About: Everything & Inbetween

So much has happened since my last blog date with you all – I left my job, started a new one, said goodbye to old friends and hello to the new, finished one quilt, started another AND lived the rest of my life in-between! I’ll admit it’s hard to find the guts to leave something that’s become so comfortable and routine for so long and start something that’s completely different. But I’ll get used to it and plod along as I find my feet along the way.

Lately I’ve been discovering some of the best-ever inspiring blogs on the net. These people inspire me to take my love for quilting and craft a lot more serious than I currently do…

Louise Papas (AUS):    www.lululollylegs.blogspot.com

This wonderful quilter, living inMelbourne, is the epitome of the modern quilting movement inAustralia. Her designs make me feel envious indeed! Her projects heavily feature appliqué (all types) and hand quilting which give the style of lovingly handmade and original.

Jennifer Reynolds (AUS):    http://www.elefantz.com/

This inspiring self-taught crafter has a wonderfully neat and deliberate style of sewing that is classy, fresh and unique. With an unlimited mind full of inspiring stitchery’s, quilts, wall-hangings and knick-knack pieces this is a sweet blog to get the creative juices flowing again! Also, check out some of the clever tutorials that are available: they’re free, easy to follow and feature handy photos to keep track to.

Meet Me at Mikes (AUS):     http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com.au/

This little beauty is something slightly different, a little bit quirky, very modern and a little bit retro-ish. Covering all things sweet and adorable, this blog has inspiring craft ideas like print your own fabric; make your own doily lamp shade, sew your own Chewbacca softie (!!) as well as make some very cool pieces of jewellery! Everything is awesome on this blog!

 Elizabeth Hartman (US):     http://www.ohfransson.com/

I just recently bought Elizabeth’s ‘A Practical Guide to Patchwork’ book and loved the simplistic modern quilts she designs. Even though this book leans more towards the beginner quilter, I’ve found it helpful anyway, as any tips and hints are always great to store in the mind plus some things you do forget and being reminded is always helpful!

I’m much inspired by the colour and pattern choices thatElizabethchooses and admire the way she executes her quilting techniques to match the styles of her quilts. Bonus:Elizabethhas posted some great online tutorials and patterns to use for free along with some handy-dandy quilting tips and FAQ’s! Love it!

Cyndi Walker (US):    http://www.stitchstudios.com/

I envy these talented people who have the opportunity to work fulltime as textile and/or quilt artists! Just the thought of having the freedom and courage to do that makes me weak at the knees! (One day! One day it’ll happen!) Well, Cyndi Walker is a very lucky and clever woman and I absolutely love her quilt designs, fabric and colour choices as well as her books. I’m seriously thinking of purchasing some of her patterns and hoarding them for future reference and inspiration!

Tula Pink (US):    http://tulapink.com/

Tula Pink is an extraordinary textile designer and quilter and I admire her quirky and clever nature and spin on the quilting world. Her fabric prints are just gorgeous and her take on modern quilt designs is inspiring! Check it out – you won’t regret it!!

Mr X Stitch (UK):      http://www.mrxstitch.com/

Now this guy is awesome! As what Chef Duff from Ace of Cakes is to cakes – this guy is to embroidery and stitcheries. He’s made the humble Nanna knitting and stitching past time into something that is uniquely hip, controversial, modern and accessible for the 21st century artist. He and a punch of other ridiculously talented stitchery artists from around the world have compiled a book called Push Stitchery. Hence named due to the way they push the creative boundaries of stitched art. This book is a one-of-a-kind gem of find and encourage all you embroidery and stitched art fans to get it, read it, be inspired and try something different for yourself! Then share it with others!

Now these blogs are by some of my all-time favourite wholesale manufacturers that bring us quilter’s beautiful rich, luscious, tactile fabrics that make me wee my pants with excitement!

