Stitch Selection

Outside My Comfort Zone

2012-05-26T12:50:00.000+09:30

I am always wanting to push myself to learn new ways in my crafts, be it knitting or sewing.

My latest push for being outside my comfort zone is machine applique. I haven't done a lot and by the end of this project, should have me an almost expert.

Been saying to Pat for awhile about a quilt for Cooper for when he visits our place. Now that Amy is back at work, we have a regular all day Thursday with Coop. But the quilt hasn't been made yet.

Yesterday afternoon I started to look through my quilting magazines for some animal templates I thought would be nice on Cooper's quilt.

Last night I went through my stash and have started to pick out some homespun fabrics for the blocks. I always get nervous when picking out colours. Are they too bright? Not bright enough? Too plain? Over busy?

I have three blocks picked out and ready to machine applique and another 3 blocks to iron the appliques on.

Very excited and at the same time very nervous about my new direction I am taking with my sewing.

technorati tags: animals, applique, blocks, quilts, fabric

Our Dad

2012-05-23T12:40:00.001+09:30

A couple of times on my blog I have mentioned about a secret quilt. Today I am able to tell you about this secret quilt.

My dad isn't a well man now a days. He's always been a hard worker from his teens until he retired. Most of the work was done in the outback of Australia.

Back when our mum died I spent the days leading up to her funeral, keeping dad company. I saw my dad in a different light. I feel it has brought us even closer in our relationship.

It was dad's birthday this month and back a few months ago I spoke to my 2 sisters Sue & Debbie and our sister-in-law Sally, about a quilt for dad.

All three jumped at the chance to join with me in making a sampler quilt for dad. Debbie suggested 12 inch blocks as this would be a good size when putting the twelve blocks together.

Sally went to Spotlight and bought a backing fabric and I bought the wadding.

It was decided to have the blocks completed by the last Friday in April as we were meeting at Debbie's place (in her local town) to put the quilt together.

We were thrilled with how the blocks all came together in an Autumn theme. Placing the blocks and the labels we each made on Deb's kitchen table was so exciting.

Our labels were made from some of the fabric we used in our blocks. This way dad would be able to tell who made what blocks.

After having a cuppa and talking about the sashing/border colour we thought would look nice. We walked down to the local quilting shop with the labels to match up a fabric.

It was handy having a quilting shop in the town as we were able to pick the sashing/border fabric between the four of us. While we were there, we also did some shopping for ourselves.

Using Deb's bed to lay the blocks out in the order we picked them to go in. It was fun moving the blocks around to see where the blocks suited. We picked our own block styles and fabrics. This day was the first time all the blocks had been together and we just couldn't get over how well they suited each other.

We all had a job on the day, Sue was using her ruler for measuring before cutting fabric, Sally was ironing, Debbie was pinning and me...... I brought my sewing machine along and I was chief sewer. Once we got into a routine we just zoomed along.

I took photos while Sue, Sally & Deb pinned the quilt. This is the first time I have seen a quilt sandwiched and I learnt so much. Hence the photos, so I can look back on them when I sandwich my next quilt.

Debbie took the quilt back to the sheep station when she lives and quilted the quilt. Then on a Wednesday when it was the local quilting day, Debbie passed the quilt onto Sue for the binding to be done.

Our labels with our special birthday wishes on them. We all thought the backing fabric Sally chose suited the Autumn theme so well.

All finished and ready to go to our dad.

I though when dad isn't feeling well or just feeling cold, he can wrap his girl's around him and feel our love for him.

Happy Birthday Dad. You are very much loved.

technorati tags: blocks, sewing, quilting, quilts

The Week That Was

2012-05-21T18:04:00.000+09:30

I have enjoyed this last week so much and feel I have achieved so much in my Farmer's Wife & Dear Jane quilts.

Block 3

Hunter's Moon

This one took a while to work out and I did spend some time looking for my old DJ blocks. But alas they are once again lost in my sewing room. I really don't know how I could loose them a second time.

