Secret Sewing | Quilters' Love sent | the Big Reveal

As mentioned a few times in previous posts, I have been engaged in some secret sewing.

One of our QBSA members was in need  ...... so we did what quilters do ....... we sent some Quilters' Love and Hugs.

Some of the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true (oops a song just popped into my head :)) make up a few blocks with the recipient in mind.  20 blocks in total were received which were made up as a quilted pillow cover for a Euro size pillow (26" square), and a candle mat.

Block makers were:  Jeneta, Elizabeth, SueB, Robyn, Ruth, Rosemary, Maria, Anna and Beth
My sincerest thanks to the block makers .............. you have made some really beautiful blocks.

Assembled and quilted by me (CathyC) and forwarded to our recipient by SueB of QBSA.

We hope it has arrived safely and that our 'quilted hugs' helped lift her spirits during this difficult time.

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

the last of my December blocks .............

........... are in the mail!

so I don't spoil the surprise, here is a tease!

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

December swaps - arrivals and departures

December has been very busy for the sewing room :)  I finally finished my secret sewing ............. I still cannot reveal anything ................ however, here is a tease

first up, some arrivals, with belated birthday love from CathyM for the Fat Quarter Swap

from CathyM for my Birthday

from WendyW for December FQ swap

from Maree for December FQ swap - look at those gorgeous lace ornaments :)

sent to Maree for December FQ swap

sent to WendyW for December FQ swap

next up my block for Kerry - my last for the QBSA Paper Pieced Swap Club

the block is called Global Concepts - I am relatively pleased with the way it turned out, but will not be continuing with the Paper Piecers Swaps - I just don't enjoy this process very much :(

my November block for Encarna in Spain has arrived safely - mine is still winging it's way to Australia

next are my two final blocks for the CraftMad Family Quilt 

this block is called Road to California

The lovely SueB from QBSA and myself finally met up in real life - after 3 years of bloggy friendship!
We met up for lunch and had a lovely chat :)  We exchanged gifts :)

a charm pack from SueB (I love French General!!!)

for SueB (minus the bottle :))

and last, but by no means least, a lovely surprise in the letterbox :)

from Fiona

see her post HERE on how they were made

Thank you so much, Fiona, your lovely gesture is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Mini Quilt has arrived :)

The postie was kind on Friday and delivered a lovely package  :)

my Mini Quilt from Lyn - her blog is Stitches from the Mainland

I will endeavour to take some more photos when the light is better ;-)

the embroidery is GORGEOUS and the colourings are just perfect!

Many thanks to Cheryll, for once again organising a great swap - can't wait to see what is happening for 2014

I also managed to finish my Do.Good Stitches Bee blocks during the week

some very simple Wonky Crosses in Manly Colours

(I presumed it was not meant as Manly football colours :) )

the teal is a bit brighter in real life, I hope not too bright :)

Only one more November swap to complete - CraftMad Family Quilt blocks

stay tuned for more piccies later

and my Secret Angel sewing is nearly finished, I just have to figure out how to get my zip in neatly :)

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Look what has arrived at my house!

here is the gorgeous prize, I was lucky enough to win for participating in FNwF 

doin' a happy dance

here is the gorgeous prize I won for taking part in the A4A Quilt Along

doin' another happy dance :)

these are the GORGEOUS paper pieced blocks from Kerry for the Paper Piecers Club

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

November blocks sent

I have been busy doing a bit of secret angel sewing, but have managed to complete my November block swaps before the end of the Month!

So I don't spoil the surprise for LoriB, here is a tease photo :)

Pinwheel #7 for LoriB

Sawtooth Star for Melanie

Melanie has let me know it has arrived safely - and guess what?  she likes it :)

Log Cabin for Encarna (QBSA)

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

October catch up

Well, I am not too sure what happened to October, but it certainly seemed to disappear very quickly.

I was so very late with most of my block swap commitments.

Hear are my feather blocks for Do Good Stitches - they will be in the post today :)





Thanks to Sharon for providing the background fabric, and the link to this pattern.  The first one took a while, but as I got more comfortable with each block, the quicker I became :)
EDITED: to include a link ;)

This would make an excellent project to use up scrap strips :)

Now onto my November commitments :)


Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

November - sent and received

CathyC from Diana

CathyC from Raelene

CathyC to Diana

CathyC to Raelene

birthday FQ to Narelle from CathyC

Birthday FQ to Carol from CathyC

 Lorraine, my previous month's partner from QBSA suggested we swap some fabrics, and this is what she sent - look at the lovely purples.  I will be sending her some in return at the end of the month ;-)

from QBSA Lorraine

 I also received these lovely 5" charms squares as part of a Rainbow Charm swap  - I am getting quite a collection of rainbow 5" charm squares and am looking forward to making something fun with them.

rainbow charm swap

Melanie is my November partner for Christmas Block Swap and has already sent this stunning block - it is just gorgeous, the photo does not do it justice!

Thanks heaps Melanie, I will be onto yours very soon :) 

must be off, we are out to tea to celebrate with family - SIL's 50th birthday

and BIL & SIL 23rd Wedding Anniversary :)

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

FNSI - show and tell

I managed to spend some time in the sewing room yesterday - along with about 40 others :) (see FNSI link in sidebar)

I am a bit behind in my Do Good Stitches blocks - I managed to complete one of my 'feathers' for October's block.  This block was a bit frustrating in that the directions were not really clear on what size the end result of the block should be - Sharon provided our background fabric, and I really wanted to be sure of the various dimensions before cutting - however, with some consultation with the girls via the Flickr group, I was reasonably confident to start cutting and sewing.

here is my first feather :)

one down, three more to do :)

I also did some other sewing, but that is secret for now and will be revealed at a later date :)

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.
Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.