Michael Miller Fabrics:  http://www.makingitfun.blogspot.com.au/

I love this blog; as soon as the page came up I was hooked! It’s so cool to see how the behind-the-scenes at a fabric manufacturer is like….idle rolls of fabrics stacked in the corner, lusciously stacked fabric bundles, meeting inspirational fabric designers and swooning all over beautifully made quilts. *sigh*

Moda Website:  http://www.unitednotions.com/un_main.nsf/main?openpage

This is such a fun and bright webpage! I love it! With so many links to discover it’s so hard to choose where to start first! Download crafty wallpapers for your computer and iphone/ipad, check out new and exciting fabric ranges, notions and products, meet the designers behind your favourite fabrics, print out free patterns and discover handy tips and measurement guides for all your sewing needs. I admire a great website that’s so functional to users who are (slightly) computer illiterate.

(What I love about looking at new blogs is discovering new artists as you click along with links or notice something at the corner of your eye and it draws you in! This is just what happened to me – I was browsing the Robert Kaufman boards on Pinterest (as you do!) and I found this guy – Luke Hayne – an extraordinary quilt designer who blows my mind with his perspective on the art of quilt making and how he executes it. See here, at his website, his bio (watch the video of how he makes his name tag thing – it’s insane! I want to be filmed like that one dayJ), his blog and totally insane quilts! AND I’ve just realised he’s one the artists that feature in Mr X Stitch’s book Push Stitchery! OMG! The world is just coming together like it is no-body’s business! Wow.)

And of course let us not forget the wondrous find of Pinterest and the awesomeness it brings to my life and as well as others! I’ve only been using Pinterest for over a fortnight, but it makes me realise just how many places I find my inspiration from as well as discover insanely talented people who are more than willing to share their ideas, inspirations, mistakes and worries to the rest of the world. Whenever I’m on the website I find myself making new boards for new finds of things I just love. From quilts to fabrics, products I love, arty-farty pieces and noteworthy books I’m always finding new and exciting stuff to pin. I’m so dangerous on that website!

Talking of dangerous websites and along with good informative blogs, I’m always on the hunt for some good quality online fabric stores. I know of a few great Australian sites that supply some great ranges of fabrics at great prices. I do know of some international ones but have yet bought from them due to currency differences and postage and handling charges.

Kelani (AUS):    http://www.kelanifabric.com.au/

Based inMelbourne, this irresistible store has best online collect of fabric ranges I’ve discovered yet. They have a link especially for Australian textile designers only along with everything else sorted into its appropriate space. Everything they sell is beautifully presented including detailed descriptions of each of the fabrics and the prices are reasonable. Postage used to be free, now it cost $5.95 (unlimited I think?) but everything is cut, folded and posted to you neatly and quickly, which is one of the reasons I keep coming back!

Duckcloth (AUS):    http://www.duckcloth.com.au/

Duckcloth operates out ofVictoriaand features a lot of organic and eco-friendly fabrics, like linen and hemp, along with all the sentimental fabric ranges we’ve all come to love. They have a superb blog, tick, free postage when you spend $120 or more (which is very easy to do – trust me!), tick, they accept pay-pal, tick, and guarantee fast delivery, tick!

Fabric Patch (AUS):     www.fabricpatch.com.au

This is the website to come to for all of your genuine well-known fabric designers, jelly rolls, charm packs, fat quarter bundles, layer cakes, quilt kits and patterns. With reasonable pricing, quick postage and super sweet fabric ranges, this store is becoming a ‘weekly browse’ favourite. It’s almost like a mini Australian version of the Fat Quarter Shop!

Funky Fabrix (AUS):     http://www.funkyfabrix.com.au/

Based inQueenslandthis is an awesome little online shop specialising in retro modern and natural organic fabrics. They also have a retail store that you can pop into and buy some purtty fabrics, ribbons, notions and sweetie little gifts. With a wide range of fabrics to choose from you’ll love browsing (just like I do) through all the different categories and ranges they stock. They accept pay-pal as well! Score!

Fat Quarter Shop (US):    http://www.fatquartershop.com/

This online store pretty much has everything that one quilter will need and want in a life-time! It’s bright, vivid, up-to-date, accepts pay-pal (!!) and sells quality Christmas fabric all year round. What could better? Oh, I know! Open a store especially for us Aussies!?

Hancock Fabrics (US):      http://www.hancockfabrics.com/

Oh man! These lucky Americans get all the awesome online fabric stores! Just check out the link and you’ll know what I mean…. This one reminds me of a bigger version of Spotlight – minus all the home décor products.

So, what’s happening on the sewing front I hear you ask?

