Hello strangers

Hello there. My poor little blog has been suffering this year, but a lovely email from a special bloggy friend has prompted me to post. My blog might be quiet but life has been going on at its usual rapid pace. I have been knitting socks and shawls, English paper piecing diamonds and a little applique. 

Some exciting things have happened too. This little favorite of mine won second place in the Miniature category at the Sydney Quilt Show in June. I have wondered for ten years if a quilt of mine would ever be exhibited there, let alone win a prize. What a great experience it was. I loved doing my white glove duty too, and spending a crafty weekend in Sydney with the Cassilis Quilters.

It was also exciting to see my own design, Doing The Rounds hanging at the show. It didn't win a prize, but it's my favorite quilt ever. From the scrappy original sketch to every single hand stitch, it is my own work, and a personal goal achieved. The icing on the cake was being approached to make a pattern for my quilt, and it will soon be available to purchase from De Quiltster in the Netherlands. Hats off to all the wonderful designers who do this for a living, pattern writing is hard! If you're interested in a copy, please email me.

I hope everyone in blogland is well and happily stitching away. I'm more often found on Instagram as Thimblestitch1 these days, so pop over and say hi.

Take care,

Susan

Limping along

I have decided to stop feeling bad about not blogging, and just be happy to do a post when I can. Life is busy!

Since my last post I've had a wonderful sewing weekend at Nundle........despite the four hour power and Internet blackout. Time spent with stitching friends is always good. Much to their horror, I knitted all weekend. I decided to try a shawl, and whilst it's finished, I'm not happy with the colour or how it hangs. I've thrown it to the back of the cupboard for now. I did finish some socks and another little stocking.

 

 

After a slow start, I'm happy to report that my SSCS is on the sleigh headed to its cold destination. The cute little reindeer is staying with me though.

 

And I've started quilting this little pentagon mini. It was loosely based on something I saw at the Sydney craft show last year (or the year before?) and has sat as a flimsy waiting for something more to happen. It hasn't turned out quite as I envisioned but it has reached the point where it has to be finished or thrown. I think it will make a good portable sewing project for my flight in ju st 3.5 weeks. It's so hot that I've changed my winter wardrobe over to summer, and packed for my cold Christmas already.......just have to add the smalls!

 

I am so addicted to sock knitting that I can't see a day where I won't have a pair underway. So portable, and I absolutely love the brain buzz of working out a new pattern. I accidentally purchased a skein of wool that wasn't big enough for full socks, but just enough for ankle socks..........and this is the result. I was going to gift them but not sure if I can.......

 

I'm having a delicious day off today. Planning to get the chores done as soon as possible so I can spend the afternoon flitting between projects!

Happy stitching,

Susan x

It's a finish

The beauty of mini quilts is that finishing them can often be a lot faster than big quilts. I spent a lovely few hours doing the hand quilting and binding on this little one over the weekend (13" square). It's actually a slightly variegated indigo/navy, left over from a previous project, but it's very hard to capture the colour day or night. The quilting was a little challenging because I put very very light interfacing behind the white so no blue would show, and it made it harder work with the needle through. Luckily no one will look at the back!

 

 

I'm very happy with how my mini wall is looking.

 

A happy sewing start to the working week!

Susan x

Chookshed birthday

I'm joining in for a weekend of virtual sewing to celebrate the Chookshed's fourth birthday. And what a beautiful cold, rainy weekend it is. 

I've been doing a bit of knitting lately.......two beanies, one too big and one too small......one more go before I give up!

 

After seeing a very similar large size quilt on the cover of Quilters Companion I thought it was time this little mini was quilted. I'm so tempted to make a full scale one in just navy and white. Yes the blue pen will wash out. I have heard some horror stories but it always washes out for me.

 

Still going on Doing The Rounds. Lots and lots of circles to applique. Just have to decide what to put in those spaces either side of the main flower......

 

Hope you're having a wonderful sewing weekend too.

