Sew and Sews Too

Birthday Bash

2012-02-11T19:06:00.001+10:30

The last quilt in my year of 50th quilts belongs to my best friend Lesley. As I write she is with me and my other three best girl friends from school having a girls birthday weekend. Lesley loves her quilt and she is already wrapped up in it as despite it being February it is chilly here at the Aldinga scrub. And thanks to Kay for the colours!

Some ramblings

2012-02-08T23:03:00.001+10:30

I have been up late reading blogs and wondering why we all do what we do. Blogs are funny things-they are personal- but not private -they can be educational,inspiring or just plain voyeuristic...... ..But for me it is place for records, remembering and documenting the fun I have sewing. I am not really fussed if it is only me reading it. What I want is the record- and the more I remember to blog the more memories I capture. And photos are good too.......

And as a reminder some photos of my summer sewing - pinning by the pool - how fabulous ping pong tables are for basting

And a sewing room with a view- a gorgeous Port Elliot

Lotus Love

2012-02-07T17:57:00.002+10:30

I love my new picnic blanket..... What do you think?

Quick quick

2012-02-06T22:33:00.002+10:30

Love a flimsy done in a night- aren't baby quilts the best

And I call myself a quilter!

2012-02-06T22:28:00.002+10:30

My mother- in- law, Gillian, has always been a quilter. Over the years she has made some stunning quilts in amazing colours. She has a real eye and I am in awe of her skill. And it is a real skill as she ONLY uses recycled fabrics and scraps. NO new fabric. And yet she always manages to make huge detailed machine quilts . Her most lovely ones are from scraps of silk- old ties, shirts and dresses from op shops and pieces of fabric she has kept. Last night she came to dinner and brought me her latest silk flimsy. Tiny broken plate... So amazing. And a lovely story. When her mother died, at 94, Gilly found some fabric scraps , including the hem that had been cut off her sisters bridesmaid dress - in 1957..... Nana, never threw anything away. And now there is a small piece of beautiful ice blue silk in the quilt- with a story . Thanks Gilly for being such an inspiration.

Sew and Sews continues

2012-02-02T21:12:00.002+10:30

First night back for the year. Lots of sew and tell. My favorite quilt this year has been the one I made for my nieces 21st. A long time in the making - started as a one a day nine patch over two years ago !!

WIP update @summers end

2012-01-31T13:13:00.001+10:30

In the middle of my holidays I did a list of projects that I had on the go. Today I am back at work and the lazy days of sewing are behind me - but there are still nights and weekends and so my challenge is to finish everything on this list by the end of February BEFORE staritng anything else -

~~1. Baby quilt fo~~r ~~Margo~~ - finished
2. ~~Birthday quilt for Lesley -~~ basted and ready to quilt finished 3/2/12 finished 3/2/12
3. ~~Summer top for me~~ - ~~will finish tonigh tfinished~~ finished 31/1/12
4. Quilt vintage flowers - ~~basted and ready to quilt~~
5. Back and quilt book quilt - still needs basting and quilting
~~6. Piece, back and quilt astronaut quilt - finished~~
~~7. Back and quilt picnic rug - finished~~
8. Quilt pram quilt - basted and ready to quilt
~~9. Retro brown and orange - finished~~
10. Kaffe baby quilt - yet to start

and one more for good luck to make it a dozen
12. Owl baby quilt!!Flimsy finished ready to base

Lots of sewing

2012-01-24T22:45:00.002+10:30

Another sewing day with Marya and Theresa today. Lots of fun -one flimsy and two wips quilted - very happy

Note to self

2012-01-20T08:41:00.001+10:30

I must remember to take the tablecloth off when seeing - otherwise the quick unpick will become my best friend!

Busy busy

2012-01-08T11:53:00.002+10:30

Bring on holidays has meant lots of time to sew. Last Friday Marya and I had another sewing day and worked on a range of projects - some more successful than others. But I had few wins- I finished the quilt for my nieces 21st which had been a wip for at least two years and I whipped up an apron for my friend Cate's birthday. But there are still a few things I want to finish these holidays - so here is the list and I will check back in a couple of weeks riser how I am going!
1. Baby quilt for Margo
2. Birthday quilt for Lesley
3. Summer top for me
4. Quilt vintage flowers
5. Back and quilt book quilt
6. Piece, back and quilt astronaut quilt
7. Back and quilt picnic rug
8. Quilt pram quilt
9. Retro brown and orange
10. Kaffe baby quilt
Three weeks and counting :)