Well, I’ve been busily stitching up my hexie’s for my Scrappy Hexie Quilt

and slowly coming to the end of the pile – Hoorah! –getting ready to appliqué them onto a daring piece of grey Prima Homespun background. This is the first time I’ll be using a solid grey colour as a central feature on the front a quilt top – but I did a sneaky little check on the weekend to make sure it would all come together and I think it just might! I’m also up to the part where I need to start looking for a contrasting backing and binding as well as deciding on how to quilt it. Should I do it on my sewing machine like I always do OR continue the theme of ‘trying something new’ and hand quilt it?! Oh the decisions are driving me crazy!

In the mean time, I’m also continuing on the Butterfly Baby Quilt I’m making for a friend. I was up to the stage of almost finishing the quilt top when I realised I didn’t have that feeling towards it like I do with other quilts I make. (When I say that feeling, I’m referring to the feeling that rises in you when you’re making something. You just know that it’s going to turn into a thing of beauty – you’re anxious and impatient to get it finished and hand it over to the lucky recipient. It’s that feeling of knowing that they’ll absolutely love it because you loved it and put all the right and positive energy into making it! I hope that makes sense? It’s quite difficult to explain such feelings towards a quilt-in-progress as your mood changes so often and inspiration comes and goes so easily…. It’s safe to say, I just didn’t feel that the quilt that was in progress was the right one to give – I knew I could do better!) And so, with that somewhat explained, I’ve started something new, something very modern and sweet featuring appliqué butterflies (pink, purple, yellow and floral on a clean white background) and I’m getting that feeling in doses and can’t wait to finish!! And I must finish soon as the little bubba’s due very soon! There’s nothing like leaving these things to the last minute! Eeepp!

Here is my Summer Zig-Zag Quilt on display at my local Spotlight store (I recently left my job here) and I’m so chuffed at how good it looks.

I have terrible judgement of how big or small my quilts turn out to be. When I was quilting this baby, it seemed a lot bigger than it seems here in the photo. But I love it – I had that feeling about it – and I’m going to be selfish and keep this one for me and my home. I was going to sell it but I’ve become too attached – something I try so hard not to do – but there are others half-made that I’ll finish in the future and sell. But that won’t be for a while as I have another two very important quilts to make on top of the Scrappy Hexie Quilt and Butterfly Quilt. Oh my! No more spur of the moment projects for me, I must stay strong!

Another thing I’ve discovered in the past week is Amigurumi which is a Japanese art form where you crochet small animals or toys. I haven’t made any, as I’m a hopeless knitter and know nothing about crocheting, so I’m more of look, admire and squeal at cutie little projects that brilliant Amigurumi artists have made. Some of things people have made are so awesome; I’m just blown away at how clever and ingenious some people are. Here are some of my favourites I’ve found of Pinterest…(where else?!).

How lovely are they?! The Star Wars collection is by far my favourite!

I think that’s it. There are no more words tumbling out of my brain to type to you about…hmm…

Happy Sewing! xx

A Summer Zig-Zag Quilt

So a few months ago, I started a new quilting project – my Zig-Zag quilt, with colours inspired by Summer.

Well, after being purposely left folded in some dark dingy corner of my sewing room as well as being unfairly subjected to my procrastinating ways, it’s finished!! Yaaay!

Although testing the limit of mine and my darling sewing machines patience, I’m truly glad and satisfied with how my first attempt at (my own type) Echo Quilting went.

The back view shows the quilted lines the best. I did all of it on my gorgeous Brother NX-200QE Domestic Sewing Machine – the little machine that could and does.

Think me strange. Think me weird. But I’ve named my machine Queen Elizabeth as it’s a Quilter’s Edition sewing machine and I was playing around with the initials Q & E.  She is very regal and powerful in stature and rules over all in and around my sewing table! I think it’s a very fitting name! And yes, I am a weirdo.

In other sewing news, I finished the embroideries I made for two special ladies who I work with (well won’t be any more as I’ll be finishing my very last shift at Spotlight this weekend and heading onto a new job and career path starting this Monday!). So I ironed, trimmed, framed and wrapped them, then realised I hadn’t taken photos. Dammit! Hopefully when I give them out this weekend I can quickly snap up some pictures and share them with you.

