carpetmice

Oh Yoo Hoo....

2011-07-12T19:56:00.006+10:00

OMG... I can't believe it's been over 12 months since I have posted... pretty sad... but oh so exciting for me too!!

You see... I have once again made some big life changes and in January this year, I took a great leap of faith and headed back to school... to study NURSING... can you believe it?? heh heh

It is huge... and I absolutely love it... sooooo much hard work but I am coming through it fairly unscathed, and the new friends I have met are just beautiful... us nurses all are you know!! heh heh...

Poor Nina... I miss her so... but she understands its only for a little while... and I will be back!!

I haven't quilted in over 12 months now... I miss it... but I need to focus and get this Diploma done and dusted... and then, well... I've got forever!!

So, everything is great... life is wonderful and I am living again... albeit with my head stuck in a book or behind the computer 99% of the time... but its just great!!

Until next time... Lx

Lolly Logs... It's time...

2010-06-04T16:41:00.009+10:00

For those of you who have been following my blog... I'm quite sure you will recognise this quilt... It's been going on and off for 12 months now and to be honest, I'm thinking you are probably tired of seeing it!! I am blogging about it here though because it's a very personal quilt for me... one that I started before my (lets just say) "big life change" and one that I haven't (until now) had the inclination nor inspiration to pick up and continue...

I finally had the courage to pull it down from my shelf last week and I decided it was too beautiful to leave with any bad memories... Lolly Logs is indeed, like me, making a comeback!!

I have so far, added the sashings and it's now ready for the quilt sandwich.. (Quilt As You Go)... Here's a sneak peek of a couple of rows... The finished quilt will be 5 rows x 4 and fairly large when complete... I really should have ironed the rows before taking the photos!!

"Funny" how a quilt can hold so many memories and how those memories can come flooding back when all you do is pick up a piece of fabric... I spent one day on it last week and let me just say, it was a box of tissues day!! I do feel though, this is one quilt I need finish... one that I need to conquer... one that I need to deal with and one that I need to face head on... very therapeutic I guess!! I'll let you know how I get on but please be patient :-) Lx

Ryleigh's Quilt...

2010-05-24T10:49:00.016+10:00

Yay!! I managed to finish another quilt on the weekend... and here it is..

It was made for Ryleigh... a gorgeous baby girl, born earlier this month to good friends of mine... I decided to make this a Quilt As You Go project... It is made up of 4 panels (fronts and backs)... here they are, ready for the quilt sandwich...

And here are the quilted panels... ready for joining... You can see how I do this in an earlier link here...

http://leeannegilbert.blogspot.com/2009/03/this-is-how-i-quilt-as-you-go.html

Once the panels are all joined together, I trim up the edges and attach the binding...

I always use a Walking Foot to attach my bindings... it stops anything sliping and shifting, which can sometimes cause an uneven binding... I also made the decision to stich down the binding using my machine.. I do like to hand stitch my bindings but I needed to get this quilt finished and so I used the Walking foot and slowly and very carefully stitched down the binding...

I'm really happy with how it has turned out...

Here is the finished quilt... after washing and drying... I never pre wash my fabric... but I always wash and tumble dry it when it's finished... I do this because I absolutely LOVE the antique look of the fabric once it shrinks down and the batting fluffs up...

The finished look is very soft and snuggly...
Although I am quite particular with my piecing, I don't worry about little imperfections in my quilts... it adds to that rustic Antique charm I am looking for...

A close up of the label on the back...

All washed, dried and folded...

Ready for delivery...

Sneaky peek...

2010-05-14T12:36:00.008+10:00

Want a sneak peek at my next quilt?... This is all I can show you at the moment because it's a surprise... sssshhhhh!!

It's all pieced... I decided on a disappearing (or split) nine patch pattern this time...

This one's going to be a quilt as you go project...

Backs have been cut... just need to cut the batting to size and start quilting... I'm planning on having this done by the end of the weekend... Ha... famous last words I know!!

P.S... I'm just about to deliver my last quilt to it's new owner... I'll be posting pics later on this afternoon so make sure you stop back and check those out too!!

Kirby's quilt...

2010-05-14T09:42:00.021+10:00

I finished this quilt a couple of weeks ago but I haven't posted the pics until now because it was a gift for a friend of mine... well, actually it's for her daughter Kirby who was born in January this year (better late than never I guess... heh heh). Anyway, here are the pics...

As usual, I didn't use a pattern... I just improvised as I went along... I guess you could call it a kind of stacked coins style... although the blocks are 6" square, not strips which meant it made up really quickly... I laid the strip sets out onto the floor and played with them until I was happy with the layout...

Finished size is 150cm x 180cm or roughly 60" x 70" which is not usually classed as "baby" size but I think this is a good size... babies grow so quickly and I want her to be able to use it when she's a toddler and in fact, it's a great size to throw over your lap at any age!!

Once again, I have pieced the back... just to add a little extra interest...

And I signed the label too... I used a really nice variegated thread for this one...

All washed, dried and ready for a snuggle... hope she likes it!!

P.S: Delivered Kirby's quilt this afternoon which was a great chance to catch up with my friend...

Good coffee, great conversation, a few laughs and cuddles with a gorgeous baby girl... can't beat that!!

Oh yeah, and by the way... she loved it!!

Something a little different...

2010-04-09T18:27:00.012+10:00

Quilting is all done on the baby quilt... binding still to be done, but I need something to just chill with tonight...

I pulled out a couple of leaf prints I made some time ago... think I might have a play with these two and get my free motion embroidery groove goin again... Good practice pieces..

Here are a couple more pieces I played with last time I needed to get my groove on...

I call this piece my "Tree Of Life"... It's raw edge appliqued and free motion embroidered with various threads... heavily stabilised as it is not quilted...

This piece is pure "doodling" with variegated embroidery thread...

The background I painted using setacolour fabric paints... it is also quilted... good fun...

Last, but not least, this little piece... I call... "Tulip"... heh heh... It is a raw edge reverse appliqued piece... heavily stabilised with variegated threads used again... I love the rough edge finish on this...

This one might make it into a frame on one of my walls I think...

It just goes to show.... never, ever discard anything willy nilly... you may just fall in love with it later on in life... sometimes things happen like that!! I'll let you know how I get on... Lx

Back in the swing of things... and it feels great...

2010-04-04T19:40:00.009+10:00

Spent the weekend piecing and quilting... it's good to be back and my new Sewing Room is once again running like a dream... Thought I post a few sneak peeks... not too many though as this quilt is to be given as a gift... ssshhhh, don't tell!!

Nina... she doesn't miss a beat...

My favourite quilting gloves... inexpensive cotton lined gardening gloves... they are awesome to quilt with and they work a treat!!

Glad I have a great table setup... even with a Baby Quilt, you certainly need the room to manoeuvre all that fabric under your machine needle...

Should have this quilted tomorrow... having a break now... can't rush these things you know, and besides, kids are away until tomorrow and I spy a nice bottle of Merlot over there... what's that? I hear it calling me to hither and open it!! Heh heh... Think I'll do just that and put my feet up tonight... Lx

It's a new day, it's a new dawn, it's a new life for me and I'm feeling good...

2010-03-23T09:38:00.011+11:00

Well... where do I start? There's been so many changes in my life since June last year... some good, some not so good, many changes were and still are very sad, but a there have been a few happy ones also... In any case, life is moving on, albeit slowly but moving none the less...

