Tis the Season

When I started my blog last August, the Stitch Along was well into TTS. It has been great to see everyones finished quilts - and it helped me choose my own colours and layout.
So Ann-Marie, Sam and I have made our own TTS schedule, to have it finished for Christmas 2012.

I'm using Lynette Andersons Christmas fabrics, and I have jumped the gun and finished my first block (sorry girls - Feb is only a few days away!).

None of us own whips (as far as I know) so if anyone missed out last year please feel welcome to join us - we only want to keep each other motivated.

Susan x

Excellent Service

I am amazed. I ordered some wide backing from Honeysuckle Patchwork in Bendigo on Wednesday afternoon, and picked it up at the Post Office today!! Nicky was really helpful on the phone, in terms of describing "what shade of cream is it?" The cream is for In My Garden, and the red for Chelsea Charm. They are both Flag Day Farm by Moda.

Have a great weekend.

Susan x

Wall hanging

I am really not enjoying this project very much. But as it is a special request I am working away at it to get it finished, so I can get back to my my own sewing. I think I need to do Cardygirls colour workshop, but this is what I've come up with. Now just doing some buttonhole around the leaves. The colours are more vivid than the photo shows, and I think the black border will frame it nicely when finished.

It is a beautiful, wet Australia Day here. We had planned on bushwalking but everyone is happily occupied, including me about to do some stitching!

Susan x

Stitching Post Retreat

I've decided that 2012 should be the year I just say yes, and stop thinking of all the reasons why I shouldn't do things.
So, I have just booked my place at The Stitching Post Retreat in October. Two days in Katoomba, stitching with tutors Gail Pan, Natalie Ross and Carol Roberts. Thanks to Ann-Marie for suggesting we go. It's going to be a good year!

Needles and thread

Working on the same projects, with just a little bit of retail therapy whilst at Hatched & Patched this week.   I honestly only went in for needles and thread and actually managed to restrain myself even though there was a sale on. I'm trying to save my pennies to spend at GDITC!

But I couldn't resist these pretty glazed buttons. ........

and two fat quarters of Lynette Andersons new range Secret Garden.........

and these fell into my basket at Spotlight!

Hope you're having a lovely weekend.

Susan x

Plodding along

I have been quietly working away on my hand quilting - making the most of the cool weather. I wish I could hand quilt faster.

And when it's warmer, appliqueing my petals. I forgot the little round centres, so need to go back and do those.

I also have an unusual new project commissioned by my mother in law. She is a very lovely lady so even though it's really not my thing, I couldn't say no when she asked me to turn this picture into a banner for her church. We were married in the church so there is a connection. I'm off to Spotlight tomorrow to see what I can find (lots of vliesofix i think!).

Lots of emails buzzing around about GDITC - so, so exciting (only 66 more sleeps).

Happy, happy tonight, hubby is cooking dinner!

Susan x

Some Homework

I thought I should do a little homework before Sue Daley's workshop at GDITC in March. This book has really clear EPP and applique instructions, and some lovely projects too. Highly recommended!

Today is my DH birthday. I'm happy that my boys will still do homemade cards. I just love this one by Mr 14!

Hope you're having a great weekend.

Susan x

Crazy Days

I spent a crazy couple of days in Sydney this week with my boys. The main events were Art of the Brick - sculptures made from Lego like this......

and of course the Harry Potter exhibition at The Powerhouse Museum. It was amazing.

I had planned to visit Post Office Patchwork and Quiltsmith, but when we got there they were both still closed for Christmas holidays. Yay from the boys, boo hoo from me.

Some quiet days at home now, trying to ignore all the back to school advertising!

Susan x

Blackberries

My apologies to the farmers out there, but I have a small, controlled blackberry bush, and today I picked the first berries of the season. YUM blackberry pie coming up.

Susan x

Love Applique

I used to be scared of needleturn applique, but after quite a lot of practice I love it. In My Garden was one of my favourite projects because it had so much variety. But simple is good too, and my Chelsea Charm blocks are perfect for relaxing summer sewing.

Susan x

Chelsea Charm

So much for working on UFO's - I finally opened my jelly roll of Rouenneries this week instead. I am using it to make Chelsea Charm, a quilt by Robyn Falloon that was in APQ.

Using charm squares and a jelly roll is a bit like cheating, but so much fun.

And now I have a lovely basket of needleturn applique to do.

I also used this pattern with Garden Party fabrics to make a quilt for Mum's 80th in 2010.

And now that the weather has warmed up, I've been taking my stitching outside to keep an eye on my boys, camping and swimming in the 'backyard'.

Hope you get a chance to sew today.

Susan x

UFO

I saw this quilt at Darling Harbour in 2008 at the Somerset Patchwork stand, and thought it looked like a good project for using up scraps and trying some hexagons, although I didn't go much on the yellow background.

I try not to have too many UFO's floating around - so what will I do with this almost complete star??? See that one little row not done at the top.

I can't decide what background colour to use, and all the scrappy colours aren't really inspiring me. Any suggestions? I did enjoy doing the hexies - just maybe in different colours next time.

This little cutie was a Christmas gift to myself. I bought it online from a Queensland business By Sage Design .

Summer has finally arrived so I will be hiding in the cool today.

Susan x