roly-poly posy pinafore!

Today is day 10 of the roly-poly-along and my stop on the blog hop.

I am so so excited to be showing off my version this amazing pattern by Rachael of Imaginegnats.
When I first saw a glimpse of the pattern Rachael was working on, on Instagram, I knew it would be something I would love to make for my little lady to wear.

I mean, it's reversible, all children need something that you can flip over when they 'wear' their dinner while your out and about! Or is that just mine!?!

As soon as it was available I bought it and it was one of my makes for Kid's Clothes Week. It has been worn and washed loads since then and is a firm wardrobe favourite.

Kid's Clothes Week red roly-poly pinafore

Then, when I was given a chance to join in with the blog hop I couldn't wait to make another and I knew exactly what fabric to use, Posy by Aneela Hoey! I have a massive crush on this fabric at the the moment and think it is ideal of girls clothes. I've used Posy Daisy Meadow with a pinky textured solid from Athill by Cabbages and Roses fabric for one side, which is a completely perfect matching idea of the lady in my local quilt shop.

With Posy Daisy Cluck for the reverse with a Moda essential dot in lilac

So the pattern, it is brilliant to follow with really clear instructions and I think it would be great for a beginner to make. Both times I've made one it has been finished in under an hour.

I've tried with and without pockets and the little lady has voted that pockets are a must for hiding stones to try and break the washing machine!

It has sizes from 6months to 10 years!! That is a massive age range for a pattern and in my mind blinking good value for money.
I made mine to a size 3 which fits Rose really well with a t-shirt underneath and will give a good bit of growing room, she is only 2 and a bit but is fairly tall for her age. I'm hoping if we ever get a summer she can wear it with just shorts to keep her cool.
It is so versatile and I think that the people on the blog hop so far have showed that. Please go and have a peek at them. Each one is so different.

5.13 Jill Made with Moxie / Stephanie The Crafty Kitty

5.14 Stephanie NeurosesGalore / Cherie you & mie

5.15 Ari Max California / Caila Caila Made

5.16 Veronica SewVery / Tara Girl like the sea

5.17 Nancy owen's olivia / Adrianna Crafterhours

5.20 Ajaire Call ajaire / Sarah EmmylouBeeDoo

5.21 Laura Craftstorming / Jessica a little gray

5.22 Frances Miss Matatabi / Nicke kiss kiss quilt

5.23 Amy formwork design / Kat Sew Chibi

5.24 Joanne Rose & Dahlia / Amanda Kitschy Coo

5.27 Celina Petit a Petit and family / Delia Delia Creates

5.28 Christy a.Amelia handmade / Carolyn Fake It While You Make It

5.29 Bonnie Fishsticks Designs / Maria La Inglesita

5.30 Jane Buzzmills / Kate Things for Charlie

5.31 Polly Jack & GeeGee / Molly Rose & Odin

And you HAVE to look at this, this and this!! Oh and this one, it's Amazing! I wish I was that imaginative. I now have the urge to make at least another 10!

So, would you like to have a go at making a little person one? Rachael is very kindly offering a chance for one of you to win a copy of her pattern, all you have to do is leave a comment telling me who you would love to make one of these for?
Mr Random will pick one on the evening of the 1st of June, please make sure that your not a no-replyer or leave an email to contact you on.
If you can't wait that long and want to start one quicker you can get a copy of the pattern from here.

This giveaway has now finished! 

Ip, dip, do.......

As ever I'm indecisive! And have resulted to an old playground rhyme to pick binding!
Childish, moi!

After many backing and basting problems,  I've finally quilted the Giant Constellation Quilt and now need to pick a binding to order. I narrowed it down to the finial few.

I did start with the whole bundle, so yes that is narrowed down! I really want the moon one, but I love the others too!
Don't you just love my binding auditioning tool!?!

Today I'm chopping in to some more Posy pretties for my stop on the roly-poly-along.

Pop back on Friday for my stop on the blog hop and to see the finished item, there will also be a chance to win a copy of Rachael's brilliant pattern.
I'm also trying to finish up another Geranium dress that I started last week! It just needs hemming and the pocket to be finished.

This was the chaos it was last left in, whilst I was trying to put a zip in! Why do I have to try tricky things!?!
And lastly, heres a sneak peek of the fabrics I might use and a start of my name tag for my swap partner for FQ retreat!

