Simply Chic Pretty Please !!

Hand Dyed Quilt

2012-01-18T15:27:00.001+10:00

A few weeks ago our sisters group dyed one piece of fabric and then cut it all up and put it back together again….as you do …. A simple rail fence block and then arranged and sewn . This was My finished result.

Jen Trish and PamBagley, Jen’s Westie Puppy trying out the quilt.

Happy New Year !!!

2012-01-14T14:01:00.001+10:00

Well better late than never…..The last couple of months is but a blur…. I had a quick trip to New Zealand for my Mum’s 80th birthday, My youngest daughter and I took the 3 great Grandchildren to meet her. We gave her a surprise afternoon tea, with a lot of her friends there, I had to get one of her friends Faye to help get everyone there .

Mum cutting her cake Made by my sister Susan Yummy too !

This is what I spent a lot of time on, I go to a group weekly, and we call ourselves the Sewing Sisters there are 13 of us and if your really lucky, you may get a Big O Birthday quilt. Well Trish had her Birthday In December and we made this quilt everyone made some blocks Then I did the sashing etc and put it together . It is done in 1930’s and is just beautifull.

Trish with her Quilt.

Hmmmmm I have a Big O Birthday later this year….

Will be back shortly with some photos from a wonderful swap I was in …..

Must be the silly season

2011-12-03T12:09:00.001+10:00

Well again I haven't been here for a while, now I have been busy but a lot of what I have been working on is secret women's business ! After next Tuesday I can show you a big project I coordinated with a little help from the rest of our Tuesday Sisters group. I've also been working on presents for a special Pal Year long Christmas swap.We are also building our retirement home At Moore Park Beach so every few weekends means 5.5 hour trips up to check on progress and garden driveway work etc.

2011-12-03T11:55:00.001+10:00

Dyed Fabric Project

2011-10-14T17:07:00.001+10:00

Since I was last here My dyed fabric has been cut into strips and sewn back into little blocks.

Strips of fabric color sorting….

sewn into blocks . It is really an exercise to use one piece of dyed fabric Which our Tuesday group, well 3 of us decided to do after watching a DVD by Linda and Laura Kemshall. Ive put my blocks together now so will show you again when its quilted. !

Last week I went on a Bus trip with my Thursday group the Sew Crazy Quilters, we went all the way to Warwick about a 2 and a half hour drive, Through a storm and it was looking to be not so pleasant . The closer we got to Warwick the better the weather became . This is Glenrose Patchwork where they had the annual airing of the quilts. A lovely Patchwork Shop and little cabins where they do Patchwork Retreats We all had a great day.I will take some pics of my purchases next time !

The other day I went to collect the eggs and found this little wee egg rather surprising as I have seven hens and the day before had 7 eggs all normal size except for one and that one weighed 95 grams. Its so cute.

Long Time No See !!

2011-09-30T15:09:00.001+10:00

Well I don’t know where the last few months went, Not much sewing happening, I seem to have lost my Mojo a bit, Hopefully its coming back I have a few things I must finish. Also we are building a new House for our retirement October November next year.

This is the house,yes it looks pretty big, we actually are sharing it with my youngest daughter and her family Our side is on the left The front door and to the left is our side The room on the left is My sewing room. the middle part our lounge dining Bedrooms and bathrooms behind the sewing room and a study nook. It has all been gyprocked and the painters start next week.

This is my New Sewing Room so far.

Had some fun dyeing fabric with friends this week.

This is what I ended up with. Its for a project so watch this space .

I will show you what happens to this over the next couple of weeks .!

2011-07-27T09:23:00.001+10:00

Long Time No See !!

2011-06-08T14:48:00.001+10:00

Yes I have been missing in action, so many things to do , Lots of travel up and down to Our Land . Away On a 7 day quilting retreat….On and on it goes…..

Our 7 day quilting retreat was great great food, Good friends, and lots of fun, even managed to sew a bit .!

This was the Sun coming up the first morning.! What a view.

From the top Trish at the design wall

Our Sewing Area

Jeanette Planking on her wonderful 60th Birthday Quilt from Our Sewing Sisters Group Quilted By Lesley MacNamara. Beautiful.

Potato Bags Big Bag

Smaller ToteLeanne’s gorgeous quilt , Quilted by Me !

It’s been a while !!!

2011-04-02T20:24:00.001+10:00

I have been missing in action for a few weeks . First a few family issues 10 days at Moore Park Beach with my daughter, Then no Internet or phone for 2 weeks …. needless to say I suffered a few withdrawls . I’ve been stitching I have now done 2 of my Sue Spargo B O M’s and am well on the way with Number 3

This is number 3 partly stitched down. coulours are not really true either.

I also went to Sydney for a very special Baby Shower My Eldest daughter Donated eggs to her best friend and she is having twins after many attempts on the IVF program so sometime in May I will be a Fairy Grandmother so exciting I am making quilts and bibs photo’s soon. These following photos are from the red and white theme the girls put together for the baby shower.

The Candy Bar !

Red Velvet And Chocolate Cup Cakes.

Little Boxes of Jelly Babies for the guests to take home .

My Daughters Hayley and Selena .

I’ll hunt out some photos of other stuff I have done tomorrow .!

This That and the Other.!

2011-02-16T23:06:00.001+10:00

The last week or so has gone so fast I've also had a few days on my own as Himself has had to travel to Sydney and Tasmania on business . That means I stay up late and get stuff done. The other night I went out to put the bin out and found this.

I think It’s sometimes called The Queen of the Night.

They have an unusual perfume and only last for 1 night. There was a huge plant of these on the boundary, but the idiots that lived next door had a fire right next to it and killed it, luckily I had taken a cutting from it so still have it in my garden.

I've signed up for The Sue Spargo Block of the Month and got my first block last week. I have the main part stitched down.

I also went in Quilting Bloggers Mug Rug Swap, These are some I made. There so cute and useful.

And These I love fabric with Cherries On. Love eating cherries too. !

I have some lovely fabric with coffee cups and pots etc to make some more, Too late for the swap though.

Today I quilted to quilts , I love the bright colours in this one .

This one is Cherish Nature , I have already made one in this and this Is The one my friend made.

I am also working on a couple of Challenge quilts just small ones and will have photo’s of those soon.

There is probably other things too but that's all till next time .

What a Great idea !

2011-02-05T11:49:00.001+10:00

A couple of Weeks ago somebody on Squilters suggested using a Mug Tree for a scissor holder, I looked in a few Op shops ….Nothing Then while in Spot light I found a chrome one for $ 10.00, well I have to say what a great idea, As I have come across yet another pair of scissors I have hung them on the tree, Now all within easy reach.!

The Scissor Tree. !!

Where did it go !

2011-01-23T21:12:00.001+10:00

I spent ages this afternoon doing a Blog Post and it wouldn’t publish. Then well it vanished gone .! So lets try again.

One of my thought for the new year was to start doing some Textile Art Quilting again. My Sewing Sisters group is going to have a Monthly Challenge with a different theme each Month. February is Bird’s of A Feather Flock Together and we will be given a colour and technique to work with. So I have pulled out some of my arty stuff.

I bought myself the Derwent Watercolour Pencils Last year and have used them a few times. So today I drew these cherries and tried some ink pens . I like the pencils better.

I also started an Art Journal a week or so ago. this is my first Page.

I need to find a better quality watercolour Journal , these cheap ones don’t hold up to the amount of moisture in the paints.

I am going to get some fabrics ready for dyeing too.

I haven’t been sewing, apart from a quilt I tested a pattern on . It came out nice .This one was from Moda Odyssea Its much nicer in real life.

I’ll try and get it quilted this week.

I also have this one to do Which I am giving to a family of my daughters friend who lost everything in the recent floods.

This is queen size and was Moda Natures Chorus.

Happy New Year

2011-01-05T21:56:00.001+10:00

Ivé just returned from a week or so away at our Property at Moore Park Beach which is 20 mins from Bundaberg, we got in before the 2nd wave of major flooding that hit Bundaberg, Moore Park was cut off at Booyan road, which is the road we take .We managed to get through the other way but then couldn’t go anywhere for a couple of days . I have never seen so much water and it rose so fast .I only did a little hand stitching, lots of reading.

This is Booyan Road . Later that afternoon the level was over the top of the flood level.

As I had no or little internet access I was Unable to thank Wendy F for my lovely SCSS present from Chooky Blues Secret Swap. Thanks Wndy for the lovely Table Topper Christmas Quilt in Blue and silver .