I’ve been working away on my Hexi obsession and inspiration is flowing and building in my mind as I’m stitching away. Who knows what the final outcome will be as I’m always changing my mind and thinking of new quilt designs.

This week I discovered one of the best things ever on the net – Pinterest! Wow! I mean, wow, is this the right website for inspiration or what!? I’m absolutely addicted to pinning anything and everything that grabs as well as trawling through different themes and keywords and seeing how people represent these things through pictures and words. If you haven’t checked it out – DO IT NOW!!

Happy Sewing! xx

Hexi Fever and Scrappy Memories….

Argh! Hexi Fever has arrived at my house and there’s no cure! I’ve cut out over 100 hexi’s in the past 12 hours (with more to come!) and have got them ready for some good basting. This, by the way, is all for an unpredicted, self-indulgent and slightly crazy Scrap Hexi Quilt I’ve got in my mind to complete.

Who knows why I’ve gravitated to this technique so quick and easily. I think it grabs me as I get to work so finely with my hands, to simply stitch with a needle and thread and finally have a reason to rummage through my scrap tubs – just the thought of it makes me giddy with excitement!

Going through one’s scrap tub is like a walk down memory lane. You discover fabric remnants from long past quilts you’ve made for family and friends, tragic remains of projects that went totally wrong along with that once favourite fabric you used over and over and over again only to cast away it’s skeletal remains to the bottom – long forgotten. The projects that you vowed to make one day are trudged back up into focus when you find that one fabric you planned to use. Words like ‘Oh yeah! I totally forgot about that one!’  Or ‘Oh! I used to LOVE this fabric!’ escape from your mouth, eyes wide opened with excitement!

Then comes the discovery of the abandoned mistakes. These little numbers are usually hid at the bottom; HST gone wrong, Pinwheel blocks that look more like a Drunkard Path, attempted curved blocks puckered and misshaped and left over applique pieces that didn’t make the final cut. One can learn of the Quilter’s journey from their scrap tub – the years of learning from mistakes, reminiscing over that one quilt that could never be made again, that other quilt that tested your patience like non-other and then there are those special projects that you knew would light up that one person’s life because you made it specially for them. Now that’s the best memory and feeling one can gain as a Quilter….

A few sneaky peeks of a few special projects on the way….

First is the Butterfly Cot Quilt I’m making for a friend. This is the central panel or block of the quilt and everything is sort of being constructed from and around it.

Hand embroidered, the pattern is from an awesome book by Aimee Ray called Doodle Stitching: The Motif Collection. It’s the perfect book for those who want to start stitching cutie little projects for their kids or add some whimsical touches of embroidery to home décor items, clothes or gifts. It comes with a CD-ROM that has all the patterns on it ready to be printed off along with some sweet and easy projects to make.

These next sneaky peeks are some Embroidery pieces for a few very special people in my life who have nurtured and encouraged my love and passion for quilting and whom I respect and will miss very much. One is half way completed the other is next!

Both designs I found on Urban Threads who have one of the most amazing online libraries of embroidery designs I’ve ever discovered. Plus I just love just how funky and contemporary they are! I have so many designs sitting in my to-do tray it’s not funny! I think I’ll be an old woman of like 96 before I reach the end!

Last, but not least, I’m drawing up and finalising my quilt design for an Australian Quilters Guild Quilt Challenge: 2012 Under 35’s Quilt Competition How Does Your Garden Grow. I’m basing it off a beautiful flower I had growing all over the summer months.

I was drawn to the colour and lines that this little guy has and plan to make the quilt based around a colour wheel constructed design. Can’t wait to get started!

Oh, can’t forget the Regeneration: Contemporary Quilt Textiles 2012 Exhibition starting this weekend! ‘The exhibition showcases some of the best work to be seen in the art quilt world. It will be an opportunity, not only see the finished artwork, but in most cases, to also see the processes used by the artists to achieve their vision and response to the theme ‘Regeneration’, via individual display boxes. This will include the artists’ sources of inspiration, photos, sketches, samples of fabrics and techniques.’ It’s open free to the public from 27 April to 4 June 2012 at the Manly Art Gallery & Museum. Yay! Can’t wait!

