Another update

Edited 4th August 2014:  I am soooo, so very sorry, I thought this post had already gone up...and it was indeed scheduled for publishing on 18th July, but for some reason it didn't post.....with all that went on with the blog 'adjustments' I'm still trying to fine tune a few things, so I've been having a look here and there, and I found this in my draft folder....oh well, I'll publish it now so you can see the hooty quilt, finally!!

 I've just spent the last couple of hours trying to find more details about a quilt pattern I tested for someone...I know we were corresponding through my Gmail account, and I normally save 'special' emails into folders, but for the life of me, I can't find any from her to me or me to her anywhere in my Gmail.

I can however let you know that I first had contact with her a couple of years ago, and then her life got in the way and I didn't hear back from her regarding the test pattern again, until I think it was either late last year or early this year.....I'm going to go with early this year, because then I don't feel so bad at only sharing the pics of the quilt now.

As you may all know, I kind of have a soft spot for owls..well derr lol  So it was a no brainer when Sue Lynn contacted me to see if I was still interested in testing the pattern for her.  Here's the link to her blog, where you can keep updated with any future patterns she releases....now with disclosure in mind, I must tell you, that her owl quilt pattern is actually needleturned, which I didn't do....yet, but will be, however I did thoroughly read her pattern, and could follow it along, and found no errors.

Yes, yes, I know, stop waffling Naomi and just show us the pics!

 The test blocks were mixed in with both donated blocks and some I made to fill in the spaces....and was sent off to an Aussie Hero, to thank her for her time away from home.  Below are a few close ups of the owl blocks.  The quilt request was for owls and pastels....I think I nailed it didn't I?  I must've, because I received a lovely email saying how much the quilt meant to the new owner....R! (Name withheld for privacy reasons)

 Below you can see the 'cheater' Paris fabric I used on the back, this was donated to AHQ by Berri Uniting Church, and it works great as backing, even though its a bit too pretty really!

 And of course, a close up of the quilt label.....I like to add mine to the front usually, but broke my tradition and added this one on the back.....I also like to add them before the quilting is done, so there's no chance of it falling off at some stage!

Ooooh, and before I forget, I FMQ'd this myself....and yes, I am crap at it....but it's done with love....now if I can just get my hand/foot synchronisation happening, I won't get all those loooonnnnng stitches every now and then, and those pesky eye lashes on the back.....need more practice = good excuse to make more quilts right?

Pattern Testing bag results.

Sometime ago, I'm not sure exactly when, I was blog hopping....yes shock, horror I know! Anyway, I noticed on someones' site that she'd like some interested people for pattern testing.....'goody goody' I said as I madly emailed her. Julie added my name to the waiting list, and even though I was excited, with all the happenings with the move, I hate to admit, but it completely slipped my mind....until yesterday when I checked my Yahoo emails and saw an email from her asking me, along with others, to test her "HEIDI BAG" pattern.

I was so ashamed that I had forgotten about the whole pattern testing thing, but thankfully, the email was less than a week old (I hardly ever check my physical Yahoo emails, preferring to have the ones for the groups I'm in to be forwarded to my Outlook Express account) so I contacted Julie and updated my details and promised to make the bag straight away.

Yesterday afternoon and evening, between a few domesticated stuff like cooking, and eating, I selected the fabric I was going to use, and whilst it won't be everyone's cup of tea, and no offence intended to Julie, I didn't want to use fabric that I could use elsewhere if I didn't like her bag.....now I'm kicking myself that I didn't use some of the cute owl fabric I got a while back off Etsy. Oh well, you live and learn don't ya? lol

Stop waffling Naomi, and show them the bag......*drum roll please* Picture heavy red velvet drapes slowly opening to reveal "Heidi" to you. Reality check...after you've looked at the gorgeous bag, have a word with the colour of the sky in the top left corner would you? Isn't it a magnificent shade of blue? I think it is anyway! Also, ignore the patchy lawn, we've had to severely weed spray it because of three corner jack weeds....they're real yowies when you tread on them, but I'll get some pics of those another time.

For those 'fussy' ones out there...no, I didn't stuff up with my cutting out, I meant the lining stripes to be different to the outer band and strap....honest!

Below is a close up of the inside of the bag.....showing the split pocket and magnet closure.

And the other side of both!

Now, I'm guessing you all want to buy this pattern, well you can't, not just yet anyway.....it's official release date isn't until February 20th 2011. If you'd like to purchase it, then head on over to Julie's blog, where you'll be able to find out more about the release date etc.

Just so you know, the pattern was very well written, and gave good explanations and had photos to show each step. I give it 10/10.