Retro vintage square quilt

 And now it's all sewn together.  5" squares.  It's my smallest quilt to-date.  Lap size.  My favourite square is the green (Flower Sugar by Lecien).  I wish I could find more to buy.  I only got one 30cm strip :(.  Somehow I missed the entire range.  My fabric buying has been very slow due to my self imposed "austerity measures".  I'm about to buy more thanks to my eldest who has gifted me a gift certificate for an online fabric shop.  I am so excited...best present EVER!  It's orange lime and magenta time!  That's what I'm feelin' right now.  A very bright dynamic quilt will emerge in the next few months.

Another quilt top to add to the pile!

Christmas Jam

This year's batch is Berry Raspberry Jam.  Made with mostly raspberries, but a few mixed berries thrown in.  It's quite sharp, but I think it's a good batch.  Hopefully recipients will too!

Christmas cake

 

 

Oops....I forgot to take a picture before I cut the Christmas Cake.  It is yum.

 

On Saturday, I spent a happy hour and a bit cutting out this simple quilt top.

 

Two days later that's exactly how it still looks!

Shame I'd really hoped to sew it up.  Maybe one night this week.....

 

 

ttfn.... x

It's Christmas Time

The tree is up!  How I love it!  How I LOVE it!

Here's panoramic shot of the room.  We were getting ready for a celebration on Sunday.

A day time photo :))

Aquachoc Quilt Ta-dah!

It's done - another FINISHED quilt!  Yay.  I love it. 

Here it is on the King Size bed.

The backing and the thin chocolate brown binding.

A close up a panel and the machine quilting.

A Quilter's Brain

I found this on Pinterest today and thought I'd share....although me being me, it's probably been seen by many for a very long time.....

This could be knitter's brain or crochet brain or anything I obsess - I mean love - to do.  What?  Who said that...I heard you....I am not obsessive compulsive.....am I?  well maybe a little, but only about really important things like fabric, quilts, pattern, colour, yarn, crochet, wooden knitting needles, books to inspire......certainly not housework. So .....no... I'm not OCD.....am I?

Dreams

Dreams are so important aren't they?  I have many.  No different to the next person.  They keep me going.  I get excited at the prospect of them becoming a reality. At different times they take over my mind.  Want to hear what currently occupies my mind?  I keep conjuring up pictures in my mind of me living my dream.  I'm in situ constantly... floating off to sleep, daydreaming on the job, googling images and pinning away.  One day it will happen, or it may not, if by then I have a new dream.  But this one has long been with me and it comes and goes in its vividness. Right now it is all consuming, and I'm working out the fine details in my mind.  I can smell it and taste it.  I can feel the water, cool and refreshing.  I can feel the sun touching my skin. I can see the colours around me.  I can hear the distant natter of voices in a foreign language. I can taste the crisp cold wine I sip whilst watching the sunset.  I can see the supper of fresh fish and salad.  I can see the fishing boats resting in the harbour, that caught the fish i've cooked that very day! I hear a bell - around the neck of a donkey or goat clattering as they move.

My days are spent painting, reading, writing, walking the hills around me, crafting and swimming. Soft white curtains billow at the open doors. Days of coffee and friendly locals. Afternoon siestas whenever I need them.  I imagine feeling so strong and healthy, not a care in the world, blissfully happy and relaxed.  Finally feeding the creative me that yearns to be.

Welcoming visitors to share my slice of heaven.  Seeing them relax and recharge whilst there.  Lots of laughter and times shared. Crafty groups coming for week long stays and working on quilts and grannies.  My quilts adorning the beds and walls - alongwith artwork. Spending several months of year - my European summer home. 

I'm loving my dream right now, watching it grow and blossom in my mind.  Heaven.

Our Darling Matilda

Just dropping by quickly to share a photo of my beautiful Matilda - our darling blind lab. She puts herself in the most unusual situations.  She loves squeezing into corners and other tight spaces.  I'm sure it's reassurance for her.  She likes to be as close as possible to you, ie on your lap.  She has the uncanny knack of putting herself right between one's legs and then sitting down, and waiting expectanly to be patted. It always gets a laugh from visitors. She's quite a local attraction!

As a family we talk to her constantly when she's around as sound is very comforting to her too.  She is a truly amazing girl and we love her to bits.