2012 resolutions

2012-01-01T10:29:00.005+10:30

I have mentioned before what a great way a blog is to make resolutions and last year I think I did ok. My resolutions included finishing the pool and starting the garden- both achieved. It took 2 years for the 2010 resolution to lose weight - but I did that too in 2011, and I blogged a little bit more. I cherished turning 50, as you can see by my birthday smile-

but as 2011 will always be a bitter sweet year for me - I will move into 2012 with a smile and the following resolutions:

cherish my family

be less extravagant

FINISH the garden

sell some craft

be happy :)

Twas the blog after Christmas

2011-12-26T10:56:00.001+10:30

Christmas Is over for another year. All went well and all the planning and cooking was worth it. Christmas Eve with A's family was lovely - paving finished - sort of - and a perfect evening outside in the garden by the pool. Just what I had always imagined. And then my little family on Christmas Day with some extra good friends - different and lonelier without James but still happy. I asked H and G what was the best thing about Christmas -H spending time with Leo , getting a Hofner Bass and the food and G - spending time with CC and the food. Food and family - it is what it is all about :)
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Amy Day

2011-12-23T12:39:00.001+10:30

My friend Marya has the Amy Butler Bag book and this week she and Theresa and I had a making day. I am so glad I had two experienced sewers with me as the instructions were a bit of a challenge. But with 6 hrs hard at it I succeeded- And very pretty it is too!

Images from G

2011-12-20T23:10:00.002+10:30

There is a thing with young girls at the moment to reblog photos from tumblr and other sites that fit a particular style- quirky, cool and a bit styled - a bit Frankie. G is very clear about the sort of images that fit the phenomenon. She has a fabulous Nikon camera and took over 100 photos a day in her quest for a Tumblr worthy image. And I think they look great- what do you think?

Tis the season

2011-12-16T17:02:00.000+10:30

It's that time of year - it was the staff social club Christmas party today - and we had a great time - I look like I am channelling Hercule Poirot - thanks to the lovely Lee

Stir up Sunday

2011-12-12T19:29:00.002+10:30

Stir up Sunday, the day when it is
traditional to make the Christmas pudding is actually the last Sunday in November but as I was sunning myself on a Phuket beach I had to wait a week to make it. And I was very happy to make it completely with ingredients I had in the cupboard!

50 and fun

2011-12-10T23:25:00.001+10:30

In the middle of my birthday party :)

Thai Food is good

2011-12-08T22:12:00.002+10:30

Words fail me .....

No sew

2011-12-08T21:48:00.002+10:30

It seems at this time of year it is so much harder to see as the Christmas rush and end if school is upon us. I have been out every night this week and long for some quiet time to sew. Doe any one else feel like me? But here is a photo to remind me of a relaxing time.........

Memories

2011-12-01T21:22:00.003+10:30

We have had a family holiday on the island of Phuket to celebrate my birthday. Words can't describe how lovely is was so here are the pictures instead. A nice memory for me in my blog space!

Back at it

2011-12-01T10:01:00.002+10:30

After ten gorgeous days in Phuket I am back at work - too busy to blog but too many memories to work... so to cheer myself up I had a quick peek at what Anna maria Horner has been up to and look what I found. needle point ...how lovely. Good thing it wont be available until next year when everything else is finished.

A day for me

2011-11-21T11:13:00.003+10:30

Today I am 50. I have great plans for the next phase of my life ....but at the moment a tropical holiday, some shopping and pizza for dinner. And very happy about that :)

Not Much Blogging

2011-10-26T12:23:00.000+10:30

I think over a month must be a record for me - I do so want to keep blogging and the will is there but I don't have a computer at home and I don't have any photos at work - so unless I continue with a photo free blog I am a bit stuck. I am still very disappointed that my Ipad is so useless at blogging as it is now the place that holds all of my photos! Any way I have been sewing but not quilting - I made myself a dress for a big party - that I did not end up wearing and may turn into a top and I have been completing the embroidery project that I started in 1983 in time for my Mother's 80th in December - still a lot of background to go but I am determined to get if finished. It is a variation on this classic William Morris Bird and Pomegranate and I will be very happy when it is finished. Even I think that 28 years is a very long time to have a WIP!!!

Stacked up

2011-09-24T12:58:00.002+09:30

I recently bought Block Party and have been keen for a while to begin to make a dent in my scraps. And this books is such a treasure for scrap busting that once I have completed my Swoon quilt I know what I wanted to do.

