Saturday 30 August 2014

Friday night

Maybe I will make some of the intricate DJ blocks. I love this little one I made last night. The little squares are 1/2".

I'll show you the back too. Pressing the seams is what scares me about blocks with tiny pieces, but this one was ok.

We're taking our entire flock of sheep over the road for shearing this morning.......all two of them!

Have a great weekend.
Susan x

Friday 29 August 2014

Last Irish circles block

I'm always a bit sad when the last block is done on any quilt, especially when it has been an easily portable project. Irish Circles is far from complete, but the portable phase is just about over. The blocks have to be trimmed and joined, the borders and appliqué added. I really should be doing housework, but took a moment to lay out the blocks and see how they all look together this morning. I don't know why, but I do hand piece the blocks together on this kind of quilt. A crazy waste of time really, but I get a kick out of it being entirely hand sewn. Am I the only person who does this?

Please let me know if you notice anything odd in this layout!

In the meantime, I have gone Dear Jane crazy. I am completely absorbed in my little red blocks which are very easy to prepare, and so easy to choose the fabrics for......and of course very portable.

I'm off to get some cleaning done so I can get back to some sewing. Have a lovely weekend.
Susan x

Friday 22 August 2014

Spoiled

It's not hard to stay on a fabric diet with blogging friends. I received a lovely variety of red and text fat quarters from my birthday fat quarter swap group this week. The girls outdid themselves with their selections......thank you!

And some more from others who know me well........how gorgeous is the basket that Lea made for me?

My most precious gift came from Mr 13. A tiny clay glazed rabbit made at school. He measures about 1 1/2" long and is a lovely addition to my collection.

We had another lovely stitching day at Cassilis today. Scrumptious food and wonderful company again.......and photos forgotten. Raelee had her Toes in the Sand top finished. You will have to take my word for how good it was, great blues and teals.

Kylie from Red Raspberry Quilts was there too, she is a fine saleswoman and sent out a well timed email this week with the new Kathy Schmitz range of reds.........since it was my birthday I think it's technically a birthday gift to myself not a broken fabric diet.

And I finished binding The Simple Life.

So it's been a happy and busy week here.........I'm hoping to spend some time tidying my sewing room and finding a place for my new treasures over the weekend.
Happy stitching.
Susan x

Sunday 17 August 2014

And the winner is......

Thank you for your wonderful comments. It seems we are agreed that our blogs are about so much more than just our craft, they are a source of inspiration and friendship too, and often a sanity saver.

So, after using my highly technical random number generator (here son, pick a number)........the winner of the red pin cushion and fabric bundle is Wendy in NZ and the blue pincushion is on it's way to Carole......congratulations and thanks for joining in. Send me your addresses ladies and your parcels will be in the post.

I had a lovely time in my sewing room on Friday thinking about future projects and how they might fit with my current fabric diet. This sweet little block is the result. It may be the beginning of a new long term project......my own red and white(ish) version of Dear Jane. I have had the book for years but never the courage to start, mainly because I couldn't decide what colours I wanted to use. So red and shirtings it is. I'm only going to make the blocks I like , and will probably add some appliqué blocks of my own. It will be interesting to see if it ends up as a nine block mini, or a quilt!

I had a quick visit to Dad in Bathurst yesterday, and this is what I came home to for afternoon tea. Carrot, orange and almond cake. It is the first cake my husband has EVER made, and it was absolutely scrumptious.

Hope you've had a fun weekend and found some time to sew.
Susan x

Tuesday 12 August 2014

Red or Blue?

I'm not a big swapper, but I do love a giveaway.
It's my blogs third birthday this week, and to celebrate I'm having a little giveaway. The winner will receive this selection of fat 1/8's of my personal favourites, and either the red or blue pincushion. Just leave a comment with your pincushion preference, and one thing you love about blogging, and I'll make the draw on Sunday. I'm happy to send overseas too.

Thank you to all my bloggy friends and visitors, your lovely comments always make my day.

Susan x

Sunday 10 August 2014

No sewing at the football

I'm not much of a fan of football, but we couldn't turn down an invitation from a colleague to watch Newcastle Knights play Melbourne Storm last night. It was a very exciting match, great atmosphere.

An early morning walk along Newcastle Beach.

So no sewing at the football or the beach, but nice to have an unexpected weekend away.
Susan x

Friday 8 August 2014

Busy binding

Another finish imminent. I love sewing down the binding on a quilt.

I also love having Fridays off, what a great way to start the weekend.
Happy stitching,
Susan x

Monday 4 August 2014

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

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