Happy Mail Catchup + Thankyous = long post

Hello lovely peeps … I know I haven’t been blogging regularly for some time, but if you follow you’ll know it’s because I’ve had a bit of a rough summer year with my health.

However, that’s no excuse for bad manners, and I have some serious thanking to do for some lovely happy mail, before I crawl back to my corner to get on with planning the new term …

First off, thanks and delight to Hadley@FlyingBlindOnARocketCycle – I won and received the prize from her giveaway way back in 1952 August …  and lookee see what wonders I received … Thank you again Hadders, it’s all just perfect!  Zips too!  (to make me face the fear, no excuses now – stay tuned! LOL)

Look at the little Melody Miller brooch and the birdy magnet!

  

How amazingly wonderful is this purse?? Forget all that “fits a chapstick and a halfpenny” crap.
This could accommodate a ferret, should the need arise … 

… or indeed 16 my-kind-of-cute* Aneela Hooey foxcubs … grubby fingerprints all mine!



* I have a distinctly bipolar relationship with ‘cute’.  My deeply supressed stiff upper Brit genes take over, I think.  That and my synaesthesia kicks in big time - it's just one of those words that tastes bad -  even typing it or saying it in my head makes me a little sick in my mouth. 

This in turn makes me wildly reinterpret 'cute' in my head to something more like this:

Anyhoo, I digress ... This was also in the haul!



Now, I know I’m a bit late to the party here, but just in case you’ve been holding back on buying this, let me tell you, Fat Quarterly Shape Workshop for Quilters is a fantastic collection of all things inspirational … I read it cover to cover when I was a-bed this summer.

 There’s a few serious must-makes in here for me, not least this wonderful Fast Forward/Rewind flying geese quilt from
<-- Tacha Bruecher


.... or this Orange Soda Pop from Katy@ ImAGingerMonkey -->

 I love the whole concept of the book and the way it builds on the amazing versatility of the geometry of quilting shapes. The instructions and whole tone of the writing are great too.

I would have loved to see some of the blocks multiplied to get a better idea of their ‘quilt appeal, but it was easy enough to close your eyes and picture it, just bein lazy ... but the blocks themselves, practical advice and the complete projects far outweigh the limitations of my noggin by a gazillion …

I don’t buy a lot of quilting books, the writing is just as important to me as the visuals and, historically, I have often been disappointed with one or t’other.  I think Shape Workshop and Hexa Go Go (another thoroughbred from the Fat Quarterly stables, so to speak) are absolute must-haves for anyone’s library.  I would definitely have bought it if I hadn’t won it. which I did. Squee! A feast for the mind as well as the eyes.  Also, as I hadn’t made it to London for the Fat Quarterly Retreat this summer, it made me feel all 'included'! Icing on the cake, Hadders!  By hook or by crook, man, I'll be there next year ...

Then, the day I got home from my hospital stay, I had such a treat waiting for me, from the most lovely Mary@ MollyFlanders – a little surprise package just to say hello!  Just look at the wrapping paper on this!  Love.  Couldn’t have timed it better, Mary!  Thank you sooo much …

wouldn’t that make great embroidery?

that pincushion’s such a beauty!

This is a rubbery silicone ‘spool’ for keeping yer headphone cord untangled!  Absolute. Genius.
It now lives in my bag - fools me every time when I have my hand sewing in there, too!


I also just got my winnings from Leona’sQuiltingAdventure’s giveaway - 2 charm packs of Dear Mr. Claus from Cosmo Cricket for Moda - nice retro colours, not too heavily saturated … Yippee! Thank you Leona!

So, thank you very very much, ladies of the Blogolopolis.  You brightened a pretty sodden summer no end!


I do have some progress to report, and some really fun stuff coming up.
Bear with me and stay tuned!  It could be to your advantage … Just sayin.

Ooh! I won!! – and - Ooooh! One of You Won Too!

How great is this?? – I won a fat quarter bundle of Erin McMorris’ new line ‘Summersault’ from Fat Quarterly.  They ran a fab interview with her here …


I really like some of the prints in this line … I’m planning a little something for my god-daughter, so this could be perfect …

But you don’t wanna know about that …



You want to know which one of you is a winner.  And of What …

Well, here’s the story - the wonderful Wandafish, (aka Angela) who won my little ruby star rising giveaway from The Eternal Maker – emailed me immediately to say

"In the spirit of pay it forward (I remember you giving away RSR precious scraps before it was released) and as I don't have a blog myself, I wondered about offering half of my prize for a giveaway?"

Click on this fabtastic hexagon block to go see more at her flickr photostream







Thank you so much for being so generous … Angela ... we love Paying it Forward :)

So, out comes the old random number generator again … and the surprise winner of 2 FQs or 4 Fat Eighths or whatever you like, of Ruby Star Rising

is ….

 

Yay! Congratulations to …….