Swooned Out

2011-09-24T12:56:00.000+09:30

After lots of grumbles and %^$%&*&^ I have finished my lovely swoon quilt for Gina - it is such a loveley pattern adn I am sure it is one I am sure do again

Guess what?

2011-09-14T18:16:00.000+09:30

Spring has sprung in Adelaide - yeah!!!!

Zoom to Swoon

2011-08-30T15:14:00.003+09:30

Have completed all eight Swoon blocks in red and black and gosh they look good - very wonky as I am not an exact quilter - but I am happy with them and the pattern really is amazing as it looks so different depending on what your fabric choice is.

A sad place

2011-08-18T19:27:00.000+09:30

Theresa said to me recently that her blog was a happy place and I absolutely agree - but this most recent quilt is from a sad place - I made this quilt for my darling brother James. It is my quilt for him

The best spot

2011-08-07T23:30:00.003+09:30

I was thinking that I needed another red patterned fabric for my latest G project and look what I found at Umbrella Prints.
So lovely. So red.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Cherry Baby

2011-08-04T16:38:00.000+09:30

My first ever string quilt for Cherry - the wonderful artist who has convened the coral reef project which opens tonight - looking forward to seeing what 1000 crotchet galls can do. But here is my Cherry Baby Quilt

Another past quilt

2011-08-04T16:29:00.000+09:30

I think I first called it lazy Katie's as i thought you could do log cabin without an iron - hence the lazy - boy was I wrong. But it ended up being a birthday present for a friend of mine as it was the perfect colours for her. I am so glad she liked it

What a WIP

2011-07-24T16:32:00.002+09:30

As is often the case looking through my photos have found some photos of a quilt I have yet to even mention this one is one I am still mulling over - My Lotus Maverick Star with some Amy Butler grey

New Red and Black aka HF

2011-07-24T16:03:00.001+09:30

Like my sewing buddy Theresa at Sew and Sews I have been having lots of fun with putting together my new quilt. It is using the reds and blacks I picked up in Melbourne back in May and I have a plan that it will be for G. Complicated patterns are not really my thing, as to tell the truth ,I am a bit sloppy when it come to exact corners etc. But this one is fun once your get your head around it and does look gorgeous when finished. Happy to finally use my red Amy Butler Lotus dots and circles - it must be the most fussy cut pattern in blog land and I am following suit. Here is the fabric - block photo to come

More More More

2011-07-12T10:42:00.002+09:30

~~Ashley~~ - oops... of course that should be Faith at Fresh Lemons is doing a cool new summer quilt along and I really want to do it

Eastern Silk

2011-07-07T09:23:00.003+09:30

Very excited to have finished the cutting and started sewing my Eastern Silk quilt. I bought eight meters of duponi silk in Vietnam last year for a bedspread for our bed. With it being very cold at the moment ( 6deg -cold for Adelaide) A has been asking where it is - so with the birthday quilts finished for the moment it seemed the perfect time to start . I so love the thrill of starting on a new project - the other WIPs seem to just disappear. Three nights sold and it is staring to come together. A good run at Sew and Sew tonight and I reckon flimsy finished by Sunday - but how do you back and quilt silk??? I'll have to do some research!!!

Recent Family

2011-07-04T19:29:00.001+09:30

Last night I accidentally discovered you can blog direct from Picasa - and so I did!!

Ans my latest quilt in situ on my friend Suzy's bed.

Melbourne Adventure

2011-06-26T17:58:00.002+09:30

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
A three day trip to Melbourne turned into a four day trip thanks to Tiger Airlines. We have flown Tiger many times and never had a problem until now. Arrived at the airport to be told they had cancelled our flight - next one 28 hours later. Luckily due to the recent ash cloud we had insurance, so as G says " high five for an extended holiday". A jaunt round the Botanic Gardens and a trip to the Science Museum and then a leisurely dinner at The Lincoln Hotel in Carlton. But looking forward to getting home!

Location:Carlton

Always Late

2011-06-22T10:59:00.002+09:30

I never seem to get to be part of a Quilt Along at the beginning - but I am so inspired by the Bottled Rainbow Quilt I think I'll just have to start of the end!!!

