December swaps - arrivals and departures

December has been very busy for the sewing room :)  I finally finished my secret sewing ............. I still cannot reveal anything ................ however, here is a tease

first up, some arrivals, with belated birthday love from CathyM for the Fat Quarter Swap

from CathyM for my Birthday

from WendyW for December FQ swap

from Maree for December FQ swap - look at those gorgeous lace ornaments :)

sent to Maree for December FQ swap

sent to WendyW for December FQ swap

next up my block for Kerry - my last for the QBSA Paper Pieced Swap Club

the block is called Global Concepts - I am relatively pleased with the way it turned out, but will not be continuing with the Paper Piecers Swaps - I just don't enjoy this process very much :(

my November block for Encarna in Spain has arrived safely - mine is still winging it's way to Australia

next are my two final blocks for the CraftMad Family Quilt 

this block is called Road to California

The lovely SueB from QBSA and myself finally met up in real life - after 3 years of bloggy friendship!
We met up for lunch and had a lovely chat :)  We exchanged gifts :)

a charm pack from SueB (I love French General!!!)

for SueB (minus the bottle :))

and last, but by no means least, a lovely surprise in the letterbox :)

from Fiona

see her post HERE on how they were made

Thank you so much, Fiona, your lovely gesture is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Me time :-) and catch up sewing

during the week ;-)

I managed to get some much needed sewing time this week.

I finished my September block for Do. Good Stitches

A 12" sampler block in greens and creams was requested.

I had a rather frustrating encounter with a paper pieced block for the Paper Piecer's Swap Group - I would really like to improve my paper piecing skills, but I am really struggling - I keep getting my flips and my flops the wrong way round.

my third and successful attempt - not so happy with the joins, but when I took the photo, I noticed the bottom left corner of the bottom block was AROUND THE WRONG WAY and was showing the wrong side of the fabric!  :(

so here it is after some 'reverse' sewing and many grumbles  :)  still not quite happy with the centres, but they are done and will be in the mail on Monday!

the scrap bin with all the bits of paper.

So I am not going to let this Paper Piecing thing beat me :)

am off to look at some tutorials and see if it finally clicks :)

After I finish a bit of housework this afternoon - yes, I guess it really MUST be done - I will get on with my QBSA Swap and my Christmas Block Swap and my A4A Borders along with my other sewing buddies on FNSI.

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Swaps Received - September & October

Time to catchup on some photos of swaps I have received

Fat Quarter Swap from Maryanne, September

Paper Piecers Swap from Michell

goodies from Sal for XMAS Sept swap

gorgeous block from Sal for XMAS Sept swap

Delphine sent this gorgeous block and is on the ball for October!

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

A new swap group ...........

I have only ever attempted two different paper pieced blocks in the past ;)

The lovely Sue, from QBSA and 6 inch Swap has started a new swap group ............... Paper Piecer's Swap Group

This will be a bi-monthly swap to start with - I am really hoping to improve my PP skills.

See answers to your questions HERE


Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.