The Quilting B

I am still here!

2011-04-16T21:04:00.000+10:00

Believe it or not I am still here...but I have been very busy.
In the past year I.........
Got a new job in the welfare field, working in the DV area.
Changed courses at Uni from social welfare to B.Psychological Science....only draw back is I hate maths...statistics to be precise ...
I sold my quilting machine as I can no longer afford to keep it although I would have loved to just for my quilts!
Recently got invited into the Golden Key Society which means I achieved the top 15% at uni.
Have hardly done ANY sewing except for a hexagon pincushion bought at the Scquilters Retreat in Kiama.
Have started doing a bit of crocheting...
Have bought a block of land down the coast which means we will probably be moving down along the Great Ocean Road way...
Attended the 2011 Scquilters Retreat in Kiama NSW.

Oh and of course I visited my new local patchwork shop today Mill Rose Cottage and just had to buy some Libertys to take home! What have you been up to?

EQ7!!

2010-04-30T20:27:00.001+10:00

Did you know that EQ7 is coming soon? Not only is the next EQ coming out but they are having a giveaway on their blog. Go to http://www.doyoueq.com/blog/?p=1278 for your chance to win a copy of EQ7. Good Luck!

Freezer Paper Hexagons

2010-04-24T11:21:00.001+10:00

Does anyone else use freezer paper for their hexagons? I first came across the idea from a blog, I can't remember which one now but there was a link to 1" hexagons PDF so I printed it out. Although I use FPT for Dear Jane I had not thought of using FP for the hexagons.

Then I got Fabric of Society and the hexagons were on the pattern sheet so I started photocopying them onto the freezer paper.

However, occassionally the freezer paper would get stuck going through the printer and it was a pain cutting it out to size....then I remembered that the Dear Jane website had A4 sheets of freezer paper and the fifty sheets even with postage were cheaper than any I could find from here. I am really really happy with the freezer paper I purchased, it is slightly thicker than the one I was using so it is almost like a very thin cardboard and the A4 sheets glide very easily through the printer. And I love the fact that I can iron it on and the hexie stays put while I am sewing.

These two below feature fabric from the latest fabric club mailing from Somerset Patchwork. the darker rose fabrics are from Sally Rose. I have some of the blues from the collection ready to use also.

And really I should be doing this...but a girl needs a break some time!

We must be mad!

2010-04-20T15:43:00.004+10:00

DS no 2, Tim (the baby) is back home for a few months while his and Megs (fiance) house is being built. This is what he landed home with the other day....meet Peanut! How do I get talked into these things????

Peanut is a 3yo French Bulldog, her breeding days are over so she is now a pet. She has a lovely quiet temperament so lucky for that! I did say however that she makes Tim's other dog Indigo (a blue english staffy) pretty!!!

A few more dancing dollies hexagons.

A few more candied hexagons.

I have been fiddling with some nine patch blocks I made as leader/enders quite a while ago. Lissa made a pink and four patch quilt which I love and it gave me an idea...auditioning!

Queen Adelaide

Mt Shasta

Quilting Glossary

2010-04-14T16:36:00.000+10:00

I saw this at Julie's blog and thought it was hilarious!
Quilting Glossary

Giveaway free pattern

2010-04-12T20:39:00.002+10:00

My friend Kerry is having a giveaway over at her blog, name her latest quilt and you could win a free pattern.

I did promise....

2010-04-09T10:36:00.001+10:00

To show the front of this quilt so here it is and another one that was in the local quilt show recently.

Tall Lillies is a quilt by Robyn Falloon this one was made by Brenda.

Werribee Open Range Zoo

2010-03-27T19:48:00.001+11:00

A few weeks ago it was Kalani Thomas' first birthday which he celebrated at the Werribee zoo.

Here he is below with his Dad on the bus that we saw all the animals on.

And below with his Mum my daughter Rebecca. His blonde hair is starting to grow and he still has the brightest blue eyes.

Here is Coco Daisy on the bus.

Isabella and Kalani with their Dad.

Here is Romi on the bus.

Isabella looking at the meerkats.

Autumn beauties

2010-03-21T23:33:00.001+11:00

Princess Grace de Monaco is a beautiful rose and I think she is at full splendor in Autumn. I think she is a deeper brighter pink in Autumn than in Summer.

Queen Elizabeth looking pretty.

The gumnuts left from the flowering red gum.

St Cecelia, a David Austin rose. Slightly more blush pink than in Summer but it will fade to white.

Yellow buddleia with a mauve tinge, very vigorous and bushy.

I think the snowball bush is confused as it flowers in Spring?

Last but not least Michaelmas or Easter Daisy. I can't wait until my Tesselar's spring bulbs arrive, thanks Glenice for the heads up!

Update!

2010-03-09T21:13:00.001+11:00

I have been doing my hexagons at night while I can before I really have to start getting into research, essays and research reports. I now have 28 done out of 104 so over a quarter of the way there.

After five years my red flowering gum has flowered! I have waited anxiously to see what colour it would be as they can be anywhere from cream through to red or anything in between. Although it may look red it is actually a bright orange so it was worth the long wait.

A cute little quilt I did for the upcoming local quilt show I won't show you the front yet this is the back.

This is Julie's grandmothers braid quilt I did last month.

Now it's off to do some more hexagons for me!!

Hexagons!!

2010-02-28T15:49:00.002+11:00

After finishing all the bindings on the quilts of my own I had quilted over my summer Uni break I felt like I needed some more handwork to do. So what does one do...start another project of course!!!
I have wanted to make this quilt for years, since I first saw it in Margaret Rolfe's Australian Quilt Heritage book. This is a photo of it in my Fabric of Society book, the dancing dollies quilt.

I have nearly half of the hexagon flowers made, (around 50) I think I need 112 all up. I have used pinks and browns with a bit of blue.

As if that wasn't enough.....I also started this one, I have loved it since I saw it on Quiltsalot's blog. I seem to have a thing for English paper piecing at the moment.

Unfortunately the Kaffe Fassett Flower Lattice fabric used in the original quilt is almost non existent now so I will just have to make do with what I have, it may be a bit of auditioning fabrics for the large hexagons.

I have also had my eye on this quilt, another from Fabric of Society and almost the same as the Candied Hexagons above. This one is an antique quilt, Frederica Josephsons's Quilt of Diamonds and Hexagons.

I forgot to add, I am using freezer paper, photocoping the pieces onto freezer paper then ironing onto the back of the fabric, no slipping around of the fabric and more flexible than card.

That's it for who knows how long as Uni is back tomorrow...and this year I am taking 3 subjects each semester, probably won't leave much time for sewing.

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010

2010-01-01T16:09:00.001+11:00

Summer skies in December

Country Pathways, this pattern was purchased at Threadbear in Castlemaine on the bus trip during the Bendigo Scquilters 2007 retreat. I bought some of the fabric but used a lot of my older ranges such as Vienna Nights and some older Robyn Pandolph as well as some 1800's repros, I really quite like this quilt now that it is finished. Quilted with Gardenia by Meredith England and mctavished in the centre pieces.

The fabric for this quilt was purchased at Patchwork on Stonleigh, one of my favourite patchwork shops. It was purchased on the way to the 2005 machine quilters conference in Mittagong, finally quilted after four years. The stars have some of my favourite older repro fabrics in them.

My funky quilt, mainly Amy Butler fabrics all finished!

Hexagon quilt in progress, two of the Collection for a Cause ranges, Heritage and Legacy

And last but not least, one year on...the most relaxed cat in the world, Sylvester whose favourite trick is to run in front of me when I am walking and throw himself down on the floor right in front of me!!

I have been so bad.....

2009-12-03T21:26:00.002+11:00

I was very bad on the weekend. I went to Daylesford to the makers market. There were so many nice things to buy I couldn't decide what to buy. Plus I must admit I do suffer a bit with the "I could make that myself" syndrome. So I went for a walk to the little patchwork shop and I found some fabric. Some chocolate and aqua to go with my Saville Row quilt started quite a while ago (note to self do some work on it!) Also some nice brights I thought would go on Isabella's Rainbows and Lollipops quilt I also need to work on.

Then I spotted the Material Obsession 2 book with some of my favourite quilts, I had been meaning to buy no 1 but after looking at no 2 I could not resist it so again 1 will have to wait! Then I wandered over to the newsagent and could not resist the latest DUQ.

As if that wasn't enough I was reading some blogs when I got home and discovered Emma at Ballarat Patchwork had a 20% off sale. So I got this book I have had my eye on before it was released, a great time to buy with the sale. Now I had better be really really good for a while and work on some UFO's!!!

Double Delight, Bonnie Hunter (quiltville.com) mystery quilt from New Years early this year! I pulled it out and started working on it when I saw there was a new Christmas mystery quilt. I don't have a christmas quilt so I am very tempted by Carolina Christmas, a christmas quilt in repro fabrics, sounds like me.

Jane Austen quilt which has been the bane of my existence for the past three years! I am sick of trying to get all those white borders matched!!! Then I realised I didn't have all the white borders around the centre panel...gggrrrrrrrr!!!!! So it has gone into hybernation once again until I have the patience to start unpicking AGAIN.

On the Machine...

2009-11-27T23:18:00.003+11:00

This is my quilt on the machine! I finished it earlier this year and I decided to run it through quickly before I put a couple of overdue quilts on. One of Emma's patterns from Ballarat Patchwork.

I think it is about time I finished this quilt and sent it on to its new owners.

Back into sewing!

2009-11-27T23:07:00.001+11:00

Remember this quilt? Lissa and I made the tumbler blocks out of our 1800's reproduction fabrics and swapped. They both turned out HUGE but I had heaps left over....

So I found some appropriate backing fabric and joined them with a strip of tumblers, it certainly used up all the spares and gave me more backing for such a large quilt!

