Paper Piecing - why stop now?

I can't get enough of paper piecing. I keep finding all these awesome patterns. Maybe I've finally found my quilting niche! Or maybe I should stop spending so much time on Pinterest and blogs looking at patterns and actually do some real quilting. It's possible some of my quilty friends are threatening a paper piecing intervention. Just between you and me, they can try but I just may convert them to the joy that is paper piecing. I mean look at this - my latest effort.

This gorgeous pattern is a freebie! It's called Vintage Sewing Machine and you can find it at Charise Creates. I should say, I don't think it's for the faint of heart. The paper pieced version is just the picture and you need to add your own seam allowance to each part. I sort of winged it, sewed larger chunks of fabric then trimmed them with the seam allowance in addition to the paper strips. It was a bit dicey at times, but I think it came together well.

It doesn't have its needle yet so clearly it's not fully functioning though it does have 2 buttons - I think one for straight stitch and one for back stitch. Shouldn't need anything else right? It is vintage. The needle will be stitched on tonight once the kids are in bed. If they go to bed before me. That's questionable right now. (No Mum, I won't go to bed before the kids, I promise. I'm just tempted. And they have so much energy. Sooo much.)

 So! This beauty of a block is going to be a new sewing machine cover for my darling sewing machine (which I am friends with again, now that its had a service). I thought it was time it had a pretty cover, considering I've just been using the flimsy plastic one it came with. When I remember to use it. Don't judge, we all do it. Right? Right? I think I'll use more of that gorgeous purple Fan Flower fabric from the Good Fortune range. It's so pretty. With so much pretty, I'll have to remember to cover my sewing machine just so I can look at it and admire.

If that's not enough to keep me busy, I have also agreed to a very last minute swap with two lovely quilty friends Fiona of Finding Fifth and Jane of See Jane Quilt. We are meeting up on the weekend (after Fiona and I go to a Mystery Quilt class!) and Jane had the fab idea of us doing a mini swap. I am making needle books for the girls. Bit of fun but no pictures yet til I've given them to the girls. (Ha that makes it sound like I'm super organised and finished. I'm so not.)

Oh and lovely readers, please don't forget - the charm pack giveaway ends tomorrow night (at Wednesday 8pm Aussie time) so if you haven't entered yet, make sure you do! Then go over and see Fiona and enter hers too. Also the charm packs come with little bonuses! Embroidery thread with mine (fabric is Oh Deer by MoMo - sample below) and needles with Fiona's Petite Odile. Who doesn't love a bonus?!