In Full Bloom

This is the first block of Lynette Anderson's In Full Bloom. This little tree was beautiful to stitch.

A weekend of packing and planning for our trip to NZ in the school hols. Might need to trace off a couple of stitcheries to slip into my bag........

"A day patched with quilting seldom unravels" - have a great weekend.

Susan x

More GDITC...., TTS

These swings are outside the Nundle Woollen Mill - aren't they a great idea.

We shared our table with three girls from Queensland : Cheryl, Susan, Sam, Ann-Marie, Lynda and Bronne.

I'm a little bit ahead on TTS, this is the April block.

I added another row of clamshells to my GDITC block last night. It's lovely to work with such a pretty fabric range.

Susan x

More GDITC....

At GDITC 2011 Kerry set a name tag challenge. This is mine.

We also had to make an English Paper Pieced pin cushion to swap, which was more than a little challenging. This is the one I received from Chris. Thankyou Chris!

And this is mine, which I think went to Kylie (?). I love the Antique Fair range.



I also love French General, and was thrilled that the charm pack in my goodie bag was the new Petite Odile.

I love this fabric so it should inspire me to finish my EPP project from the weekend.

Susan x

GDITC

The wait seemed to go on forever, but we finally got to GDITC on Friday.

Sue Daley's trunk show on Friday night was full of gorgeous quilts, and the interesting story of her patchwork journey. Am I going to be able to do this???

One of the highlights was meeting Dawnie. Dawnie, Ann-Marie and I all did the In My Garden BOM, and ALL finished it. Don't they look great together?

And this is how far I got on my project - still quite a bit of work to go.

 Booked in for 2013.

Susan x

More adventures of Peg and Dale.....

Home from GDITC - it was a fantastic weekend in so many ways - chatting, sewing, eating, sewing, learning, and more sewing. It was sad that some of our friends were unable to join us, but they were with us in spirit. Peg and Dale got up to an awful lot whilst in Nundle...........drinking at the bubbler....

and making new friends. For more visit Chookyblue

It was great to meet so many bloggers, and other passionate patchworkers, AND Sue Daley. Her work is amazing.

Better spend some time with the family. Back with more pics later.

Susan x

It's here

The first words I heard today were from Mr. 10 - "Happy Nundle Day Mum" at 4.45am!!!! How was I supposed to go back to sleep after that. Guess I will be super organised by the time Ann-Marie arrives at 8am.

Today we are heading to Girls Day in the Country at Nundle for the weekend. I am so looking forward to Sue Daley's workshop (could be a new project on the way....). There promises to be lots of fun, shopping, eating, and bloggers. Meeting other bloggers in real life will probably be the best bit.

Have a great weekend - I know I definitely will.

Susan x

Ta-da

I have finished sewing the binding down on In My Garden. I am very happy with the whole quilt.

I'm not sure if my favourite block is the fountain or the house.

It is having an outing to Nundle for GDITC this weekend.

Susan x

FNSI Update

I had a very successful FNSI, and finished off the quilting of In My Garden yesterday. If all goes well, I will put the binding on today and post a pic tonight.

I had decided not to make any more stitchery based quilts for a while........until about 2 months ago when I saw the sample for Lynette Andersons In Full Bloom at The Homepatch. Well, it's only small, and I wanted a new BOM, and the stitcheries are really cute.........and before you know it I had signed up and the first month arrived this week (it's really hard to be strong while you're in the shop).

I wasn't expecting it to start for a while yet, so it was a nice Friday afternoon surprise.

Apparently it's National Quilting Day today. Hope you get the chance to celebrate. As for me, I really need to do some mowing and gardening........and maybe sneak back into the sewing room later.

Susan x

FNSI

Signing up for FNSI today. I am hoping to finish the hand quilting on In My Garden.