This is the front The centre is all hand stitched blue work.

A close Up.

The back all pieced and pretty. Thanks again oh and also for the fat quarters too.!

It’s Nearly Christmas !

2010-12-17T18:15:00.001+10:00

Lots of Parties and Lunches…….. Almost finished the Christmas Shopping….. .. . I have finished all the Secret Santa’s, Have posted packages, Also managed to fit in a visit to a Fabulous Fibres Exhibition In Brisbane, Very Inspirational….

This is the Lovely Needle Case given to me By Sharron, but made by Jen From Our Tuesday Group The Sewing Sister’s’ I love it … Jen has done a wonderful job on This Sue Spargo style Needle Case, She has made several of her own designs and they just keep getting better and better.

Lots of pockets and a pincushion in the centre , The texture and colours of the wool fabrics are lovely. !

I also finished the Heart Quilt For a friend in another group, The hearts were all made by the ladies, a few late ones were made into a bag to put the quilt in.

This is another Secret Santa Present . It’s called the First Day of Christmas It was suppose to be a cushion It’s by Kelly Wulfjohn. Very Funky !

Hmmm I can’t turn this one around you might have to stand on your head to look at it. !

This one too. ! !!!

I still have lots to write about so will do another post Later !!

Stitch, Stitch Rip It…. Rip It…

2010-12-09T17:02:00.001+10:00

The weeks that were ….. This time of the year is insane so much to do so little time….. Christmas parties, family come home, Christmas shopping….. and of course all that last minute stitching and seam ripping.. What was I thinking I put my name down for a Christmas spool block swap late in November, all I can say is thank goodness there were only 9 of us ! so I only had to make 18 blocks,….Everything that could go wrong did ! I confused the spool block with a bowtie block so cut them wrong…. Then every now and then I kept sewing the wrong colour to the wrong bit …. They looked ok at the end even if I did cut way to many out. !

Nice Christmas Spools All posted off to the USA and Belgium..

I have also been busy putting a heart quilt together for our Local Sewing group The Sew Crazy Quilters for one of the ladies who has cancer and is having treatment. The hearts are all Purple or Pink so I added pinks and purples and have quilted it. It looked good. I have now passed it another member who will do the binding.

This is it before quilting, I’ll get another photo next week when it is all finished

My Little Princess, Check out the accessories !!

Just before our Photo with Santa.

Max Brenner for a Birthday Boy’s Chocolate Treat.

Its so much fun to do all this with the Grandies They were over in W A for the previous 2 years .!

Catch Up Time !

2010-11-19T22:05:00.001+10:00

I know I haven’t been here for a while !

So what have I been up too.?

First Off a couple of weeks back I went To Julies Retreat, it was at Edmund Park out the back of Laidley, about 150 k’s drive but well worth it .

Looking down the driveway, The Jacaranda Trees were beautiful.

The view from the sewing room down into the valley.

The sewing room .

Another Jacaranda tree.

While at the retreat I made a Stable bag for my niece for her 16th Birthday, She wanted green…..

Now that’s green !

I got the lining with the hippo’s from Ikea, they have some lovely cotton fabrics.

This is Jacki’s quilt for her grandaughter, Nice and bright. ! On the frame partly quilted.

Finished quilt .!!

I also finished my Big Kaffe Quilt No photos till now as Our Local group had there quilt show the weekend I was away…. I just got it back and have put it on our bed . I love It D H,s coment Its a bit Red !

I think it does look darker in real life but I love it and just when I thought I had used most of my Kaffe a friend bought me back lots from Houston, It was kind of a swap I quilted a quilt for her and she gave me the fabric , Thank Leanne I love it !.

Such yummy colours some of these will go into my candied hexagons for sure .

There are a few other things on the boil but I’ll leave those for next time . !

My Biggest Quilt Ever !!!

2010-10-29T16:23:00.001+10:00

Bigger than Ben Hur ? Well not quite but 100"across by 88"long equals a lot of quilting.. My frame is only 10' across so I only just had enough room at the end to change the bobbin . I used 13 bobbins ! Its also only a 9 "throat, That's why I wound it on sideways.

Putting on the Borders.

Rolling the backing onto the frame.

Pinning the top to the rollers.

Quilting Finished !

Close up of quilting..... If you click on the photos you will get a closer look.

I have a bout 2 ft of binding left to sew down, I was lucky at Guild on Wednesday Karen and Sharron each took a side and helped me sew. Thanks Girls. ! ! I just have to do a label and its ready to go into Our Sew Crazy Quilters Show at Helensvale next weekend, Yay another finish. !!

Another week gone !

2010-10-15T20:22:00.001+10:00

I didn't think I had achieved much this week, I had 2 days that were just taken up with taking my daughter to medical appointments, Don't you hate it when those appointments are made late morning, and then you wait and wait.......

I am in a swap On Quilting Bloggers. Its a candlemat swap, They give a tutorial and you make it then someone sends you one back ! I made 2 like this .

It's made from charm squares, I can't remember the name of these ones I've had them for a while, The packet was long gone. Tomorrow I will quilt it.

This is My Bedford Mystery quilt, I made the top earlier in the year, It was a charity fundraiser, you bought the kit and followed the instructions, I've just put a border on it and am going to use it to practise doing a pantograph on my frame', Then it will be a tablecloth for the caravan.

I have almost finished my leaves from the Sue Spargo class. here are a few of them....

I love doing these, and it has now led to a new project starting....

This will be a needle case, well 2 actually, I love working with the wool fabrics.

Three Candied hexagon blocks I managed at the Dr's rooms while waiting... amazing how many people wanted to see what I was doing ...... Thats about it for the last week.

Oh one more these are the buttons the girls made at the Squilters get together last Saturday.

They did a great job don't you think .?

Other Goings On

2010-10-08T19:23:00.001+10:00

A friend asked me to Quit one of her quilts, I did this for her Just a meander all over it.

It's a very Pretty Shabby Chic Style This is it On the Frame .

After quilting.....

A close up of one of the blocks .

I was quite pleased with it when finished. So was she. ....

Last week I went to Adelaide for The AMQF The Adelaide Machine Quilting Festival. There was a lovely Quilt Show, and several vendors with all sorts of Gadgets and fabrics and threads. My Machine is only a baby compared to what I saw there . I don't think I would ever get one of the really big ones but the Nolting Fun Quilter was nice and my next pick would be the Innova 18" or was it 22". 'so quiet and smooth and all that extra room to play in. A girl is allowed to dream isn't she ?? I did buy these .......

Yummy Signature and King Tut Quilting threads and some giant pins . Now to pull out some of those tops and get them quilted.

After doing 4 lessons I have learned you don't need the stitch regulator and a computerised machine on the frame to do some really nice quilting so watch this space as I am going to try a little more than just a meander.....:-))

So Busy Where Do I Start. !!

2010-10-08T16:57:00.001+10:00

The last few weeks have been busy to say the least ... I have to show you some yummy wool fabrics and a gorgeous book I just couldn't resist.

Its Sue Spargo's latest book. This book is so nice with patterns for everything in it, great drawings and colour.

These are the fabrics Just beautiful colours

The crushed silk velvets Are beautiful.

Another book was this one , Robin Run the Hedge.

I have found some buttons to cover so have played with those too.

Button covered with wool fabric embroidered before putting the back on.

Friday has been and Gone !

2010-09-26T16:22:00.001+10:00

Hmmmm several times since I was last here, I promise myself I will write more often but Stuff gets in the way.

I haven't done a lot of stitching but am still busy every day.

This quilt was in the Toowoomba Show I went to last Friday. Its a Sue Ross block from a block of the month with the same block used. A Yahoo group I am on was talking about Ugly Fabrics used in quilts etc If you look at this long and hard there are fabrics there one just wouldn't think of putting together but over all they look fantastic.

I can see something like this happening real soon .!

We also went to the Carnival of Flowers In Toowoomba The Gardens in Queens Park were just beautiful.

The colour in the flowers is just beautiful. Sadly I don,t have any flowers in my garden but this helps make up for it.

A little bit of this and that . !!!

2010-08-23T16:32:00.001+10:00

Ivé managed to get a bit of sewing done this last week. I have done several blocks and lots of pieces for the Classic Burgoyne , It sure is a lot of work but will be worth it at the end.

These are the row sets, then all cut up and put back together into these blocks.

I have to make 16 of these for a large quilt.....