Here I am...at last!

2009-11-15T22:13:00.017+11:00

Well I have survived my first semester at uni.....almost! Just a little 2 hour psychology exam tomorrow. I figure if I don't know it by now I am not going to know it so I am rewarding myself with a night off. So much has happened in the past few months. I opened bloglines this week and started trying to catch up on everyone's blogs, however with over 10,000 posts I don't think it is going to happen especially with this rotten dial up. It has started me thinking about doing some crafty things though after months of nothing but study and research. I had to drop off a quilt which was long overdue at the patchwork shop yesterday and couldn't resist buying a little something for the first time in months....

Last Sunday was spent making Miss Isabella's dancing costume, I thought those days were gone!! Her concert is next Saturday so I am looking forward to watching her on stage. (it did fit a bit better when it was finished)

In the meantime she turned 4!

On the 29th of October Romi Emerald came into the world, a little sister for Coco Daisy!

Isn't she beautiful, not that I am biased at all! Here she is with Mum (my daughter Holly) like a little koala.

Nine days old....

Bellas little brother Kalani Thomas is 8 months old and still has the bluest eyes! Here he is with my daughter Bec.

Coco's hair is curlier than ever!

What a monster!!

And spring is here.

My Grevillea has finally flowered after 3 or 4 years!

Hopefully over the summer break I will get back to catching up with all my favourite blogs and have some crafty show and tell!!

I am off to Uni!

2009-07-19T14:09:00.019+10:00

Yes that's right, I am heading off to Ballarat University. I received my offer in the mail on Friday of a place in the Bachelor of Arts Rural Social Welfare and I intend doing the psychology major. I am feeling a bit nervous but also excited. I will have to have a rethink on some things and probably my custom quilting will be one of the things that will go as I just won't have the time. I am working 22 hours a week at the moment in my non quilting job although it's more like full time but that will cut back to 12 hours after the 10th August for two weeks then after that I will be back to my normal 6 hours per week so hopefully I can still fit in some edge to edge quilting in between uni and work.

Now back to some crafty things. Here is my selvedge passport cover I made before we went to New Zealand. I got the tutorial from this blog.

Here is the inside with my Aussie passport and his British one.

I have done a few blocks on the Lucy Boston quilt, I did a lot of the hexagons when we were in NZ as well as quite a lot of the 1" hexagons for another hexagon "one day" quilt.

I did get the Noro wool and I did finish the fan scarf!

Here are the swaps I received from Chaletgirl's vintage sheet swap.

I got some more reproduction fabrics for Christine's nine patch block swap

and I couldn't resist this gorgeous Aunt Grace Tie one on fabric, I don't know what I will do with it but I just had to have it!

In the meantime Kalani Thomas turned 3 months....

and his cousin Coco Daisy turned 2!

A break from the NZ photos!

2009-07-19T12:39:00.008+10:00

Way back in April and May I did some work on a lovely quilt of Yvonne's. The quilt is a Robyn Falloon pattern, Joie de Vivre. Yvonne did a lovely job and I really liked her colour and fabric choices. As I didn't get a full view photo of the quilt when it was finished these first two were before it was totally finished but you will get the idea.

Kaikoura to Franz Josef

2009-06-21T21:22:00.013+10:00

Unfortunately for the two nights we spent at Kaikoura the weather was very cold grey and windy so the boats for the whale watching weren't going out as it was too rough. We did however get to have crayfish or lobster. We also had the best fish and chips from a little shop in the main street, lovely freshly battered blue eye cod and crumbed hoki, my favourite was the cod. I also managed to find the patchwork shop where I just had to buy a tiny bit of fabric. Kaikoura is a very pretty place with the mountains right near the ocean.

Very early in the morning (6.45am) we left for Franz Josef as it was going to be a long drive. The weather predictions were for heavy frosts so once again we had some quite interesting driving conditions, especially heading through the Lewis Pass. Very beautiful though of course.

At times it was hard to tell weather the ground was covered in a bit of snow or frost!

At other times it was more obvious.

After a short stop at Hokitika for lunch we finally arrived at Franz Josef and the amazing glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox (which is another 20 odd k's further on) amid the rainforests.

You could see the glacier from our motel.

Our first afternoon we walked to the terminal face of Franz Josef. It had changed quite a lot since we had been there in 2004 and I was a little bit disappointed. It didn't seem to be quite so spectacular as the first time we saw it and didn't have as much blue ice, it seemed to have a lot of black. The light also wasn't the best as it was late afternoon by the time we did the 50 minute walk to the terminal face.

It's hard to see the size of the glaciers from photos but if you look closely you can see people coming back from the guided hikes onto the glaciers on the right of the photo in blue and red jackets.

The next day we took the helicopter up to the top of the glacier and around Mt Cook and Mt Tasman.

I'm Beck.

2009-06-17T21:09:00.023+10:00

Please excuse the attempt at a kiwi accent, did it give you a clue to where I have been? Yes beautiful stunning New Zealand. This was our second trip to NZ, we loved it so much the first time (2004)that when I saw a package deal in January for flights and car hire we just had to revist. The worst part of the trip was that we had to fly into Auckland so we spent the first two nights very briefly in firstly Taupo then Wellington the second night so lots of driving to be on the ferry bright and early after the first two nights. We had previously spent two nights in Auckland and parts of the North Island but we both loved the scenery of the South Island so decided to spend most of our 12 nights there.

First stop Lake Taupo where we went for a very brisk chilly walk first thing in the morning. There was quite a lot of mist around the tops of the hills.

Not far from Lake Taupo we did make a stop to visit the Volcano activity centre.

On the way down to Wellington we passed the active volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. Mt. Ngauruhoe which was I think Mt Doom in Lord Of The Rings.

Mt Ruapehu which is the highest of the North Island and I think the most active of the volcanoes.

That night we were in Wellington and caught the ferry the next morning.

When we arrived at the terminal we were told it was storm conditions and it was marginal whether the ferry would be crossing the strait which is a 3 hour journey, it's cancelled when the swells reach 5m and they were at 4.5m. However we did go, Mr QB spent the first two hours in the restrooms and even I felt a tad queasy which is very unusal for me, I am usually fine. We were going up the swells and sometimes thumping down behind them with the ship groaning and the occassional side roll thrown in.

I tried to get some photos but you can't really tell how rough it was from them however this was from the very top deck of the ship where we (I) was sitting initially. Eventually I moved down a deck and towards the back where I felt better. It was certainly interesting having glasses and items smashing in the bar!!!

This is what it looked like when we reached the calm waters of Queen Charlotte Sound in the South Island and Mr QB appeared again looking rather white.

The trip from Blenheim to Kaikoura was very interesting. A low pressure system sweeping up from the south had caused the rough seas and there was snow forecast to low levels. How right they were!

Halfway through the hills between Blenheim and Kaikoura it started snowing which made the driving conditions very interesting to say the least! The scenery along this road would normally be beautiful and still was although a little worrying with the weather conditions and at least one car ran off the road behind us.

Thankfully the snow stopped eventually!

We had made it safely to Kaikoura where we would spend the next two nights!

Swaps

2009-05-13T00:48:00.010+10:00

I have recently joined two swaps. The first is a vintage sheet swap run by Chaletgirl. I only had time to find two sheets and here they are, I really liked them both and I can't wait to see what I get back.

I have also joined with with Christine's Nine Patch swap in reproduction fabrics now how could I resist?

I thought I would use this Dear Jane FQ to make my first 12 blocks for this month. I didn't have enough of one background so I used two different backgrounds.

Only to find I only had enough for 11 blocks!!!!!!!! Oh well, back to the drawing board I guess.

Mixed Bag

2009-05-12T23:20:00.012+10:00

This past week so far has been a bit of everything. I couldn't seem to settle on one thing....until I got some new wool. I have been going a bit hexagon mad of late, well perhaps it's been a bit longer as I have been very interested in crocheted hexagons since I saw Julia's scarf.

I learnt to crochet when I was about 12 I think, Mum sent me to a lesson with a lady that taught in her house. I think I only had the one lesson and picked it up right away, my first finished item was a beret. I had been knitting for a few years by then as Mum could knit but not crochet hence the lessons.

Then recently I found Lucy's tutorial (which taught me to join the hexagons in a way I hadn't done before).......which in turn led me here.

I really love the rugs with lots of red and orange, they look very Kaffe Fassett but I also love the rugs with the white paths making them look like the patchwork Grandmothers Flower Garden. I think in the end I have to blame Lissa as I have been watching her work on her GMFG at the last three scquilters retreats, her quilt is featured on her header then she gave me a little pattern pack with little hexagons.

Whatever the cause I have succumbed. I even went ahead and ordered a pack of 1 1/4" hexagon papers and the no11 paper pack at Patchwork with Busyfingers to start the Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Crosses quilt.

Just a small aside- Sue Daley(Patchwork with busyfingers) is an old friend, she taught me needleturn applique and I did the Piecemaker Times and Seasons houses (1997)quilt with her as a BOM at the LQS over 13 months, starting in 1999 when she lived in Victoria. This one is for Lurline.

Then I found these which I had started making a few years ago and sewed a few together. I think I made about 60 when I started and haven't touched them since...another thing I will have to work on. I think I worked out I would need around 1,000 for a quilt but I do love yoyo quilts and the best thing is you can use any old fabric and I did use some old ones here.

I did finish the Feather and Fan scarf done in Noro Silk Garden. It turned out quite expensive using four balls of wool as I like my scarves quite long but the colours are beautiful and it is lovely and soft not at all prickly!

I have also been working away on the Liberty Stars quilt for the bushfire quilts and I now have 18 blocks done so only 7 to go!! I am really loving this quilt and I will be sorry to see it go when it's done but go it must on it's way to Jan Mac to distribute to the people affected by the bushfires.

