Miss Rosie Quilt finished.

 We've had really lovely weather this weekend, the sun was out and it wasn't raining, what a nice change.  I finally finished the binding on my Miss Rosie quilt.  The pattern was called Six Degrees and it was made using a lot of Blackbird Designs fabrics, very similar to the pattern in the book.  This afternoon was the perfect chance to get a photo outside with my 2 helpers, Jack holding the quilt for me and Harry giving the quilt a quick once over.  This is the only quilt I've had professionally quilted it was done by Cheryl at C.A Quilter, she did a great job.  I've always loved this design and it gives a great texture across the surface of the quilt and I really love these fabrics.  I'm very glad its finished and I can move on to another one of my wips.

I was trying for a close-up, this is the best I could do.  Harry kept trying to get under the quilt while Jack was holding it, it was very funny.  It certainly is difficult to get a quilt photo without Harrys help. See him in the photo below.  At least he's not in the middle of my rug this time.

I've been working steadily on my crochet hexagon rug, as you can see it is growing slowly.  I made the big mistake of starting the rug using a pale lemon wool for all the centres.  I thought I had plenty of it.  Last weekend I discovered I'd used 2 balls and couldn't find any more.  I went on search of some more on Monday and at the 4th wool shop I found it.  I bought 4 more balls, I'm sure I won't need that many but I don't mind leftovers and if i decide to make it queensize I'll probably have enough!

I think that's it for tonight.

Happy stitching,

Debra.

Old Stuff out, New stuff in....

 Hi there, I didn't mean to disappear from blogland but sometimes time just gets away from me.  I have been busy but didn't feel like I had a lot to show for my efforts.  Think I'm not alone with that.
I have a continual battle for work space in my sewing room.  I know I'm very lucky to have a space of my own but cause its smallish and I'm always trying to fit more in I find it very hard to keep on top of the mess.  I've had a clean out yet again and a rearrage and bought more storage containers (bury me in a plastic container) I've got so many. 

I was so disorganised for a few weeks that I couldn't do any stitching till I sorted myself out.  Just when I looked like I might have made some space I got sidetracked on a new hobby - more about that in a minute.  Since I didn't take photos of this whole process I've got a photo above of the quilt I made for Aleisha's 18th birthday nearly 2 years ago. I used a jelly roll and layer cake of Love is in the Air by Deb Strain and a pattern from a book of quilts from Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes which I've leant to a friend at the moment so can't remember the name.  I love the bright colours, it was a fun easy quilt to make I even machine quilted it myself.  Aleisha brought it over for me to wash, she was worried about doing it herself.  I put 3 colour catches in the machine cause the fabrics weren't prewashed.  It came out looking really good colour catches did their job.  I even finished off the drying in the clothes dryer, think its the first time I've ever put a quilt in the dryer.  Looks good.

One of the things I've wanted for ages is a nice display cabinet to keep my quilts in.  I know they're out there but it wasn't something I could justify buying at the moment.  Anyway a couple of weeks ago Aleisha showed my a website called gumtree where people sell things or give them away.  Short story is I got myself a really nice big cabinet for $150 which suited my budget.  It wasn't far away and Aleishas partner James and I went and picked it up in his ute.  It was very heavy and it poured with rain as James and the man who owned the cabinet loaded it onto the ute but we did get it home and into the lounge and it looks great. 

It is so nice to have somewhere to keep the quilts that aren't being used and be able to admire them as well.   Plus its a win win cause my quilts aren't taking up space in my bedroom where most were stacked and I've got lots more storage space in cabinet.  There is a drawer that I haven't used yet and the cupboards at bottom where I've got some xmas things and wips.  Yay for the internet!!!

A few weeks ago I spent a very fun afternoon at Traceys house where she got me started on a mixed media project.  I was so excited about the possibilities especially as I can make a journal of all my quilts and ideas etc.  I had one that I started in 2010 but only did 4 pages now I can add all sorts of pictures and ideas that I wouldn't have thought about doing before.  That started me on a quest to get more quilt photos printed out which then led me onto going through all our family photos and sorting them out, then I decided to scrapbook some of the family photos cause we have so many.  As Jack said I really needed another hobby!!  I've been shopping for supplies of course and then buying more plastic storage containers......I could be doing worse things right?

