Long weekend

Making a mess of the front yard........

.....and sewing on the binding of my French General quilt.

We had 33mm of rain on Friday night so the garden is very happy, and our digging is a little easier.

Hope you're having a great weekend.

Susan x

TTS

As so many kind bloggers pointed out earlier this week, there is only 3 months until Christmas! So I've had my TTS laid out on the floor to look at the borders. In case anyone was wondering, there is very little Scandinavian Christmas fabric left - anywhere.

I have found enough of the red at The Home Patch (that's just a scrap in the photo), and if I use the cream snowflake I will have to piece small bits together to make the border. I think it will look okay pieced. I really don't want to buy more fabric for this project.

Just like everyone else, I am busy working on my secret sewing, so not a lot to show.

Fingers crossed that the predicted rain does actually come today. Have a happy and safe long weekend.

Susan x

In Full Bloom

I have spent the whole day at home, a rare treat. Movies for the boys and sewing for me...... although there is a pretty serious water fight going on outside at the moment.

I have had a big session on the sewing machine today and now my In Full Bloom top is finished. I'm really happy with it. I think I'll use the leftover fabrics to piece the back. Joanne at Tranquility had a finished one on display, and it really won't need much quilting.
 

Some lovely mail yesterday. Lisa from Cubby House crafts sent me these sweet little Tilda birds. She is such a clever girl. Better find them a home inside.
 

I've been doing some gardening too - must be something about Spring. I like plants that don't need very much attention or water, so the rhubarb has died, but this crab apple is gorgeous at the moment (Tom Matthews I think).
 

I love school holidays. Hope you're having fun too.

Susan x

Melbourne part 2

While I was in Melbourne I finally remembered to take a photo of the Celtic quilt I made for my sister and her husband way back in 2002/03. I think it still looks pretty good.

Joanne had a lovely range of fabrics at Tranquility, and I just couldn't leave without this little bundle of shirtings.........and a secret fat quarter. The beautiful red is from Elyte - thank you.

School holidays start today and the boys are giving it their best - all still in bed. The weather is just beautiful so I think I will be heading outside to the garden......oh, and catching up on all the washing!

Have a great week.

Susan x

Home again

Home again tonight after a whirlwind trip to Melbourne. Not only did I have a lovely blogger afternoon, but I also got to see my big sister, and go to my niece's 21st.

The party was an afternoon tea and we had a glorious, sunny afternoon in the garden - and a chance to wear our party frocks!

This is us - me on the left.

And this is the cake. Think berries, mousse, cake, cream and berry sauce - I ate far more than I should have!

I 'll be back tomorrow to show you what I bought at Tranquility, and a quilt I haven't seen for a while.

Susan x

Tea, coffee, fabric and other things.....

I've had a lovely afternoon tea with Elyte, Marina and Robyn. We met at Tranquility Crafts and spent quite a lot of time choosing some fabrics to come home with us. Joanne was very friendly, and had lots of finished quilts and projects on display too.

Here we are in the class work area - Elyte, Robyn, Marina and I. Thank you girls, it was so much fun to meet in person.

I went to Sweet by Nature with my sister today, to pick up the big birthday cake. The display cakes were amazing. Alison is having a berry bliss sponge cake that looks very tasty.

We are all having a great time relaxing and spending time with family. I won't want to come home!

Susan x

Heading south

My bags are packed again. This time we are heading south to Melbourne for my niece's 21st. It will be so good to see my family and be there to celebrate with Alison. I can't wait to just have a coffee and a chat with my big sister, in person.

I am also excited because I am meeting Elyte and Marina for afternoon tea on Friday. I have been following their blogs for ages, so it will be wonderful to meet them in person. I think we have a little patchwork shopping planned too.

So not a lot happening on the sewing front this week. I started another Bird of Happiness purse for a gift, and because I am an addict.

And when we get back it will be school holidays......yay!

Susan x

Saturday Night Stitching

It's amazing the difference that one less child in the house makes. Mr 11 was at a sleepover last night, and everyone else was doing their own thing, so I did too.

The Nest is the last stitchery for In Full Bloom.

And this is the centre of the quilt, with the pile of border pieces. Not sure when that will happen.

Talk of Christmas is creeping into the blogs, so I did some more TTS. Only one and a bit left to do.

I also made a list of projects on the go - not quite sure how it got so long! So I'd better get stitching........after I make the boys mow the lawn!

Enjoy your Sunday.

Susan x

Happy Mail

Lovely, happy mail today. My 2011 blog book came, yippee.

I'm so happy with the quality of the hard cover, the printing and the layout. Even had a spot to dedicate it to my wonderful family for putting up with thread and fabric everywhere!

Thank you Kate for your help.

Susan x

Secret shopping

I may not have a local patchwork shop, but it makes me REALLY happy that the closest one is the Home Patch. I was in Bathurst today visiting Mum and Dad, and of course I had to pop in to the Home Patch. Unfortunately, this is all I can show you.

Not very exciting I know, but the other secret bits and pieces are! Feeling pretty pleased with myself that I am ready to start my decoration and gift for SSCS. I will ignore any doubtful thoughts.

It was lovely sitting in the sun with Dad today, nearly fell asleep on my stitching! I am looking forward to my last satin stitch flower.

Hope you enjoy a sunny, relaxed weekend.

Susan x

The beehive

Beehive block for In Full Bloom. I can't count......now there is only one stitchery left to do!