My daughter spotted her outside the back door and did the call out - "Come and look at Tilly" as we so often do.  She looks so dejected with a "Where is everyone?" look on her face, having managed to sit under the bike. Bless!

 
She has learnt the command "Reverse" which we use when the only way out of where she has got herself is to ''reverse", so we call it out and out she backs, tail wagging.  When we say "good girl'' she knows she can turn and safely be on her way.

Quite a bit of sewing happening on the mezzanine.  My Cowgirl quilt is coming along nicely. Pictures coming soon.  x

Russian Doll Quilt

I purchased the sashing fabric for my Russian Doll Quilt a week ago and had a quick play with it.  All the blocks are a different size as they have grown organically, so their "placement" will be random, not uniform, with different widths of sashing fabric between the blocks.  I'm inspired by all the modern quilts such as those in Block Party of which I am the proud owner of!

The fabric is linen blend which I thinks complements the organicness of the blocks.  The spots marry nicely with the doll's cheek (y) dots.  

Another one of my years-in-the-making quilts is a tiny step closer to being finished. 

I picked up three quilts from the machine quilter - I mentioned that already but here's a pic of my pile :)  I will reveal more as time goes by.  They are my black and white, kaffe fasset's floral parade and my flea market fancy quilts.

Aqua and Chocolate quilt progress

My weekend wasn't spent as creatively as I'd hoped.  Funny how things just crop up, don't they.  I did sew the binding on my aqua and chocolate quilt and I'm loving it.  Now for the hand sewing.

Some progress pics

 

And I started a new quilt top - I think this one is going to be called "Yee Ha'' ..... here's a sneak peak of a few of the fabrics.  "Such fun" in the words of my favourite comedienne...Miranda Hart!

Excitement

I feel a wonderfully creative weekend ahead of me.  I'm so excited. Tomorrow I pick up 3 quilts - yes 3!! from my machine quilter.  I don't know if I'll sleep tonight :))  It's like Christmas Eve in quiltland. I can't wait to see them. They transform so much at each stage of the process.

I'm in the middle of binding my aqua blue and chocolate quilt and it is finishing it off beautifully.  I am falling in love with the quilt all over again.

I'm also off to buy the sashing for my Russian Doll quilt.  After years in the making it is a step closer to becoming a real live quilt top!

Last night I bought my first copy of Mollie Makes - love it!  Treat yourself if you haven't already.  I'm not sure how readily available it is in local newsagents here is Aus, but I found a lone copy of issue 17 at my local newsagent (complete with free crochet hook on the cover), so snapped it up....  and DEVOURED it!

I'm thinking a subscription on my Christmas list......

Stay tuned for wonderful photos of my collected quilts over the weekend.  Hopefully my iPhone camera will do them justice xx

Slowest blogger in the world

 

So if there was a competition for the slowest,most erratic, inconsistent blogger in the blogosphere it would be me.  After years I have barely any followers or any comments - a very sincere and heartfelt thank you to those who do follow, stop by and leave the odd comment - I LOVE YOU! You make me feel a part of something  which is why I started my blog in the first place  ...to feel a part of a creative community and share and learn and inspire and be inspired.

 

I haven't had much time of late to blog.  My addiction to Pinterest has got in the way!  And some actual craft time which thrills me to bits.  I've become a bit disheartened with blogland too - I know I'm taking it too personally, but there are far more interesting blogs out there.

 

Anyhoo in typical me style this is a very random post.  I have a new phone - an iPhone which takes much better photos, so I've taken some of my liberty quilt - much better resolution - to record here for posterity.  I'm looking foward to hand quilting it - yes you read right - I am going to hand quilt my first quilt!  Check back in a year or 2 and see the results!  Just in case there is a reader of this blog out there :))

9 patch etc

quilting has been my craft of choice lately, taking over from the knitting and crochet.  I pieced my Liberty quilt together so it's another quilt top in the chest.  I picked up my blue and brown from the long arm quilter.  I'm really happy with it.  I like it more now.  It has the dubious title of my least favourite quilt to date.  but I'm wondering if by the tme I bind it I won't like it even more.  It certainly got a BIG help along by a visitor to the house this week.  An interior decorater came round and was in raptures over it.  I just thought 'how funny!'