I was feeling guilty because I had started another quilt......so I pulled out my Kaffe Fasset Twisted Turning Twenty blocks... Lay them on the new King size bed and decided to make 5 more , I have added them to the rows and they are all sewn together . It looks great, just a border now and I'll put it on the frame..

Here 's a few of the extra blocks' I think you need big blocks to show case the wonderful colours.

I have also been enjoying work on My Sue Spargo leaves and this book came from The Book Depsitory last week.

The instructions are very clear and the spiral binding means it sits nice and flat beside me while working.

I hope mine look as good as these !

Mmmmmmm Marmalade Lime Orange and Lemon with a little Chyrstalised Ginger. Nice abnd tangy.yum

I also made some Lemon Butter . I could eat this off the spoon who needs toast !

The week that Was .....

2010-08-15T23:40:00.001+10:00

What a busy week, Last Monday I was able to do a 2 day class through The Gold Coast Quilters Guild with Sue Spargo,

We were given our kits only 9 days before the class and told we had to do homework.! We had to applique 56 yes, 56 leaf shapes onto a piece of hand dyed wool fabric The leaves were cut from various fabrics wool, cotton, silk velvet, etc I spent the weekend before class getting them onto the fabric

We then learnt how to layer other fabrics onto the leaves and then were shown how to do various embroidery stitches and beading to embellish. It was a fun 2 days and I have kept doing more at home, eventually it will be quilted and become a wall hanging.

These are Sue's Leaves on her completed quilt. Melissa, also showed us some felting techniques and showed us how to make a cute covered button. After the last class some of us went out to dinner with Sue and Melissa. I can't wait to get the new book by Sue .

Yesterday I went to the Brisbane Squilters Monthly Get to Together at The Quilters and Embroiders Store in Salisbury, After a little retail therapy, I just had to buy some perle threads and some Aurifil Lana wool threads for the leaves. We had a tutorial By Julie D on how to back baste applique. A very nifty way to applique. Will have to practise that.

I bought this fabric as a group I go to are doing a Classic Burgoyne Quilt and of course nothing I had was suitable, I am about 3 weeks behind most that have already started. I bought this fabric, On sale too 40% off. I wasn't sure but I have just completed the 1st block and I think it it looks pretty good .

Its a nice rich red colour.

With this I am using a vanilla Emma Louise quilters muslin.

All these little bits to put back together, I have several options of how many blocks to make as to what size this quilt will end up..... I'll put a pic up of the block tomorrow.

What I have been Up Too. !

2010-07-31T15:48:00.001+10:00

Well time has got away from me again.! Its a couple of weeks since I bloged but I have done quite a bit in that time !

I have never made either of my daughters a quilt. ! All three grandchildren have one ..... Thought it was time so Made a top at a retreat a few weeks ago and this is the result all finished !

This is the top before quilting

The top after quilting and finished .!

It's Called Cherish nature by Moda Lovely colours.

A close up of the quilting I did this one on my Frame .

Quilting from the back.

I have also done several Dear Jane blocks after not doing any for a while It was good to get back to it.

This is a few of them .

Ive also done a few more Hexagons from My candied hexagon quilt , I am loving doing these.

Last weeks work

It dosn't matter where I take them everyone wants to look and now quite a few of my groups members have started doing them too.

Oh one more flaunt but I didn't make this one ...... This is my 38th year Wedding Anniversary Present.......

My new RED Pajero. ! I love it . !

I'm Back.......

2010-07-10T20:45:00.001+10:00

Well I have actually been home for a while but just never seem to have time to update this blog, I went to another retreat and did lots of stitching, again it was for a week, I made 2 quilt tops, 2 bags Covered a grocery bag, made 3 dog quilts.! and a few

FWS blocks.

This is a large Tote made from Moda Santorini Charm Squares.

This one in a gorgeous Blue and White.

This is a lovely quilt top I'ts Julie Wallace's Decorator Quilt Pattern Made up in Yuwa fabrics very Shabby Chic.

Sun Rise over Coolum.... yes some of us were up Early.!

The candied hexagon's are coming along I am really enjoying doing them....

This is another quilt top Cherish nature by Moda, I used a jelly Roll and a pack of Charm Squares. Its been claimed by my eldest daughter I will start quilting it tomorrow.

Theres lots more I could add to this but I'll do another update in a couple of days........

I Love Retreats !!

2010-05-28T20:58:00.001+10:00

I am so lucky to belong to a group Of fabulous friends that sew together each week. We decided this year to have our own retreat, so here we are at Hastings Point, Which is on the NSW coast about 20 mins from Tweed Heads. We have rented a house On the Beach The view is fantastic.

Its a big house, There are ten of us here and there is heaps of room and It's only cost us $200 each for 7 nights and that includes $50.00 for the kitty, We all brought one meal and our own breakfa

The House, The top floor Is where the owner lives . We have the bottom two levels. Big verandah's 2 living area's 5 bedrooms Its really nice .

I have walked up to The end of this beachevry morning, ..I think its Cabarita .

We have been sewing too, Do you like our Aprons from the left

Ann, Tess Trish, Leanne,Jeanette, Sharron, and Pam .....

This is the Tandem Tote by Copy Cat Designs, Two Zip's and a bit fiddly, and I can't read patterns , but Jen had made it before so showed us how to do it. Mine is the Pink and red linen one on the left .!

More Bags. !

My New Sewing Table

2010-05-16T17:01:00.001+10:00

I had been complaining about the finish on my Sewing table for a while, and my D H said he would make me a new one, so after some measuring and telling him what I wanted I waited and waited, then he said It was finished and what sort of legs did I want. I decided to visit Ikea and bought adjustable legs for a table I already had, then I could just add another unit to the one from that for the new table top to sit on.

To the right is the table I have made high enough to cut on, with the adjustable legs.

This is my beautiful new sewing, quilting table, lots of room on the left for a quilt and room on the right for pins, scissors etc

This is the underneath part that holds the machine up so it is flat in the table. I can't believe how great it is , I have used it too, I'm almost scared to in case I scratch it ! if you click on these pictures you will get a closer look. !

I also received On Friday my May Secret Pal D j Pressie The cutest little Mary Engelbreit Pin Cushion, a lovely fat 1/4 and a nifty little snap and store a bit like a glasses case but you can put your scissors etc in to it when doing classes, so thanks Secret Pal. !

So cute, I am getting quite a collection of Pin Cushions now. Maybe another blog entry there . !

More Candied Hexagons

2010-05-07T22:44:00.001+10:00

I took these with me To New Zealand and am really pleased with how they are turning out, these are just placedtogether, I have stitched each hexagon, I started using Bottom Line thread, It is very fine and strong It has made a big difference In my stitching, I am loving the colours and found a few more fabrics on a shopping trip to Sew Co the other day. I gave my sewing room a clean today as I am getting a nice new sewing table , made by my Husband It should be nice and slippery for quilting . It has 3 coats of high gloss varnish, He has made it so the machine will be set down as a flat bed and it is longer on the left hand side so plenty of room to take the weight of a quilt. I do most of my quilts on a frame but still like to do arty stuff and smaller quilts sitting at the machine, I can't wait for it to be finished , so pictures next time .!

I have done about 5 of these since i got home, I mostly only do them at night, They are quite addictive.....

Friday Again...

2010-05-07T22:24:00.001+10:00

I haven't posted for a few weeks, We have been on Holiday to new Zealand to see my Mum, She lives in Paeroa, so after a quick trip from the airport to Devonport, On the North Shore to pick up His Golf Clubs , It was down to Paeroa.

The Auckland Tower

This Is Grandmothers Garden Patchwork Shop at Gordonton, about 45 mins drive from my Mother's, I managed to leave a few dollars there.

A really lovely shop and plenty to choose from, with the dollar so high the prices were good for me too.!

This is a view over Lake Karapiro, When we were first married , We used to race Power Boats there, It is also used for rowing. I also found a lovely patchwork Shop in Cambridge .

My Mother spoilt Chris and this was one of his breakfasts.!

And this was dessert.!

Hexagons Again......

2010-04-18T14:38:00.001+10:00

This post is coming to you from New Zealand, DH is off at the V8's Super Cars in Hamilton, I had a few days with my sister who was down visiting my Mum, and she was very interested in The Candied Hexagons so has already started her own. Iv'e been making more my self and collecting more fabric for them, Went to a Lovely shop In Cambridge, called the Quilters Patch got some really nice spots and stripes. Here are some ready to be stitched together.