Susan x

Another little finish

This little mini was almost finished at my Two Rives retreat, it only needed the binding sewn on. Just 11" x 12", and made with 1/4" hexies. It was inspired  by a quilt I saw at the Sydney Craft show last year, you can read about it here. It wasn't until I added this photo that I noticed how much that very dark flower stands out, too late to do anything about it now!

I will have to think of another small hexie project, I'm a bit lost without them!

My son came home from Uni last night so it has been a good family day today........right up to the part where I disturbed some paper wasps and got about 14 stings on my back and arm. Feeling a bit fragile now, but at least my hands haven't swollen, so I'll still be able to stitch.

I hope you're having a happy Easter of stitching, chocolate and NO creepy crawlies!

Susan x

Hexie mini

I finished a flimsy last night....a teeny tiny one.....12" x 10". I was inspired by a quilt on display at the Sydney Craft Show last year (see my post). It just needs to be appliqued onto a background, probably the same dark red as the hexies between the flowers. I auditioned so many fabrics for those spots, but came back to the darker red. Anything else compromised the flowers. 

My eldest son is soon leaving for University in Sydney. I'm so happy and excited for him, but a bit sad for me, I'll miss him so much. Fortunately it's only 3.5 hours drive away, and I'm trying to look on the positive side of all the patchwork shops I will be able to visit more regularly! Anyway, as part of his packing I made this cute pouch for some first aid supplies. And he likes it!

Hope to show some photos of the next part of my quilt design soon. 

Susan x

A little crazy

I'm back at my 1/4" hexies again. Working on this lovely inspired by one seen at last years Sydney Quilt Show. I need the papers out for another project! Not sure if those little spaces on the right should be red or something else.

It's slow going but I've finally turned the corner with Sacrlett Ribands. I am so excited about finishing this one day and hanging it above my bed.

School is back for two of my boys.....seems odd that one of them didn't go (he leaves for Uni in three weeks). I just have to share Mr 14's holiday creation. It's a folding pocket knife made from an old pallet. To be honest I didn't think it would work when he showed me the design, but to his credit and with a small amount of help from Dad he's done it. Kept him occupied for quite a while. 

Happy Saturday!

Susan x

New routine and some help please

So my working days have changed and I'm trying to get used to a new routine where I work four days one week, then have six days off and work for two days, weekend, repeat. I really liked working Monday to Wednesday every week, I guess I'll have to get used to the change.

This week I've used my days to plough through some Christmas sewing, which is all secretive so I can't show you, and put the binding on this little fellow I started at the Middlebrook retreat. The Dresden is 5 1/2", and I am in love with the look of the echo hand quilting.

I need some help sourcing these. I don't know what they're called, but they are the BEST way to attach a charm to a zipper pull. I got these ones from Studio Mio, but they only have silver left. Does anyone know where I could get them, or have some they want to sell? I just crimp it with pliers and the charm stays put, it's about 3/8" open.

I surprised myself at the weekend by making quite a decent start on my Christmas shopping, and even wrapped it all up yesterday.........but the tree isn't up to put them under yet.......a job for the weekend. But not on Sunday because I'm having lunch with the Cassilis quilters! Looking forward to another stitchy catchup. 

Susan x

Lea's 1930's Leaves

I was very happy to finish the quilting on this mini last weekend, and the binding was quick to do today. It's so different to my usual colour palette, but I love it. It measures 15" X 13". Thank you to Lea for the scraps, and Judy Day for the inspiration.

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Making mini quilts feels a bit indulgent. As beautiful as they are, they aren't very useful, but I do subscribe to the William Morris quote "Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." I sew for the sheer pleasure in every stitch.

I'm having some quiet stitching time today, reflecting on world events and hoping for peace in France.

Susan x

Retreat weekend

Home from a FNWF that lasted two nights and three days. Our retreat at Middlebrook was fun, inspiring and rejuvenating. We gathered on Friday and stitched the weekend away. I didn't take many photos because I was too busy being in the moment.

I finished quilting this little darling, and now just need to bind it. Almost had a disaster when I dropped cut passion fruit on it yesterday, but thankfully it didn't stain.

