How cute is this?

Finished my zippered bag from The Simple Life last night. It was easy to put together, with a slightly different method of putting in the zip. It's a good size for a small project bag.

I'm really happy with how it turned out. I'm glad I bought the fabric pack as they are fabrics I probably wouldn't have chosen myself. It makes a nice change from French General.

Off to Bathurst today to visit my parents and do a little shopping with Mr 15. I'm sure he grows overnight. I don't need anything from Hatched & Patched, but I won't be able to resist dropping in.......
Hope you have a great day.
Susan x

In a cruel twist of fate my three children got to stay at home today because of the teachers strike, whilst I had to be at school at 9am to do some P&C stuff. They thought it was very funny. They had a lovely morning sleeping in and watching movies - not fair.
I made up for it this afternoon by finishing off the stitchery for my zipper bag,

And I traced out two more Bird of Happiness purses. I found some more spring strips the right size (and price) at Avonleigh Country Quilting. Not sure when I'll stitch them but the preparation is fun too.

Then it was afternoon tea time, so we made brownies. I don't make this recipe too often as it has way too much sugar in it, but it is loved nonetheless. Yum.

Off to play with some little squares for my zipper bag.

Susan

Weekend Stitching

Jack Frost has been overnight. It was a beautiful, freezing frosty morning. In between soccer games and sleepovers I've been doing some stitching. Another block finished for In Full Bloom.

And Tis the Season - Christmas Reindeer

I bought a fabric pack for Anni's zippered bag at the craft show and decided to make a start on it last night. There is only one downside to fabric packs - if you make a mistake and draw your appliqué design on back to front, AND cut it out wrong, well, there isn't any spare fabric left. So my ground is slightly spotty instead of sprinkled with daisies. Not really a drama, just annoyed at myself. I used to really love buttonhole appliqué, but I'm not so sure any more. Now that I can do needle turn I think it's my preferred method.

It kept me occupied whilst I waited for the eleven year olds to go to sleep. Why do we have sleepovers????

Some family time chopping firewood today. Hope you're keeping warm and enjoying the weekend.

Susan x

Soccer training

Susan x

Bird of Happiness purse

Marg Low is a genius. I bought the pattern for the Bird of Happiness purse last week at the craft show. It has a cute bird stitchery and I thought the style was something different for me since I had not used the spring strip before. It was so easy to put together.

I love a pattern that makes you want to make the same thing again straight away. It could be used with or without the stitchery, as red work or in colours. It is great for using up leftover pieces of favourite fabrics as well. And to top it all off it feels really nice in your hand. Will definitely make this one again.

Susan x

Happy Birthday

Eleven years ago today, my third beautiful baby boy arrived. Happy Birthday Ethan James.

Susan x

Just a little more.....

One of the main things on my Sydney shopping list was something to inspire a quilt for my nephews 18th next year. Fabric, a pattern, a picture, anything that would get me started. I had just about given up hope, but after going back to BeBeBold a number of times, I decided I could do something with this Kofu roll. It did come with a pattern, but I think I'll wait until I unroll it and see how it looks. Will still need to get border fabric, but that can wait for now. I made his brother a quilt using Japanese indigos, and I think they are really good for a masculine quilt. Hopefully this one will work out too.

Susan x

A relaxing Sunday afternoon?

Not really. Lopping tree branches is a little bit scary.

No children (or husbands) were harmed, but the gate is a little worse for wear. Now my clothesline is back in the sun.

Susan x

Craft Show Part 2

Of course I had to buy something from Anni. - a kit for the zippy bag and (another) stitchery. She is prolific.

Marg Low had her own stand this year and it was gorgeous. All sense and reason just vanishes when you see all her stitched projects, so many of them petite and detailed. I bought two patterns and I've nearly finished the stitching for the purse last night.

Carolyn Konig was at the Sydney show for the first time. Seeing her stand confirmed for me that I really do want to make a medallion quilt with lots of tiny pieces in reproduction fabric. I kept going back willing myself to commit to the 2 year Marriage Quilt BOM, but I couldn't do it. It has definitely planted a seed though, and now I am officially "collecting" fabric for such a project. A friend did sign up for it so I will look forward to seeing hers grow. I'm amazed that I only walked away with these fat quarters.

Some more fat quarters. Studio Mio had theirs on these cute cards - a gimmick that I completely fell for.

There was also a few less interesting "maintenance" purchases. But now that I have shown my loot, it doesn't seem like quite so much. Maybe I'm an amateur craft show shopper after all!

Have a great day.

Susan x

Craft Show

Wow, what a day. Yesterday was my best trip to the craft show ever. Being a blogger has changed the whole experience. The stalls were amazing - I bought so much more than I planned to. It was great to catch up with bloggers I knew, some I hadn't met, especially Teresa and Peg, and to find some new ones like Fiona and Carolyn. My photos didn't turn out so well, but I'm sure there will be lots of group pictures floating around by the end of the weekend.

Here is me, Deb and Kate at our old favourite Hatched & Patched (sorry it's a bit fuzzy).

The quilt show lived up to it's reputation with well over 300 quilts on display. The quality of the quilts made us feel a tad inadequate.

I'm not sure where to start with my purchases - I might have to spread them over a few posts so it doesn't look quite so indulgent. Let's just say I shouldn't need to go shopping for a while!

I couldn't resist Natalie Bird's new book, Red Home. The pincushion and dolls quilt are so cute. Oh, and a charm pack of yet another French General just happened to find it's way into my bag.

The only thing I really had on my list was a Rouennieres Deux layer cake, and here it is. I will admit that I have no plans for it at all, it was just one of those 'had to have' things.

It's cold and wet here today - lovely weather to spend the day fondling my new goodies. Back soon with some more photos.

Susan x

All good things must end.......

After a great day at the craft show, Deb, Kate and I are slowly making our way home on the M4.

We have bought lots of goodies, and had a fantastic blog meet . It was wonderful to see so many blogger friends, and all our favourite stores. The quilt show was incredible as usual. Will post more pics tomorrow.

Susan x

In Full Bloom and off to Sydney

I love this latest block from In Full Bloom. I think Lynette's dog Hugo was probably the model.

I finished it today whilst watching Mr 15 compete at cross country in Wellington. He came second in his race which means he goes to State next month. I'm very proud of him, but really not sure where the athletic gene came from.

Only two more sleeps (more like 1.5 since I'm getting up so early Friday) until I head off to the craft show in Sydney. Picking up Deb and Kate along the way for a day that will be full of fun, friends and shopping. I can hardly wait for the Blog Meet at lunchtime, I think it will be a highlight - my camera is charged and ready.

Will be back to tell you all about it on the weekend.

Susan x

Turtle finish

There is some unusual wildlife in my garden today. I have finished my turtle pincushion from The Simple Life. Unfortunately, I think he is too cute to stick pins in. Apart from turning and stuffing the small pieces it was quite a fun project, and excellent for using up small scraps of a favourite fabric.

I have almost finished positioning the border on the Hexagon Star quilt, so that might be tonight's job. Then it just needs to be appliquéd on, fingers crossed that it doesn't move too much.

Hope you're having a great weekend.

Susan x

What's in the mail?

Just a little pre craft show shopping. I stumbled across this little charm pack on Craftumi. It's a bit like Etsy, with lots of craft supplies and items. Ordered Wednesday, delivered Friday, and probably the cheapest charm pack I've ever bought.

Susan x

Turtle progress

What a treat. Hubby has taken the boys to school so here it is, 9am and I'm still in my pj's drinking coffee in the morning sun. It's the simple pleasures in life.

I have been working on my turtle pincushion. You know, the sweet, cute, innocent looking one in Anni's new book. Why am I drawn to these projects with fiddly bits? I think it will be ok, but I know why people use pre-cut papers. It's because even the smallest difference makes them really HARD to piece together.

Don't even ask me about turning and stuffing the teeny tiny limbs.

I have also been piecing my long strings of hexies together. It took me ages last night to work out the border measurements so the sides all meet nicely in the corners. I am afraid that they won't meet when it comes time to sew them on. I like appliqué but not when it's a long, narrow border piece.

Happy Birthday to the Queen and thank you for a long weekend. Our neighbours are moving into town this weekend, so we are having our final farewell drinks tonight. No more stumbling across the paddock in the dark. We will miss them being so close.

Have a great weekend.

Susan x

Unable to resist

On the weekend I couldn't resist making a start on the turtle pincushion from The Simple Life. I used my last teeny tiny scraps of the Antique Fair charm pack used in the Peaceful Garden wall hanging.

Hubby is away so I might get to sew them together tonight whilst watching Packed to the Rafters. Although it is so cold that hand quilting might be a better option.

I am very excited because I have finally organised to go to the Sydney Craft Show next Friday. Deb and I will be setting out bright and early. So looking forward to the bloggers meet.

Hope you're keeping warm and happy.

Susan x

Off on a tangent

So much for my earlier post today about only quilting. I have been off on a tangent this afternoon.

My little dog spends quite a lot of time in front of the fire in winter, so needs an inside water bowl. After washing the floor and kicking the bowl AGAIN, I decided she needed a little canine "mug rug". With all of Peg's inspiration, it took no time at all.

When I was at The Home Patch this week, I bought a fat quarter of lovely soft flannel for a new heat pack, because Mr 10 is sick of me pinching his. I thought the red needed something more.

In the end the hearts and the birdy legs didn't make it, but it will keep me warm tonight.

Susan x

Still quilting

The problem with hand quilting is that it takes sooooooo long. I could just post the same photo over and over until my Stars Quilt is finished. That's what  I've mostly been working on, with a little bit of stitchery too. I have finished two more TTS blocks - Christmas Wreath and Christmas Angels.

I have also been drooling over The Simple Life, and if the weather turns out as predicted for the weekend, there is a high probability that I will make a start on the turtle pincushion (I'll just have to hide from the family).
    
Susan x