Love of Craft, Sewing, Baking and Everyday Fun . . . with SuziQ

Happy Easter . . .

2015-04-05T10:23:00.000+10:00

Enjoy whatever you are doing today . . . Happy Easter.

Vignette #12

2015-03-12T17:53:00.001+11:00

Had a wonderful surprise when I came in this afternoon - Vignette #12 by Leanne Beasley of Leanne's House was waiting for me. This issue is called the appliqué issue and it is full a wonderful stitching. Thanks to Sarah of Patchworks Plus for sending. Guess what I am going to do now . . . coffee and a read I think . . . SuziQ.

United Stitches No. 2

2015-03-11T18:02:00.001+11:00

Really enjoyed sewing this little stitchery . . . love the colours and the design . . . hope everyone else is also enjoying as much as I am. Cheers, SuziQ

Easter Baskets - Homespun Magazine

2015-03-08T10:39:00.001+11:00

Hi, I couldn't resist the March issue of Homespun yesterday when I saw these Easter baskets made from hexagons and their cute little faces - designer Bronwyn Hayes. This issue also included complimentary "Country" magazine which had some great retro pics/articles.

Also a lovely height chart by Rachel Roxburgh. I will keep this one in mind for my new great Niece who is only 5 months old now - - so maybe I should start sewing it now to get it done!!!

Enjoy whatever you are doing today. I am doing the washing first, then some cleaning and hope to be sewing my midday - in between a cuppa.

Cheers, SuziQ xx

Thermomix - Quirky Cooking

2015-03-05T18:29:00.000+11:00

I have been following "Quirky Cooking" by Jo Whitton for a long time now and as I am just referring to the spaghetti bolognaise recipe on her old site I thought I should share with you the site name. Jo does have a new site but I still go back to the old site. (quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au)

To be honest I haven't minced my own beef to make recipes but I just love her good old fashioned ingredients which make delicious meals. I do cook the spaghetti in the Thermomix and oh how easy is this to do.

Enjoy whatever you are having for dinner with friends and loved ones tonight. Until next time . . .

Simply Blessed block 1

2015-02-23T16:49:00.000+11:00

Well I am just so pleased to have finished this wonderful stitchery block 1 "Nature" (1 of 9) by Rosalie Quinlan . . . I will be finishing if off with the Tilda fabrics, so will keep you posted on how that goes. The thread is the the beautiful variegated Cosmo thread from "Seasons". When I first started to stitch it I was trying to make sure I had even amounts of each colour all over, but I gave that idea away after wasting so much time.

Happy stitching, until next time . . . Suzi

United Stitches No. 1

2015-02-15T15:05:00.000+11:00

Well I am back in the saddle after such a very long time and am thoroughly enjoying these little stitcheries by Rosalie Quinlan.

This is my first one completed and now starting No. 2.

Is anyone else hooked on these?

Anzac Day 2014

2014-04-25T11:39:00.001+10:00

We will remember them . . .

It has been way too long . . .

2014-04-25T09:43:00.000+10:00

Back to blogging after a good break . . . I have read with great interest your blogs and kept up with all the news and wonderful things you have been sewing and life in general. Life for some of you has been very tough considering the severe droughts and bad floods we have had.

For me I am slowly getting back into sewing again - I have had a problem with my lungs . . . about this time last year I had a cold/virus and I had problems for quite some time . . . many visits to Dr's, chest X-rays and the list goes on until they found virus had affected the alveoli in my lungs - this alveoli communicates with the capillaries - you know I didn't know much about alveoli until now. So this has impacted on my breathing and I get shortness of breath just by doing the simplest of things. Progress is slow but I am getting there.

I had a "big" birthday last December and I wanted a dog for a pressie . . . well here he is, his name is Yuki and he is a Japanese Spitz, he is 9 months old now and one heck of a dog. His coat is like teflon, if it gets dirty it basically falls off. He has DH and myself around his paw.

I am back into sewing and have signed up for BOM with Lenora of Elmgrove Patchwork for "Gossip in the Garden" which is beautiful - another beautify from Annie Downs. I did start needle turn, but I am now going to do machine appliqué, I just don't have the patience at the moment. I have to Rosalie Quinlan's "Simply Blessed" which I receive from Sarah of Patchworks Plus.