These three rascals snuggled under Raelee's first whole cloth quilt. I am so impressed by how quickly Raelee is mastering the technique, but it hasn't tempted me to try........yet.

Raelee also showed us her Violet all finished and bound. Such a beautiful (and huge) quilt.

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I'm still dabbling with 1930's, this Dresden is 5 1/2" diameter.

Thanks for a great weekend girls, I think next time we should go for a week!

In other news, I can now be found on Instagram @thimblestitch1, but I won't be abandoning my blog anytime soon :)
Happy stitching.

Susan x

Mini flimsy

Yesterday I finished off my 1930's orange peel mini. I love the colours, and feel tempted to try a full size version one day. Thank you Lea and Marina for giving me some of your scraps to make it. Now to think about quilting.

I don't think I've shown you this mini. I started it straight after the Syndey show, full of red and white inspiration from the exhibition, and after seeing a similar style by Sue Daley. Now I think the "different" red fabrics are all too much the same. Need to add some 1/4" hexie flowers and leave it be as red and white........unless anyone has a good suggestion!

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The weather has been lovely for gardening this weekend, but our beautiful sunny day just turned into a rainy storm........perfect after all my weeding and planting. Time for some work on my SSCS gift.

Susan x

Odds and Ends

Like everyone, I have been busy starting some secret Christmas sewing..........so not a lot to blog about. I have added red to some of my 1/4" hexie flowers.

Today I stuffed and finished off this Blackbird Designs pin cushion whilst watching the Moto GP. Not sure if I like the buttons, but they were called for in the pattern, and they're on now!

Some more DJ blocks from a while back, only six more blocks needed to finish my Jane at a reasonable size.

I seem to have more projects than usual underway and they are all slow stitching.........but they are keeping me out of mischief. Hope you find some stitching time in the week ahead.

Susan x

Hexagon Medallion finish

I love this little mini. It's one of my all time favourite creations. It measures just 12" across and is made with 397 1/4" hexagons. I haven't ruled out trying my hand at a larger quilt made this way, just not quite crazy enough yet!

I am also happy to report that I had a light bulb moment that has saved my cross stitch when I was stitching with the Cassilis girls. As the linen is 32 count I can get away with using a single strand of thread, and won't need to buy more. I have just about regained what I had to unpick, and I actually prefer it finer. It was such an obvious solution. 

Hope you find some happy stitching time over the weekend.

Susan x

Warning: colourful project

Well, more colourful than usual for me anyway. Who would have thought I'd have a little fling with 1930's. Certainly not me because I don't own any. But I have a friend that has LOTS. Another mini has found its way into my sewing basket. I admired this one by Judy Day many years ago and came across it again when I was sorting through old magazines last week. Lea very kindly donated some 1930's scraps and I'm on my way. I could appliqué little leaves all day long, it's my favourite shape. Judy had another mini leaf design in APQ Vol 8 No. 9 (I think). I know I used to have the pattern but I don't anymore. Thank you Sue for finding the pattern for me........love my blog buddies.

We also had belated birthday celebrations at the weekend and look what my wonderful friends gave me, a signed copy of Irene Blancks new book. Talk about the perfect gift, thank you girls. Lea made me a reel holder with special fabric from her US trip, and Bev made us all a gorgeous coathanger with stitchery detail.

I was very excited to receive my partner for Chookyblue's SSCS last week. It's so much work for Chooky to organize this international swap but I'm so glad she does every year, it has become a favourite Christmas tradition. Now to get my thinking cap on and start sewing!

Now all I need is a few extra sewing days in the week and I'll be right. Too much sewing......what a wonderful dilemma.

Susan x

A new mini

Irish Circles has had to wait this week, because this little hexie mini just wanted to be finished. I think I say this with every finish, but this one is my favourite! 

