Finally, some sewing for me!

The sewing machine has been going full pelt and my sewing room looks like a bombsite, but there's been little quilting going on.  It's panto season here in the UK and I have been busy sorting out the costumes for Ali Baba and the forty thieves.  Luckily there weren't forty thieves to dress, but there were four pantomime dames - the proper dame plus three of her friends!  Anyway, it was the first night last night, so apart from a few repairs, I've been able to do something for me.

Here is my Grand Illusion, so far.  I've made all the blocks - I'm going for 16 - and just have to join them together.  That's the easy bit! 

I'd just like to share a block made by a member of 'Quilting Together' in Shepshed (Paula and I went there to collect Linus quilts, but that's another story). 

She felt the block was too busy for her, so calmed it down with a pink centre.  Good idea. 

It's a girl!

DD's friends baby has arrived, and it's a girl, Ruby Jayne.  I haven't seen her yet, as I want to get the quilt finished before I visit.  Here is the completed top.

I wanted it to be gender-neutral, and bright, as strong colours stimulate babies' visual cortex (plus, I get so bored when I use pale colours!)  now I'm quilting it, and hope to have it done by the weekend.

This doesn't mean I've abandoned my Grand Illusion.  

Iit looks very dark here, but it's the light levels rather than my fabric choices which have done that!  I made half the block components, so should be able to make 12.5 blocks.  I think I'll go for 16 as that'll make a fairly decent size.  The blocks are going together very quickly.  If you missed out on this mystery, it's not too late to look on Quiltville.com and catch up!

Leopards and spots

It's said a leopard never changes its spots, and (both as a quilter and in other ways) neither will I!  I never let a current project get in the way of something new, so despite the fact that DD's friend's baby's due in a few days, I've packed my 9 patches away.  

I've done the right number of blocks, arranged them pleasingly, and even joined up the first two rows.  So, what is it, you ask, which has demanded your attention?  Bonnie Hunter, of course!  She has revealed her Grand Illusion mystery quilt, and I couldn't resist making up a block.

Here is the block.  It goes together really well, with few match points.  Shal I do more, or go back to the baby quilt?  Hmmm.