Just wanted to say hi and back into it hopefully from now on … enjoy Anzac Day and take time to remember those who have fallen for us to live in this "lucky" country that we have. Cheers, Suzi x

What's happening at my place . . .

2013-07-17T12:53:00.000+10:00

What's in my hoop . . .

Have been working on this gorgeous design - love red work. I used one of those pens to trace the design which will disappear in about 14 days - so I have set myself a challenge to beat the disappearing ink!!! Will keep you posted on this challenge . . .

What's for dinner . . .

I have today off as I am working on Saturday, so I have managed to cook dinner . . . baked chicken breasts with halloumi cheese, thyme and a drizzle of olive oil, honey and lemon - YUM - can't wait to eat this one - the aroma is wonderful too . . .

What's a cat to do on a sunny day . . .

My gorgeous Aleks is sitting right next to me now, so I took this sleepy pic. He is 11 years old and is one spoilt cat!

Hope your day is filled with wonderful things, until next time. Cheers, SuziQ

Oscar meets French General . . .

2013-07-14T09:46:00.000+10:00

Oscar is finished . . . he is a Friendly Owl Bookshelf Pillow

Finally finished Oscar (this week have had the flu, just not motivated at all) . . . I really enjoyed making Oscar. This pattern is from e-book "Stitch Zakka". To put my own stamp on Oscar, I didn't use satin stitch around the eyes, I used chain stitch and am quite pleased with the results. He has been fibre filled and has a small bag of rice inside for stability - don't want him toppling off the shelf!

Went searching for backing fabric and I couldn't resist a little French General (of course) - I selected a piece from the Chateau Rouge layer cake and it has toned in quite well. There could be many uses for Oscar - huge pincushion, door stop or just a lovely little pillow.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend and doing something you enjoy! Until next time, SuziQ xx

Birds in the Air Blocks . . .

2013-07-06T19:48:00.002+10:00

Update . . . thanks for your comments re the French General fabrics . . . I was able to order some on-line and they have arrived. So, cutting and putting together this afternoon. Have completed a few blocks so I am a lot happier now!

I was hoping to get a lot more done tomorrow, but have been called in to work for shift commencing at 05:30am tomorrow morning - it is going to be cold cold cold, but a lovely sunny Sydney day.

Enjoy whatever you are doing and keep warm. Cheer, SuziQ

FNWF Update . . .

2013-07-06T15:05:00.004+10:00

Hi there, last night I joined the on-line group Friday Night With Friends . . . my DH was aware that I wanted to do a little stitching, so he said just sit down and I'll fix dinner . . . I didn't say 'no' . . .

So this is a little peak at what I did last night . . . his name is Oscar and I found him in a Zakka book waiting to be stitched! It consists of just three colours, with particular attention to the colours around his eyes and will end up sitting upright . . . any guesses?

Thank you Cheryl for organising FNWF and I can't wait to see what the on-line group got up to last night . . . whatever it is, it is just so wonderful to know this group exists and I look forward to the next FNWF!

Hope you have had a wonderful Saturday, until next time. Cheers, SuziQ

Large Hexagon Purse . . .

2013-07-04T13:15:00.002+10:00

Today in Sydney it is a glorious 21 degrees with a little wind now just whipping up - hope wherever you are you are also enjoying fine weather!

I am home on my break before returning to my second half on the buses, so what else does one do but complete a UFO which I realise has been hanging around since our last holiday in November! Oh boy where does the time go!

This pattern is by Brigitte Giblin - one of her downloadable patterns and is called Grand Sac A Hexagones or Large Hexagon Purse. I must admit I had a bit of a challenge sewing on the frame - any hints out there?

I chose a jelly roll "Papillon" by 3 Sisters for Moda and lined the inside of the purse with the left over fabrics. Next purse I do will be more "fussy cut" method. I just love the red in this fabric range.

Until next time, cheers SuziQ

French General update . . .

2013-06-30T10:36:00.004+10:00

Birds in The Air blocks . . . well I resorted to cardboard templates, placing them against the sewn block; cut another triangle from the 4" square fabric left over, but when placed against the sewn block I would have to cut the block down too much - just such a waste of fabric. So tomorrow I am going into quilt store to see if I can buy just a few more strips of fabric and cut out the 6 7/8 squares - will be a little extra but worth it at the end of the day - hopefully they still have fabric!!