There's two more things I finished today but I can't tell yet!

A small reprieve...

2009-04-27T15:51:00.009+10:00

As the cold weather has hit I decided to make a run this morning to the small local supermarket for some lamb shanks destined for either lamb shank soup or braised lamb shanks in the slow cooker. The best laid plans and all that...of course they didn't have any so I had to revise my plans and have made my Nan's curried sausages which I hated when I was young and I got some lamb bbq chops to make braised chops in the slow cooker instead for tomorrow.

Snowball bush

When I returned home the sun had appeared. Although it didn't last long I thought I would quickly grab some photos of the garden before all the roses disappear completely. This is their last hurrah before winter hits.

Apple Blossom

Hot Chocolate

Princess Grace de Monaco

Princess Grace 2

Potato bush

Pegasus

Of course Saffron thought it was lovely that I was outside walking around the garden in the cold!

Sunday....

2009-04-27T15:07:00.011+10:00

Was freezing here! We (I) decided that it would be nice to go for a Sunday drive to Daylesford. Now I just happen to know that Daylesford has a nice wool shop or two and as it has turned to winter overnight I felt the knitting bug coming on. I also have had my eye on one of those Queen Anne's lace type crocheted scarves. We left Gordon at 11am and the car temperature read 6C. When we got to Daylesford it had reached 7C!! (and was still 6 in Gordon when we returned home)

Unfortunately the shop that use to carry all the specialty wools has stopped stocking them I think it has changed owners. However just down the road is Purls Palace. What a gorgeous shop it has a real mixture of bits and pieces including some Asian style fabrics and some lovely yarns. I was lucky to find another two balls of Noro Silk Garden for the scarf I had started last year, I couldn't resist the gorgeous colours and had purchased two balls last year at the Ballan quilt show.

They don't stock Noro Kureyon but have ordered some in for me, isn't that great service! In the meantime I couldn't resist three hanks of the beautiful Noro Iro. I did try starting the scarf with this but I have decided it's a bit too chunky so another scarf it will be. I love a nice warm scarf especially with beautiful specialty yarn!

I fell in love with a knitted jacket/cardigan and a beautiful shawl. I got the pattern for the cardigan it looked great on the model (don't know about me though) but have to wait for the shawl, I don't know whether I will ever use it but it is beautiful and I want to make one! I also want to put my name down for the Nuno felted scarf workshop in June....just loved it!

In the meantime Sylvester was on his perch next to my chair watching the wool with a glint in his eye.....

Mitts off mister!!!!

This is where I have been...

2009-04-24T11:46:00.015+10:00

To the Scquilters (southerncross quilters) retreat in Adelaide, lovely Glenelg to be precise.

Scquilters host a retreat anually, usually in a different state each year. Last year was Perth, the year before was Bendigo and next year it will be in Bathurst. Scquilters are a group for online quilters either living in Australia or New Zealand or living overseas. As usual I had a great five nights staying with my fantastic roomies, Lissa, Wendy and Mary-Anne.

We ate too much, drank too much, laughed, some of us did a tiny bit of sewing but probably more talking (or listening)

This is DJ block E6 Michelle's Medley which I finished at the airport BEFORE the retreat!

Did I mention shopped too much? This was the haul from Harbour Town, a DFO for those of you in Victoria.

Then we went shopping on the shop hop visiting six patchwork shops! I did manage to add 146 new pieces of civil war or 1800's reproduction fabric to the stash, going 1/4's with Mary-Anne, Lissa and Pam at the first shop then thirds with MA and Lissa at the next five shops so some of them are quite small but large enough for a DJ block or scrappy reproduction quilts. A few of them were also swaps at the Dear Jane get together so we didn't buy all of them!!!

I also added a couple of Kaffe Fassett's to my collection for Isabella's quilt and started a William Morris collection as we bought Michele Hill's book William Morris in Applique and a few of us decided on a challenge. It will be interesting to see if we manage to finish it.

Last but not least, I finally saw Adelaide's famous frog cakes at the airport on the way home!

This is what I did on Thursday!

2009-04-13T12:47:00.008+10:00

Congratulations Constable!

This is what I have been up to this week...

2009-04-05T16:21:00.007+10:00

Working still......this time on Yvonne's quilt again.

I have finally got my mactivishing a bit bigger. This lovely quilt of Yvonne's is from a Robyn Falloon pattern Joie de Vivre.

Believe it or not I started this quilt a few years ago and got one of the large flower quarter blocks (as in the photo) needleturned. Sigh...I only have three more to do then the outer border.

The other thing I am working on as mentioned in my last post is Isabella's Rainbow Lollipops quilt.

Don't Look Now.....

2009-04-01T15:30:00.006+11:00

but Kellie has a fantastic giveaway over at her blog. She has released a gorgeous new pattern which I have put an order in for as I have started her Rainbows and Lollipops quilt for my GD Isabella which is in the current Quilters Companion magazine. So go on over, leave a comment and be in the draw for the lovely prizes. Only you aren't allowed to win because I want one of her gorgeous sock monkeys!

Last one finished!

2009-03-27T18:35:00.006+11:00

Here is Brenda's quilt finished!

One down one to go!

2009-03-23T13:49:00.009+11:00

Here is Jackie's lovely quilt finished.

The Interruption....

2009-03-23T08:49:00.007+11:00

Here is the interruption, my new grandson Kalani Thomas!

Here he is about half an hour old, looking very much like his big sister Isabella looked when she was born it's really like seeing her all over again except he has blonde hair underneath the brown and has blonde eyebrows and eyelashes like his cousin Coco had. He is very very tiny only 4lb 5oz or 1.9kg.

Here is big sister Isabella getting to know him.

Kalani four days old.

with Aunty Kylie

Cousin Coco is fascinated, I think she thinks he is a doll as he isn't much bigger than her Lola!!

I was rudely interrupted

2009-03-23T08:41:00.004+11:00

Last Sunday night I was very busy working away on this, trying to get it finished (then another one after it) for the Ballan quilt show which is on this weekend 28th and 29th March.

When I was rudely interrupted.........

Selvage Giveaway and Wonky Stars

2009-03-10T09:45:00.008+11:00

If you are a lover of selvage like Jodie go and have a look at ModaLissa's blog as she is having a giveaway. Also be sure to have a look at Jodie's latest creation she is just amazing!

I have joined in the making of wonky stars for the people who have been affected by the bushfires. I must say I really love making them they are so quick and easy and I am falling in love with the look of them as I am using my retro style fabrics.

I can totally understand how Julia didn't want to part with her quilt which is gorgeous. However they will be going to someone that needs quilts more than I do. I started out just making some blocks yesterday afternoon in between working but I think I will end up making up the whole quilt as they were so quick and fun to make.

If you feel that you would like to make up some blocks for this project click here they are really really quick and easy and will allow you to use up lots of scraps or any charm squares you don't know what to do with. The tutorial is here.

Sharon's Quilt

2009-03-08T22:55:00.009+11:00

Here is something I was busy working on in February. I couldn't show it as Sharon would have seen it! It was made for her BIG O birthday and the theme is girlfriends and I quilted an edge to edge pattern on it, Retro Flowers.

The back of the quilt.

I was also very lucky to win one of Nikki's new patterns and she also sent the webbing for the strap! Thanks Nikki. It's the second time I have won something from Nikki, the last time I won some pressing cloths.

Edit-

Here is Sharon's reply she has trouble leaving comments so emailed it instead.

Just read your blog and as you know I am completely stumped when it comes to that, but I wanted to say and I wanted all the people on your blog to know how much I love and treasure my quilt. It is so special to me and I love the name it is, I think Bern it really describes us beautifully.
Love
Shan XXOO

Getting a bit close for comfort.

2009-03-01T11:37:00.012+11:00

Monday I was at the hairdressers when we heard the CFA fire siren across the road start up. Next thing someone came in to say there was a fire at Wallace, then we heard at the back of Greendale. Finally after the trucks had gone out we heard it was actually Muskvale, south of Daylesford with ember attacks current for Spargo Creek. Now that's really only a few kilometres up the road from us as we are on the North or Daylesford side of Gordon. My hairdresser who lives up the road from me left as she has mini ponies, lucky my colour was done but my curly hair looked a fright left un straightened/blow waved. This was the view on the back road (off the Ballan Daylesford Rd) on the way home. My hairdresser lives in the vicinity of the trees...scarey stuff as although it was quite a few k's away there was a northly wind blowing....and embers carry a long way in the wind.

Fortunately for us the cool change blew in not long after it started which sent it back towards the north but not fortunate for those living in that direction. I was still on edge that night however and kept the ABC radio on with the fire reports. This was the view from the bottom of my street Monday night. (you can see a bit better if you click on the photo for the larger view)

The firefighters did a great job however and it was under control or contained by Thursday before the next hot day with northerlies Friday.

I guess I was a bit more nervous as I had just returned from working at the Churchill - Jeeralang Callignee bushfires in Gippsland and that fire went a long long way in a short period of time. By the way it wasn't windy when these photos were taken the trees were left like this after the hot winds and fire had gone through.

The Victorian Bushfires.

2009-02-16T14:18:00.005+11:00

So much has been said on the Victorian Bushfires that decimated areas of our state just over a week ago. Nearly 2,000 properties lost and 181 is the official toll which is about to rise again.
How to help is a question being asked by most?
I have put my name down to volunteer here or you can donate here

There have been numerous ways of helping discussed, one place is putting together basic sewing kits for when the time is right. One of the survivors has asked for any plants/cuttings further down the track when things are a bt more settled.

Do you want to help by making toys or making or buying handmade items?

