Happy Sewing

 Today's post is full of happy sewing.......i loved making this happy scrappy quilt, inspired by the patchwork bag i made a while ago for crafts beautiful magazine..........i used many of the same fabrics for the quilt and included the same kind of mix of bright florals, text printed fabrics, checks and stripes.....

........and some dots of course........i also added  some haberdashery applique patches..........and a bit of cross stitch, embroidery and some buttons so it had a true 'sewing' feel................

 ...............i used some of my favourite pink and white candy stripe for the binding...........

 .....................................and this delicious pam kitty love fabric for the backing...............

 .............it's a very cheery little quilt and i know we'll enjoy using it as much i loved sewing it....

 .......i actually finished the quilt a little while ago and funnily enough over the last couple of weeks i haven't been doing as much sewing as usual because of things like doing some (grand)childcare over the holiday, working on non sewing design projects, having a business trip and having a big crochet craze :)..........more of that in another post........

 ...........i did find some great sewing books over the easter break at a local thrift shop.......

 ............when i bought them the lady took my name and number so she can call me if any other sewing book treasures arrive there..............i don't do actual dressmaking (apart from for bunnies and mice) but i love books on the subject, especially the illustrations...............

 ..............a new little pile of fabrics here waiting for my next project which is about to begin.............

 ..........and here is a special gift which was sewn just for me by fellow cross stitch designer gail bussi........many of you will know gail for her beautiful sampler designs....she lives in south africa but is internationally renowned for her stunning embroidery.......we have often worked for the same magazines and i was thrilled when gail said she was making me a little mouse....and even more thrilled when the package arrived........this is camomile and her colours were chosen to match my blog :).......gail sells these adorable mice, she has a catalogue and takes commissions.......you can find *the mice of rosebud lane* here.................

...............one more sweet gift came my way this week.........a thank you for the (grand)childcare posy.....aren't they pretty? ..............and i'd like to say thank you to everyone who has left lovely comments on my previous post for my book giveaway....(it is still open if you would like to add your name)..............your comments are a joy and make me smile............wishing you a wonderful week.....some sunshine and flowers and lots of happy crafty times............back soon xxxxxxxxx