Howdy everyone, just me popping by to say hello. I’ve been a busy bee this week. Don’t quite know what’s got into me, but I’m inspired and working my way through three (Yep, 3) quilts. I started one of them in a class with Kerry Glen about 18 months ago. Always liked it, but never finished it. Well, I’ve beavered on it and all the blocks have been sandwiched and are ready to be machine quilted. I’m quilting as I go on this one, and will put it together with strips at the end.

The second is a lovely hexagon quilt I started last year. All I need to do it hand quilt it with metallic thread (drives me nuts, but I’m not going to let it get the better of me). Then topstitch the blocks together and it will be completed. It’s looking lovely. I’ve used my exotic fabrics with black and with the gold thread it is quite stunning.

The last quilt is the one I told you about last week. My blue and White one. It’s small world quilters. I mentioned the book I was using for inspiration – Dutch Treat by Judy Garden. Well blow me down if I don’t get an email from her. One of her friends sent my newsletter on to her and she contacted me. I was thrilled, as I’ve loved this quilt book from the first time I laid eyes on it and have always meant to have a go. Anyway we’ve exchanged a few emails and I hope I can do her quilt justice. I’m recess appliquéing half of the blocks, machine quilting and foundation piecing the remaining half. It’s a big task, but I’m up for it.

I’d love to know what you’re up to in your quilting. I’ll post a question on the forum and I invite you to pop over and let me know what quilting you’re up to at present. You’ll also notice that we’ve had lots of discussion on the forum over the past week. I love the communication we’re having there, come and join us. Here’s the link: http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/737975#Post737975

Last week I posted another review, this time it’s a book called Doubledipity and it’s a beauty. I love the results this fussy cutting method achieves and I can’t wait to have a go. Here’s the link to that article: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art174293.asp

So, I’ve been surfing again and have found some pretty interesting stuff for you to have a look at. Have fun with these:

http://www.livingwithpunks.com/2011/06/sys-whimsical-key-chains.html cute key rings

http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2011/05/free-pattern-month-day-11-cakies-a.html#delighted a simple frame tent for child’s play. I know I had something similar to this last week, but this is a much better idea I think!

http://blueprintcrafts.com/2011/06/good-intentions-and-a-tutorial/ cute garden apron might be handy for your green thumbed friends.

http://www.makeitlovely.com/2011/06/diy-6-piece-beach-ball-pillow.html lots of play in this one.

http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/cutting-corners/2011/08/16/gather-love-baby-quilt-pattern/ a sweet baby quilt to make

http://marysgranddaughter.blogspot.com/2011/09/rose-by-any-other-name.html not quilting I know but get a load of this creation.

http://www.sewsweetness.com/2011/09/sewing-back-to-school-fabric-grain.html here’s a great article on fabric grain. Everything you’ve wanted to know is here.

http://stitchindye.blogspot.com/2009/08/hex-pincushions.html hexi pincushions (they’re only little ones)…..

http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2011/9/4/sunday-sweets-getting-crafty.html not quilting but unbelievable – they are all made from cooking ingredients!!

Well quilters, that’s all from me for this week. I do hope you have a great week ahead and that you get some quiltin’ time for yourself.

Cheerio for now

Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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