Happy Sewing Friends xx

 

 

A Holiday of Firsts….

I’ve just spent a wonderful week cruising on the Dawn Princess from Melbourne to Tasmania (Burnie and Hobart) and then back up to Sydney. It was slightly chilly in the isle state – 10C most days! But the beautiful scenery, gracious locals and an abundant stream of history and facts cancelled out the cold bitter winds and left me wanting more!

So this holiday came with many firsts for me, starting with my first ever aeroplane ride and I was slightly and inwardly freaking out – the fear of the unknown I think – but it wasn’t so bad. To be honest, I actually enjoyed it! The fast rush of take-off, the g-force pushing you into your seat, the roaring of the engines AND the free cookies and Coca-Cola! I luckily had a window seat and was able to watch as we circled out of the Sydney Domestic Airport and over the city of Sydney it’s self – over the Pyrmont Bridge, Centrepoint Tower, Circular Quay and Bondi Beach and then soared up above the mountains and clouds. It was just spectacular!

Another first was visiting the beautiful city of Melbourne and experiencing my very first Tram ride! We saw and did all the touristy things – a City-Circle Tram ride, Fitzroy Gardens and Captain Cook’s House, Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, the Yarra River, Edihad Stadium, Crown Casino, a life-endangering taxi ride and then visited a beach at St Kilda in South Melbourne where, we boarded our big boat the Dawn Princess!

The third first thing I experienced was travelling to Tasmania and discovering the awesome landscapes, lay-back attitudes and bone-chilling cold of this isle state. Autumn was everywhere – leaves and trees were turning golden and amber blanketing the grass at their roots, acorns littered the paths and the sun shone brightly in the sky. Perfect.

This wasn’t my first cruise, it wasn’t my second cruise. This was my fourth and I loved every minute! Food! So much food! Tax and Duty Free shopping – new perfumes!! And stateroom fun!

 

But every holiday must come to an end and nothing beats the feeling of sailing into your home city witnessing the city buzz on as if it never missed you like you did it. We quietly sailed past the Sydney Opera House, under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and glided into our final port at Darling Harbour. Home.

So back to reality and my loyal sewing machine, waiting patiently to be switched on and sweetly chug along as I get back into my endless projects. I completed my April Craftsy’s BOM’s featuring a new technique that I’ve never done before – English Paper Piecing – and I LOVED it! It requires a lot of hand sewing which is just my kind of thing. I’ve also made about a dozen little purses for an art and craft stall this weekend at church – hopefully they sell well!

More sewing is on the way; I’ve got three quilts on the go, all at different stages and two others waiting to be started along with some more mini-blocks, embroidery projects and maybe a softie or two. Let’s get to it!

Happy Sewing! xx

A New Obsession: Mini Quilt Blocks…

Looking for a challenge? Try making some mini quilt blocks! These adorable little blocks are so tiney-tiny, they make me feel like a giant with fat fumbly fingers. Finished block sizes range from three to five inches (7.6cm to 12.7cm) and are just so sweet to make and swoon over! These are the two I’ve made within the past 24 hours…

                                                                                                                                                            –Snail-Trail–

                                                                                                                                                                   –SailBoat–

These beautiful blocks were sourced from a wonderful book called 130 Mini Quilt Blocks written by Susan Briscoe. There are so many I want to make including a little aeroplane, a kimono and the english traditions and art deco inspired blocks. Will definately share these at a later date!

In other quilting news, I finished the final touches to my BFF’s Cherry Quilt and gave it to her a few weeks ago. Thankfully she absolutely loved it and is all ready to snuggle underneath it just as the colder months are approaching us. The photo’s abit grainy and amaturish – but you can still see the elements of what makes up a finished quilt 🙂

I’m still in the process of Echo-Quilting my Zig-Zag quilt, trying mine and my sewing machine’s patience! We’re only half way but we quilt on and will triumphantly finish and parade it to the world via this wee blog!

There are a few more projects in the works but I’m not quite ready to post them up yet – these include a sweet little cot quilt, a Gum-Nuts Baby themed quilt and hopefully a future exhibition quilt for a NSW Quilter’s Guild competition with the theme of ‘My Garden’. Whew! Stayed tuned!