Once I had finished this block and about ready to clean up the kitchen where I was sewing and cutting, my heart started to play up.

Long story short I spent the night in hospital and was released at 10 am Sunday morning. This gave me 30 minutes to get to church to see my grandson Cooper baptized. I made it, just as our priest was walking down the aisle to the alter.

There is talk of an angiogram in the coming weeks.

Gosh I have gone off track, back to the blocks.

I made 4 Farmer's Wife blocks and 4 Dear Jane blocks. Very happy with my week.

technorati tags: Dear Jane, Farmer's Wife Quilt

Three Blocks For Today

2012-05-17T09:22:00.000+09:30

Yesterday we had little Cooper again and while he thrilled us with his presence I cut out the templates for 3 Farmer's Wife blocks.

While I took over the kitchen table and Cooper took over the rest of the rooms, he was able to get into, Pat took it all in his stride. Hehehehehe

Block 8

Bouquet

I spent more time tracing the templates onto fabric and cutting the fabric, than sewing them together.

Block 9

Box

After making the Dear Jane blocks it was lovely to have a block or two that wasn't as fiddly.

Block 10

Bowtie

I love how in the book the instructions are just visual and no words written. Very relaxing and so rewarding.

My sister-in-law Sally sent me this great you-tube link on nest & spiral seams. If your making the Farmer's Wife quilt or just want to learn a great way of flattening those seams check it out. Thanks Sally for the tip.

Cushion Swap

2012-05-16T20:51:00.001+09:30

Now that my cushion I made for a swap has arrived I can show you what I made and what I was given.

Love cushions and I have quite a few floating around the house, lotsI have made and some from swaps.

Liz was my swap partner this time and she knows me so well.

Isn't my cushion just me? Love my chooks and ducks so much. I had told Liz when we were talking about what we'd like in our cushion. I said anything as long as she understands I'll be using the cushion and so it'll need to stand up to the washing machine and my fur kids.

I love the cushion and its used every day on the lounge. So far the fur kids haven't used it......lol

Liz said to me about how she didn't want an over bright cushion. So I picked the Moda "Butter Cup" range for the applique and the backing of the cushion.

I love the fact I had some of a charm pack left over and thought this fabric was just spot on for a "soft look" . Practiced my machine embroidery on the applique and am become rather keen on this form of applique work.

This has been a very enjoyable swap.

technorati tags: cushion, swap

Another Jane

2012-05-15T21:32:00.000+09:30

A-2 One -Two Buckle My Shoe

This block has 40 pieces to it. My points aren't the best and the row that is not sitting well is row 3. Row three is done in two sections and then joined together.

Once the blocks are all together, people will be too busy going OMG to notice the points not perfect.

Interesting thing is these points aren't bothering me like the colour mix up did. So I shall not be posting asking for a "what would you do?" question tonight.

I'm happy as I have made 3 blocks in 2 days.

technorati tags: Dear Jane Quilt

Another Dear Jane.

2012-05-15T15:20:00.000+09:30

Let me start this post off by saying a huge thank you too all that that have commented about the last block. I'm going to keep it in the quilt, rather than make a pin cushion or what ever with it.

I have been enjoying the last couple days making my Farmer's Wife block and the two Dear Jane blocks.

As much as I have enjoyed making blocks for Christmas quilts, Senior Quilts finished off and a surprise quilt I shall soon post about, its good to be making something for myself again.

So much enjoyment I have decided (if nothing goes wrong) that this week is going to be Farmer's Wife and Dear Jane week.

I think we're having Cooper again tomorrow as well as our usual Thursday, so I'll work on getting templates printed off, traced on fabric and cut out, ready to sew later on in the week.

At night I'll continue with the Dear Jane blocks.

G-10 Woven Meadows

Today's block took me 2.5 hours, including a lunch break while the midday movie was on. So I'd say at a guess 2 hours, from tracing the foundation templates onto some non-ironing interfacing to sewing on the last piece of fabric.

