my favourite quilt

 When Mary gave a shout for us to share our own favourite quilts

how could I resist?
My favourite quilt was made with a multitude of fabrics
that I scoured the earth for...nothing special.
Remember
it's not what you have but what you do with it!

 I am yet to beat my 'summer of love' quilt.

This quilt was a labour of love.

It was hand pieced before I 'joined' the online quilt world

I was very much alone for a long time.

I think the beauty in this quilt comes from the 

crazy mix of patterns and colours

which look haphazard but were all chosen to balance each other,

the beauty also comes from a mind not addled by online pressures.

I know we've all seen this quilt before

but I dont mind rolling it out again

as long as you dont!

Why not join in Marys link party

with your fav?

five six and sevens

Day five in the selfsewn household

a nasty cold is keeping her under the quilt...

but she has kept herself going with some six sided sewing

and a whimsical colour coordinating film*

 

 

*seven brides for seven brothers

wordless week

piggie in the middle

Once upon a time there were two friends Mary and Susan.

Both were talented crafters with great taste...

but as they lived so far apart how could they ever meet?

This is where the piggie* part comes in.

*the piggie being me!

Okay so they aren't here in person

but their goods do get to mingle here at my house!

 The first surprise to arrive was from Susan in Australia.

We have a shared love of brown 'n' colour

I love how it ties everything together.

My favourite piece is the heavily quilted fabric tub

made from an old tea-towel,

it's just my thing!

Thank you Susan for getting me out of my funk x

 And then along came these American beauties.

Mary always picks such wonderful things.

The little labels were used within moments

as I had just made jam.

I haven't sewn much this year

but I think I could get used to precuts!

Thank you Mary you are a sweetheart x

 The little verbena magnet

found its home in my printers tray.

I do feel like a little piggie

with all these lovely gifts.

With them all gathered here

I am amazed how well they sit together.

A meeting of generous generous minds x

*recognise my hairband Susan?

simple is as simple does

 Hey it's September and I am back again from another campervan trip.

I'm feeling a little more refreshed this time.

My life is fairly simple though my quilting is not.

So when I spied this sweater* in my favourite French shop Bonobo

I knew I had to have it

so everyone knows that I'm trying to keep things simple....

or

maybe I've just accurately labelled myself..

damn it!

*nothing like trying on sweaters in 35 degree heat....

that's forward thinking for you and not at all simple!

I dream of dahlias

I have been out and about gathering gardening ideas for next year.

With the roses gradually dwindling

I'm looking for something to fill their boots.

So I took a trip with my parents yesterday to Gilberts Dahlias in Romsey Hampshire.

I have been  with them once before

but nothing prepares you for the awesome view that awaits.

This is not your usual dahlia buying experience.

These dahlias are huge and stunning.

Much fun is had marching up and down the aisle trying to choose

falling in love at every turn.

My Dad has begun showing dahlias at a local village show

so he was looking for show stoppers.

I likened his choosing to crufts.

 Marys Jomanda, Kate Mountjoy

Something Ballerina, Edinburgh

I was looking for something more me!

These are my choices.....I know kinda purpley again.

I don't yet own these beauties,

the service Gilberts offer is a £2.50 rooted cutting in spring.

So I have a year to wait (argghhhh)

and a year to work out just where I can squeeze them into my garden!!

If you love dahlias and just want to be awed

get yourself down to Gilberts

they do have dahlias to purchase 

and a tea room to ponder in..

just don't leave it too late

orders must be in before December.

patchwork 'n' love

 With my new pace of sewing when the mood takes me

I will hopefully return to writing about what I'm loving.

   In the crazy world of quilting it's all too easy to lose sight of 

the whats and the whys;

and get caught up in the sewing of patchwork

and forget the passion.

Just because you say I could make that 

shouldn't stop you from buying.

If like me you REALLY love patchwork

then appreciating each others work is not a chore.

I sit next to this vintage patchwork cushion everyday

 I didn't make it but I do LOVE it.

 **

I know what you're thinking right?

Whats that fabulous cuff on her wrist and where did she get it?

Actually it was a surprise* gift from Susan aka Patchwork n Play

who is equally if not more passionate about patchwork.

And yes if I had seen this for sell in a shop

it would have been mine.

Thank you Suz

you know me so well!

*more to follow!
**pardon the shameful display of legs!