Welcome to the weekend, dear friends! It’s time for another update on everything happening here at Bonjour Quilts. Sit back, relax and enjoy the read.
Another Scrappy Quilt Top
I’m hoping to have a new quilt pattern ready for debut for the November sales, but I still haven’t sewn up the cover version.
I started a baby size version but was then distracted by an alternate layout, which hijacked my blocks. This time I’m sewing the true Log Cabin Ribbons layout in the throw size.
Lots of easy chain-piecing for me this week!
Around the Interwebs…
Some sales if you have the need: Fat Quarter Shop has these useful basics and Gutermann thread at 20% off, and Connecting Threads have their Big Quilting Sale until Monday.
A link for Australians looking for a charity to support with sewing.
An article about how a subvertive sewist defied Hitler during WWII.
I shared this clever knitting article several years ago, but stumbled across it the other day and enjoyed it all over again. I think you will too!
Who doesn’t love a feel-good story about a wedding? And it’s in France. What a story to share with the grandkids.
Continuing the wedding theme… I have huge respect for the experience needed to correctly launder such delicate (and sometimes vintage) garments. Watching this gorgeous wedding dress returned to new condition was fascinating. Also? The cowboy hat!
Our youngest is a big birdwatching fan so I enjoyed this article about how (and why) the hobby is popular at the moment.
Some beautiful colour, cool collage, wonderful weaving and blooms.
Reader Quilts…
I always love to see quilts you’ve made from Bonjour Quilts patterns so please keep sending them in! Either email (Kirsty at BonjourQuilts dotcom), or tag me on Facebook or Instagram.
Jill’s version of the Sweet and Simple Squares Quilt is filled with gorgeous sunset colours:
Charlane added extra blocks and borders of her own design to sew this beautiful Diamonds in the Deep quilt as a wedding gift.
Such a pretty When You Wish quilt, this one was made by Izzy:
Freya’s lovely version of the Star Crossed quilt pattern incorporates vintage family linens in the centre of the stars. A true heirloom quilt!
Chez Bonjour
I’m feeling very smug this weekend because last weekend, right after I wrote my newsletter, I put up all my Christmas decorations. The house is now full of evergreen boughs, warm white fairy lights and Bing Crosby (who has buckley’s chance of getting a white Christmas here in Australia).
I purchased some new garlands for our main windows (indoors) and decided (against my better judgement) to buy the flocked ones (sprayed with fake snow).
Oh boy, what a mess. I was constantly vacuuming the fallout as I unfolded them and strung them all together. The cats both had fully-flocked faces by the time I put them up – they loved it. Now that they’re up and the mess’s cleaned, I really love them.
I haven’t started any Christmas shopping yet, but I did buy Christmas pyjamas for the whole family. Yes, I’m that mum.
I set up my stuffed toy Christmas gnomes and fake poinsettia plants on the windowsill. And I put out a red quilt on the armchair:
When I came into the house after spending the morning out, Lulu dashed away very quickly. Seems like she got up to mischief and left Tigger holding the bag.
I love how clueless Tigger looks. Has he been set up or is he a master of feigning innocence, I wonder?
In other news, I bought a new cabinet for my sewing room. It’s a bit IKEA-ish in that we had to put it together (and by we, I mean Mr Bonjour) and the doors are a bit sticky to shut, BUT… Here it is open with all my junk in it:
And then when I’m done for the day I just go swoosh, swoosh (that’s my door closing noise) and it looks like this:
Lovely, right!? (For Aussies, it’s an online purchase from Freedom Furniture.)
Cats’ Corner…
Here’s a few more cat photos from this week. Sleepy little cats, as ususal.
Have a good weekend!
Wish me well, folks. I have five 14 year old boys in the house tonight for a sleepover. Have you ever entered a bedroom after 5 teenage boys have spent an hour trying to thrash each other at Mario Cart in there? It’s like wet socks and onion pizza had a spicy, sweaty baby. There aren’t enough windows.
I hope you all have a good weekend, and I wish you all a pocket of time for sewing. The world is a crapshoot at the moment so some downtime to sew (or craft or puzzle or be in nature) is recommended (by me and probably your doctor too.) Take care lovely people!
Until next time,
Kirsty x
Kirsty
I absolutely love the pictures of your cats. You can definitely see their love for each other. I also have 2 cats, they love cuddle together just like yours. I haven’t read any of books, but I’m definitely looking forward going read them very soon.
Cuddling cats are the best, they keep each other entertained instead of tearing apart the house!
Thank you for the article on the woman who defied Hitler . Sadly increasingly meaningful as we in the US have a difficult president.
I love you cats; so sweet
Thank you for all you patterns and your newsletter
Ann
Thank you for dropping by the blog, Ann, I appreciate your kind words!
LuLu & Tigger always make me smile. Tigger is either very shocked at what LuLu did or Very proud of his decorating, I am convinced it’s the latter 😄😄 Your Newsletter gave me a Happy Heart….Tks
Hi Kathleen, Tigger can’t believe you’d think him capable of such a thing. Lulu says you’re absolutely right! :)
Oh, the wedding was just beautiful! Thank you for all the wonderful tidbits, your blog is the first thing I read on Saturday mornings, it softens the way to the news…
Yes, you have to ease your way into the news most days at the moment. Glad you got a smile from this one, Peggy!
I really enjoyed your links, Kristy! And the kitty photos are always great. Thanks!
You’re most welcome, Sheri!
Kirsty,
You curate so much good reading for us- I have forwarded the story on the man with the embroidery needle onto my quilt group; the one on birdwatching to my husband. I always anticipate hearing from you!
That’s fantastic Donna – I’m glad what I like to read interests you too. I try to keep it craft based but sometimes there’s just not much (that’s new) out there. And sometimes it’s just really good and deserves to be read, even if it’s not crafty!