Last but not least. I have been a member of scquilters for the past seven years. Scquilters stands for southern cross quilters online and is made up of Australian and New Zealand quilters.
On the scquilters list is an absolutely unreal woman by the name of Jan Mac. Jan in her spare time (she also works) makes charity quilts for various groups including womens refuge's, Timor etc and has done for as long as I have been a part of scquilters. Jan has been inundated for years with fabric, orphan blocks, orphan quilts, ufo's, batting, batting scraps you name it she takes it and makes something out of it. Oh did I forget to add she also knits, goes to the op shops buys unloved wool or knitwear unravels it then knits or crochets blankets. As I said she is a marvel. Now Jan together with Christina has undertaken to make and distribute quilts for the bushfire victims. So I urge any of you that have fabric, batting or batting scraps, old blocks or old ufo's that you have outgrown please send them to Jan and Christina. Not to mention if you wish to make a quilt! I know I will be sending them some things over the coming months. You can find them here.

Back to my roots.

2009-01-24T00:46:00.005+11:00

My sewing roots that is!! This is where it all started.....

sewing for my kids. I decided to sew something for the GD's (after my daughter showed me a dress she had bought and I was thinking how simple they are to make) so I went to Spotlight got a couple of patterns and found this fabric for $5m. This was the pink dress in the Burda pattern, the New Look pattern I will make for Isabella. Even if they just wear them around the house it's another dress. Now that I know the pattern I would like to get a nice Amy Butler or some Prints Charming fabric to do a couple.

I finally decided I was brave enough to attempt Mrs Perkins again. Last time was a bit traumatic with those darn horns...BUT...this time I had the bamboo skewer and they were both turned in 5 minutes!! So the rest of her should be a breeze. I just couldn't resist this orange Prints Charming fabric, as soon as I saw it I knew what it was destined to be.

What else I have been up to this week...

2009-01-16T16:02:00.010+11:00

Some feathers for Yvonne's quilt after completing all the stitch in the ditch ......

Magoo in pieces.....

53 nine patch blocks made from leaders/enders

Stage 1 of Double Delight mystery quilt which is no longer a mystery.

All of the small nine patch blocks done for stage 3 of DD.

Sylvester is getting bigger by the day

and loves to try and sleep ON top of my feet when I am on the computer!!!

Sylvia's Bridal Sampler

2009-01-16T15:31:00.006+11:00

Sylvia's Bridal Sampler revisited finally.

Puss in the corner J-6 and Contrary Husband C-1

Clay's Choice N-3 and Sawtooth Star J-1

Yankee Puzzle I-9

A-7 Cats and Mice (colours aren't the best as I took this photo at night) so that's 32 blocks done out of I think 140.

The blogmeet...

2009-01-16T12:02:00.006+11:00

What a lovely day we had, it was fabulous meeting so many crazy/lovely bloggers but there were so many there I feel I didn't really get to speak to everyone a lot. Maybe next time.....There are lots of photos around on the various blogs and once again I forgot my camera but you can find other reports and photos here....

Trashy, Four Wise Monkeys, Rousabout, Sonya, Our Shabby Cottage, Annie's Flower Garden, Silly Gilly Kids, Scrapbag, Ric Rac, Thornberry, Two Cheese Please, Little Red Hen, Janey's Relaxation, Nicole M Design and Don't Look Now.

A special thank you to Sonya who told us where to find a berry farm with the most delicious berries, loganberries, youngberries, boysenberries red currants raspberries but I added the strawberries.....guess what I had for tea with yoghurt.......yummo!

And of course to Jodie for organising the whole thing and for the new bits to add to the stash.....

Of course I couldn't walk out of Ballarat Patchwork without some fabric.....

These are for Magoo who is half made.

Sew unique...

2009-01-16T11:43:00.006+11:00

So much to post about, why do I leave it until there are two or three posts worth? I guess it's because I am rotten dial up so it takes me forever. So here goes.....
First up, if you are into reproductions at all don't miss this website,
Sewuniquecreations.com they are having a sale with a lot of their repros at $4-$5 yd and they give the best service! I bought 3yds of pink civil war dressing gown as well as some shirtings on 31st December which was a Wednesday and it was here delivered by the following Tuesday! I couldn't believe it that is the first time I have ever had a package arrive in under a week from the States, in fact half the time the Aus mail takes that long to reach my little rural town.
Thanks Kathie!

Double Delight Mystery Quilt.

2009-01-09T21:26:00.010+11:00

When I saw that Bonnie K Hunter of Quiltville fame was doing another mystery quilt I was interested. When I saw she was using reproduction fabrics I was hooked! Here I was before 2008 was finished about to start another new quilt!!!!!!!

So much for any quilting new years resolutions. I have decided to basically go with the colours that Bonnie is using, brown, pink, shirtings, navy/indigo, and cheddar. Although I am still unsure of the cheddar so I have skipped ahead to step 3 to make up some of the nine patches to see if I will use it or replace it with pink to finish off step 1 and sew step 2. I think I will have to end up sewing a couple together to make a decision.

Of course I have peeked ahead and I must say I just love how this quilt has turned out. Bonnie is one very clever and generous lady. I have also always been intrigued by the leaders and enders but have never been organised enough to get around to doing them so I thought this was the perfect opportunity.

Here are some of the results. So far I have 30 nine patch blocks made from 2/12" squares leader/enders whilst sewing the mystery quilt. I am not quite sure yet if they will become a sister's choice quilt which I have always really liked or this quilt......

This was in a magazine quite a few years back, another reproduction 1890's scrap quilt by Julie Wallace. I will need 111 nine patch blocks for this one!

Oh and guess what I got for Christmas........

as well as a Heritage Collection for a cause jelly roll and charm square pack. Just had to finish with a photo of the girls at Christmas....

Miss Coco (complete with large bump on the head and bruise from hitting her head the previous night) who thought it was hilarious to be rolling around on the floor when I was trying to take a photo of her.

Madam Isabella modelling for the camera! (sometimes we get NO camera!)

The Morrell Quilt

2009-01-09T20:56:00.010+11:00

In July I think it was I stupidly signed up for the Morrell Quilt BOM from Threadbear in Castlemaine. As if I didn't already have enough to do but what can I say I fell in love with it when I saw it, impulse buying at it's best! So I have finally been doing some of the blocks. A lot of them are broderie perse (sp?) so I have been preparing them as I have decided not to do needleturn, I already have more than enough hand work to keep me going so these are going to be blanket stitched on the machine. Once again an antique reproduction. Sorry some of the photos aren't the best as I took them at night. A couple of the blocks are pretty complex so I guess I will be doing those by hand as I am not competent enough by machine. At least I have finally made a start!

Sylvester Says thank you!

2009-01-09T20:42:00.003+11:00

To everyone that kindly replied with name suggestions. It's scarey sometimes but once again Lissa and I were on the same page, I had already been tossing Sylvester around when she suggested it! Dare I say great minds think alike....or would it be more like strange minds...lol. So we now have Cheeky and Sylly.

I need a name! and Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T14:37:00.011+11:00

I wonder if you can help me? I am a new addition to the family and I don't have a name yet. My Mum bought me from the Vet's in Bacchus Marsh. I was in the local paper and I was a very good buy as I came de-sexed microchipped vaccinated advocat-ed (flea worm mites protection) and with some food and a toy. The vets also had another 19 of my cousins but some had already gone to new homes so if you aren't too far away and would like a new addition maybe you can think about adopting too.

I am very very friendly and I purrrrr all the time.....and climb up onto my Mum when I want to go to sleep. My Dad tells people he doesn't like cats but when Mum isn't looking I have been climbing up and giving him a cuddle too and he lets me! He has even been nagging Mum about my food or water (as if she didn't know)!!!

Aunty Sharon suggested Claus. My Mum doesn't mind it but wants to know what you think? She thinks my markings look like a cows....how rude!!!!

I don't look like a cow do I! Some other people have suggested a Collingwood name (football team) as I am black and white. My mum thinks thats dumb cos she barracks for Essendon.

Oh I almost forgot to tell you I am a boy cat.

Haha...shhh....don't tell... I put one of me and my Mum here, she hates her photo taken cos she takes rotten photos but she let my Dad take this one because of how I was asleep on her.

Well all this typing and loading up photos has made me very tired specially on my Mum's stupid dial up connection but she did tell me I have to say to all her old friends and all her new ones she's made from blogging this year,

Have a very Happy and safe Christmas.

Two more finished.

2008-12-24T14:12:00.006+11:00

This quilt is Country Pathways, I purchased the pattern at the scquilters retreat in Bendigo in 2007 along with a starter pack of fabrics from Threadbear. I added a lot of my old favourites and some repros to finish it off. The poor thing was on my workroom floor forever as I don't have a design wall but Sunday I took pity on it and had it finished in no time. I have since added the needleturned flower centres, these were finished Sunday night. I put one of my favourite older fabrics in this quilt, the poppy fabric.

Next finish was the revised tumbler quilt that Lissa and I swapped our repros for. I took about 5 rows from the length and added them on the sides so it's 26 tumblers across and 25 long. As you can see (on a queen size bed) it's quite large. The end tumblers have to be trimmed back to create a straight edge as I wasn't organised enough to do this during construction! At least after a lot of fiddling around it's done. I still have around 100 tumblers left over so I will make a lap quilt out of the leftovers.

Last but not least...my Dear Jane fabric range.

My name is...

2008-12-19T11:40:00.007+11:00

Bernadette and I am an addict.....a fabric addict!

My friend Kerry and I had a lovely pre-christmas day out on Monday. First stop for the day was to Amitie. Neither of us had actually been to the shop before, we just loved their stands at the craft shows. Talk about overwhelming!!! We didn't know where to start there were just soooo many gorgeous fabrics, how could you pick a few to have a piece of?

So we decided the only thing was to find a quilt we loved, buy the pattern and some fabric for the quilt. I picked a quilt with aquas/blues and browns, a very striking masculine quilt, Saville Row by Judy Newman. Mine won't be quite as masculine as it's for me but I have always loved aqua or blue with browns and pink with browns so a pink and brown quilt will be on the agenda soon too.