I wasn't too sure where I was going when I started, but I love where it has ended. Wish I had enough Antique Fair to make a large scale one, as the fabrics really appeal to me. I was inspired by a mini I saw at Pot Pourri Cottage in Newcastle last year, although it was made with 1/4" hexies, and this one uses 3/8" hexies.........such a huge difference :)  It measures 15 1/2" square. I am hoping my men let me drop into Pot Pourri Cottage when we are in Newcastle this weekend for the football.

Now that I've discovered I can knit in the car I'm hoping to get a lot of my next cowl done on the way over. I definitely need more cowls and more quilts in this cold winter weather we're having. We have no snow on the ground but I did catch some snowflakes at 5.30am this morning (hubby kindly woke me up to see it since I've never been in the snow).

Have a great weekend.

Susan x

Not quite snowing

It's a bit chilly here this morning. Not snowing at our place but it is nearby, so no better excuse for stitching the day away. I have started off with working out the border quilting design for my hexie mini. I was planning on straight lines but the sides are not the same so I got a bit more creative.

I've also ironed a couple of DJ blocks finished from a while ago. Will I keep going with DJ or work with what I've done? I just don't know. Do you like my fancy new ironing board cover behind them?

I must admit to feeling a little overwhelmed by just how much quilting there is yet to do on Irish Circles. I always feel like this at the start of a big quilting project.....wondering what I was thinking. The back is also very pretty, although the stitches are a little hard to see here. 

Some of you have asked what needles I use for hand quilting. I've always used Piecemakers Betweens size 10, and Gutermann quilting thread. I have four shades of cream which pretty much cover all situations. I'm sure there are plenty of other options out there but these have worked for me for twenty years now. For wadding I use Matilda's own poly/wool, wool or cotton..........depends on what I can get at the time. My first ever quilt was made with 100% polyester, enough said. In my mini's I use iron on parlan, or Vliseline 630, depending on what size pieces I have lying around. And I just use my beloved 14" round wooden hoop, which was such a huge investment at the beginning of my patchwork journey. 

Happy Sunday stitching. 

Susan x

Another mini and finished cowl

I started this mini With 3/8" hexies a while ago using a precious charm pack of Antique Fair. I was inspired by a similar mini in 1/4" hexies that I saw at Pot Pourri Cottage in Newcastle last year. Quilting inspiration struck this week so I finally made a start. I wasn't sure how to quilt the hexagons but I'm happy with how it's looking. 

A big ta-da moment last night when I finished my cowl from the Sydney craft show. Made in just over a week would be a knitting personal best for me. It was quite simple once I figured out the pattern, and came together quickly on large needles. I wore it down town today and didn't feel too conspicuous........was nice and warm too.

End of financial year has been wearing me out at work so I'm looking forward to some quiet sewing time this weekend. Hope you find a moment (or two) to relax too.

Susan x

FNWF

Decisions, decisions......too many projects to choose from for FNWF tonight. I started with a little bit of applique for a pincushion. Marina made it for Dawnie in Japanese taupes and I couldn't resist the kit last time I was at The Home Patch. I love doing needle turn, and am still looking for my next big applique project.....

Of course the hexagons are always calling me. Two mini's on the go.....

Or I could start knitting a new cowl. I bought the wool at Morris & Sons in Sydney last weekend, which had a huge supply of beautiful wools. Not sure how I walked out with grey when there were so many incredible colours to choose from.

And I haven't made the first stitch in Irish Circles yet (that's the backing in the photo above), which I basted last week, just waiting for the right moment. Fortunately it's a long weekend here, so I may get to do a bit of everything.

I hope this weekend finds you warm, snug and stitching (if you're in the Southern Hemisphere anyway!).

Susan x

Piece Yourself Together

I finally remembered to link up with Anthea at hibiscus Stitches for Piece Yourself Together (having some issues with Blogger this morning so I can't get the link to work.....sorry). I have a few EPP projects on the go, but this one in 1/4" hexies is the one that's been calling my name lately.

It will only be a mini, but I'm not ready to stop yet. So far it's about 8" across. I think hexie love is a special type of insanity, but gee it makes me happy.

Susan