Happy Quilting! xx

Just.Keep.Quilting.

It’s time again to share my next two blocks from my Craftsy’s Block of the Month! Yay!! This month was foundation piecing, which I had never done before, and I created the String block and the Broken Spider Web block. These blocks were quite simple and fun to make, especially having the opportunity to to rummage through my fabric scraps tub! An afternoon of sheer delight finding old scraps of some of my favourite fabrics!

During the week I started quilting my Zigzag quilt and I love the progress so far! I’m thinking of doing a few things differently than I had first planned; I was originally going to quilt the whole top following the zigzag line but now I’ve decided to leave calculated spaces quilt free enhancing the lines I’ve created with the zigzag line quilting. (Does that makes sense?!) If not, once I’ve finished I’ll post a picture and explain it again!

Although I haven’t quite finished my Zigzag quilt, I’m onto yet another new project! I just can’t help myself!! This one is for a friend who has a new baby due in June! I love, love, love making cot quilts; beautifully sweet prints and colour pallettes, endless creativity and cuteness all around! Here’s a quick sneaky peek of what’s to come….

There are those spots again! I just can’t seemed to get enough of spotty fabrics!

So that’s it at the moment! I hope to sit down for a few afternoons after Art School this week and Just.Keep.Quilting. until finished and ready to bind! Hurrah! Oh and maybe do some more of my new cot quilt project!

Happy Sewing xx

Here’s to a Summer We Never Had!

One of the best feelings in the world for a quilter is the spark of excitement you get when starting a new quilt! It’s all about that instant thrill and buzz you get when finding the right pattern, mixing and matching the right colours and prints and then beginning! The first cut into the fabric, the first sight of a crisply sewn and ironed block lying on your desk, the feeling of triumph and satisfaction rising in your chest! *sigh* I just love quilting!

So obviously after that stirring paragraph, I’ve started a new project!! Whoo! Complimenting my addiction for half-square triangles at the moment, I found this very quick and simple pattern from work that we give out for free when a new range of quilting fabric comes in. This was for Denyse Schmidts’  Daisy Mae quilting range we just received, in which I swoon over and must touch every time I’m at work! You can find at Spotlight’s homepage, print it out and make it yourself!

Unfortunately, I didn’t use D.S’ fabric as I’m a poor art student and really need to start using the endless amounts of fabric I have stacked up all over the place (it was very hard to restrain myself from buying new fabric!). I chose a beautiful cool colour palette of lime greens and turquoisey blues with brilliant white homespun. Very summery indeed!

160 beautifully crisp and freshly cut triangles ready to be chain-stitched….what a beautiful sight!

I chose these four prints as each pair complete each other, the colours are similar and I love using different sized prints as they add movement and contrast to the overall look of the quilt. Plus I really like them….

Admittedly, at the point I took this photo, I hadn’t yet ironed my rows or stitched them together to finish it off, but I was way too excited to finally see how it had all come together and look so beautiful! Since sewing all those 160 triangles together, I was astonished at just how quick this quilt came together and at how easy-peasy it was!

Now that Autumn has arrived here in Australia, I’ve decided to dedicate this quilt to the summer we never had. To those who have no clue what I’m talking about, all it ever did this past summer season (the last three months and counting) was rain. I think we had maybe 7 or 8 days of the beautifully hot Australian summer sun and that was it – the rest of the time it rained. And still is. So here’s to a summer we never had!

And now I’m up to the dreaded part of basting….I hate basting! But I’ll suck it up and just do it as I know how ridiculously sweet it will look when it’s finished!

Happy Sewing! xx

Fast Days & Sleepless Nights…

Tired. So very tired.

Had a near sleepless night last night, thanks to a happy little frog in our backyard croaking away until 4.30am. If only I could’ve caught it and made it go ‘POP in the microwave’!

TAFE (Art School) started last week and it has been full on, hectic, challenging and fun. The days are flying by! Tomorrow in painting class where making our own canvas’ from scratch – yay! *Insert sarcasm* For printmaking we’re focusing on black and white relief/lino prints with the theme of ‘self-portrait’. I’m basing mine on a patchwork block self portrait by using real fabrics (spots and florals) ‘sewn’ in with a picture of yours truely! Easy to say, I’m very excited about where this idea could end up and the potential result at the end.

