I Follow, You Follow, We Follow

Last Saturday I noticed that I had 297 followers on Instagram (I’m lemonshark on there). I love Instagram because you can easily upload a picture of what you’re working on and get feedback from likeminded people. Anyway, I posted a picture of this number and said I was going to organise a giveaway of an EPP mini once I reached the magic number of 300.

Instagram

Imagine my surprise when I was tagged by Karie (karietkq on Instagram) who had posted a collage of some of my EPP designs and suggested to her followers that they should follow me. Within half an hour I had ten more followers and by the end of the day 46!

So I sat down and designed this mini:Giveaway Mini

So far I’ve done the first round and I’m in love with it. I really hope that people will like it too and enter my giveaway. It has some of my favourite designers and fabrics in it, Tula Pink, Denyse Schmidt, Carolyn Friedlander and, of course, some Kona solids and I’m hoping to have it finished by the end of the week. If you like it and would like a chance to win it you’ll have to hop on Instagram and follow me…

EPP Giveaway Mini

It’s Here!

My DQS 13 mini quilt arrived and I love it! This little beauty was made by Brenis (Hey Diddle Diddle Woolies on flickr) and came all the way from America.

Spider's Web

However, this wasn’t the only thing that arrived. Check this out:

Pouch

The pouch is as adorable as it is practical and I simply love the Denyse Schmidt scraps destined for my Spring Carnival quilt.

Swaps are always a bit hit and miss but this time I have most definitely hit the jackpot.

DQS 13 Package

 

 

A Little Extra

In my last post I promised I would show you the pincushion I was making for my BQS 3 partner.

Voila! I used some Klona cream, Hope Valley and scraps from the mini quilt. I think it looks quite cute although you need some very sharp pins to penetrate the owl appliqué. Maybe my partner will be happy to simply have it sitting on a shelf looking pretty.

PS the back is the same Hope Valley print I used for the wings.

BQS 3 – The End

The mailing window for the British Quilt Swap Round 3 opened last Thursday and I’m happy to report that I will be sending my mini off on Monday, a little later than I wanted.

On the other hand I’ve been very lucky and have already received my mini from my partner Teresa, The Lochside Quilter. Look what she sent me:

Little Miss Bossy-Boots took one look at the  hexagon quilt and asked if she could have it for her dolls. I’m still thinking about it… Did you notice the cute little tissue holder and fabulous charms Teresa included? The latter will definitely find their way into my Spring Carnival quilt.

Thank you so much, Teresa!

 

The quilt I made isn’t something I would have made for myself and it really took me out of my comfort zone. However, it has taught me a lot. First, I loved the curved piecing and can see some more of it in my future. Second, raw edge appliqué is fun and can be very effective. I like the fact that the tree trunk’s and leaves’ edges are a bit fuzzy. Third, autumnal colours are beautiful. I don’t use them much although I was obviously attracted to them before this mini as I bought Denyse Schmidt’s Hope Valley a couple of years ago.

Here’s the label I embroidered for the back.

In addition to the quilt we’re supposed to send a little extra gift.

I love pincushions and think that you can never have enough when you’re sewing so that is what I’m making for my partner. I’ll show you a picture once I’ve finished it. I know the number of pincushions I have has quadrupled in the last few months because they are so much fun to make and receive.

Now all I can do is wait and hope that my partner likes what I made for her. Fingers crossed.

 

Rebecca’s Sewing Kit

This is a project from last year that I haven’t blogged about before simply because I didn’t have a blog at the time. We have the loveliest neighbours all around us but get on especially well with the wonderful people from number 25. Their family consists of mum and dad, two gorgeous daughters and one very crazy dog. Rebecca, the eldest daughter, started university last year and this is what I made for her to take with her:

I’m a firm believer that everyone should have a sewing kit at home in case a button falls off or a hem unravels. The sewing kits available in the shops, however, are usually very small with tiny scissors that hardly cut and big needles that leave craters in the fabric you’re trying to sew. Therefore I decided to make one for Rebecca that I could stock myself with big scissors, fine needles and everything else I thought a student might need.

Did you notice the Hemming Web. A student essential, I’m sure.

I used a linen scrap that I’ve had for many, many years and some Denyse Schmidt ‘Hope Valley’ combined with some bright orange felt for pins and needles. I sewed the pockets with the things I bought in mind and they could easily be adapted to whatever you want to put in your sewing kit. I added a little loop with a popper at the end to make sure the scissors stayed in place. You can’t really see it on this picture but the pocket for the thread and buttons has a flap, again to make sure they stay where they are supposed to stay. I enjoyed making this sewing kit and am thinking of making one for myself for when I want to do some hand sewing in the garden or at picnics. Maybe attached to a pouch in which I can put my WIP. Hmm….only one bag, three alterations and some cushion covers to finish before I can get to it.

 

PS Apparently it is in use a lot. A great gift for any student.