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(Japanese) Prints Charming and a win!


Thank you so much to everyone who voted for Archie in the Pets on Quilts - he won!!!  I think he's a little bit disappointed that he doesn't get a trophy and/or a sash and tiara but he did get extra biscuits and a treat or two, spread out over the week, of course, wouldn't want him getting fat!  (Chance would be a fine thing...I'd give it a good go...) so he seems quite happy.  I also won a voucher for a quilt shop in the random draw so I'm going to have fun spending that!


Anyone for a thank you kiss?

In fact he's so please he thought he's show you how well his tummy hair is growing back...(Owners of boy dogs will testify that's it's not easy to get a tummy shot that doesn't upset the delicate!)


Not so much of the baldy nicknames from now on!


I seem to be going through a lucky streak at the moment (I pinched it from Hadley!) as I also won a lovely charm pack in Mary's giveaway - Mary has a wonderful blog Spoolhardy Girl, please pop over and say hello!

Archie composed a limerick as his winning entry - it's not marvellous but I didn't give him much notice!


I think it'll go nicely with my other Christmas fabric...when I eventually get round to making a Christmas quilt!


I haven't been up to doing much sewing (or anything else, to be perfectly honest) for a few weeks now - this tummy bug has knocked the stuffing out of me so I'm spending a lot of time lying on the settee half watching telly.   I've managed to do a bit of hand sewing that I've had prepared for months (adding the turquoise stripe borders to the Drunkard's Path blocks) but that's almost run out now.  Fortunately Sarah decided to run a Japanese Charm Swap and very kindly sent me a parcel with the instruction 'make something, anything, as long as it shows off the fabric and is cute' (or something to that effect...and she did say please - she was well brought up!).


This is what she sent


As soon as I opened the envelope I knew I was going to have fun!

I'd already decided that whatever I made would be made using EPP (English paper piecing).  It's not something I usually do (I prefer hand piecing - no papers) but I'm not up to sitting at the ironing board and preparing pieces in my usual way so decided this would be a perfect alternative...it was!  As you may know I do love a bit of fussy cutting so I set to with a paper window (a square with a square cut out of the middle - to make sure I got the image centred) and my scissors and after about three days I had made this...


1/2" squares full of cuteness!

...which turned into this...

I had fun choosing which sections to use on the sides!  Can you guess what it is yet?!  Thanks, Rolf!

...and after a bit of stuffing it turned into this...



A pin cushion!  The top is 2" square and it stands 1 1/8" high - a perfect size for a hand piecing kit!





I promise it's more evenly stuffed than these photos would suggest!


I hope that qualifies as cute!  If you'd like your own charm pack of Japanese fabrics (they're perfect for fussy cutting and I can only begin to imagine how much fun you could have with 56 squares of glorious cuteness) please head over to Sarah's blog and leave a comment telling her you'd like to join in!   There are a few places left but you'll have to be quick as sign-ups close on Saturday evening (the 25th).  She's even made a cute button for us and arranged a discount of 10% for all participants at Celtic Fusion Fabrics.  Our Dear Leader is a marvel, isn't she?!



As if that wasn't enough she's also running a giveaway of ELEVEN fat quarters of gorgeous fabric so head over to her blog (same post as the swap) and leave a comment asking to be entered.



Speaking of giveaways...this week (Tuesday) was my first bloggy birthday (hurrah!) and my next post will have details of a (small) giveaway to say thank you to all of you who put up with my wittering.  I'm not making anything in advance (good job or you'd be waiting weeks!) as I want to give you the chance to choose from a (small) selection - I may be making a rod for my own back but I'm determined stubborn so it will happen!   **watch this space for details**



That's it from me, just one last photo of Archie (and Alfie, in the background, who stayed over this week so he didn't end up with paint on him...or hair on the woodwork!)


Any chance of a walk?  Or a consolation biscuit if a walk's out of the question...
Edited to add for Sarah:


A photo of little old me...about time too!


 

Comments

  1. Oh WOW! It's superultrafandabbydozycute! A freakin MASTERPIECE of paper piecing. Love it. You teeny-pieces-genius you. xxxx
    ps well done archi(nolonger)bald!
    pps poor ol Alfie, where's his close-up?!

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  2. Yay for Archie winning! (and so he should have because he is the best and the most loved) And yay for you getting his prize.

    That pin cushion is the most darling make I have seen in ages. You are the queen of patience and small piecing. Amazing!!!

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  3. that is the cutest thing.... brilliant. Hope Archie doesn't hide it under any of his blankets. Those fabrics are really lovey so def wnat to join in. By the way does Archie get extra biscuits to celebrate the bloggy birthday?

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  4. I love, adore, covet, etc. your pincushion!! I can't for the life of me figure out how you made this....the shape that is! That teeny London bus is just fabulous. Please tell Archie that he has the most precious nose. He should win a blue ribbon for the best nose!

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  5. I love that pincushion with the teeny tiny squares! And how come Archie just gets cuter and cuter

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  6. LOL Awww thanks, he's a cutie too :-)

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  7. Cute! Archie, too of course - congratulations on the win!! Alfie is cute as well, they both have very kissable noses :)

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  8. Congratulations on your wins!
    I love your teeny weeny pincushion!

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  9. ooo yay! I'm sure Hadley won't mind sharing her winning ways with you :)

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  10. your teeny tiny piecing is just wonderful. You've inspired me to have a go but I thought 3/4" was small enough !

