It's been how long!

I've just checked and am a bit embarrassed that my last blog post was 5th October. I didn't plan to drop out of blogging, it's just been hard to keep up.

What have I been doing with my time? Well mainly it's my studies and the placements, I have two different ones name and am seeing 7 clients a week. Along with the rest of the course, that is taking up a big chunk of my time.

I did create myself a sewing room in my smallest bedroom and bought a new machine and frame to go in it. The frame is from Martha at http://www.machinequilter.co.uk/the-new-english-quilter/, I went for the 6ft one as that is all I could fit in my tiny room.

Here it is being used for the only quilt I've quilted since I got it, a little one I made for charity and a close up of my quilting.

Martha gave me a really good workshop on how to use it when I collected it.

A few weeks later, I had the chance to visit the East Midlands Modern Quilt Guild - their flickr group can be found at http://www.flickr.com/groups/1317961@N25/. This was a great day of sewing and chatting with a lovely bunch. If you are in the area and haven't discovered them already check them out.

While I was up North (yes I think they are north) I was able to see a version of my new frame in the hands of a superstar. Trudi at http://trudi-quiltingprolifically.blogspot.co.uk/ has the larger version and achieves the most wonderful things on it. Just to watch her in action was an amazing experience. I also got to explore her collection of quilts - and what a collection. I was in quilty heaven.

I have managed to finish a new quilt top, one that I would have been too scared of a few years ago. Yes, I have conquered the Y seam!

This was all pieced by machine, I found a kona solids roll up when I had my sort out for the sewing room and I just decided with no planning to go for it with the tumbling blocks.

I've also made a few scarves, for myself and as gifts.

And finally, I am working on a quilt for a friend who is going through the most horrific time. He had cancer in his hip which was undiagnosed for 18 months, by the time they realised, the only option was hindquarter amputation, which basically meant they had to chop is leg off to remove the hip joint.

So eventually he is getting this.

And yes, that is my design wall. I have one of those now! Check me out!

I have a bit more news on swaps I've been part of but I will do a separate post on those.