The lovely ladies at The Home Patch helped me with my binding yesterday. The colour is quite similar but has some tan in it which goes better with the back as well. It's actually the same binding Anni used on the original, so who am I to argue with that? Every time I go to that shop, I wish I could just move in and live there, and sew and do nothing else at all - very inspirational.

I also needed A LOT of help with some bright fabrics for my nieces sewing case. I am so out of my depth with brights (and with what 8 year old girls like) but Michelle was very gentle with me. What do you think? Pattern for the sides, blue for the gusset and handle, red inside. Michelle informed me that these aren't actually bright by many people's standards, but gee they are to me.

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

Susan x

In My Garden progress

I am making good progress on hand quilting In My Garden.

 I'm not sure about the binding that came with it. I think it's a bit too dark.

I'm visiting my parents in Bathurst tomorrow, so I might have time to pop into The Homepatch - BUT JUST FOR BINDING. I have saved my GDITC spending money, and I don't want to blow it before I get to Nundle. Wish me luck, because it's the days when you don't want to spend that you see LOTS of things you like.

GDITC is nearly here. I managed to finish my pincushion - it's wrapped ready to go. And I'm following a few of Peg's planning tips. I'm getting excited.

I'm also lucky enough to be taking the family on a New Zealand motorhome holiday soon. We are just starting to plan our way around the South Island, making sure to visit all the patchwork shops!

Hope you're having a great week.

Susan x

Who is it?

Who is it?

It's me.





In my previous life before children, DH and I used to travel by motorbike a lot. This weekend we went on a trip to Wisemans Ferry with some friends. It is 15 years since I last had a long ride on a motorbike, and my behind is feeling more than a little bit delicate tonight.

After a few detours due to flooded roads, we had a lovely dinner and a great night out. The weather was gorgeous. We came home today through the Blue Mountains and Oberon.

So no sewing this weekend.

Susan x

P.S. I was the passenger not the driver!!

It's not always fabric and thread.....

I spent some quality time with paper, pen and calculator last night working out a scallop pattern to quilt on the border of In My Garden.



It took a while to get the shape I wanted to fit the length of the border - but I got there in the end (simple really).

I hope to have it finished for GDITC if my fingers hold up.

Have a great weekend.

Susan x

TTS March

Busy, busy with my GDITC pincushion, and hand quilting.
TTS done for March. These stitcheries are just so quick to do - I love them.

Susan x

Christmas

I was very good yesterday and turned my Hug n Kisses stitchery into the candle mat as per the pattern. I enjoyed the stitchery design, but I think it would better finished round rather than scalloped. Now I can say that I have started getting ready for Christmas!

I learned how to put a stem stitch edge around the appliqued stitchery - it makes a nice finish.

The rain has slowed for now, but very soggy underfoot. DH even felt the need to light the fire today!

Boys, pizzas and movies tonight for Mr. 13's birthday. Maybe I can sneak away and sew.

Susan x 



More art work.....

Mr 15 has been busy creating more artwork for me. This one is called "Imajarnation" - lots of little jars.

Had some great mail order service from The Crewel Gobelin this week. It was just 2 skeins of hard to find thread, but Margaret was a pleasure to deal with. Highly recommended.

I have been lucky enough to spend this rainy day playing with fabric and thread. I may have my first Christmas finish to show later.

Out for dinner tonight, and 13 year old boys for the night tomorrow. Should be a good weekend.

Susan x

GDITC

I received the retreat info for GDITC this week. Soooo looking forward to the break, and the chance to meet so many like-minded crafters. I am attempting the paper pieced swap gift - I think it's meant to be a secret, so just a peek.

It's only a small project, but it took a long time to choose the fabric. I hope I get some tips for fussy cutting at GDITC.

This has been my 'waiting in the car' stitchery this term. Hopefully I will finish it off and not just roll it up with the others.

The rain has arrived here tonight - normally we can see all the way into town 15km away - tonight visibility is about 200m.

Happy Birthday to Son No.2 - 13 today - my how time flies.

Time for cake!

Susan x