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  11. Of course Archie won, it was never in doubt. Congratulations on your win(s) I need to get back entering, can't have you winning everything :-). So glad Archie's modesty was protected...for his sake and mine!! Hugs xxxx

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  12. Congratulations, Archie! You deserved to win because you are so sweet and special! What a lovely photos again! Beautiful fabrics and the pincushion is so cute! x Teje

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  13. Archie is so cute! Makes me want a dog even more than before... Baby first, dog afterwards.. I love the pincushion, it is amazing of details!

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  14. Congratulations to you and Archie, he looks suitably modest. I do like photos of Alfie too. The pincushion is very cute and beautifully made.

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  15. Yippppeee for winning. Well done and long may the streak continue.

    Wow to your super cute Japanese tiny pin cushion.
    xxxx

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  16. Wooooo Congratulations to Archie!! Such a cute pincushion, the fabrics are shown off so well even though in such little pieces! =D

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  17. Several bears rubbed noses with Archie, they hope that will suffice... We hope you don't hold out on those biccies though, you promised!

    Have fun spending the voucher, and love the wee pinnie, so cute!

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  18. Congrats to Archie!
    I love the pin cushion - you are a mini-genius!

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  19. Amazing small piecing on the pin cushion. Congrats to the handsome Archie. Di x

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  20. I knew Archie could do it!!! congratulations to both of your and on all of your nice wins too.

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  21. Congrats on Archie's win.
    Loks like you've been having a fun mail week or so. The pin cushion is great, very cute. Almost as cute as the doggie poses. That Archie sure knows how to milk it :)

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  22. oh so glad to hear that Archie won! you have not been blogging much lately - are you doing alright?
    Karen

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  23. I'm sooooo happy Archie won, he is sooooo cute, nearly as cute as my Meg!

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  24. Huge congrats to Archie! A worthy winner. Your pinny is well cute! Sorry to hear you're still poorly. Hope you get some energy again soon. Jxo

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  25. Archie... I do hope fame doesnt go to your cute head. Helen needs to start selling autographed copies of your photo....just a paw print will do on the lower right hand side....but dont moosh your snout up too close to the camera lens please, pleading for a kiss,.... your whiskery breath is a little too "biscuity" I think.
    Please tell Helen her teeny tiny piecing is brilliant! I have some of that blue green train fabric and it FRAYS ....so she is really clever to keep it under control. Hope you both have a good "walkies weekend"

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  26. Cute, cute, CUTE pincushion!!!! and congrats to Archie for winning. He is SO extremely handsome. He obviously knows that...

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  27. So you chickened out of making a purse Helen!? I saw the frame! Hehe! Probably best to wait till you feel better!

    Sarah was right to ask you oh mistress of small piecing and this looks like it was right up your street though more tricky with these thicker fabrics I would have thought! I adore those soldiers and the bus, and the duck, and the mouse, ad the piggy,.....well all of it!

    Maddie went to the park yesterday and had fun with new friend Cody! So cute! She would love to meet Archie and sniff his cute nose and probably other parts! Congrats on the winning streak - I guess you have the lucky chair now!

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  28. Archie is a very deserving winner - it is a shame about the lack of sash &/or trophy.

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  29. Oh MY!! What a great tutorial of tiny pieces!! I just love what you did with the scraps. Now I want to make one!! LOL. So happy Archie won the Pets on Quilts contest!! GO ARCHIE!! Great post as usually! Ellyx

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    1. ps, Archie tell your slave that she is a bad influence on me ;))

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  30. Wonderful post full of cuteness! Congratulations to Archie. Love the tiny pincushion!

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  31. Wow! Fantastic pin cushion!! Hope you're feeling better soon!

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  32. Congratulations, Archie! I'm not surprised he won at all -- such a wonderful expressive face!
    I love that pincushion. That is a fabulous idea!

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  33. Well done to Archie - he deserves it.
    Well done on your wins, and that wee pinnie is a delight.

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  34. You're a total genius, that pincushion is a wonderful thing. If I knew where you lived I would be round to steal it in a flash. Archie is cute too... :-)

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  35. Hi Archie and Alfie, two awesome looking pals! That pincushion is brilliant and so cute, I have the wants now. I hope you're feeling better.

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  36. Wow...I didn't think you could make something cuter than Archie! Adorable Helen! Man, I wish I had the patience for such amazing detail. You have truly outdone yourself. As my two year old would say "Gorgeous Daaaahling..."

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  37. I am a fellow Japanese Fabric lover. Super cute what you did with yours!

    Deborah
    homemakerhoney @gmail .com

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  38. your pincushion and EPP skills are adorable!! thanks for sharing such a sweet project.
    I'm new to your blog, but Archie is pretty handsome too.

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  39. I love your pincushion! It is just adorable. Congratulations to Archie, he too is adorable as is Alfie.

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  40. I would love to give Archie a kiss! Congratulations on the win and your bloggiversary :)
    The pincushion is utterly gorgeous! Love the cute fabrics and it's a great design!
    Hope you're feeling better xx

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  41. Yay for Archie's win - and all yours. I did wonder how the pinnie came about - it's very cute. Perfect use of some Japanese fabrics - I didn't know we had a button either must put that on my blog somewhere too!

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  42. that definitely qualifies for cute...in fact it is super cute!

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