. Thanks Collette.
Meanwhile, in the sewing room, progress is being made. I have the second of my ABC workshops on Sunday where the ladies are making a Strippy quilt and will learn how to put their strips together using QAYG techniques. I got my final two strips quilted and in case you think I keep posting the same two strips, here are all six.

While quilting away like a madwoman, this happened.........can you believe it, an empty Aurifil spool!!

                                                       Just as well I had another one waiting!

I am just going to say, by the way, that I buy my Aurifil from Cindy at Fluffy Sheep Quilting. Her Aurifil prices are great and her postage rates fairer than fair.

A lot of quilting has gone into this quilt but it has been a pleasure working with this Velocity fabric, teamed with my favourite Hobbs 80/20 wadding, I had no problems at all, other than achy shoulders!
Today, I treated myself to an hour of ModPop and got another block done - only 22 to go then.

I have two more things to sort of share with you. Well, share might be taking it too far - my friend Delia and I attend our local Quilters' Guild coffee mornings every couple of months. We meet other local quilters and keep up with the gossip. Those of us who went to the Loch Lomond Quilt Show this year remembered an exhibition called Chinese Whispers, comprising 8 or 10 quilts. The first quilt had been made by the quilter after being sent a photograph. Her quilt, but no photo, was sent to the second quilter who made her own quilt, inspired by the first.......and so on. By the time it got to the end, it was so amusing to see how the theme had gone off course. So, at the last coffee morning, our Rep, Tricia, announced that there was going to be another Chinese Whispers exhibition, open to teams of at least 8.........it will be on display in May 2014, yes the year after next! So D & I threw our hands up enthusiastically, we can do that, great time frame.

However............yep, however, I am number two in our chain and the quilt landed on my doorstep on Saturday!! I have eight weeks to plan and execute my piece of work - yikes!! Of course, it should have been obvious, 8 people x 8 weeks is over a year. Number three is in fact D, and we are sworn to secrecy, I can't discuss my plans with her. In fact I can't discuss my plans at all - but I do have a plan, and I am quite excited about it, and I might just have bought some fabric already. So bear with me - until 2014, lol, and I will show you what I am planning to make.

Meanwhile I have been making another little something, destined for a Christmas pressie. I made it in no time at all and took pics along the way so will be posting a wee tute for you soon. I will try maybe for Friday, but Friday is earmarked for Skyfall, so we'll see.