I won't show you the fabrics as they are a mess now, but this is the start of my quilt.

Kerry has said that we can't go back until my quilt is finished, so I am on a mission. She didn't mention hers...vbg. Kerry chose a gorgeous quilt that was made up of Churn Dash blocks in the Denise Schmidt fleamarket range. Kerry (and I helped of course) picked out fabrics in lots of threes and I think she ended up with 9 different combination of 3 co-ordinating fabrics, can't wait to see hers together except then I know I will want to make one of those too.. and I do keep thinking about that quilt with the Liberty's.....

Next stop was Somerset Patchwork. Although very different this shop was also quite overwhelming (for two lovers of repros) as it was full of reproduction fabrics arranged by colour...where to start here??? We both ended up with last months fabric pack of 1800's which contained lots of the Vicksburg range, brown and blues. I also signed up for the mail outs which are 16x 10" squares bi-monthly as well as assorted 20cm lengths some eighths and a couple of packs of the previously mentioned poison green and cheddars.

Oh did I forget to say.........

this was the very first thing we saw in the front window.....I fell in love with this very antique looking quilt from Kaye England's Back Home Again fabric range available as a kit or BOM.
Guess what Santa might be putting under my christmas tree....

BTW if you haven't jumped over to Kerry's blog yet hop on over as she is having a Christmas giveaway...but you have to be quick it ends tomorrow.

Dear Jane rolls on....

2008-12-19T11:10:00.007+11:00

I seem to be on a bit of a roll with DJ at the moment. Problem is when I am doing DJ I don't get anything else done! It is quite obsessive and I have limited time, usually only nights to do it.

This is E-4 Buffalo Tree Hopper. It is not black as it may look on some screens it is a dark purple.

D-3 Jason's Jacks. This fabric was a new one I bought on Monday it's one of the poison greens and cheddars ...but more about that later. This block was originally brown but is one that I have changed it was a very quick and easy block.

E-3 Paddle Wheels.

F-3 Snowball.

B-5 Hot Cross Buns. I must get the last two blocks of row b done!!!

Bernadette 55-5-1-1143

A forgotten block and Pam's baby Jane

2008-12-11T11:59:00.004+11:00

I have been going back through my Dear Jane labelled posts and couldn't find three, only 47 blocks listed. Two were found in an unlabelled post but I finally worked out that poor little H-13 Farm Fields had been left out so here it is.

Last Saturday at our DJ sit and sew Pam was able to come so once again we were privledged to see her almost completed quilt. She has two sides of triangles left to quilt.

After looking at Pam's I have had a bit of a think about my quilt. I was doing it exactly the same in colour as the original. I have now had a play with the rest of the blocks and although most of the top two rows are completed I have still been able to have a bit of a play around and change some of the colours, especially in the bottom half. I have added a row of green and blue to the bottom rows following the pattern from the center blocks. I have also left a couple of the brown rows. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.
The ladies that have joined our DJ sit and sew have done very well. One of our older ladies Lorna in particular has gone right ahead and has completed 120 blocks since our first month...in March? I can't quite remember but she has done extremely well. I think I started off 5 of them and Julie has also gone past me, having completed 69 blocks. Kaye has also done extremely well, she started a few months after the others and has 30+ blocks completed.

I am a Golden Jane!

2008-12-08T23:51:00.011+11:00

Yay I have finished my 5oth block. At this rate it will take me 4 years to complete my Baby Jane.

F-9 Autumn Aster. I wasn't very happy with my points on this applique as the red fabric kept fraying as I was trying to needleturn the points, very frustrating. I have had this trouble before with red fabrics....coincidence? I completed this block at our DJ first Saturday of the month sit and sew at Pentland Patchwork.

M5 Mother's Point which was the BOW for last week, I did complete it in time but I didn't email to say that I had! This was completed Sunday night. It was the first BOW I have completed for quite a while, maybe a year. I have to start doing it again as it means I will at least do one block a week. Hmmm....it looks a bit on the crooked side here but looks ok really so I will have to pull it out for another look.

D-1 Alison's guiding light. This weeks BOW, completed Tuesday night.

L-7 Town Square, completed Wednesday night.

The 50th block, also completed Wednesday night M-10 Simple Simon.

Bernadette 50-5-1-1078

Back to the Reproductions!

2008-12-02T10:51:00.008+11:00

Here is a little reproduction show and tell. This quilt belongs to Paula. Paula admired my Broken Dishes quilt and wanted one. I had made a large one (which hangs at the LPS) and missed it so I decided to make a smaller version. (The LPS has sold a lot of fabric to people wanting to make this quilt as it's so antique looking.) Most unusual for me to make two of the same quilt unless it's pretty quick and easy. So we made up HST's and swapped around 80 I think. So this is Paula's twin of my broken dishes lap quilt although she added to hers and made it similar to the size of my larger one.

I used my favourite quilting pattern on Paula's, Field of Flowers by Keryn Emmerson. Paula says it's her favourite quilt and her sister keeps trying to get it but there's no way she is parting with it!!

This is my twin to Paula's. It is lap size with no borders and is quilted with Baptist Fans by Hermione Agee (Lorien Quilting)

This is a small part of the original quilt. My aim with this quilt was to NOT place the fabrics in an organised way so when I was putting the squares together to make the HST's I put them in a bag and pulled them out randomly, very hard not to place lights and mediums with darks all the time!!

Day bag

2008-12-01T21:23:00.008+11:00

I have made yet another bag! This one is the Day bag and I had this Amy Butler fabric in mind when I pictured it. Yes it's another Nicole M bag, I think it's gorgeous!

The beautiful Albertine old fashioned rose. What a shame it only flowers once, with the odd spot flower in autumn.

Family Stuff!

2008-12-01T20:44:00.008+11:00

Congratulations to my baby, Tim and his lovely new fiance Megan who became engaged recently. At least they are giving us a bit of a breather and waiting for 2-3 years before the wedding!!

Congratulations to my third child Nick on his new career.Here we are on a recent visit.

They look a bit different to Daydream Island!!

How good have I been! Usually it's up just before Christmas.

This year I am super organised and managed to buy heaps of new decorations in red and gold.

Jellyroll Class

2008-11-30T23:13:00.024+11:00

Yesterday I spent a lovely day teaching a class at one of my local patchwork shops, Pentland Patchwork in Bacchus Marsh. The class was for my Strawberry Lemonade or Dear Baby Jane quilt using a jellyroll and charm square pack, a very quick and easy quilt. The girls worked hard and finished their quilts to the last two pieced borders except for Kaye as she was getting sore eyes and Kelly who was having trouble picking a fabric to go into the first border. I am glad to say she finally found one she liked so I will expect to see it finished on her blog very soon! We had a great day although we were all tired by the end I think! Here are some photos of the girls.

Here they are, hard at work.

Julie, working hard!

Kaye, chain piecing.

Kelly, head down and flat out!

Someone obviously said something that amused Sharon!!

Sharon's quilt in progress.

Julie's quilt which we nicknamed Random Random as rather than have two fabrics the same on each of the squares as mine did she went for totally random so each frame around each square was different.

A close up of Julie's quilt with the pretty Butterfly Fling fabrics.

Julie with Random Random. We found a pretty white fabric with butterflies on it for their 1st border, very appropriate.

Kelly's pretty Flutterby fabric. Kelly decided to go with what we called "the structured" option, all the same fabrics for the frame. I think it worked well with her fabrics.

Gorgeous Kelly!

Sharon's half and half the same as mine, top and bottom the same fabrics and sides the same fabrics.

Sharon with her quilt. Only two pieced borders left to go.

Here's my friend Sharon who went for the "structured" or "organised" version in Butterfly Fling and a darker first border.

Finally here is Kaye with her structured quilt with 2 plain borders.

Don't they all look different! Well done girls!!

Another bag finish!

2008-11-19T23:29:00.006+11:00

I love this pattern! Nicole M's large tote/satchel pattern, it's so easy and gives a really professional finish. This time I purchased some brown cotton drill from Spotlight and used the owl fabric from Kirsten Doran. I love it!!

This also arrived recently, my Day bag pattern from Nicolem along with some bag making hardware. I also received my prize, the moleskins that I won from Nicole for naming her newest bag design, Mod, the bundle at the back. Thanks Nikky.

I haven't shown anything in the workroom for a while so here is a photo of Yvonne's quilt in progress. It's taken me a bit longer than I thought with a few hold ups here and there but I am working on all the SID which is the slowest part. Isn't is pretty? It's a pattern by Robyn Falloon. I also have one of these panels finished as another UFO, I only have three more left to do then the borders...one day.

Dishcloth Quilt, another UFO

2008-11-19T22:17:00.013+11:00

Believe it or not I have been working on another UFO or WIP, not a new project. Well not a new quilt project anyway. This quilt is The Dishcloth Quilt, another pattern from one of my favourite shops, Patchwork on Stonleigh. It got it's name as it has pieces of teatowel in it. I started this one quite a few years ago, two at least and came to an abrupt halt as I got to the outer pieced border only to find that the pattern had given me the wrong measurement for the quarter square triangles, not happy Jan!!! So after some unpicking and recalculating the triangles the outer borders are done. Now I have to work out what size spacer row to put in to make the borders fit, this is one strange pattern, not very precise at all so no doubt it will be put away for a bit of a breather. It is pretty though!

Vintage MOP buttons

That darn border!

Favourite embroidered flower.

Needleturn flower.

Can you pick the teatowel?

No that's not it! (above) The fabric above looked like a teatowel so I thought it fitted in beautifully and bought it.

That's it on the right, the red and white check.

Another finish...or two!