Needless to say I now have to find space for a whole lot more stuff.  Don't think kitchen tables were ever meant to be used for eating were they?  I'm making an album for Aleisha for her birthday in August I hope she likes it.  I had always tried to avoid scrapbooking cause I have enough hobbies already but what the hell.  Wouldn't ever want to be bored with nothing to do.  Last Sunday Tracey took me to a huge scrapbooking shop in Mornington it was amazing I could have spent all day there!

I did buy some paper even though I had told myself I already had enough.  Didn't realise how fabulous it could be and of course some of it's designed by some of the quilt designers I like.  There were also stickers and tapes and pens that I had to have it was great.  Whats even more exciting is we're going back tomorrow morning cause Tracey left behind a couple of books she bought there last week.  I will try not to get too carried away.Promise.Hahahaha

A Finish.

 I've finished the binding on my red stars quilt and its on the bed.  I like the pattern its very effective but I think I've got a problem with some of my fabrics.  I guess not washing reds is asking for trouble.  I used to wash everything as soon as I bought it but haven't done it for many years now.  I thought maybe I might have washed these reds cause red is a risky colour but its so long ago I can"t remember.  Anyhow the quilt was on my bed for a couple of days when I noticed one of my stars is bleeding!!

I don't know whether you can see on the photo there is a pink tinge around some of the triangles that wasn't there when I finished.  I will try to get some colour catchers to use when I wash it.  I think Harry has laid on the quilt when he's been wet from the rain we've had lately and its made the fabric bleed.  I really hope it comes out.

 On a happier note I've added some more crocheted hexagons to my rug, I think its wide enough now, I'll just add another ten rows or so....Since relearning how to crochet last year I've been really enjoying doing it, I love the colours of the wool its very relaxing and playing with colour combinations is lots of fun.

 I was playing around with my half square triangle blocks the other day I really like both designs not sure which way I will go yet.  Maybe some sashing maybe not. 

 Maybe I will try a combination of both patterns that might be interesting or just a big mess.

Last of all I have all my blocks sewn together for my jubilee quilt.  Thinking of calling it my Pointless stars cause of all the points I'll have cut off by the time its finished.  Okay I'll stop dwelling on those points now.  I sewed some half square triangles together and I think that will be the next border.  I made them just in pinks and greens but I think I might make them using all the colours that are in the quilt.  I think the charcoal grey needs some livening up rather than just stitch the applique border on.
I drew a picture of what I had in mind so I wouldn't forget as you can see drawing isn't my strong point but it shows what I want to do for the rest of the quilt.  I showed it to my son Jack (who is doing Art as one of his VCE subjects)  he thinks he's inherited my drawing abiltiy.hahahaha

I've picked out some fabrics for the next borders and I'd like to start them over the weekend.  I won't be able to start the applique till I know how big the quilt will be with next border done.  And find some pictures of dogs and cats that I can use that look a bit better than mine.

Happy Stitching

Debra

My hexagon blanket

 I recently took my crochet hexagon blanket outside to take a photo it was a bit challenging cause its not very big yet.  I started crocheting it at the end of winter last year and over summer forgot what I was doing so had a recap of the directions and have started crocheting again. I had a problem last winter with a very sore finger from too much crocheting so this year I'm trying to limit myself to an hour a day at most.  I find crocheting is very relaxing and I love playing with all the gorgeous colours.  The photo below is a bit washed out the colours are really bright.  Joining them as you go is such a great way of making the blanket.

 It hasn't just been crocheting going on here I have been sewing as well.  I've put the binding on my red stars quilt just the hand sewing to finish.  I've also made the binding for my Miss Rosie quilt that I had machine quilted a few months ago, can't wait to get the binding on that one.

I've made the 3 extra blocks for my Jubilee Quilt and joined them onto the quilt.  I just have to make my next border, I sort of know what I want to do just have to see if its going to work.  I'm thinking spiky pieced border, I'll make a test piece and see what it looks like.

No dog photo this post I took a photo of some of my Koalas instead.  I got the big one recently he's really fabulous, this is a collection I never intended to have but I can't resist them they are all different and very cute.  Just have to keep them away from Harry cause he'd love to play with them.

Bye for now.


Debra.

New Blocks

I've been doing a bit of everything lately.  I finally decided which block I wanted to make with my half square triangles. This is how many I've stitched together so far.  Since doing these blocks I've seen 2 more blocks that I'd like to make as well.  I'm sure I've got enough pieces cut to do all 3!  I've been using strips of my scrap fabrics and I've still got plenty of strips left to experiment with.

