Goodies and Mug Rugs

No housework done. Washing still in the machine. Haven't made the bed that I got out of this morning, but I think I have finally caught up with all my Swaps and QALs this weekend.

When I decided to join Cindy's Mug Rug and Goodies Swap, I will admit I was a little bit nervous. What would I make as a Goodie and will my Mug Rug be what others like? The final crunch for joining was that I do love my cuppa and really think that I could put a Mug Rug to good use, so I joined.

Thanks to Kat for her turtorial I was able make some little pouches for my goodies. I did try and am still tweeking my own purse pattern, just still in the head at the moment.
So now they will have to be packed and posted to their new homes sometime in the next week.
As for me...I have not a clue who has me but oh are there some great Goodies being made and fantastic Mug Rugs of all kinds.

Now I must go and get the Dyson out...I have threads everywhere.

Across the Sea and Across the Pond

Look what was waiting fror me this evening at the front door...

Cloud 9 's new range - Across the Pond...so many ideas will be floating around the wee head tonight.

As for the Across the Sea QAL...we are getting there.

Sorry for the pics, it has been raining all day. Erin

A little bit of Autumn is in the air.

There is a chill is in the air in the evenings here in Kildare. So much so that I had to get my little quilt out to put over me on the couch.

Autumn is coming and there seemed to be a lot more yellow and red leaves around on the trees at the end of last week.
I love autumn. It is my favourite time of the year simply because of the colours that are around. I love being in Ireland for this season also and will head to some parks in the next few weeks to admire all the colours around me.

My Freebird quilt that is shown was finished off last month, (I needed the pins that were holding the binding together for another project.) I had started it back in March (I think) and had to stop and put it aside a few times for different reasons...(mainly supplies) and I was dreading quilting it as it was my first large quilt.

Why I was worried I do not know as it didn't take me too long. No free hand quilting, just straight stitching.
The colours do remind me of Autumn and now I will have to decide what to do with it.

Rags to Bags is having a giveaway of this fabric range this week so if you like it, head over and follow her instructions.

My day of sewing was taken up with a QAL that I am trying to catch up on, I think I am up to date.
And my Goodies Swap....well I haven't started that.

Welcome again to all my new followers and thanks to all for stopping by. Erin.

That month went far too quickly.

When I signed in at work this morning at 7am, I had to stop and think (because it was too early in the morning) Are we in September already? What happened to the summer? So here is what I have done for August.

Not much really but I seem to not get any time to sew during the week, but oh how I have spent many hours blogging and tweeking my new blog. (still so much more to do)

I thought I would again link up with Lily's Quilts and join the Small Blog Meet. It has been a great month for following new blogs and getting so many new followers with lots of messages of encouragement from all. Thank you all that have joined and left messages. Thanks also must go to Lynne for starting the Small Blog Meet. I have found lots of inspiration from new friends. My husband agreed with me tonight that my PayPal account has had a holiday last month, instead of flicking back and forth through online fabric stores, I am looking through blogs...a much cheaper option. Now I must start my QAL and Mug Rug and Goodies Swap.

I must not start a new quilt....I must not start a new quilt.....I must not...

A day of sewing and a front quilt finished just in time before the sun sets this evening.

Last week I started to cut up my 'Little Apples' charm packs and all week I have been umming and ahhing over what to do.

As you can see, I ended up just framing half the squares in White Kona.
(I do need to keep it simple) so I'm quite happy the way it has turned out.
I do wish though I got a layer cake of 'Little Apples' as I have missed out on the wee little girls and boys dancing in a circle. Maybe I'll just have to get that FQ pack at Fabric Worm.
I am looking forward to buying some of the prints when they do come out for some little dresses for my neice at home in Oz. I missed out on the Sherbet Pips, not much of it around now.

Ok, I promise I will not start another quilt until all quilts are finished, Oh except the Across the Sea Quilt Along.

Have a great week!

Goodies Swap and Across the Sea QAL

Ok. When I started this blog I didn't think I would be signing up for sewing groups or swapping my projects with others.
The blogging thing is a whole new technical lesson to learn in itself and I am still finding out how to add things onto my page....(I worked out how to put up buttons the other day...I was very proud of myself)
But when reading through others blogs I began to find a whole new language What does a QAL mean oh and LQS?
Then I started to ask myself, how does everyone have time to write these blogs and still sew.
If I joined these groups, would anyone like what I make?

I couldn't let this hold me back so early last week I joined...two.

Across the Sea Quilt Along....(QAL oh is that what it means?) is being co hosted by Sarah from Fairyface Design and she has assured me that I will be able to complete the quilt. (I still think the back looks a bit tricky.) I picked out my fabrics last Saturday evening, well really it was a layer cake that I had bought a month ago and still couldn't decide what to do with it, so with that done I am now ready to conquer my first QAL!

I hope that I'm able to keep up with each weeks task. (I'm behind already.) and glad to see a few friendly faces doing it also.

I also joined Fluffy Sheep Quilting Mug Rug and Goodies Swap.

Once I joined this I really had to stop and ask 'What was I doing! What will I make?'
I am hoping that 3am brain storm will happen sooner rather than later.
I think there is still time to sign up for Cindy's Swap so check it out!

Now I hope to get a bit of sewing done this weekend on my Little Apples quilt, but I have a more important task of decorating a birthday cake for a nephew who is having a 1st birthday party tomorrow and attending the tea party so it may have to wait until Sunday.
Happy Sewing.
Erin

Since posting this I have had terrible trouble with my blog...maybe I should just leave it alone and not fiddle around with it anymore...(like the tension on Mum's sewing machine)
I hope reposting this will stop my blog being redesigned by itself.

On the brighter side...the Cake is done!

Little Apples and Sherbet Pips

I've had a great time sewing this weekend and feel quite satisfied with what I achieved:
Binded a quilt that I started in March. (Another blog for that)
Cut into my Sherbet Pips Jelly Roll.
Pulled out my three Little Apples charm packs and planned what I will make.
Sorted out my fabric that I am to use for My Across the Sea Quilt Along.

While the washing machine was chugging early this morning, my sewing machine was also ticking over. No interuptions!
The Sherbet Pip Jelly Roll was cut yesterday and todays job was to join all the squares.
I was amazed at how quick and easy this was done.
No bobbin running out... No unpicking... No needle broken..How could this be?

I am happy with what I have done so far but now for the backing...mmm.
I don't know if I am a big fan of Jelly Rolls. I think I missed out on the design on the fabrics. (Especially for this fabric design)

Little Apples... My plan for this quilt has changed each hour today. I still can't deside what to do. Should I use some white and frame each square that I have made or do I use the other fabric squares that I have put aside? I know I am limited to what I can do with 5" squares. Maybe I need to just put it aside for the week and tackle it next Saturday. I'm sure It will all come to me at 3am in the morning.

Yes as you can see I do LOVE Aneela Hoey's designs and also LOVE her blog
I think I will be putting an order in for a FQ bundle of this.
It's far too cute not to have it in my stash.

A busy weekend been and gone...Where does it go?
Enjoy your week and thanks for dropping by.
Erin