taking a break

It's beginning to look a little bit like Christmas around here!

... and just 21 sleeps to go!

...digging out all the usual old Xmas decor bits & pieces!

... tea lights & candles for that subtle sparkle

... the beginnings of a little festive vignette on the dresser,
I love adding to it daily between now and the 'big day'

... just waiting now for Olive & Evie to come and help me decorate the tree

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

... taking a little break from blogging
... be back next year with lots more colour!   

midweek snapshot

up on the design wall...

improv tea towel WiP
still working out a plan here, more details of inspiration & progress soon, but having fun so far!

from the garden...

jamjar herbs & roses

off the bookshelf...

pondering next year's possibilities, a little EPP perhaps!

and in the post...
a fat 1/4 bundle of Greenfield Hill by Denyse Schmidt
a more traditional fabric range than some of her others,
one that evokes "afternoon teas, polite gossip, faded wallpaper" - a lucky find on Trademe!

How's your week going?

a few favourites #8

Here's what caught my eye today, all around home this time

... more summer colour from my garden

... some happy mail
new plaids & florals, love how they play nicely together

... and Annabel Langbein's latest book, lots of ideas for those long hot days of summer!

what are you loving this weekend?

one more finish

I've made a real effort lately trying to finish a few things
{and then I figure I can start a new some thing!}

... and now auntbetsquilt my moderne utility quilt, is finished too
I really enjoyed making this little quilt, and am tempted to make another in different colours!

It's a simple scrappy design,
with large pieces perfect for your special fabrics to shine
and with the 1/4 log cabin and flying geese blocks to add some 'quilty' interest

- for earlier progress pics & more details see here

clamshell quilting by Annette from WildCotton Quilting 

Linking up with Kelly for 'needle and thread thursday' here at myquiltinfatuation.

with Myra  over here at busyhandsquilts this week

and with Ann & Kaja for the monthly 'Ad Hoc Improv Quilter' here

right place, right time

Popped out for my morning coffee

and right next door was the vintage 2nd hand shop...

A lady had put her lovely collection of tea towels up for sale

all Irish linen

each one with crotchet edging...

couldn't believe my luck!

I had a little play with a trial fun block,
mixing up bright modern scraps with vintage colour!

plan B almost underway!

modern & vintage

Happy Tuesday!
I did have a plan...

... c'est tres hard though
I can't seem to cut up this pretty tablecloth just yet
{sigh} onto plan B!

finishing my quilts

Thank you all so much for caring & asking if we are safe after my last post.
On a more cheerful note, I thought I would share my recent finish

'daisy days'
All done & dusted, just in time for Xmas... {sigh} it's only taken me since May 2015!
I guess it's a little bit old fashioned but that's ok, I still love this happy mix of fabrics...

I had it quilted in an allover pretty daisy pattern by Annette from WildCotton Quilting
- lots of lovely texture here now!

Each block is 8"

and the finished quilt ended up around 60" square

I used a template set made by Meredithe from pomegranateandchintz to make my daisies

The backing is made up of a scrappy mixture of green florals

and the binding is a pretty floral stripe from Denyse Schmidt
- a quilt all made from my stash!

{ for earlier progress pics follow the links here and here}

quilts make the best gifts, don't you think!

Linking up my finish with Amanda Jean here at crazymomquilts
and with Debbie here  for tgiff

Have a lovely weekend!