These ones are stitched ..Can you see the tumbling blocks.!

I'm having fun with all the lovely colours.

I picked up some more Kaffe Fassets from Patches and Cream here in Paeroa, and all half price In there sale, They also had 6 fat 1/4s for $25.00 a bargain for me with the exchange rate too.!

Mmmmm Roast Lamb for Tea tonight, Mum won the meat raffle the other night at the RSA same as our RSL at home . She also won a $1.00 raffle and got $25.00 ! Then I won one to.! $25.00 for fabric !!!

Hexagon Madness !!

2010-04-10T08:37:00.001+10:00

After starting some 1"Hexagons in all shades of anything pink, I saw some talk on One of my Yahoo groups Squilters about Candied Hexagons Yes they sound good enough to eat . The Quilt Is one By Kerry Dear and was featured in Australian Quilters Companion In Issue 18 The 2006 year Book , I remember looking at it at the time and thinking It was lovely . Then I looked at all the "bits"you had to put together and thought Nah too hard ! Well after hunting out the book and lots of help from Ros in printing out the papers I have started the blocks I'm doing them on papers , and using Kaffe Fasset and anything else that looks good with the Kaffe's .

Ive only stitched a couple together but have layed them out and love what is happening.!

These are the pink ones which I will keep doing as well........

These are my first blocks ! Yummy !! Candied Hexagons.

My friend Sharron and I had a lovely time auditioning fabrics for the quilt from My stash, I still can't quite get my head around the fact that I enjoy hand stitching , I used to hate it with a passion. !

This is my April Gift from My Secret Pal from the

Dear Jane group The cutest little handbag with yummy chocolates inside, 2 fat quarters that are perfect for My farmers wife sampler quilt and a package of Steam a Seam 2 , Will have to try that soon.!

I love it ! and am hiding the Chocolates Just for me

This is a jelly Roll quilt I quilted on The frame last week, I will put the binding on today which will be the darker colour you can see, And I think It will fit My Mothers Double bed and will make up for the half a quilt my D H said i gave her a couple of years ago.! ( it was a lap Quilt ) No wonder it didn't cover the bed .!

Easy Baby Quilt

2010-03-20T15:46:00.001+10:00

Well I have discovered how hard it is to sew with a little one underfoot, Miss Talula has been keeping me on my toes.While she has an afternoon sleep as tempting as it has been to join her I have snealed into my sewing room and managed to complete this cute baby quilt, very simple just a panel and Iv,e added some borders some simple quilting and a cheater binding (machined on and its finished.!

remember if you click on the photo you will get a closer look.

I also managed to do another block for the Moose On the Porch Jelly Roll sampler.

And here is The Weetbix Kid ! Miss Talula Sits up and eats 2 or more every morning.!

Feeds herself , you are not allowed to help, eats everything we do,which makes it easy, Sleeps from 7.15 till 7.00am most nights shes really very good.!

Wow Two Posts in an afternoon…..

2010-03-11T16:13:00.001+10:00

I struggle sometimes with the technology of computers but thanks to Neroli On the previous post I managed to add a link and hey it worked.! So now I will attempt to add another for Jasmines great Quilt giveaway on her blog.! if you would like to enter go to her blog and have a look.http://www.banaghaisge.blogspot.com/ now I only have to hope this works !

And this is who I am looking after for almost 3 weeks .. I also have her brother here but he will be going to Nannies as well. I have found out you are almost unable to do any sewing with little ones around. and oh the mess……

What I have been Up To.!

2010-03-11T15:41:00.001+10:00

Not much stitching happening here as I am on babysitting duty, Last week I managed to finish a bag or 2 and did a couple of farmers wife sampler blocks. This week I have managed a couple of FWS blocks I also did a block from a quilt along happening on http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/ Its using a jellyroll I’m using one called Petal Punch from Victorian Textiles very funky.

These are the strips and this is the 1st block

It’s Friday Again

2010-02-19T16:58:00.001+10:00

Well I missed the last couple of fridays, I haven’t been doing a lot of stitching, but just today have started to sew. I bought the new Farmers Wife CD used with E Q 6 so have loaded it and managed to print some block patterns.here are 2 I did today

I love the 1930’s fabrics in these blocks.

Ivé also started doing some 1”hexagons

I’m just going to use any shade of pink and see what grows from it. Its good to have something I can take with me when travelling etc.

These are a few pink fat 1/4s to cut hexagons from only $2.50 each too. Who could resist.

I also bought a few fabrics this week some of which included these.

I loved this Bright cot quilt panel and will just put this multi coloured bright border on.

So watch this space next week and we may have a completed quilt !

Long Weekend visit to the Big Blue Shed

2010-01-29T12:01:00.001+10:00

Our Big Blue Shed

Over the Weekend before Australia Day we went up To Moore Park Beach to our Land that we will retire too.! We have built a big shed so with the water tanks full and a shower in the caravan, Its quite nice to stay there.

This is the Big Blue Shed. It took us 4 hours with himself on the big tractor and slasher and me on the little ride on wizzing around the trees. Hot and dusty was the order of the day.!

and were racing . It actually goes quite fast ….. and it has cruise control.!

This is looking back up to the road , we just put down the metal for the driveway, as we got bogged while there over Christmas.!

This is beautiful Moore Park beach whic is 4 klms from our land.!

Friday Flaunting…….

2010-01-29T11:34:00.001+10:00

This is a close up of the piece I did for Gold Coast Quilters Guild Challenge…..

Last year we had a class with Helen Godden so had to use The technique we learn’t. I used the genesis paints whic are nice to work with I used Rock salt on the Butterflys body and love the effect.

I have appliqued the green part of the wings with batik fabric. It started with a drawing of the butterfly on a4 paper then I did it bigger This piece is 20” square.

Another Bag

2010-01-17T18:19:00.001+10:00

This is the Stable Bag Just made this one for My daughter as she wore the last one I made out, thats actually 2 she has used till they don’t look nice anymore.!

From the ends ….

From the handle

This fabric was from Andalucia by Patty Young for Michael Miller Looks a little brighter in real life.!

I hope she likes it.

That’s all the sewing I managed last week as had to have a big clean out . We bought a new bed and the old one was too good to toss, so had to empty the old sewing room, so had a good cleanout and I now have 2 guest rooms with queen size beds.!. This week I have a challenge piece to work on . Has to be finished by Wed 27th for Guild…… and I am going away Friday till Tuesday Guess I’ll be busy over the next few days ….. till then …….bye

My SCSS Gift

2010-01-10T10:14:00.000+10:00

This is the gift I recieved from Christine in Chooky Blues SCSS It's lovely and makes a perfect table centre on my Lazy Susan on the dining table. I love the dragonfly note pad and the lotion is scrummy too. Thanks again Christine.

Christmas 2009

2010-01-09T07:57:00.001+10:00

Christmas and Holidays

Christmas is gone for another year, and we had a hot Christmas this year In Port Hedland with My youngest daughter and her family. It was so nice to be there and see the little ones open there presents on Christmas morning.

This is Talula’s first Santa Sack I made for her.

Talula with Dylan checking out her new bike from Granma and Pa.

Now I just need to learn to go forwards. !

The View From My Sewing Room Window

2010-01-08T21:40:00.001+10:00

A group I am on Squilters asked the question what can you see from your sewing room window, well this is my view.

I look up to the front gate. there is a school across the road and a housing estae beyond . When we moved here 12 yrs ago it was a cow paddock looking up to Wongawallen. I have another window on the other side so its nice and light and airy, very pleasant to sew in. I can see if anyone is coming and what the dogs are up to.

Late Flaunt……

2009-12-20T20:47:00.001+10:00

Well better late than never, This new computer is still misbehaving sometimes it will not let me down load anything. This is a Christmas stocking I did rather quickly last week for our Sew Crazy Quilters group. We were all given a pattern and had to make a Christmas stocking. It was lovely to see the variety of all the stockings, we were then given a lucky number to match one on a stocking, and took that one home.

This is the one I made.

These are some of the others.

I also made a really nice vintage style apron, but I forgot to take a photo before I gave it away, I will put up a pic when I get one from Leanne, who I gave it to from My Sewing Sisters group,

Well I only have one more day till we leave for Port Hedland, and wouldn’t you know it there is a cyclone right off the coast of W A and heading for Port Hedland ! Hopefully it will cross the coast some time tomorrow, We actually fly into Karratha which is a 2 hr drive from Port Hedland so unless there is flooding we should get through ok, after looking forward to seeing Miss Talula and Dylan Villian for so long It will be disapointing if we can’t go and miss having Christmas with them, they are in the process of battening down so I hope everything will be ok.! The suitcase is full of presents not sure where the clothes are going to go.!

