Up up and away

After a year in the planning we are heading off on our American adventure today. Unfortunately my Secret Santa hasn't arrived, so I won't be able to email you until I return in the New Year. 

It has been quite odd not buying gifts or sending Christmas cards. Apart from SSCS, this little pouch is the only gift I made for a secret Santa at work. Such a cute little fox.

 

Last pair of socks finished up. I'm taking my woolly knitted socks to the northern hemisphere winter.......I think I'll need them! There is a lot more blue and teal than the camera would capture. 

 

Wishing you all a happy and safe Christmas.

Happy stitching,

Susan x

Goings on

I've been somewhat lax in the blogging department lately.........but anyway, here's some of what I've been up to. 

It was only a matter of time before my knitting adventures turned miniature. Whipped this little sweetie up last night, about 3" high. It's a free pattern from Little Cotton Rabbits.......but be warned, even if you're not into knitting, there are some VERY adorable creations to be found there!

 

Made a mess in my sewing room last weekend, but the creativity just wouldn't come. Moved stuff around a bit and made no forward progress on these hexies. Still hand quilting my Doing The Rounds quilt, but the progress doesn't make for very exciting photos. 

 

 

Another boxy pouch from deep stash fabric made a couple of weeks ago. These pouches are such a great size and shape.

 

I'm busy working on my SSCS gift, it's almost done. I can't settle on an idea for the decoration but I hope it comes soon.

Happy stitching,

Susan x

 

Small projects

Life has been busy but I need to sew every day, even if it's just for ten minutes. No backing for my quilt yet so I haven't been able to start hand quilting. In fact, I haven't been working on quilts at all........I'm waiting for inspiration to strike and help me decide what to do next. So sock knitting and small projects have been occupying me.

A little bit of cross stitch, over half way now.

 

 I finished this pair of socks for my big sisters birthday......they were hard to part with.

 

And have started a new pair.....

 

And made a small boxy pouch just to carry my sock knitting. Great tutorial from Pink Stitches.

 

My blog has been a bit quiet of late, but I notice it will be five years old in August. Might need to find a little something for a giveaway.

Happy weekend.

Susan x

Hexie mini

I finished a flimsy last night....a teeny tiny one.....12" x 10". I was inspired by a quilt on display at the Sydney Craft Show last year (see my post). It just needs to be appliqued onto a background, probably the same dark red as the hexies between the flowers. I auditioned so many fabrics for those spots, but came back to the darker red. Anything else compromised the flowers. 

My eldest son is soon leaving for University in Sydney. I'm so happy and excited for him, but a bit sad for me, I'll miss him so much. Fortunately it's only 3.5 hours drive away, and I'm trying to look on the positive side of all the patchwork shops I will be able to visit more regularly! Anyway, as part of his packing I made this cute pouch for some first aid supplies. And he likes it!

Hope to show some photos of the next part of my quilt design soon. 

Susan x

Tis the season for giving

Another wonderful catchup with the Cassilis quilters today, last time for 2015. It was definitely like Christmas!

I made selvedge zipper pouches for Raelee, Julie, Kylie and Bev.......and a few spares.

And a new pin cushion for Lea, provider of the 1930's scraps.

Before......

And after. 

Beautiful gifts made by my talented friends, thank you so much. X

Susan x

I think I need an intervention!

So, I spent some time in my sewing room yesterday. I was supposed to be tidying up but I got a bit sidetracked. I bought a new handbag while we were away so I thought a new little purse was in order. I just couldn't decide on a fabric combination.........and now I have eight little zipper purses and one larger pouch. Now I just have to decide which one goes in my handbag. It's a great little free tutorial at Noodlehead. Anna has lots of great patterns and tutorials.

I have signed up for Chookyblue's virtual sewing weekend at the end of May. Will I see you there?

We spent this morning at our local ANZAC service, watched the boys march with their school, and just enjoyed our beautiful park and community. So thankful for the peace and freedom we have.

Susan x

Thank you

Thank you for all your lovely, caring comments on my last post. I was in two minds about it, but it's something I needed to share with my friends. I really felt your love and support so thank you. We had a wonderful celebration of Dad's life, and will now focus on all the happy memories.

It was a welcome break to have lunch with the Cassilis Quilters last week. I had made some little gifts for Christmas a while ago. Yes, more zipper pouches.

Lea made each of us a gorgeous tape measure cover in felt, with individual colours and designs. Of course mine is the red one. They are so incredibly cute.

School and work have finished for another year. We are on the South Coast for Christmas, a welcome opportunity to relax and recharge.

Susan x

My clever niece

It was very exciting to get a message from my niece last week showing me her major work for Year 12 textiles. It's a child's activity quilt......ready for quilting. I'm a very proud Aunty.

My sewing effort for the weekend was a little zipper pouch for my sons girlfriend. I didn't even make it to FNWF, but loved seeing what everyone else got up to.

