I have three quilts to make this year with anything else a bonus. Each quilt will be made using a pattern published in the American quilt magazine Better Homes & Garden's American Patchwork & Quilting. I started purchasing this magazine in April 2007 and haven't, as yet, made any of the projects. Don't get me wrong I love so many of the projects but I plan most of my quilts up to two years in advance because I have a limited budget.

The first quilt I am making this year is Paisley Parade designed by Laurie Simpson which featured in Quilt Sampler Fall/Winter 2008. I also decided to use quite a few of the original fabrics (not something I normally do). Here's how the quilt was photographed for the magazine.


Progress has been slow but we have a long weekend here in Australia for Australia Day so I might just spend some of it sewing.

Itching 2 B Stitching - An Easy Swap

This terrific no fuss swap is being hosted by Tracey at Itching 2B Stitching. The swap involves sending 15 scraps of nice fabric (at least the size of your hand open and fingers spread slightly) to your swap partner. Click here or on the picture above for more details.

There was a parcel waiting for me at the post office yesterday from Jen at Life's Just a Ferball. Jen makes the most amazing things - quilts, bags, soft toys, knitted items, etc. She is a very talented and creative soul. She is also lucky to live in beautiful Tasmania ( off the southern coast of Australia). You must visit if you ever get the chance.

In the parcel was this delightful little chap and a piece of amazing hand-printed fabric by Kristen Doran Designs. Unfortunately, this photo does not do justice to the earthy, organic look and feel of the fabric. It's printed with Matroyshka Dolls.



Thank you Jen for this lovely present!

Pay it Forward - Now Closed

Thank you to Jennie, Micki and Kathy who have signed on to receive a gift in my Pay It Forward. I hope they are as excited about receiving their gifts as I am about making them!




Lola is particpating in a Pay it Forward and I have signed on and been *chosen* to receive a gift from her. One of the conditions is that I am to host a Pay it Forward on my blog. I have chosen to host my Pay it Forward now.

• I will select 3 people from those that sign up and send gifts to them. The gifts made to send to others can be anything...maybe tailored to their likes (according to their profiles on their blogs)...or just something I enjoy making.

• The gifts from me will be sent out sometime in the next six months.

• Then in return, you need to make the same Pay it Forward promise on your blog. I'm not too fussed about when you host your Pay if Forward - perhaps three months from now, six months or even next year.
  

• You must have a blog to participate and when you do host your Pay it Forward you have up to six months to send out your handmade gifts.

• Don't forget to post about the Pay it Forward gift you receive.
  

Would you like to join in? Just let me know by leaving me a comment. Make sure you have an email on your blog or profile so I can get in touch for mailing information.

A Tisket A Tasket - 12 Months of Baskets

This free Block of the Month is being offered by Anne Sutton from Bunny Hill Designs. Click on the image or any of the links to obtain the details and download the pattern and instructions. Anne is posting completed blocks on her blog.

Here is my version of the first block.



Now when it comes to applique, I usually prefer to machine or blanket stitch. So this is a big stretch and I'm not reknowned for my embroidery skills. With a bit of luck and application I might just improve both.

I think it will be a nice little project that I can take to work and stitch in my lunch break. I wonder what next month's blog will be.

Thanks Anne for offering this project and to Rachel at p.s. i quilt (where I first found out about it).

One Project a Month - January

I've had the pattern (from Whistlepig Creek Productions) and American Primer charm squares (by Minick &Simpson for moda) for a while now and thought it high time I made them up.

Maybritt & Kris's challenge was incentive enough!


After making the tote bag I had enough charms left over to make a cushion cover.


One project down...11 to go!

Project A Month Challenge

Abyquilt and TagalongTeddies have a fun, low pressure challenge. The idea is to finish one outstanding *soft fabric* project a month. Many of us have half-finished projects, things that need binding or kits bought but not started. This will be a terrific way to tackle them. You might like to start making things for Christmas.

Add the above image to your side bar and keep a list showing what you have finished each month. As an added incentive there is a monthly prize draw and a super dooper end-of-year prize draw. Send you details to Maybritt and Kris if you want to go in the draw. Visit their respective sites for the details and rules.

5 Great Ideas

One of the things I have resolved to do this year, apart from continuing to support my local quilt shops, is to continue making handmade gifts. I will also try and buy handmade rather than commercially mass-produced items.

To this end, I have been searching the net, looking for 5 easy things to make. Here they are.

1. Jonas Apron in an Hour - using a fat quarter and half yard of fabric.

2. An terrific little fabric basket from pink penguin

3. Download a free pattern for a charm tote bag from buttonberry

4. Or this lovely heart shaped pincushion from The Pattern Basket

5. A Stitcher's Angel Sewing Bag from the talented MayBritt at Abyquilt


If you know of other blogs with free patterns then let me know.