Bower Bird

Not a lot of quilting has been done lately.  Work and life seem to creep in at times and no matter how much you want to sew, you can’t.   

So instead I have been collecting quilting books.  Some were a steal at the Book Depository, while others have been lucky finds for almost half the price seen elsewhere.

Liberty fabrics, Scrap Quilts and quilting motifs and techniques have been on my collection list.  

So many quilts ... so little time!

Miss 8 has started her Christmas Rag Quilt.  She found the designs in Spotlight, too difficult to resist on a recent trip.   

 

Glad to see that she is enjoying sewing with mum … for now!

 Master 7 has also been busy.  No craft, however he participated in the school production recently and couldn’t resist being the center of attention at the end of their item!  Glad I caught his cheekiness for the record.

Now to tidy up my sewing space, so I can do some sewing.

Borders going on today.

Hugs & Kisses for Nita

The fabric which drew me into quilting was a Kate Spain design, called Verna.  I had collected various precuts and yardage, and decided to use some of it up.

This quilt is for my beautiful friend Nita.  She is fighting a huge battle, and will need lots of love and support.  The first surgery is done ... now onto the next phase of treatments.

The pattern is one I found at the Moda Bakeshop Here.  I did have to cut a couple of extra 10” squares to make an extra row, to make the circles symmetrical.

The backing is a yellow minkee I managed to score at a store which I usually do not shop at.  I am pleased with how it has quilted up.  Minimal quilting, around the diamonds, lets this quilt wrap you up snug and cozy.

The binding is a contrasting aqua stripes and dots I had in my stash.  I love it, and know that it will wrap her and keep her warm with all our love.

Get well, Nita OXOXO

The 9 Hour Quilt

I had planned on finishing some projects, but … a 9 Hour Quilt?  I must be crazy??

I grabbed out 6 fabrics that coordinated well together.  I then cut a 13.5 inch square of each.  I then sliced at 5 inches from one side, and then sewed the blocks back together with a different print.  Once pressed, I again sliced, at 6.75 inches, or in half.  Then I again paired up the halves with a different set of prints, and re-sewed.

I then had 6 blocks, which I rearranged and sewed into the top.  A border of lovely green, then a simple stipple had me ready to call it a night.

First thing this morning I did the binding.  It is now ready to gift this afternoon.

So pleased I challenged myself.

Speed Quilting … it should be a new Olympic Sport!!

Bad Blogger

I have been a bad blogger.  Work has been hectic and sometimes posting comes a sad last to family and responsibilities.

Just because I have not blogged, does not mean I haven’t been working on projects on the side.

I am involved in a couple of Rainbow Charm Square Swaps (5” square piece of fabric).  The first swap I am in, had me collecting purples, in 10 different fabrics.  These I cut into 12 charm squares.  I then sent them off, and this week my first rainbow parcel arrived.  I quite quickly, joined with two more colours in a subsequent swap.   This time, orange and yellow.   I am eagerly awaiting those to be returned and then I will make a start on a scrappy rainbow quilt of some sort.  I am still eying off all the rainbow quilt’s online to decide on a plan.

I have also got to quilting stage, a lap quilt out of my precious Verna fabric, with some Kona Ash.  I have backed it in a yellow minkee, which has no dots!!!  I was stoked to find it at a fabric store I don’t normally frequent.   

Here it is after I finished basting ... on my wall!  It is a tight squeeze for the width of fabric, but as I have spray basted, feel this will hold well.  This minkee doesn’t feel as thick as the dot minkee, however I feel it will be perfect for this quilt.  It is going to a very special lady … so I want to get it finished asap.

From the offcuts of this quilt, I have put together another top, which is smaller in size.  It may be suited to a baby quilt, I am still deciding if I add borders, and how I will do this.

Annual leave has started again for me so hopefully I will have some finished projects to share shortly.  I may even make a start on something with this bundle of goodness!

C XX

Off cuts

I have summoned my inner quilt goddess and cut into, my precious.  

A Verna layer cake, and some Kona Ash.

As a result of the design I am making, there are off cuts.

I decided to sew two lines of stitching, and then cut between them.  This saved me having to join all the half square triangles at a later date. 

So here are the gorgeous off cuts I am playing with today.

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.