Blog Hop Week 2 - Quantam Quilters

Hi there, I'm Helen and I am delighted to be taking part in the New Quilters Blog Hop week 2 and to be part of Quantam Quilters. Gosh .... that sounds like I'm taking part in an awards ceremony and I'm about to thank my entire family and then burst into tears. Actually, that might not be too far from the truth.... I'm not going to burst into tears but I am grateful for this chance and would like to thank Yvonne for all her hard work.

There are 70 new bloggers, or folks who have been blogging for less than 2 years, and we are divided into 4 hives with 4 hive mamas. Over the course of the next few weeks, we are all taking it in turns to introduce ourselves and get to know each other.

Well, I am Helen, and I live in the United Kingdom. Belfast in N Ireland to be precise. I'm what I consider to be middle aged, well, into my mid 50s, I have been married for what seems to be a lifetime and I have 3 adult children, twin sons and then a daughter. One son is in the USA, one son in England, and the daughter at home. Lots of fun places to go on holidays then.

I love to sew, knit, read, bake, work in the garden, scrapbook, genealogy (look up my dead people) and enjoy my travels. I'm a sociable sort of body, the sort of person who had loads of pen friends and was always bringing someone home for tea when she was young. So, blogging is my idea of fun. I get to make things, show them to others, and get to see what others have been up to as well. And hopefully make a few new "friends" in the process.

 For me it is very much a fun thing. Unlike others, I'm not here to make a career or run a business. That's great for others, for me it is all about enjoyment. Just as well as I have a tendency to start things and not finish them.

In fact, my first blog name, was Finish One Quilt Before I Start Another, but that mostly brought up Finnish websites, so time for a name change. Midget Gem Quilts was chosen because of the sweets, my boyfriend, now husband used to tell me I was his little midget gem. I think it was a compliment, that I was small and sweet. (pass the yuck bucket, I know, but we were young and in love).

some midget gems and licorice allsorts 

When I told my husband I was to post some photos of finished quilts, he quipped that I would have to finish some. Har de har de har! So, here are some finished quilts. Rather ironically the giant plus quilt in blue and grey ended up looking very like the Swedish flag!

is it a giant plus or is it the swedish flag?
blogged about here

the Stand Up For The Ulster Men quilt. aka SUFTUM quilt
 (Ulster Rugby colours)
blogged about here

my Schnitzel and Boo swap quilt
blogged about here

have a heart!
Finished today, and blogged about later this week

Yvonne suggested we give a blogging tip. My blogging tip is to always reply to comments, people have been kind enough to leave a comment, and to do this as soon as possible, whilst it is fresh.
My quilting tip, oh, from experience, measure twice but once, but it's never the end of the world.
Our little about ourselves, well I guess I've already covered that, but my secret vice is that sometimes I like to get back into bed with Sherlock Holmes!! Actually a great blogging tip is take part in this blog hop. My techy skills are pretty patchy but already I have learned so much, I now have an archive, buttons, widgets and gadgets. I even have pages, but have to work out how to attach the posts to pages! Still a work in process, and how to attach the instagram button. You can find me on instagram at @helenmidgetgemquilts.  That's another wee job just sorted!!

Thank you for visiting me, thank you for coming to my very own awards ceremony! Check out the great blogs who are hosting the blog hop this week and of course check out our hosts, Yvonne, Stephanie, Terri Ann and Cheryl, and of course check out the great giveaways and competitions on our host sites.
Yvonne, Quilting Jet Girl who is hosting Quantam Quilters
Terri Ann, Childlike Fascination who is hosting Sewcial Swarm
Stephanie, Late Night Quilter who is hosting Sew Fabulous Hive
Cheryl, Meadow Mist Designs who is hosting New Bees

Blog Hop Week 2 fellow "hoppers"
Liz, Lizzy Clip Designs
Allison, New Every Morning Patchwork and Quilting
Sharla, Thistle Thicket Studio

Please do check them out, and thanks for checking me out too!
Helen x