Good Morning,
It's been a busy weekend with new stock arriving, the gorgeous Guess how much I love you arrived and it is just lovely.

Then on Saturday we were off to the fantastic Festival of Quilts at the NEC.

This is my favourite show, full of beautiful quilts made by very talented folk and hundreds of fantastic stands selling everything and anything you could possibly need. I was very good and only brought four fat quarters from the lovely Messy Jessie's stand, some oil cloth and I am going to do a block of the month by the very clever Lynette Anderson. It's called a dog's life and surprise surprise it's dog related! Oh and I did also buy two lights, one for downstairs and one for upstairs. I did indulged in the very clever Janet Clare's new book The Wordsmith. It is such a beautiful book with lots of amazing and inspiring photos. I had my photo taken with her which was lovely except it did show how much fat I need to lose!

I did take a few photos of my favourite quilts but it was difficult to take them as lots were surrounded by people marvelling at them and how wonderful the stitching was. The photos are not the best as I forgot my camera so had to make do with my phone. So I apologize for not doing justice to the quilts and the very talented quilters.

 This quilt was made in six panels, I love the colour of the bike.

This quilt looked just like a photo, the colours were so realistic and both me and Stu loved this one.

Pinks and pastels and hearts are always a winner with me.

This quilt just shouted out winter and America to me.

This amazing quilt was the winner in the Traditional category and each piece of fabric is a tiny 1/4 inch and there was hundreds of  tiny log cabins, it makes you wonder how long it took to make. 

Snowmen, I have a thing for snowmen.

A gorgeous kiss. so sweet.

I can not resist a quilt with a dog on and one with a puppy is just the sweetest.

The best things about the Festival of Quilts is the wonderful quilts and fabrics available which are just so inspiring, the people who go to the show, quilters are the friendliest people in the world, always so helpful and chatty. The worst thing is I always leave and the next day think oh I wish I had brought this, that and the other!

Well I need to start sewing now so I will say cheerio.

Using up Scraps of fabric.

I absolutely love fabric and can not bear to throw any away. I recently got some shelves / drawers from a local Laura Ashley shop that was closing down and I decided it was time to sort out all my scrap fabric into a more organised way. I took example from the talented Lori B Holt and I cut them all  up into either different size strips or squares, with the view I would use them rather than just let them sit all messy in a scrap basket. They all do look neat however I still have ended up with a scrap basket! I will sort it out soon.

My hexagon quilt I made was with scraps, all hand sewn using the English Paper  Piecing technique, and I have to say I love it. We have it on our bed and it makes me smile everyday

                  

I have just finished the top of this quilt, again it was used with lots of scraps and I love this one too. I think a quilt with lots of bright colours really are me.

I am off to the festival of the quilts this weekend and I am looking forward to seeing all the quilts plus having a little shop too. I am going to try and resist buying lots of fabric, because I have enough in my personal collection to last me about ten years plus now starting our little online shop You, Me and Mabel I have bolts of beautiful fabric I can just go and look at and stroke whenever I want. However I do love seeing what you lovely folk order and make out of the fabrics. I have a lovely friend who puts together I wouldn't normally choose yet they always look fab and work brilliantly together. I think the secret is being brave. Well need to go now as I have sewing instructions to write up for a kit.  Thank you Sally