The FG range of fabrics truly are beautiful aren't they? WOW, when I started sewing these triangles, I must admit what have I done, but I know the end result will be beautiful - I am also pedantic over matching the corners!

Hello Sunshine . . . weather here in Sydney was torrential overnight but just now the sun has finally popped out. We are going out to shovel up our driveway which has slipped out onto the walkway, check out the garden and enjoy some sun.

Thanks for coming by today - hope your day is wonderful! Cheers, SuziQ

I need help please - just stuffed up cutting French General fabric . . .

2013-06-29T16:03:00.003+10:00

Well, I must have got too carried away with my new cutting blade. I have just realised that I have cut my fabric incorrectly!!! What a goose I am.

I cut the 18 x 2 7/8 squares from across WOF and then now just read about the two 6 7/8 squares.

These are the two pieces left to cut - they are WOF x 10". Obviously I should have cut out the 6 7/8 squares first then played around with the 2 7/8 squares!!!

After cutting the 18 squares I am now left with only 4.25" x WOF to get the 6 7/8 squares.

Admiring my bundle of dark colours, even cut these on the diagonal - still didn't click in about the extra squares!

Any suggestions how to recalculate this mess would be greatly appreciated. I am pulling my hair out. Perhaps if it is recalculated to smaller blocks, I just don't know, my brain has gone into overdrive and I just can't think a way out of this one.

Life wasn't meant to be easy was it - I always say that I love a challenge, and I think I have found one!!

Cheers, SuziQ

This is us . . .

2013-06-29T10:08:00.004+10:00

They talk about sheds that the men have, well I am thinking of adding a shed up the back yard for my addiction (no just kidding)!!! One of the ladies I work with told me that her Mum has a yurt for her sewing room. Her Dad promised this when they moved into the new home - WOW a yurt, that would be cool.

I purchased last year some gorgeous fabrics by French General for my DH quilt - he asked me about it the other day and I thought OMG I must find that - well I did find it and have dusted off the cobwebs and have now found my blade is blunt, so out into the rain - hopefully I don't get too carried away with other essential items at our local quilt store.

Found this "funny" on Patchwork Orange Facebook page.

Enjoy whatever you are doing today, until next post, cheers SuziQ

Sewing Day Sampler . . .

2013-06-28T11:04:00.001+10:00

It's a finish . . .

I have had such a lot of fun making this gorgeous sampler by Anni Downs of Hatched & Patched. As you can see it has a variety of tasks - my favourite hexagons, my least favourite nine patch (there must be a secret to lining up blocks), sewing on buttons and embroidery.

My only problem is the hanger . . . I am not keen on the way I have it sewn onto the sampler, it really should be on a dowel - my DH's shed is out of dowel!!! Anyhow, that can be fixed up at a later date.

Well off to boil the jug and check out what else I have in the sewing room - still raining here, how about where you are!

Cheers, SuziQ

Sewing Day Sampler

What's in my hoop . . .

2013-06-28T09:11:00.002+10:00

Rain, rain and more rain for Sydney and having time off work due to a chest infection, what else can a girl get up to but relax, enjoy a cuppa and catch up with some needlework.

Just a few more stitches on my project Sew, Laugh, Love . . .

Hope whatever you are up to today you are having fun! Until next time, cheers, SuziQ

Access to Feedly . . .

2013-06-25T14:32:00.001+10:00

I have been using Feedly for some time now for news feeds and found it very user friendly.

Just in case you are changing over to Feedly here is the html. Don't forget to insert your blog name under the YOURBLOG section hereunder. I have placed mine on my blog home page top left . . . try it.

<a href="http://www.feedly.com/home#subscription/feed/http://YOURBLOG.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default" title="Follow my blog with Feedly"><img alt="Follow me on Feedly" b="" order="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSZlf-BWTuaWTY2M54tlauv6IkYukvXqU3fUbWt28gjo4gKgwmkPg" /></a>

Hope you are all enjoying today. I am on my break before going back to work and I have been able to catch up with some sewing . . . keep you posted. Cheers, S

My week . . .

2013-06-23T09:12:00.001+10:00

Surprise from Passenger . . .
What's in My Hoop . . .
12 Days of Christmas Kit . . .

As some of you might know, I am a bus operator for Sydney Buses and every now and then something special happens - so let me share my story.