it was so fun to have a decorator in the house.  It was something I've never thought I would do, but fate thought differently and bestowed upon me a voucher at a quiz night I went to recently.  "It" must have known that that is exactly what i needed to help me over my serious fed-up-ness with the house. Norinda is just the person to help me bring all the bits of the house together.  She's a wonderful resource.  She liked my ideas and I liked hers.  Also helped that she was very complimentary about my ability to work with colour.  It was lovely to get a pat on the back.  Very encouraging.  Often as mums we are the ones encouraging and nurturing and complimenting, but with teenagers - or just as we age and are the grown ups - you don't often hear that you're doing a good job.  And I guess you don't even really think about it, but when someone does say lots of positive things, it's very nice, isn't it.  Too funny.

Here's Gypsy enjoying the brown and blue quilt... which I've draped over a sofa for the time being.

Gypsy has a habit of seeking out quilts....

I've gone completely off track.  What's new?  I started with pictures of my latest quilt.  My first 9 patch.  I'm having my very own quilt-a-long, all by myself.  A patch or 2 a day.  I've wanted to do one for ages and found a couple on line...crazy mom quilts  did one a few years ago.  That boat's sailed so I'll just merrily bob along by myself!

My first Liberty quilt

errrr or rather a very bad picture of my first all-liberty-fabric-quilt.  I so need a design wall!  and it has changed since I took the photo.  It was a lovely couple of hours  to spend a sunday afternoon.

Major excitement.  I am collecting a quilt from the my quilting man on Thursday and delivering him 3 more!  I finally pulled my finger out and pieced together the backs for them.  One I plan to give away, one I plan to hang on a wall in the house and the other 2 I'm not sure.  Maybe they'll just become part of the household. 
I have been asked by a couple of visitors if I would make them quilts, but I simply can't be under the pressure of time frames etc.  But I did think that if I put together a few perhaps someone would like to buy them.  but I'm not always sure I could part with them.  Anyhoo for now I'll just keep playing and having all the fun of making them :))

Knitting frustrations

Knitting frustration. 

1. running out of wool  about an inch from the end and I'd already cut the pattern short by 2cm

2. buying the right size double pointed needles to finish a cap and then NOT being able to find them anywhere at all....and I am a mother - I should be able to find anything and everything.  You know the saying.'... 'ít's not really lost, until your mother can't find it.  Well it's really lost, so I went and bought another set so that tonight I can finish the hat.

3. can't start another hat because this one is on the needles I need to use!

Crochet Poncho

Found this in a surf shop in Claremont.  They also had some great crocheted rugs and cushions. Hand made in Indonesia by women who are paid well and love what they do - I had quite a chat to the shop owner.  He said he gets abused by some people who enquire as to whether he's aware that he's exploited workers in 3rd world countries - people that just launch into him without asking whether he knows where they're made etc...

I love seeing crochet in mainstream shops. Whoever believes that it's a nana craft...needs to get with the times... of course no-one who reads this would think that, but I still encounter people who have that mentality and have forsaken home made craft as a relic of times when women were bound/burdened by domestic life.  And women should have turned their back on it in the name of liberation and equality.  These skills are far too suburban for our more sophisticated lifestyles.... Give me a break!!  I feel so sorry for people who wouldn't be seen dead with a pair of knitting needles, crochet hook or utter the words patchwork, sewing or quilt!  They are unenlightened in my view.  Each to their own.....it takes all sorts...blah blah blah.

Snow Hat by Rowan

so I finished Georgia's hat just in time for her to head south for some cold winter nights on a friend's farm.  She is very happy with it. 

The pattern is the Snow Hat pattern from Rowán's Winter Warmers book.  It's knitted in Lima, which is so soft and has a really lovely drape.  The hat is dual purpose - it converts easily to a neckwarmer by simply loosening the ribbon, threading around the top. 

Georgia has picked a piece of Liberty that I'm to make an alternate ribbon with.  I adapted the pattern and knitted in the round so there were no seams to sew.  I already have orders for 2 more! 

Here is the model photo from the book and a picture of the cover.  More info can be found here:

http://www.knitrowan.com/designs-and-patterns/brochures/winter-warmers

Next to make and already on the needles is the Belle Cable Cap for daughter No. 2 from the same book.

