Seeing Stars

The sun was shining yesterday, and I did manage to snap some photos of my wonky stars quilt - but, alas, they were very unflattering! It may have been something to do with placing a quilt with a white background against a whitewashed wall! These pictures were taken inside instead.

I am so pleased with this quilt. I had wanted to make a star quilt for absolutely ages but the prospect of triangles and points scared me a lot. The maverick/wonky star method disperses such fears in an instant - so easy and such fun!

The backing was aquired from my stash - it's a cherry print by Lecien from the Mrs March collection. I've had it for ages, loved it, but never known what to do with it. It seemed the perfect choice to complement the little cherries in the various 'teatime' prints. The pink gingham binding is by Makower and also features in one of the star blocks.

Love this quilt sooooo much - I am definitely going to make another one - but bigger!

Festive Baking

Well it's Christmas Eve - how DID that happen?! The munchkins are in bed so I've a little time for some festive blogging before completing my Mrs. Christmas duties! I had hoped to post some pics of my two completed quilts this week, but the weather has been too evil for photographs so it will have to wait til next week. Luckily we aren't seeing the recipients til next weekend so I've a few days yet!

My friend Stella and her two children came around on thursday afternoon for some baking fun. We go way back and she is a very dear friend. We initially met 15 years ago at university - we went our separate ways but our paths have crossed on multiple occasions and in the most extraordinary ways since. The most weird and wonderful crossing of paths occurred in August when Stella and her family moved from Surrey and bought a house on the next street to ours!

We had a lovely afternoon of gingerbread making and decorating:

Some of the results:

The big girl and I made a gingerbread house:

And I managed a spot of festive sewing - a stocking for the baby boy :-)

Happy Christmas!

Long time no blogging!

I can't believe I haven't managed to write anything here for about 6 weeks! My intentions have been good and my creative life has been quite productive but life - family life in particular - is busy! This coupled with terrible weather and a lack of internet hasn't been very helpful to the blogging experience! I've just got through a manic school week of Christmas concerts and Toddler group related Christmas activities while my husband flew to Northern Ireland for his grandmother's wake and funeral. It has been an emotionally draining week but there are only 3 more school days left of term and then my Big Girl will be home for the holidays and there will be lots of R and R - and baking and crafting one hopes!

I've been busy on the quilting front - finally completed my mother-in-law's birthday/Christmas quilt (pics to follow), and I'm just about finishing up a quilt for my niece. Here are some pics of the progress:

It's a wonky star quilt! I LOVED making this! There are only 6 block as it is a baby quilt and I used the tutorial here with great success. The fabric line I used was Tea Time by Makower, with a few bits of stash thrown in. For an easy life the white backround was a Bella Solid charm pack!

This quilt top has been sandwiched, basted and stippled already :-). The binding is cut and will hopefully be attached today - the sun is shining so if my fingers are quick I may get a snapshot later on!