Snow, binding and a give away

This morning wasn't so cold here in London UK but we did have snow, yipee!  I know that some of you get a lot of snow and are probably heartily sick of it by now but we get very little in London so it's a bit of a novelty. There wasn't very much of it but youngest daughter and her boyfriend had a snowball fight as they walked to work and I took Scamp for a quick walk in it before I went to my quilt class. Scamp liked it but complained it made his paws cold.

I decided to walk to the class. I didn't have chance for much exercise last week and it doesn't take that long so it was a good chance to catch up and add a round trip of five miles to my weeks walking total. Walking on my own is always good as it gives me chance to think. I have signed up to do a mini quilt swap hosted by Kate North at Kate's Quilting (and other arty stuff) so I needed to come up with a design.

I took part in this swap a while back when it was round 7 and for that I created a mini quilt from a drawing I had done several years earlier of a clematis. I originally used the drawing to create a block print that I used as greeting cards.

That drawing turned into this mini

All the applique was done with hand stitching and I had fun adding beads and textured embroidery stitches.

I also hand quilted but my stitches were not very even. However I liked it and almost decided not to take part in the swap.  I'm pleased I did.

The swap has to be ready for April so it was a good point to decide on my design. I have a rough idea in my head and once I've fully decided I will tell you more.

One of the ladies who had the flu was well enough to come to the class this week so I had two participants. We did some cutting and sewing and a lot of chatting and having fun. It certainly doesn't seem much like work.

When I got home I cut the binding for the baby quilt. I chose spotty fabric.

I stitched the binding to the front of the quilt but still have to stitch it down. I will do that later this evening. Unfortunately I am supposed to be doing some marking. Most of our marking is now done on-line and it is just too easy to get sidetracked into reading blogs or writing a post. I must finish up and get back to work.

Picasso and Scamp aren't enamoured of me working in an evening. Picasso gave up his favoured spot along the back of my chair to register his protest against work.

Much to Scamp's annoyance he chose to protest from Scamp's basket. Picasso's basket is upstairs so Scamp made himself as small as he could  and refused to move.

At least it means I can sit in comfort with my computer on my lap.

I mentioned a give away in my title. I have a fat quarter to give away for Valentine's day.

I saw this fabric this morning and knew it was purrfect to show some quilty kitty love. I will add two more FQ's to it. To enter just leave me a comment telling me how you will be celebrating Valentine's Day this year. This give away is open to everyone (I will post internationally). If you are a follower you can have a second chance just leave another comment. The give away will remain open until 12 midnight (GMT) on the 14th February. 

Hey Ho, Hey Ho it's back to work I go ...... but not for long as it's nearly bed time.

Lyndsey