New for Susie

2011-06-11T16:25:00.001+09:30

My first queen size quilt - all Kaffe Fassett fabrics- started as a small Amy Butler pattern in the middle then discovered 1/2 square triangles and it grew- had to do an eBay hunt for the blue Flowers for the border - two and a half years in the making - I am very very happy - the colours are so amazing - thank you Kafffe

More fabric fun

2011-06-11T15:56:00.001+09:30

Yesterday my friend Marya showed me a new source of fabric inspiration in Adelaide. It is a charity shop that sells pieces, bits and bolts of fabric - some offcuts from manufacturers, some bolts that are donated, some from deceased estates, some old factories closing down store cupboards- linen, wool , silk ,cotton, fleeces, flannelet. It is is in a special room out the back run by the lovely Phil - herself a fabric ~~tragic~~ aficionado- and there were notions and needles and threads and zips and patterns - and it was lovely and like a treasure hunt but all for charity - I had so much fun and today I have lots more to sew!!!Thanks Marya.

Finishes

2011-06-11T15:53:00.001+09:30

A few finishes now that I am back on line with my photographs. Firstly the lovely Lazy Katie from my friend Roz. Lots of lovely Denyse Schmidt Kate Jumps Rope that I have had a as a jelly roll for over two years - finally finished ( although I forgot to photograph it ACTUALLY finished!) and lovely.

And a very quick baby quilt for a my friend Liz's sister in law - as they say any baby...... little boy fabric - very nice colours and patterns

New

2011-05-26T22:13:00.002+09:30

Welcomed a new member to sew and sews tonight. Had a productive evening making Denise Schmidt style scarves with vintage and new fabric scraps. I think Melissa had a good time and may be back.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Quick Quick

2011-05-11T14:31:00.001+09:30

Busy busy - at work no time but just one thing - two years today since I started my blog - still going - not sure about strong but here any way. And a quick trip around the traps has found my next inspiration Crazy Mom's Easy As Pie quilt - love it and want to make it now!!! :) And here is a totally random old photo of my gorgeous kids - just because!!!

And did you over see at Red Pepper Quilts that the new Denise Schmidt line is going to be available at Spotlight?????

William and Kate

2011-04-29T15:57:00.001+09:30

Did anyone else have royal wedding party ?- lots of fun for all!!!

A centenary!!

2011-04-27T12:09:00.001+09:30

Despite not actually blogging I think about blogging and what I will say when I get my camera sorted and what photos I can show - and today with a bit of time to spare (but still no photos) I discovered that this will be blog number 100. My centenary - what fun!!! so here is a list of all of the things I plan to blog about when I get my photos organised and I will tick them off

Baby Boy Blue

Lazy Katie for Roz

My new skirt
Dressmaking for beginners
The pool in stages
Almond pear tarts
William and Kate

Is that enough????

Melbourne Madness

2011-04-27T11:47:00.001+09:30

Not exactly mad but a busy and fun day with lots of great things to do. Theresa and I flew the flag for the Sew and Sews with two additional friends. 'Michelle' and 'Kay' joined us for the big day and we all had a fabulous time. I had all sorts of things to do - fabric for a new boy quilt, some Japanese prints for a new skirt, some red and black to match a new quilt I am thinking about, some trim for my new brown dress as well as any other nice things I could find. And I managed them all except the trim as in the end there was no chocolate brown trim anywhere - so I changed to wool and bough some fabulous red sari wool for my new crotchet addiction. And I bought a new pair of Camper shoes that I have been coveting since discovering them in London last year - lucky me. And since coming home I have made both the skirt and finished the new boy quilt - that's the thing about school holidays - lots of sewing.......

Still here

2011-04-14T15:57:00.001+09:30

I am still here - promise - just finding it hard to find the right place to blog - with a camera and a computer that is always on line - and not at work and not during dinner - all the usual excuses - but I am doing an amazing project which is to crotchet a coral reef - I have made three little pieces and hope to make lots more . It is part of an international project and it is so very very cool - I am very happy to be a part of it

First 50th

2011-03-18T13:07:00.003+10:30

This is the year I, and all my school friends turn 50. So I have the opportunity to make all my friends a quilt. Here is number for for Susie. First step quilt I have made and mostly from my stash. And quilted with my new baby -which I love. I even managed a label thanks to Janome.

Far Far Away

2011-02-03T19:45:00.000+10:30

I became a convert To Far Far Away just before Christmas as commission for a friends niece for Christmas. I loved the colours and fabric and she absolutely loved her quilts - so everyone was happy.

