Stitch Selection

Finally

2015-03-11T14:35:00.001+10:30

My goodness I have finally been able to sign into my blogger account. I have a new computer and due to technology I couldn't log in as my new laptop was logged in with my Google account.

Boy sure glad a seen this tiny bit of writing that said....."log in with another account".

So hello blog I have missed you so much.

B-2 Sweet Tater Pie

2014-09-08T18:46:00.000+09:30

It's funny where we can hand sew. In a car, at a hospital or in the lounge room with the ironing board as a table.

That is what I did today, after I gave 30 mins with the ironing. Behind my handbag on the chair is the ironing I didn't get done.

Love the TV show Criminal Minds and thought that could keep me company as I worked on another Dear Jane block.

This one I spent about 4 hours on over the day, most of it in the afternoon. I am forever checking the front of the blocks as I do such tiny stitches, I would not be impressed if I had to unpick it.

Block all finished. I am so stoked with the curves and the side joining, even if the centre points are a bit off. That was hard to get them to sit properly and I put it down to the bulk in that area.

Hexies On Show

2014-09-08T10:37:00.000+09:30

I've been making a hexie quilt using Sue Daley's pattern called "This Goes With That" quilt.

I'm using civil war reproduction fabric.

I find these hexies not only fun to make but very relaxing.

Dear Jane A-8

2014-09-07T10:19:00.000+09:30

Yesterday I decided to spend my day working on my Dear Jane blocks.

After my last effort of 2.5 days on the one block and not being happy with the end result. I thought I would try a different technique and what a difference it was.

Using the template model and hand sewing the pieces together was just a fun and exciting afternoon. Yes afternoon, not 2.5 days.

By printing out the templates onto a heavy weight 132 gm paper I was able to cut out the templates and then photo copy them until I had enough pieces.

You can see by the paper I used the same sheet and just moved the templates around on my photocopier to fit them all on the one sheet.

All cut out and ready for them to be cut down to the size needed before the fabric is glued onto them. I didn't cut them straight away down to the correct size, as I thought cutting them as individually from a big sheet of paper, can leave me open for mistakes with the scissors. Takes a bit longer, but I was happy with this idea and will use it with future blocks.

Yellow paper has the templates on them with the 1/4 inch border still on them. These were cut and glued to the back of some cardboard from cereal boxes. This way as I am tracing around them on the fabric, its easier to do so. Those templates are then stored with the finish block. That way I can reuse them down the track if I want. I so dislike waste.

The finished block. A-8 Florence Nightingale.

I love this block for its crispness, correct size and all over finished look of it. This technique will be used in as many of the blocks as possible.

Am I cheating? I don't think so as there is no right way or wrong way to make a block. As the finished look of the block is what counts.

I've ticked all the boxes.....

I've enjoyed making the block
Love the colour choices
Still happy the following day
Can't wait to make another block.

Can't ask for much more can I??

My First Quilting Workshop.

2014-05-10T18:11:00.001+09:30

Boy oh boy and I still on a high from yesterday.

Pop the kettle on and make a cuppa as I have a story for you.

Back in August last year I had my 50th birthday and my sister and her hubby gave me a quilting workshop for my birthday.

Well yesterday I was able to cash it in so to speak.

My workshop gift was Turned Edge Machine Applique with Rachelle Denneny. It has the look of needle turn, but done by machine.

The workshop was held at Patchwork By Sea's new shop. For a first timer I was so impressed with the set up and how well lit the teaching area was and the space of the area. We even had our own cupboard under the table to store our bags and stuff.

The lovely lady on the right at her machine is my sister Deb. Yep she did the work shop with me, that was the icing on the cake. Rachelle is up the back still setting up her beautiful quilts for us to admire. She also had a talk about them and we could ask questions as well.

My new open toe foot that Terry so kindly went and collected from a Janome shop down the road for me. Terry is 1 half owner of the shop. Made my sewing so much easier. I thought what I had been using for machine blanket stitch was an open toe, but nope it wasn't. Made the job so much easier.

This is my block I was making. I still have to sew around the flowers. But I did get to sew around the frame work.