Vicky @ Patchwork Palace
 

Such a great comment too! …

Vicky’s just made this stunner for the BritQuiltSwap on flickr …




I’ve flickr mailed you Vicky … Congratulations !!

Yay! Swap Delights …

You may have noticed (I hope you have!) that I’ve been a little bit offline lately - I went to stay with some friends in Oxford and now I’ve been sucked into the swirling maelstrom of ‘start of term’ …

That, coupled with a really dodgy internet connection, has meant that it’s been almost impossible to get online long enough to post anything!

I treated myself to sweet peas at the station.  my house is singing with their scent.

So, straight to business … this post is all about the yumminess I received in the post:

This fantastic package in the Doll Quilt Swap, from Samantha all the way across the oceans in Bellingham, WA.

It came in a Flintstones Pebbles cereal box - you can just see it in the top left corner - such great colours!  I love getting a little bit of packaging from another country.  It has its own little story to tell.  (Or one for me to completely invent, at any rate.)






Tucked in were some pretty scrummy Girl Scout cookies, some little transfers and the most lovely letter …


But really we should be looking at the quilt - the detail is wonderful, although my photos just can’t catch the butterfly quilting - you’ll just have to imagine it.














‘Butterfly Queen’ - That’s me :)





I was so excited  that as soon as I saw there was a letter I decided to stop and savour the whole unwrapping, reading thing - so I went and made myself a lovely cup of coffee, cracked open the Girl Scout biscuits and sat in the sun to read my lovely letter. 






Thank you Samantha! Really. Thank you. 

The quilt has a perfect new home disguising that boring flat top of my scanner, which is right next to my desk.  So, I get to gaze at it while I’m working.  Perfect!

In other swap news - My Make Mine Modern Swap  parcel arrived for TinyHouse!  I was getting really worried as I posted it weeks ago …  but it did all make it … phew!




I made my first ever potholder for this swap - that was good fun - I even used Insulbrite inside so it’s heat proof.  Get me, eh?

As it was my first real applique attempt I was a bit iffy about my sewing, but seeing it photographed safely at its destination I feel much better about the finished items.

So, there’s a little roundup of swappy news … I’ve got lots of other stuff to tell you, just no time to sit and tell it! Maybe tomorrow will be better …

…  now to try uploading with my mobile dongle, perched in the dying sun on the top step of my flat - all to catch one measly bar of signal !

Technology.  Gotta Love it.

Lucky Lucky ME! - Urban Home Goods Swap -

Oh, I do love a swap!



What I always forget is that, after all that toiling and worrying about what you’re making for someone else, something delicious arrives in the mail that someone else has agonised over, created, crafted and MADE FOR ME !

As part of the Urban Home Goods Swap on flickr, the lovely Amy (bixandbee on flickr) sent me this wonderful sewing machine cover, all the way from the mountains of North Carolina! 



I am utterly delighted - I feel like a proper seamstress now!  And Damiel the boy racer machine has the choice of being in touch with his feminine hexie side (above) or donning the go faster stripes that also suit so well (below)



You’ll notice a little scrappy bookmark there too … I’m going to need it as I make my way through this fantastic International Quilt Festival mega mag … swoon!  If only I could get hold of magazine-a-books like this here in the UK!  Thank you Amy.



Really, truly, from the depths of my thankingness, thank you! 

Look what I won!

This lovely little giveaway  of Flea Market Fancy scraps from Nichole @ elevenquilts  that’s what!

I’ve never had any FMF so this is SUCH a treat!  Thank you Nichole!  They’ll be put to good use …

Now I know what all the fuss is about!  They are lovely …

What do you think I should use them for?  One of the upcoming flickr swaps perhaps?

…. lucky old flea market fancy me …

Yay!  I won the giveaway over at Nichole’s blog Eleven Quilts !!

And, it’s this gorgeous Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt.  I’ve never had any of this fabric, so this is just such a lovely win.  I may have to use some in the swaps I’m doing …
Thank you so much Nichole … I’m tempted to make a little bed up under the letterbox … !

What’s your all-time (today, right?) favourite fabric?

100 - lucky me!

I’m quite surprised that it’s 100 posts since I started this blog. 

Not because it seems a lot or a little, but because what started as diversion from the maddening grief of losing my brother, has, in the course of those 100 posts, taken up its own space in my life.  

I love the sense of community that I feel a part of.  All those individual voices making up one big seriously good choir?  It’s a delicious concept if you stop to think about it.   

I also love the people that it brings me into contact with … 

Take a look at what nice-mr-postie braved my slippery steps to deliver!




Isn’t she fab?  I won her on Lara’s giveaway at Create for Life  during Blogtoberfest … and as she’s just spent an exhausting time winging her way over from Australia, she’s recuperating with a cuppa. 

I feel that she should be leaning louchely on a champagne slipper … 


Thank you Lara - She’s even more gorgeous in the flesh - and just IS me !!