It’s nearly Christmas !

2009-12-14T15:03:00.001+10:00

Busy Busy Busy, I am not sure If I like this time of year or not, The house isn’t being decorated for much this year as no little ones here to see it. I have put up a couple of little trees. Only 9 more sleeps till I see the Little ones in Port Hedland W A .

The Challenge quilts have been revealed so here are a couple of photos of mine. Every quilt of the 10 are so different and as we all had to use the same swatch to take our colours from, even the colour ways look different with backgrounds etc

My Challenge Quilt

The centre of my quilt, This square is 31 inches and then I put the 10 exchanged blocks around it and made 2 more and added the border, I machine quilted it on the table not on the frame. A lot of work but well worth it.!

Another Charm Square Tote Moda Hunky Dory

The one on the left is Moda Rural Jardin Very Nice colours . This bag is just a nice size and very useful .

New Computer = lots of time to set it Up.!

2009-11-21T13:21:00.001+10:00

Well after a 2 week holiday in Melbourne, a great time At the golf to See Tiger Woods with 19,999 others, and not sewing a single stitch.! I’m home to a new computer……Vista which is a bit different. (waiting for my windows 7 upgrade to come.). It has taken me most of this week and $110.00 to a techie to get everything to work. I could not download, turned out tobe a huge conflict with Norton’s so that is gone…. new anti virus now installed.!

So I will show you a few photo’s of our trip,

We travelled down with the caravan via Goondiwindi, Dubbo,Shepparton,Where I met Up with Jan Mac and passed on a huge Box of donations and stuff from my sewing room cleanout for her charity and bushfire quilts.

This is a storm we met just over Cunningham’s Gap and not quite to Warick. We stopped it was so dark, by stopping for 15 mins we managed to miss the worst of it lots of Hail on the sides of the road when we did get going again.

After we left the storm behind it looked like a lovely sunset coming up.? It was only 4.00pm. We think it was smoke blocking out the sun, which just became a bright orange ball in the sky.

You can see from this how high the sun still was in the sky.

I love this one, I stopped to take this one the previous were taken from the car window.

The wheat fields were endless the colour amazing.

Not sure if you can see the massive Hay bales or rolls.

Our home on wheels.!

Jelly Bean and strawberry cows in Shepparton.

My Week Of Stitching....

2009-10-30T17:52:00.001+10:00

Well a couple of days anyway, I spent Tuesday At a class organised by our Guild With Kerry from Tulis Textiles in New Zealand. She has the most beautiful Batik fabrics from Bali.

The class was using jelly rolls , and Drunkards Path Templates. A Lovely pile of rainbow Jelly Roll strips.

Strips sewn together

Shapes cut and sewn from Drunkards Path Template These were 8" blocks the ones bottom left are 4" which 4 of then make up one block. The idea is to do these in all sorts of different combinations and play on the design wall till you get a layout you like. You then end up with circles running through the quilt.

This excercise was to set in a circle the coloured one then it was cut and another circle cut from the piece and another background colour circle put back in I will then add further circles to this. It was a fun class.

I also did a bit more on the challenge quilt and am trying to prepare some hand sewing to take with me next week when we head off to Melbourne for a couple of weeks. We are taking the van and taking a few days to get down there and DH is off to see Tiger Woods Play, I will go for one day and then am meeting friends who are also going down to go quilt shop hopping on the Friday. Fun Fun Fun.

Flaunt for Friday

2009-10-23T20:01:00.001+10:00

I haven't flaunted for the last 2 Friday's as what I have mostly been working on, Is a challenge quilt for my Sewing Sisters group so no pictures of that till after 8th Of Dec I still have a way to go.

Iv'e started a new quilt called the Farmers Wife and at this stage am doing block of the week with a yahoo group. so I have done 4 blocks. It is a sampler quilt and the blocks are 6.5 inch so a bit bigger than dear jane which I am still doing as well. These are the four blocks I have done so far .

These are a couple of dear jane blocks I did

And whats wrong with this picture

Well Nothing really apart from the fact The fat cat Kimba is sitting in the box with my Dear jane Blocks. This cat weighs 6.5 Kg so its a tight fit. Naughty pussy cat.... cute tho.

Yesterday I went to Brisbane stitches and craft show , Lots of lovely eye candy and some amazing quilts in the Queensland Quilt show. I bought some things = Bali Jelly roll and fabric for a class we are doing with the Gold Coast Quilt Guild next Tuesday, also some new scissors, and a gorgeous pattern called Fancy Pants for Miss Talula.

This afternoon I made up the pants and will try and finish the Top that goes with them tomorrow, but I have to do house work this weekend YUK visitors from New Zealand next week.! How cute are these .! I made size 12 months , as I made a size one dress from the same company last year and it still dosn't fit her and she is 17 months..... but they look small. Oh well I may have to make some more.! Fancy Pants is the name of the pattern.!

Another Friday Flaunt

2009-10-02T11:46:00.001+10:00

This week I have finished a Stable Bag, this one is for a friend of my Daughters, Very Neutral colours but Has come out quite Nice Lots of Pockets and Heaps of room inside.

I also made some Glasses Cases out of My favourite Kaffe Fabrics

Nice to keep your Sunnies and glasses from getting scratched in your Handbag

And then I was browsing some blogs as you do when I came across a pattern for a cute little pin cushion so bought the pattern, It came yesterday so I have made one to try it out.!

A little Apple, almost too cute to put pin's in !

The pattern came from www.craftapalooza.com In W.A Nice easy to follow directions.!

I also did a swap block, No photo of that its gone in the post. And I'm still sewing a binding on the Caravan quilt.!

And this is my new helper in the sewing room.

This is Stitch.! he is now 7 weeks old, Iv'e had him for 2 weeks and he is still being spoon fed, so he is very tame, Not sure how I am supposed to get him to eat seed. He is picking at it but not much.!

What I have bought this week.!

2009-10-02T10:52:00.001+10:00

A couple of things to show off, First a new book which may mean a new Quilt. I heard about a new book The Farmers Wife It was a Contest in the 1920's asking Farmers Wives if they would want there Daughter to Marry a Farmer. There are 111 6" blocks and pictures to follow. The letters are great reading.

It comes with a CD which has the template patterns on it.

A picture of the quilt from the book.

I'm thinking of using these fabrics for my quilt.

They are 1930'3 Lil Darlings well thats what I will start with as there are lots of other 1930's I can add as I go.!

Whoops I'm late

2009-09-26T16:19:00.001+10:00

Well better late than never, a quiet but busy week, a little sewing, Our guild had a sale day so I was trying to finish a few of the little zippered bags I make, and also tried a pattern for a little lunch sack come gift bag , they are quite cute and would make a nice gift with something in them.

I also made another 2 or 3 sweet treats bags

This one out of kaffe Fabric, still needs a button.!

More Little Lunch Sack Gift bags .

Ive also been doing the binding on my Posh quilt, and I now have more Kaffe Fasset lights to make the Kaffe Quilt bigger.

Some of the other bags I forgot to take photos and now they have gone. I also did a couple of Jane blocks but no photos of them either ....

Another week another Friday.!

2009-09-18T21:36:00.001+10:00

Well I came home on Wednesday after 4 lovely days of fun, eating, laughing, talking and some stitching, with a group of 20 ladies at Coolum,I decided to start a new project even though we call it a

UFO Retreat. I took my collection Of Kaffe Fasset fabrics and made a Turning Twenty with a Twist Quilt well the rows are done but I have decided to make it bigger so had to wait for some morelight coloured fabrics, they came today so now I can finish it. These are some of the fabrics The blocks before I cut them The rows laid out on the floor, I have decided to add another row to make it wider. Out of some of the scraps came this little Sweet Treats Bag.

I also made a little zippered pocket drive or Nintendo bag but I haven't got a photo will add one tomorrow. Also did some Jane blocks , and another Stable Bag that is waiting for it's Handle and cord.!

Also need to have a brag and flaunt of my little grandaughter who is now walking and very cute . Miss Talula, I have some more pics I'll add tomorrow as they are in the lap top.!

