Genetically modified soft toys

I just took a break from my hand-quilting nightmare marathon to test a pattern for Clare at ClareBears and I think we can safely say I am not a natural soft-toy maker.  Poor little deformed mouse :(

I have to say this is entirely my ineptness and no fault of Clare's pattern at all.  Do not attempt sewing while watching Criminal Minds - far too distracting.

On the quilting front: 8 blocks down, 23 to go.

Sneaky Peek no. 3

5 blocks down, 26 to go and 12 weeks on the clock.  Is it time to panic yet?

How to brighten up my day

Do you ever have one of those days where you're just completely fed up?  I have been educated in the best universities in Britain, I can program in 4 different languages and I have the IQ of a genius but I just spent 8 hours  sticking stickers on envelopes for just over minimum wage.

Plus, after proudly voting last night (got to love democracy) I've spent the whole day on the edge of my seat but we still don't have a government!  So I was fed up until I got home and found a package from America.  FABRIC!

I bought 5 yards of this fabric from Fat Quarter Shop because it was on sale and seemed like a complete bargain.

It's Green Cherry Blossoms from the Full Bloom range by Bari J Ackerman and the more I looked at it, the more I fell in love with it so I searched out these two beauties on eQuilter.

Blue Tea Party and Lavender Tea Party from the same range.  Grey clouds lifting, bright colours making me smile.  I have no idea what to do with them because they're very large prints but I'm happy just to look at them tonight.

Quilting progress

Sorry I don't have anything more fun to post but I have spent the entire week (including the Bank Holiday weekend) sat in front of my quilting frame.  All that time and I've managed 4 out of 31 centres.  I should mention that I actually have to go to work full time otherwise that statistic would make me cry.  Here's a picture of the pattern I decided to go with:

I couldn't find any way of marking up the patterns because all of the water soluble pencils and chalks stain the silk.  This means each block is stenciled onto tissue paper, pinned to the quilt, basted over the lines in a contrasting thread and then the paper peeled away.  Only then can the quilting begin.  On second thoughts, maybe 4 blocks in a week is good going - only 27 to go!