So …  Cheers!  

May your toes be ever toasty in socks/wriggling in fresh air*

*delete where applicable

 had to be done!

I’m still working on my next pay it forward giveaway, … I want it to be a goodie and I’ve been a bit distracted by snow, swaps and secret santa deadlines … details tomorrow!

Slippery People

We got out of school early today (Yay!) to give everyone a chance to get home before the freeze starts and it all gets too risky …

It was only lightly snizzling and I got a lift to the end of my road - it’s at the top of one of Brighton’s steep steep steep hills so I am very grateful ...

Then I schhhhhlooped my way in one fluid movement shuffled in teeny tiny old lady steps, up and then down (the curse living on the apex of another little hill!) to the warm toastiness of home.  

Sometimes I feel a sharp (but mercifully short) pang to be the same late-teen age of my students again.  ... snowball fights, bittersweet angst and everything else that is still to be ...


But then I snap out of it and am deeply thankful for all that has been and all that is still yet to come.

Shake those snowflakes from your hair to this classic* ...

* those of you in warmer climes -

just shed another layer and have a little bop!

Reasons to be Thankful: Melody Miller Giveaway Winner …

  
Let's get my blushing out of the way first -



Sally at DitzyandDotty (great blog!) had her first giveaway of a scrappy purse + some scraps and the pattern to make another - what a great giveaway! … I won … and I am thankful.

So now it’s time to make at least one of you happy:

The winner of the Melody Miller scrappy giveaway is …

which is

 Nikki

 

Congratulations Nikki! I know you'll do wonderful things with them ... Drop me an email with your details and I’ll pop the little darlings in the post … 

Next week I’ll be celebrating 100 posts (whodathunkit?) and paying forward some of that good giveaway karma with a nice fresh Brighton Breezy Giveaway …

Lucky Me! Lucky You! – NEW Melody Miller {Pay it Forward} Scrappy Giveaway

Last month I posted about my fantasy stash and swooned about Melody Miller’s new ruby star rising line for Kokka (coming out in December, I think?)


Well, Melody emailed me just before she went off to Quilt Market in Houston – and look what I got in the post today!!!
 


All these fab scraps, left over from the very tiny amount of fabric Melody had in advance to make up into gorgeousness for her stand at Houston.  That’s what!



This fabric is wonderful; the linen is soft and thick and yummy beyond yummy – and because I believe in paying it forward, YOU could win this scrappy little bundle:

Now, I know it looks titchy, and it is really, but here it is unfolded, and I know there’s plenty of craftability in here for you to get your teeth into:

as a guide, the Transistor Radio piece *swoon*, at the top, is 19” x 7”, 

and the Heads strip at the bottom is 33” x 2”

I know there’s only a teensy bit of the ViewMaster fabric, but I’ve only got three little pieces, (one is what's left after cutting the fab belt on Melody’s Quilt Market blog post! - I love that someone somewhere has the other piece of that fabric) and it’s my fave, so there. 

So, here’s the deal: (each one of these counts as one entry):

1.Post about the giveaway (please link to this post so people don’t go to the old address!) and leave a comment here to let me know

2.Tweet about the giveaway and send me a tweet @pingsandneedles to say you have!

3. Become a follower here (or re-follow if you’ve slipped off the list since the move, ahem) and leave a separate comment.

4. Badger your local fabric store to stock it! (Doh! I can’t really check that one, but it would be nice if you’d do it anyway!)

I’ll draw a winner next Wednesday (24th Nov)

I’m happy to post internationally 

and I’ll probably throw in some other bits of yumminess too.

**edit  - there's a great write up of Melody's fabrics at QM by Kim here at True Up

Sunday Stash #10 - Pay it Forward Giveaway - Sarah Fielke bundle –{Blogtoberfest # 31}

How cool is this?

I entered a giveaway on Sarah Fielke’s blog, launching her
‘From Little Things’ line of beautiful fabrics … and won …

 

Ripple dissolve a couple of weeks and look what landed softly on my doormat …

somebody stop me!

	sounds so unimportant …
	… but look at the sender name!
	aren’t these just delicious?

so now for the pay it forward bit …

I’ve had such an interesting three months of blogging.  I’ve learned so much and this month I’ve blog-hopped to some tremendous spaces through both Blogtoberfest and the Scrappy {Hoops} swap .

• A big thank you to {tinniegirl} and CurlyPops for organising the fun-packed 31 days that was Blogtoberfest!
  
• A big thank you to everyone who stopped by and left a comment or took part in the giveaways …

Everyone who has ever left a comment, or is a follower, automatically already has one chance to win half of my Sarah Fielke’s ‘From Little Things’ bundle.  (Yes, that’s 4 FQs, to be chosen by me) 

If you want a(nother) chance to win, just leave a comment below telling me what you’d do with them if they were to land on your doormat?

I’ll make the draw in a week – 7th November  

Happy Sunday