Ola!

I'm still in Spanish mode- I feel a bit like Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 3! We have just returned from a lovely family holiday in Spain, where I found my Spanish language skills severely lacking. In fact 'hello', 'goodbye' and 'thank-you' just about covers it!

Anyway, back home to some lovely soft Irish rain, and the exciting prospect of travelling to Birmingham this weekend to the Festival of Quilts! This year, I will take loads of photos and hide the camera before my daughter manages to delete them!

Also this week I have another piece of exciting news - my 'Fabric is the Key to my Heart' wall hanging will be published in Popular Patchwork magazine. And if you're at the Festival of Quilts look out for it hanging on the 'Popular Patchwork' stand.

This is the original one, made from Irish Linen

And this is the bright version made from the Central Park fabric line from Kate Spain and Moda.

I'll be at the Festival of Quilts on Saturday and Sunday, so if you see me please say 'hello', or drop me an email and maybe we can do coffee?

The key to my heart...and a giveaway!

I recently got my hands on some beautiful Irish linen, lovely shades of grey and blue.

In between sneezing and coughing this past week I have been gradually putting a wall hanging together!

I thought the 100% linen would have been a bit stretchy, but a quick spray of startch made it very easy to work with:)I made this wall hanging,

anyone else feel the same way? :D

Here is a quick tutorial for a super quick project;)

If using 100% linen fabric, use spray starch on the fabric before starting.

1. Cut out the background fabric 12 1/2" x 18"2.Trace the letters and heart lock on to Bondaweb, iron letters and heart lock on to different fabrics. Cut out carefully, and place on background fabric. Press in place.

3.Cut a piece of medium weight Vilene slightly bigger than the background and place underneath.

4. Applique the letters on to the background fabric using a small zig zag stitch. I used Invisafil thread which is quite fine and didn't overpower the letters.

5. Cut out the first border: 4 pieces 1" x 24"
Cut out the second border: 4 pieces 1 1/2" x 24"
Sew first border to second border, make 4 borders.

6. Sew on borders and mitre corners.

7. Press well. 8. Layer backing, wadding and top together, pin together.

9. Draw the heart shape out on cardboard and use this shape as a quilting template.

Place template randomly on the wall hanging and draw around it using a watersoluble pen. Quilt around the heart shapes.

10. Make binding 2 1/2" x 82". Attach binding and hand sew in place.

11. Make a sleeve for the back of the wallhanging and enjoy!

Finished size approx. 15 1/2" x 21"

Please email me if you would like a copy of the letters and heartlock shape to make this wall hanging. info@lisnawearyquilt.co.uk

There are a limited amount of "fabric is the key to my heart" wall hanging kits, which are £15.99 plus postage

(UK & Europe p&p £3.99. USA/Canada p&p £5.50).

available on my website www.lisnawearyquilts.co.uk

I have a wall hanging kit of "Fabric is the key to my heart" in exactly the same Irish linen to giveaway:)

Here's how to enter - please leave a comment for each entry.

1. Tell me what you think of, when someone mentions Ireland or Irish Linen!

2. Sign up to be a follower on Lisnaweary Quilts blog.

3. Hop over to http://www.lisnawearyquilts.co.uk/ and tell me your favourite pattern/fabric.

4. Blog about this blog, giveaway etc.

You have til 10pm Tuesday 9th November to enter.