Three Quilts Finished

Three finishes in a month!! 

I am really pleased with these little or not so little achievements.  Thankfully, so do the children.

First was my mini quilt which I made for Anorina, as part of a Handmade Swap, over at Quilt Club Australia (QCA).  I wanted to play with colour and motion in my piece.  Anorina set some guidelines, for what she might like to receive, and the rest was up to me.

I played for days with the arrangement of the squares and eventually came up with something which felt right.

I then got to quilting.  The center flower petals were marked, but the rest is freehand.  I used a Tangerine, Superior Thread to contrast with the blocks.

The backing is a piece of fabric I have had in my stash for a while now.  I have often got it out to pat it, wondering when I will have a chance to use it.  Now was my chance.  

I am very pleased with this mini, and it was hard to send off in the mail. 

I have already told you about the HST quilt I made for Master 7.

I have now finished Miss 8’s HST quilt too!

From a layer cake of Domestic Bliss, by Liz Scott for Moda it is a bright cheerful grouping of clours and prints.

Backed again in minkee, and straight line quilted each side of the seam, diagonally and horizontally.

 At the store yesterday, the perfect binding was just sitting there on a table of fabric at $7.50/m.  I snapped up enough for this binding and a little extra, as you do!

 As I sewed down the last of the binding, early this morning, Miss 8 got up to use the bathroom.  Seeing the quilt finished, she promptly picked it up and took it with her to bed.  Surely the sign of a quilt-well-done!

I mentioned that my DSLR died.  After many years of faithful service, it decided it needed a permanent break from capturing my memories.  Dad took it, to see if anything could be done to fix it, however sadly this was not the case.  Instead, he returned with a new/old DSLR for me.  What an awesome father?!!  Very pleased to be able to grab the camera any time and shoot some photos.  

Hot Pokers starting to bloom in my garden. 

 You know its winter when these baby's bloom.  


Maybe this is where I got my colour palette for my mini from??

Roxy, 15 this year!  Able to soak you with dribble in a single rub.  


 Thanks so much Dad XX

Handmade Swap 2012 Recieved

The Quilt Club Australia (QCA), Handmade Swap 2012 is coming to the really exciting part … where all is revealed.

I have been privileged to be a part of organising this swap, and have to say that it was a great experience.  While it is not on the scale of some of the large quilt/craft swaps going around these days … it has really helped us get to know one another and build these lovely quilty friendships.  Thanks ladies.

I was a bit grumpy this afternoon; post night shift will do that to you!  Imagine my change in mood when I heard the postie stop at our letterbox, and slam the top shut.   

That is a sure sign of a parcel being delivered.  I ran outside, and sure enough there was a package waiting for my eager hands.

What a bundle of goodness …. Kate Spain goodness, at that!! 

 I may, or may not have nearly hyperventilated when realising this was all mine, as the hexie’s are made from scraps sent to the gorgeous Tracey, from Kate herself.  I almost feel like I have won the lottery.

Tracey, from The Peony Teacup has outdone herself with this delectable runner which is just perfect.   

I can just imagine it on my dressing table.  Now I must really make an effort to get my Lantern Quilt finished.

What a lucky girl I am.

 

 Now to wait until my partner receives, so I can blog my creation.


I have made some progress with my EEP Diamonds. Adding three more fabrics to the mix.

 

I must also thank the lovely Kay Hocking for sending me a parcel of Kaffe Fassett scraps.  It had arrived and been placed under some paperwork.  I was unaware until I had a clean up over the weekend.  I feel awful for not finding it sooner, and thanking you.  They are gorgeous and I will use them all!!

Being a quilt machine ... I have also finished Master 7's HST couch throw.  To coincide perfectly with his birthday.

Backed in red minkee, it is divine and so warm to snuggle under.  Straight line quilted either side of the seam up and down, and also diagonally.  

He is pleased, as is his new dinosaur pillow pet ... or so he tells me!!   

Now to put the binding on one for Miss 8 before the school holidays, so that they both can go in the car with them for the drive up the country with Nannie.

Winter Blues

I have broken out the lemon, honey and ginger, in the hope that it will help with these winter blues!

Not to get behind in my commitments, I have been putting together a couple of gifts, destined as birthday presents in the very near future.

 Not to spoil the surprise, I am not going to say who they are for.

I used some gorgeous, linen weight Leicen fabric for the outside, and middle inner section.  I also made the scissor holder from some of this fabric also.  Solids and spots have really set this kit off.

In this kit I also used a linen weight cotton fabric for the outside and inner sections/pockets.  The binding is in a cotton. 

I have yet to hand stitch the bindings, which I will do today, snuggled on the couch with a quilt, a cuppa and my box of tissues.

 

As always, I am planning something new.  I managed to get a great deal on some gorgeous Leicen Floral Collection Rococo & Sweet.  Lots of fabric, I got minimum 1 meter cuts.  

Not really sure how to put these beautiful fabrics into a quilt.

Any suggestions???

Diamonds in Kaffe Fassett

In the quiet of the night, I quilt.

Well that is what this quilt needs. 

I really wanted a project that I could take with me, to work, the footy, while waiting for tennis lessons to finish … you know what I mean!

So, I purchased four beautiful fat quarters of Kaffe Fassett fabric, some English paper piecing Diamonds, and got cutting.

 

I have basted and starched and have to decide on a plan.  Do I keep the diamonds on point?  Or, do I arrange in a center star, and add around in a circular fashion? 

No real plan as yet.  I do love the impressionist type quilts that you see when you Google , ‘diamond quilt’, so have a vague idea of where I want to go, but the quilt will evolve with my future fabric acquisitions.

I am excited about the quilt, and will enjoy making it.

I have also got off to a cracking start on my Craftsy BOM for June.  

 

 

Greek Cross

Octagon

All done, and quite pleased  with my modern 9 patch blocks.