I bought the tumbler die this weekend and today I got to have a play with it.  Again I used strips from my scrap bin.  It is a lot of fun cutting the different shapes, I've got some other dies but I'll have to wait till I've got more time to try them.

I've finally finished the hand quilting on my red stars quilt.  Its not my best quilting but I'm glad its finished.  Just have to get the binding on.

I really do need to finish something, I've started way too many projects lately.  I spent quite a few hours on the weekend tidying my sewing room.  It seems to get out of control very quickly and then I find it very hard to work in.  I guess it doesn't help with so many projects on the go at once.  I've got my crochet out as well now that the weather has got colder its time to start back on it as well.

I've been working on more blocks for my jubilee quilt as well.  I stitched the 9 blocks that I've already made together, then decided I wanted to make 3 more.  I've ordered Gwen Marstons new book Liberated Medallions I'm hoping that might give me some inspiration for a pieced border.

I had Tracey and Susan over last night for some stitching, its always nice to get together and sew.
This is Traceys quilt that she finished sewing the binding on last night.  Its such an effective pattern and the Sherbet Pips fabric looks great. 

Happy Sewing

Debra.

Still Playing

Hi there,

I went to the Australian Quilt Convention with Tracey on Sunday.
We had a fun day its always a lovely day out and our autumn weather these last couple of weeks has been amazing I think it got to 30 degrees on Sunday!


The photo above is the latest block design I've been playing around with.  I really like this one.  I bought a Jo Morton book called Coming Home from The Quilted Crow at the Quilt Convention.  Its a really good book with lots of nice photos and lovely quilt projects to make.  One of the quilts in the book is called Somerset and it had this block done in browns and reds with cheddar alternate blocks.  It looks fabulous in the book and I'm trying to figure out if I did alternate blocks what colour I'd use.  What colour would you use?

Dougal came into my sewing room for a snooze, not one of his usual sleeping spots so I was very honoured.

I did my best to support some of the quilting shops that came to the convention.  If I could I would support them all of course.  I got a variety of fabrics as you can see.  I hadn't really planned on buying much fabric and definitely not the bright novelties but when I saw the cats I knew they had to come home with me and the elephants and the owls.....


I decided to cut more triangles with my Baby Go Cutter, I think I might have got carried away I haven't counted them but I have a very big pile.  When I stitch them together I might actually make some blocks!

Happy Stitching

Debra.

Playing with my Go Baby

Hi there, hope everyone has been enjoying the Easter break.  I've managed to do a bit of stitching in between home duties.  I'm quilting the last border of my red stars quilt.  Surely I'll get it finished by next weekend.  The Australian Quilt Convention is in Melbourne this week.  I've been going since it first started and it is my favourite quilt event.  I'm going with my friend Tracey on Sunday its always a great day out. 

A few weeks ago I purchased a Baby Go Cutter from one of my lqsThe Quilt Patch.  I'd been thinking about getting one for a while and The Quilt Patch had a demonstration one Saturday morning.  My main concern was how many dies I would be able to buy that were sizes that I use all the time.  I started with a die that has a 4 1/2" square, 2 1/2" square and two half square triangles that finish at 2 1/2" when stitched together.   I had to wait for a while to get the mat that went with the die but that was ok cause I have plenty to do.

Last week I decided it was time to play with the cutter.  I pulled out scrap strips that were the right size and went to work.  It was a lot of fun, I cut quite a lot of squares and heaps and heaps of half square triangles.  The block above was my first option I cut more triangles in other colours cause there was too much blue.  The triangles were really easy to sew together I'm hoping these will be more accurate than other methods I've tried.  Then I decided that design wasn't working so I tried a few more.... 

I had hoped I might have whipped up a quilt top over the break and have something interesting to show you.  Instead I have spent too much time trying to decide what block to make and ended up not making any!  I like the hearts but wasn't sure how to set them in a quilt. There were a few other designs as well but I think I might make a quilt that I've already made before that I really like. 

Here is Harry modeling the quilt for me.  I made this one quite a few years ago it has been well loved and is one of my favourites.  It was a fun block to make and I really like the pattern it makes.  It was one of the first quilts I machine quilted, I stitched in the ditch and was pleased with the result for a first try.

I am aiming to get back to my string pieced stars for my Jubilee Quilt.  Its possible I've been avoiding piecing the rest of the blocks together cause I worried about them so much.  I'll try to get back to them soon.

Have a great week


Debra.