Busy weekend!

I had a wonderful time at my retreat last weekend; also very productive. I made progress on my "Heart & Home" top...added the first border as well as piecing some more houses and adding more applique to other bits. 

I also made a top using my pretty floral fat quarters. Not sure if I want to add a border to this.

 This is not a good photo... it's taken with my phone and doesn't do the fabrics justice. Here is a close-up.

Stacey's at the Gap is a serene and peaceful place.. lovely ladies for company. I'm going back in November! 

Ready to go...

... off to my retreat tomorrow.

Compared to what some women take this is small potatoes but I think it should be enough. Maybe? I struggled to make decisions about these projects, let alone any more! Hmmm...

Thanks ladies...

To all the wonderful women out there.

It's your day... Celebrate!

International Women's Day 2013

After the rain...

... comes the sun? Afraid not.. just more rain and clouds it seems.
During the recent heavier rain my roses have been busy (and the weeds too of course).

I would like to say I have been as busy as my roses, but alas, not the case. I know that the rainy weather should be an incentive to do crafty things... lots of others are inspired.. but for me rainy days = reading.

I have stirred myself slightly in the craft department however. My March retreat is looming and I need to get organised. Last year I began a small quilt by Anni Downs from an old Homespun magazine, but when I had got to the point of adding the first row of houses to the centre I discovered (shock, horror) that I had cut a nine inch square instead of a nine and a half inch square. And I had already appliqued the hearts! Of course it went to live in the 'I'll get around to that later' basket (sigh).
So I decided that I should at least rectify that mistake so I can continue at retreat.

 As for a decision on other projects to take? Still procrastinating!

Tuesday treasures

Today I'm sharing some more of my vintage linen collection.

This is a selection from my 'white stuff'. I have lots of pieces with beautiful crochet lace edges..

.. and others with white on white embroidery.

Even though I have no idea who made these pieces, I treasure the time and skill it has taken to create them.

Don't forget to pop over to Melody's to see who else is sharing today.

Decisions, decisions...

I have booked myself into a quilting retreat in the middle of March hoping to revive my ailing sewjo. It is the same place I went to last year. Of course, the best way to make the most of the weekend is to be well prepared with projects, so I have been reviewing fabric and books for some inspiration. This bundle of fat quarters has been lurking in my stash for a while now and I have at least decided that now is the time to turn them into something... now the question is ... what?

Given my general state of indecision lately I figured I'd better start thinking about it now!

What is it with cats..

..and fabric? I know it's not just my Bella as lots of blogs feature pets cavorting on quilts or reclining near sewing machines "helping" their owners.
It seems they have an inbuilt radar too. I am trying to find my sew-jo but every time I go into my craft room Bella appears... leaping on to the cutting table... scattering fabric or flopping down precisely where I may be ready to cut. She doesn't appear immediately I might add.. she waits until I have spread out fabric for consideration or preparation to cut. Generally she has been invisible ages before I venture into the room but inevitably.. just when I'm ready to begin something... there she is... and very difficult to remove too!
In my present state of indecision of course I procrastinate and leave the room. Good one Bella!

What is it with cats???