Sew and Sews Girls

2011-02-01T15:46:00.000+10:30

Look how grown up and gorgeous our girls look. G (left) and R (right) from two proud blogging mums- Sew and Sews and Sew and Sews Too!!!

Almost all over

2011-01-31T15:04:00.002+10:30

Today is my last day of the holidays - I have been on leave since December 23 and have had a lovely long break with lots of nice things to do . Mainly just hanging around home, sewing, spending time with the kids, cooking and a few days at the beach - Port Elliot and Port Willunga vying from my best beach award - so luck to be here in South Australia . Back to work tommorrow .........

New Red

2011-01-13T22:23:00.001+10:30

Working on my new secret red quilt - a zig zag pattern using up old spotlight fat quarters plus a lovely lot of new fabric from Hetties Patch. Had my first lesson on my Janome and I can't believe quite how excited I am by the thread cutting tool. I lovebit so much and I love the possibilities it presents.

Going swimmingly

2011-01-07T15:21:00.001+10:30

36 degrees today - blogging by the pool - three happy kids, a great book to read (The Life of Coco Chanel), cricket on the radio, ahhh holidays, what could be better! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Norwood swimming pool

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T23:17:00.003+10:30

A whip around a few other blogs to see that I am not the only lucky girl to receive a new machine for christmas - I am the lucky owner of a Janome 6600 memory Craft Quilters Edition. So looking forward to it arriving on Wednesday - then lots of new years projects to start.

And looking at last years list of new years resolutions I am sad to say I have not managed one!
Have ordered the pool so that will move to a 2011 resolution- made less quilts and put on weight so the more sewing, more walking and eating more vegetarian food did not work out either - so for the 2011 list

Finish pool
Start garden
Walk more
Keep in touch with friends more
Cherish turning 50!! Will have to wait for November to see about that one
Still lists are good - and blogs make good reminders!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Henry St,Croydon,Australia

Christmas

2010-12-25T23:06:00.000+10:30

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The family - don't they look a happy bunch

wordless wednesday - photos from Vietnam

2010-12-01T19:16:00.000+10:30

New technology

2010-12-01T09:24:00.001+10:30

I think I have worked out how to blog from my Ipad- there is an app!!!! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Croydon

A new quilt

2010-11-23T16:38:00.000+10:30

Waiting for fabulous Far far Away fabric to arrive from America to make a variation on this quilt with grateful thanks to Fresh Lemons for the Lemon Squares pattern. It is perfect for fabric like this

It is my second commission - a Christmas present for a little girl - and little girls are sadly lacking in my circle of friends so I am very excited to be making a quilt with such gorgeous little girl fabric.

Back into the swing

2010-11-14T19:57:00.000+10:30

Back from London and Vietnam and feeling like my lovely holiday was a dream. Work is very busy and I have been sadly neglecting both my blog and sewing. But I feel that now is the time. I cut out pieces for a new Amy Butler Lotus mini quilt - just for fun. And trying to wok out how to blog on my new Ipad. There does not seem to be a button to attach photos and what is a blog without pictures. So I will persevere - any suggestion will be great fully received.

In London

2010-10-20T07:23:00.001+10:30

In London and have remembered how much I love it!!!!

A first

2010-10-03T17:44:00.000+10:30

Well lots of firsts. First time I have blogged on my new IPad- it really is a wonderful thing
First time I have blogged from Vietnam
First time G and H have been overseas
First international family holiday for us all
And later today first time G will br fitted for her first bespoke gown in the fabric and dressmaking capital of Hoi An
First time I have ever experienced typhoon like weather-it is scary rain
First five star luxury resort we have stye din as a family
And many others.........

Another finish

2010-09-23T19:18:00.000+09:30

A quick look at my latest - a quilt made of June's Backyard - designed by me for my friend Suzy and she loves it!!

And look how lovely my irises are

A little break

2010-09-16T11:28:00.000+09:30

A little blogging break as I am not sewing but planning and booking and working to finish everything before three glorious holiday weeks in Vietnam with the family and then 10 days just for me in London seeing old friends, relatives and fun stuff !! can't wait. And back to the stampede to finish for Christmas - another year .........

Spring - beginnings

2010-08-29T20:02:00.000+09:30

Out in the garden today I noticed that the mulberry tree was beginning to burst with small leave and fruit - not long now - here's to sunny days

Some things finished - some things started

2010-08-29T19:34:00.002+09:30

Got some photos to share- finished the lovely quilt for G with the fabric that her bestest friend Suzy bought for her in the holidays - Suzy and her partner Pete are wonderful adult friends for G and love her and indulge her in such a fantastic way I am blessed that they are part of her life. I have been designing and playing with a quilt for Suzy using June's Backyard fabrics and am very happy with the pattern. First one I have done on the computer with the little patches of fabric colour downloaded from a website.

