Traditional block but new to me

Here are my Sunshine Lotto blocks for July, the theme was Pink and Green.
I took the opportunity to try a new - to me - block, the Shoo fly. Middle two blocks in this photo.
 I thought the pink rabbit fabric would make a fun centre to the block and I'm happy with them.
These will be added to the 4 June blocks.
Off to the Post Office tomorrow.

Sunshine June blocks

I only managed to make 4 blocks in June as we were away half of the month.
The theme was Novelties. Im happy with the way the turquoise with white spots Wonky star shows up and emphasises the Woodland animals fabric.
I've had the teddy bear fabric in my stash for several years and never found the right place to use it. So much character in each teddy bear it has always seemed a shame to cut it up - so I cut large centres for the blocks.

Woodland World baby quilt

I have finished the baby quilt I am gifting to my daughter's friend Aimie for her baby boy Tristan who was born on 5th June. We have known Aimie since she was 13 so we are all excited about this new baby. Aimie has chosen a Woodland theme for baby's nursery and fortunately I had several fabrics in my stash that fitted perfectly: featuring little owls, rabbits, foxes.

I hand quilted with my favourite Perle cottons and hand blanket stitched round the letters of Tristan's name and the little hearts at the top of the quilt.

The quilt measures 36" x 48" which I think is a useful size.
Our daughter is visiting Mum and baby on Tuesday afternoon so I will have a parcel ready for her to take - this quilt, the crocheted blanket and a little cardigan.
Can't wait to meet Tristan but unfortunately I have a prior engagement on Tuesday so I can't deliver the gift in person.

Ready for my Patchwork Group

The Patchwork Group was meeting at my house this morning so here's the goodies ready for our Coffee time ( or Morning Tea as it's called in New Zealand).

I tried a new recipe for the cake: Mary Berry's Orange cake with chocolate. A great recipe, all-in-one method so pretty quick to make. I have to say it was delicious! Moist and tasty, not much left!  But I think this is going to be a favourite recipe so more of these cakes in the future I think.

A plate of rock buns - a recipe from my NZ  Edmond's cookery book. Well tried and tested recipe but still tasty.

We had a lovely morning together, lots of conversation between nine of us. Friend Ruth brought her cousin along - Mary lives in Canada but it's the second time she has joined us.

Aren't Patchwork friends the best?

9 Patch Lotto Blocks winnings

Collected today from the Post Office ( parcel arrived a few days ago whilst we were away). 

My Sunshine Guild Lotto Blocks winnings: the theme was 9 Patch blocks. The 18 blocks include one of my own blocks.

Now I have 2 sets of Lotto winnings so I think I need to get busy putting them together. Just got to finish a baby quilt first. And I also need to make my June blocks and send them off to the USA.

2 Pink + 1 blue/green for RSC18

Linking with Angela's So Scrappy blog for RSC2018. I finished 2 Pink Twinkler blocks and made 

one not quite blue/ not quite green Twinkler making them Leader/Ender style as I finished sewing my baby quilt top together. I love theses blocks, always pleased I spotted them on Cathy's Sane, Crazy, Crumby blog.

Crochet blanket finish

I finished a striped baby blanket yesterday. It's for one of my daughter's friends whose baby is due in a couple of weeks. The baby's nursery has a Woodland theme so I chose two shades of green and a soft grey for the yarn. I found an excellent tutorial on YouTube by Bella Coco for a pretty shell edging and I am very pleased with the result. I shall use this pattern again for edging blankets.

I am also making a quilt for the baby - it's a boy apparently - which is now sandwiched ready for hand quilting. Again, in keeping with the Woodland theme.

The bay window you see in the background of my photo is full of cards and flowers for my recent birthday. I am very lucky to have such thoughtful friends and family. 😊