And guess what? The fabrics are all correctly placed in this block...lol.

I love this block and think the fabric suits it well.

I love foundation piecing and as I hadn't done any blocks for a while, I didn't know how much I love this style of quilting.

technorati tags: Dear Jane Quilt

Star Struck Block

2012-05-15T10:33:00.000+09:30

F-7 Star Struck

I spent an enjoyable evening last night, making this Dear Jane block. Just love star blocks and I couldn't resist treating myself to this block.

Its smaller than the Farmer's Wife blocks and put together by foundation piecing and not templates.

Once it was finished I showed Pat and he said how nice it was. Then I realized, I had made the centre of the star white and not the with the blue fabric.

I was then torn with what to do. The block looks stunning and I am so pleased with the points and how crisp they are.

What to do???

Then I thought why not ask.

So last night I posted on Face Book and the Janiac's Unite blog what would you do ?

The response was over whelming and thank you to all that commented. With all your wonderful comments, you helped me to decide and I'm staying with this block.

technorati tags: blocks, Dear Jane

Farmer's Wife Block

2012-05-14T18:07:00.002+09:30

Birds In The Air, block 7 from the Farmer's Wife quilt.

Fiddly bugger when cutting out all those pieces. Very happy with the end result and so pleased with my points.

Since finishing the block this afternoon, I have been doing some foundation piecing on my Dear Jane quilt. Enjoying every moment.

I have to take a break as I am score keeper for Amy's netball team tonight. Then I'll get back into it, when I get home.

technorati tags: Dear Jane Quilt, civil war reproduction fabric, Farmer's Wife

Finally

2012-05-14T11:53:00.000+09:30

Finally the two Senior Quilt have made it to my local Parish. I am so excited to think these two quilts will bring some comfort to a couple of seniors.

Hoping its not too long down the track before I get to make another one or two quilts for my Parish.

More Blocks

2012-05-09T17:46:00.001+09:30

An update on the Senior Quilts as I was taking them up to the parish yesterday. This didn't happen as at about 9.10 am an ambulance was called for Patrick while we were at our local chemist. We had called in to pick up the never ending supply of prescriptions and POW the asthma attack hit without warning.

This is the first time we have needed an ambulance at a shopping centre.

What a great place to have an attack, they were marvelous and had Pat on a nebuliser while we waited for the ambulance. Many thanks to the owner and staff, also the ambulance people who took care of Pat.

So we didn't get to the parish office and spent the hours away at the hospital until Pat was released.

I'll just let you know after I have been to the parish, as when I plan to go, something happens and we don't get there.

Today was a better day as Pat rested and my sister Debbie was here with her sewing machine. I set up the trestle table in the kitchen and we sewed our little hearts out.

But first we did a trip to Spotlight and used our "spent $100 and pay for $60.00 vouchers" on lots of machine embroidery threads and some other notions.

I made 2 blocks for Tony & Ann's quilt. Very happy with how they are coming together.

Streak Of Lightening

Maple Star

Tomorrow is our day with Cooper. I am thinking a quiet day making and cutting templates and fabric for my Farmer's Wife blocks will be a nice way to go.

Can't wait until Cooper is old enough to draw, cut and glue with his Nanny and Poppy. Until then I'll enjoy Cooper raiding my Tupperware cupboard for lids and his toys.

technorati tags: blocks, quilts

Third Senior Quilt Finished

2012-05-07T17:21:00.003+09:30

Last night and this afternoon I finished off the binding and the label on the third Senior Quilt.

This one is suited for a woman. I'm very happy with the quilt and how I have used some beautiful "mother" sayings in the border.

Once again I have used a lovely quilt label that talks about kindness and love. I was asked where I got these lovely labels and I am pretty sure it was The Craft Depot about 2 years ago.