Amongst all the fast busy days and sleepless nights, I’ve obviously found the time to do some sewing! Putting the right priorities ahead of my Art School homework, I’ve completed my next two blocks (February) for my Craftsy’s Block of the Month and I LOVE them!!

It was a  little bit tricky getting the triangles around the right way according to the pattern guide, but I succeded and would definately make them again in another quilt!

A few blogs ago, I wrote about my love for embroidery stitcheries and I posted a-just-started project of a gorgeous little lion, that I sourced from Urban Threads. Well….here’s the finished little guy – isn’t he the sweetest!?

 I really enjoyed stitiching this little guy – especially around his tight geometric mane curls and moustache like whiskers….so sweet!

And last, but not least, I’ve almost finished my Cherry Retro quilt my BFF; quilted in one day and now awaiting for red and white spot binding and a loving ‘Made by Me Just for You’ label on the back….will attempt to do this on the weekend 😀

Oh, and one last thing, I recieved some beautiful Charm Square packs from Fabric Patch in the mail last week all ready for the next project. I bought ‘Half Moon Modern’, ‘Ruby’ and ‘Bella Solids’ all By Moda.  There’s a few ideas rolling around in my mind – the only issue is choosing which one to explore first!

Happy Sewing! xx

Lists, Basting, Blogs & Boys!

5.30am and I’m up thinking about what needs to be done today…here’s my list just to prove it!

I get great satisfaction writing lists of what needs to be done – a little OCD and weird I know – but I simply couldn’t function day-to-day life without listing down something! This particular notepad, from one of my favourite stationary stores in the world kikki k, has little circles next to the lines so you can triumphantly tick off what’s been done – my favourite bit!

Three things I love most about my list (and yes, this is how annal I am – analizing how great my list is!)

  • Although I work there, Spotlight is the first place I need to visit to buy more fabric (just cos) aswell as the basics – thread, needles and then more fabric….
  • I’ve drawn little hearts next to the things I can’t wait to get started on; begin quilting my best friends quilt and completing this months Craftsy’s Block-of -the-Month, in which I’ve choosen the most sweetest fabrics to use!
  • Five out of the nine things I’ve listed involve either sewing, quilting, fabric, cutting, piecing, thinking about quilting, thinking about future quilting projects and/or writing about it all!

Tafe starts back this week – I’ve enrolled in Diploma of Fine Arts and can’t wait to get started! Holidays are great at first – sleep-ins, DVD marathons, beach days, hanging out with family and friends, non-stop eating… But eventually a sense of laziness sets in and things get boring, you get restless and just want to get started already. That’s where I’m at at the mo – I just want to start!  

On the subject of bordom, when I am I sew!

So obviously I’m currently working on the quilt for my best friend and am now at the stage of quilting it. Yay for me for getting over the one thing I dread most when quilt making and that’s basting! I hate basting! I procrastinate so much over it when it’s the next step. I can’t avoid it – it has been done so I can move on to quilting then binding then finishing! But I got over my internal whinging and just did it! I put on some U2 tunes, went to a happy place in my mind and basted away! I suppose, just thinking now, it wasn’t all that bad as this quilt is only lap size compared to queen sized quilts I’ve made – and they’re definately the worst to tackle! Anyway….enough of my ramble. Here’s a slight peek at the finished quilt top….I love it may I say…

Since I’m still reasonably new at this blogging thing, I’ve been endlessly pouring over sewing and quilting blogs the last few days and have found some beauties! All I can say is that there are some awesomely creative people out there and I’m in awe of their talent! I encourage you to check them out and feel the inspiration!

  • Stitchery Dickory Dock – Blogger Amy Gibson is the teacher on the Craftsy Block-of-the-Month online tutorial I’m completing who is a great inspiration in her modern touch to quilting. I love her choices in fabrics, colours and pattern as well as quilt designs.
  • Ellison Lane Quilts – I only just discovered this blog this morning and at first glance I’m already inspired and overwhelmed by the quality of Jennifer’s work. Must explore more at a later time….
  • The Warped & The Weft – This particular blog has been created by the fabric Buying Team at Spotlight. I love having a quick squeeze at the new posts as they usually put up new fabric ranges that are on the way to our stores, along with some great links to fabric designers aswell as up and coming trends and developments in the world of sewing!
  • Craftgawker – Not so much of a blog per-se, but a great place to sticky-beak at what others are doing in the crafty-sewing world. Again I say, there are some awesomely talented people out their and I’m greatly inspired! Craftgawker also comes as an app for your iPhone (recommended!!) where you can indulge yourself in the crafty world during your lunchbreak, on the train, during the ads when watching TV, taking the dog for a walk – the list is endless!

