I’ve been working on my quilt – the borders are now attached in readiness for me to take advantage of GJ’s Discount Fabrics sale next week to buy batting.  For those of you in Melbourne – GJ’s has 25% off all patchwork fabrics including all battings and craft accessories from 9.00am Monday 21st to Saturday 26th July.  They’re at 443 Lygon Street, Brunswick East.  Then I need to piece together the backing, and start quilting!

There are a couple of terrific giveways happening in blogland at the moment.  You probably already know about Old Red Barn Co’s Win This Quilt competition which closes in a few days time – since there are already over 1,500 commenters!  Another giveaway that you may not know of is Handmaiden’s 100th post giveaway  of handmade Swarovski crystal and pearl earrings.  They’re extremely beautiful!

Clever Kirsty has a wonderful tutorial on her blog for the hand-pieced pincushion that we made at Brown Owls a few weeks back.  The tutorial is in video, powerpoint and pdf format – what a woman!  I notice that it has already been picked up by the likes of Whipup!

And once again for Melburnians, there are some great markets happening this weekend.  On Sunday there is the annual Design Market, on from 10 to 5 in the car park under Federation Square.  There is also the brilliant Shirt and Skirt Market at Abbotsford Convent.

But most importantly for me, what is on from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th July at Jeff’s Shed?  It’s the Craft and Quilt Fair!  Yay!  Mum, Stella and I are going on Friday morning.  Anyone up for a bit of a blogmeet there at some stage?  I wonder if Stella will mind having her daytime sleep in the stroller while I chat and shop…..

On my agenda for this weekend: make a Softie for Mirabel, and my first (and hopefully only) commisioned piece; a very good friend has asked me to make a bag for her sister’s birthday.  I also need to finish (ahem – start) my book for book group on Monday.

Since I wouldn’t want to post without a photo, here are my most recent fabric purchases.  These were from Spotlight’s bargain table a few weeks back.  Some voiles:

and some corduroy (edited to add: the corduroy wasn’t on the bargain table, but was still a good price).

Have a lovely weekend!