I am so thrilled to think I have made 3 Senior Quilts for this winter. First one was sent to Pa for his 90th birthday, back in March.

The whole idea was to use up the donated squares and scraps of fabric in my sewing room. The idea of the Senior Quilts grew from a dream I had one night. Was it God telling me how to put the squares to a good use?

Tomorrow I'll take the quilts up to my Parish and show them to the people in the office. I have been talking to a person in the Parish office about getting the quilts to some people in our Parish. They know I'm coming in sometime this week.

I'm hoping to be able to tee up a visit with a person who does home visits to some of the parishioners. They'll have a good idea who can use a quilt more so. That way I can write their name on the label.

I've decided this will be an on going project and down the track I'll start making more. Not sure if it'll be for this winter or start for next winter.

Pat & I are on a pension and I so know how hard it is to live fortnight to fortnight. Thankfully our kids have now left home and this does take some pressure off us.

Barb asked me if I want some more squares for future quilts and I have said yes. If you would like to donate some squares or some fabric to help me keep costs down, please email me.

I'll be keeping my eye open at Spotlight for reduced fabric for backings and sashing. Wadding I'll buy when on sale and with those 20% cards I get for taking my own bag.

I started the Senior Quilts to let a senior know,

There is someone who is thinking of you.
The quilt will keep you warm on a cold night. More so now with utilities rising even higher.
Maybe they have no family left and a quilt will make them feel loved.
I wanted to give something to someone, as I have so much to be thankful for.

I'll keep plugging away with the quilts for Christmas, weddings and Senior Quilts. I did say this was the "Year of the Quilts" and I'm so pleased I am doing just that.

Many thanks for all the positive comments here, via email, face book, quilting groups/forums and my sisters Sue, Debbie & Sister-in-law Sally who donated the wadding we didn't use in Burra. Its already ear marked towards a future Senior Quilt. Love you 3 girls so much xoxoxo

Binding All Finished

2012-05-05T22:00:00.001+09:30

Finally I have one of the two Senior Quilts I have been working on, finished.

I was starting to wonder if I was going to ever get this completed, before winter arrived.

I am so thrilled with the end result and that those donated 3 inch blocks, weren't just put at the back of a cupboard and forgotten about.

Tomorrow I'll hopefully have the bonding on the second quilt sewn on and start the binding by hand tomorrow night.

I picked a label out with a pretty saying on it. I wasn't sure what to write myself and thought "keep it simple". The person who receives this quilt, will have their name written onto the label.

I hope your day has been as rewarding as mine.

technorati tags: quilts, RAOK, give away

Cooper

2012-05-03T10:27:00.001+09:30

Cooper is growing up so fast. Every Thursday Cooper spends the day with us, while his mummy is at work.

Cooper is such a joy to all of us and we just can't get enough of this little guy.

He loves sitting on our little step from the kitchen to the rumpus room. Also the little duck Khris gave me is a popular toy when he comes around for a visit.

Though the cats are wondering why Amy & Ben haven't dropped him off at the pet shop at 6 weeks like most kittens are.

Christmas Quilts Started

2012-05-02T12:32:00.001+09:30

Its been awhile since I have posted here. Been rather busy and also I was away in Burra for a day working on a secret quilt with my 2 sisters and sister-in-law. Once that secret is out, I'll post some photos here.

Also I have been trying to get the binding cut and onto the 2 senior quilts I have made. For one reason and another, this isn't happening. So hoping tonight after tea is finished and cleared away, I can get the binding cut and onto the quilts.

We have Cooper here this afternoon, due to mummy having carpets cleaned at their place. Easier for Coop to come here and hang out with the olds....lol

I have been making some blocks for a Christmas gift for Amy's in law's.

Rolling Stone

Tulip

Card Trick

At the beginning of the year I said 2012 this year was the year of the quilts and its sure looking this way.

