Some Kind of Wonderful by Anni Downs

In a moment of madness - spurred along by the wonderful chit chat that happens on the Stitch-a-Long I have decided to work on the quilt "My Favourite Things" by Anni Downs (in the book Some Kind of Wonderful).  I have finished 2 blocks so far.
The pattern is done in needle turn but I am opting for the quicker machine applique and as those of you who know me well - there will be a few 'adaptations" along the way.
I am using fabrics I already have - that were originally destined for another quilt.

The blog's leader - Chookyblue - is a real whip cracker when progress is slow and this will be an incentive to keep up - I do not want to be cyberspace-whipped!!

Here is my first "Favourite Thing" - Singing in the Rain - probably a bit of a fib as I am not sure I have ever really done that - but I was happy to include it.  (It's about to absolutely bucket down outside - maybe I should try it tonight??)

and the second block is Old Blue Jeans
(I know - I can't wear long skinny jeans like that but lets be creative!!)

and some close ups -"The Eye for Detail" takes over again

Crazy aren't I??

Baby Quilt

I have just finished a quilt that I made for a work colleague to give to a member of her family (a cousin I think) for when her baby is born.  It is 'quite' bright and the print fabric has ladybirds.  Not good photos unfortunately but I was in a rush to drop it off so she could take it on her trip to Sydney this week (rather than trust the postal service).  This is the front - a lot more colourful in real life.

and the back - I used an alphabet panel and the 'giver' embroidered her own label to make nit more personal.

 

1500 Followers!!!!

Nah - not me but Jenny Of Elefantz has 1500 followers and is having a celebration - go HERE to find out what.
And what a pretty logo!

Polka Dot Girls Finished.

I have had my purple Polka Dot Girls Quilt finished for ages, but finally got around to having it quitled, so now its all done.  The design is by Bronwyn Hayes.  I do love her stitcheries and still have a few of her projects to go (maybe one day!).
So, its one more off the list (and probably anther three added. . .)

The completed quilt (I didn't add any borders)

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and some close ups:

I seriously think I need either a better camera (using my phone for these) or a class in photography, to be able to show the detail better. 

Wedding #2 for 2011

My God Daughter was married in Sydney on 13th August.  What a perfect excuse for a trip to Sydney - my home town.  And  I made a looong weekend of it too.
Friday I was collected by one of my old Sydney Sewing Friends and she very kindly drove me here and there.  Firstly lunch at her favourite spot in Kings Cross.  Walter (the owner) has won awards for his cooking endeavours in the past and also for his coffee decorations!  Here is my special coffee.

Saturday was the wedding - a lovely day - sunshine and  no wind.  The bride looked wonderful!  The groom looked pretty good too.

My present to them was this quilt - a big one for snuggling under when watching TV. 
(The picture was taken with the quilt on the hotel bed - hence the lump down the middle.)

And a special label.

Sunday was the City to Surf race - and as I was staying in Rushcutters Bay - I was trapped til lunchtime.  Sunday was wet and cold but it didn't stop the runners - and I have never seen so many different coloured joggers in one place.  This was the view from my hotel window.

Fortunately the light was good enough for me to do some stitching.  (Lucky I had it with me??)

Sunday night was a catch up with the rest of my Sydney Sewing friends - great to see them and their latest show & tells.  And a lovely dinner was included.

Monday I was lucky enough to have my brother drive me around for a Patchwork shop hop.  I visited Quiltsmith, Logans Patchwork, Lyns Fine Needlework, Craft Depot and Sewrite.  Helped the Sydney economy to keep going (a bit).  The range of fabrics in most of the shops was huge compared to most of our Brisbane shops, it was hard not to buy heaps.

Monday night I had to return home - but I am on holidays so it's not so bad.  Details of how I spent a large portion of the rest of my holiday to follow!!!  (Really good sewing stuff.)
Fortunately I do not have any more weddings on the horizon!

Catching Up - A Finish!!!

Well, as I explained - life has been busy lately - but I have managed to sneak in some sewing.  Some of it I couldn't publish here as it was a surprise for my daughter for her wedding and really I just didnt get enough time on the computer for anything other than the basics.  So its catch up time.

Here is the quilt I made for her and her husband.  Hopefully they will enjoy snuggling under it on a cool night as they sit on the lounge watching TV.  (You can click on the photo to enlarge it)

The central part of the quilt is made from a pattern published by Paula at PacificPatchwork based on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:4 - Love is Patient, Love is Kind etc.

The outside blocks feature words to live by - the pattern "Gifts of Grace" supplied by Val Laird and based on Galatians 5:22-23.  (There were 9 patterns supplied but 8 worked for me!!)

Some close ups:

The quilting - not mine - I sub contracted that!

and the label - I designed it in Word and printed it on printable fabric - easy to do but a little difficult to hand sew.

So I have to pop on over to Sew Its Finished and mark up my finishes - whoopee!!!

I'm back!!

 I know I have been neglecting my Blog lately, but things have been so busy for the last few months or so.  My eldest daughter got married on 2nd July - last weekend and most of my spare time has been tied up with "the Big Day" as we have been calling it.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day - perfect weather - no hiccups and a truly radiant bride! and the groom looked happy too!

I'm not into photo heavy posts - especially for personal stuff but here are a few to record the day.

(a happy bride - a serious Father of the Bride)

the married couple

and if you want to see more you can go to the FaceBook page for the professional photographer - Leigh-Warner-Photography

As a post script - a departed dauhgter means a spare room - which means a sewing room for me!!!!!!!!!   Doing the Happy Dance about that!!  (though it may have been cheaper to add an extension to the house!)

A Giveaway!

The lovely Jenny from Jenny of Elefantz who is giving up days of her sewing time to go motorbiking through the top part of Queensland with her beloved husband is having a giveaway of the originals of a pattern she had published in "Stitch" a US magazine.  Congratulations to her for being published "O/S" and a huge cuddle becaise she is so generous - both of her time and her goodies.  Pop over here to look and participate.

UFO - Finished

I finished my second blue & cream quilt - started last August - in time for my high school friend's "0" birthday in April.  I couldn't be in Sydney to see her open it - but she loves it and hopefully will enjoy snuggling under it as it gets cooler.

My bestest sewing mate gave me a beautifully stitched label to add to the back:

I bought quite a collection of blues creams and a bit of green to make the first "0" birthday quilt for another friend - and plannned on making two together - but I still have enough left over for a third - wonder who that will go to??

Here is a close up of some of the 'starter' fabric - its a border print but it would have been too wide to use as a border on that sized quilt so I cut it into 6" squares and made coordinating 4 patch and 9 patch squares.

and

What Makes me Happy - a random event!!

Years ago - my girls dressed up for a party - Pippi Longstocking & Heidi.  Both outfits made by me (How did I find the time?? - guess not so much patchowrk time back then!)
"Pippi" s now 21 and about to be married and "Heidi" is 19.