Odds and ends

I've been doing a little bit of finishing off. This cushion was stitched before I even started blogging, sewn together in Feb 2014, and finally stuffed last night. Better late than never!

Some lonely experimental hexies turned into a pincushion for an upcoming swap.

More leftover 3/8" hexies, these from the FiS Christmas swap in December 2013. Now a new mini waiting to be quilted. Very similar to one I made with 1/4" hexies for myself here.

And a little giveaway to finish. I won this set of smaller fabric pieces at a retreat, and they are just not colours I would use. The largest piece is 13" square, so suitable for a small project. Leave a comment and I'll draw a winner on Monday.

Susan x

Long weekend sewing

A dressy hanger for Nanna's birthday.

A mini finish......Triangle Doll Quilt, a free pattern from Kathleen Tracy.

Finishing off with some cross stitch and DJ this afternoon.

Happy Australia Day!
Susan x

Little birdies

Two little birdy fobs finished. Tiny pieces cut and prepared, waiting so long to be sewn. They are fiddly and annoying to make, but oh so cute when finished.

The bird fob is part of a sewing set with pincushion and needlecase designed by Diane Leftwich. This is the original set I made quite a few years ago. Every now and then I make a new little bird because they are so sweet.

Just when I thought my work dramas had settled down, my new boss has quit after only two months. Never a dull moment here! I think I'll just enjoy a long weekend of sewing and try not to think about it.

Happy stitching,
Susan x

Road trip

Up bright and early yesterday morning for a two hour drive to Scone for a sewing day at Raelee's. I couldn't wait to see her new Grace quilting frame in action. The photograph shows it expanded to full size, lucky she has the perfect spot for it.

It was pretty much a meeting of the Cassilis Quilters as Kylie, Lea and Julie were there too. We had a lot of chatting to catch up on.......I managed to blanket stitch around four little wings and put a few stitches in this mini which has been in the cupboard for a while. Fiona's table runner inspired me to get it quilted.

Raelee has loaned me a cross stitch frame to try. I've never used a frame or hoop but it does seem to make it easier.

Hope you found some time to be creative over the weekend.
Susan x

I am in love

After a marathon effort for FNWF (which ran quite a long way into Saturday), I finished the final border of my Irish Circles. And I love it. I am so looking forward to some cooler quilting weather so I can make a start on the hand quilting.

A quick photo on the grass as it was just starting to rain.

So now I only have my DJ to work on. Only one top in progress...........yes I do feel a bit anxious about that. I don't even have a new quilt in mind. Of course there is cross stitch and some other small projects to work on, but still, I need a new quilt project too. So I'm looking out for something with lots of applique and not too much piecing, another epic long term project.

It's a beautiful rainy Sunday here, perfect for sewing.

Susan x

Dressy hanger and FNWF

I forgot to show you this one before Christmas. I've had Marg Low's Dressy Hanger pattern for a long time. I finally got around to using it to make a pretty hanger for my sister from Tilda fabrics. I fear that I may become the coathanger Aunty next Christmas........it was fun to make.

I have signed up for FNWF tonight. I am on a mission to finish my last Irish Circles border. Hoping to do some more cross stitch too.

Happy Friday!

Susan x

Cup of tea?

This is the little project that distracted me, Ric Rac's Teeny Teapot pincushion. The most testing part of this design was the words "random design" for the embroidery, random is not my strong suit. I bought the pattern and felt ages ago but the small spout and handle pieces kept putting me off. As it turns out the construction was pretty straight forward.

Mine is a little wonky in places but I like it. Another addition to my pincushion collection.

Back to work tomorrow, so today I am trying to sew, play, watch movies, garden, cook, walk and pack as much into one day as possible!

Happy stitching,
Susan x

Welcome 2015 and a distraction

It's a new year of sewing, but not so many new projects. I am determined to finish my Irish Circles borders soon. Two sides are on. I'm going to rework the corner blocks, some more applique I think.

However, as it so often happens, when I was looking for the border triangles I unearthed another little project.

The pattern and felt were still in the shopping bag from who knows how long ago. I'll reveal more in a couple of days.
This afternoon I am being wild and spontaneous and driving 3.5 hours for a bbq tonight, then straight back home in the morning. Catching up with some work friends from pre-children days in Newcastle.........2015 is the year of saying yes!

Susan x