I'm in the Fat Quarterly e-zine!

I felt overwhelmingly compelled to 'give it a go' for this Fat Quarterly Design Challenge. The brief was to design a 'cross' block using solids. I had so many idea's swarming around in my head I had to check myself. Lynne over at 'Lily's Quilts' explained K. I. S. S. a short while ago, Keep It Simple Stupid!!! That's exactly what I did when I designed this block.

So.....how can you make a simple cross block look new?

How about this!

My main thought was how the block would look multiplied in a quilt, and how could I make more crosses when they were! There still had to be a recognisable cross in the block, that didn't get lost, so I used a different colour palette for it. And I wanted to have as many colours as I could without it looking too busy, and to illustrate how solids can be dramatic, but subtle also. I have Aqua's galore so this seemed the obvious choice. The four corner squares make a whole jewelled tone square when the blocks are complied and the repeated longer aqua strips make the additional cross arms.

Like this...

I also put together a tutorial for the e-zine, which was also amazingly used. Hope I wrote it okay, I'm a little worried it doesn't read correctly, or I missed out a step, or the measurements are wrong. I hope it was checked. If anyone has any questions about the tutorial, please just ask!!

Goodness, what an exciting day that was!

Cheerio for now,

x Mandy

Issue 4 available soon

See that Cross block top left, that's mine!!! I'm oh so chuffed!

If you'd like a little peek before buying, check it out here.

I bought a subscription for Fat Quarterly, instantly at the beginning for Issue 1. I just knew with the likes of Katy, Tacha, Kate, John, Nova and Brioni running the show, it would be my kind of read, full of my kind of projects. It hasn't disappointed, every issue has been packed with fabulous, must do projects, big and small. I'll be renewing my subscription, it's cheaper and I'll never forget to go on-line and buy it!

So, you wanna know a bit more about the block, well I've got another post lined up for after the release date, which is the 27th January. Not a how to, but a how it came about!

Go take a look at the Fat Quarterly blog and flickr pages in the mean time.

Right, I really should go off to the land of nod.

Cheerio for now,

x Mandy

Fresh Modern Bee

Fresh Modern Bee
Originally uploaded by mandalin18

This is a wonderful Bee, full of very creative people. I feel the need to produce something fabulous every month. I was a tad apprehensive to begin with, but that's gone now, I'm beginning to trust my instincts. Now I relish the challenge of creating something from my head, rather than scouring on-line quilting sites. Nothing wrong with that of course, I still go in that direction when looking for a particular block. For me, this bee demands I look outside the square. Lovin' that challenge!

Another post coming on the 'Cross' block!!!

Cheerio for now,

x Mandy

It's been a colourful year!

It's been a colourful year!
Originally uploaded by mandalin18

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Wishing you all a Christmas that is full to the brim with love and laughter.

Stay safe,
x Mandy

I started early!

Yeah, I know, it's only a little finish. But it is a start..... I'm really happy with the way I quilted it. If I ever get around to making a bed sized one, I will quilt it the same way. It's been gifted now, Jamie really enjoyed giving it to this Lady, he thinks she's fabulous and insisted on giving it to her himself.

I've received a few swaps, and will post about them in a few days, promise!
x Mandy

We have a Winner!

My Mum is visiting us from England for Christmas, so I asked her to pick the winning number. It belonged to...........

LethargicLass


Yay!!!! Send me an email so I can make a start on your Huggle.

Thank you to everyone who entered, it was fun to read all the comments. My number of visitors here has, as of this moment, reached 1646 from 60 countries. I'll have to try and work out those new three countries!!

Can't have a post without a photo, or two. So here's the Christmas Tree Ornaments I sent in a swap,

and the three I received.


Cheerio fro now,
x Mandy

1500 visitors giveaway!

Visitors from an amazing 57 countries as well! I'm just astounded by that, as I wouldn't call myself a very regular blogger, and I really only offer up to the world what I make for myself and others, bee's and swaps. So, it really does deserve a giveaway, and well, tis the season!

Here's what you can win:



A gift for you, your children, or another special friend this Christmas?

It's my own softie pattern which I named, Huggle. I designed them with the youngest of children in mind, nothing sharp and nothing small that with come off! They are made to be hugged hard and dragged around. You'll be able to chose for a girl or boy or opt for my choice if your unsure, and I will make it especially for you. I'll also include a 5" charm pack made from my stash, plus some other little gifts I'll choose to tie in with the Huggle I'm sending. This giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere.

Okay, to win, easy peasy! Leave me a comment about who you'd give the Huggle to...... yep that's it! If you'd like an extra entry, become a follower! The giveaway will close next Sunday midnight Australian eastern time.

Thank you for visiting!
Cheerio for now,
x Mandy