At the starting line

The whole big adventure starts in a couple of hours and I still have one quilt to finish binding. To be honest, I just ran out of puff. I might finish it on the booth - (it would be a good excuse to sit down).

This is Sewing School (with thanks to Rita for the great photo).

I have made a whole bunch of stuff with it and other people have made some freakingly amazing stuff with it. The suitcases are groaning !

if you want to see it in all it's glory you can pop over to the Ella Blue Website and take a peek.

I won't be blogging while I am away as I am not taking the appropriate devices but I will pop some pics on IG and FB and tell you all about when I get back.

I am going to pace myself and keep my peopler intact this time.

Madness revisited

OK, So I didn't make it back here as quickly as I thought but the excuse is a 100% cotton one.

Introducing Sewing School  (by Me)

This range will shown at Houston at the end of the month and it will be needles down and jump on a plane in exactly 12 sleeps.

 It is the same madness once again, staying up late, getting up early and the brain and explosion of deadlines and to-do's and maybe's. I am hoping for a less eventful trip this time and will be taking extra care of my people-er.

I will do my best to jump back in and share some photos but right now I am heading off to boil the kettle and get back to it.

Yes it is a madness, yes there must be a better way, and no, nobody has the time to think of it.

Wistful winds

I have to start by telling you that I practically begged my friend Shari of Doohikey Designs to join her blog tour. It wouldn't matter to me if her fabric was purple and brown - she is one of the nicest people in the universe and I am so happy to be able to tell you about her fabric.

It is a great collection !! !!!

I really had a hard time deciding what to do with it - and even though quilts are not my thing I did start on a few blocks (no idea why this is upside down). Don't you love the little girl? But of course I soon tire of flat sewing and want to make fun stuff...

So I made a pair of overalls for Ginger,

 and then I made myself a giant knitting bag for my giant knitting needles (no, I don't knit but I like to be prepared).

I had to make up a bit of binding just so I could add it to these cute little Binding Babies that Shari gave me when I visited her in Salt Lake City.

I really love the little girl in this print and so I fussy cut a couple and used my badge machine to make a needle keep ....or six. With two magnets on the back, I can magnetically hold this little button on my fabric and my needle will stay attached too. I feel like some kind of genius !!

My favourite print has to be that floral I think. The white background version makes me think of crisp pillowcases and bed linens. I can't wait to get my hands on some yardage !!

You can follow along the blog tour and see all the things people are making with the range and at the end of the tour Shari will be sharing a bit about how she designed the range and her inspiration.
              3rd:  Amy Sinibaldi -  www.nanaCompany.typepad.com

                      Kristyne Czepuryk -  www.prettybyhand.com

               4th: Amanda Niederhauser - www.jedicraftgirl.com

                       Amy Smart - www.diaryofaquilter.com

               5th: Meagan Taylor/Kristi Jones - www.meagsandme.com

                       Christine Cook - www.stitchingrevival.com

               6th: Elea Lutz - www.elealutzdesign.com

                      Jodie Carleton - www.vintagericrac.blogspot.com

               7th: Sedef Imer - www.downgrapevinelane.com

                       Jina Barney - jinabarneydesignz.com

               10th: Elizabeth Evans - www.simplesimonandco.com

                        Kimberly Bourne - www.mainstreetmarketdesigns.com

               11th: Jemima Flendt - www.tiedwitharibbon.com

                         Nadra Ridgeway - www.ellisandhiggs.com

                         Amy Chappel - www.amerooniedesigns.blogspot.com

               12th: Katie Skoog - www.thesimplelifecompany.com

                        Amber Johnson - www.alittlebitbiased.blogspot.com

                13th: Angie Wilson - www.gnomeangel.com

                          Clare Horsman - www.claresplaceblog.blogspot.com

                         Deanna Wall - www.stitchesquilting.com

                14th: Melissa Mortenson - polkadotchair.com

                          Jessica Stewart  - www.izzyandivydesigns.com

                          Shari Butler - www.doohikeydesigns.com/

Thanks so much for letting me join in Shari and congratulations on a fantastic range !!

See you guys tomorrow !!

Tilly & Ginger & swears

I am flying in on the last day of school holidays to introduce Miss Tilly. She is the cutest little thing - well actually she is quite big at 23 inches high.

 Tilly is one of my new patterns and she comes with her dress and cardigan

 as well as her shirt and shorts,

and her romper.

Her best friend Ginger comes with a dress and coat,

overalls and handbag

 and her shirt and skirt

The best thing is, they can swap clothes so you can create a whole little wardrobe. I am so glad these two huge patterns are done !!
These patterns will be available in all good stores any day now and the PDF versions are available in my Etsy shop....

along with a bit of fun ! I had these enamel pins made and there are a few up for grabs in my shop as well. This has been a whole new ballgame but I am happy with how it worked out and have another (crafty) pin due in a few weeks.
I am becoming obsessed.