#ukminiswap

One of the swaps I recently joined on Instagram was the #ukminiswap. Since having total control of home decor I decided that I would love a wall of mini quilts in my bedroom, and swaps are a really fun way of getting minis that I wouldn't think to make for myself! They also challenge me, by having to make something that somebody else will like, and not just me!

When partners were assigned I was given the lovely Kerry, and she said that she liked rainbow colours, light backgrounds and stars. She probably said some other stuff too, but I can't remember it now! I was aware of the massive trend for rainbow mini quilts, but hadn't actually considered making one before. I dithered for a while and looked at many possibilities and finally decided to make EPP stars, using lots of scraps.

I loved making these, hand sewing is so much fun! In fact, it turned out that I loved it so much I didn't want to give it away! So I have another little pile of scrappy stars waiting to be turned into a mini for myself :)

I added a few little extras and hand stitched a label and my package was ready to go! Kerry received it yesterday morning, and I'm thrilled to say that she loved it! Phew!

Completely by chance, my mini quilt arrived the very same day! I had said that I liked pink, that I would love to have foundation paper piecing or free motion quilting in my mini and that I have a bit of a thing for flamingos. And look at what arrived!!

Everything I asked for!! All in one gorgeous mini! It even has little tiny beads :) 

Thanks Hanneke, you really did include all the things I wished for, you clever lady!

I'm off to plan some goodies for other swaps I've joined now!

Much love

Karen xxxx

Changes

Change. Not something I deal with very well. I manage the small things, I've learnt to cope, but the big things? The big things are difficult, and a couple of big changes have happened here in the last few months. 

After 13 years, I'm now a single lady again. That's a pretty big change, right? Enough for a person to deal with?

Nope. Just a few short months later my beloved Henry died.

Honestly, I don't think I've ever been so sad. 

I've hidden myself away a little bit. I've found it more difficult than usual to be out and put on a cheerful face. Don't get me wrong, I've had good days, I've been out and seen people, I've not been a total recluse! And I have created. Sewing, quilting, crochet and knitting have helped enormously, kept me busy, given my brain something gentle and pretty to focus on. 

But now I am feeling a little bit stronger. I've been on my own for 5 months (obviously not actually alone - my beautiful Molly is here with me) and I need to get back some of the 'me' and not just be sad and frightened. Like the true introvert I am, I'm reaching out to all my internet friends, because I can do that from my sofa, in my jammies, and I can't see or hear anyone who isn't kind about it all. I have stayed active on IG (albeit a little erratically) and felt so supported by so many people when Henry died. It made me feel 'normal' that I was so utterly devastated by the loss of a cat, so many people understood. And so I'm hoping that I can find that support again, through my blog as well as IG. That there will be other people who are dealing with the breakdown of a relationship, the loss of a pet, depression - there, I said the D word. Not something I like to admit to, although I know I shouldn't feel ashamed, I still find it so hard to talk about.

I don't want this to be a big, old moaning post, I just want to explain a little about why I haven't been here. To say that now I want to be back, to focus on the positive, to move forward. To share my passion for creating with people who understand!! I've joined a few IG swaps, and I'm going to try linking up with other things that are going on too. So I hope to see you all very, very soon!!

Much love,

Karen xxxxx