Lucky Number 13...

A new issue of Love Patchwork and Quilting landing on the doormat is always a treat and Issue Thirteen,, out now was right up there.

From first glance the pretty blue cover, with Lynne's stunning Medallion Quilt, along with Manda's gorgeous lampshade, oh and my deer cushion!, didn't fail to entice.

This is yet another stunningly put together Issue. Jen's styling brings projects to life in a way, as a contributor, you just can only imagine.

Lucky Number 13 for me though as I have not one, but 2 projects in this issue and, with both of them, Jen captured such a cool freshness that almost made me not recognise them as my own!

The first project was one I had a great deal of fun making, partly because I just love Carolyn Friedlander's fabrics and this quilt was inspired by a swap we did with each other with our respective fabrics.

The second project was a pair of vintage and linen cushions made with some vintage fabrics my dear friend Cathi had sent me. The reverse applique deer took me out of my comfort zone, but I am so pleased it did...I absolutely love the finished effect. Don't you find that is often the case? Push yourself out of the norm and something rather spectacular happens...if you haven't thrown the fabrics away in frustration and given up first!

If you want to see more of these projects, or some of the other great ones in the mag go here to get a copy before it sells out. You really won't want to miss out on this one.

It's that time again. The next Grey Circles is in just 2 weeks. Something to look forward to after the mayhem of interrupted time due to school holidays, Royal Weddings and Official Bank Holidays.

If you fancy some 'me' time after all that, then grab a place on our Children's Clothes Workshops on Saturday May 7th.

You will learn to make a top or tunic, along with a pair of trousers for any age from birth to 8 years. We ran the workshop back in February and it was a great success, both meeting great people and learning new skills. These designs are perfectly suited for summer clothing, so come along and design something unique for the children in your life to wear and enjoy all summer long. All you need to do is turn up and we'll provide everything else; including machine, all the fabrics you will need, lunch, tea, coffee, cakes, everything to enjoy the perfect day away learning new skills and meeting new friends.

Need to know anything more? Just contact myself or Manda for further information.

Ready to book? Go straight here and we look forward to having you join us.

Two dates are available for booking –

Thursday 9^th December

Saturday 11^th December

For further information or to book a place for either workshop date please email Manda or Karen at greycircles@hotmail.co.uk

As alot of you know, I am a messy crafter. I'd like to think that all creative people are somewhat messy, but I have a feeling that I may be in the minority. I've been using the excuse that it is my artistic temperament. But the time has come for me to just admit that I am a slob and the time to change has arrived.

May scrap pile is getting bigger by the day and it is getting a little out of hand. I've decided to take this in hand.

It's not even as if it's difficult these days to be organised. A jaunt to Ikea to pick up storage boxes is all it takes. And then a couple of hours to contentedly put the right piece in the right box.

Crazy as it sounds, as chaotic as I am I actually love order and to see these boxes getting filled really rocks my boat and makes me wonder why it always takes me so long to realise this.

I'm going to have to go now because I still have more playing, I mean sorting, to do. But just before I do I wanted to quickly tell you about a workshop that Manda and I are hoping to host in December. It will focus on making some small, but fun Christmas presents and decorations. Again, the details still need to be finalised, but it you are interested, please leave me a comment and I will email you the details.

I was rather green when I saw my buddy's post the other day and her recent blue and red purchase from Ikea.

I needn't have been as when the lovely lady brought my linen stash over that she picked up for me when she was there, there was a gift of a set of the afore-coveted bowls...for me!

Aren't they just perfect?

The linen is side hemmed table runner width and is a really lovely quality and weave. We've both been struggling to find good linen in the UK at the mo, so when Ikea got stock back in, Manda was straight on the phone and asked how much I needed.

Phew. I can breathe again knowing my linen stash is replenished.

Oh and if all this wasn't enough, Manda also brought over my birthday pressie of this divine Rob Ryan print. I absolutely love it and can't wait to get it up on my new walls. It's going to be just perfect.

Thanks for ALL of it, Manda...you are a gem xx

(P.S. Friday is my 2 year Blog Anniversary...I can't quite believe it! Come by for a FANTASTIC birthday giveaway...you won't be disappointed ;-))

One Lady's Rubbish...

Does this look like rubbish to you? Take a closer look...

Look at these little ditsy flowers...

And will you check out this bird in a blossom tree. Is this not a perfect little picture? Albeit of the miniature 8x6cm variety.

And what about these reds? Yep, you've spotted Prints Charming in there.

And I know that this next one is a personal favourite for lots of you...

The point is that, while these tiny scraps of almost nothingness, despite their beauty, don't warrant saving for the majority of people, once the quilt is made, the bag is finished and all they are fit for is the garbage. For me this is pure treasure. After all I don't need much to make any of these.

So whilst those scraps were one lady's rubbish, they are pure gold to me. And whilst we are the subject...I know one lady who will think my garbage is rather sparkling too...

Thanks for your rubbish, Manda ;-)

Building Blocks

I'm at a loss as to what has actually been achieved this week. It's been one hellava week on so many different levels and there is alot of preparation going on for some exciting new projects in the pipeline. You know what it's like when you are preparing for something major? It takes time. There is alot of ground work to be done, alot of building blocks to be put in place. And all this is happening before you can actually see anything concrete. Well that is what has been going on here.

Hence no blogging for almost a week (how did THAT happen?). And almost no making for a week either.

Last night, armed with a shed load of new fabrics from a trip to a new venue with Manda (that will have to wait for another post!), I really couldn't rest until I'd cut a hole in one of them. I'd taken them apart, folded them neatly, compared and contrasted, but nothing was going to satisfy me until something had been made. And since I didn't have a great deal of time to make anything substantial and since I didn't want to use up unthoughtfully any of my new luscious buys, I opted for making another little pin cushion. A perfect quick project for using a splash of colour.

I've been enjoying making pincushions recently. This red one is another 'knock up in a spare moment to satisfy a making craving' item. I have to accept that there is a time to sew and a time to plan and prepare. And at the moment it's the latter. And the quicker I get on with it, the quicker I can let you know what I'm up to...