Medallion Quilt A Lonnnng

So I'm a bit late, as always. The Modern Quilt Guild of Ireland have just started a Medallion Quilt along and I want to join in. The trouble is as always I'm a little late. But I did put together a mosaic and here it is.

This will actually be my first QAL! I'm always watching these things going on and love to see the whole collaborative thing going on. Now I have already started a King size quilt which is waiting patiently for me to have more time to work on it. But I can't resist trying this guy out too. Now I know that I'm unusual in the fact that I don't usually have more than one project on the go, and I don't have any UFO's as a rule but I'm breaking my own rules this time.

I'll check in from time to time with my progress pictures.

Geraldine x

I'm really good at this blogging lark aren't I!

At the beginning of December I lost my voice for nearly 3 weeks, but I seem to have lost my blogging voice for much longer. I don't know why I have difficulty in keeping up to date with it, but I seem to all the same.

I think Instagram might have something to do with it. It's such a good tool for a quick status update and for keeping up to date with others too. Nonetheless I still do read all of my usual blogs that I follow. Maybe I build it up into a big deal, thinking it has to be a mammoth post when a small post works equally well. Anyhoo I'll get down too it.

Sewing update: I have made 3 quilts since my last post. I have just completed an apron order too. I have a quilt start today and I'm working on a personal king size quilt project. My hubby surprised me with a Janome Memory Craft Horizon 8200QC on Christmas morning. It was my dream machine and I love it so much, I will be writing a full review on it in the near future. I do want to get to know it better though before I do that. It didn't take me too long to get to grips with it, I think it's my IT background. I read the manual 2-3 times and watched the instructional DVD twice before I turned it on. Yep nerdy me.

I have also had some bunting orders and there are always some cushion orders in the mix.

I didn't do any Christmas fairs last year. I wasn't prepared as I was so busy in the run up to Christmas and I knew that health wise I wasn't up for standing all day in draughty stands.

So happy New Year to all, I'll be back again really soon and below is a selection of what I'm working on and what I've finished.

Geraldine x

October finishes

It's been a busy few weeks and this post is going to be photo heavy. Now some of these makes were September but I couldn't post until the receiver received so here we go.
First up is 2 heart quilts.

There are shamrocks in the quilting detail

Next up is a boy quilt, in a diamond design

Next up are 2 farm quilts. I got two separate requests for cows and tractors within a week of each other! Luckily I always add more than I need with my fabric orders.

First up is a farm chevron quilt.

Second farm quilt and matching bumper

 

And here are some photos of the bumper in the making, 4.5 meters of binding and 16 1 meter ties too!

Next up is a quilt for a baby called Annabelle

Okay I think that's it! there have been more makes but seriously I don't want to make this post even more photo heavy than it is. If any of you guys have stuck it this far, thank you! and I'll be in touch again soon x

Modern Baby

Okay so it appears that I've somewhat lost my blogging mojo, that is of course if I ever had it to begin with. Since returning to the land of the upright I have been very busy indeed. I'm not sure if there is a baby boom going on but the quilts are flying out of here at a rate of knots. But more of that later. Firstly I've been very remiss in giving a review of the 'Modern Baby' Quilting book.

My friend Sarah has a quilt in here and I was very eager to get my grubby mitts on this book. I have a thing with quilt patterns. I love original and innovative patterns, something that hasn't been made before. I do wonder though over patterns that have been around for an age and creating a pattern for them and labeling them 'not for commercial use'.

In fact this is the first Quilting book that I own. I love a good few patterns in here, and the presentation and photos are wonderful. For a slim volume it really is jam packed full of patterns, which is great. Here are my 3 favourites although there are more that I love too, they just didn't make it into my top 3. I'm a harsh critic I know.

This is Sarah's quilt from FairyFace Designs.
 I love the fact that she takes all these quilting shapes and incorporated that
 into a popular and worldwide known children's toy. Very clever.

'Bubbles' Love this guy, can imagine this for a boy.

'Bird House' Love that they included an applique design in here.
This is very cute and whimsical.

The 'Bubbles' & 'Birdhouse Quilt' are two other favourites. The quilts featured will suit a beginner as well as a proficient quilter. All of the instructions are clear and precise throughout, so there really is something for everybody in this book.

