A Needlebook Swap

(I always start my blog posts as if I am writing a letter…I even tend to do this with text messages. Is this old fashioned? I notice most of the blogs I follow just start writing almost as if the conversation never ended. So, what’s the go? Do I say hello or just get into it?)

That’s enough thinking aloud for one post…I participated in a Needlebook swap, organised by Samelia’s Mum over on facebook. I thought it would be a fun little project. And I loved thinking about what I could make and then doing it!

This is what I made for my partner. I could not resist using the Mama Said Sew range by Sweetwater.

My partner said she liked blue so I added a hint in the inside.

And the back. I put the closure on the back, a little piece of velcro because I didn’t want to detract from the hexi flower on the front. I was inspired by this needlebook but I didn’t follow a tute I just made it up as I went.

And this is the cute little needlebook I received -

I especially love the Friends plaque! It is on the shelf above my sewing machine!

Now I need to finish my mini for the Down Under Doll Quilt Swap (DUDQS) and post by the end of this week. I have already received mine (and I love it) but I will wait and do a full post once my partner gets hers!

By for now,
Jess :)

For the Boys blog hop

Hi guys,

I hope I am not late to the party! Some family stuff came up which delayed my post but here I am!

So this blog hop is especially for the boys – things that we make for the boys and men in our lives! Hosted by Mdm Samm and our cheerleader is Amy.

If you are new to my blog please have a look around. Feel free to follow me on Bloglovin, I am also on Facebook and Instagram. I am always posting photos on Instagram so you will see what I am up too over there way before I blog about it! Links for those are on the side bar.

Now, I had a dilemma this week because the project I was going to share is going to be published so I can’t show anymore pictures….and in all honesty I haven’t finished it yet either. But I will give you a sneak peek -

So What did I make for this blog hop? I thought for ages and came up with something that I know my youngest will need when he starts school next year and it will last him years. My oldest is still using his after 3 years!

It is a humble book bag. In our school these are used for homework, home readers and can also be used as library bags.

I found this cool shark drill in my stash so decided to use it. It is also good if the bag stands out from the crowd so it is easy to see and be grabbed out of the box quickly.

For the lining I used some of my sister in laws dyed fabric. I used velcro for the closure and just put a very simple handle on.

    
I hope my post hasn’t sounded rushed! I was typing as fast as I could go!

Be sure to check out the other participants for today -

November 13^th
Dachsies with Moxie
Patchouli Moon Studio
It Seams to Be Sew....
Scrappy n Happy – Here I am!
Loves to Quilt
Michelle's Romantic Tangle
Factotum of Arts
Jackie's Art Quilts
Living with purpose

Bye for now,
Jess :)

Sewjo in overdrive!

Hi all,

I don’t know where to start! After a couple of weeks of working everyday I have really enjoyed being at home more and sewing every spare second.

I started with this -

It is from Heather Bailey’s Fresh Picked pattern of fruit pincushions. I was thinking it would be a cool teacher appreciation present but the boys loved it so much that it didn’t make it to school.

I have been side tracked too! And this quilt is really  addictive, I just want to work on it non stop!

This is the centre of the Midnight at the Oasis quilt. A pattern by Jen Kingwell. I am using the Quiltmania pattern but you can also buy the pattern on its own.

So, I thought I had better do a to do list so I don’t get too side tracked.

The first thing on the list is made and ready to be posted. I will do a full reveal when they have been swapped!

I am working on the mini quilt now. I am doing lots of needle turn appliqué for this so I hope my partner loves it…she actually hasn’t been commenting on my sneak peeks so I am a little worried.  There are pictures on Instagram and flickr.

Blakes quilt – AKA the star burst quilt is coming along. I am ready to baste it and start quilting, just don’t have the energy today for all that kneeling and pinning. I was going to share this quilt for my post in the Boys Blog Hop but I can’t do that now so I am quickly coming up with something else and I hope to do a tutorial too. I will be using that shark fabric in the background of the above picture.

Here is a list of the participants in the blog hop - 

November 6^th
Vrooman's Quilts
Sew Many Yarns
Young Texan Mama
Baa’s Amazing Adventures!
Little Mushroomcap
Threading My Way
Sarah Scholz and Chasing Unicorns
Quilt Doodle Designs

November 7^th
Amy's Crafty Shenanigans
Ridge Top Quilts
Creatin' in the Sticks
Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
Meadowbrook
Malinis Quilts
Just Let Me Quilt
Kris Loves Fabric

November 8^th
Debby Kratovil Quilts
Made By Me in Red
Freemotion by the River
Val's Quilting Studio
Tomorrow's Treasures Today
The Stitchin’ Post
The Nosy Pepper
The Reluctant Quilter
Quilting, Losing & Tea

November 11^th
Jane's Quilting
Pieces By Polly
how Art you
Selina Quilts
Upcycled Fabric
BQuiltin Studio
In The Boon Docks
Gemini Stitches
Secretly Stitching

November 12^th
Pig Tales and Quilts
CeLynn's Sunflower Patch
rainbows.bunnies.cupcakes
Devoted Quilter
Desertsky Quilting
Sew Fresh Quilts
Red Letter Quilts
Craft Nurse Quilt
Miss Priss Quilts

November 13^th
Dachsies with Moxie
Patchouli Moon Studio
It Seams to Be Sew....
Scrappy n Happy – Here I am!
Loves to Quilt
Michelle's Romantic Tangle
Factotum of Arts
Jackie's Art Quilts
Living with purpose

November 14^th
I like to QuiltBlog
Marjorie's Busy Corner
My Fabric Relish
Feathered Nest Studios
Moose Stash Quilting
QuiltnQueen
Grandmama's Stories
Our Busy Little Bunch
Words and Stitches

November 15^th
Everyone Deserves a Quilt
From This to That
Monkey Makes Three
Just Quilt It
Life, Quilts and a Cat too
Thimblemouse and Spouse
More Stars in Comanche
Sew Incredibly Crazy
Sew We Quilt

That is quite a list and I already follow a few on there so it will be great to see what everyone comes up with!

I am off to have a CT scan on my chest this afternoon, my cough is still hanging around so the Dr is trying to figure out why I and the antibiotics can’t kick this infections butt!

Bye for now and happy sewing!
Jess :)