Our little group at the end of the day with Rachelle in the photo.

Hope you enjoyed seeing what was an amazing and awesome day at Patchwork By Sea

English Paper Piecing

2014-05-06T19:09:00.000+09:30

In the last week I have been busy with lots of sewing projects. One I love doing and must try and make more time for is English Paper Piecing.

Never mind I spent a couple of hours making this one last Tuesday at Dawn's place.

I then finished it off and made another one last Saturday at a quilting group I now go to twice a month.

These two hexies were fiddly to make and look ages to sew as I do tiny stitches to join the pieces together.

For Tony & Anne.

2014-04-19T17:13:00.000+09:30

Even though I am not posting here much I am a busy little beaver in my sewing room. I have a new laptop as well and this is making things "computer wise" so much easer.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and we are going out to see my daughter's in- laws for Easter lunch.

On my finish list is this quilt.

The top had been finished 2 Christmas ago, but we decided not to spend money on each other but on our little grand son Cooper. So the quilt hung on the coat hanger until a couple of weeks ago.

In this time I just left to to talk to me while I was in the sewing room. Took a few days to quilt it and then it just needed to have the binding put on it.

I am sure Tony & Anne will be thrilled with their quilt. Like the both of them, its a bright quilt and I am sure it will get lots of use.

I used the left over jelly roll strips to make the binding. The few old pieces left over will go into my scrap stash.

2014 What Will It Bring?

2014-01-05T16:08:00.001+10:30

Now all the festivities are finished, its time to look ahead at what 2014 is going to be bringing me.

Last year I managed to get all my UFO's finished except for one item. That blasted dilly bag. Not sure why its hanging on a coat hanger still. Not promising but would like to see it completed this year.

This gift was from my son in law's parents on Christmas day. Its not bigger than a regular size photo. I just love it.

2014 is going to be the year of the quilts. I am hoping to see a good amount of them made and some finished off. Also I'd like to get another couple of senior quilts made for my parish.

Wishing you that this year will bring you many productive days in your sewing room or area.

technorati tags: quilts

Secret Sister Santa Swap

2013-12-22T19:24:00.000+10:30

Sunday last week my two sisters and my sister in law and myself, met up in Clare for our Secret Sister Santa Swap.

By the time the due date came around there was 31 people at the luncheon in one of the local pubs.

My dad and my step mum were able to travel to Clare with my brother and his partner. This was very exciting as this gave not only them but other members of the family a chance to meet the latest additions to our families.

How exciting having us all together and once lunch was over, we all went to a park for the kids to have a run around.

This is where once all settled in our deck chairs we swapped presents.

Susan, Sally, Deb and myself.

Back a few years ago I asked my sister Deb is she wanted to do a fat 1/4 swap and this we did a couple of times. Then it grew into what is now a Christmas Swap.

Funny part was when we drew out the names, Sue pulled out Sally's and Sally pulled out Sue's name. That left myself and Deb to pull out each other's name.

My little bag came from the "Some Kind of Wonderful" book.

Next year its even bigger as Sue's daughter and her daughter in law have now joined in the swap. So its gone from 2 people to 6 now.

technorati tags: swaps, sewing, applique

Round Robin 2010 Finished.

2013-12-06T11:35:00.001+10:30

Back in 2010 I joined in a round robin journey. With the help of my Tuesday sewing girls, I learnt so much about putting borders on different size quilts, as they arrived through out the year.

I hung the quilt top on my wall for about 8 months as I wasn't sure how to quilt it. By letting the quilt top talk to me, I was able to decide how to quilt.

Also I was waiting for the Spotlight voucher, spend $100 and get $40.00 off. So love those vouchers.

Very happy actually I am stoked with how I quilted it. First time I haven't just either stippled a quilt or stitched in the ditch. I'm getting smarter..... no I think just braver......lol.

A plain label that records the year and who did what border. Is your name there?

I tend to put two fabrics together and have them off centre. I just like the look of it.

How awesome if the front of my quilt? I love every border. Marg blew me away with her border. As she traced my centre applique. I love the colours and size of the quilt.