Oops........better sew that lining before I give it to her. I love the fox fabric on the inside. I would have put it on the outside but the design brief was foxes on the inside please Mum.

Susan x

So predictable

Of course my Christmas selvedges were for a zipper pouch.

This one just has linen on the bottom. I like how it turned out.

I had to do some of that "other" kind of sewing yesterday. I took the plunge and cut the bottom off a long black dress, and then had to hem it. I do not like sewing slinky, satiny fabric at all....or black for that matter! I'm wearing it out to a Christmas party tonight (thinking of all the money I saved not buying a new frock).

I feel like I'm making good progress with the painting. I started putting things back in the laundry cupboards today, I hope I can keep it so neat and organised. My sewing room needs the same attention I think.

Have a great weekend.

Susan x

Just playing

I have wanted to have a go at making something using selvedges for ages, and today inspiration struck. I only had a small selection, but enough for a zipper pouch.

I put the linen on the top. Looking at it finished, I think I would adjust the pattern to show more of the selvedges next time. I really like the look, and feel very thrifty using them.

And the bottom.

It just needs a little something on the zipper, and then it can go to it's new home.

It's been terrible weather today, but thankfully no bushfires in our area. My thoughts are with those in fire affected areas.

Take care,
Susan x

A little sidetracked

A warning.......making school lunches is hazardous to your sewing. I had a little incident with a knife whilst making lunches on Monday. I didn't realise how much I use my left thumb when I'm hand sewing......looking forward to sewing without band aids.

In the meantime I have taken a little walk outside my comfort zone with some help from the lovely Michelle at Hatched and Patched. I am not into brights, nor am I a fan of green, but I love this combination with the linen.

I love the rain girl on the main print. I'm sending the pouch to my niece for her birthday with some goodies inside. I hope she isn't tired of getting zippered pouches from me!

This treasure trove came in the mail this week. There are so many gorgeous projects in this book that i cant decide where to start.........or if I'm even capable! I'm feeling somewhat daunted. My stash is certainly not prepared for these projects. Can you suggest any good shops/websites for buying Japanese taupes?

Happy stitching.

Susan x

You guessed it.......

.......more zipper bags. This should be the last lot for a while. The novelty has worn off somewhat.

I wish I'd used a bolder contrasting colour for the lining and zippers, but too late now.

Now to pop something sweet or scented inside them all and wrap them up.

I thought i was very sneaky with my SSCS this year, but my partner worked it out as soon as her parcel arrived. Now it is my turn to wait for postie.

Hope you're having a happy week.

Susan x

More zipper bags

Spent last night making two more sets of zipper bags for Christmas.

I love this print. It's from the Moda Basic Grey range.

And trying to get my TTS quilted for the blog meet next week.

Susan x

Sunday afternoon

I think I need an intervention!

Time to go and check my Christmas list.........to see who else might need a zippy bag. Oh, and I've run out of zippers until next week when I can get to Spotlight. Probably just as well.

Susan x

Friday Night With Friends

FNWF started out with me lying on the lounge thinking the only thing I was going to do was go to bed. But after a bit of blogging I got up and got motivated and produced two more zipper bags. These are the medium size.......and they just need the turning hole stitched up. The one on the right is actually a much prettier green than it looks in this pic.

Do you think the zipper pull needs a little something........like a bit of ribbon or a little felt circle? I'm not sure.

Then I noticed the Noodlehead tutorial for the lil cutie pouch so thought I'd have a go at that. Well honestly, ten minutes later it was finished!!! This little baby measures 5 1/2" by 3 1/2".

So after a slow start, it was a very productive night. Catching up on all the usual chores today, and helping hubby enjoy the last of his annual leave.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Susan x

Just in case you didn't believe me........

.........these zipper bags really are fast and easy. I made this one tonight.

I am joining in with Friday Night With Friends on Friday. Hope to see you there. I'll have to come back later to do the button.

Susan x

Zipper bag

Thank you Sharon from Lilabelle Lane for sharing the link to the Noodle head zipper bag tutorial. It was so easy to follow and a great result.

I used some scrap fabric just to test it out.

And now I can't wait to get started on my pretty fabrics I bought last week. Did I mention that it comes in three sizes........this is the small one.

Hope you had a good weekend too.

Susan x

Zipper Bag

I had a rather lovely weekend at home with lots of snippets of sewing time. My sewing corner also needed some TLC and tidying up - so  now I can find what I'm looking for.

I had a go at the small bag from Anni Downs book In the Life of a Bag. I'm rather pleased with how it turned out, but the zipper took a few goes to get right. It was folding/tucking the ends in neatly that gave me the willies. Not like dress or skirt zippers that are nice and flat.

It was very exciting on Sunday to see this twister when we looked out the window. It was amazing to watch it move across the sky, and how quickly it dissipated. Unusual weather for our area.

Susan x