Late Friday Flaunt

2009-09-12T08:41:00.001+10:00

Well its early Saturday morning and after a busy week am now relaxing at Coolum 20 Girls 5 days of stitching No cooking cleaning or men allowed. Had a fantastic Baked Italian chicken and veges For dinner followed by orange and almond slice for me (gluten free.!)

This last week I finished a big baby bag, which the reipient was thrilled with and I did a matching bib.

I also quilted 2 quilts on the frame, the first one belongs to a friend who gave it to me to practise on about 18 months ago.!! Well i did it for her as she is here at Coolum this weekend. She loved it Its a very pretty quilt a big Lap size

Tis one is for our caravan, made from Fran' From Tasmania's instructions . We made these tops at the last retreat her I still have to bind it and the decision last night to bind it in a dark Red.

This is about queen size I love this fabric Chez Mois Posh by Moda. I will put it in the caravan.!

Its beautiful up here and we can see the Ocean and its a glorious morning. lets hope lots of sewing gets done.!

Friday Flaunt.!

2009-09-04T16:29:00.001+10:00

Well this week Iv'e been shopping, and stitching, I made this little bag from a Moda Aviary sweet roll, Like a jelly roll but only 1.5 inch wide, I have enough for 3 more of these from the same roll.It's quite clever as the outside becomes the inside so it's all nice and neat, a nice makeup bag, or sewing kit, or... what ever you want.!

Ive also spent a couple of days working on some challenge blocks for My Sewing Sister's group. We meet once a week and often have projects we all do, this one we were given a swatch of fabric and we had to use the red colour and as many of the other colours as we chose to do 10 blocks all of contrary wife, now we all get one from each other and have to have a quilt completed by December, It is amazing how different everyones blocks are.

These are my blocks . Next week after I get the others back I'll show you a photo of them all.

I've Been Shopping

2009-09-04T15:58:00.001+10:00

This week I went with friends to Quilters store In Brisbane, and Peppermint Stitches at Toowong, So much fabric to choose from I bought a few delicous Kaffe Fasset Fat 1/4's and some yardage for a border, this is what I bought...

I have a pattern for a Kaffe Fasset Quilt I like . Its actually a from one of the newer Turning Twenty Books, I might start this when I go to a Retreat next Friday....

These ones are for a bag...

This is my 46 Kaffe Fasset Fat 1/4 collection..yummm

Hmm watch this space.........

I also bought a few kiddie prints for the 2 little people in my life.

Nice little boy prints. and for a little princess.!

Better Late Than Never.

2009-08-30T10:28:00.001+10:00

Ok I'm late but I'm not at home We are up at Moore Park beach where we have bought a 5 acre block of land for our retirement in a few years. anyway last weekend I did the best class ever with Helen Godden She called it Pablo meets Picaso, we had to draw our picture a still life fom cards or magazine etc. drew it the size of a card then about A3 size then drew this on to calico We then used the Genis paints to paint it and added raw e4dge applique as well.

These are my drawings........

First part of painting After adding applique and painting the border, 'Ive started quilting and love how its looking... Next week I should have more photos ..

Ive also been doing some challenge blocks for my sewing sisters group, I have to have those finished by the 8th Sept thats Monday's job.

It's Friday again.!!

2009-08-14T17:59:00.001+10:00

Well another week has gone.! Iv'e been busy doing other stuff this week , but still managed a little stitching.

Iv'e been working on some Pieces from A Vikki Pignatelli class I did a couple of months ago, well this 1st one was from the class. It's a technique that is an easy way of doing curves and you use a blind hem stitch to tack it all down.

I really have trouble with NOT being monochromatic. I love colour but I just seem to want everything to blend...... This one I have a few more angles in now could I join these two together .????

I have also done a Dear Jane block .

This One is Berry Basket..

Now this is a flaunt but not my work.!

Susan Moore from W A asked me for some Rose fabric scraps, for a siggy quilt she was making and suggested in return I send her some of my Dear Jane Back ground fabric and she would do me a few Dear Jane blocks , This is what I got back . They are just beautiful, Susan's work is just so lovely. Thank you again Susan. The photos just do not do these justice .! I think I now have 45 blocks finished.

The Postman came this week.

2009-08-08T10:48:00.001+10:00

When I checked my Post this week I found a Parcel. I wasn't expecting anything so Hmmm I wonder what it is ???? I opened the Parcel to find the most Lovely Shabby Chic Bag FOR ME.... A while back I entered a giveaway on Linda Bosworths Blog for PAY IT FORWARD, which means She has sent me something really nice and now I will do the same ... so leave a comment on this post and after a week or so I will pick 3 people to pay it forward. This is the bag I got from Linda

I Love the handles and the colours Don't forget leave a comment and you could be the lucky one to Pay It Forward.!

What I have done this week !!

2009-08-08T10:23:00.001+10:00

Well my Friday flaunt is a little late due to the Migraine from hell yesterday.!

This week Sewing Sisters day was at My place so we went out into the sunshine and played with various sorts of dyes. What fun and we didn't have to worry about mess as I have a gravel drive way so that was good too. Here is a few photos of some of our efforts. We tried dying felt with really good results.

Variuos fabrics and colours curing. Cram Jar with three colours

All in all it was interesting we used Procion and Genesis, dyes The Genesis was easy to use and not toxic. we got a big range of coulours from those little bottles. Really looking forward to a class I am doing with Helen Godden, Called Helen meets Pablo using still life pictures etc and Genesis colours etc.

Baby Bibbies !!

I also spent some time making some lovely Quilted Baby Bibs, When My daughter was here a few weeks ago she didn't have any Bibs that covered her daughters, nice outfits so I made one up. They look nice but are practical too.! Everyone loves them so I have made some more to put on our Guild sale day table. I just have to put those little snaps on them.

Friday Flaunt.!!

2009-07-31T19:20:00.001+10:00

Well this last week has gone very fast, but I do have something to show for it. I finished a baby bag I started the week before. This is a nice big one made from Charm squares, the design is Funny Babies By Amy Bradley for Moda.

I also quilted this quilt for Our weekly group the Sew Crazy Quilters, It is a good size Lap quilt, It doesn't have a binding yet, someone else will do that. A close up of the quilting....

I also finished this quilt top I had done the centre already a slash my stash, from 4 fat 1/4's I t will make a nice baby quilt, Or floor play quilt. Baby Quilt , ......

I also went to my other weekly group Sewing Sisters and have started a quilt for Charity, Probablly the Leukemia Foundation from Birdie By Moda, Donateed by Linda from www.fabricpatch.com.au Sharron and I got most of the rows done from blocks made from a jelly roll and the layer cake. I'll see how far I get with it this week and put photos up next week. !

Project for the Friday Flaunters

2009-07-17T22:52:00.001+10:00

Iv'e been quilting ! So I can flaunt it .!

Well after talking about it, family visits and a bad dose of the flu, I finally got around to putting a quilt on the frame, I just did an all over meander, and it is surprising how nice it can look, This is a quilt from a weekly group I go to , The Sew Crazy Quilter's We make several quilts a year that are donated to a women's refuge, this is one of them. I never took a photo of it finished but here it is on the frame.

I did also start a Baby Bag a swap block was finished, and a couple of Dear Jane Blocks, I will post photos later.

More Bags !

2009-06-25T16:56:00.001+10:00

Here are some more bags the other girls at the retreat made.

These are the Big Zippered Carry Bags .

Lots of Charm Square Totes.

Hope they are not all travelling together.!

Update on my Sewing and Quilting

2009-06-25T16:47:00.001+10:00

Well another reason for non blogging was I organised a retreat, which has now been and gone.! but it was very productive for all who went. We made bags and more bags and several lovely jelly roll quilt tops were finished. This is a lovely big bag made from charm squares, we also used a stiffer wadding, which gives the bag good stability. I now have this for sale.! the wadding that is.!

This is My jelly roll quilt I used Moda Natures Chorus and added borders. I will quilt this in a week or so when My visitors go home.!

My visit to New Zealand....

2009-06-25T16:33:00.001+10:00

I'm Back.!!!!!!!!!

Well has it really been nearly 2 months since I did a blog post, Oh dear where has time go .?? Well I went to New Zealand so here are a couple of photos of a lovely autumn spent there. Beautiful Colours of the Leaves on the trees

Mandarin's on My Mum's tree

Dahlia's in the Garden

Lemon and Paeroa, a yummy Lemon flavoured soft drink

Mum lives in Paeroa in the North Island the home of L & P as we called it when kid's.

STILL STITCHING

2009-04-26T11:47:00.001+10:00

At least you can still sew when it's raining .!!