Come to think of it so do the cats, as they kept sitting on me yesterday as I finished off the binding.

Thank you all who have gifted me your time and passion helping me create a one off unique quilt. I am so proud and humbled at what we have achieved.

technorati tags: applique, binding, stippling, quilts

Union Star Quilt

2013-11-17T17:40:00.000+10:30

My nephew was married in December 2012 and for the last 12 months I have been sitting on a quilt that needs to be not only made, but it just needs to be started.

I keep wanting to put a days work into the quilt at a time, but I can't seem to get what I want. So I have decided that even a hour here and a few hours there, has to be further than what I have gotten in the last 11 months.

Amy and Ben gave me this quilting book a few years back for Christmas and the quilt pattern is from this book. If you haven't already twigged, I'm a real fan of American civil war reproduction fabric. Plus I was bought up on western movies on TV.

The said quilt I am going to make. I have a feeling this won't be the only time I make this quilt as I love stars.

Fabric I picked have all come from Hettie's Patch an amazing quilting shop here in Adelaide. They were great with helping me pick the fabrics.

Blues

Reds

Shirting.

I still want to get another couple of colours but I can at least make a start on the quilt. Feels strange to have the fabrics out and handling them for the photos. After having it all sitting in its bag for so long, it feels weird to think its actually going to be part of my life for hopefully not all of next year.

technorati tags: blocks, books, civil war reproduction fabric, quilting shops

2014 is nearly here.

2013-11-16T10:31:00.000+10:30

Each year around this time I make a new diary cover for the up coming year. Instead of pulling out a boring looking book, I get to see a pretty cover.

Usually I tend to make the cover to show what I have been doing for the year that is nearly finished, This year I found I was doing and enjoying machine applique.

With my love for my cats I thought some silhouettes of cats would bed a nice way to go. I was going to put 4 cats on the front and back. But it didn't look right, So I went with 5 cats on the front.

Three cats on the back.

I'm a big fan of Shadow Play fabric and thought these cats would look great in this fabric. Not only that, it wold use up those little scraps of fabric.

I haven't done much shadow quilting, does it show?

Making this diary cover was lots of fun. I stepped outside my comfort zone and tried two new sewing forms.

technorati tags: animals, books, quilting, sewing

Colour Me Fabric

2013-09-30T23:03:00.000+09:30

I have been busy in my sewing room, though I did have a 4 day break while I was sick with gastro.

So enjoyed my time sewing this afternoon and 2 projects were made for our Tuesday sewing group's Christmas Swap.

Bit of a tease above of one of the present. The other one is a secret.

A friend of mine has me interested in the art of colouring in a picture and then making it into something. I have traced some geraniums onto a block and tomorrow while at Tuesday's sewing group, I'll shade it in.

Well that is the plan....shade, blend and I guess some smudging.

Took me a while to find the Derwent pencils. I have slowly collected the items I need. Just noticed I didn't have my board that has fine sandpaper stuck to it, this will help to stop the fabric from moving.

Hoping to be able to show how far I have come tomorrow afternoon.

technorati tags: applique

Block Month 1

2013-08-07T18:18:00.001+09:30

I just love getting goodies in the mail. And getting your starter pack for a BOM would have to be there at the top of that loving feeling.

My sister Debbie told me about this BOM that she is going to make. How could I not join in and have the same fun that making hexi's brings.

There is eight months to this BOM and the first month arrived today. The above photo shows you what is in the pack.

The BOM is by Sue Daley and it's called This Goes With That. I have ordered mine through The Patch Work Cow.

Stay tuned for some awesome hexi's in the future.

technorati tags: hexagon, BOM

Second Cushion.

2013-08-02T10:30:00.001+09:30

Second cushion finished and already being used in the lounge room.

I can't get over what a productive day I had yesterday. Binding finished on the table runner, which I ended up giving to James and Tamara for their house. Tamara's cushion put together and completed and the binding done on my cushion.

Makes me a happy girl.

technorati tags: Dear Jane, Cushions

Couple Of Finished Items.