What a start to 2010 it's been... The kids and I moved house, my baby girl started High School, I'm learning to become an independent woman again and we are all managing to get on with life!!

We have been in our new home 6 and 1/2 weeks now and I have finally set up my new sewing room directly off the kitchen and in the middle of the house... I can "hide" away but still be part of the "action" as opposed to being "missing in action" come sewing time!! heh heh

Luckily, I was able to move my mobile cutting table and sewing table with me and "Built" myself new Book Cases and a Computer desk to fit my new space. I'm very happy with my new Sewing Room and Nina started purring away again yesterday when I started a new baby quilt (a gift for a friend)...

It's great to be back... and I'm hoping 2010 is the start of a new quilting life for me too... I hope to sell some of my work this year when I get the "gist" of Etsy... stay tuned for that one!! Lx

I'm (almost) Baaack...

2009-11-17T18:42:00.003+11:00

My latest quilt "Lolly Logs" is making it's long awaited comeback....

I have made the extra 4 blocks I needed to start piecing the panels together (a'la quilt as you go method)...

Slowly, but surely, I am clawing my way back...

And OMG it feels sooooo good!! Lx

Proof of Life in the sewing room...

2009-11-13T09:53:00.005+11:00

Just popping in to share a little bit of sewing with you...
Samantha needed a Banner for her Grade 6 Confirmation at school the other week so I was "forced" out of semi retirement for a couple of days!!
It felt good... really good... Here are a few pics to prove life still flickers in the sewing room...

I was very happy with my efforts and Sam loved her banner!!

At least I know I can still sew!! I am looking forward to making a big comeback... Stay tuned!!

I'm still here...

2009-08-16T10:48:00.003+10:00

A heartfelt thank you for your lovely comments, concern and messages... They have not gone unnoticed... We're getting there... Slowly but surely... These things just take time. Lx

Life is a journey...and sometimes it sucks!!

2009-07-15T21:53:00.003+10:00

Twists and turns... Highs and lows... They say it's all part of life's journey. Life for us as a family unit has hit a hurdle and subsequently, I find myself headed down an unfamiliar fork in the road... and so, a new journey begins... I tell you... lucky I was good at orienteering at school!! Seriously though, I don't believe blogger is the place to be airing "dirty laundry" and that is not in my nature to begin with, so, you will understand my reluctance to elaborate on my story. Having said that.. unfortunately, blogging and dare I say it, sewing have taken a back seat for the time being... I'm still passionate about both and I'm missing my "nina" terribly, but my heart is just not in it at the moment... I will be keeping and eye on what all you talented people are up to though... So, don't worry!! I will be back... Bigger and better than ever... I promise!! Lx

"Lolly Logs" an update...

2009-06-22T21:00:00.004+10:00

"Lolly Logs"

Yep... that's what I've decided (in a complete whim) to call my latest wonky log cabin quilt...

It's coming along nicely... 16 blocks down and 4 to go... gee they take time I tell ya!!

Then all I'll need to do is add the white sashing and borders before I can stipple stitch the panels (Quilt As You Go style again!!)

I'm hoping to get the top finished by the end of the week...

School holidays begin on Monday and if I'm done.. I'll take it down to AVAREST and hand stitch the panels together...
YEAH RIGHT!!

OMG... I just realised how much work I really have to do before I can even contemplate taking it away for finishing!!

Dream on Lee-Anne!!

At least this latest post is evidence of life in the sewing room!!

Wonky Log cabin update...

2009-06-14T22:23:00.005+10:00

I must say... after a bit of a hiatus, it is good to be back in my sewing room... doing what I love best!! Making a mess while (trying) to be super creative is such good fun and relaxing!!

I am having so much fun making these wonky log cabin blocks... they are very addictive.

Stay tuned...

Proof of life...

2009-06-13T22:09:00.004+10:00

Proof of life... In the sewing room...

Finally... Evidence of some sewing!! YAY!!

And the winner is... another Wonky Log Cabin!!

These are gonna be whopper blocks again... just like the Blue Squares quilt.

Stay tuned!!

Ooohhh... I know!!

2009-06-12T12:20:00.003+10:00

Really... I know!! I'm terrible, terrible, terrible!!

I promise (fingers secretly crossed behind my back) this is it for awhile.

I have quite a stash going on in my cupboard but really... when is too much fabric ever enough??

The challenge now, is to stop procrastinating and get on with it...

I'm thinking perhaps a nine patch? Maybe another wonky log cabin? An improv? Or what about another square in a square? Oooh... my brain is too full!!

Retail therapy...

2009-06-11T17:44:00.003+10:00

I know... I'm terrible!!

2 books and 4 metres of fabric... all on sale and because I deserve it!!

TaaDaa... Drum roll please...

2009-06-09T18:57:00.010+10:00

It's been a long time coming... considering I actually started this quilt last year!! But... today, I finished it...
My "Blue Squares" quilt has been laying around for almost 2 weeks now, waiting for me to finish (Well, start!!) the hand binding...

I had to wash it a couple of times... due to a slight dye run... but all is well that ends well...

I absolutely LOVE IT!!

Quilt as you go is definitely the way to go for me from now on...

You can see on the back where I have quilted it in panels... If I had used blue panel strips, you wouldn't even be able to tell!! I however, like the contrast of the white strips.

Here it is... all washed, and dried and ready for a snuggle... Oooh... crinkly goodness!!

Beyond words...

2009-05-29T14:22:00.002+10:00

OMG!! Please people... if I ever get this bad, please, please, please, just put me away!!

Heh heh... hilarious!!

I'm almost done!!

2009-05-25T11:31:00.006+10:00

I wasn't going to post these pictures until I had completely finished my "Blue Squares" quilt, but felt I was somewhat neglecting my blog, so here's a quick update...

The Quilt As You Go method does take extra time, but it's so much easier for me to handle and I think is worth the extra effort...

The stipple stitching just go on and on and on...

Here are the panels, pinned together and ready for joining... I roughly pin them together using quilters safety pins and take them out as I go...

The safety pins help to keep the panels together and reduce shifting, as I zigzag them together...

The most time consuming part in the whole process...

The joining strips are all hand stitched on the reverse of the quilt...

What a week...

2009-05-15T20:07:00.003+10:00

OMG, what a week it has been!! A week of mixed emotions... some happy, some funny, some terribly sad and I've had some "wow" moments too!! Catching up with old friends and chatting til the wee hours... just brilliant!! The power of the internet... PRICELESS!!
Having said that, not much time spent sewing but still lots going on!!
The "Blue Squares" quilt panels are all sandwiched, pinned and ready for quilting...
I have fallen in love with the new Bamboo Batting... I used the 50/50 Bamboo/Cotton on this one. It quilts beautifully and the drape... just gorgeous!! If you haven't tried it, I'd recommend giving a go next time you are buying Batting.

Oh, and I spent a little time in retail therapy too..

YOU'RE TERRIBLE MURIEL...

How's this for some awesome shades of green?

I can feel another wicked scarf coming on...

GREEN... I like Green!!

A very sad day...

2009-05-14T18:27:00.002+10:00

Life and girlfriends are very special...
For some things, there are no words...
We can give only shoulders to lean on, hands to hold and hugs to comfort...
Rest in Peace sweet baby Audrey Rose...

It's nice knowing your work is appreciated...

2009-05-13T21:18:00.005+10:00

Miss Molly...

Just LOVES my Gelato quilt...

Lucky she happens to be the most beautiful dog in the whole world!!

Blue Squares Quilt... revisited...

2009-05-09T19:46:00.007+10:00

Remember my Blue Squares quilt?
I blogged about way back here...

http://leeannegilbert.blogspot.com/2008/09/from-little-things-big-things-grow.html

and again here... http://leeannegilbert.blogspot.com/2008/10/blue-squares-quilt.html

Well, it's making a big comeback and am in the process of dissecting it on my cutting table... let's call it Quilt Surgery...

It measures about 75" x 60" and I've come to the realisation, it's too big for me to handle in one piece...
Rather than leave it sitting in my stash cupboard, where it has been since I finished it last October, I've made an executive decision to strip it back to 5 sections and quilt it in panels...
a 'la Quilt as you go method... as I described back in this post...

http://leeannegilbert.blogspot.com/2009/03/this-is-how-i-quilt-as-you-go.html

I'll let you know how I get on and in the meantime, I'll be busy working on my scarf from last night... it's looking good too!!
Have a great Saturday Night my friends.... Lx

I'm enjoying a little something on the side...

2009-05-08T20:43:00.004+10:00

Oooh, do behave... I am, of course, talking about knitting...

No sewing tonight... just playing around with a basket of gorgeous yarn... it's turning out to be a wicked scarf!!
I like it!!

All done and feeling great...

2009-05-05T19:11:00.008+10:00

My Square in a Square quilt is all done and let me tell you... it feels great!!

It's been a busy week (when isn't it??) but I have forged on and managed another finish.

I'm really happy with how it has turned out...

Finished size is 65" x 48"

Perfect as a lap quilt...

I love using white for the sashing.

I reckon it brings any colour to the fore...

And here's the back.
A little bit of improv piecing...

My "signature" label...

And it's ready for a chilly night on the couch...

Now... let me check my stash... what's next???

It's been a busy week...

2009-05-04T20:55:00.002+10:00

I just thought I'd pop in and let you know I am still here... just been busy that's all...
I am making good progress on my current quilt... the "Square in A Square".
I have taken photos along the way but thought I'd wait and post them all at once.
It's all quilted and I am in the process of sewing on the binding as I type... well, not literally of course... that would be a little difficult!! Hopefully I will have some finished photos to post tomorrow night....

Making progress...

2009-04-26T00:24:00.005+10:00

I finished piecing the "square in a square" quilt top tonight... and I'm really liking it!!

Please excuse the fact that it looks like it hasn't been pressed... I can assure you, it has... but it's past midnight and I'm almost ready for bed... so this, my friends... will have to suffice!!

It is not very big... Turned out to be more of a baby quilt... shame I don't have any babies coming up... well, definitely not with me anyway!! ... anyone having a baby??

Perhaps I could add another border?? Let's call this one a W.I.P... I don't think I'm done yet!! Back to Spotlight tomorrow I think ....

edit.... I re took the photos this morning... I think they look much better, but still not perfect...

Creative therapy...

2009-04-22T17:57:00.003+10:00

That's what I call quilting... CREATIVE THERAPY...

It keeps me calm and makes me feel good... that can't be bad can it? Like they say... when "Mum's happy... the whole house is happy"

Sounds good to me!!

On another note... I have recently discovered... FACEBOOK... whoah... The power of the internet... Now there's a whole other world... I am loving it!!

Progress report...

2009-04-21T13:08:00.005+10:00

Now... those of you who have never tried quilting may ask (as I did, not so long ago)... why is it that we quilters buy perfectly good fabric, only to bring it home, slice it into a stack of pieces and then painstakingly sew it all back together again?

I say... Try quilting just once and you'll understand!!

Oh yeah, by the way, I decided that I'm going with the square in a square pattern... or should I say style, because I'm notorious for making things up as I go along... Truth be known, it's probably more a case of me not wanting to follow rules!! heh heh

A little retail therapy...

2009-04-20T19:17:00.004+10:00

Ooohh... You're terrible Muriel!!

I'm thinking... a square in a square pattern for my next quilt... Or perhaps I'll go improv??Procrastinating a tad at the moment... You know, mulling things over and planning my attack...
Bear with me though... I'm getting there!!

Time flys when you're having fun...

2009-04-17T13:19:00.020+10:00

Ahhh.... school holidays.... Love em... Just back from 12 days down at AVAREST with the kids.

I'm feeling refreshed...

Late nights, sleepy mornings, good food, great wine and long walks on the beach...

Here's what else we got up to while we were away...

Molly did lots of this....

The birds (and possums) got fatter with all the hand feeding... Don't you think this Rosella looks fat? heh heh

A few quiet refreshments were had by, well, me... (glad there's no timestamp on this photo)...

A little light reading...

And some not so light reading...

Baking... I love to bake while I am away... I made over 160 of these biscuits over the past 2 weeks!! Yummm!!

Oh, and last but not least, I managed to start this scarf too!!

It's always great to get away, but as they say, it's nice to be home!!

The kids are back at school on Monday so hopefully by then, I'll be back into the swing of things and creating again in my sewing room!!

If I can only get through the multitude of washing and ironing that has piled up in my absence!!!

Just for fun... patchwork tea towels

2009-04-02T11:01:00.005+11:00

Something a little different... patchwork tea towels. I really wanted to pretty up some white ones but for the life of me, I could not find a single white tea towel ANYWHERE!! If anyone (local) knows where I can buy white linen tea towels or just white linen for that matter, please, please let me know!!

Having said that, these coloured ones don't look too bad, were super quick and a breeze to sew.

They will certainly brighten up my kitchen!!

Proudly presenting, Quilt As You Go... "GELATO"

2009-04-01T19:17:00.006+11:00

Only a fellow quilter could possibly get excited looking at this photo... heh heh...
Oooh, crinkle crinkle, my pretty...

"Gelato" is all done and I have to say, I really enjoyed making this one... the Quilt As You Go technique was so easy and the hand stitching really wasn't that bad...
I guess because hand stitching for me is a novelty, I don't mind the binding process... once I get started that is!!
My fingers are a tad sore though... I really must get used to wearing some kind of thimble I guess!!

I have made a label for the back, but in my desperation to deliver you this post, I decided it could wait until I have a few minutes later on to sit down and sew it in place...

Don't you just love those crinkles and wrinkles...

See... they can be a good thing... Well, good on a quilt anyway!! heh heh

If I knit fast enough, does it count as exercise?

2009-03-31T09:21:00.005+11:00

School holidays are almost here which means less time spent with Nina... and less time spent blogging!!
I am a big tea drinker and when I can't sew, I love to knit and have been known to dabble in a bit of crochet... nothing too technical though, just easy scarfs and beanies...
I saw this mug the other day and thought it was perfect!! Pretty cute hey?

Needlecase...

2009-03-24T13:24:00.006+11:00

I've been busy hand stitching the binding and joining strips on the "Gelato" quilt and I realised I had loose needles floating around everywhere... not too safe when you have people running around without shoes and a fluffy dog that insists on "helping" with the sewing...
I made myself a simple little needle case...

Things were going great guns until this happened... OMG!! What a goose!! Has this ever happened to you? I really must tidy my work space!!

Anyway, it was easily fixed... and this is what I ended up with...

I covered the button using a small piece of the main fabric...

And stitched a plain piece of felt onto the inside...

This is how it looks open flat...
Very easy, very happy... I like it!!

"GELATO" The Quilt As You Go Project now has a name...

2009-03-21T23:33:00.008+11:00

I have really enjoyed making this... Quilt as You Go project ... which shall now be known as... The "GELATO" quilt... because, well, that's what it reminds me of!!
All the blocks have been sewn together, hand stitched into place and now I am ready to finish off hand stitching the last 2 connecting strips. That just leaves the binding...
Nearly done!!

To be sure, to be sure, it's St Patricks Day...

2009-03-17T09:57:00.003+11:00

Winners Are Grinners..."Summer Sorbet" has arrived... What a pattern, what a name!!...

2009-03-16T20:48:00.015+11:00

Look what I found sticking out of my letterbox today... Woo Hoo!! I won I won!!

Yeah, yeah, I know... I already said that here... http://leeannegilbert.blogspot.com/2009/02/australian-quilt-convention-and.html

but seriously, this is the first thing I have won since... well, I can't remember!! Thankyou to Emily at Carolina Patchworks... http://carolinapatchworks.com/blog/

What a great pattern... and may I say... what a great name!! heh heh... I love it!!

This is how I Quilt As You Go...

2009-03-16T12:04:00.018+11:00

Several people have asked me about my Quilt As You Go project and wondered about how I am going to put the blocks together. I have taken some photos along the way and here is how I do it... not saying it's the right or wrong way... just how I put it all together...

Please bear with me... I've never attempted a "tutorial" before...

Here goes...

Ok, all my blocks are quilted and trimmed to size and I'm ready to join my blocks together.

I cut 2 joining strips the same length as my block...

Strip 1 is cut 2 and 1/4 inches wide and folded in half wrong sides together..

Strip 2 is cut 2 and 1/2 inches wide and folded in half wrong sides together..

The covering strips need to be stitched to the edge of the block now...

Place strip 1... raw edge to raw edge and right sides together to the front of the block...

At the same time, place strip 2, raw edge to raw edge and right sides together to the back of the block... pin together through all layers...

and stitch through all layers, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance using a walking foot..

This is what the front should look like..

And this is how the back should look...

Ok... Now, take the next block working left to right (as is... no joining

strips) and butt it up to the block we have just sewn the joining strips to..

Make sure both joining strips are still to one side and out of the way,

and using a walking foot, (great if you have one) zig zag both blocks together using a big, wide zig zag stitch.

Don't over lap the batting, just butt it up... you don't want any bumps..

Make sure you keep the zig zag stitches within the 1/4 ince seam allowance we have already stitched.

This is what it should be looking like so far...

Still with me??

Ok... Once both blocks are zig zagged together, I flip the joining strip on the front of the block over and stitch it down in place... Be careful not to stitch through the bottom strip... it should still be folded back out of the seam allowance on the back...

The front of the block should be looking something like this...

This is what the finished block looks like on the front..

And then, all there is left to do is turn the block over, flip the back joining strip over the seam allowance made from the front strip and hand stitch in place...

Now... must get back to finishing my blocks... I hope this has helped!!

Here's one row all done... Easy!!

Quilt as you go update and the Stiches and Craft Show...

2009-03-14T21:20:00.007+11:00

Been busy quilting these 22" whoppers (should come up with a name I guess!!)... and now I have a stack (9 to be exact) all ready to be pieced together (quilt as you go style)...

On another note... I went to the "new" Stitches and Craft Show at the Melbourne showgrounds yesterday. Anyone else go? Love to hear what you thought!!
Wasn't many people there... and next time there will be one less... I will give it a miss.
It was moved from Caulfield Racecourse over to Flemington this year... new organisers!!
If it weren't for a nice lady I met coming home on the on the train from AQC the other day, I would have turned up at Caulfield!! The only advertising I have seen or heard about the show was in the car... on the way to the show yesterday morning!! After an hour and half (give or take a few minutes) I arrived and could have come straight home... I did the whole show in about half an hour!!
At least I got to catch up with my friend Carole who is always good value... Hi Carole!!
If you are at the show, or any of the other shows, stop by and say hello to Carole at the Bernina Stand!!
Anyway, I digress... Of the reported 200 plus stalls there, I would say at a guess, only half a dozen or so were quilt related!! What a waste of time!! For me anyway!!
The only good thing about yesterday's show was the fact that I didn't spend a cent on purchases... How is this good I hear you ask?

Well.... today I went out and splurged... 2 new books and 4 metres of fabric... sorry Stitches and Craft show... you had nothing for me... my locals got your money today!!!

Anyway, enough on the soap box... my glass is empty and those books are a callin me...

Check you later on!! Lx

Quilt Qua... A new list of quilting blogs...

2009-03-05T13:02:00.003+11:00

There's a new Quilt Blog listing over at

http://www.quiltqua.com/

I'm always one for promoting great quilting blogs...

So I thought you might like the link...

Stop by and take a look...

Quilt as you go update...

2009-03-04T13:48:00.005+11:00

A quick update on my (as yet un named) Quilt As You Go project... 2 blocks down and well under way... Oooh... I'm loving this... Quilting a 22 inch block is soooo much easier than a big full sized quilt.

There will however be a lot of hand stitching involved in joining the blocks later on, but hey... it'll be something to do while I watch t.v at night!! I'll keep you posted...

My latest WIP... A quilt as you go experiment...

2009-03-03T13:23:00.005+11:00

I have been busy piecing this quilt top over the last couple of days/nights...
It actually started out as a bit of a "test" to see whether I would like the block or not and well, I love it, so it has grown somewhat!!

I love piecing and I really love the machine quilting process but lately, my shoulders have been struggling with anything too big and heavy (arthritis). One of the first quilts I ever made was a quilt as you go... I posted about it way back here ...

http://leeannegilbert.blogspot.com/2008/10/star-bright-quilt.html

Anyway, I thought with a few design changes, "why not give it a go again?"

I've made these blocks a whopping 22" with white sashings (so I can disguise the joins better this time).
I'm more or less ready to start cutting the backing and batting pieces...
Hopefully, quilting it this way will make things more managable for me. Only time will tell...

Another Bag...

2009-02-27T19:20:00.005+11:00

I made a "few" minor alterations to the pattern... Well, I guess it's completely different actually!! Those dressmaking skills sure come in handy in times like this!!

I lengthened the body of the bag and straps by 4 inches, redrew the pattern pieces for the front and back to include a yolk, I added pockets inside and out for my obligatory lippy and trusty mobile phone and this time, I bulked it up with batting and some stipple stitching...

It's lined with a really nice gold shot dupion silk look alike!! I couldn't get a decent photo of the inside though... Just wanted to get this post done and published so these pics will have to suffice!!

This one, I really do like!!

Australian Quilt Convention and a surprise!! ...

2009-02-26T19:13:00.014+11:00

Took a train ride into to the the Australian Quilt Convention this morning... Ahhh, the beautiful Melbourne Exhibition Buildings.. inspiring place, inspiring people....

Of course, I indulged slightly... What can I say?? I'm a sucker for beautiful fabric and it's been awhile!!

When I got back onto my computer tonight and checked my favourite blog updates, I had a very unexpected surprise... I realised I'd won a quilt naming competition over at Carolina Patchworks... OMG... What a thrill!!

My name was the winner... "SUMMER SORBET"

Here's the link so you can take a look... Thankyou Emily!!

http://carolinapatchworks.com/blog

A really quick bag pattern...

2009-02-23T13:37:00.005+11:00

I came across a bag pattern yesterday (Burda 8560) that I quite liked...
I decided to make it up using some fabric I found deep within my stash... it's not really my style but I wanted to see how it well the pattern stitched up...

It went together in no time at all... very, very easy... Because it was just a tester piece, I didn't worry about stabiliser... but it definitely needs some. The pattern did not include lining, so I added that... Next time I will probably substitute the snap closure for a zipper and add an inside pocket for my mobile and lippy!!

I will definitely be making this bag up again, but in "MY" colours next time!! In the meantime, it can hang around my sewing room somewhere!!

Baby quilt, all done...

2009-02-21T20:33:00.006+11:00

It's all done... the latest baby quilt...

I used a few snippets of leftovers and pieced them into the back...

My "trademark" free motion label on the back... I love making these labels, binding and all...

All washed and crinkled, ready for gift giving...

Finished size is 42" square... Small yes, but great size for a baby!!

Baby Daniel and the Woof Woof Quilt...

2009-02-18T19:11:00.006+11:00

This handsome young fella is Daniel... First born to my friend Rajfa and her husband Sam
What a gorgeous little babe... Welcomed into the world Boxing Day 2008...

Too cute for words...

and I must say... that quilt he's laying on isn't too bad either!! heh heh
Love the photos...it makes everything worthwhile, knowing how much it is appreciated.
Thanks Rajfa and congratulations to both you and Sam... You clever people!!

And now... back to some sewing...

2009-02-16T20:33:00.005+11:00

Made some progress on this little quilt today... I am making it for a little fella due to make his way into the world any day now...

All basted... Oooh I hate basting!!

And all quilted... I love this part!!

Tomorrow, I will try and get the binding on and it'll nearlly be done!!

My washing line is looking somewhat brighter this morning...

2009-02-14T12:06:00.002+11:00

I am coming to terms with the fact that fabric dyeing really is a wait and see process... These are the 1 meter pieces I started off yesterday and they are turning out very different to what I had expected... I like them though... very much!!

A new batch of hand dyes...

2009-02-13T12:55:00.007+11:00

It's been awhile since I played with my Dyes. I needed to do something to brighten my mood and so this is what I mixed up this morning... Looks like a mushy mess at the moment, but just you wait!! The proof will be in the washing... and drying... and ironing... and... eventually... it WILL look good!! Well, I hope so anyway!! Stay tuned!!

My heart bleeds...

2009-02-12T11:30:00.006+11:00

Sam the Koala wins hearts as life emerges from fire...

11 February 2009 07:12:13 PM Source: Reuters

Local CFA firefighter David Tree shares his water with an injured Australian Koala at Mirboo North after wildfires swept through the region. (AAP)

A bewildered and badly burnt koala has emerged from the ashes of Australia's deadliest bushfires, a small beacon of hope after days of devastation and the loss of more than 180 lives.
Volunteer firefighter Dave Tree came across the stricken koala, affectionately named Sam, cowering in a burnt out section of a forest at Mirboo North, some 150 km (90 miles) southeast of Melbourne.
As a colleague filmed him, he approached the koala and offered the terrified animal some water, gently talking until the koala put a paw on his hand and began drinking from the plastic water bottle.
"Things do survive the bushfire. There's a koala here. You alright buddy?" said Tree in the video which was posted on the video sharing website YouTube.
"This guy has survived. He's looking pretty bewildered."
The koala, who turned out to be female, was taken to the Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter in Rawson while photos of Australia's beloved marsupial, taken on a mobile phone, spread quickly across the globe.
Carer Jenny Shaw told reporters that Sam had suffered burns on her paws and was in pain but on the road to recovery.
The story was reminiscent of another koala named Lucky who survived the bushfires that destroyed about 500 homes with the loss of four lives in the capital of Canberra in 2003.
Lucky became a symbol of hope as people rebuilt lives after the fires and was cared for in a nature reserve, dying recently.
As the fires subside, animals of all shapes and sizes who survived the fires have started to emerge from the charred bushland.
The Australian Wildlife Health Centre at the Healesville Sanctuary, located an hour's drive from Melbourne, has been taking in increasing numbers of injured animals.
But director John Gibbons said so many of the animals were so badly injured that they had to be put down.
"We had a joey today, an eastern grey of about 8 to 10 months old, but we could not save it," he said.
"We expect the workload to increase in coming days as the fires abate and roadblocks are lifted."
Wildlife workers said they had several weeks of hard work in front of them to save as many animals as possible.
Anne Fowler, spokeswoman for the Australian Veterinary Association, said wildlife likely to be affected include koalas, ringtail possums, kangaroos, reptiles and echidna.
"For those animals that can be treated, we treat the wounds under anaesthesia then protect them until they start to heal," she said. "This can take from two weeks to greater than four weeks depending on the severity of the burn."

My home state of Victoria is in mourning...

2009-02-09T19:33:00.007+11:00

Victoria is experiencing it's worst bushfire in Australia's history...
So far, over 130 people have lost their lives, over 750 houses have been reduced to ash and twisted metal... Complete towns have been wiped out.

I am in shock... I can not believe it... The town of Kinglake... wiped out... deaths in St Andrews...
I grew up in a small town nearby and went to high school with many, many friends who lived in and around Kinglake, St Andrews and surrounding towns... I am hoping they have since moved away...

North Eastern Victoria and further down in Gippsland, there is even more devastation... The entire town of historical Marysville... Gone...
There are fires everywhere. Our beautiful state has been left a blackened mess...

The worst thing... many of the fires have been deliberately lit...
Our Prime Minister Mr Rudd this morning was uncharacteristically lost for words and became quite emotional when he referred to those responsible as mass murderers.

Our deputy PM Julia Gillard summed it up this morning when she said...
"Saturday the 7th of February 2009 will forever be remembered as one of the darkest days in Australia's peacetime history"

I personally just find it incomprehensible... and so, so sad...

And now, for something completely different...

2009-02-05T13:51:00.005+11:00

The kids are back at school and I am back in the sewing room!! I promised myself I would try something different, and so, these blocks have come to be. They are very much a work in progress and this is only a sneak peek... I'll keep you posted!!

My "Believe in Angels" quilt...

2009-01-30T12:20:00.007+11:00

It's been too bloody hot here to do too much in the sewing room... it's been well over 40 degrees Celsius (that's around 105 in the old scale!!) for the last 4 days straight... HOT HOT HOT!!

I figured an old quilt photo is better than no quilt photo, so here goes...

I found this little quilt tucked away on a shelf last night and I thought I'd share with you, the 5 minutes of "fame" it gave me back in 2007...

It was the very first pattern I had ever tried and when it was done, I sent it into APQ magazine with the following letter... It ended up winning me a 6 month subscription prize...

I nearly fell of my chair when I opened my magazine to see it there... heh heh I was very proud of myself!!

As for the here and now, I have set aside my blue and green zigzag quilt for "a rest" or until I can get enthused with it again, and when this heat dies down, I plan on making a scrappy (COLOURFUL) project... anything but blue and green!!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!!

2009-01-26T12:06:00.003+11:00

It's Australia Day... and that means sun, sand, beers and lamb on the BBQ!! In honour of our national day, I have included (over there on the right) a very funny You Tube clip of Aussie comedian Adam Hills... doing his best Barnesy version of our national anthem...
Enjoy your day my friends!!

Ahhh... Nina, I've missed you!! ...

2009-01-24T19:10:00.004+11:00

It's sew (pun intended) nice to be back in my sewing room!! 4 weeks without sewing is a long time!!

TB took the kids to the Australian Open (tennis) today, so I have been sewing ALL AFTERNOON!! OMG... What a treat!!
The table runner I started working on before Christmas has grown somewhat and is fast becoming my next quilt... although I must say, I am over the whole Green and Blue thing... Don't get me wrong, I love it, but this will be the last for awhile!!
Can't say too much yet, but I think it's going to be given away anyway!!

Thank god for design walls... I think I spent just as much time this afternoon re-arranging my layout as I did sewing it!!
I'm thinking I'd like to add a splash of another colour (hand dyed??) but not sure what I'll do yet... perhaps in the binding or border?? What do you think?? Any suggestions??

I'm baaackk!! ...

2009-01-16T21:47:00.009+11:00

Happy New Year everyone...

The kids and I have been away for 3 beautiful weeks and I'm back home for a quick pit stop... I am off again on Monday for another few days... Yeah, I know... lucky ducks!!
I will be flat out while home though... You know... I bought home all the washing (tank water only at AVAREST and it's been dry, dry, dry), dinner with friends, Cricket games, pick up school books and of course I am so hanging out to check in on my blogging buddies.
You guys have all been busy... I have so much reading to catch up on!!

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Years.

OMG...it seems like ages ago now doesn't it?

We had a fantastic time away and we were quite busy with visitors this year...

Here's a photo of one visitor who "lobbed" in the front yard for a couple of nights...

He wasn't too bothered by us at all...

I was only a couple of feet away from "him" when I took these pics... Gosh they're funny things!!
Never seen anything so relaxed, chilled out and laid back... well not for many years anyway!! heh heh

Koalas... What a life!! Hanging out in the trees munching on gum leaves all day...

I was sure he was going to fall out at one stage and was having visions of Keith Richards falling from that coconut tree last year!!

The kids have named him "Phil" Don't ask me why... I have no idea!!

I'm not sure!! I think he shall be known as Keith... Yeah Man... Keef!!

Merry Christmas...

2008-12-24T23:58:00.001+11:00

A very merry Christmas to all my friends in blogland... love you all... Lx

Another Table Runner...

2008-12-23T00:22:00.003+11:00

I've been "hanging out" (that's a distinctive Aussie term!!) to try a zig zag quilt for ages...

I figured, in keeping with the "AVAREST" theme, what better way than to make another table runner!! It will go nicely with my blue and green already down there!!

Still playing around with the layout, but it doesn't look too bad at this stage!!

Good enough to eat...

2008-12-22T22:17:00.006+11:00

Mmmm... Now tell me... what do these colours remind you of??

Hand dyed strawberry, vanilla and chocolate perhaps??

Played around and made another little zippered pouch tonight... quilted and all!!

And a nice contrasting "spotted" lining to match... Too easy... too much fun!!

Neat Zipper trick...

2008-12-21T23:06:00.005+11:00

No quilting, and super simple, but I thought I'd share this with you...
When it comes to my sewing, I'm a bit of a neat freak!!
For ages I have tried to master a neat corner on a zipper insertion when making pouches...
You know... those "dickie" bits at the end of the zipper... I hate them!!
Well, the penny finally dropped tonight when I read this tutorial...

http://isewblog.blogspot.com/2007/07/zippy-zips.html

I made a simple zipped pouch to hold my paint brushes...
I used a piece of hand painted (splattered) fabric for the outside and a piece of hand dyed for the lining...
Here's the closeup of the zipper insertion... pretty neat... not bad for a first attempt and ten times better than those "dickie" corners I usually end up with!!

Some Christmas Humour...

2008-12-19T22:48:00.003+11:00

These never fail to amuse me...

Phewww... are we there yet?

2008-12-19T09:59:00.005+11:00

Geesh... how crazy is it? I mean this time of the year!! It's been absolutely mad around our house.
We had JB's grade 6 graduation on Tuesday night... 7 years of Primary school... all done!! What a milestone... what a lovely night.
We are very lucky to have such wonderful, dedicated teachers at our school... well done everyone.
Dad and I are very proud of you JB!!

I thought I'd finished my Christmas shopping, but well, you know what thought thought!!
I decided last night I needed a little something extra to add to a present.
So, as you do, I whipped these oven mitts up!!

Once again, I used test blocks I had stashed in my cupboard...

I've been using the previous ones I made... they work really well... no burns!!

I like the quilting on these... Simple freeform lines using a walking foot...

And a hand stitched binding... Here's a closeup...

It's begining to look alot like Christmas...

2008-12-13T13:43:00.002+11:00

Not much sewing this week... it's been very busy. Lots happening at school with JB's graduation next week and well, I've had lunches with the girls, shopping, school excursions, BBQ's and more lunches... doing it really tough!! I hope to get in a bit of sewing tonight... with any luck!!

ONLY 12 SLEEPS TO GO... OMG!!

Advent Calendar... All done...

2008-12-09T09:20:00.004+11:00

My kids woke to find their new advent calendar this morning... all stuffed and ready for pillaging!! YAY!!
There are a few chocolates missing... the elves must've come by late last night...
Not buying it??
Well... I figured I deserved a treat at 11.30 last night when I managed to finish it!! So there!!

Advent Calendar...

2008-12-08T20:34:00.003+11:00

The kids have been at me to get an advent calendar for them... before Christmas is actually over!!
I have one... somewhere... but for the life of me, I can not find it... anywhere!!
So... tonight, after school, I pulled out a panel I happened to have in the stash cupboard (as you do!!) and well... I made one!!

It was really quick (except for ironing all those little pleats between the pockets!!).
All that's left to do is sew on the binding... if I'm lucky, I might get that done tonight!!

A weekend away...

2008-12-07T19:48:00.007+11:00

I took the finished Table Runner, Coins cushion and Half Square triangle quilt down to their new home on the weekend... I think they look good!!

I like the crisp white against the Baltic pine...
Looks nice and fresh and lightens the place up a bit!!

The runner fills in the table top nicely...

Ready for my closeup... Lots of stipple stitching, a good wash and then into the dryer...
I love that crinkly look... and because it's so densely quilted, it lays nice and flat on the table top...

This is what the back looks like...

I love making these little free motion embroidered quilt labels...

Starting to build myself a nice collection of quilts... ready for the chilly nights on the couch next winter!!

Simple cushions...

2008-12-04T11:24:00.003+11:00

Simple, but fun... The blue one is for me (surprise surprise!!) and the others are Christmas presents for a couple of young Thomas and Dora fans I know...

My babies are growing up...

2008-12-03T19:46:00.007+11:00

It's been a really busy... shock to the system week!! My babies are both growing up... too fast!! JB had a weekend interstate (Adelaide) with his dad and 2 uncles... so lucky!! A day off school and 3 days of international cricket!! First ride in an aeroplane... a real boys weekend... well kinda... he is only 12 after all!! He loved it!!

Sam and I had a 'girls' weekend... not much sewing, but lots of eating chocolate and other 'naughty' comfort food!! We did the craft market on Saturday (a great confidence booster!!) and watched movies and just 'chilled'... Loved it!!

