Scrappy sprouts, houses plus an Otter.

This is another one of those times when I say - where have the days gone, it's feels like it's ages since I last posted?! It's been busy here at our place, you know how it is, trying to squeeze everything in to days that I am sure are getting shorter all the time (well actually that's probably true as autumn is here and we are rapidly approaching winter!).

I was going through my photos this morning and realised that I had a few things that I could share.

The RSC colour for May is Green so over the weekend I spent a bit of time playing and making some green scrappy sprout blocks. I recycled some that Sue of Mother Patchwork had sent me. I had to do some unpicking and rearranging as hers were all left facing leaves and I needed some for the other side of the stem too! After playing with Sue's scraps, I did actually manage to use some of my own. Here are the resulting blocks.

Sorry about the glare. The sun has distorted the colours a bit much.

These greens are all quite dark and olive-y so if I get a chance I'd quite like to add some lighter greens to the mix.
As you can see I got a little impatient and just had to join some colours together - time will tell whether this was wise or not and whether or not the stitch ripper will be called into action - I quite like the purple on top of the green for now anyway :-)

This is the year's efforts so far.

This week I am linking up to Scraphappy Saturday. To see what others are doing with their greens visit the blog *here*.
I realised that I haven't shared my Friday's village blocks for a while (I initially talked about them *here*). I've been able to join a few blocks together. I'm using small floral-type scraps for these and I know some work better than others but in the end I think it will be ok! We have some challenge bits of fabric which I have to use as well, some of these are a little brighter than others so I've decided to put a bit of everything in this quilt - once again a good chance to rummage and play with my scraps.

These rows are incomplete and don't go on top of each other!

The blocks are nice and big which makes a change from the small sewing I often seem to do!

From time to time I pattern test blocks for Juliet of Tartankiwi...she has such fun designs and I enjoy sewing them up. (The mouse and squirrel cushions I completed earlier this year were blocks I had tested for her).  Recently I had some more fun with pattern testing an Otter block .... I love how this little chap came out - it took me about a week to decide on my fabrics but I am pleased with the decision in the end!

Most of Juliet's patterns are foundation paper piecing; I find her's go together well. I don't think the Otter is released yet but if you like it, I'm sure you won't have too long to wait.

Last post I offered an impromptu giveaway of a book and a few goodies. The random draw has taken place..... the winner was Janet of Carabou Crossing Cronicles..... congratulations Janet, and thank you to everyone who wanted to take part.

I have a fun few days ahead of me, something to do with hopping on a plane and seeing some wee girls :-)

Happy stitches