2013-08-01T16:06:00.000+09:30

So pleased to be able to show you a couple of completed items. These have been sitting or hanging on my table or coat hanger for ages. Just so happy to see them finished and being able to be used.

Back in 2009 I started making a Dear Jane quilt and had no idea what I was getting into. I wasn't happy with the needle turn in my blocks and so I started from scratch.

Not liking waste I decided to turn the blocks into a couple of cushions. A quilter can never have too many cushions laying around the house.

One of the two cushions finished and this one is for my daughter-in-law Tamara. The other one I have just the hand binding to be done and that one is mine.

Table runner finally completed and ready for use. I started these blocks back 2 winters ago and it was packed away when Pat was hospitalized with pneumonia.

I am sure you can relate to my statement of, "feels so good to have a UFO finished". My white board list is looking must better and more items crossed off.

2013-06-10T11:03:00.000+09:30

Finally I have finished my wall hanger of Tis' The Season, that I started 2 years ago.

I was doing this as a stitch along and I was keeping up with everyone else. Then Pat was in hospital with pneumonia for a week and with his after care he needed, it was packed away.

So pleased I can tick this off my want to finish list for 2013.

Already I have started to finish off another BOM that I was doing and its a Dawn Hay design. Yesterday I put the top together and now I just need to find the right backing and Bob's your uncle another BOM is finished.

technorati tags: BOM, wall hanger

M.I.A.

2013-06-02T17:25:00.000+09:30

Gosh it's been almost three months since I last posted on my blog. A lot has happened and I have been busy in so many directions.

First off sorry I didn't get part 2 posted on our Lets Get Stitched weekend. But here is a picture of one of the finished projects I made.

I love this bag and I used a French General range by Moda . This is a Fiona Ransley design.

Inside of the bag. I know I will be making more of these as they will make great gifts.

As for being M.I.A.

Lot has happened. Couple of months ago my other cat "Rebel" was diagnosed with Cancer. It wasn't the result we were expecting when we went to the vet. Loosing Rebel bought back all the hurt of loosing my darling Lucky. So it was a very hard time going through the grieving period again.

I haven't been slack by any means. Been busy as I have taken up being an Avon Lady again. I started that back at the beginning of Feb. I even have quilting friends order through me and I post all over Australia. Postal orders get 10% off their order, due to having to also pay for postage. Now that was a plug and a half wasn't it?

Been busy with Patrick and his health issues. Last week he had his hand operated on and so I am busy doing things like cutting up his meat and tying shoe laces. Be glad one this ends and frees up some time for other things. Plus I am chief bottle washer. This will be on going for a few weeks....bugger hey??

Had a fox raid and attack my ducks a couple of nights ago. I lost Daphene number 1, while Bundy, Sunny and Daphene number 2 were also mauled. Rhett was the only duck the fox didn't get hold of. I am thinking it was a young fox. Also that evening they were attacked we had our wettest day in 10 month.

That leads me to the following photos.

I needed some me time. No one wanting me for anything, this includes the fur kids. We still have Harley, Pat's Siamese and Amy's two cats.

For the last 24 hours I have been stitching the binding up on a wall hanger. When its finished I'll show you it. Plus some zipper bags made out of some left over honey bun rolls.

I love the prettiness of this bag. I didn't have enough of the pink for the top piece, so I added

the pink stripey fabric.

Then today I made this zipper bag and had time to make the third one.

Really happy with the look of all 3 bags I have made this weekend. I feel like I have achieved something in my sewing area. Sewing therapy is good for the soul.

Still some honey bun strips left over for more zipper bags on another day. They'll make great gifts.

I hope not to leave it so long til the next post.

technorati tags: animals, moda, bags, fabric

Lets Get Stitched 2013 Part 1

2013-03-16T16:47:00.000+10:30

On the 8th if this month I had the pleasure of spending the day with some awesome quilting sisters. We had a bus hop to 3 quilting shops and 2 hours spent up in the Adelaide Hills around lunch time.

I met up with the girls at Hettie's Patch. Boy that is one beautiful quilt shop. I'm a fairly regular shopper here.

