Two Years Later…

Two years ago, on this very day, I found the guts to start writing a blog.

I was nervous, unsure and a little bit scared at the thought of writing and publishing my own quilty work on the internet.

But I was looking for a challenge, an expressive medium and a chance to reach out to other creatives around the world!

And two years later, here we are! Still writing. Still making. Still challenged!

I thought for today’s post I would look down memory lane of the past year – reflecting on the good (and plain-right exciting!!) things that have happened over the past 12 months!

IMG_2139

Main picture: Me with my Minimalist: 101 quilt at the Sydney Craft and Quilt Show – my first ever entry into this show!

From bottom left to top right –

1. Hexie Cushion, detail. (I looove hexies!!)

2. London Phone Booth Embroidery, detail. (I wanna go to London so bad!!)

3. Mini Cot Quilt – hospital donation.

4. Painted Flowers Embroidery. (Click here to watch it come to life!)

5. Double Wrench Mini Blocks, quilt top only (ATM!!)

IMG_2141

From left to right –

1. Olfa Rotating Cutting Mat – featured in my 5 Quilting Tools I Couldn’t Live Without post & video.

2. Small Plates Lap Quilt – This quilt featured in my Fast Forward Quilting video!

3. Scrumptious Double Wrench Mini Block units ready to be ironed. (Simply delightful!)

4. Coloured Hexie Stack. (I looove colour!)

5. A snapshot of my Fiskars Rotary Blade – featured in my #instagramjunkie post.

IMG_2146

From left to right –

1. An array of fabrics used for Quilt Expo 2013 at Spotlight

2. Xavier’s Baby Quilt – read the post here.

3. Hexie Pincushion (Click here for the video tutorial!)

4. Lovely fabrics used in the Double Wrench Mini Blocks

IMG_2155

From left to right –

1. I Heart Colour wallhanging – machine paper pieced wonky log cabin blocks designed by yours truly! Quilt made from 100% scraps – nothing new was bought to make this baby!!

2. Sewing Notions – from the post #instagramjunkie

3. Tape Measure – from the post #instagramjunkie

4. Scissors Embroidery – made specially for my new sewing room door.

5. Scrap-Happy String quilt, detail.

This also happened during the year…

Encouraging blog stats!
Encouraging blog stats!

And this is what happened in my life behind the blog…

IMG_2142

Main picture: I became an Auntie again!! My fourth nephew, Xavier, was born in August! (Isn’t he just the cutest!!)

From left to right –

1. I decided to grow my hair out long – I’ve always had it really short (think, pixie/short-bob style for 6 years!) and decided a change was in need! (Change is a good thing, right?)

2. I took my ‘challenge’ mantra to the next level and started making YouTube videos featuring quilty stuff, life stuff and lots of other stuff. (I think of it as a cleansing [and confronting at times] way of finding my self-confidence…). Don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there – it’ll help boost my self-confidence even more!! 😀

3. I drank a lot of tea!

So…wow!

It’s definitely been a busy year!

And I’m thankful it’s been a busy one, otherwise I would’ve just gone insane! Literally…

Thanks to everyone who has ever read my little blog and has left messages of encouragement and support! It really does mean a WHOLE LOT!

I’m terribly excited to see what the next 12 months will bring!!

*whoop-whoop*

Happy Sewing Friends! xx

Oh! And one last thing…

This happened during the year too –

My own precious sewing space!!

My place.

My hub.

My den.

My heaven.

Stop-Motion Embroidery!

Fresh off the press and ripe for viewing is a new YouTube video made 100% by me! Yaaay!!

Watch as I bring this beautifully sweet and simple embroidery pattern to life!

This video seems to simply fit into what life is all about at the moment in Australia – spring, flowers, colour, fragrance, good music and an abundance of wicked creativeness!

As previously mentioned in my last post, I purchased the pattern from Urban Threads (for a buck may I just add!) as a PDF download.

If you’re in need for some awesomely modern inspiration and/or embroidery patterns, check these guys out!

Happy Sewing Friends! xx

 

 

Spring Embroidering

It’s been a slow week on the sewing front, but I did manage to finally finish my Double Wrench Mini Block Quilt top! Yay!

Completed | Double Wrench Mini Block Quilt top
Completed | Double Wrench Mini Block Quilt – top only

The final measurements are approx.: 118cm x 133cm (46½” x 52½”).

I’m currently productively procrastinating (a big juxtaposition if I’ve ever heard one!) from completing a pieced back for the quilt and am instead concentrating on an embroidery project/idea I’ve been meaning to do for ages!

