Playing catch up..

Please don't confuse my lack of blogging for lack of activity... I'm pleased to say that we are settled in the new house (although there are still a few boxes haunting me) and the other house if FINALLY not my problem.. it's sold, settled and its new owners have moved in. Thank goodness. There were a few moments during the final moving/cleaning stage that were rather fraught with emotion/exhaustion. Have I mentioned that I hate moving house?

And my new house is unpacked enough that I have been able to sneak a few hours in my sewing room (my husband still thinks unpacking should be my first priority, followed by cleaning... but a girl needs to have some fun!)..

I don't think I ever revealed what I'd received in the QCA Handmade Swap. The lovely Jess from Scrappy n Happy sent me the most gorgeous little sewing kit, complete with embroidery scissors, applique needles & thread. She also enclosed some chocolate (I LOVE the Cadbury Marvellous Creations - it's fully of popping candy fun!) and fancy coffee sticks so I could sit down and check my gift out properly. The sewing kit has a matching needle book - both using a print from Bonnie & Camille's Ruby line.. one of my favourites! I especially love the measuring "tape" on the front. Jess, you'll be pleased to know that I could not live without those embroidery scissors!

All kitted out! Aren't I a lucky girl?

Speaking of swaps, I posted off my #talknt Handmade Swap gift.. and it made its way to Utah to live with @catann40. I made a mini quilt using a Swoon block, and this time I remembered to add hanging tabs! I really liked the way the mini turned out - it was incredibly hard to send it away.. good thing I've got lots more of that fabric! (I've actually decided to turn "my" Swoon quilt into a quilt for my Granddad... hopefully I can get that finished in time for Christmas!)

A closeup of my stippled quilting

I am dreadfully behind on my Craftsy BOM blocks.. I haven't done the July blocks yet, but if it makes any difference I used the tutorial for one of the August blocks to make Anorina's July QCA Bee block (which I made last week. In August. Woeful.). Anorina asked for a 12.5" star block of our choice, in grey/black/white/orange. I found some gorgeous black swirly and "galaxy" print fabric at Textile Traders, and used some orange from my stash. Bean really liked the block, he thought it looked like a Harry Potter star (whatever that is!).

I also made a start on McKenna's August block today. McKenna asked for a 16" feathered star block in the patriotic red, white & blue. So far I'm about halfway through cutting 48 1.5" HSTs.

I also finished piecing the nine patches for the quilt my husband wants me to make for a friend of his.. 64x 6.5" nine patches! Next I get to cut 64x 6.5" squares from my white background fabric so that I can turn all those nine patches into 128 nine patch HSTs. This quilt pattern is somewhat more labour intensive than the last two patterns I made out of Pam & Nicky Lintott's Layer Cake, Jelly Roll & Charm Quilts. I think it will look really effective once it's done though.

6 down, 58 to go...

64 nine patches complete!

 And the last thing I've been working on is my project for the Practically Paper Piecing blog hop that Kristy from Quiet Play is hosting. I've actually finished my paper pieced block, and all I have to do now is turn it into a finished product. You'll just have to wait until next week to find out what it is!

Here's a sneak peek for you...

Linking up to:
  

More bee blocks

 Jane (March Bee Leader) was one Dresden short for her quilt, and I was already planning to post her a little something because she's always doing lovely things for people, and her customer service is above and beyond.. so it made sense to quickly whip her up another Dresden to add to my package. While the overall construction time was low, it took me over a week because we've had a couple of full-on weeks on the home front (and with moving time looming closer, could be a few more crazy weeks in the pipeline!). I am pleased to say that I was finally able to post Jane her package today, and with luck she should receive it by Friday! I hope she likes her surprise :)

Mock needleturn hearts

Today Phillipa and I caught up for a well deserved sewing day.. the last few weeks have seen Belinda, Phillipa and I having to constantly reschedule! I made Phillipa's other bee block last month when she was testing it out, but when McKenna joined our bee hive earlier this month and we had to cut another set of pieces I figured that I might as well cut enough so I could do the "easy" block too.

I really enjoyed the needleturn applique - I can definitely see myself using it for other projects, including customised tshirts/skirts for Blossom. But I'm all for lazy short cuts that make my life easier!

My finished block

A close up of my clover leaf

 I laid out all Phillipa's blocks (ok, so she only had our 4 plus one from Sue - the rest are still in transit or under construction) and I think they are going to look lovely once they're all laid out together.. I love the way the flower blocks form a lattice, and the clover leaves link in too... there's so much movement :) I could see myself thefting the flower block and using it again for a little girl/baby quilt, or as part of a larger applique design.

I started on my May Craftsy BOM blocks, but as you can see I didn't get very far! This one is supposed to be the framed wonky log cabin. Unfortunately I ran out of time to sew, and had to go do the school pick up instead!

Linking up with WIP Wednesday on Freshly Pieced: