Big reveal.....

I'm feeling a little bit pleased with myself this week. I have made the last stitch in my quilt "Doing the Rounds". From a rough sketch made in the car last Christmas to a finished quilt top, this has been a fun experience. Just have to find a backing and I'm ready  to start quilting. 

 

That's my very frosty lawn underneath, even the bird bath was frozen this morning. The worst thing is that now I have NO applique to work on, really must try to fix that over the weekend!

In other big news we are having a trip to the US later this year. So I thought I should make a little USA pincushion for 4th of July, and found the closest thing I have to a red, white and blue quilt.

 

I'm having a day off work to spend with my littlest boy today. Hope you have a great weekend.

Susan x

Doing The Rounds and knitting

I'm trying Doing The Rounds as the name for my quilt. I am enjoying working on it so much. I can't wait til it's finished, but at the same time don't want it to end. The corners are coming together, I spent a lovely afternoon sewing circles in the Autumn sunshine yesterday.

 

 

I haven't braved the sock wool yet, but my cowl from the last post is finished. I also side tracked to make this little baby beanie for a work colleagues baby. I've never knitted a beanie, or used double pointed needles, and this was finished in less than two evenings. You can learn ANYTHING on YouTube! It's not perfect, but it is made with love and I could really feel the brain cells firing as I worked out how to use four needles at once. Now I've got a beanie started for one of my boys.....if only there were more hours in the day. 

 

The pattern was a free Ravelry download from LoveFibres or you can visit Julie's Etsy store here. I noticed she has a pattern for adorable bootees that look like gum boots if you're interested.......

I have an unexpected couple of days off so I'm going to race through all my housework so I can get back to my sewing and knitting!

Happy creating,

Susan x

It's not square anymore

My quilt isn't square anymore. I liked it round, but square is better for practical purposes. I think I have a name for it too, how does "Inside the Square" sound? "Doing the Rounds" was another suggestion.

I am really enjoying sewing down the bias, and it's going on much better than I anticipated. I've also been thinking about what comes next, something for the corners. I cut paper to test ideas.........a few going on in this pic. The diamond isn't right, but I like the flower and circles design.

We have finally had a wonderful rainy weekend, maybe some cold weather will come soon too.

Happy stitching,

Susan x

My Quilt

Now that Irish Circles is finished I have turned my attention back to my new quilt.........I really should name it.......but not yet.

I've gone back a couple of rounds and added a ring of appliqued diamonds. I had orinally planned a straight 1/2" ring, but I like the diamonds much better, and found the fabric in my stash!

Hmmmm, really need to make a decision about the very centre too.

I'm almost finished another round, and spent an evening making bias binding to start appliqueing over the weekend. It took me quite a while to make it, and I didn't really enjoy the time at the machine, but it looks rather lovely now it's ready. I take my hat off to the machine sewing enthusiasts, I don't have the temperament for it!

I'm very excited because I'm finally going to the Springwood Quilt Show this weekend. I have been trying to get there for years, and nows my chance. I do have to drop my son back to Uni in Sydney first, but I'm sure there will be time on the way home. 

Hope you have a good weekend planned too.

Susan x

Catching up

I have had some wonderful contributions to my bunny stash, bloggers are so generous and always ready to share some of their stash. Thank you Cathy, Pat, Carla and Susan. I will soon have enough to start sewing my bunny hexies together.

Last weekend was our 22nd wedding anniversary. We celebrated with a behind the scenes overnight trip to Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo. It was a stunning experience, how often do you get to feed a carrot to a giraffe or hear a lion roar just metres away? I would highly recommend it if you get the chance to go.

I've also had a win from Dzintra for her 500th post. Some patterns and bunny fabric are a lovely treat, thank you.

And some progress on the next round of my quilt. Just checking how my hexie diamonds will look.

Wishing you all a happy and stitchy weekend, especially all my friends at Girls Day In the Country, Nundle. 

Susan x

FNWF

Oops, FNWF has been and gone and I missed showing what I worked on. It's the next round of my new quilt........but I didn't finish it until after work today. I waited to post so I could show you my progress.

Not the greatest light for the photo but you get the idea. I'm on to the next round now, really enjoying the whole process.

Happy stitching,
Susan x

Continuing on......

So my biggest boy has flown the nest. He went off to Uni last weekend brimming with enthusiasm and opportunity, leaving us to cope with the huge change in family dynamics. It's been is an emotional roller coaster. I've been soothing my soul by working on my new quilt. More to be added but I'm happy with how it's taking shape.

Obviously there needs to be a little something added to the very centre, and I'm planning a thin bias between the two rounds. Looking forward to the next step.

Tomorrow I'm spending the weekend in Hunter Valley wine country with the wonderful Cassilis quilters for some long overdue retreat therapy. It will also be my sons 19th birthday, so I'm thinking there will be lots of chocolate and bubbles to see me through his first birthday without his mum. I'm pretty sure O week celebrations will take care of him!

Hope you're having a wonderful week.

Susan x

A new beginning

I have made a start on my new project. This is the centre, although I haven't quite made up my mind about the hexi in the middle. I have drawn it out to scale on a huge piece of paper that DH brought home, and I think it's going to be an interesting experiment!

And this is where the blackberry picking is happening. It's a bumper crop! My fingers look rather ordinary, all purple and scratched, but it hasn't stopped me sewing.

Susan x

Catch up

It's been a busy start to the year. In Sydney to see the Sydney Kings play basketball last weekend, and Newcastle for a 50th this weekend just gone. Add returning to work, and not much sewing has happened!

I was lucky enough to visit Post Office Patchwork for five minutes on the way to Sydney, with 30% off too. And a little online retail therapy at Cherry Pie Designs as well.

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I'm thinking about my next big project, and dabbling with a design of my own, and that's what the supplies are for. Think I need some more green and wish I had a whole quilt shop at my disposal, or at least a good one in town!

On a boring housework note, I upgraded my vacuum cleaner to a Dyson Animal Barrel yesterday. It should also be called the thread catcher! All those pesky threads don't stick to the carpet anymore! How exciting and blog worthy is that!

Stop the press...........just went to check on my own personal blackberry bush and it's harvest time! I'll apologise in advance to the farmers reading this, but I am a very responsible blackberry grower. My DH is very handy with the poison, but keeps one little patch for me. Blackberry pie coming up.....my favourite!

Susan x