Sew ...

Poppy is learning to sew!  She loved my tree cushion and asked if I could show her how to make one.  So last weekend we picked some fabrics and this weekend we started sewing ...

Making a start!

Work in progress!

Finished cushion!

Poppy loves owls!

An old school label came in handy!

Well done Poppy! Love you Mum x

It was so lovely to hear from an old friend, Pat, this week ...

I worked with Pat many years ago in Derby and she contacted me to wish Mum and Dad a happy anniversary.  It was really lovely to hear from her and catch up with all her news.  And she made some complimentary comments about my blog and my sewing!  So thank you Pat ... a little something is on the way to you ... Happy Birthday on Wednesday!

Pat sews beautifully herself.  When I had my children she stitched them each a lovely sampler which I still have ...

Special gifts which I will keep forever!

Moving on from cushions and samplers though ... I made this book cover this evening.  It took me ages to work out how to do it but I'm thrilled with the result!  Poppy has already ordered one!

I used fabric called Noteworthy from a range by Moda.  I have a real love of stationery as well as fabric, so it was a perfect combination!

Vanessa x

A special delivery arrived ...

for my parents this morning ...

a Diamond Wedding Anniversary card from the Queen!

Needless to say they were totally surprised and thrilled, as they were with all the cards, flowers and gifts they have received!

Congratulations Mum and Dad for 60 years together!

Mad River Quilting, Vermont ...

I was in this lovely shop two years ago - September 2012 - and I bought a kit for a table runner ......

 however, I've turned it into one of my cushion covers ....

and here is the back ...

It's a little bit of Vermont in my sitting room!  I also bought this amazing fabric which I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with!

It's silly, but I have fabric which I love so much, I can't actually bring myself to use it!

Chuffed to bits ...

that Margaret, my friend Julie Anger's Mum, picked my cushion as her raffle prize!

Thank you and hope you enjoy it Margaret! 

A blue Cockerel in Trafalgar Square ....

Photo by Andy Zak from moving car!

whatever next?  It's 4.72m high!  Amazing!


Nothing to do with chickens or quilting but the poppies are beautiful  ...

These two looked pretty good ....

and this chap ...

and the guy with his arm around me is wonderful!

Happy belated Birthday David! xxx