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Productive April

I am going to declare April a success! Mia will now take a bottle, which means she is full some of the time, which means she sits in her bouncy chair and smiles, rather than constantly being breast fed. Naps are elusive - unless you count the ten minute ones - I'm pretty sure a nine-week-old shouldn't power nap! But a bottle also means Daddy can look after her by himself. This all means a little more Me time and this is inevitable spent with the sewing machine. As I'm typing this I'm worried some of you will think I'm a bad mother... But I need to, or I would go absolutely mad. But first up you need to see a photo f my daughter from last Thursday - I promise I hadn't done anything to her to get this face!

It just makes me laugh!
Anyway -  this is my sanity for April!

I got my machine sorted for free motion quilting and I have been on a quilting kick! I started with two of the Skill Builder blocks

And then moved onto my Neon Stained quilt - each colour block is individually quilted and I am so pleased with how this turned out - I dissected my quilting in this blog post which also has lots of close up photos - unfortunately I have lost the fabric I bought to bind it, so will be placing an order later today - I'm going to change from the original pink I had planned (and purchased) to black, as I don't think it needs any more focus.

I also quilted my Three Peaks quilt - this was a practice for another quilt I want to finish with a spiral. I learned a lot and can now go ahead with the baby quilt next week. I don't think I ever bought binding for this quilt, so I've added that to the order - I'm going with dark grey.

Arabella Hexagon Quilt: this is my own quilt design and is a present which I need to give in a week and a half. This is the quilt that will have a spiral and is top of my list to be finished - I have bought the binding for this one.

My Thread Along quilt was the unsuccessful part of my month. I basted it and started hand quilting. On Tuesday I unpicked all the hand quilting and re-basted it - it had gone all baggy. I've also decided to machine quilt it this time.

Over the last few days I did some spur of the moment sewing and made myself a mini quilt using the Cheerio pattern in the latest issue of Love Patchwork and Quilting.

I finally finished sashing my City Sampler quilt - it's now basted and waiting its turn!

I've slowly been working on the hexagon quilt for Mia...

I've quilted a top for my mother-in-law

I've made some bee blocks...

I used up some scraps...

So that means I have quite a few quilts nearing completion. And that means that I can start some new projects... right?  Wouldn't want my WIP list to fall below 30, would I?

I'm linking up with Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts
Lily's Quilts
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Comments

Collette said…
adore all your work and that wee grumpy face is brilliant! You are not a bad mother at all!!! You need to stay sane for the sake of your family and me time (aka sewing time) is the only way we can do that I reckon. Don't be harsh on yourself! YOu are a brilliant mummy! xx
1 May 2014 at 11:30
Joanne said…
Every mum needs some alone time, even if it's 5 minutes in the shower without a small child banging on the door or crying, it makes us feel normal…. whatever that is!!
Your makes are so lovely and colourful, that City Sampler is amazing!!
1 May 2014 at 12:26
Dasha said…
You did all that with a 9 week old babe in tow???? I am left breathless. LOL
1 May 2014 at 13:14
Ann said…
Yeah - what she said! You did all this with a 9 week old? You're a better woman than I! I don't think I touched the sewing machine till my little one was at least 5 months old! I hesitate to go see what you did before she was born! :)
1 May 2014 at 14:15
Audrey Mackie said…
Oh my word! How did you manage all that in a month. Soon Mia will be picking up the scraps for you to make something for herself. Enjoy her at every stage - they grow up so quickly
1 May 2014 at 15:59
Grit said…
Wonderful work in April. And the picture from the baby is so cute.
1 May 2014 at 16:14
Janine @ Rainbow Hare said…
You've got an amazing amount done! Everything looks fab :)
1 May 2014 at 19:02
Leanne said…
The baby is adorable, I love that face! And I am so glad to see you able to do all this sewing, I am guessing you never sleep.
5 May 2014 at 02:01
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