2008-11-10T00:08:00.008+11:00

I have crossed another two quilts off my WIP or UFO list and placed them on the "to be quilted" list. That makes 17 waiting to be quilted....still I guess it's better than the 50 odd WIP's I have!!

First is my disappearing nine patch quilt. I had finished it as I bought it in a kit at the local quilt show but then I decided it was too small so I got some fabric for some borders. Unfortunately I couldn't match the large rose fabrics (green first choice white second choice) I wanted so I settled for one that matched the colours in the quilt.

Second is the Funky quilt. Pattern available from Ballarat Patchwork. This quilt has not all but lots of Amy Butler fabrics which I love. I really love all the strips in the borders.

Are we there yet?

2008-11-05T00:12:00.011+11:00

This is my tumbler quilt, the one Lissa and I swapped our 1800's reproductions for. Lissa's is pictured here. I don't know what's happened as she seems to have 20x25 I think I counted and so far I have 28 rows x 20 across and still counting. I know I have bought a few more since we stopped swapping but I didn't think it was 100???? Hmm....maybe I put my scquilters fat 1/8th swaps in that was around 4o maybe that explains it. I will do another 2 rows making 30 rows then I will have to start adding some on the ends of the rows (have to put the 1/2's on the ends anyway)...will they ever run out!!!! We were inspired Kathie who made the lovely tumbler quilt pictured in her header.

Bits and Pieces

2008-11-01T13:33:00.017+11:00

Phew!! I finally got the rugrat down to bed. I am on babysitting duty as Coco Daisy's Mum and Dad went to Derby Day. We are in the middle of the Spring Racing Carnival here in Victoria, our major racing season. Here is a photo of her, isn't she cute?

And now for equal time here is her cousin Isabella Poppy at her third birthday...she is cute too and she loved her cake!!

This one is for Lissa, who asked if the snowball tree was a hydrangea. No and I can't remember the botanical name but I think there are a few different ones anyway.

Next these are for Jane and Kelly who wanted to see the full view. You will notice when I took this photo that the machine at least was free and clear unlike my own personal workspace. The table is covered with some of my WIPS and my quilts waiting to be quilted are under the white practise pieces (from when I first started quilting on the gammill) No the drums aren't mine, funny how even though the kids leave some of their possessions make their way back.

These are my latest fabric purchases. The black paisley and the cream with flower were both $3m at Spotlight so I got a few metres of each thinking of bag linings but I think I wouldn't mind the black paisley on the outside of one. I also got some brown cotton drill to go with the owl fabric not quite as dark as I wanted but it will do.

Also some lovely 1800's from Quilters Bizaar, thanks Lorraine. I loved that I was able to order 15cm of each! Just enough for Dear Jane with some scraps left over.

Some mail and some progress.

2008-10-27T23:11:00.017+11:00

Look what I got in the mail.....

I have had my eye on this for some time and I couldn't resist it any longer.I love the original so much (I do like green bet you couldn't guess) that I had to make the green one. I didn't want to be EXACTLY the same so I made the black felt circles and free motion quilted them (on the domestic no less...gee was I out of practise) a la flowering gum blossoms...hmm...Nicole's flowers look prettier and mine are a touch small looking at the photo but they look ok up close. Great patterns with quite a few design variations to each pattern, very simple to follow instructions too.

I then used the black perle cotton and stitched some wobbly stem stitches as per the original. I wanted this as I have a lovely pair of green capri's to wear when it's warm enough which it was yesterday but I didn't go out anywhere. Oh well at least I will have the bag when I do wear them out.

Ahhh....did you spy what's beneath the bag? Yes it's the retro quilt! See I do finish some things Miss Kelly! (well apart from the quilting but the bags finished) Here it is before borders.

I couldn't get a good photo of it with the borders on which are just plain white 4.5" borders so this one will have to do.

And look what else arrived, another something I have been eyeing off for some time....

The lovely red and white ladybugs and the owl fabric from Kristen Doran.

Hmm... I wonder if a red bag with the red and white ladybug fabric flap would be overkill....and a brown satchel with the owls???

Look at my black tulips, aren't they lovely? I have had about 20 this year. As I was taking photos something caught my eye.

This little magpie was trying to keep very still but I saw him! I had been hearing him for a few days whenever his mother came to feed him. I can still hear him around but now he has progressed to the branches in the trees.

Here is my snowball bush, it's getting very tall. I bought this at the Ballarat Market as they remind me of my grandparents who had a snowball tree when I was young and stayed there for holidays.

Last but not least is a big fat bud or two of Pierre de Ronsard about to flower as are all the roses!

Oh and by the way who is ANONYMOUS? Whoever it is left me a comment on my last post and everyone I can think of that it might be would have a blogger identity.....so anonymous who are you?????

What do you do

2008-10-15T21:16:00.030+11:00

When your sewing area looks like this?

and this.....

or even this.......

Because you are working on so many projects at once you don't know what to work on........hold on, back up.......what is that...there on the table....is it..could it be.....a new project???? Yes unfortunately that is what seems to happen, I have soooo many going at once I get totally confused as to what I want to work on and so I start something else. Makes sense doesn't it...NOT!!So here is what I have been working on when I can't decide what to work on...

Yes I have been inspired by Jodie and I have made some selvedge projects, not that I will ever make anything as big or as totally awesome as Jodie's big project but these are for something I will be putting together shortly.

I wanted a change from the reproductions and wanted to work with something fresh and vibrant which is when I started on the selvedges and this, scrappy log cabins inspired by Melly and Me. I took part in their fabric swap a few months ago and swapped with Bridget in the US who is blogless...hello Bridget I am using some of your scraps and some are from our swaps at Jodie's get together. I have a bag full of scraps which I have cut into strips ready to piece. Well I have one pieced but lots of cutting done.

Some long overdue gifts....they are coming girls, you would have had them months ago if I hadn't decided to make something to go with them. Thanks to The Giving Flower for the tutorial.

This is what I had been working on for a few nights, I am giving DJ a bit of a break so this is my current handpiecing project. Not totally new but I had some pieces cut out and a quarter of a pie block (only) put together months ago. This quilt was a BOM at Threadbear in Castlemaine, I saw it at the Castlemaine quilt show a few years ago and couldn't wait for the pattern to come out as I just fell in love with it but as the patterns aren't released until the BOM has finished I didn't have much choice. The photo doesn't do it justice the quilt is better in real life.

I am getting lots of practise with curved piecing!

I have bought a lot of retro fabrics as I love them...but what to do with them? So I decided on the KISS principle, keep it simple and just make a quilt with 6.5" squares to showcase the fabrics with plain white sashings so those are cut out and ready to go.

I did manage to get two more DJ blocks done, B-10 Judd's Trophy

and B-2 Sweet Tater Pie. I am liking the piecing much more after pressing each seam with the iron as I go, a bit of a pain but a much better result. I think I only have about three blocks left to complete row B and I have done 45-5-1-998...only two more pieces to reach one thousand pieces!!

And last but not least.....tada.....

My very own selvedge scarf!!! I loved Jodie's so much I decided to make my own. I love it. I went to the selvedge website, followed the how to and made mine with slightly more fabric showing than Jodie's I think but to me it's like a quilting history, I can look at the fabric with the selvedge and know approximately how long I have had it, whether it's used or in the stash..etc etc. I had a piece of black velveteen in the stash from the old crazy patchwork days so I used that to back it with. So that's what Ihave been up to, I have achieved more than I thought!

Blogging good fun at Jodies.

2008-10-15T19:57:00.008+11:00

I said I would tell you about the get together at Jodies...

I was invited along with some other local bloggers to Jodies for a day of.....sewing...talking....eating and fun! It was a fabulous day the girls were all great and Jodie is so very generous and THE BEST cook of shortcake and sausage rolls. I must get that recipe! She also has a project in the latest Patchwork and Stitching magazine, a gorgeous ballet bag which she gave me the pattern (and the left over fabric) for so I could make one for Isabella's 3rd birthday, thanks also to Kathryn for the bling button which was in her "shop".

We also helped ourselves to pieces of Jodie's felted jumpers stash to make our own snails....Kathryn's turned out much prettier than mine who still is blind, but aren't snails blind? They do look much cuter with eyes however. I am not saying anything about Annie's except that she must have large snails in her garden!!!! She was working on a beautiful red and white quilt, I just love it and now I am placing an order for some Kristen Doran Ladybugs fabrics. Kathryn made a gorgeous shabby purse for her glasses and Rachel stitched a beautiful redwork stitchery, she does the loveliest stitcheries. Kate made an appearance after lunch.

Jodie asked us to bring some bits and pieces we no longer wanted or needed so we also played "shops" and swapped bits...however I am sure I bought home a lot more than I went with!!

Thanks girls for the best day and a special thanks to Jodie for making it all happen.

Dear Jane small update

2008-10-05T10:02:00.007+11:00

I just realised I haven't updated DJ for a while. Not that I have done much BUT I did get that block done that I had been putting off....A9 Cabin Fever so all of Row A is complete. I WILL get around to sewing that row together...sometime soon! I have also updated my chart on the side of my blog and added in my tally. I am much happier with this one as I have copied my friend Julie whose blocks all look perfect and started to press them with the iron rather than finger press, I think it gives a better result.

Below is K-12 Doris's Dilemma.

Below is K-7 Rose of Sharing.

Next post I will tell you about our blogger get together at Jodie's but in the meantime pop over to Kathryn's and have a look at her posting and all her gorgeous shabby chic creations!

Miniature Booty Swap

2008-10-05T09:34:00.008+11:00

Here is my lovely little minature booty swap quilt from Rose Marie. The little blocks are so cute and there is the loveliest hand quilting in each block. I love the little green fabric in the binding and border. Thank you very much for my lovely quilt AND the yummy maple leaf chocolate.