And now to reveal G's new quilt with kitty cat fabric and red toile - works a treat and all designed by my gorgeous 13 year old

Still here

2010-08-24T22:29:00.002+09:30

Still here - stil thinking about sewing more than actually doing sewing but still happy to think and plan - Is that OK - I think so!!!

Lizard

2010-08-20T19:57:00.001+09:30

Does anyone else have a problem with pets getting in the way of their pinning??

A winters day

2010-07-31T12:15:00.001+09:30

Happy to be home - playing with my blog layout ( again) sewing and finally photographing my latest quilt very happy - and my Beatles mad boy is too.

Beatles and the Chook

Bliss

2010-07-14T14:12:00.000+09:30

I am on holidays for five days and today find myself at home, in the pouring rain, with no children for a few hours - now .... what to do?

I think I know!!!!!!

Kitty News

2010-07-10T16:57:00.000+09:30

My darling girl just spent some time with friends Suzy and Peter who love her and always seem to enjoy her company. And during a visit to the Kirkaldy Quilt Shop in Strathalbyn ,G designed her own new red and black quilt, The staff translated her pattern in to a custom quilt and today Suzy brought me the fabric all ready to sew with a pattern with instructions. Very impressive for my 13 year old - she must have been watching me - Another quilt on the to do list - which is great fun for me. Thank you Suzy.

New for Suzy

2010-07-10T16:51:00.000+09:30

I had promised my dear friend Suzy that I would make her a quilt and on a recent trip to Mt Macedon she bought a wide range of the June's Backyard fabric from Mt Macedon Quilting. Lovely pinks and black and a challenge for me to design something that she would like. I used my computer to design a pattern for the first time and emailed it to her for approval. She loved it and today when she visited and saw the half finished quilt on my design wall (make that my floor) - we played around and got exactly the pattern we wanted. A joint effort and lovely outcome - now for the sewing.

Cousin completed

2010-07-10T16:40:00.000+09:30

Finished my first baby quilt for my father's,mother's,brother's,daughter's,son's son!! Peter Dixon born in April.

New for Lou

2010-06-30T14:49:00.000+09:30

A birthday present for my Sister in Law - looks so nice in her house in Port Willunga.

A New Quilt for a Cousin

2010-06-22T18:22:00.000+09:30

Spotlight sale with 20 % off gave me the opportunity to buy fabric for a new very distant cousin in the UK. My first baby quilt - it has lots of aliens for a little boy. I hope his parents like it - and when I say distant my children share a great great grandmother with him !! - still blood is blood and I love the opportunity to make a quilt for someone who will use it.

Mid Winter Night

2010-06-20T18:16:00.000+09:30

Tonight is the longest night of the year - it is chilly and dark but at least we now know that it is all uphill from here. Had a quiet family weekend of sewing and eating and playing - very nice. Had a lovely family dinner on Friday night with Alan's family which included three birthdays - one on them my sister in law Louise was the recipient of my latest quilt - the Angle Poise - very happy with how it turned out. And she had a big bag of Ikea fabric that she no longer needed - so lucky me!! and by the end of the weekend we had six new cushions and a table cloth -got to love a quick project!!!

Sunday Stash

2010-06-14T17:51:00.001+09:30

Collecting the sky Amy Butler Lotus prints from where ever I can - why do I only find I love fabrics after they are out of print!!

Back again

2010-06-14T17:29:00.000+09:30

A whole month without a blog - too busy and the computer never seems to be free - we are planning a new set up in the lounge room - may be that will help - any way lots of thing happening- nice long weekend - four days off and a bit of sewing - Gina had a great school project to make a model of an animal cell and she decided to make a cushion - all my memories of mitochondria, nucleus and vacuole come back - and a fun project as well!!

Triangles

2010-06-06T17:35:00.001+09:30

I am working on a quilt for my sister-in- law for her birthday using the Material Obsession triangle Ginger Quilt pattern from the first book - such fun with a right angle triangle ruler and strips - it is really like magic

Happy Anniversary

2010-05-11T12:31:00.001+09:30

My blog's birthday - happy birthday to me -kept it up - lots of fun - way better than a diary
Cheers

Me in Melbourne in May 2009 the trip that started it all!!