I spent this morning stitching in the glorious Spring sunshine, amongst the buzzing bees and twittering birds, anxious to get this mission finished!

Embroidering in the Spring sun upon my Small Plates Lap Quilt
Embroidering in the Spring sun upon my Small Plates Lap Quilt

This project involves stop-motion photography and a looming YouTube video and I’m pretty excited to get it finished, as all the stills so far are looking really great!

This is where I’m up to so far as I wait for my camera battery to re-charge!

Embroidery Pattern from urbanthreads.com
Embroidery Pattern from urbanthreads.com

So that’s it for today; short and sweet!

There’s nothing better!

Happy Sewing Friends! xx

Blackwork Newbie

The other day, I ventured into my local library and made a beeline straight towards my favourite section: sewing & crafts!

There, I found a book on beginner Blackwork embroidery. I’ve always wanted to have a go at Blackwork, so naturally I borrowed the book out!

Here’s my very first attempt…

IMG_7206

IMG_7208

Traditionally, Blackwork is the process of embroidering geometric shapes and patterns onto even weave linen or Aida cloth and using black embroidery thread. This form of embroidery is known as a counted-stitch embroidery as a design is usually mapped out on gridded paper, resembling the surface nature of Aida cloth.

IMG_7210

If you keep your wits about you, this really is a very fool-proof and easy way to embroider beautiful designs and projects!

I think I might just have to buy this book for myself now!

Happy Sewing! xx

 

Oh, the cleverness of me! (There’s no modesty here!)

Look what I’ve learnt to do; Crochet!

IMG_0079

The chance finally came by to intensely learn the ins-and-outs of this tricky skill in my textile lecture a few weeks ago. The aim was to make a hyperbolic crochet form – that is, a form which is exaggerated or overstated in curve.

IMG_0078

So whatever this actually does become, I’m proud of the effort and skill I’ve learnt in making it.

I also thought I would share my Sashiko embroidery project with you. This is another technique I’ve learnt in my textile class. This design has been based on two chosen forms of inspiration: Chevrons and direction (as in life’s direction).

IMG_0082

IMG_0083

This particular example has been stitched with a piece of cotton batting on the back, giving an added aspect of interest and dimension. I’ve consciously been aware to keep my design as traditional possible; that is, using navy linen combined with white (and red) thread for the stitches.

Sashiko embroidery is insanely simple and effective that I’ve begun to plan some designs that I want to stitch out in my own time for my own enjoyment. Hopefully I can share some of those with you soon – depending on how I arrange my time between never-ending university work and just-as-important craft time!

Happy Sewing!

P.S. Happy Easter too! He is Risen!

Love Affairs

I love Hexies. There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by this year that I haven’t made one; I’ve either been tracing and cutting out cardboard templates, raiding my scrap fabric boxes for usable sized fabrics or scrupulously sewing a little hexie to another, creating yet another project to soothe my hand sewing lust.

And so, for no reason at all, I’ve made this Hexie Pillow…

A Hexie Pillow!
A Hexie Pillow!

Maybe it was my subconscious telling me to add something new to my bedroom décor, because it seems to fit in perfectly with my other pillows that adorn my bed…

Fitting in perfectly!
Fitting in perfectly!

Ahhh…so tactile and pretty. That’s the way I like it!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I love London. Although I’ve never been there (and am quite desperate to go!) I seem to have built an odd obsession for this ancient town. (See my Pinterest board for proof!) I think it’s a mixture of its offbeat and quirky history, inspiring landmarks, the creative diversity of its people as well as the endless possibilities the city seems to hum that attracts me. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong country – missing out on true creative opportunities that would allow myself to grow as an artist. (PS. I’m a true whinger at heart and often take for granted what a beautiful and lucky country that I do actually live in!)

So to soothe my achy-breaky-London-heart I stitched this very appropriate embroidery…

London Phone Box
London Phone Box
Gold Thread Detail
Gold Thread Detail

And so I leave you with this thought that presently plagues my mind!

http://pinterest.com/pin/31384528625298548/
http://pinterest.com/pin/31384528625298548/

Happy Sewing!

Introducing: Colourplay (nee: 5 HTP Squared Quilt)

Colourplay – a nifty new name that I have christened this latest quilt with…

Colourplay Quilt TopI think it fits the bill, don’t you think?

I didn’t have the patience to iron it before I took these piccys or even to trim some of the stray threads hanging off it – but I’ll deal with that when I begin to quilt it.