Here is my quilt for Margaret. I got rather caught up with things and Margaret's was late but she has it now so I can show it. She said that she liked "Red, purple and bright green (yes chartreuse) I like to see something that is "traditionally untraditional" - ie., traditional blocks pieced using modern fabrics; OR something leaning towards a modern style". So I made pinwheels blocks (one of my favourites) in mainly Kaffe Fassett's red, purple, green and white with a touch of orange and quilted it with the usual...feathers!!

The Wedding.....

2008-09-28T15:20:00.019+10:00

Here are some photos of the wedding on Daydream Island of my son and daughter in law.

Me with Nicholas (the groom) at Lover's Lookout where the wedding ceremony took place, just before it started.

Nicholas, me Mr quilting b and Timothy (the baby and best man!)

Lauren, Tim, Kylie and Nick, the rings.

Signing the marriage certificate.

Kylie and Nicholas.

GD1 Isabella Poppy throwing rose petals.

Isabella with the basket of rose petals.

GD2 Coco Daisy with the horse shoe for Kylie.

The family, Craig and Coco, Holly (my daughter), mr quilting b, Kylie, Nicholas, me, Tim, his g/f Megan, Brent and Rebecca (my daughter) with Isabella.

Kylie with Isabella. I think she was a bit in awe of the bride as her mother told her Kylie was going to be a princess....Isabella loves a princess.

The scene...

The reception at Lover's Cove.

The decking on the beach..

The view back across the water...

Cutting the cake.

The cute, beachy wedding cake, complete with the groom wearing "boardies".

Hamilton Island

2008-09-26T21:16:00.015+10:00

We are back from our lovely holiday to Hamilton Island (Whitsunday Islands Northern Queensland) and the wedding at Daydream Island. What a great relaxing time we had, here's a small taste.....

Toucan Tango, where we had the breakfast buffet every morning and looking out onto the decking where Holly and Craig's wedding reception was two years ago.

The view from my sister Trudy's balcony, this looks out onto the spot where Holly and Craig were married two years ago.

The pool where we lay on the sun lounges and read our books or had a dip in the pool or spa.

The view of Catseye Beach from my balcony on the 13th floor.

The ever present cockatoo's on the balcony.

The rainbow lorikeets at breakfast.

The girls....my sister Trudy and friend Sharon..

The cocktails (I am not telling whose the cream and chocolate one was)

More cocktails.....

Sunset in Paradise.

Fourth finish for July Challenge.

2008-07-31T10:18:00.015+10:00

Here is finish number 4 for the July Challenge! I do love strippy quilts and this one is quick and easy. This is the third version I have made in this pattern. The first one is a shabby chic, this was the second one started (but the last one finished) and the other one was the voilets quilt for my Aunt's 60th in January.

Only trouble is that I couldn't get the stripes all running the same way...oh well it's only for me as the greens match my walls and carpet and I guess you know I love roses and couldn't resist these large full blown pink ones and of course you can see the reproduction fabrics.

Below is Jill's lovely oriental quilt, this was her very first quilt!! She has done a wonderful job as she has never done a class. She is nearly finished her second quilt and it's even better and has a small square irish chain setting so she has done very well considering she is self taught. It has been quilted with Clamflower and has variegated signature thread on the back. The only problem is black picks up EVERY little bit of fluff and thread!!

Kaye's cute little chenille quilt has Rhapsody quilted on it. I loved the backing on this quilt it reminded me of the old eiderdowns we use to have when young. I think it's from the Sanctuary range and I am tempted to buy some and just quilt it.

And finally last but not least my lovely reproduction fat 1/8 swap is home! Some gorgeous fabrics and only a couple I already had, not bad out of 42.

Happy Birthday Jodie!

Vic Quilters Showcase 2008

2008-07-26T20:46:00.006+10:00

Woohooo!!!! My lovely customer Brenda's (pictured above)quilt won a Highly Commended in the Traditional two person category at the Vic Quilters Showcase so as the quilter I win a ribbon too! I am very lucky that she chose me to quilt such an impressive quilt of her own design. Her quilt was inspired by a trip to Egypt. Thanks Brenda! You can see some close ups of the quilting here.

I had planned to go on Friday but after a phone call Wednesday night from Brenda to say the quilt had won an award I had a hurriedly rearranged schedule so I could attend the awards presentations on Thursday.

I didn't come home empty handed but I was fairly restrained....apart from a committment for a 12 month block of the month from Threadbear in Castlemaine who stock a vast range of gorgeous reproduction fabrics. I got two patterns, one from Quilters Barn plus Julie Wallace's no 3 patchwork book. The BOM from Threadbear plus a cute little "muffin cake" of fabrics, brown repro's for my Dear Jane. The aqua spots and retro's plus the pinwheel and chinese coin pattern are from Amitie.

This week has been busy!!!

2008-07-26T19:47:00.006+10:00

Not enough hours in the day! The countdown in on until my son's wedding on Daydream Island on September 10th. Not enough time to get all the quilts done I a) need to get done and out of the way and b) need to get done to get some money in to help pay for the trip/holiday/wedding outfit....etc etc.

Head on over to my old friend Glenice's blog for yet another generous giveaway, she is celebrating her 300th post!

This week I did manage to finish the lovely Rachel's gorgeous quilts. I wanted to keep this one!!!Rachel's version of Lime and Soda with "Bubbles" quilted on it.

I was very lucky and Rachel and I did some bartering and I ended up with five new Melly and Me patterns.......Mrs Perkins, Fido, 1941, Elly and Phoebe. I can't wait to make them all up. If I am lucky enough to get some more quilts from Rachel I might get a book next time!

Rachel's lovely stitchery quilt has "Heartstrings" quilted on it. A very appropriate pattern for this quilt.

I also have Charlie's fabrics all ready to go but haven't yet done her organizer, so I have to get organized!

I did start to put some of Lissa's and my tumbler blocks together. I have done 8 rows of 20 across and it doesn't even look like I made a dent in our tumblers!!! As Lissa keeps telling me I think this is going to be a humungous quilt. It isn't turning out quite as I had imagined as there are a lot more lights than I thought I would have preferred some more mediums used as lights.

Two Awards!!

2008-07-21T11:14:00.004+10:00

Well I am speechless! Thank you very much to both Julia

and Glenice who have very kindly given me an award each.

Julia's work I greatly admire from when I first saw her crazy patchwork during my CP stage to her beautiful quilts.

Glenice is an old friend from scquilters icq chat days whose work is also admirable and she does lovely silk ribbon embroidery along with Julia. Glenice is also a very generous lady! So thank you both once again, I am very flattered!

Now I believe I have to give the award out x 5 so I will just give out 6 as I can't split 2 but don't want to give out 10!! Some of my favorites already have had awards so that made my job a little bit easier and I decided to keep it within Australia as a lot of the blogs from the US girls I admire have also already had awards.

Number 1 goes to another old friend Kerry at my favorite things.

Kerry does gorgeous work and her stitcheries are so cute! Especially her latest one.

Number 2 goes to a new blogging friend Rachel from Four Wise Monkeys.

Rachel does beautiful stitching, I greatly admire her satin stitch which I am hopeless at. Her quilts I also love and the Tuesday show and tell!

Number 3 goes to a new blogger and a new quilter! None other than Kelly over at Maiden Ramblings. Kelly is an inspiration with her passion and enthusiasm for quilting (although she doesn't think much of machine quilting lol) and she is doing a great job with her new blog.

Number 4 goes to a blog that I greatly admire this blog has the prettiest eye candy. Kellie at Don't Look Now is the talented owner of this blog. I am constantly amazed by her talent and creativity.

Number 5 goes to the ever creative Jodie of Ric Rac fame. What can one say about Jodie? She is multi talented and makes the most adorable dollies with accessories. Oh and has the best sense of humour, I will never think of Abba's Dancing Queen in the same way again.

Number 6 goes to Jodie's friend Annie over at Flowergarden. Annie not only does some beautiful work but she takes the most spectacular photographs of her lovely garden.

Number three finish for July Challenge.

2008-07-20T21:00:00.008+10:00

I am counting this as my number 3 finish in Peg's challenge. I finally finished piecing my Bendigo siggie quilt top! This was what I did with the 6.5" oriental blocks with 6.5" signature block from the Scquilter's Retreat in Bendigo last year. Now I just have to piece all the plain signature blocks together to form the backing!

Can anyone see their fabric?? I plan to do an edge to edge pattern on this one (one day) of an oriental dragon in gold metallic thread.

Bits and Pieces

2008-07-20T20:28:00.007+10:00

This week I finished another of Julie's lovely stitchery quilts. This one was from Bronwyn Hayes Flowerbed. A very pretty quilt that Julie has been waiting a long time for. The first photo has been taken to show the quilt in it's true form. The following photos have been taken to highlight the quilting.

It is quilted with freehand flowers leaves and vines in the frames/sashings, lots of SID around the stitchery freehand feathers in the borders and plain triangles.

A section of the back, Julie likes to choose a plain backing to show the quilting the backing is pink.

Brrrr....it's cold!!!

2008-07-08T11:16:00.020+10:00

I got up this morning, got some wood from the back verandah to stoke up the fire and everything was as usual. Yes it was cold but not as cold as Sunday (?) morning.

After a while something caught my attention out of the window.

It wasn't as dark as the photo looks it would have been between 7.30-8am.nd it kept going.......and got heavier. I looked out of my bedroom window......

Hmm....looks pretty. I went onto the front verandah and saw this......

And this....

Then I had to go down the driveway (?) to the back paddock to give the horses some hay....

When I got down the back ....

It was even colder!

Cinnamon wasn't silly she'd had enough of the snow and stayed in the shed until I took her hay in to her....unlike silly Mick who stayed out in it.

So then it was time to head back up the hill to the house....

Hurry up it's cold out here!