Yesterday, JB had orientation day at his new secondary school...
I swear he came home a different boy... kinda grew up even more in the 5 hours he was there!! Spent the rest of last night struttin his stuff in his new uniform...God he looked good in it!! Soooo handsome!! He tells me now he needs a mobile phone... you know... to go with the uniform!! Bloody hell!! heh heh

The blazer is "fully sick" apparently!! It had want to be I tell you... buying that uniform yesterday has put a real dent in my 'fabric' account!! heh heh I am really excited for him... secondary school is the start of a whole new life for him... sooooo much fun!!

On Monday night, Sam had her annual art exhibition...
She's been having 'casual' art lessons with a fantastic teacher friend for 3 years now...
This year, I think she has really excelled...
I was totally blown away when I saw what she had been working on all year...
She obviously gets 'it' from my Mum (she's also an artist) because I certainly can't paint like that!! Well done my darling!! Well done!!

I thought I would share some of her paintings with you... there are quite a few more, but here's a sampling...

Here are her Crimson Rosellas... this one might end up on the wall at AVAREST...after all, it does feature the locals!!

Her Dolphins are "mesmerising"... just look at their eyes!!...

And the Cherry blossom... Picked straight from the backyard...

Not bad for a 10 year old girl is it? Not bad at all!! You rock Sam!!

Table Runner...

2008-11-28T12:16:00.004+11:00

I know, I know... it's blue and green AGAIN... but well, I like blue and green and I thought it would go nicely with the half square triangle throw... so there!! :-)
It's a simple disappearing nine patch using my hand dyes...
It measures 21" x 60" before binding.

All done...

2008-11-26T16:51:00.008+11:00

Finished... Yay!! It measures 45" x 55"... a great size for the couch!!

Two extra blocks for the back...

Crinkle, crinkle... Oohhhh... so soft!!

And a little free motion embroidered mini quilt for my label...

Half Square Triangle Update...

2008-11-24T17:14:00.007+11:00

I've been busy working on my Half Square Triangle quilt...
The batik fabric (Blue and Green) was given to me AGES ago in a pile of fabric that was to be thrown out... YIKES!!
The remainder is from my hand dyed stash... A good match I thought!!
I enjoyed piecing this... Those pesky, messy little triangles with their dog ears are good fun.
I'm pretty fussy, although I didn't "stress" too much if I happened to be a millimeter or two out... the QUILT POLICE aren't allowed in my sewing room!!
MY QUILT... MY RULES!!! heh heh
I pin basted it and got a thigh workout to boot last night... C'mon Lee-Anne... Bend Your Knees!!

And I quilted it this morning...

Here is how it looks before I stitch down the binding...

All I need to then, is add my label to the back...

I'm looking forward to getting stuck into the binding and label tonight...

Yes... really!! I just won't be able to move my fingers tomorrow!!

If all goes well, and I can feel the keyboard... I will post finished photo tomorrow!!

Half Square Triangles...

2008-11-22T20:49:00.003+11:00

Half square triangle droppings... Gees... they're bloody messy little buggers!! Not quite house trained...

And here is from where'st they came...

Still need training... I'm trying to get them under control and add to the brood before night ends!!

After the Rain...

2008-11-21T20:22:00.007+11:00

We had some very welcomed rain here tonight and are expecting much more tonight. When I went out to lock things up for the night, I found this enormous rainbow... Isn't it beautiful!!

Here it is looking to the left...

And here it is to the Right...

Now.... if only I could see where it ends...

Oven Mitts...

2008-11-21T18:28:00.007+11:00

I have been thinking again about all those "test" blocks I have stored away in my cupboard.. I decided, after yet again burning myself on the oven, I would sew up some oven mitts... This one started life as a wonky log cabin block...

All lined, with some nice striped binding to finish it off...

This one started as a simple strip pieced block...

I like the quilting on this one... simple but effective...

And here's the binding... I used a plain calico on the inside lining this time...

Quilter Blogs...

2008-11-21T11:28:00.002+11:00

For all my quilting friends... Check out this new site...
http://www.quilterblogs.com/

Improvisational piece... All done...

2008-11-17T12:54:00.003+11:00

Remember this? I finished the binding on the Blue and Green Improvastional piece and here it is... All done!!
I mounted it onto a canvas and hung it over my bed down at AVAREST... I like it!!

Here Comes Another One... Just Like The Other One...

2008-11-08T18:35:00.005+11:00

My baby decided she wanted to sew this afternoon... nothing new really... I mean... she has "done" it before, although today, she said she wanted to ..... wait for it... QUILT!!!!!!!

OMG... Poor TB!!

"OH GOD... ANOTHER ONE" he said... Eyebrows raised and hand firmly on back pocket!! I just said... "CMON DARL... WELCOME TO THE OTHER SIDE..." Heh, heh...

Pencil Case...

2008-11-07T13:26:00.007+11:00

I stopped into Office Works this morning (my other favourite non sewing store!!) because I needed some stationery... I have a thing for pens and pencils... What is it about a freshly sharpened pencil and crisp, clean sheets of paper on which to scribble ideas?? Anyway, I digress... I made my purchases and then came home and made a little pencil case in which to "hide" them from the kids...

I used a "test" block I found in my stash cupboard, made a quilt sandwich and then gave it a good going over using Nina's BSR foot (good practice)...

Then, it was a simple zipper addition and voila...

There it was... my little pencil case...

Please remember though... DON'T TELL THE KIDS!!!!

Busy Busy...

2008-11-06T21:24:00.006+11:00

I can't believe a week has passed since my last post. Time really does fly when you're having fun!! It was a long weekend here in Melbourne... well, Tuesday was Melbourne Cup day and us being Aussies... well, we usually try to add on a day off whenever we can!!
Monday was a school closure day for the kids, so Sam and I headed down to Avarest for a 4 day weekend!! Noice!! Just us girls and Miss Molly (who by the way, turned 13 on Tuesday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOLLY!!). A very relaxing weekend was had by all.

I had a bit of a tidy up this afternoon (believe me... this is tidy.. I found my cutting table under a huge pile of crap and discovered I actually still owned an overlocker!! Gee, maybe if I tidy up my computer desk, I might actually find some space there too!! You never know!!)

and I tried to get in a little sewing... Not always easy!! Look how close I am to running over her tail!! Geeeshhh!!

IT'S HALLOWEEN...

2008-10-31T09:36:00.008+11:00

BOO!! Happy Halloween to all my blogging buddies in the US... We don't really celebrate it down here in Australia, but I thought this picture was cute... Have a great night guys. Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite!!

Meanwhile... I am off to finish hand stitching the binding on the Woof Woof quilt so I can give it away as a present this afternoon. It is the first quilt I have actually made and given away.... I know!! I can't beleive it either!! I really love the way it has turned out and have mixed emotions about handing it over. Silly I know!! Do you know what I mean? It's like... "will they love it as much as me? Will they take care of it?"... it's like a baby you have "grown". Silly, silly girl Lee-Anne!! I will take the finished photos and post them later today if I get time...

Edit.. OK... Here they are...

Finished front...

And the back...

The label...All washed and crinkled... ready for delivery this afternoon... Oh, I hope she likes it!!

