Back again

I think August this year is the first year since I started my blog but I didn't do a single post. I have tried really hard to keep posting, and I have managed to do a couple of posts this year but it is really not enough. But being confined to bed with suspected pneumonia has at least given me the chance to spend some time going through  my photos and posting some of the quilts I've made this year

Ginas's Frida Quilt

Nareeda 'a 50th Quilt

Josephine's Hawaiian Girl Quilt

Nareeda's Medalion Quilt 

Isadora's 21st Quilt

John's 60th Quilt

Mini Me

My mini came through from the schnitzel and boo mini swap but I got a bit of a surprise. I got home from work one night to find two parcels sitting in the kitchen one from the USA and one from the UK. There was a muck  up with the list and I was allocated to 2 different quilters on two different sides of the world and received two fabulous sets of quilts. I really was spoiled because as well as receiving two beautiful little quilts I got chocolate, tea, lollies, a needle case, some fabrics and a beautifully sewn zip pouch. 

Me in a mini part 2

I have been happily involved in the Schnitzwl and Boo mini swap these past few weeks. I have had lots of fun and a bit of stress coming up with a little quilt to send to my partner. The ones on IG gave been so exquisite that I have felt very intimidated. But I have pursevered and I think my parter will like it part of the fun (challenge? Stress?) is including lots of little other things. There is a bit of competition that I have found stressful to see what everyone else is sending. I think I did ok and I will definately be invoked if there is another one. So this one is for you @lalakids

A word on blogging

It would be true to say that since I've taken up Instagram I have pretty much given up blogging. Only one per month this year and March missed out completely it's my worst record since I started blogging in May 2009. But I still love blogging because it gives me an opportunity to look back on my life and my quilting journey to see all the things that I've done since I started this crazy activity five years ago. For example I just look back and see all of the things that I've done on the June long weekend since I started 2009 Ginas's Red disappearing nine patch quilt, 2010 a cushion shaped like a cell, 2011 Susie's Kaffe Fassett quilt, 2012 the quilt for Sarah's wedding present and 2013 a trip to Ballarat to see my friend Rhonda. I do hope I can keep going. PS this blog was done using voice recognition on my iPhone

Heritage Greens

I have recently made a quilt for my friend Nareeda's daughter Meg. Nareeda liked it so much that she asked me to make one for her as well but matching colours of her bedroom which were maroon and green. My inspiration was this quilt from the French General line of Fete de Noel 

I bought fabrics at Tricia's during my Instameet with Cassie, Janine and Lisa and teamed it with the lovely shot cotton from spotlight in sand. 

Today is my day to bast and quilt ready for delivery on Monday.. I love it and hope Nareeda does too

Me in a Mini

Mini quilt swap that is .. with Schnitzel and Boo. I have a partner that I am already having at look at on IG and she loves to bake and sew and crotchet.. just like me. But I also realise that my partner has been given my Sew and Sews Too blog to check out.. so I think I should add some interest so that she can see all the cool things I do.. or rather that I am so busy these days that I  NEVER get to blog and that IG has taken that role in my life.

But last night I was reading my favorite blogger Lucy at Attic24 and she so inspires me to keep this bloggy thing going..... so this is what I going to attempt to do.. at least that is the plan.

And to start off here are a couple of photos of a T Shirt Quilt that I recently made for a friends son's birthday using his old and well loved collection of Mambo T shirts. Such fun to do and I was really happy with how it turned out - especially the border made from sleeves..

A Quilt in Pictures

This is was a grand effort. A Marcelle Medallion quilt made over the long hot Adelaide summer using all my favorite fabrics . It started out as a quilt for me but ended up going to a good home and some quilt cash came my way. I so loved making it that I am planning a second just like the first. Here are all my photos of the process.  

Th

I'm in a bee

OI've joined a bee.. I've  always been intrigued about how they work and how the sharing of colours and ideas work... And boy am I learning. So far it has been fun but very intense. I've had over 150 face book notifications so far and the actual bee has yet to start. The way it works is every gets one partner per month and we make and post a block to that person. At the end of the year everyone has twelve blocks to make into a quilt!! The tricky bit is choosing the fabric that others will like. Some members are lucky enough to have a 'stash' of appropriate fabrics to choose from, some members want specific fabrics and they will send them out, some members want you to buy fabric to match the others, and some just say 'go for it'. It is all consuming at the moment but I think it will calm down. Anyway here are some of the quilts and ideas!!

The adventures of Thelma and (Clare) Louise

As a treat for my last week of holidays I organised to spend the day with a good friend cooking with her Thermomix called Thelma. I admit to being sceptical but I was prepared to give it a good try. The extensive menu for the day included a lemon meringue pie, green chicken curry, nigella'a vegemite pasta, roast pumpkin ravioli and beetroot and cashew nuts dip. As the day progressed I gradually became a fan and when the fluffy white meringue came out for the meringue  pie I knew that I was now a convert. 

I've learnt a thing

I am having fun playing with my phone and it's kinda kitch but fun and could become obsessive... But here is my first go. Holiday love

Baby Love

I am always sad when I hear of friends that for various reasons wanted a family but the time or circumstances did not prevail. I firmly believe that I am of the generation that was convinced that starting a family in our late 30s early 40s was the best thing to do.. Which of course is not the case and I don't think that we were really told the difficulties of late conception.. I was lucky but many were not. I blame
Germaine Greer. Anyway ... That is why I am always thrilled to here about 'late' 40s babies. All babies are special but some doubly so. So this is a quilt for such a baby.. Happy times

Too Too Toile

A story about fabric. In January 2013 a young distant relation came to stay . For various reasons the stay did not end well... Alcohol, broken doors, smashed windows, hospital, police ... You know the sort of thing. However, when she left in a hurry she left a lots of stuff behind... Including (no idea where from ) a set of toile linen fabric swatches. The kind you see in an interior design store. So after a good wash and dry in the hot sun I had a set of very pretty squares- which sat around for a potential new project. So when a trip interstate to visit old friends came around I knew this was the time to use it. In less than 24 hours it was done .. Bar the hand sewn binding .. But the 14 hour drive to Canberra sorted that ...the quilt was all made from vintage and found fabric. Squares with a couple of HST and a bit a fudging at the edges. I really like it.... And when Erica cheekily asked ...'so where's my quilt' I had one I had prepared earlier

Another new year...

2013 was a good year for sewing... Made a few, sold a few, made some gifts for friends who needed some fabric love, and did a little bit of knitting as well. The Sew & Sews continue to give great fun and my Thursdays are one of the highlights of my week. This year with Gina going into year 12 I think a bit more concentration on the family is needed... But I'm sure I can find the balance ..looking back on last years list I think I made them all.. Grow veggies and a lawn..check  lose weight .. Check(sort of ) quilts on consignment ... Yes but it was disasterous ..( needs more work) knit ... Check ... Support Gina ... I think so ... Spend more time with Henry. ... 50/50.. Pretty good I reckon. It was the year I blogged less but sewed more .. But with my new phone quicky blogs might be the way... So my NYR for 2014 are to balance my sewing eating drinking spending knitting and parenting into a semblance of calm... Let's see how I go!!!