Galactic Explosion, Celtic Sew Easy, Toytime Circus and Bonnie Hunter's new book

Well, it took a while but have finally gotten back into it, quilting that is -  I had about 10 days of doctors' visits and tests and but finish them on Monday next week and then hopefully, doctors can go away for a while and I can settle back into my normal life :o).

In amongst all my new stash, I remembered to get the final blocks, borders and backing fabric for Nancy Rink's 2010 free BOM: Galactic Explosion, which I got in the aqua/green/blue colourway. I had begun to collect the blocks before I got sick and I was so taken with it, I decided to continue even tho Nancy now has a 2011 free BOM but you can still download the blocks for Galactic Explosion if you follow the link above.  I love the fabric Nancy picked for the blocks and am looking forward to doing it, though I have to make a Think Pink quilt for a raffle first.

I've got 2 new books too which I know I'll learn heaps from.  The first is Sew Easy Celtic by Angela Madden (I also got her Celtic Masterclass DVD as I learn better with actually seeing it done).  I'm keen on celtic design so am looking forwards to trying Angela's way of doing it. Check out Angela's website at http://www.angelamadden.com/ and see her charming celtic quilts.  The other book I got which only arrived today is Bonnie Hunter's Scraps and Shirtails II.  Bonnie is a legend for her efficient use of scraps and her generosity in sharing with the quilting community, especially in Australia.  One of my favourite quilts in the book was Bricks in the Barnyard - I love symmetrical design and conventional blocks, so this and Goose in the Puddle really caught my fancy - and also uses up a stack of scraps which I have been diligently cutting and sorting, well I got interrupted by 8 months in hospital, but have started again!  If you like making scrap quilts, I do recommend this book.

Lolly, my friend who's been staying to look out for me after rehab, went home today and I was at a loss as to what to do with myself for a bit - I am missing having her company and so to cheer myself up, I managed to get started on Block 1 of Kookaburra Cottage's new BOM pattern, Toytime Circus.  I am doing this one through Quilters' Corner.  It's an 8 month BOM so should be manageable even for me, especially if I actually do the block when they come in the post.  The blocks are quite huge  so will be interested to see the finished top.  Block 2 which I already have and have started tracing the fusible pieces is the juggling bear so am hoping to get that all affixed tomorrow and then I can blanket stitch both of them in front of the TV.

It's almost the witching hour so I'd better go to bed so's I can be up bright and early for my daily walk and then into sewing - it is so nice to be home!!