Behind the girls was a table with morning tea on it. After drooling over all the fabrics and notions, it was nice to have a cuppa, before we headed up into the Adelaide Hills.

We had lunch at Hahndorf and I had a kransky in pastry with chips and salad. When Pat is well enough, I want to take him there for a lunch.

There was this beautiful shop in Hahndorf and it was all about lavender. So many pretty goodies in the window, beautiful tea towels with lavender pics on them.

I had to sit outside of this shop while the girls went in for a look. I am allergic to lavender. I get migraines and start to vomit. Dawn who saw me sitting there gave me a little prize for not being able to go into this pretty shop.

Two fat 8'ths, I'm thinking a pretty zipper bag or a pin cushion. Thinking...................

Back on the bus and off to another quilting shop. Darn I can't find the card to tell you the name of it. Story of my life, always misplacing things around the house.

Then it was off to Trisha's quilting shop down near Castle Plaza. It was great to go back to this shop. It was my second time visiting this shop.

These are the fabrics I bought on the bus quilt shop hop. I am going to use them in my mystery sampler quilt I am doing this year. I bought 1/4 a metre of each.

There was a charm pack game that night and I took a Christmas charm pack and I went home with a "Whimsy" charm pack....good trade I say....lol.

Part 2 will be of the workshop day that was held on the Sunday.

technorati tags: blocks, charm pack, quilting shops

Better Block

2013-03-11T12:40:00.000+10:30

After posting the photo of the block that didn't work I pick this out of the other two from the list.

Much happier with the outcome of this block and I just love the colours of the block.

I have been busy the last few days with the "Let's Get Stitched" weekend that was held here in Adelaide. Lots of photos and one I have found more energy I'll post some photos of fabric I bought and of the workshop.

technorati tags: blocks

One Of Those Days

2013-03-05T21:10:00.000+10:30

Today has been a mixed day of good and bad.

On the good side, today Patrick and I have been married 30 years. We have seen so many changes in the last 30 years. Both of us are still happy to be "stuck" with each other and are looking forward to the next 30 years.

Now the not so good side of today.

I wanted to make a sampler block for the "Monthly Sampler Block" I have joined over on Our Craft Forum. After setting up the templates and cutting out the fabric, it all went down hill.

I checked the printing settings before I hit the print button. But the templates don't seem to match up size wise, the photo will explain it all.

The left strip comes up 2 inches short and is only 10 inches and not 12.5 inches, allowing for the 1/4 in seam allowance. The plain fabric isn't big enough to cover the square block and when the other triangles are added, on the seams for points, it comes up short.

Wasted fabric is annoying me more than the time spent this afternoon working on it.

The block is called Empire Star Block and I am sure its nothing I am doing wrong. Looking back on what I have made in the last 4 years I am 99% sure its nothing I am doing wrong. But there is still that doubt.

Tomorrow I will do a different block as there was 3 to choose from. Stay tuned.

On a brighter note. I finished off my flower for our Let's Get Stitched get together this weekend.

I've added my own touch to the design that was sent to me. Many thanks girls for sending the fabric for this little flower. Looking at the flower gives me a good feeling.

On Friday while we're doing our bus tour to 5 quilt shops, we'll all look pretty with our flowers. Then on Sunday its a workshop.

I'm going to meet so many wonderful quilters, who I have known through the magic of the internet for the last 4 years. That is going to be so special.

Taking my camera with me too.

technorati tags: blocks, quilting shops

Been Busy

2013-02-24T18:41:00.000+10:30

I have decided to join in this year with the Monthly Sampler Block over on "Our Craft Forum". I am going with an Autumn tone. First block is done and just in time as this month is speeding by.

I was behind on the monthly hexi swap too and I am now up to date at last.

This one was for Kimba.

This one was for Vicki. Now I just have to get this month's hexi made. Thank goodness its not a post one, its for Dawn and I'll see her Tuesday.

I have been busy elsewhere too. I have finished the apron swap and that will be posted Tuesday. Also I have started the secret Santa swap with the Tuesday girls. This one won't be shown until the end of the year.

