Swaps, Bees & BOM'S.....

Festivals take it out of you.... but I am back up and running... Well almost galloping as I had 2 projects to get off into the post...
After making a frame purse at the FQ retreat with Katy - someone came up with the idea of a Frame Purse Swap... what larks Pip!!
As the main aim of blogging is to connect with like minded souls and I am now a 'Blogger' .... I signed up.
Simples.. - Thinks I...
 Well first I had to come up with a Mosaic of purses I like and post to Flickr... This blogging lark is a huge learning curve... I had to go off and find pictures of frame purses that I liked and then work out how to do a mosaic... Mission Accomplished..

Next I got my swap partners name and had to check out her mosaic for ideas and 'stalk' her blog to see what her tastes were - all very interesting and a little daunting but I got her drift (I hope!)
Then came a bit of planning.... and sewing...  and more planning and a bit of throwing.... Until finally I was happy with the result (actually the one I went with was number 2.. - number 3 & 4 will go in the bin...)

Someone in the swap suggested adding a little 'extra' to the parcel... oohh... more thinking & planning.... I am actually very pleased with what I made... it just took longer to make than the actual purse!!
So it is on its way to its new home, I posted pictures on Flickr of the finished purse and its new owner has commented that she likes it... but doesn't know its on its way to her...
And the best part is that soon there will be was a parcel landing on my doormat and I will get got to see what has been made for me....
Its arrived..... look what Justine  made me...

A gorgeous grey purse with scrummy hexies on the outside and it had some cute crochet hearts and some fabric pieces too... I am a lucky girl..

My next task was to make the first blocks in my FQ Kinky Bee... I know ..you are going to ask..!!.
It came about when we were all getting ready for the FQ Retreat in June... someone suggest a 'Linky Party' or Link up Blog party to get acquainted before we arrived and it all degenerated from there.... A few of us were envious of the Bees that met up at the Retreat - we wanted in on the fun.. So a Bee was formed and there was only one name for it really....

The first blocks for July were for Linda and she wanted Square in a Square with a bit of improv piecing style about them.... They were fun to make and went together quickly... only having a small amount of fabric makes for creative touches.. They are also on their way.
I also signed up for the Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery Block of the Month (BOM).. My second block has just arrived.. they are super simple and quick to do and I love the fabrics by Camille Roskelly plus they are very generous with the fabric and I get to build a small stash out of leftovers....

I'll save pictures for the next post as I am now off to London to see some of the Olympics... wooo....