One of My Favourite Things!

I started off 2012 knowing I wanted to make a quilt for my about-to-be-born-any-week niece. I had no idea that I would end 2012 with a crafty blog and a serious, serious addiction to making quilts and other sewing related things. I never had the patience for it at any point before in my life, despite being a fabric hoarder for easily 15 years.

I've come to realise that aside from trying out funky looking stuff and wrapping my head around how to make a finished idea, the most important part of making to me is the giving and then knowing those quilts or toys are in use. Seriously. A lot of people treat the quilts as heirlooms and precious objects, which is lovely and flattering that they think so highly of what are really my learning curve.

But that all changed a few nights ago. Paul and I were seeing a couple of his mates for a tea and a chat, and his friend Richard turned to me and said that his daughter Freya was sleeping under the blanket I'd made her right now. I can't even describe how brilliant that was to hear, and just how lovely and complete it made the whole process feel! I'm still smiling. And so, that quilt is my Project of 2012.

It was the first time I'd followed a pattern (Fit For A Princess by I'm A Ginger Monkey on Sew Mama Sew), the first time I'd bought a fabric collection (Apple of My Eye by The Quilted Fish for Riley Blake), and the first time I didn't quilt by stitching in the ditch. It was really really hard to give that quilt away, but I did. And unknowingly, Richard made my whole year by telling me that it's in use.

Freya's Quilt

And nothing at all to do with sewing, well, just a little bit. I'm getting married to Paul on Friday. This Friday. I can't wait! He goes back to the States 9 days after that. That I could definitely put off. But I've made a couple of other really lovely things for the wedding as gifts, which are still top secret - obv. Here's a sneak peek at both:

This thread did not work out, at all! Turns out, I learned,
that you shouldn't quilt cotton quilts with rayon thread!

Excuse the funny angle, but I tied this quilt after putting
out a disc in my back which meant lots and lots
of standing and little or no sitting all over Christmas!

 I can't wait to show you these in full. I've loved making them, and I'm pretty sure the giving is going to be even better!

Happy New Year!!

PS I'm linking up to Lily's Quilts Small Blog Meet :)