Monday 18 February 2013

It's the sweetest thing . . .

It was such a lovely weekend here . . . it was so nice to see blue skies and sunshine again.  Could it be that Spring is on its way ?   The little birdies have started to sing again in the mornings too.  The dawn chorus is a sure sign, isn't it?

Anyway, so during my lovely weekend, I got lots, and lots of sewing done and managed to finish the top of my The Sweetest Thing quilt.

 

I just LOVE these fabrics by Riley Blake.  The colours are so pretty and Spring-like, don't you think ?


The one with the little birdies and the hearts is my favourite. {You can see it more clearly in the pic below}
So now I just need to piece together the back and then I'm going to have it quilted professionally.  My little machine just wouldn't cope and as much as I love the look and idea of hand quilting, I have to confess to a degree of laziness  ; -)


And, I finished the little crocheted hottie cover too . . .


This was my homework from Week 1 of my crochet course, so I'm chuffed to have done it. I picked out the Rooster Almerino yarn (which is sooo fab, by the way) colours to match the quilt, and am currently working on a pile of granny squares that will eventually become a cushion cover for the same guest room as the quilt.

Hope you had a sunshiney & lovely weekend too,
'til next time,
xoxo

75 comments:

  1. So pretty, the fabrics are rather gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing it quilted. Water bottle cover is very sweet too, you've been very busy :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Cheryl :-) Yes it was a very productive weekend on the craft front!
      Have a good week,
      xx

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  2. Such a happy quilt! Love the colors! And the water bottle looks so cozy warm perfect!

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  3. Hi Gilly,
    Your quilt top is the sweetest!! Love the prints!! Your hottie cover is so pretty! Love the roses!! Happy Monday! xo Heather

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Heather :-) Think I may just develop an addiction to making these sweet roses, they are so fun!
      Have a lovely week,
      xx

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  4. I love the quilt-so cheerful and happy! It really makes me anxious for spring. -Derrith

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    1. Thanks Derrith - I'm anxious for Spring too, am fed up being cold! Hopefully it's not to far away :-)
      Happy week to you,
      xx

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  5. SO SWEET!
    SUCH ADORABLE FABRICS+I LOVE YOUR BINDING TOO!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi Linda - thanks so much for popping by and saying hello :-)
      Have a great week,
      xx

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  6. Gorgeous quilt, looking forward to seeing the cushion when you have finished. Yes, I noticed that the birds had started singing here too!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Liz :-) Having fun with the granny squares too - they are quite addictive, aren't they?!
      Happy Tuesday,
      xx

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  7. Those cheeky birds are starting to wake us up in the mornings and a sure sign of Spring. Love the quilt, gorgeous colours and the hottie too.
    Patricia

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Patricia :-) I love the cheeky birdies so long as they don't wake us toooo early!
      Happy Tuesday,
      xx

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  8. Your top is beautiful! I love the Sweetest fabric line. The colors are amazing! Thanks for sharing!

    Cheery wave!
    Bev

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Bev - did you manage to get some Sweetest fabric for yourself too?
      Have a happy day,
      xx

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  9. We too had a sunny weekend - then got up this morning to frost! And like you, I have heard the birds singing in the mornings, so spring must be almost here. I love your quilt - the fabrics are gorgeous, and your little hottie cover is cute!!

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    1. Thanks Anne - we woke up to frost again this morning too, and apparently "light snow" forecast for Saturday :-(
      But I still think Spring is en route :-)
      Happy day,
      xx

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  10. I just love your quilt...how clever are you? and you must be so proud of your hottie cover i would be! the colours are very pretty, looking forward to seeing the cushion too...
    daisy j

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Daisy - that's sweet of you to say and yep, I'm chuffed :-)
      Have a happy sunny Tuesday,
      xx

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  11. Beautiful quilt. Those fabrics do scream Spring!

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  12. I think spring is on it's way and our quilt looks very springlike indeed! Your guestroom is going to be so pretty and cozy with all your handmade projects. Love the hot water bottle cover. Have a great week!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lynne - I can't wait to get everything finished.. patience is not my strong point ;-)
      Wishing you a lovely week too,
      xx

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  13. Beautiful quilt , I love the colours and the pattern and it is perfect for spring! Love the little hottie cover too, it is very pretty....and it will keep you cosy till the warmer weather arrives!
    Have a lovely week Gilly!
    Helen x

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Helen :-) And wishing you a happy, sunshiney week too,
      xx

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  14. The quilt looks fab as does the hotty cover. Great job! :o)

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  15. What a beautiful quilt and I LOVE your hot water bottle cover!!

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  16. Ooh Gilly you have been busy! What a beautiful quilt, you're so clever ... I love my little owl she's so pretty!

    I'm going to try another hotty cover, so thin I'll do one like yours ths time ....

    Love Claire xxx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Claire - I'm about to start another hottie cover too, they're so fun to make. Enjoy, and I look forward to seeing the reveal when it's done :-)
      Happy Tuesday
      xx

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  17. Adore your quilt! Those colors are gorgeous! Looks feminine as well as spring like! Love your crochet project!