Hope you're happy Sharon, lots of Saffron photos!

Up the back steps and home!

Gee I am glad I finished this on Sunday night, it certainly came in handy!

Southern Cross Quilters repro swap

2008-07-05T11:28:00.004+10:00

Here are my 1800's repro's that I am swapping in the Scquilters swap.

I have included fat eighths from these ranges- Dargate Violet and Chocolate, Colonies Purple 2, Colonies Pink and Blue 2 and 3, Charleston III and IV, Lancaster County II, York County, Old Sturbridge Village Blues 2
I still have one or two sets of five fat eighths (metric size 10"x 22") if anyone is interested in swapping?

Friday

2008-07-05T10:23:00.015+10:00

I have finished another quilt to replace Coco's quilt. This time I used Strawberry Lemonade jelly roll and charm squares. It is a very easy simple quilt and it's for a beginners class I am doing at Bacchus Marsh in August. I won't have time to quilt it as I have too much work on but I am counting it as another one off my challenge as my challenge was to try to finish 5 whether it was totally or just tops. I HAVE to get some of these WIPS and quilts sitting there waiting to be started with fabric allocated out of the way. So that's two down and three to go.

Here it is on my friend Sharon's spare bed it's turned out quite a good size a bit bigger than Coco's quilt as Sweet Baby Jane from memory only had 32 charms so I made it 5x6 blocks this one had 39 so I made it 5x7 blocks.

I was home late last night after a lovely day at Sharon's sewing with Sharon and Kelly- being Kelly AND Sharon's quilt fairy- thanks for the name Kel. I spotted something hanging halfway out of the letterbox (I have a roadside mail box not at the house being in a rural area) and guess what it was.......

Jodie's lovely orphan blocks. I can just see something for Miss Coco and Miss Isabella in these cute blocks, maybe a dolly quilt each.

And what's that up the back.......

One of Jodies bird in a gocco cage how spoilt!!! Isn't he just so cute? He came with his stitched wing french knot eye and satin stitched beak. Thanks again Jodie!

Here are Lissa's tumblers all cut out and ready to send.

Here are mine....all ready to sew.....I have made a start! (see Julie's gorgeous Bronwyn Hayes stitchery quilt on the machine)

And this is what I have been doing in my spare time (???) knitting a cable beanie!

Some Eyecandy

2008-07-05T10:01:00.005+10:00

First of all go and have a look at my friend Kerry's gorgeous new pattern.... she is giving one away if you can come up with a suitable name.

There are so many talented and creative people out in blogland, it's just amazing. The thing I find most pleasing to me are there are so many younger crafters out there......yay!! A few of them I have already discussed here but there is one I have been visiting lately that I just love. Kellie does some gorgeous quilts has lovely lovely quilting and I really love the way she puts colour together.....do yourself a favour and go and have a look at her blog........http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/

Ice Cream Social Frock Giveaway!!!!

2008-07-03T09:31:00.000+10:00

Do you have a little princess in your life? Then she deserves this! Mind you she has to be little 2-4 years old. It's just devine!

Ice Cream Social Frock Giveaway!!!!

Another Giveaway!

2008-07-01T10:31:00.001+10:00

Head on over to Helen's blog http://helenstubbings.blogspot.com/2008/06/calendar-girls.html
she is having a giveaway for some AQS calendars.

Happy 1st Birthday Coco!

2008-06-29T19:14:00.013+10:00

I just barely finished Coco's quilt and Mrs Perkins in time but I got there and they were both a hit, especially Mrs Perkins with Holly's mothers group Mum's and her friend Mandy who collects giraffes...seems she wants one too!!! (so do I count that as one or two finishes toward my July challenge??)

Here's Mrs Perkins with her pins still in, I forgot to get one with them out!! Geez those horns are (*(*&^%% fiddly!!!

Here are a few photos, Coco was very cute and very well behaved, she even clapped after everyone sang Happy Birthday. Isabella was also very cute of course but I am biased! See her gorgeous daisy cake and the hibiscus in syrup in the bottom of our bubbly!

Coco with her Mum my DD Holly and her Dad Craig. Love the little fairy wings!

With her cute beret you can't see the pom pom but it has one!

Isabella looking very cute too!

Coco, not sure if she likes the birthday cake or not!!

Giveaway at Four Wise Monkeys.....

2008-06-29T19:10:00.003+10:00

Rachel over at Four Wise Monkeys is very generously giving away a copy of Rosalie Quinlan's newest book, Gift. Hop on over and leave a comment to enter but you must be quick, you only have until Tuesday 1st July. Don't forget to tell her I sent you!!

While the cat's away.............

2008-06-27T11:42:00.012+10:00

as the saying goes the mice will play!

No not this cat........

This one....

(Photo from when we were in Mt Gambier earlier in the year, the beautiful Blue Lake).

Earlier in the week TWOEMOTM was away for a night or two and somehow the kitchen turned into another workspace! SSShhhhh....don't tell it was all back in the workroom when he got back, he already says I take up all of the house with my sewing....lol.

What are these sitting on the ironing board?

Lissa's tumblers! Yes we (gluttons for punishment) decided to follow Kathie's Inspired by Antique Quilts lead and go through all of our 1800's reproductions and cut out two tumbler blocks, one each and swap. I had emailed Kathie as she did a swap with her friends which gave me the idea and she said go for it so Lissa has already sent me the first 30 odd. I started cutting some of mine but as quite a few are in different bags earmarked for different projects it became quite difficult to stop as I wouldn't be sure what I had done. So the easiest thing- do them all at once! No they aren't all cut yet and the ones that aren't are now piled up on my cutting board back in the workroom waiting.

Also on the cutting board are these.....

]

The first delivery of my 1800's repro's for the scquilters (southern cross quilters online) swap. All cut up into 1/8ths and ready to go...when the next lot get here.

Above they are with the half yards I didn't want to cut up as that didn't leave me with as much as I wanted...the problem between imperial and metric! I have been wanting that Old sturbridge village green forever, I had some of the other colours but not the green.

Last but not least. On Wednesday night sit and sew at Pentland Patchwork in Bacchus Marsh I love to go scouring the shelves for repros....Denise has so much fabric all over the place that's it like going on a treasure hunt! I thought I had found all the repros but no.....here's some more I found although the blue second left is an old favourite, Deja Blues range and so is the turquoise blue which is Dargate Divinity (1830's) but I didn't know it had it's pink sister until the other night. Denise says the range was from 5 or 6 years ago? I found a heap more but can't get them all at once even though I am only buying 15cm pieces. Had to leave some for next time!

And below this is what I am doing instead of just sitting here waiting for photos to upload...the binding on Coco's quilt so she can have it tomorrow for her birthday!!!

Lots done!

2008-06-22T22:27:00.005+10:00

Today I have been good. I haven't actually finished anything but I did make a start on one or two projects I have had sitting there ready to go.

I have done lots of cutting and preparing so now I can just sew!

Here is Mrs Perkins she is cut out and in her bag ready to sew together. I hope to finish her for Cocos birthday on Saturday. She is actually brown with daisies....for Coco Daisy!!

I also have Phoebe cut out she may even get her as well if she's finished.

Next is Chloe's Quilt all cut out and ready to sew I love the bright freshness of the Prints Charming fabric and it is very soft.

I have also cut the sashing for my Funky Scrap Quilt mainly Amy Butler fabrics so that's pinned and just ready to sew. I have a feeling this one might get put on the backburner again though as it has all those strips for the border!

Saturday

2008-06-22T21:02:00.012+10:00

What a lovely day I had. First of all I met lovely Rachel.

Rachel was kind enough to trust me to quilt her two lovely quilts, her version of Leanne's House Ruth's quilt and her version of Lime and Soda which you can see on her blog. The photos don't do them justice and the colours in Lime and Soda are just gorgeous. Rather a lot of this aqua and browns. Rachel says she isn't really a quilter she is more an embroiderer.......have you seen her Elizabeth quilt and curved piecing isn't the easiest either, I don't think you give yourself enough credit Rachel!! I gave Rachel some fabric she was after to finish a project plus a purse organiser I had made and a pin cushion to match for her little win from my giveaway. The pattern was from here. Now I think I will have to make one for myself. I might make one for Michelle and Charlie to put in with their wins too. (they are coming girls!)

I was actually at Ballarat Patchwork doing a class yesterday, Compass and Vines with Deborah Dorward. Once we all got our brains working back to front and inside out the foundation piecing was easy! I have done it before but as I don't do it often enough I have forgotten by the next time I do it. I always think you learn at least one new thing at every class and the thing I learnt about was the Sulky transfer pen. What a little gem this pen is, you trace over the pattern with the pen then iron it onto (in this case) the interfacing we were using for the foundations, with it making around 10 patterns before re-inking brilliant!! It certainly saves a lot of time tracing out each foundation pattern when you have 8 per block and 16 blocks. I did some more when I got home but I was having trouble with the iron shrivelling up the interfacing so a sheet of glad bake later and I was done...how easy!

Next Emma called out to me...and there in the shop was the extraordinary Jodie! What a lovely surprise and she came bearing gifts....how lucky am I!!! She is very bad I just gave her a bag of selvedges, admittedly it was a pretty large bag, I won't mention here how big as I don't want to incriminate myself but suffice to say I think Jodie may have gotten a few of her papa selvedges along with the mamma's and baby's. Anyway there she was wearing her lovely selvedge scarf. LOL I don't think I told her I still have some stash put away in UFO's I haven't de-selvedged yet. I am almost convinced to make one for myself...but I already have enough WIPS....ok too many. Look at the cute little address label....

And the gorgeous card, lovely colours.....

And what's this peeking out of the box?

A box full of pink sugary goodness....yummmm!!!!

Here's all my goodies look at the cute cards with some of Jodies softies.....

Thank you Jodie it was delectable!