Saturday 9 February 2013

Diamonds are a girls best friend.......

Well... maybe the ones you don't have to 'Y' seam in place are but the jury is still out on these ones.....



That's the last unit about to be pieced.   At last... another finished block!


I tried counting all the 'Y' seams but honestly I got so cross eyed looking at them I had to give up.  My best estimate is 55 but I don't see how an odd number can be right.    If I wasn't much good at 'Y' seaming when I started this block... I'm a lot better at it now!

What you are looking at here is another block of my Crisis Quilt.    My so called friends named it that not me.  They all seem to think it's hilarious.   It's a block of the month I signed up for at 3am one dark and lonely night.  In the grip of a mid life crisis and slurping the last comforting dregs of a bottle of Shiraz... I pressed that button.   Seemed like a great idea at the time........


This is it.   Regardless of being the constant butt of the girls jokes.... I don't regret it..... really!    OK... I've had one or two 'what was I thinking' moments but I've made my peace with it.    I wanted a challenge and I certainly got one.   If you've been hanging around here for a while you'll have seen some of the dastardly blocks I've already pieced.   I've cut and prepared another 2.....


Those two bits at the top do fit in.... once the seams are stitched.   I like this one... it looks easier than the others.  Then there is this one.....


I love this one..... it speaks to me.  Told you my brain was addled!     This is how the design wall looks tonight.....


My mum's been over this afternoon and you could have knocked me over with a feather when she announced that.... she loved it!!!    Oh boy.... do you think I can get her to take this one instead of the one I was making for me?  I showed her the finished 'flimsy' of that too and she looked decidedly unimpressed so maybe I'm in with a chance.  

Bet you've already guessed that this is one big frog I'm hell bent on consuming.... sooner rather than later.

Been doing a bit of secret sewing this week too.... but you are not getting to see that.... it's a secret!  So I'll show you some lovely New York Beauty blocks that Kitty made last weekend in lieu.....


They are so precise.   These are Kitty's practise blocks  (she took a class) but  I suspect that she's been bitten by another bug and that a Beauty quilt might be on the cards.

Frazer the postman brought me a lovely surprise today.   A package from Australia containing these gorgeous goodies......


Thank you so much Tracee!   I was lucky in Tracee's recent giveaway.... I was picked to receive that lovely Gumboot Garden  fabric.  Only wish I could buy real Wellies that look like the ones on the fabric.  I can just see myself prancing around the garden in rainbow striped mud boots.   Tracee popped a fabulous quilting magazine into the package too.... thank you... thank you.... thank you!   I settled down for a good read this afternoon with the magazine (it's one I haven't seen over here) a cup of tea and a packet of scrumptious biscuits.  Who needs George Clooney!  

This arrived in the post this week too.....


you know I like applique.    I pinned this block on my Pinterest a while back and just had to buy the pattern. I think the Cupcake 'flowers' are so cute.   It looks great as a mini quilt.

Lucy came over this week for a little lesson in half and quarter square triangles.   She brought her very first quilt top... made from a layer cake to show off......


She did a great job with the piecing and she's thrilled to bits with her first big flimsy.   She's coming with us to the Edinburgh Quilt Show at the end of the month too.  Little does she know there is no hope for her now!

OK.... I think that's you all up to day with the goings on here.   Oh.... Licky Lou and I had another 'Spa' session......


What a hussy!!   She lay there legs akimbo for ages while I combed her tummy fluff.  Talk about a diva!  Just in case you are wondering.... Bagpuss is alive and well and in bed for the Winter!  

Hope you all have a fabulous week.....

See ya soon....
Hugs
Josie



17 comments:

Jeanette said...

Wow Josie. The blocks are fabulous. It's going to be a stunning quilt when finished. Love the cupcake block pattern. Hugs,xx.

Susan said...

Wow. I think your crisis quilt is way out there, but I do really like it. Looks like it is giving you a good challenge, those decisions made in the wee hours aren't always bad ones. The NYB in blues looks gorgeous, she's a clever girl.

marina said...

Oh my those blocks look so difficult! Looks like you are not having issues with them. I would be all a dither!
Love the NYB blocks in the blues- so my colours and your new cupcake block is gorgeous. So much to keepyou busy.

Sharon - Lilabelle Lane said...

Your Crisis quilt is really giving you a run for the money and is going to be so worth it. hugs

Katie (The Literary Files) said...

Wow you're doing an amazing job! All of your blocks are gorgeous! Licky Lou is such a cutie!

Anthea said...

Josie, you make me laugh - I'll tell George Clooney to cancel his flight to your house!!
Wow, that quilt is a real jaw-dropper, & you will do an awesome job of it. You will be an expert in all seams and shapes by the time it's all done... x

Unknown said...

Those blocks are coming along quickly,they are looking great.It's looking less like a crisis quilt every day!

Shirley said...

That is one tasty looking frog and I might require the recipe. The red certainly makes those diamonds sparkle. You could buy see through wellies and wear very bright socks, create your own stylish footwear. Lovely, colourful post Josie. You can send anything unwanted down to me.

Leanne said...

Those blocks are amazing, you are doing a great job Josie.

Chookyblue...... said...

the crazy things you sign up for in the wee hours of the morning.........looks good though.........

Wendy said...

Josie your blocks are fabulous! And is that peacock feathers I see peeking in the last block there? If so where did you find the fabric? Looks amazing! I think you are doing a wonderful job on this y seams and all!:)

rosie said...

Oh Miss Josie, you know you should never shop in the wee hours of the morning!! But I do love what you have chosen, it will be a challenge. xxx

Wendy said...

Wow ... wow! Your blocks are gorgeous, they look pretty complicated! Love the photo of Licky Lou too, Wendy xx

Nicky said...

*These blocks are awesome!! They look so complicated and you are making a beautiful job of them.....

Lynette said...

That cupcake block is fabulous. Totally fun! Your top block - is that a Carpenter's Star? - is nothing short of amazing. Takes lots of patience to do that many Y's, but it sure is spectacular.

Browndirtcottage said...

Goodness gracious girl, lots of 'round things' going on over here!! Oh, but I like each and every one of them!

After I finished my spider web quilt I appointed myself the queen of Y seams, yes I did! I think yours look perfect!!

Sweet kitty too!!

Raewyn said...

Exciting to see your new projects (sorry I've got a bit behind in my readings). Y-seams are fun - once you master them!!