Link Love: Baking is Good for the Soul

I’ve had such a good week with the Little Man hanging out in the house together and doing our thing. We’ve been out on a play date, we’ve been to the movies, we’ve played, we’ve read together, we’ve been to karate and we’ve made it to all of our appointments on time. I consider that a big win! I’ve also managed to squeeze in some much needed sewing time. I’ve done some baking (which is something I haven’t done in forever!). I’ve even managed to do some cross stitching. It’s been brilliant.

The forced go-slow that my health has created has been the best thing ever. Sure, there’s times when I wish I could do more or I have a flare of envy when I see others doing things I’d like to do but overall I’m so happy to be working at my own pace. I’m excited to be doing things with my hands again. I hadn’t realised how much I have missed cooking for fun. Or how much I enjoy just sitting with the boys hand stitching while they play Minecraft together. I still have things I need to cross off my to-do list, but it’s manageable and I feel in control. Something I haven’t felt in a long time.

I’m also enjoying getting out and about a bit more these days. Seeing friends and doing the things I used to do before my life got swallowed up by the business of being in business. I’m enjoying it so much I’m thinking about heading into Sydney for a weekend to catch up with friends and do some sightseeing. It’s been awhile since we just got out of town for a weekend. Anyways, before any of that can happen I need to get on with my chores. Wishing you a fabulous week filled with love, laughter and much fabric fondling!

#100Days100Blocks2018 is less than 100 days away and this year I’d like to use the event to help those that are starting out in our creative industry. If you’re a small business owner, pattern designer, author, podcaster, blogger in the creative industries then this is the opportunity for you. I’m offering free daily sponsorship spots (sponsorship of this event is normally something you’d have to purchase) to help promote those that are helping our industry stay alive and grow by going into business. If you’ve got something you’d like to promote then register your interest by clicking here.

If you have any questions about being involved in this event simply drop me an email and we can talk it through. I want to use this platform to help give you a voice and see our industry flourish.

A Note About the Elizabeth Hartman Sew-along: Due to health reasons I’m going to be ending the Elizabeth Hartman Sew-along at the end of April. My surgery is booked for June and until then I’m unable to commit to making the blocks needed to keep momentum going for this event. If someone is willing to take on the event I’d be happy to hand it over and provide one-on-one coaching about how to run an event, find sponsors and manage the administration for a sew-along. If this is something you’d like to do simply send me an email and we can talk options. I apologise to anyone that is adversely impacted by this decision.

I got back in the kitchen this week and made these chocolate chip muffins from Little Sweet Baker. Click here to read more.

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Here’s a jelly roll quilt pattern that goes together quickly and delivers a punch from Jeni at In Color Order. Click here to read more.

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Everyone should know how to safely clean their sewing machine. This handy tutorial from Sew Can She will help you get your mechanical BFF clean in no time. Click here to read more.

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I love a good star block and this Union Square Quilt Tutorial from Simple Simon and Co. delivers just that. Click here to read more.

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Did you make City Sampler blocks as part of #100Days100Blocks and #100Days100Blocks2017 but you’re yet to turn them into a quilt top? Never fear I’ve got the event for you! Check out the #100Days100BlocksFinishalong by clicking here.

I love to share the cool things that I find during my week of surfing the internet window-shopping and splurging. Here’s my top 4 from this week:

A. I’m loving: I’m getting out and about more these days and so I’m always looking for ways to scream “I love rainbows” in my wardrobe choices. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

B. I’m chuckling: It’s the little dog who’s feet don’t reach the ground that cracks me up in this print. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

C. I’m ordering: Halloween is coming and these cats GLOW IN THE DARK! Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

D. I’m wishing: You know I can’t go past a unicorn print and this one reminds me of the unicorn tapestry. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

In 2018 I’m going to be travelling around Australia teaching people how to fussy cut and I can’t wait. If you’d like to take a class with me I have the follow classes currently available:

Fussy Cutting FUNdamentals @ Quilt NSW – Monday 14 May 10:00am to 3:00pm. Learn everything you need to know about how to fussy cut for patchwork and English Paper Piecing. We’ll cover Improvisational Fussy Cutting, Traditional Fussy Cutting and Fussy Cutting for Colour. I’ll talk about fabric selection (including how to work out exactly how much to buy), colour theory and where to find those unusual prints to make your work pop. To book click here. (Please note: this is the ONLY class I’ll be teaching in Sydney in 2018!)
Fussy Cutting FUNdamentals @ Hobbysew Belconnen – Sunday 20 May 10:30am to 3:30pm. Learn everything you need to know about how to fussy cut for patchwork and English Paper Piecing. We’ll cover Improvisational Fussy Cutting, Traditional Fussy Cutting and Fussy Cutting for Colour. I’ll talk about fabric selection (including how to work out exactly how much to buy), colour theory and where to find those unusual prints to make your work pop. To book click here or call the store on (02) 6253 0011.
Amazeballs Tote Bag @ Hobbysew Belconnen – Sunday 10 June 10:30am to 3:30pm. Using the Amazeballs Tote pattern from my book, Fussy Cutters Club, we’ll learn all about improvisational fussy cutting to make unique and one-of-a-kind projects. Participants will learn basic bag construction and techniques for adding fussy cutting to all their projects. To book click here or call the store on (02) 6253 0011.

Have you got an event, a charity drive, a pattern release, a class schedule or something else that you think my community would be interested in hearing about? Why not drop me a line and let me know – I’d love to share it with my readers. Click here to email me.

The fabulous Lucy from Charm About You has released a new mini quilt pattern, Trenton Block. It’s an old school quilt block which I love and is perfect for hand stitching. You can purchase it on Etsy by clicking here.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content for free. Thank you, in advance for your support!