My blog may have been quiet...........

............... but the sewing machine certainly hasn't

So much so I've worn it out - or at least rendered it unuseable and had to resort to my back up machine perched on the end of the dining room table. Fortunately my extension table and machine feet fit both machines - however my replacement doesn't have the luxury of 'needle down' mode and boy am I missing that :(

I've been very busy piecing which as many of you may know is most unusual for me

I'm generally much more comfortable with hand applique

There's been precious little of that going on - just a few blocks using the same motif I used for Clare's Q4L blocks - I intend to alternate them with bright batik blocks with the flowers in the deep purple

Another set of twins are on the way - the couple who introduced Nigel and I await twin grandsons in June so as I've always loved Bonnie's Star Struck pattern I decided to make complimentary quilts with red and green accents

Funny how thay can look so different using the same basic fabrics

Unusually for me I've yet to become bored with this pattern so I thought I'd give it a go with pinks and turquoises with white and stripy black accents - young and funky!

Louise's green and cream top is completed and ready for sandwiching

I had thought about a little applique around the border and then decided that it's absolutely fine as it is so, once quilted, a green binding will be just the ticket to finish the job

A batik jewel box was sitting almost done for a while in my sewing room and the last few blocks completed this centre which is now waiting for deep beige borders - this one probably will get the applique treatment once those borders are on - my quilt holder needs to grow a little and this caused much hilarity during the photo session :)

And finally a purple and pale grey wip has gained a few more blocks - unsure how big this will become - depends on how far the fabric lasts but as it's fiddly I keep adding a bit as I feel like it so it may be a while before it gets to full size

Last but not least my ALQS5 quilt arrived safe and sound and has already been claimed by Louise who fell in love with it on sight - there has to be some reward for all that stretching

Off work today and housebound as my car is in for its annual MOT and service so in between surfing and blogging I'm adding more to the pink and turquoise quilt - back to the machine it is then :)