IMG_1633It took a little under a week to sew all 122 squares together. I battled through 46C heat one day and ferocious thunderstorms the next, all the while ensuring each square was in the correct position, each seam was pressed the right way and that I had enough space on my living room floor as the quilt grew bigger and bigger every time I finished each section.

Okay…

Reader Beware: this next paragraph highlights dangerously the quilting geek and the true simpleton that I really am!

As I was constructing this quilt together I took simple pleasure in the way that the seams both front and back were falling together and marrying-up to each other…

See here this photo:

IMG_1621

My heart strangely skipped a beat when I saw all these seam lines on the back of the quilt joining together in a harmonious yet quiet way, all to achieve the clean and crisp surface of the blocks coming together.

IMG_1622

It’s these simple moments, these glimpses of something great coming together that make my tragic little heart swell with pride and happiness, initiating my love for patchwork and quilting!

This is my other favourite…

IMG_1636

Yeah, total geek I know!

Moving on from that embarrassing inner confession, I’ve begun my first embroidery projects for 2013 starting with this darling Bunny, embroidered on vintage cotton linen…

Bunny IMG_1619

Currently I’m working on a design of a red phone booth (also on vintage cotton linen) synonymous of any London street, thus suppressing and soothing my obsession of all things London-slash-Britishy!

IMG_1645I’ve also been playing around with a very rough stitch sampler in an attempt to stretch my range of stitching skills from just back-stitch and slip-stitch.

I slipped and fumbled through a cable-stitch, chain-stitch, opened chained-stitch, a twisted chain-stitch, couching, chevron and herringbone stitch as well as my favourite – French knots…

I love french knots!
I love french knots!

My handy guide to accomplishing these tricky stitches was The Stitch Bible written by Kate Haxell who trained in the master art of embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework (RSN) in Surrey, UK.

IMG_1646

The RSN offers my dream course to study – a degree in Hand Embroidery! I would jump on a plane this instant if I was a millionaire and could afford to live and study over in the UK! Do dreams ever really do come true??

Anyway….

Back to reality and back to my Colourplay quilt – hopefully by the end of the week I’ll be in the processes of buying some batting and suitable backing fabric to begin quilting. I just hope the last of the extreme hot-hot weather has ended and that I won’t bake under a-175cm-squared-half-finished quilt!

Happy Sewing! xx

A Merry-Merry Handmade Christmas: Part One

Here is the first installment of the gifts I’m making for all of my family and friends this Christmas.

Last night I caught up with my main group of friends for our annual Christmas dinner. It was a lovely evening full of laughter, food, presents and catching up. We reminisced on the year that’s been while taking notice of two friends missing from the table who are currently living up life in snowy cold London! (Merry Christmas Sam and Dean!!)

And so onto the gifts I made!!

I patiently embroidered two ‘personalised’ embroideries framed beautifully in upcycled frames for my girlfriends and their partners – the first is of two mirrored sparrows (pattern sourced from Urban Threads) on natural Linen with the colour scheme based on the sparrow themed tattoo of the friend who received it.

IMG_1493The next embroidery, sourced from a blog called Spot Colors, is a sweet Peanut Butter and Jelly themed design on natural Linen. This was given to the friend whose nickname is ‘Peanut’ – I thought it would suit them quite well!

IMG_1494And lastly, for the little man of our friendship group, I made a sweet little dinosaur softie who was eager to become a four year olds best friend! This is from a pattern created by Melly & Me called Dilbert.

IMG_1497Handmade Christmas Cards: Made with scrap fabrics, festive ribbons and stickers, pre-cut felt shapes and my trusty label maker!

IMG_1501 IMG_1502Handmade Present Tags: These little guys were made by tracing around a cookie cutter onto cardboard and using flat sequins for the eyes and nose. Sweet, simple and effective!

IMG_1503All presents were received with much joy and thankfulness, albeit a loose buttoned eye that keep threatening to fall off whenever someone wanted to get a closer look at Mr. Dinosaur!

And so, onto the next journey of presents for my family – there’s one gift I’ve already finished, one other I’ve stared while the rest of what needs to get done lies patiently for me as I find time to get it all done!

Only 16 more days ‘til Christmas!!

Happy Sewing! xx

 

Jacob’s Update…

So here’s an update on where I’m up to with my Jacob’s Ladder Quilt…

All hand-quilting stitches have gone bye-bye and the quilt (along with my sanity and comfort) said a delightful ‘Hello!’ to my sewing machine and walking foot!

I spent a good three to four days quilting  – not surprising, as this quilt is a beast of a size! Here are some waves of quilty goodness!