Melbourne moments

2010-05-10T21:11:00.001+09:30

Images from the Australian Quilt Convention - May 2010 and in particluar the fantatsic exhibition of small quilats from the 12 X 12 exhibition - dont you just love the Frieda Karlo????

Happiness is a blog!!

2010-05-03T16:03:00.003+09:30

My sad little blog - there are never any photos - it seems so hard to get them from my camera to my blog - maybe one day I'll work out a system - but what I do love about my blog is using it to remind me of this amazing journey I have been on in the past year from complete novice - to complete novice who can manage to finish a quilt or two or even ten !! Very happy about that.

And for the best info on what I did this last weekend - which was go to the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne have a look at Theresa and Kay's blogs because they said it all - so much more eloquently than me - we had a great time - you can see the smile on my face. Thanks for a great day girls!!

For Jenny

2010-05-01T21:22:00.000+09:30

When I got the call that my best friend Jenny's father had died I was in Hettie's Patch - so rather than get a bunch of flowers for her a made her a quilt. She wrote last week to say how much she loved it - the gorgeous Alexander Henry fabrics a=designed themselves and I had my first go at leaf quilting - and I am quite proud of the results.

For Jo

2010-04-30T21:34:00.000+09:30

My first log cabin finished for my friend Jo - I hope she likes it - it sort of looks like a paintbox- loved putting it together and using up lots of scraps!!

Fiddle faddling around!!!

2010-04-12T18:00:00.004+09:30

At Sew and Sews last Thursday night I couldn't settle on a task - Theresa had brought some lovely Amy Butler fabrics and I was just plain jealous about how they looked !

I had my First Log Cabin to quilt but didn't have the energy, I thought about finishing my Lazy Katie but couldn't find the fabric strips I had cut and I was supposed to make a Greek goddess costume but my goddess model was missing!! so I asked Theresa if she had any ideas about what I could do with this.....

Five bags of bits

Of course she knew exactly what to do and had eight blocks done in no time. So when she left I had a go and it worked - so I have another new quilt on the go - my Bits and Pieces quilt from very scrappy scraps.

and then I found some white material and I am on my way

Holiday memories

2010-03-23T11:10:00.000+10:30

Holiday snaps - so busy now that it seems like a dream - but still a place I love- Fraser Island that is

Broken Free

2010-03-23T11:06:00.003+10:30

I have always been one for finishing something before starting on the next - not a good trait for a quilter. But I have broken free - last night I abandoned Lazy Katie and cut and sewed the first two blocks of a proper log cabin - my first hence I am now working on My First Log Cabin - inspiring name hey!! but lots of fun pulling fabrics from my stash and scraps.

All my strips ready to go

My first three blocks - 13 to go!!

Lazy Katie

2010-03-16T20:08:00.002+10:30

Last Friday I found myself after weeks of finishing off projects for birthday gifts with time on my hands and a chance to sew. But there were 10 - 13 year old girls in the house I was not able to be in the room where my cutting usually takes place so had to find something in my stash cut but not sewn. I chanced upon a jelly roll that had been given to me by Theresa last year when we went to see French and Saunders and it was Katie Jumps Rope - the same material that Theresa had been sewing at our Sew and Sews meeting the night before. ( Here we are breathing the same air again!).

Anyway I had been given a lesson in log cabin that night as well and figured that the Katie Jumps Rope jelly roll might be a good place to start. I had a nicely drawn pattern and strict instructions to iron as I went for the best results. But I got muddled at the first corner and I hate ironing as my ironing board is in another room and not easy to slip away to - so I just got sewing and with a bit of cream, fabric to stretch my lovely stash a bit further ) I think I invented Lazy Katie - the not log cabin that was not ironed - but I think it is really cool and will be my new snuggle quilt for when the weather drops below 34 degrees!!

Happy Birthday

2010-03-12T21:19:00.000+10:30

Did I mention that the lovely G turned 13 last week - I can hardly believe it - I know it is SUCH a cliche but how did tthat happen!!! Here she is at Womad with Poh - Happy Happy Birthday darling

Too much

2010-03-10T14:02:00.000+10:30

I was wondering if I wrote down everthing I have done in the past three weeks whether I would ever look back and wonder how I fitted it all in - which of course I did - So here goes

8 shows - Austen the Musical, Be Yourself, The Boy With Tape on His Face, A Little More Light, Food Court, Based on a True Story, Man Covets Bird, The Saphires
3 big things - the Ausralian Performing Arts Market, Australian International Documentary Conference, 35 hours at Womadelaide,
2 events - 10th birthday party (H) 13th birthday party (G)

and ten people sleeping over last Saturday night!!.Phew I think I need a rest.....

