Guest posting at Sew we Quilt!

Tomorrow I'm guest posting at Sew we Quilt!

Madame Samm has been running a Wantobe Quilter campaign

and I was delighted when she asked me to post my 'Hippy Square' tutorial:)I remade my original tutorial using the fantastic Creative Grids non slip multi size triangle ruler.Just so you know, Madame Samm has giveaways 5 days a week up until 29th October - well worth visiting Sew we Quilt! To enter any of the giveaways, you need to register,send me your name, email and phone no. and I will forward them to Madam Samm.Your information will be held confidentially,will go no further and will be destroyed when the campaign is over.(you will not be able to win if you do not register with me or another participating blogger)You also need to follow my blog and Sew we Quilt! and leave a comment on the appropriate day- If you are a brand new quilter, your days are Mon, Wed and Fri.If you already are a quilter, comment on Tues and Thurs.Oh and don't forget to mention my blog in your comment/entry, because if you win, I win too:)Please check out this post if you want further info.http://www.sewwequilt.com/2011/08/wantobe-quilter-sponsor-day-recap-of.htmlPhew! that's a lot of info:)Don't forget..tomorrow...Sew we Quilt!

More blocks pinwheel/star blocks

The Creative Grids giveaway can be found here

Once I got started with the Creative Grids Multi triangle ruler, I found it very hard to stop!

I searched through my stash and came up with these fabrics.

Some of them were bought from Fiddlesticks Fabrics in Ballyclare, and the grey Kona solid was originally bought from 'Simply Solids' to go along with some 'Sherbet Pips'

(Which I haven't touched yet!)

Today I'm linking to Quilt Story, their button is in my sidebar.

Yesterday was my daughter Sarah's 13th birthday,

so as a treat she and I went to Belfast to do some birthday shopping.

It was a beautiful sunny day, there were even people enjoying their

lunch break at the front of the City Hall.

We met up with Judith from 'Rags to Bags' and had a good natter over lunch.

She even persuaded me to join up with Cindy's Goodie Swap!

I then dragged Sarah to one of my favourite shops - Avoca, where I ooohed and aaahed over all their wonderful throws and ceramic ranges.

Then we came across these chaps in another shop!

I think they're just gorgeous,

maybe gorgeous is the wrong word?

And maybe just a little early to be in the shop for Halloween!

Are you ready to see Halloween or Christmas in the shops?

Creative Grids Giveaway

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

The giveaway, sponsored by Creative Grids is this lovely little bunch!

A True Cut Rotary Blade Sharpener

A new non slip Basic Range 4" x 14" rectangle ruler

A new non slip multi size triangle ruler 45 and 90 degrees

And finally a Creative Grids Non slip ruler demonstration DVD.

Yes really all this!!

Creative Grids specialises in non slip rulers made especially with quilters in mind. I am always impressed by the range of rulers and quality cutting mats they sell. There is an online offer at the minute for free p&p across the entire site - UK ONLY.

I was very curious about the True Cut rotary blade sharpener, but it does exactly what it says on the packaging. I tried it out on an old blade which was ready for the bin, and it brought it back to a sharp finish.

Inside the plastic exterior is a sharpening stone

which sharpens the blade as the rotary cutter is pushed along the track.

It says on the instructions that about 20 goes should sharpen the blade,

I found that it took a few more than this for my blade.

I guess it depends on how dull the blade is!

Next up, I tried out the new non slip multi size triangle ruler. Very handy for cutting out triangles from strips of fabric, half and quarter square triangles.

To make half square triangles, first of all cut a strip of fabric.

The width of strip will determine what size of triangle you end up with.

I cut a 3 1/2" strip, which as you can see written on the ruler,

will give me a finished square of 3".

Cut along the straight edge and then cut along the sloped edge. To save time it is also possible to double up the strips and cut more than one at once.

Turn the ruler 180 degrees and place in line with the cut edge.

You may notice the flat edge at the top of the triangle,

I found this a very useful guide when sewing two triangles together.

On the other end of the ruler is the guide for cutting quarter square triangles.

Again the size of the strip determines the size of the triangle.

All measurement details are included with the ruler.

Place the ruler on the strip of fabric according to the markings.

Cut along each side of the triangle ruler.

And hey presto, quarter square triangles!

Just turn the ruler 180 degrees and cut again.

I found it very easy to match up the triangles.

The triangles matched perfectly

And I just love this pin wheel made from two quarter square triangles and a half square triangle.

I found this block layout on the McCalls Quilting website.

I think I may just have the beginning of a new pin wheel quilt!

Back to the giveaway - how useful would this lot be??

There are three ways to enter:

1. Blog/facebook about this give away and come back and let me know you have.

2. Visit the Creative Grids website and come back and tell me

what would be top of your shopping list!

3. Become a follower or tell me if you already are.

Give away closes Wednesday 31st August 2011 @ midnight GMT

International entries welcome.

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED