Knitting For A Change

This week I thought I would have a change from my normal crafting. I dug out my knitting needles and found a free pattern online that I fancied and away I went.

I loved the site I found. Justjen Knits and Stitches she has lots of free patterns and I think I'll be using her site again

It only took a day to do, I thought I would break myself in gently as it has been years since I knitted anything. I've just got sewing it together to do and putting the buttons on and then it's finished.

Last week to my delight Mr Postie bought me this lovely box of goodies. It was my Secret Tote bag Swap parcel from Lia @ Lia's Handmades. 

I love it so much it was just the sort of bag I wanted and she lined it with shower curtain fabric as she knew I wanted to use it for the beach. She really did her homework.

Thanks again Lia.

Happy Crafting

Melanie xxx

Charity Block : Oops Nearly Forgot

On the first Monday of each month I go to the Hilton Sewing group. 

We has decided this year to all do a block and put them together for a Charity Quilt.

We ere given a choice of fat eighths. I chose these two and added a white on white fabric. 

                          I used the same block I had used for my Secret Tote Bag Swap.

I sneaked off into my sewing room this afternoon and finished my bag for the swap. So I'll be off to the Post Office in the morning to send it to it's new owner.

At last we've had a glorious sunny day so out came the camera and here are a few of the blooms I've got in the garden at the moment

Rose

Hostas

Antirrhinums

Foxglove and Geums

Have a good week whatever you are up to.

Melanie xxx

A Lovely Day Out With New Friends

I have been a bit slack on the blog front this week as it's half term and I have been out and about with Lily. 

But yesterday was my day with bloggy friends from the midlands.

Jane had organised a get together at Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire.

I'd only met up with Gilly before but soon we were all chatting away like we had known each other for ages. The other lovely ladies were Jane , Rosie and Jacquie.

We had a lovely picnic. With lots of chatting and getting to know each other. Then we wandered through the grounds up to the house. 

I've been before when I was young, but it was like coming for the first time as it was sooo long ago.

The house and grounds were fabulous. I'll definitely be going again.

Thanks Jane for organising such a lovely get together. 

Have a great weekend.

Melanie xxx

Secret Tote Bag Swap 4

Hi I haven't posted for a while, but I have been busy, doing secret gifts that I can't post about just yet. 

I've joined in the Secret Tote Bag Swap 4 run by Lia @Lia's Handmade

The swap theme was Summer, I immediately thought of butterflies.

The hexagon fabric has butterflies scattered over it with gold highlights. 

This is my bag so far, I'm hoping to get it finished this week. 

It is the first time I have tried the Star Of Bethlehem pattern and I really enjoyed making it.

These are the other fabrics I have chosen to use with them. I hope she likes them.

Melanie xxx

Quilt Show

Two weeks ago I went to the British Quilt and Stitch Village.

The show was really good this year and I spent far too much money but I did get lots of beautiful goodies. 

The Special Theme Quilt Category this year was "Lest We Forget" 

All the quilts in this category were fabulous. 

This is the Winner of the Special Theme.

The attention to detail was beautiful.

This one was a map of the Battlefields.

A lot of thought had gone into all the entries. Well done ladies.

These are a couple of my favourite quilts that were entered in the show.

The crystals looked beautiful the pictures really don't do it justice,

Hope you had a good weekend

Melanie xxx

FNWF

A big thanks to Cheryll for hosting our FNWF.

I managed to get the quilt top finished for my Sister's Birthday gift. Just needs quilting and binding now. I think she'll like it as she chose the colours.

I'm a bit reluctant to give it her as I really like it but I suppose I better had :( 

Why not pop over and see what everyone else got up to.

Hugs Melanie xxx

FNWF

It's the beginning of the Bank Holiday Weekend and I've got lots on. But not too much to fit some sewing in. 

It's  FNWF tonight so why not come and join us over at Cheryll's 

Have a great weekend 

Melanie xxx