More blog links to come when I find them!

So that’s it for today….I’m all ready to get into my sewing and start ticking off my to-do list!

P.S. I just have to share these adorable photos of my darling nephews taking on the weekend. On Saturday my family and I (Mum, Dad, older brother Kevin and his tribe – wife and sister-in-law Amie, sons Caleb, Ayden and Noah – and my other older brother Graham) went up to a beautiful holiday spot on the Central Coast of NSW called Port Stephens and spent the day at a beach called Shoal Bay. We had a great day with a picnic, crumbly sandcastles, runny half eaten ice-cream and lots-o-sunshine!

       

Caleb is 4 turning 5 this year, Ayden is 1 turning 2 this year and Noah is going on 7 weeks old….I love these boys, they make my heart sing! xx

New Projects, Rain & Green Tea

Right now, here in Sydney Australia, it’s the middle of summer. And yet, today outside my window, it’s pissing down rain! And has been all day!

This is my backyard pool. So alone. So deserted. So abandoned. *Sigh*

But, with a lemon green tea steaming away on my left, Daniel Merriweather’s Love and War album playing on itunes, let’s blog!

Two new projects are on their way…

First. A much overdue promised lap quilt to my best friend Dan. She gave me a great list of inspirations and themes she would like and it’s been fun and wonderfully tricky to figure out the best path to take. In amongst my piles and piles of fabric I have almost a full bolt of this wonderful retro cherry fabric which is just Dan all over and have always wanted to make her something with it the first time I ever saw it! I decided to teamed it up with some awesome coordinating spot fabrics; black spots with cream background and white pinspots with red background. I think the diference in the size of the spots will add character and dimension to the over all quilt top. (Plus I love putting contrasting prints like together – it’s very contemporary and modern at the moment). So at the moment I have only made a ‘demo’ eight-pointed star block, that will eventually become apart of the quilt, just to make sure the fabrics work well together. I think I’m onto a winner!

Second. Not only do I LOVE quilting but I’m a big fan of embroidery. Now, to clear the air, I’m not a big lover of crossstitch, but projects more like needle work and such stuff. Embroidery like this…

This one is a personal favourite and have terribly procratinated about getting it framed… I used almost a blood red DMC thread (two strands) on a medium weighted homespun-cross-denim type of fabric which has a fantastic texture to it.

This one is a just a sampler I’m constantly playing around with, perfecting newly learned stitches and brushing up on old ones… Here I’ve just simply used a mix colour pallete of DMC threads on natural coloured homespun.

And finally this one is the new project. Not sure for who or what yet. I just had it saved on my USB stick and came across it the other day and just fell in love with it. He’s such a cutie! Again I’m using natural coloured homespun and have matched two shades of browns for the body and facial features along witha vibrant orange and yellow as a contrasting colour in the mane. I’m so eager to get it finished!

So there we are for now. My green tea has been drunk and my Daniel Merriweather album finished after the second time around.

And, yes, it’s still raining….

P.S. A wonderful package came in the mail today – NEW FABRIC!!

I discovered a new Australian based online fabric store called Duckcloth. They have the most delightful and sweet quilting fabrics that I could never get at work. I was just like a kid at Christmas; ripped the packaging open in one swift tear and ohh-ed and ahh-ed at the wonderful delight inside. Plus, I got an extra matching cut of fabric from a particular range of fabric I bought for free!! SCORE!!

Another great Australian based online fabric store is Kelani Fabric Obsession. They provide fast, FREE delievery anywhere in Australia and have fantastic fabric for quilting, home decorating, kids prints and feature excellent Australian based textile/fabric artists like Saffron Craig and Aunty Cookie. Safe to say I’m a big fan! Check it out!