April ~ month in review

April was fun!  And busy... 

Despite there being a drought and having something like 25 out of 30 days of rain (crazy, I know), it was an action-packed, get-creative, step-out-of-your-comfort-zone kind of month - and I loved every minute of it! 

Here is my mosaic of things finished and things 'done' but not finished, if you know what I mean!!

Finished items:

5 Zakka projects

3 name badges

1 mini quilt

2 placemats

1 key chain

1 handbag

1 card holder

1 table topper

1 pillow

3 pin cushions in total

2 wonky stars for placemats

2 small bag things with fold over flaps and buttons

and

lots of pottery pots/bowls

Sewn and finished but not in 'completed':

4 Sew into Solids blocks (5 in total now)

1 wonky tree

1 mini quilt

In summary:

• I joined in with the Zakka Style Sew-Along at project #2 and am loving it!  It continues until September.
• I have committed myself to the Finish-Along with Quilter in the Gap and have completed my first finish (Figgy Pudding table topper) 
• I am behind with my blocks for the Sew into Solids Flickr group but will catch up soon
• I am participating in the 'My Precious' QAL with Kelby Sews but am yet to decide on which pile of 'my precious' fabric I need to 'cut' into!! 

Here is a better (bigger) photo of my Zakka Delightful Linen Bag.  This came togther very quickly and I added a snap instead of the button with loop closure.  As you can see I did some applique - yay!  I love working with linen/cotton-linen - it must be the colour and texture that appeals.  I also love trim but I can't sem to buy it here in the UK though so if anyone knows a source, do let me know 'where' in the comments!  This trim is as old as me I'm sure.  I actually used it to up-cycle a pair of summer 'peddal pushers' when I was a 20-something year old and I still have a bit leftover, as you can see in the photo!  It jazzed the pair up nicely.  I have added this Zakka project to the Quilting Gallery for this week's competition so feel free to 'vote' for it this weekend [Friday 4th to Sunday 6th]. 

And so that I stay on track, here is a list of my May goals:

1. Sew my four+ sample swap items for the Fat Quarterly retreat swap
2. Get ready for the FQ retreat (how I will pack and carry all that stuff on the tube is beyond me - I will need my military husband's expert packing skills!)
3. Finish sewing my Siblings Together Savanna Bop quilt top and quilt it etc. HALF DONE
4. Finish all outstanding pottery items as class ends this month (awww)
5. Keep up to date with my Sew into Solids blocks, or try to!
6. Sew the first block for Bee Europa 2012-2013
7. Sew my Play Mini quilt - linked with Sew Happy Geek
8. Participate in Fugly Swap Party with Charm About You DONE
9. Do more embellishments and join in with Color Me Quilty
10. Have a birthday giveaway - become a follower so you'll know when I have it! UPDATE - it will be on the 21st May
11. UPDATE - Join the 'Small Project Sew Along' with crazy mom quilts - make some small projects and link them up JOINED

And that should keep me busy and out of trouble, maybe!!  Hope you have a great month of May.

I'll be linking up with Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing Day, Frontier Dream's Keep Calm Craft On and Quilt Story's Fabric Tuesday.