Autumn musings

2010-03-03T09:38:00.000+10:30

Three days into March - so looking forward to cool nights - wet windy weekends and a chance to sew more-does anyone agree with me??

Busy Busy

2010-03-01T15:58:00.004+10:30

I know I wanted to sew more this year, but it has not worked out that way. Adelaide in February and March is festival time and it is when I am very busy with work - so no sewing - but I did finish my Duck Duck quilt for my friend Cate's birthday. ( annoyingly cant get the photo up - !!)
PS looked at this post - it is the second for 2010 and with 48 in 2009 that makes me 50!!. well done Clare

back to it

2010-02-02T09:21:00.002+10:30

Back at work after six weeks off - swimming, sewing, eating, drinking, sleeping, reading all those lovely "ing " works now replaced by one WORKING.... !!!!

Happy New......

2010-01-12T09:58:00.002+10:30

2010 how nice to begin with a new year with lots of plans - some may get done others not - but in no particular order - and so I can check them off next year In 2010 I want to.....

fix up the garden
sew more
lose weight
cook more vegetarian meals
walk
put in a pool
learn to make lace
learn more about how to change the look of my blog

a reasonably achievable list I think!!!

Twas the blog before Christmas.....

2009-12-24T09:18:00.003+10:30

Phewwww - finished work until 1 February -how wonderful. Spent a gorgeous day at the beach having a long lunch and good solid chit chat with all the girts from CAYHS - a great way to ease into the holidays - finished almost all of my shopping and today just have to make a pavlova, some aoli and off to a festive Christmas eve at Port Willunga - and my gorgeous G had her first proper hair appointment with a cut and colour and blow wave - she is so thrilled and looks lovely -and she declared that 'our' hairdresser( yes she used to be just mine) was awesome. Thanks Marie!!!

Have a safe and happy Christmas wherever you are - and as am I am sure that there are only 2 readers of this blog Happy Christmas to Theresa and Kay - lets sew some more next year

Love Clare

Happy Christmas

2009-12-21T09:04:00.004+10:30

Sew and sews Christmas get together included a 'sew and show' so I showed off my three latest projects - two WIPS and a set of finished Santa sacks Kaffe Fasset - a new bedspread for me Duck Duck Quilt - all from Red Letter day - very easy and thanks to Fresh Lemons for the inspiration.

and nicer bigger stockings for the kids

Still here

2009-12-17T06:55:00.002+10:30

Work is so busy trying to finish everything on top of Christmas that the nice things in life like sewing and blogging seems to be left out - it is 6.00am and I am trying to organise for tonight's Sew and Sews Christmas party - but a little blog to soothe my conscience - something else to feel guilt about. Made such a quick top this week with lovely Lizzy House Red Letter Day- my goodness the fabrics design themselves - all cut and pieced in one night - very very satisfying - but do I have a photo??? - not yet!!

Sunday Stash

2009-12-12T17:31:00.000+10:30

A peak at my latest quilt destined for a Christmas present - lime and raspberry is the best way to describe it - fabric by Patty Young called Mezzanine - I bought in on my recent trip to Robe and had no idea what it was until I did a bit of digging - now I have another favourite designer to
covet - will it never end!!!

Gotta love a poppy!!!

Stir up Sunday

2009-11-29T17:18:00.006+10:30

As a secular Australian the Anglican reading for the last Sunday in November of " Stir up we beseech thee o Lord" is not something I get to hear very often - but thanks to numerous mentions by my Christmas guru Nigella Lawson I always make my Christmas puddings on this day - stir up Sunday. Roll on Christmas - four weeks and it will all be over -

Happy Birthday to me

2009-11-22T21:55:00.002+10:30

A nice turn at 48 - saw New Moon- went out to dinner with great friends to eat yummy food- bought fabric - received Coco Chanel perfume and a copy of Beatles Rock band for Wii from my kids- lovely

Blogging on holiday

2009-11-15T15:45:00.002+10:30

Greetings from Noosaville on the Sunshine Coast - so lovely I want to live here forever - look at the photos next week and you will see why - but sadly no fabric shops!!!!