Friday night a passenger boarded the L90 service at Wynyard, he had this beautiful bouquet of flowers and as he was getting on I commented on how lovely they were and jokingly said "oh you shouldn't have gone to all that trouble" . . . he placed the flowers in luggage rack and off we went. About half way into the journey I let an elderly lady on the bus who had no ticket - she was a visitor and did not realise that one has to have a ticket to travel on pre pay Sydney buses. This gentleman said to me - you aren't only a great driver but you have a kind sole! These sort of comments are just not used by the majority of passengers on a Friday night around 8pm.

So off we went and arrived at Mona Vale Junction where this gentleman collected his flowers and as he walked past me he pulled out this long stemmed orange gerbera which had wire twisted around the stem and presented it to me saying a huge thank you and keep up the great work! I was just so surprised to receive this gerbera. At the time one of the on-board guards said to me he had never seen this happen on a Friday night. So you can imagine I was on cloud nine and I just wanted to say that it was so nice to know that there are still some really decent people out there!!! Hereunder is the pic of my lone gerbera.

What's in my hoop

I have been really enjoying sewing this gorgeous stitchery by Anni Downs called "Sewing Day Sampler". The surrounding fabrics are gorgeous and it has some 1/2" hexagons so I will be looking forward to doing those.

Speaking of Anni Downs . . . some time ago I ordered through Fat Quarter Shop her 12 Days of Christmas Kit and to my surprise it arrived this week. Her fabrics are just so lovely and the Xmas panels are very colourful.

It is teaming with rain in Sydney this morning, what a great excuse to be in the sewing room. Hope whatever you are doing is fun and keep warm! Cheers, SuziQ.

Yes I went and spent money . . .

2013-06-16T10:37:00.001+10:00

The annual Craft & Quilt Fair was in Sydney this week - of course I planned my day off to go on Thursday. My DH also went and we met at the finish . . . I encouraged him to take his time and look around while I went searching for my favourite stalls.

Every year I attend the Fair I think surely quilters can't do any better than previous years, well the quilts were spectacular and oh such a lot of love and effort went into them. I don't have any pics, guess who left the camera on kitchen bench!!!

But I did manage to remember to take my wallet and bought just a couple of things. I had the real pleasure of running into Sue Daley - she was helping out on a stand called "My Cotton Candy" www.mycottoncandy.com.au Had a chat to Sue about those darn clamshells which I have always found a challenge, she showed me how to do the three little stitches to join together and hopefully next time I will get it right!!

I also found Anni Downs and she is such a beautiful person and wonderful talent. I bought the kit Lilly's Bluebird Pincushion - how many pincushions can a girl have I say - it is a beautiful large pincushion. Also Natalie Bird - again such a lovely lady - can't wait to get started on her stitchery called "A Stitcher's Priority".

Then I found the Marg Low stand . . . what a great book she has out now with some great little projects included - and she offered to autograph, I was so chuffed. Bought some more little goodies, but will show more in the near future.

Hope you were also able to get to the Fair. Have a great day, off to work definitely now!
Cheers, SuziQ

Lavender filled hearts

2013-06-16T10:10:00.000+10:00

Good morning - just a quick finish this morning before I go to work.

One of the items in the Marg Low book - kit form with everything included - love the fabric and those tiny buttons set the heart off. I filled it with the lavender and oh it takes you back to that fragrance associated with "grandmothers" - wonderful! I must learn how to do contrast on my camera, first pic shows fabric quite dark - oh well learn about that some other time.

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday as I know I will. Until next time, cheers, SuziQ

My kind of Saturday . . .

2013-06-15T16:12:00.002+10:00

Well it has been way too long . . . I am slowly coming back into the land of the living after what seems to be an eternity. My life is back on track, feel great and taking up again one of my favourite things makes for one very happy person (even DH has noticed the change!).

So . . . this week I finished my Gail Pan pincushion - lot of fun to make and just love the fabrics from the kit. I had fun filling with the crushed walnut shells though - slippery little things.

Hope you have also enjoyed doing something that you love today.

Until next time, cheers, SuziQ

Oh so nice to have some time out . . .

2013-05-15T17:30:00.000+10:00

I have been thoroughly enjoying a few days break . . . have sorted out a lot of things in the house, garden and had some wonderful "me" time.

Lurking on the shelf was this wonderful stitchery by Leanne Beasley which was begging to see light of day again.

Progress so far . . .

This will be the end result . . .