And Quilting On!

Having completed the HST BOM this month already, I am all enthused to tick another one of the list!

So this week's sewing has all been about my And Sew On BOM wallhanging. Having decided not to make the final block to have instead a 2 x 4 arrangement of the blocks, I dug out some appropriately themed fabric for the sashing  and some calico for the backing. The back will rarely see the light of day, so it made sense to use a plain, basic fabric for the back.

Apologies for the odd angle of the photo, the quilt is presently draped across the top of the sofa bed in my sewing room, and no I haven't taken to sleeping with my sewing machine!

I have quilted in the ditch around the blocks and straight line quilted the sashing blocks and borders, but now I am a bit stuck. I am not really sure how to quilt the blocks. Whilst quilting the sashing I was watching Leah Day's  Free Motion Quilting Class on Craftsy, so was feeling all ambitious about tackling different Free Motion Quilting patterns in the various blocks, but I am not 100% convinced that that is the way to go, so suggestions would be very welcome :)

Recently, Catherine at Knotted Cotton was looking for someone to go halves with her on a purchase of Oakshott Cottons. Having never bought any Oakshott before, it seemed like the ideal opportunity to experience the loveliness of these fabrics without breaking the bank! This bundle of loveliness arrived in the post this week, and I have been admiring them ever since. Now I know what all the fuss is about, they are just beautiful!

Post of a different kind, but no less welcome, has been pinging into my email all week too. The list of giveaway sponsors for the Ho,Ho,Ho and on We Sew Link party just gets longer and longer!

This month's giveaway is the wonderful Ornamental and Sew Seasonal Pattern Bundle from Quiet Play's Craftsy store

The Link Party is open over at Mud, Pies and Pins until the end of the month so there is still plenty of time to get started on your Christmas and Holiday projects and link them up to be in with a chance of winning.

If you are looking to add some Christmas Fabric to your stash check out the Christmas Sale at the Fat Quarter Shop. Check out too the generous sponsors we have lined up for you in the coming months!



That's enough WIP's to be going on with for now I think :)

Linking up to

 

Introducing Blossom Heart Quilts

So, you have picked your holiday memory photo, generated your fabric palette now you need to select your fabric. Well, today I am delighted to introduce Alyce, of Blossom Heart Quilts who is one of the very generous prize sponsors for the

If you have never come across Alyce's fabulous Japanese fabrics you are in for a real treat!

Over to Alyce ...

When Fiona emailed me asking me if I would sponsor the Holiday Memories Mini Quilt Competition with some of my exotic Japanese fabric, how could I say no?! I love Japanese fabric - a term that covers so many different styles - and especially sharing it with others. This was the drive to open my little Etsy store, wanting to share my Japanese fabric finds with others. It's my "bit on the side" - as a full-time stay at home mum and a part-time English teacher, my fling with Japanese fabric is a great side interest! Because who doesn't love playing with fabric?!

For the competition, I've donated this beautiful bundle of Japanese fabrics featuring colourful and traditional prints. It's a bundle from my Japanese Bundle Club - a monthly bundle of fabrics selected around a theme. This bundle is from the Tanabata month - a Japanese festival held each summer. The bundle contains 6 prints symbolising Japanese festivals. Other months have included sewing prints, text, and the current bundle is a bundle of 6 warm-coloured fabrics in reds, oranges and yellows. Next month, available September 1st, is novelty prints! It's a month-by-month club, so you just purchase what bundles you want to by the end of the month, and by the second Friday of the next month, your bundle will be winging it's way to you from Japan! You can order a fat quarter bundle or a fat eighth bundle, and shipping is free! You can even combine shipping with any other item, and it will all ship together. If you've ever wanted to try some Japanese fabric, this is the best way to do it!

I can't wait to see what you create during the competition!!

Thanks Alyce, your Japanese fabrics are gorgeous.

All of the details of the competition, including the list of prize sponsors are available here

If trying out Japanese fabrics are New to You then there is still time to link up to

The link up is open until the end of the month.