Swap Sign Up

There are a couple of Swaps open at the moment 

Kimberley@Creative Chaos is hosting her Dishcloth or Mug Rug Swap. I had a great time doing this swap last year so I'm definately signing up again. Sign ups are open until 26th June so why not pop over to her Blog and have a look. 

Tracy@Mad About Bags is hosing a Strawberry Swap. I love this swap it's one of my favourites as I do like strawberries. Sign ups for this one are open until tomorrow 17th June so you'll have to be quick if you want to join in.

Happy Swapping

Melamie xxx

Spring Holidays

At the end of May we went on a family holiday to Whitby. The weeks running up to it had been glorious and the sun had been blazing.

The first day was lovely, a bit windy but we used that to our advantage. We bought a kite and had a great evening on the beach all running about like big kids.

But the rest of the weeks weather was awful and we had torrential rain for most of it, with a few hours were we could get out and do some crabbing and exploring.

I'd given myself a challenge of climbing the 199 steps from the town up to the Abbey every day. We were stopping in a fisherman's cottage on the Harbour so it wasn't too far to the steps. 

The first day I found it hard going but it got alot easier as the week went on and by the end of the week I felt a real sense of achievement.

Just before we left for home my girls treated me to an afternoon tea at the Blitz Tea Rooms.

It was lovely and we really enjoyed it. 

I managed to get a bit of crafting done in the evenings as we didn't much fancy going out in the rain.

I started my first Corner to Corner blanket and I can't believe I haven't done one before. It's so addictive. The yarn I'm using is King Cole Cherish baby DK.

 I also got a few more hexies done.

Now we're home it's back to normality.

Hugs Melanie xxx

Santa Sack Swap Time

It's sign up time again for Santa Sack Swap over with Cheryll. 

Sign ups close on the 10th June so why not pop over and have a look.

Hope you're having a good week 

Melanie xxx

Splendid Sampler

I've joined in with lots of other quilters doing The Splendid Sampler and enjoyed looking at everyone's take on the blocks and how they have adapted them to suit their own taste. 

I'm nearly up to date with the blocks which are released every Sunday and Thursday. There are a couple I'm leaving out so far as they aren't my cup of tea and I've only started one of the embroidery ones.

I decided to just use three colour's red,cream/beige and blue. I'm also trying not to buy many new fabrics and just use ones from my stash, so far I've just bought a couple of reds and one blue. 

The weather here in the UK is starting to warm up now, so I'm looking forward to doing some sewing outside soon. Fingers crossed!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend

Melanie xxx

Easter

On Thursday I had the most wonderful surprise.

The postie had left me an unexpected parcel. Maria @Dotty's Daughter had sent Lily and myself an Easter goodie pack. I had commented on one of her IG pics of the Rabbit that Lily loves them and she parcelled it up and sent it for us along with some sweet treats and a decoration for my tree.

Maria you are so kind and thoughtful. Thank you so much.

I also joined in with Kimberley's Easter Swap and was partnered with Laura and she sent me these fabulous gifts.

I love them all Laura thank you xxx

Lily baked the cakes for Easter this year Bunny cakes, Egg nest cakes and Pigs in Mud cakes. we loved them and they were very tasty(there are some left).

She even bought me an Easter bouquet. 

I hope you've all had a great Easter.

Hugs Melanie xxx

Spring has Sprung

Spring is finally here it was such a sunny morning I thought I would make some pancakes with frozen summer berries and a coconut yoghurt as a treat after the school rush.

They were delicious!

We've been out in the garden clearing up from winter and planning for the summer. 

Even a ladybird has ventured out on the Hellebores.

 My DH thinks I have gone mad as I've decided the a lot of the plants should go as they have seen better days. I think he would just leave everything where it is, but quite a few of the plants have seen better days and some are just far too invasive.

This week I've got a couple of Swap parcels to finish and post out, so I'm going to be a busy little bee wrapping and packing.

I can't believe how quickly Easter has come round, it doesn't seem like five minutes since Christmas. I'd better add getting the Easter decs out to my list of jobs to do this week or it will all be over before I realise it.

Have a fabulous week.

Melanie xxx

Easter Baskets

I've been trying out a couple of different baskets to put my Easter goodies in. 

The brown one is a tutorial from Olivia @  Girlybunches. I used Aran wool and a size 6mm hook.

I was quite surprised by how easy it was to follow the tutorial, I'm only a novice when it comes to crochet but thanks to the wonder that is YouTube I'm getting a little more adventurous with my stitches. 

Then I thought I would try a pattern out of my own (the yellow basket). I was quite surprised at how well it turned out. I'm going to embellish it with a few crocheted flowers, then fill it full of chocolate. How long it will stay full for is another matter ;)

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I've also decided to join the The Splendid Sampler Quilt Along. There are two 6" blocks a week using lots of different techniques. I'm hoping to get the first four blocks finished this weekend and post some pictures next week.

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I've also put my name down for a couple of swaps. Sign ups are still open so if you fancy joining in pop over to

Tracy @ MadAbout Bags for her Stationary Swap

And Kimberley @ Creative Chaos for her Easter Swap. You'll have to be quick as sign ups for this one close tomorrow

Have a great weekend and enjoy whatever you have planned.

Melanie xxx

Sunshine through the Rain

I needed a bit of cheering up as the weather is so dull and depressing at the minute, so I picked a couple of bunches of daffodils and they did the trick. They sat in my kitchen making me smile an think of sunshine every time I've looked at them.

I found my Valentine quilt top out after a good rummage through my WIP's.

I hadn't got as far as I thought!

The borders are now on so I just need to quilt it and it'll be done.

I've also been doing some stitching for the Send a Little Love Swap hosted by Tracy. I love this swap I've been taking part in it for a few years now and it never fails to start my Swap year off with a bang.

 I'll post pictures of that when Glenda has received it.

I can't actually believe that it's nearly the end of January! Where did it go? The months seam to wizz by alot quicker the older I get.

I'm of to do a bit more stitching. Have a lovely week.

Melanie xxx

Ta-Da

It's taken a while but I have eventually finished my Granny Stripe blanket from Attic 24 

I bought the wool pack from Yarndale 2014 and started it in the October, so it has been a long project. I wanted it for my bed so it was rather large. I love it now it's done and I've bought the Cozy Stripe wool pack so that is next for the hook!

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I haven't done any sewing at all this year yet.
I'll have to remedy that but I'm having trouble deciding on my next project. 

I think I'm going to finish a Valentine quilt while I decide what to do. I've had it on the go for umpteen years, so it's about time I finished it. As far as I can remember it just needs backing and quilting, but I could be wrong! I'll go and dig it out tomorrow and see what needs doing.

Happy Stitching
Melanie xxxx

Swap Roundup

Here are a couple more Christmas swaps I participated in.
I was partnered with Maria for the Send us your Christmas Swap.

She sent me lots of lovely gifts

Received

Sent

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I was also her secret #StitchingSanta Swap partner and sent her these goodies.

 And received these from Sally

Thanks for being fabulous swap partners.

Melanie xxx

Santa Sack Swap 2015

The lovely Cheryll hosted her annual Santa Sack Swap and I was partnered up with Tracy and she really spoiled me.

 This is what I sent in her sack.

Thanks ladies for a great swap.

Melanie xxx