Bonjour!

This is the reason my blog has been quiet...

Took a little break in Paris, freezing cold but very enjoyable!

As soon as I came home, I managed to get my Kansas Troubles Favourites quilt top sent off to be long arm quilted. I really can't wait until it comes back - I think it's always a surprise to see it again, and the

difference the quilting makes to it!

I made a New Year's resolution this year that I would practice my free motion quilting more often...so that hasn't really happened..I'm starting again next week..it'll be a new March resolution for me!

Anybody else need to make some new March resolutions?

Leah's birthday

My youngest is 9 years old this week

Oh I feel old :(

She wanted a cake that looked like Hector

Wish I could say that I made the cake, but I didn't.

Super cute!

Ulster American

We visited the Ulster American Folk Park on Sunday,

it's a museum of emigration and folk life.

Originally called the 'Mellon Folk Park', named after Thomas Mellon, founder of the Mellon Bank, who left these shores to make his fortune in America.

The current exhibition is called 'Through the Eye of a Needle' There were lovely pieces of embroidery...

"Today is short. Yesterday is gone.

Tomorrow may never come.

If you have anything to do. Do it now"

..a warning to us all! some crazy patchwork.. and many other things related to sewing in the past.

Outside we enjoyed looking around all the houses.

We began our journey in Ireland, there are many traditional cottages, meeting houses, a school house, blacksmith..

Then we made our way to town and boarded the ship for America

After landing in America, we checked out the pioneer houses! Of course there were many patchwork quilts in all the cottages and cabins,
this one caught my eye
All that travelling fitted into a Sunday afternoon!
We really needed more time to look around, we'll most definitely be back.

I've got troubles....

Yes, I've got troubles...but they're the best kind....Kansas Troubles.....

Just a little peek at the Kansas Troubles Favourites under my needle today.

Go over to the Kansas Troubles blog for their contribution to the

Moda Pillow Talk Blog Hop today.

Got any troubles under your needle?

My blog button...

I have just spent a long time figuring out how to make my own blog button,

oh I hope it works!! I'm relying on someone out there to let me know...and if it doesn't work....well the rubbish bin is looking pretty good just about now!!

I looked for advice on this blog,

otherwise, I don't think I could ever have made it.

There is also a recipe there for beer can chicken...sounds interesting,

anyone ever try it?

Invite to Stash Manicure

I'm soo excited... I'm a guest over at the Stash Manicure blog!!

Thanks for the invite Madam Samm!

Check out my post, it's my Dot Dot Dash tutorial from the Moda Bake Shop.

As I mentioned before this quilt was inspired by the work of Scottish artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Earlier this week we braved the cold weather and went for a walk in Fardross Forest, not far from our home.We had the whole place to ourselves...Isn't the moss fantastic?The snow has gone away, but the weather is still quite cold..Yes, that really is ice on the stream...I was standing on the stepping stones when I took this picture!

Anyway for the rest of this week, I have been busy working on a new quilt.

Sorry no details yet!

Tomorrow I'm going to help out at a Girl Guide holiday weekend, it will be action packed - tie dying t-shirts, grass sledging, sing songs and probably very little sleep - all part of the fun!!

The postman brought me a beautiful parcel today, something to think about when I'm away...

Felted jumpers

I am busy this week preparing projects for a patchwork class I am starting next week in a local Church Hall. Its very exciting to start something completely new.

I've also been experimenting with felting. Late last year I went to a felt making class. We made felt from wool tops, and after a little bit of work we made beautiful little bags. I'm really taken with feltmaking. I don't think it will replace patchwork with me, but it's nice to do something a little different occasionally.Anyway, recently I gathered up a few old wool jumpers and put them through a really hot machine wash...of course I got minature jumpers! (Although there were a couple of pure wool cardigans that didn't shrink at all, you just never know what you'll get out)

I cut the sleeves off, then trimmed off the seams..

now I'm all set to make a patchwork felt handbag..
I'll let you know how it turns out.