Oh dear.

I knew I had the willpower of a gnat, but I have again failed miserably in my efforts to keep to a fabric diet. DD is making a quilt (more of which later) and needed some more red fabric. She needed to go to the Bramble Patch yesterday (note the two uses of the word 'needed'), and I foolishly went with her. I came home with 2.5 metres of fabric, only one metre of which I needed. (On the plus side, one fat quarter was free, but that hardly signifies!)

Here are my purchases. The pretty fabric with the birds on it is a 'gender-neutral' centre for a baby quilt for a colleague's new grandbaby - due in June. DD has a Master's in Sexual Dissidence, so wouldn't allow me to buy anything which smacked of sexism! The fabric with the multicoloured words on will go into my collection of fabrics with writing on - I nearly needed it!

The other fabric was a want, rather than a need. This fabric from In the Beginning fabrics is covered with 1930s drawings of domesticity, with 21st century quilting-appropriate captions. 'Happiness is relaxing after the shop hop.' 'I told him it was unwise to make me choose between him and my fabrics. I will miss hm though.' And the personally appropriate 'I sent my son to college so I could keep my fabric in his room .. expensive storage!' You can see my all-time favourite in the centre of the picture!

And the free fabric? Every year the Bramble Patch have a competition for the Margaret Every Cup, which starts with them giving out free fabric and ends with an exhibition of quilts and wall-hangings made using this fabric and in aid of cancer charities. This year there was a choice of fabric which was traditional or novelty. Of course, I was instantly drawn to the novelty! What will I do with it? I have no idea!

Gifts

I had a lovely day yesterday. First the postman came with a lovely squishy envelope for me. I had entered Karol-Ann's draw for some gorgeous African fabrics, and was disappointed to find that I hadn't won. Never mind. But then I was intrigued when she contacted me for my address. Apparently she had some fabric left over and has sent me these fabulous giraffes! Aren't they cute?

Next DD and I went to the Bramble Patch to buy some border fabric for three quilts. Since I am a scrap quilter, I usually have enough fabric to make a quilt, more or less, but don't have the yardage I need for borders. I like going the the Bramble Patch, because they have such a good selection of fabrics, there is plenty of parking and the ladies are all so helpful and pleasant. There are usually classes going on there too, and you can peep in and see some fabulous work.

As I paid for my fabric (I was very good, and only bought what I had come for) the asistant handed me a free bag kit, with pattern and fabric!

It's a really sturdy bag made from Osnaburg, and I think I might line it to make it even stronger. Two gifts in one day! Do all good things come in threes? Watch this space!

A day in the life

Today I have had a lovely relaxed time. DH is away on business (in Beijing, actually) and having spent the weekend being Front of House Manager for the local drama group's production, felt in the need of some 'me' time.

I didn't get up too early (last night party and all that!) and then pottered around before I showered and went out to get the paper. A nice cup of tea with the magazine and then I felt that I needed to tidy up downstairs and run round with the cleaner. It's amazing what a bit of hoovering, clearing up and plumping of cushions will do for a room!

After lunch, I decided to devote the afternoon to quilting. (What a surprise!)

I started by layering up my orphan quilt, and starting to machine quilt it. I have decided to give it to my new grandniece. Like the quilt, she was unplanned, but turned out good.

I have decided to just quilt it in the ditch, and got on well with it. However, as is par for the course, I had soon had enough of it and decided to join together the last two rows of my latest Chaos Crumb quilt.

This is in pastels, which has been a hard road for me, as the brights usually call to me. Still, I'm quite pleased with this, although I am going to have to go out and buy border fabric, as I don't have pastel yardage at all. I need to audition some fabrics for this. Since this will be a cot quilt for DD's friend Claire, who doesn't yet know the sex of her baby, I think either green or yellow will be good border colours. I'll make some decisions at a later date.

Next I decided to continue with my quilt for Tonya's Summer School. This is a double whammy, as I am also doing an entrant for the Bramble Patch's Strawberries and Cream Exhibition, and decided to combine the two. The Bramble Patch Challenge gives you a piece of pink fabric (for free so who could refuse?) and you have to make something for their summer exhibition, which raises funds for cancer charities. Tonya's theme is 'Repetition', so I decided to repeat the word 'LOVE' in various shades of pink, including the challenge fabric.

I haven't exactly decided the arrangement, but will keep making pink LOVEs until I think I'm ready to join them together.

Now I'm off to watch Doctor Who while I do a spot of ironing, then a glass of beer and bed.

A good day. Hope yours was too.