I may change my mind a few times(!!) between now and having to post it out! So they may have a few to pick from! It's so hard to stalk someone and guess what they like and hate!
I was aiming for a 3"x4½" finished size? Can anyone who was there last year tell me if that is about the right size for a lanyard?
So, that's what I'm up to....... what about you?

Keep Calm and Paper Piece On!

On Tuesday evening, I gave myself a stern talking to and decided that I couldn't start piecing the new backing for the Giant Constellation quilt (don't ask about the debacle of the previous backing that was twice basted, quilted and unpicked!!) until I was up to date with my BoM blocks. 

They had been printed off and ready to go fora fair few weeks!

So, with the lure of a few yards of untouchable Kona Peacock I produced these. 

The top two are from 'And sew on' Bom with Kristy of Quiet Play and the bottom two are from 'Everything and the kitchen sink' sew along with Katy of The Littlest Thistle.

I had to catch up with April's 'Snip It Real Good' scissors block and the then 'Keep Calm and Press On' block was for May. I was petrified of the iron block, but it was actually ok! I'm not going to say easy, but they were both finished by yesterday. 

The wind was against me taking them photos, but I think they look great together.....except my pattern printing error. I must have printed the iron block at a smaller size! But oh well, it's staying that way! 

And then today I started with the Everything and the Kitchen Sink blocks. 

The bowl block was a really quick block and made me think I was doing well, but the teapot was a bit of a sod!! Completely my fault,  I should have stuck with just one fabric with no fussy cutting and I should have told the kids 'NO, you can't use the iPad!!' as they pinch my visual reminder off me, I missed my spout! But again, it's staying that way, I'll learn from my mistakes but I'm not always changing them!! 

But, this now means I am free to start on the backing of the Giant Constellation quilt and to start really worrying about what to put on the name tag for my partner in the secret swap for FQ retreat!!! This is why I never enter swaps, I am petrified!!! HELP!! 

Winged pouch!

Have you seen the monthly challenges over at Le Challenge?
Well last month I was way too unorganised to join in, but when I saw their May theme of 'wings' and this free block by Kristy @ Quiet Play's I knew I wanted to join in.
But, then the block sat in my download folder. Until last night, when I needed an easy bit of sewing and printed it off and turned it into.

A plane pouch!

I used all bits from my stash, and even a little fabric scrap tag for the zip from my SMS winnings from Amy that arrived this morning!
Some Sherbet Pips for the sky and Dear Stella dot for the back.

And Kei honeycomb dots for the inside. I used this pattern again to make the pouch!
So, do you think my pouch has wings!?!
I'm linking up (by the skin of my teeth!!!) with

Pop over to Le Challenge and see all of the other 'wing' interpretations.
You have to see the AMAZING quilt Kristy has made with this paper plane block!!!!

My SMS day winner is......

Thank you so much for all the comments and new followers that Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway day attracted.
Mr Random did the honours and he picked......

Drumroll please........

Yes, I have finally learnt how to do a screen shot on the computer!!! 

Comment number 156 which said.. 

Thats one of the books that has made it on to my wish list! It looks like a brilliant one. 

I have just popped over to Montseta's blog and am in awe of her Super Swoon quilts, they are beautiful and huge!!!!! 

Montseta I will send an email off to you this morning to get your details, so I can post your goodies out to Spain. 

I'm off to unpick some quilting on a badly basted quilt! Will I ever learn to bast a quilt properly....

What are you up to on this lovely Sunday morning? 

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day for those celebrating today, hope you get truly spoilt x 

Wip Wednesday!

Firstly, I am stunned by the amount of comments on my Sew Mama Sew Giveaway! I doubt I will ever get the chance to reply to them, but I am reading and loving all of the book and magazine suggestions! Some I already own, but lots have definitely made it onto my wish list! and a few into my basket!! Shhhhh!
If you haven't entered, the post you need is here.
Onwards with what I'm working on.
I have chopped up some more gorgeous Posy fabric for another Geranium Dress, this time I've used Ditsy in Hollyhock for the main fabric and Story in Foxglove to line the bodice. (This fabric has the best names ever!) I might just love the lining as much as the front!!