I thought Anne & Tony would love a quilt as a gift. Also Amy & Ben are having a quilt as well. I saw the fabric range of Moda "Good Fortune" in a quilt recently and thought it would so suit them.

Plus an Autumn quilt for our nephew and his bride in a Dec wedding this year.

That is why I am starting so early in the year. These 12.5 in sampler blocks are just so easy to make and very relaxing, not a stressful event at all.

Hello Cooper is awake and wants his Nanna. Bye.

technorati tags: binding, blocks, gifts

Cracking That Jelly Roll

2012-04-19T13:18:00.004+09:30

Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!

So you've cracked that jelly roll, its been hiding in your stash for an unmentionable amount of time.

Gone are those days of sneaking into your stash where petting and fondling the jelly roll is done in secret.

You've ironed it and separated those drool factor strips of fabric........

How do you separate those strips?

By

colour
print size
pattern

I'd love to know how you split up the 42 strips when getting ready to turn the jelly roll into a quilt.

I'm making a sampler quilt as a gift for a couple. Its their Christmas present for this year.

Me I am not sure how I am going to separate the roll. Thinking I'll look at the block and pick the fabric for that block. Guess you can call it swinging.

technorati tags: Moda, Jelly Rolls

Second Quilt Top Finished

2012-04-18T08:45:00.004+09:30

I've been so sick with a cold that had zapped most of my energy. Pat has even been doing to cooking, many thanks for this Pat:). I've just been reading and making a few quilt blocks for James & Tamara's quilt.

I am so please to be able post the photos of the second quilt top I finished about a week ago.

I used a pink theme for this quilt as the blocks were rather feminine looking. Really enjoyed using different colours in both quilt tops for the sashing. Made a pleasant change from the cream and white fabrics I tend to use.

The border is a beautiful fabric given to me by Khris just before she moved back to Queensland.

I fussy cut the fabric to show off the beautiful sayings.

I am so please to tell you all, those 3 inch blocks (I was given) are now all been made into 3 quilts. So pleased they just weren't put into the sewing room, never to been seen again.

There is still more fabric squares I have been given, only bigger. These too will be turned into senior quilts, just not right now. There is James & Tamara's quilt to be finished, plus a quilt for a wedding gift in December and 2 quilts for Christmas gifts to be made.

Then I can look about making more of these quilts for the seniors.

technorati tags: blocks, give away, quilts, RAOK

Those Senior Quilts.

2012-04-12T15:53:00.000+09:30

Finally I have the first of 2 senior quilt tops completed as of this morning. I popped the sashings on last night and this morning I finished the border off.

We have Cooper tomorrow morning, so not much sewing will be done on this day.

Now I have spent some of this afternoon sorting out the last of the nine patch blocks and cutting the some of the sashings. Tonight after tea I'll start sewing the shorter sashings to the blocks.

If all goes well, I could have all the sashing finished on this quilt.

Until I work out this new setup for posting on Blogger, I say sorry for how the page is set up.

More On The Quilt

2012-03-26T13:49:00.004+10:30

On Saturday afternoon I was a happy quilter as I made 3 more blocks after posting the centre block on my blog.

The brown star block will be the corner blocks. This photo shows off the size of the centre block better as well.

After these blocks are all but together, there is a boarder and then the next size block goes around.

technorati tags: blocks, quilt

Centre Block Finished

2012-03-24T15:37:00.002+10:30

I am so proud of my block, the points are just spot on.

This is the centre block for James & Tamara's quilt. So easy and non stressful, a real joy to make.

That angle ruler makes it all so much easier and quicker. I highly recommend this ruler for the sampler blocks in the book.

Off to start another block...hehehe

technorati tags: blocks, quilts

James & Tamara's Quilt

2012-03-23T10:12:00.006+10:30

This morning I started to cut the fabric I picked for James & Tamara's quilt. I was asked to make one for their wedding and finally I have started, even if its only cutting.

Pinning these two working newly weds down with colour, style and quilt patten took some time as I was asked just before their wedding if I would make a quilt.