Ive shown my sister how to make these little zippered bags, I sew the zip in by hand but she managed to come up with a way to put it in by machine. Susan made this one !

Yellow and blue a nice combinationPretty in Pink I think it's an Amy Butler.

The Bag on the left is a Hum Bug shape quite cute, I was sent a little one in a secret sister swap and worked out how to make it. Thanks Sue.!

Hello From NZ.

2009-04-19T10:04:00.001+10:00

Hello I'm in New Zealand.!! Ohhhh its a bit colder here than at home.!

Am visiting My Mum , and My sister Susan is here too. Chris has gone to Hamilton to the V8 Super cars. I have found a cute Patchwork shop right here in town.!

OOh Yumm Mum's yummy Cream Puffs ..!! Chris is getting spoiled Bacon and eggs for breakfast and this was dessert last night. I told him not to get used to it cause it won't happen at home.!!

Big Carry Bag

2009-04-06T21:10:00.001+10:00

My weekly group The Sewing Sisters Had a Bag Day Last week. Most of us started making this Lovely big zippered carry bag. I finished mine today. The fabric is Barefoot Roses by Tanya Whelan for Grand Revival. Again it is the same range of the quilt I am doing, I just love it and its taken me a long time to actually cut into it.!

It's oh so Shabby Chic , My favourite colours and style. The zipper I used is 22 inch so that will give you some idea of size Its a pattern by Cindy taylor - Oates Easy to make Totes with zippers.

It Has a Pocket on the side and one on the end, I think the next one I will use a firmer wadding. A nice bag to take a quilt in, when you go off on retreat.

QUILT BLOCKS ALL DONE.

These are the blocks from Zu Zu's Petals quilt , Just need to join them together and decide on the borders. It is supposed to have a row of the little half square triangle right around but I don't think i have enough of the fabrics to do that. Will have to think about it.

Mum can you make me a ......

2009-04-06T20:47:00.001+10:00

My oldest Daughter came around on Sunday and asked for a Bag to put her Lap Top in. The one I gave her had no padding so she said why don't you make me a quilted thingy to cushion it so.......off I went to the sewing room an hour or so later this is what I came up with. The Lap top slips in then it goes inside the bag. I put a button and loop on to hold it closed. I also used double wadding. It is made from scraps from the quilt I am making. She thought I could just use a couple of the blocks cause they were already done. I don't think so.!! Might have to make another one for me now. !

Retreat Fun. !!!

2009-03-25T21:15:00.001+10:00

Well aren't I the lucky one I was invited to attend a Retreat at Coolum with a bunch Of Fun Crazy ladies from Riverhead near Hervey Bay.!

I have started another quilt called Zu Zu's Petals from Aunt Rosies Autumn Quilts book. I have actually used some of my HolyRoses Fabric's! A range called Barefoot Roses.By Tanya Whelan.Look at all these little 1/2 square triangles 256 1/2 square triangles " Now thats one way to wear them !

We found a couple of Patchwork shops , and a really nice studio that sells mostly Jelly Rolls and Cakes and charms. Well worth a visit. Have a look on line at www.fabricpatch.com.au

I'm up to 23 !!

2009-03-21T08:12:00.001+10:00

I have now done 23 blocks on my Jane Journey, I still like the foundation paper pieced ones the best, although I sometimes have to twist and turn all those bits to get the block back in the right place.! This one is D 8 Dee Dee's Delight all hand appliqued I am slowly learning how to get those points neater......

K 11 Columbine this one was foundation paper. Real colour is much brighter. These are both from my lovely swap fabrics. This one is A1 , a Nice green.! No I am not doing my blocks row by row, and I am not picking out all the easy ones either.

Next Post I will show you what I have been working on this week. I'ts nearly finished !!

Look what The Postman bought me !!

2009-03-09T14:28:00.001+10:00

I have had 2 nice parcels . A week or so ago I recieved a neat package from My Secret Pal, This is a swap on The Dear Jane list I am on. Every month for a year our Pal sends us a package of goddies. I send one back to mine. I can't say where she is as she may read my blog.! This month I got these really nice D J Fabrics

I told my Pal I didn't like Icky greens, so she sent me greens so I could see not all greens are Icky, I love them and have already made 2 blocks with them.!

Today I recieved a package from Marianna B I sent Marianna a package of all the purples and pinks I started off my D J with, and now she has sent me back a wonderful package of Pinks

Reds and browns and a few purples

Gorgeous Yellow's and orange to rusts....

Some Cheater pieces, So cute, I will make a little bag with these.!

I love them all and can't wait to make D J blocks with them .!! Thank you So much Marianna.!!

Kyle's Quilt. !!

2009-03-09T11:56:00.001+10:00

At last I have finished Kyle's quilt, I made this at least 2 yrs ago.!!

I put it on the Next Generation Frame and quilted it with an allover design and some quilting to look like flames...... I am pretty pleased with how it has turned out.

Kyle's Motorbike quilt

A close up of the quilting. I bought this fabric while on holiday in hawaii over 3 yrs ago.!!

More Dear Jane.!! And Bush Fire Quilts !!

2009-03-05T23:40:00.001+10:00

I have now done 21 Dear Jane Blocks, and am still enjoying it. As long as I do 1- 2 a week I am happy.

Some of these were much harder than others, I think My applique is improving.

I've also been busy with making blocks for quilts for the Bushfire Appeal.

I showed the ladies in one of my groups how to do the quilt as you go blocks and they are starting to come back to me now.

BUSH FIRE QUILT BLOCKS

These are all the lovely quilt as you go Blocks . I'll post these off and then I'll have time to do the quilting on the top's.

I will be posting off 2 big parcels tomorrow.

I have also had donations of fabrics for backings. Thanks Lisa (Megelles) and I have 1 quilt from Chris at Sew Crazy, and another from Gail McKenzie that I have to quilt and bind.

I also sewed up 20 blocks this afternoon from a bunch of I spy blocks I have had in the cupboard for a while.

The Baptisim

2009-02-16T23:24:00.001+10:00

Well some of it anyway.! Photo's of the children after the baptism. We had the Baptism and then had a lunch back at our house, It was a great day. Talula outside the church.

Happy Snap's Cute as can be !! Do you like the ribbon granma put in my hair.!!

Bush Fire Quilts.!

2009-02-15T18:42:00.001+10:00

After hearing of the terrible fires down south several Lists I am on have started groups making quilts to be given to the family's that have lost everything. I am acting as a drop off point to collect quilts and blocks to be sent to Victoria. A couple of sewing groups I am in have decided to make blocks or quilts. I started the other day by taking wadding squares and fabrics to Sewing group and several ladies there are doing blocks to. Quilt as you go blocks

Lots of blocks

Reverse of quilt as you go blocks

These blocks have been trimmed to 11 inches and once joined together will make nice bright quilts .easy to do and fast.

I have also offered to do simple quilting of tops on my frame, so if you have any tops you would like to donate or would like to make blocks, please email me at pamchris55@gmail.com and I can send you postal details. You can also send blocks direct to Janmac

This is Jan's blog for the quilts htpp://ozcomfortquilts.blogspot.com

I will be sewing blocks all day tomorrow !!

I have visitors !!!

2009-02-10T20:44:00.001+10:00

Look who has come to stay, a little princess.

Talula after her Baptisim on Sunday 8.5 months old now full of smiles and always happy.!!Dylan with his new Mug Dylan with Kyle, number 1 grandson.

What is this ????

2009-01-24T16:32:00.001+10:00

Can anyone tell me what this is ?

Oh I remember It's a cutting table, I haven't seen it for a while......I spent the morning putting things away, tossing stuff that is just put on it because...folded down one of the flaps turned it sideways, put 3 of those 4 drawer plastic draw sets along the wall and can now get to the cutting table easier to the right of it is the quilt frame so it will be much easier to use it now.

There was still room to pack a couple of tubs, and my mailing envelopes and boxes underneath.

Should be much better.!

It's Friday and the biscuit tin is empty so

2009-01-23T22:41:00.001+10:00

I made my other halfs favourite slice .

Chocolate Fudge , Its a no bake recipie so nice and easy.

Take 125 gms butter Icing Icing sugar spoon of butter

125 gms sugar 2 Tblsp Cocoa a little boiling water to

2 tablespoons Cocoa mix. Mix together spread on slice.

and melt together in a saucepan on the stove.

