FQ London 2012 Linky Party

Next weekend I will be off to the Fat Quarterly London Retreat, so I am joining the linky party (better late than never) to introduce myself to some of the other lucky people who will be going.

So welcome to all my newbie visitors.  Not much goes on around here as I am very good at starting projects but not so good at getting things finished.  As I started this blog to record my makes, it means that I often have long silent periods.

couldn't find a nice photo where I am either childless or not showing all my awful teeth

I am a 30ish (36 I think) Mum to two boys almost 3 and 4 1/2. I work part time as a Supply Teacher. I was born and raised in West London, and love going back into "town",   I still live in a London Borough, and consider myself a Londoner, even if the people at the post office say I live in Surrey. Although given the choice, I would much rather stay put thanks.

I have always done some sort of making/crafting/doing ever since I was a child.  My Nan knitted and croched, my Mum knitted but also made me some beautiful smocked dresses when I was little, as well as my First Holy Communion dress. 

When my Grandmother died, my Mum was very keen for me to inherit a sewing machine that she (my Mum) had bought second hand in the 80's.  She had lent it to my Nan and never got it back lol, so had bought a new one.  After several homes around the house, the hubby decided it needed to be gone out the house as it was never used.  So I decided to start using it.  The Football World Cup/Euro Cup?? was on at the time, so it kept me entertained during a Summer of constant Football matches on the TV. I have sewn all my projects on that machine, an old 1950/60's Bernina. My projects have mostly been clothing for my boys and quilts.

I will be attending both days of the retreat but I shall be staying at Hotel Happyis and travelling in by public transport.

I will be wearing this name tag made for me by Kathleen (I don't know anything else other than that)

I am really exited about the classes I will be doing (with some amazing teachers)

Union Jack Pillow with Lynne Goldsworthy aka Lily's Quilts
wonky log cabin with John Q Adams aka Quilt Dad
Freezer paper pieceing with Kerry Green Verykerryberry (I hope that is the right link, I follow 2 blogs with very similar names, with similar style)
Embroidery with Aneela Hoey aka Comfortstitching

I am also participated in an Iron Man challenge?????? I have no idea how I signed up to that one but I am in Group 5.  I think it is a race to produce a quilt in the quickest time - who knows!

I still have my swap samples to make eek, and haven't even started sorting out what I am taking with me!

I have always been bit of a last minute rush girl, although you will find that I am never, ever, late - it is my biggest fear.

So I will be at the front of the queue on Saturday, having arrived at silly o'clock, so I am not late ha ha!

ta da!!!!

 The finished quilt.

I really struggled to get good photos due to the quilt's size and the recent wet weather.  The sun has been out today but of course, it clouded over as soon as I attempted to take any photos outside!  Also the fence and most of the garden are still very damp and it was a real task finding somewhere to hang it where it wouldn't get dirty.

 I sent it away to Chris at Fathers Heart quilting - she did an amazing job, quilting an all over daisy pattern to match the daisies in the centre panel.  Then she free-motion quilted around the figures in the panel.  If you look closely, you will see little daisies there too. Her usual turn-around is 6 weeks, however she squeezed me in so that I had time to bind the quilt.  The quilt was there and back within a week! Amazing service and beautiful work!  I only wish I had taken better photos.

 I wasn't sure of the backing when I sent it off with the quilt.  (A 100% cotton duvet cover from TK Max) The shabby-chic style roses didn't seem to go too well with the other prints.  But I didn't have the time or money to go looking for an alternative. However I am really pleased with it.  The blue looks great and makes a nice contrast with all the yellow. And because the colours in the backing are slightly muted, it makes the top really "pop".

I finished with a stripy pink binding.  I also used the same print in blue and green in the quilt.

All ready to wrap and present on her birthday at the weekend.

You can read my earlier posts about the quilt here and here