Hello, hello

How are you my lovely quilty friends?  I have missed you!  Life has been a little bit busy here recently, and unfortunately blogging has ended up at the bottom of the list of things to do.  However I had a stinking headache this morning so have packed in work for the day in favour of a decent sleep and trying to get rid of a runny nose (is that too much information? - heh).

I have heaps to tell you, which means I don't know where to start.  So I'll start with the most recent thing I have been doing - a little memory cushion.  I have been spoiled rotten for my birthday, and wanted to do something with all the special bits of fabric I have received from all over the world.  I have been terrified of losing them, and have been umming and ahhing about the best way to show everything off.  In my usual way, I have given up thinking and just starting sewing.  This is what happened ...

It couldn't be simpler - a little 12" cushion top for the bed.  This is the front.  It includes handmade lace from Tiina's mother in Finland, Hydeeann's special little rain showers fabric from the States, Deborah's gorgeous royal blue print from Indonesia and a mix of low volume fabrics from here in Auckland.  The squares are 3" finished - I was going to make them smaller, but in the end didn't want to cut up the lace - I was scared it would fray, and I would lose the effect of the pattern.  It is also a good size to get a decent selection of those little umbrellas.

You can see I have fussy cut some of the text print.  I am pleased that everything is safe in one place now!  It has been straight-line quilted in one direction.

And this - tah dah - will be the back.  Hydeeann sent me one of her EPP blocks as well.  I feel very privileged.  So I will appliqué this on to some of the low volume prints and then quilt.  It might be a good opportunity to try hand-quilting.  Eeeeep.

I think I will pipe the cushion once it's finished.  I'm not sure whether to go with dark blue or aqua.  What do you think?  I am an aqua fiend ...

Aren't I spoiled?  And because I haven't forgotten to share the love, the winners of my two 40th birthday extravaganza giveaways are:

• for the cushion - Megan! - yay ...
• for the charm pack - Schulz Family! - woo hoo ...

Send me an email with your address details, and I will do my best to remember to post your prizes before the end of the month.  It will get there, I promise!

And because I have been spoiled with Hydeeann's EPP, I have a wonderful excuse to link up to her In Hand EPP party.  Howdy visitors!