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  18. Aww. Your quilt is so pretty. So happy and "springy"!! :o)

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  19. OH MY WORD!!! Your quilt top is gorgeous and I love your crochet piece. Job well done!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Renee, that's very sweet of you to say :-)
      Happy Tuesday,
      xx

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  20. Just so pretty Gilly ... the colours are perfect for spring ... Bee xx

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  21. Your quilt IS the sweetest thing! Adorable! I like the hot water bottle cover too :-)

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  22. Your quilt is gorgeous. I agree with you the fabrics are sooo pretty. You have done a great job.
    Hugs
    donna

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  23. Oh my goodness what a sweet quilt that is!! Yes it is so springy and beautiful!! :) Love the hot water bottle cover too! Can't wait to see your squares :) xo Holly

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    1. Thanks Holly - almost done with the squares :-)
      xx

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  24. Wow - your quilt is fantastic! And so BIG!! How do you work with such a huge amount of fabric? I can't imagine putting all that through my sewing machine. Incredible. And that hottie cover is adorable. :)

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    1. Thanks Wendz :-) I think the starting point is a big(ger) sewing table. I've quilted two large quilts myself before and really struggled, so decided this time I'm just going to have it done by the expert !
      Happy Tuesday,
      xx

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  25. Replies
    1. Thank you! And thanks so much for popping in and saying hello too :-)
      Have a happy weekend,
      xx

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  26. oh that quilt...*GORGEOUS*...
    Love, love LOVE the colours, screams 'springtime'!
    BH x

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Kerry - now if only Spring would hear the screams and come running! ;-)
      Happy weekend,
      xx

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  27. Just Gorgeous!! I love it. I am currently machine quilting my first quilt (I have hand quilted in the past) and my goodness I am hating every minute of it.
    Next time if I decide a quilt is too big to hand quilt myself, I will get a professional long arm quilter to do it.
    I love your work
    Best wishes
    S

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sophie. I struggled away a few times quilting larger ones myself but after I'd had just one done professionally, I was sold on the idea. Thanks for your sweet comment about my work and have a happy weekend,
      xx

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  28. What a beautiful quilt! The colours are lovely - very springlike :) Elisabeth x

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    1. Thanks Elisabeth :-)
      Happy weekend to you,
      xx

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  29. Your quilt is so pretty and happy looking. Just love the fabric colors. Great crochet hot water bottle cover. The flowers make just make it.

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    1. Thanks for your kind comment :-)
      Have a great weekend,
      xx

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  30. What a pretty quilt, love your colors. I crochet but never tried a cover such as you made, great idea though! Looks so nice.

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    1. Thanks Connie - you should try a little hottie cover, if I can do it, you definitely can! They make great gifts too, don't you think?
      Have a happy weekend,
      xx

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  31. What a model student you've been - A* for finishing your hottie cover it's gorgeous, I'm looking forward to seeing you complete week 2's homework! xx

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    1. Thanks Diane :-)
      Am completely loving making all these granny squares! Looking forward to see what you've got in store for next week.
      Have a lovely weekend,
      xx

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  32. Your quilt is so beautiful Gilly! I love the colours :-)
    Hope your week is going well,
    x

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sarah - it's a busy week here, TGIF :-)
      Have a lovely weekend,
      xx

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  33. You are so creative.....love that little hot water bottle cover...very very sweet. Happy week to you.

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    1. Thanks Koralee - that's high praise indeed, coming from the Queen of Creativity herself :-) Thank you, you're so sweet.
      Have a happy weekend,
      xx

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  34. Oh I adore your quilt Gilly - it would be perfect for my first quilt which I will make for my littlest granddaughter who is one yr.
    I will look back on your posts to try and find a link to the pattern - if I don't find it I'll be back to ask you for more info - hope that's OK!!!
    The hottie cover is cute too! What crochet course are you doing - is it an online one as I want to learn to crochet too!!
    Thanks for popping in to see me today!
    Shane ♥

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    Replies
    1. Hi Shane - thanks for your kind comment, and I'm flattered that you like the pattern too :-) Actually I just made it up as I went along, it's quite simple, but I did draw it out, so I will happily email you the details if you'd like - just let me know. The fabric is so adorable, it'd be perfect for your littlest one. It has some beautiful yellows too in the range which I haven't used this time.
      The crochet course I'm doing is run by Harry & Floss, and a lovely (patient!) lady called Diane, who is local to me here in the UK. I learn a lot better when I have someone in front of me actually showing me, rather than online, but I can recommend a book called Beginner's Guide to Crochet by Pauline Turner - some of the projects are a bit old-fashioned but it has all the basics well explained. Hope that helps! Happy weekend, xx

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  35. love the little water bottle cover!

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  36. What a beautiful quilt! Love the fabrics you've used.

    PS: I'm hosting a Living Nature skin essentials pack giveaway at my blog, hope you enter: http://www.underlockandkeyblog.com/2013/02/living-nature-review-and-giveaway.html

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  37. Ooh, I should have attended this crochet course Gilly. I'm stuck at the blanket stage = it's reading patterns that is my problem :(
    I love Riley Blake fabfics too. That is THE sweetest quilt!

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    1. Hi Julie - Diane runs ongoing courses, so have a look at her website: http://harryandfloss.co.uk if you are interested. Mainly the courses are at Materials Girls in Alcester, but if there's a couple of you wanting to do it together, Diane will even come to your home. Look her up, and tell her I sent you! She's ever so patient, and a great teacher.
      Thanks for your kind comment about my quilt :-)
      Happy weekend, xx

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  38. Our birds are singing too. Makes me think spring is near even as I trudge through the snow to walk the dog.

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