I was hoping to try and add a zip to this, but am getting impatient waiting for them to be delivered! I ordered 2 different shades of pink zips on Thursday and paid for postage, but they are still not here! (mini rant over!!) So I may end up making it with buttons again!

I have finished the sleeves to add to my Playful Stripes cardigan for Rose, but am going to have to really concentrate at the next bit of joining it all together and knitting the yoke!

The wool really doesn't photograph very well, but it's a lovely denim blue baby cashmerino. My eldest has a swimming gala tonight, so I'm hoping to make some progress on it between races!

No progress on my Giant Star as I need to get to Ikea for a backing fabric, but I really want to have this basted over the weekend!

And, I finished my Little Apples Lady quilt for Siblings together last week so at least thats one finish off my Q2 list for the 2013 FAL!!!

I'm linking up with

Giveaway Day!!!

Happy Monday people, if your new here today HELLO!
I'm Joanne a mum of three children and wife of a very easygoing husband!  I live in London (just) and have a serious fabric and wool addiction! I love to make things for my family and honestly feel happier in the day if I've managed to do something crafty.
I started this blog with a love of knitting and crochet, but have slowly been sucked into a world of quilting and more recently sewing clothes after my mum bought me my own sewing machine!
I love a giveaway! And have entered lots of them, always hoping to be picked!! I have been lucky a few times and won some brilliant things, so I couldn't help but want to join in with Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day.
I'm offering up an unopened copy of Love Quilting & Patchwork Magazine which is a new UK magazine that has the Marcelle Medallion pattern and lots of other brilliant patterns and interviews and 3 fq's of some of my favourite fabrics.

I will post anywhere in the world and will leave it open until Friday 10th May, 5pm PST time (about 1am Saturday in the UK).
All you need to do for a chance to win is, to leave me a comment telling me your favourite sewing/quilting book or magazine (my wishlist is looking a little low!!!!). Followers can get another entry just leave a separate comment letting my know you are one! I'll use Mr RNG to pick a winner.
Please, please leave an email address if your a no-replyer!
Now, head over to the Sew Mama Sew blog to see all of the other giveaways! There are loads!!

Note! This Giveaway has now closed! 

Little Apple Lady ✓

It is a gorgeous day here and am in a fantastic mood as it's Friday (at last!!) and I've got a finish to share! My first finish off my Q2 list for the 2013 FAL!
          

        May I introduce 'Little Apple Lady', she's all finished and ready to be sent off to Siblings Together! 

You may remember last year Lynne from Lily's Quilts put a call out for people to make/donate quilts or quilts supplies so that they could be given to children who are separated from their siblings by the care system. This post here puts it much better than I ever could and this post shows how well those quilts were received last year!  

I knew I wanted to make a quilt again this year and had most of a bundle of Fat Eighths of Little Apples by Aneela Hoey, that I had bought in the sale last year from Fat Quarter Shop, which I knew would be ideal. 

I used a pattern from Camille Roskelley's book Simplify called Little Man, but as it was too narrow I added an extra row of blocks.  

It's backed in Ikea Britten Nummer fabric as I had a few metres stashed! And even though my basting leaves a lot to be desired, I'm really pleased I managed to keep that backing straight!!! 

I quilted it very simply, following the frame of the blocks as I did want to ruin it with my dodgy version of fmq! It's all washed and has finished up being  50"x50", I just need a label now! 

There are lots of quilts popping up in the Flickr group please do go and have a look at all the wonderful quilts people are donating! 

I'm hoping to tackle the garden this weekend so won't get much sewing done, but might be able to sit out and sneak in some knitting! 

As it's Friday and I actually have finished something I'm linking up with 

April was......

seemingly mostly about sewing clothes!

1. Giant Constellation Star, 2. Springtime bee skirt, 3. Spring top, 4. Lazy Days skirt, 5. Roly-Poly for Rose, 6. Roly-Poly for Rose, 7. Roly-Poly for Rose, 8. Roly-Poly for Rose, 9. A Posy Geranium Top, 10. A Posy Geranium Top, 11. Pam Kitty Love Pillowcase, 12. Cot-bed makeover

And ignoring my BoM blocks! I now have three to catch-up with and need to get the templates printed off....today hopefully!! I even have picked out the fabrics, just need to get on with it!

But first I need to finish hand-sewing the binding down on my quilt for Siblings Together!

I'm linking up with