Woof Woof quilt... Update

2008-10-30T18:09:00.004+11:00

Made some progress today.... the housework will just have to wait!!
After all... I do have a deadline remember!!

All quilted and ready for the binding... tonight!! Pheww!!

Woof woof... baby quilt...

2008-10-28T21:27:00.011+11:00

I started this little quilt on the weekend and finished piecing it today. It's a simple square in a square block... I had planned on piecing the backing tonight, but I got a little side-tracked with other stuff (such is life!!). It's looking quite good... Can't wait to get stuck into the quilting...

It looks much nicer (and straighter!!) than it does in this bottom photo, but I wanted to show you the whole quilt top so I quickly "hung" it up on my design wall. I'm trying to get it finished by Friday... Oooh... A self imposed deadline... I hate deadlines!!

Wish me lots of "free time" quilting luck! Yeah right!! And maybe throw in a fairy godmother who's a whiz at free motion too!! Heh, heh. Life's so busy at the moment!!

Oooh... You're terrible Muriel...

2008-10-24T19:42:00.004+11:00

"Blue Squares" is all pieced... The backing fabric is "cooking" in a dye bath... I've worked hard... I deserve a reward... So then, what's a girl to do? BUY MORE FABRIC OF COURSE!!

2008-10-23T14:44:00.004+11:00

How cool does this look? I just hung up a huge piece of batting on top of the roman blind in my sewing room (yes, yes I know I am very lucky!!) and laid out the blocks in preparation for tonight... with the sun shining through from behind, they look like 18 stained glass windows. I had 2 extra blocks so I only need to make 2 more. Just thought I'd share that with you!! :-)

Blue Squares Quilt...

2008-10-23T14:09:00.006+11:00

Yes, I think that's what I'll call it... Blue Squares!!
I 've been working hard on this quilt top over the last couple of nights.
But, you know how it goes... just as I thought I'd finished piecing the blocks (Molly thought it was finished), I decided that if I make just one more row, I will have a quilt big enough for a single bed!! Lucky for me, I am finding these blocks addictive!! Gee, guess I'll have to open another bottle of red and finish it off tonight.... the quilt I mean... not the red... otherwise the Blue blocks (or Molly) might end up purple!! Ahhh, it's hard work being creative!!

Tie Dye TShirts...

2008-10-19T15:54:00.004+11:00

The grade 6 kids at school made some funky TShirts last week... We used the very same (most excellent) procion dyes I use here at home, so they turned out really well. I offered to bring them home and do the washing!! I think they look fantastic... Far out man, like wow, wipe out!!

Confirmation Night...

2008-10-19T15:41:00.004+11:00

As promised... here is a picture of JB's banner on Confirmation night. It's not the best of pictures but I think it turned out ok!! I made a last minute "design" decision though... the hanging sleeve on the back wasn't quite right so I pulled it to the front and slipped the dowel through at the top instead...

Split Nine Patch is done...

2008-10-13T10:26:00.004+11:00

All washed and dried... crinkly and soft...

And on the reverse... A mini quilt label... binding and all!!

I'm seeing spots, lots of spots...

2008-10-10T19:28:00.005+11:00

I saw this fabric awhile ago and fell in love with it... Well, it was half price the other day so it came home with me!! Not sure exactly what I will make with it, but as we quilters all know... it will keep the dust off my shelves until then!! Oooh, you're terrible Muriel!!

Confirmation Banner...

2008-10-09T11:12:00.004+11:00

Taa Daa... It's finished!! Here's JB's Confirmation Banner... Ready to take to school.

JB chose the colours... All hand dyed to his specifications, he chose the design and layout and I stitched it!!

RAW EDGE APPLIQUE... I love it's rustic imperfections, and the freedom you have when you just let loose!!
I pieced the backing, hanging sleeve and binding...

I'll try and get a good photo of it hanging in the Church next week and post it later on...

Which Tarot Card Are You?

2008-10-08T21:09:00.005+11:00

I took the test...

I am The Empress
Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.
The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents, beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.
The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.
What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Split Nine Patch Update...

2008-10-07T12:34:00.006+11:00

Remember that baby quilt I started back in July? It's just been lying in my cupboard ever since I decided I didn't like it. I spyed it on Sunday night and it was crying out to be quilted. Well, you know what? I kinda like it a lot more now!! Funny how a good quilting gives even an ugly duckling a new lease on life!! The ironic thing is though, I started this for either one of 2 friends having babies (both have since found out they're having boys) so I still have 2 quilts to make... but not in pretty pinks!! Oh well.... onwards I go again... any excuse will do!!

Meet Scrappy Batik...

2008-10-06T13:02:00.006+11:00

While I'm on a roll, I thought I would share with you, another of my early quilting adventures... This one I call Scrappy Batik. Soft and cuddly, the kids use this one on the couch at night.Again, it's just made up as I went along. Each block measures 16" and I added bits and pieces to

make it grow!! I first tried out my free motion quilting on this one...

It was my first practice piece and needless to say, was finished before "Nina" and her amazing BSR came to live with me!! All hail BSR!!

Star Bright Quilt...

2008-10-05T12:50:00.005+11:00

I forgot about this quilt... I bought it home with me on Friday for a wash!! I think this was the first quilt I made. Not sure what the block is called... I just kinda made it up as I went along. Each block is 16" square and I made it as a "quilt as you go" quilt.... It made all those lines and lines of quilting simple!! I used a woolen batting on this quilt, but back then, I had no idea what I was doing and it was a "cheap and nasty" batting which is a little stiff. The quilt is ok... I mean, it gets used... but it's not really my style these days!! I guess we all have to start somewhere and my first effort wasn't too bad in hindsight!!

This is what the back looks like... Lots and lots of quilting!! In fact, I stitched in the ditch every seam... Pheww!!

And a simple label on the back...

I'm back...

2008-10-03T20:43:00.008+10:00

The kids and I have just returned from 12 days down at AVAREST... my favourite place to stay!! The weather was great, the sleep-ins were fantastic, and I think fun, was had by all!!
Both kids had their friends come down to stay and my 2 besties came for a couple of nights too!! Even Miss Molly had a friend come for a sleep over!! The possums were back, along with a sneaky fox who waltzed past my window one night. No sign of Punter this trip though... perhaps he's gone to watch the Aussies in India!!

When I learned to quilt, I forgot how to cook...

2008-09-18T10:48:00.000+10:00

I saw a great quote the other day... can't remember where, but it was good!!

"When I learned to quilt, I forgot how to cook!!"

Well, not really true (anyone who knows me, knows how much I love to cook) but geesh... It's been awhile since I had a good cook up session... TB and JB have been out and that means I get to put on my music and "Play It Loud OK!!" I mean apart from breakfast, lunch and dinner (we RARELY have take-away). I've spent ALL afternoon/night cooking. Home made Lasagne, meat pies (an Aussie favourite) mini pizzas and Fried rice (all from scratch) was next but I need to sit now and take stock!! Kids are on school holidays from tomorrow and I am getting organised!!

Strip quilt...

2008-09-17T17:55:00.008+10:00

Yay!! It's finished!! I sat down and stitched on the binding last night (my fingers are crying as I type this post... It takes great skill to hand sew with a fluffy Maltese on your lap!! I feel a bit like a pin cushion... ouch!!) anyway, enough of the whining, I am really happy with it... I love the "antique" crinkly look you get after it's been washed and dried. I think it makes the quilt smile!!