Susan x

Tip of the day

I have a very special tip of the day to share. DO NOT iron template plastic! It smells bad, and it's no good for your iron or the template. Fortunately, it came off my iron pretty easily. It's just so darned hard to see when you leave it on the ironing board.

On a happier note, In Full Bloom is, well, blooming. First three rows sewn together. Just one last stitchery to finish.

The work of a hand quilter never ends. My FG quilt is coming along. I hate quilting really close to the edge, it's hard to get it to stay flat.

I have signed up for Chookyblue's SSCS again. I have been sneaking around my partners blog, and I think I have decided what to make. The only problem will be that if it turns out as hoped, I might need to make a second one for myself.

All this talk of Christmas is starting to make me nervous!

Susan x

Broken Dishes

No not really. Just Broken Dish blocks. These are part of the In Full Bloom quilt. I spent some time last night cutting the squares and making the blocks up.

I don't enjoy machine sewing as much as hand sewing, so I am happy I got them all done in one go. Just have to finish the last stitchery, and have another couple of sessions joining the blocks and border, and it will be done.

My darling niece in Melbourne is 21 today...........Happy Birthday.

Have a great week.

Susan x

Quiltsmith

How lucky am I? In amongst more athletics I got to visit Quiltsmith yesterday.

Set amongst some of the most gorgeous little terrace houses is the small shop front that opens to the biggest patchwork shop I've seen. As usual, I didn't have long. It was hard to know where to look. I so wished I was buying for a big project. Lots of wide backs and reduced fabrics which would be good for backings as well. This is only one part of the shop.

I bought another couple of fat quarters for my nephews quilt, and these little lovelies for myself. Gosh I'm getting predictable, I think anyone who has read my blog could choose these fabrics for me.

We really enjoyed the experience of going to an event at Sydney Olympic Park (and the patchwork shops). We drove home yesterday afternoon, saying a quick hello to hubby and Mr 11 as we passed them on their way to Sydney. So looking forward to staying home next weekend.

Susan x

Post Office Patchwork

I have wanted to visit Post Office Patchwork for a long time, and yesterday was the day. It didn't disappoint. Lots of lovely reproduction fabrics and excellent, friendly service. I was on my way to Sydney with Mr 15 for athletics so didn't have a lot of time. Still, it's amazing what you can do in 15 minutes!

Hmmmm...... the light isn't good for photos here in my "luxury suite" at the Formula One. Quite out of my comfort zone with grey, blue and black, but I think they will make a good quilt for my nephew. Don't ask about the Japanese Kofu roll I bought for that project at the Sydney craft show. Let's just say it's not happening.

Back to the shop....... I was served by the lovely Rhonda Pearce who made the Insanity quilt from 1/2" hexagons. The quilt was hanging on the wall - I didn't touch it in case I caught even more of the hexie bug. Stunning is an understatement. I got this pic from the APQ website.

I also saw the beginnings of Rhonda's Dear Jane. It is a project I have thought about starting since I bought the book a couple of years ago, but I always get stuck on what fabric to use. It was good to talk to someone who is just working on it as it comes, rather than planning out fabrics and colours for the whole quilt. Maybe........

On another shopping note, we went to the DFO at Homebush last night. Lots of great bargains, Mr 15 is kitted out for summer and I bought a complete set of beautiful Sheridan bed linen at 50% off - no bargains like that in Mudgee.

Have a great weekend.

Susan x

Stitching and printers tray

With hubby away for a couple of nights, I've been busy doing some stitching. I think the Topiary block is one of my favourites from In Full Bloom.

And another month closer to finishing Tis the Season.

Lots of bloggers collect thimbles or other small objects, I thought I'd show you how I display mine. I bought this wooden printers tray on eBay a year or two ago. It will be a while before it's full, but if you enjoy miniature things it's a great way to display them. I have also seen trays covered in glass and used as a coffee table top. I left the tray as is with runners and handle rather than taking them off and pretty-ing it up.

It was so warm yesterday that we didn't even have the fire alight, although the toes are a little chilly this morning. Hoping to spend some time in the sunshine today............and maybe a little more stitching.

Susan x

Red Home Pincushion

Well, Fathers Day is going swimmingly here. I am blessed with a hubby who thinks the perfect Fathers Day is spent playing in the shed - it works out very well for me.

So I have spent some time finishing the most detailed pincushion I have ever made. So much work for such a tiny project, but I love the end result.

I have to admit that stuffing things is my absolute, least favourite part of sewing. Followed closely, by sewing up the hole where the stuffing went in.
But it's done now, and with three different types of fill. A little toy stuffing at the top, followed by the suggested walnut shells (which I didn't have enough of.... grrrr), finished off with some of that wheat you put in heat packs.
It will probably live it's life as an ornamental pincushion, so the wheat should be ok (fingers crossed that the mice never find it).

On a happy, Spring note, I have been through ALL the boys clothes today - got a big load for Vinnies. And now i'm going to take advantage of the gorgeous day and do something in the garden, instead of just sitting in the sun sewing.

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads.

Susan x

Oops.....

Look what I did.

After arranging those tiny hexies so carefully, I cut the template out the wrong way round, and my two fussy cut pieces are sideways. I didn't realise until I was quilting them.

I thought briefly about redoing it, but I think that would be ridiculous. They will stay sideways........ (unless I can't stand it and appliqué something over them). It is after all, just a pincushion.

Susan x