Link Love: It’s All a Coincidence

Life has a sense of humour. Last week I went to my follow up appointment with my surgeon. I’d been stealing myself since we’d gotten the news about HUBBY being let go to talk to her about payment options and possibly moving the date of my surgery. Turns out I need not have spent all that time worrying (always the way!). When I got in there the first thing she said to me was “I need to ask you a favour.” Turns out there’s some people that need surgery more urgently then I do on the day I’d booked and so she wanted to know if she could move my surgery date. Gotta laugh, right!

We talked about all the implications of not having the surgery as planned (actually better for my body given the medication I’m now on to help prepare for the surgery) and we talked about payment options. It was a good appointment. I don’t have a date for the surgery and won’t make one until HUBBY finds a job. Hopefully that will be sorted soon and I can lock something in when I go back for my next appointment at the end of this month.

I know this seems like a funny thing to say (and ask me again if I feel this way if we don’t have jobs in a month’s time) but HUBBY losing his job has already been a good thing. Since the birth of the Little Man six years ago we’ve not really had any time to ourselves. I’m not complaining, I love having the kid around. I just hadn’t realised that we hadn’t had any genuine alone time. It’s been great. In between job hunting we’ve been amusing ourselves with little outtings to do chores, cooking together, grocery shopping together and catching up on movies we’ve missed in the past six years. It’s reminded us of what it was like pre-kid. (We still both fight to go pick him up from school and are stupid happy to be altogether again, but the school hours make us appreciate all we have.)

This week I’m doing more sewing, pattern writing and job hunting. I’m thinking about getting a bridging job. Just something part-time that can bring in some slush funds. We don’t “need” it, but every little bit goes towards helping. Anyways, enough about that train of thought. It’s time to get on with my Monday – there’s less than a week until #100Days100Blocks2018 kicks off and it’s getting a little crazy in here. Wishing you a week filled with love, laughter and much fabric fondling!

I wrote a blog post in response to some of the behaviours I’ve been experiencing since posting about my political opinion and thoughts on copyright and sew-along etiquette. Click here to read more.

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I’ve been teaching my Improv Fussy Cutting technique (which you can read about in my book “Fussy Cutters Club”) and so many people are afraid of improv piecing, and I was too. But I conquered that fear and I think you should too. Kelly of My Quilt Infatuation has put together a video on how she approaches improv piecing which is a great way to start on your jounry to improv magic. Click here to read more.

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Florence at Flossie Teacakes is giving away a copy of her new book “Flossie Teacakes Guide to English Paper Piecing”. I adore this book (I’ll be reviewing it later this month here on the blog) and recommend anyone that wants to learn more about English Paper Piecing (EPP) and fussy cutting grab a copy (or win a copy!). Click here to read more.

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I love these triangle pouches from A Spoonful of Sugar and the great thing is, it’s a free tutorial so you can make some too! Click here to read more.

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Looking for a fun project to make to help keep all your things organised, then check out this tutorial from Simple Simon & Co for a quilted zipper pouch. Click here to read more.

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If you’re going to be participating in the Farmer’s Wife 1920’s Sew-along and you’re doing EPP then check out this needle book tutorial from Heidi at Fabric Mutt. Click here to read more.

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 thinking: I have some quilt patterns that need making and I’m toying with the idea of textural prints which these would be great for. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

B: I’m loving: I love a good non-directional scattered ditzy print and these are perfect. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

C: I’m dreaming: How fabulous is this colour selection! A great stash builder or palette if you’re looking for something for #100Days100Blocks2018. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

D: I’m enabling: Normally, I’d share a bundle or fabric here but I thought I’d share this discount code instead. I love the fabrics in Sew Stitching Happy’s store so go have a look and if you like too use this code to save 20% – conditions apply see website for details! Ends July 4. Click here to shop on Etsy.

Marti Michell is having a site-wide sale where you can save 15% off of everything (no code required). There’s even free shipping (and discounted international shipping) for qualifying orders. A great time to get your hands on my favourite ruler: fussy cutters square ruler. For those wanting to get the template sets for the Farmer’s Wife Quilts (1920’s and 1930’s – sets B, A, N, D and S are needed for these quilts) and the templates to help with #100Days100Blocks2018 now’s the time to stock up (please contact the team at Marti Michell for information about what sets you need for City Sampler). I use and recommend all of Marti’s products. (I use my rulers every day!) Click here to get shopping!

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.

• Margaret Eagles has written two books for quilters. The first one ” Made with love. The story of your quilt” replaces a card when giving a quilt as a gift. The maker personalities the book with fabric and photos of the making of the quilt. The second book is a children’s book “My Grandma makes patchwork quilts”. It tells the story of a bond between a Grandmother and her grandchild and their shared love of fabric and play. To find out more (and purchase) click here.
• Andrea, from 3rd Story Workshop, has collaborated with award-winning singer-songwriter Meaghan Smith to launch the Our Song, Your Reflection project. Andrea has created a quilt design and Meaghan has created a song that speaks about the importance of community and the human connections that we make. The project is structured as an IndieGoGo campaign so that people can preorder the pattern and/or fabric kit, get limited-edition project swag, and other fun perks. But most importantly, the campaign gives people the opportunity to submit a photo of one of their quilts or of their quilting community to be included in the final music video. You can find out more about it by clicking here.
• Sam Hunter of Hunter’s Design Studio has released a collaborative quilt with Lisa Congdon called “Show Up”. It’s a really great quilt (with lots of fussy cutting possibilities) and is available for purchase by clicking here. Sign up to Sam’s newsletter as well so you can find out all the details about an upcoming sew-along to make the quilt.
• Stephanie of Modern Sewciety and Natalie of Sew Hungry Hippie have teamed up for a Dress-A-Long. June is the Metamorphic dress by Sew Liberated.  July is the Painted Portrait Dress by Anna Maria Horner. It looks to be a great event where you can learn new skills, make clothes you love and have a great time while doing it. To find out more click 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!