Well I had better get back into it.

technorati tags: aprons, hexagon, blocks, swaps

Oh Pooh.

2013-01-12T12:25:00.002+10:30

My run on this wall hanger "Tis The Season" has come to a temporary halt. I don't have enough of the fabric left over for the last border. I'll use that fabric for the binding.

Can't buy any fabric until later in the month and then I am hoping to have this one finished and crossed off my white board before February starts.

Don't mind admitting I was very disappointed with not being able to finish the wall hanger. I thought it would be a good idea to finish each item I picked to complete. Still its not a draw out of the way, but hanging on a coat hanger where I can see it.

This morning I have been cleaning up and packing away the bits of fabric not needed and cleaning out the door of my sewing machine. I like to do this at the end of each project.

I'm going to use this time while waiting to buy the fabric, to get stuck in to James and Tamara's quilt. Was going to sandwich and quilt the sampler quilt, but I need more quilting pins. Thinking about maybe getting some of those "things" that go on the ends of the pins. So I don't need to use quilting safety pins. This too has been on hold until I buy the fabric for "Tis The Season".

If you use those little do-dars on the end of your quilting pins, tell me what you think of them please.

Thought I'd show you the hexies I have been collecting for a while in a monthly swap. Wondering what to make with them. I'm thinking maybe a quilt?

Any ideas would be wonderful.

technorati tags: blocks, BOM, fabric, hexagon, quilting, quilting shops, quilts, stitchery, wall hanger

On The Move

2013-01-08T12:10:00.004+10:30

There is a bit of a reshuffle in the sewing room and gym room. When Cooper spends the day or night with us, his cot is in the gym room. This has been okay to a point.

We have to move out "stuff" to use the gym and this some days is a pain in the bum and we don't get into the gym for a work out. I want this to change and so I have given up my sewing room.

To an extent. I still have my gear in there, but not my sewing cabinet.

This will be a better idea as the sewing room is a bit bigger and much brighter. Not only that, safer as I don't have an all in-one gym set behind me when I step back.

At some stage down the track, we'll have to put a single bed in there. That will be sorted out with a trip to Ikea.

This area is a bit of an issue. Once I have a wall unit the tall boy and this cabinet will be replaced This will then free up a good amount of space and there will be room for a single bed then, plus the cot.

My sewing cabinet is in the kitchen/dining area and we have a spot for that as well. But we have to move a bit of furniture in the back room.

Stay tuned.

Grand Babies Visiting

2013-01-07T18:53:00.000+10:30

I am behind on my hexi swap on "Our Craft Forum". I mean I am really behind. Got so carried away with the Christmas gift making and being so sick.

Three months behind to be honest.

These were posted this morning to their new owners. I didn't want to send them leading up to the Christmas New Year holidays.

I so hope they fit in well in their new gardens.

I machine quilted there 2 heart blocks and are now ready for posting off to a lady who is making a quilt for someone. These were done yesterday afternoon, but I wanted to know about writing my name and country on them before posted. So they missed this mornings trip to the post office.

These stitcheries are from the "Tis the season" I was doing a stitch a-long back in 2011. It become too much for me when Pat was sick with pneumonia. So I packed it away until now.

This one was stitched while watching Die Hard on TV last night.

Started this one towards the end of the movie last night and finished it today before some little visitors arrived for the morning/afternoon.

I'll start another one tonight while watching "Jaws" on TV. Yes I did play the movie on DVD the other day. But if you know me, you know what sort of movies I love.

We had a couple of little cuties visit us today.

River came and visited us from 11 am till about 4 pm as her mummy and daddy went out as its their first wedding anniversary today. Lunch and the flicks to celebrate. It was cool in the house so a light wrap was needed.

Cooper arrived around 1.30 and stayed until 5 pm, he thought my ugg boots were just the thing to walk around the house in. He's saying new words and was taught by Auntie Fiona while in Melbourne last month to say "cheers" with his bottle. LOL it so cute.

Lots to show today and I am so pleased with how my list is going down and I am just thrilled to think so far so good in the sewing room.

technorati tags: hexagon, stitchery, wall hanger