Crush one packet of plain sweet biscuits, pour melted mix over and combine, add one beaten egg, and press into slice tin lined with baking paper. Ice with chocolate icing and cut while warm, then place in fridge to set..

Enjoy!! Before icing

After Icing

A MOUNTAIN OF SCRAPS !!!

2009-01-23T22:30:00.001+10:00

Oh Where did all this fabric come from, I think it must be breeding, from tiny little squares and bigger pieces and lots of strips,where do you start. This is just a fraction of it . But wait there's more !!

More Florals

Iv'e sorted into types and colours . This lot is very bitty so will take to the Op Shop.

There is good fabric in there but I am sure someone needs it more than me.!!

Talk about Tricky

2009-01-19T16:15:00.001+10:00

I did the BOW (block of the week) for the dear jane list that I am on. This one is L 10 Nan's Naird's , Oh my gosh there are over 50 tiny little pieces in this one, I'ts not perfect but it will do, Took ages....and my trusty snips got a little use when I did it wrong.!!

Now for an easy one !!

Dear Jane Again.!

2009-01-17T18:30:00.001+10:00

Here are another few Dear Jane blocks D 3 Jason's Jacks

B1 Batchelor's Buttons

E9 Quilt Jail

A 1 One Two Buckle My Shoe

Some of them take a little while to do, and I have been doing other projects too.! I have another couple I am appliqueing while watching T.V with himself of a night.!

And working in the Garden.......That's what happen's when you bring home 7 big boxes of plant's. I finished up a couple of Swap blocks this week,almost 3 months ahead of time, I know mine are soon to be on their way home to me, Butterflies applique in 1930's prints .

More Dear Jane Blocks

2009-01-09T18:45:00.001+10:00

I have finally had time to sit down with the Dear Jane Software and figure out how to print blocks and patterns . I just made 2 blocks an easy one and a fairly fiddly foundation pieced . I am so pleased I can do it.! This one is A6 Uncle Homer

This is A4 Courtney's Stethoscope

I showed my Husband and told him how many blocks I had to make and he said "Can't you just buy them " !!! Do I have to look at them all.? Now to decide which one I'll do next !!

Beach Holiday

2009-01-08T12:36:00.001+10:00

This Is Moore Park Beach It's near Bundaberg in Queensland, We just spent 12 days there over Christmas in our new caravan. It is one of few parks that let you take dogs so Thats why we go there also friends from the 4x4 club go there every year too. The Caravan Fun On the sand Blo Carts ! The view from the Van.

Sophie Dog Checking out the sandhills.

Christmas Sales and Holidays !!

2009-01-06T15:12:00.001+10:00

Post Christmas Sales seem to be everywhere, Well I found a few Goodies today when I took Kyle To spend his birthday money At Westfield. He bought a huge Lego set. I found a Lovely notebook, fabric covered too, also a matching 12 part file and a document box. Now what is she going to keep up with, the paper work, NO WAY.!!

I am going to use the book for my Dear Jane Journal, and the folder and the box for templates and FINISHED BLOCKS.!! Its very pretty and only cost $ 23.00 for the 3 items .!! So I hope to keep track of My Dear Jane Journey.

Here are is the set of three. Look the Journal even has coloured and lined pages .

Talula's Christmas Dress

2008-12-21T23:08:00.000+10:00

I made this little shirred dress for Talula to wear on Christmas day,It's so cute I have posted it, Overnight express which will still take 2 days to get to Port Hedland in W.A. Better than 10 days or more by normal post. I hope to get a picture back of her wearing it.!
Merry Christmas Talula !

Christmas Lunch Sew Sisters

2008-12-21T22:59:00.000+10:00

Here we all are having a nice time ! Merry Christmas !!!

More Little Bags

2008-12-21T22:45:00.002+10:00

The little zippered bags are still breeding but I often forget to take photos before I give them for gifts etc. Here's 2 new ones .

Miniature Carpet Bag & Matching Mug Bag

2008-12-11T00:20:00.002+10:00

At one of my Sewing groups We were given 2 fat 1/4s and had to make something for a Secret Santa Gift, So I made this miniature Carpet Bag and a matching Mug Bag, They are very handy for taking to sit and sew, you can get all your sewing requirements in the bag, and its not to bulky, I wonder what I will get.???? The Party is tomorrow.

Cute Little Bag !!!

2008-12-11T00:15:00.001+10:00

Well I'm not sure where my photos of the bag went but will try again !!!

A Cute Little Bag !!!

2008-12-10T23:57:00.003+10:00

This cute little bag , Is a Lazy Girl design, I saw Julie's that she made so took up her challenge to get the FREE Pattern and made my own, Its quite easy and is really nice.!! I will use this one for a christmas gift, for a friend.

The Things we do !!

2008-12-07T14:46:00.003+10:00

Last weekend saw the annual Christmas party for the 4x4 club, 4 of us who all quilt and sew, decided to wear more than just a silly hat or mask, which was this years theme. Sooooo we made these aprons, and then managed to find some for the guys too.!! .

After happy hour we all had an out door dinner, Its a pretty spot at Imbil, which is inland up past the Sunshine Coast. We took our new caravan, and we never had any rain this year.

Dear Jane !!!

2008-11-25T16:57:00.002+10:00

These are fabrics for my Dear Jane Quilt that I have started a week or so ago. I've joined a Jane group, so will go along once a month, and will get help and advice have nice company. here also is my first block, Only 224 to go ......

My Cat Kimba

2008-11-25T09:13:00.000+10:00

This is Kimba If There are quilts anywhere He will find them!

Shirred Dresses

2008-11-13T08:41:00.003+10:00

Well What I thought would be an easy project gave me some grief !! I decided to make some little shirred dresses for My wee grand daughter Talula, My machine just wouldn't play ball, I could not get the tensuin right while doing the shirring , I finally changed to a smaller machine my faithful little Jem 760 and it did it no trouble at all. !! I will make several of these as where she lives it is already 35 ---- to 40 most days

Another Project

2008-11-10T15:54:00.003+10:00

My friends the Sewing Sisters, we call ourselves started a Mystery Medallion, Iresisted for a while but it has got the better of me.!! So here is my centre medallion, another compass. Paper pieced of course, now I have to turn it on point and add some logcabin, then some Dresden plates and thena diamond border, My head is spinning... I'm way behind but hey it's not a race !!

Cute Little Zippered Bag

2008-11-10T15:35:00.002+10:00

At my sewing group we had a lesson in how to make a pattern and make our own zippered bag, These are great for keeping your thread snips and rotary cutter and other sewing bits and pieces together. AND the zipper is sewn in by hand, well I thought mine would fall to bits very quickly, hand sewing has always been a bit of a dirty word!! but look heres mine and its really neat !!

Another Stable Bag

2008-10-15T09:41:00.003+10:00

I had to make another Stable Bag This one will be used for a Baby Thing's Bag. The Girls love them because they fit so much into them and it's still easy to find what you Need. One more to make now for Caitlin, My 13 yr old neice, who is living withj me for a few months. I bought some fabric I thought she would like, she looked at it then said Oh it's pretty .....BUT and walked into the Sewing Room and said I like this better and picked out some pretty Loralie fabrics in Pinks and Chocolate Brown, so I will make it out of those.

My New Sewing Room

2008-10-15T09:27:00.002+10:00

For the last few weeks I have been moving my Sewing room from one side of the house to the other.!! Oh what a mess oh I mean what a lot of good STUFF I have collected in 11 years since I set up the other room. I have kept what I will use and given heaps away, Things I know I will never use, I bought some new shelving units and a table from IKEA Its looking good.

Hens I hope !

2008-10-06T16:40:00.000+10:00

These ones I think are Girls the other white ones Look like Roosters To me

Chickens or Roosters ??

2008-10-06T16:28:00.000+10:00

These are the baby chicks that have grown quite a lot since I last put there pictures here. We don't have any crowing yet but i am pretty certain there is at least 4 roosters so far, What do you think.?

Oh My gosh I missed a month!!

2008-10-06T16:19:00.000+10:00

Well they say time flies when your having fun.! What happened to September,Well some of my Family moved away,They have gone to Port Hedland.!! This is Talula and Dylan just before they left.

Mariners Circle Almost Finished......

2008-08-23T15:11:00.000+10:00

Well I haven't done much this week but have managed to a bit to my Mariners Compass, Its looking good even if I do say so Myself ! I have joined the circles together and have got half way with appliqueing the pieces around the edge. I have to get them on before I can do the next stage.