Their colour choice is green (Tamara's fav) & blue (James' fav) and after trying to find a jelly roll in this theme and not finding any. I ordered yardage off the internet and then had to wait for it to arrive.

I have added the fabric on the left to the collection. This was from a Red Rooster scrap bag, I had ordered earlier on.

Last year I was given some birthday money from a craft group I am in and this book was one of 2 I ordered. I wanted something to show from the $$$ after the fabric I bought was gone.

This is the sampler quilt the kids have asked me to make. I love star blocks and I am so excited as these blocks are 3 different sizes.

Patrick gave me this little ruler as a stocking filler last year. I have used it already for 3 blocks and its so easy to use. Pat bought this ruler one trip to Hettie's Patch. I knew I took him there for other reasons than to see Bob their cat....lol

As the blocks are made I'll post a photo of them here.

I haven't forgotten those senior quilts either. They are ready for my little sew trip away in just under 2 weeks. Looking at getting three tops made while away.

technorati tags: blocks, books, cotton material, fabric, gifts, quilts, sewing

Owners Sought For "Special Quilt" Lost In Tornado

2012-03-19T09:35:00.002+10:30

Owners Sought For "Special Quilt" Lost In Tornado - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

I saw this link on a quilting group and thought I would blog it here to help get the word out.

Grammie had made a quilt for someone in her family and its a beautiful appliqued quilt of 20 ladies and names of 20 women. People are thinking they maybe her granddaughter's names.

It was found after a tornado hit an area in the USA.. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the quilt was reunited with either the owner or a member of the family???

Thirty Blocks Later

2012-03-18T15:26:00.004+10:30

Thirty blocks later I have finally finished sewing together all those little 3 inch blocks for the senior quilts.

These blocks would have been finished earlier, but I was in hospital again from Tuesday to Thursday of last week. Doctors have placed me on another tablet daily for my heart and I so hope this will be the last visit to hospital for a long time.

Going to take them away with me in a few weeks as the Sunday sewing girls are having a few days to ourselves. Khris is coming back home for the school holidays and we're all catching up and having a sort of retreat.

I figured I'd get a lot done in a couple of days with no interruptions. Going to be leaving Pat behind and in the 15 years he's been sick, this will be my first break. Really looking forward to the idea of just us girls.

I'm in a cushion swap and so I had better make a move on this project. Been called the Cushion Queen by my swap partner......lol. Better not let her down.

technorati tags: blocks, quilts, RAOK, gifts, give away

Senior Quilt Number Two

2012-03-12T13:47:00.005+10:30

Finally getting stuck into the 3 inch blocks for the senior quilts. They have been sitting for some time on my tray in the sewing room.

Since I sorted these squares out, I have found more squares, only bigger. These will be made into quilts as well.

Last night I sewed a pile into 3 per row and this left 15 sets of 9 patch blocks to be sewn to this afternoon. Then I'll iron and sew them into the block size I want.

I have spoken to some people in my parish and they are more than happy to put me in touch with a person who does home visits to nursing homes and retirement villages. This will help me get these quilts to people who really could do with a quilt.

Well I had better get back to the sewing machine.

technorati tags: blocks, gifts, give away, RAOK, quilting, quilts

Last Of The HUGGLES Gone

2012-03-08T11:46:00.004+10:30

Monday this week I spent 2 hours having a glucose test. I took along the last of the HUGGLES in the house for the local IMVS for the children who have blood taken.

I was told the last load went like hot cakes and the children loved them. Its great getting feed back from where I have delivered them. In turn I love letting you know that all your wonderful time and giving, has been just so appreciated.

Not only do the places that these little cute HUGGLES say thank you, I too say thank you for your gifts.

Did you make one of these little HUGGLES???

If you have time and would love to make even 1 HUGGLES for my charity, it will be a big help.

technorati tags: HUGGLES FOR KIDS, softies, toys