I'm back!

Well, that's  been quite a break since my last post. I'm very happy to report that I'm back on my feet and have dived straight back into sewing in the last couple of weeks.

I've made 2 quilts and have another 3 on order so it's very busy. As well as the quilts there have been other orders of cushions, bunting and one of my knitted bunnies. More than enough to keep me going. I am taking it easy though too and am giving myself plenty of time for the makes and everyone has been most kind saying they are in no rush. There are frequent afternoon naps needed too!

It's my turn to host the Modern Irish sewing Bee and everyone in the bee has been very patient with my lateness! I'm choosing a HST block, I haven't figured out yet what configuration I'll use in the end. It's all part of the fun.

I received 2 care packages while I was in hospital from 2 of my quilting buddies. They were so thoughtful and were gratefully received. Sarah from FairyFace Designs sent me up the cutest pouch full of hexies, paper templates, thread and needles. It was a fantastic diversion for me as the weeks go pretty slowly when you are confined to bed. Kirstie from Miranda and Lu also sent me up the most beautiful box full of quilty goodness, mini quilting book, fabric squares, a little notebook and more. I was very appreciative of these gifts and will treasure them.

My fab gift from Kirstie 

My fab gift from Sarah

 Below is quilt that I made 2 weeks ago for my beautiful nephew Oscar, I am also going to make a matching bumper in the next few weeks.

Watch this space as I am planning a giveaway when I get myself organised and I also want to share with you my thoughts on my first ever quilting book.

Take care x

8th day in bed

My usual position

Do you know when you are up to your eyes with kids, jobs, sewing, etc; you dream of a few days in bed where you can read and relax, catch up on TV and so on . Yeah well by day 8 it's a pain in the ass. What has to happen so that you are in bed means being really sick so that sucks too.

My back has been giving me trouble for some time now and last Thursday it went completely, it was excruciating and luckily I had my Mum and my sister with me and I called my hubby to come home asap. I ended up getting an ambulance into A&E and spent the night on a trolley they gave me strong drugs and sent me home. I was so glad to get home again, I hate hospitals and am always afraid that i'll pick up a bug as I'm that way inclined.

I know it's a bit of a mess but the light is fab and it will
make a great new sewing room when I'm up and about

So total bed rest was the only thing, luckily we have a pull out bed in what will soon be my new sewing room and it's incredibly comfy. I can't manage the stairs so it's great to have a bed on the ground floor, it's also great because the kids pop in and out and I hear all the goings on so I don't feel too isolated.

My Mum was up with me when all this happened and we were making Sophie's Communion dress while my back went and now it's half done. Her Communion is 2 weeks today. I'm refusing to panic. I have other orders in and sewing bee blocks, but everyone has been so kind and are willing to wait until I'm on my feet.

Now I know that my hubby is very capable, but he's been absolutely fantastic. He's remembering all of my meds, they have to be written down as there are so many and when my pain patches come off and on. He's managing the kids and their various appointments really well and Sophie who has just gone to school is sporting a very neat hairstyle! It was a bit rough on Monday but by the end of the week he has it mastered. Feck romance, it's when your husband brings you and helps you sit on the loo then that's love for you! ha ha ha

Reading everyone's blogs is great, I love to hear what you are all up to and what projects you are all working on. I'm missing sewing so much it's like an ache in my tummy. There are so many things I want to get working on but can't. I know I'm in love with sewing but didn't quite know the extent of that love until this week.

So, keep blogging, I'm enjoying every single one.

Geraldine x

I would be totally lost without this stick that my brother in law had

School time once more

It's great that school is finally back, boredom was beginning to set in and I'm not feeling very well as my back has gone again. So no mad rush to the sewing machine for me today. I did however just manage to finish off two blocks that are long overdue for the Modern Irish Bee.

Erin asked us each to pick a colour and I kinda joined the discussion a little late but was lucky that the low volume one was still left as I could have made 20 of these guys using these colours from my own stash! I hope she is happy with them and I know that mine are probably the last ones she is waiting on. 

I really need to get my butt in gear as May is my month and I need to get myself organised sooner rather than later. 

Hope everyone has a good week.