And a snap shot of the finished quilting…

I’ve got to the stage where I just need to stitch the binding to the back of the quilt, label it and then, ta-dah!, it’ll be all finished! Yay!!

 However, that glorious day won’t be in the near future as I’ve dived head first into getting all of my Christmas presents made etc.  After the hectic-ness of Christmas is over, I’ll get right back into finishing my Jacob Quilt – It really has been the most patient quilt in the world and I love it more because of it!

Once finished, I’ll need to chuck it into the wash as it’s covered in dirty paw prints (thanks Lucy!) as well as sticky jam patches courtesy of little nephew fingers!

Mentioning Christmas: with only 27 days now until the big day, I’m on a slow roll to getting gifts prepared, made and finished.

Handmade Christmas cards are complete,

Mum & Dad’s present almost finished…

and only today I’ve begun work on some very special softies for my nephews! (Hopefully this shot doesn’t give too much away!!)

 I can’t wait to share them with you – I’m planning a few blog posts for the beginning of next year documenting my process as well as the gifts I’ve made for everyone… So be on the look out for that in January 2013!

Last Friday I received the last of the prizes I won for first place in the How Does Your Garden Grow? Quilt Competition – a brand new sewing machine…

It’s somewhat the same model of machine as the one I already have – it’s just cosmetically a little different.

Not to seem ungrateful for winning such an awesome prize, but I’m in two minds whether I like it or not. You see, I’ve grown such a huge attachment and sentimental feeling towards my old sewing machine that I found it quite hard to make myself pack it away and then unbox this sweet little beauty in it’s place.  I’ve made some really beautiful quilts on my old sewing machine – Jacob’s Ladder being it’s last (!!) and taught myself new and exciting techniques (as well as failing miserably in a few others). I would sit down in front of it with greedy pursuits and selfless projects and it would always be wonderfully loyal and trustworthy to get everything finished to my picky satisfaction!

And yet, I must admit, this new sewing machine does purr quite sweetly when it’s sewing along compared to my old machine, which would admit a loud chugga-chugga as I sewed along… It’s the same pretty pink and I’m sure will handle my quilting adventures with the same strength and gutsiness as my old one…

Oh well…I suppose I should just get over myself and be humbly thankful for receiving a NEW high-tech sewing machine for FREE!!

Happy Sewing! xx

One Year Down…

Yes, that’s right! Today is 3and3quarters: A Quilters Blog 1st birthday!

A whole year has past and so much has happened within those 52 weeks.

This week I took a reflective look back at the posts I’ve written since day one, reminiscing on past quilts I’ve made and given away as well as the endless quilts and projects that I’ve started but are now left unfinished and forgotten. I never realised how many embroideries I actually tackled and finished this past year…last count was 11 plus 1 in progress equalling twelve.

This whole blog thing all began with wanting to eagerly show the process of making a quilt I made for a cousin in the UK. Purple Rain became a beautiful quilt that challenged my perceptions on the shades and values of the colour purple.

Hopefully one day I can make another like it, studying colours such as oranges and yellows or pinks and reds.

With thanks to the Craftsy Block of the Month (BOM) series, I learnt and became a master of some new and exciting quilting techniques, which in turn became concrete fads for me to delve into and get lost in. They included…

  • English Paper Piecing or Hexies

These wonderful techniques have definitely added another dimension to my quilting practice by enriching my knowledge, confidence and technique for the better.

Throughout the year, I’ve also shared some big moments in my life…

  • I left my job of six years and delved into a strange new work environment that didn’t end up being the right path to go down

  • I started the year enrolled in a Fine Arts course and am ending the year in a teaching/education course
  • I travelled to new and exciting places as well as experienced my very first plane trip

It’s quite a strange feeling looking back at, what is, a written documentary of the past year of my life. There have been so many moods and emotions felt: feelings of failure, accomplishment, success, frustration and happiness. Confidently I can say that these things have made me stronger and much more determined to “Do what I love. Love what I do”. I couldn’t imagine life without my quilting practice. It’s what I breathe. What I think. What I feel. What I love. It is something that truly makes me feel happy, contented and successful.

And so with all that said, this week I’ve been meddling in a few new embroideries, have drunk far too many cups of tea and sewn together a couple more Union Jack Blocks.

Within the next few weeks I plan to sew together all of my finished BOM blocks into a beautiful sampler quilt and then get a start on some homemade Christmas gifts. (Oh my goodness, is it really that time of the year already!?). All the while, I’ll be continuing to hand quilt my Jacob’s Ladder quilt battling the Australian summer elements of hot, sticky humid days.

Happy Sewing! xx