It's the sort  of book that has lots of patterns I'd like to make.  Perfect entertainment for our cold wintery evenings.

My Little Snuggle Bunny!

Gypsy sets the quilt off rather nicely don't you think?

Knitted sock progress

I don't know why ...... but my socks are knitting up inside out!!!!......I don't think it matters in the long run...who knows what I've done wrong.

I'm about to embark on the heel... wish me luck!

I think I will need a few cups of these to help me

Yum, my nectar of the Gods..

And because I'm so inspired at the moment and I had a little win at a quiz night.... I treated myself to these 2 glorious skeins....  oh the excitement!  It reigneth supremeth at Lansdowne Road right now!!

Such beauties.. :))

Knitting hats

I said in passing to my girls that I'd be happy to knit them a winter beret each if they would like.  I wasn't sure how it would be received, so I was very happy and a little bit suprised when they both said yes please and in fact, they'd wear anything I knitted for them and they would love me to make them knitted garments.  So we're starting with a hat each and then I think they both want leg warmers!!

So we chuffed over to the LYS to pick wool and pattern.  I was as happy as can be.  Me and my girls on a wool shopping expedition (and they were coming voluntarily).  A wonderful mother moment.

Here's the progress so far:

This is a much better picture....

Doesn't it match her eyes?

Weekend in Review 6

Okay so my weekend was busy and it was almost a week away. So what went on last weekend - I'm having trouble remembering and need to refer to my diary.

I want to say nothing on Friday night, but somehow I'm not sure this was the case.  No maybe it was - I remember watching Silent Witness.  Yes that's right!  I did a bit of running around after work and then watched tv.  I was knitting my socks.  Knitting my socks has highlighted that my eyesight is changing.  I can't wear my glasses and see to knit clearly, I need to have them off, but then I need them on to see the TV.  Best get to the optician soon!  I just love these little reminders of aging.  I'm a 19 year old at heart, so it kinda takes me by surprise when I realise I'm doing something like reading menus from a great distance, just like my mama and gran used to do!  Bless!

Saturday I had some girlfriends round for a Nutrimetics fabulous facial party.  It was a hoot!  We had so much fun, sitting round with our bowls and mirrors and being taken through a facial.  All helped along with champagne and nibbles.  Trying lots of lotions and potions.  We were also treated to a hand spa.  We all giggled like schoolgirls - it was a great afternoon.

Saturday night was off to a fun quiz night fundraiser for the rowing team at Penrhos College.  I came away $100 richer, winning one of the raffles.  Perfect timing, as I'd treated myself to some books on-line, which I will share with you when they arrive.

Sunday I headed off to Perth Upmarket for a little looksee.  It's been a couple of years since I had my bag stall.  It has really grown and there is some fabulous gear.  It's great to see how creative people are.  Then my friend and I went for coffee and brekky at Halo on Angelo Street in South Perth.  The scrambled eggs were absolutely YUM!  Treat yourself if you're in the area.

Sunday arvo was spent at home.  By then I was coming down with this lousy head cold.  So I just kept myself topped up with hot lemon and honey drinks.

My latest read has been "The Lavender Keeper" by Fiona McIntosh.  I picked it up due to its lavender title.  I would like to see the lavender fields of Provence - it's one of my bucket list items. And I just made my first visit to Provence (albeit for one day!) last year. Also, it's set in WWII which is another one of my favourite eras to read about.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It's not in the same literary class as "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" but an easy enjoyable romantic fiction read if that's your thing. Done and dusted in a few nights of bed time reading.

I didn't realise it has a sequel, so I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

Socks on the needles

I'm doing it!  I've actually got around to starting my first every pair of knitted socks.  It's slow progress.  Tiny needles and stitches.  A big change from my big needled felted bags that have been my mainstay for the last few years of knitting.  I'm following the Cat Bordhi method.  I don't know that I'm 100% right, but it's a learning exercise this foray into the world of hand knitted socks!  There's a couple of little mistakes in the ribbing, but rather than unpick and fix - they won't matter for wearing -  I think it will be a good reference point for my second and future pairs... I'll be able to see my evolution from novice to expert :) 

I'm in trepidation of the heel instructions!