happy birthday Linda

Linda over at Stray Stitches is having a birthday and a giveaway.

Block from Lynette

block from Lynette

This the block that Lynette sent me, I actually had to go check the original email to Alex to remind myself what I had asked for, Stars or Pinwheels in Autumn tones. I love that it has both elements and the red and green are the colours of the trees around my place at the moment.

Thanks Lynette

Bee in Oz - May

May Bee in Oz block

Signature block

the two together

The last of this months commitments was to do my Bee in Oz block, we were making Jewelled Squares.

more finishes

Quilted fabric basket swap

the inside

I've spent most of the day sewing, felt good, I made my quilted fabric basket for the swap hosted by Quilting Gallery. My partner lives in Canada so I must post it tomorrow. Only Bee in Oz block to finish and then a new quilt pattern to play with. I bought Sarah Fielke book, Quilting from little things at Borders for half price and there are some really really lovely quilts. I haven't decided which one yet as they are all great, when I do I will tell you.

a jumper for Kate

a jumper for Kate

Another finish, top down V neck jumper for DD1 Kate in Cleckheaton Country Silk 8ply, colours 12,16,15,16 and 17. The wool was bought last year from the Wool Inn in Penrith, they were getting rid of it as it has been discontinued, what a shame it is lovely wool to knit with. This was the first time I have ever knitted top down and while the sleeves were a little challenging ( 4 double pointed needles) the whole experience was fun. Jumper finished no seams to sew, only now need Kate to try on to check that the sleeves are the right length, hence the ball of wool poking out of the bottom of the sleeve in the picture. It was finished last night while watching the Mentalist and Harry's Law. I then started a cardigan for Violet with the leftover pink, it is an old pattern that I had made for my kids knitted in one piece starting with the back, over the shoulders and divide for the fronts with a hood. It is a Cleckheaton leaflet 148 instructions for Country spun or twist, 12ply or boucle. It will be finished very quickly, easy pattern, pick up stitches across shoulder for sleeves, sew up the sides and sew on the hood.
Now to go sew my Quilting fabric basket swap and then my Bee in Oz block and get them posted off tomorrow.

Christmas block swap - May for Sharon

Friends Star for Sharon

Friendship star from Sharon

I finished Sharon's block a Friends star minus the half square triangles (I was using up scraps and had enough for the inside but didn't have enough for the extra in the corners) yesterday, this is for the Christmas quilting block swaps Australia. It will be posted tomorrow and headed to Canada, my block from Sharon arrived Friday in the mail but as everyone knows blogger was misbehaving so while you could read blogs you couldn't post or leave comments.

Tis the Season - May done

Chilly Penguins

Christmas Angels

May blocks

My May blocks are done, now to make a couple of block swap blocks, Bee in Oz block and finish a jumper for my daughter.

Block from Staci

Block from Staci

Block for Staci

My April block from Staci arrived on Monday - I let Staci know but it was cold and dark when I got my mail out of th box on Monday afternoon. Tuesday was spent out all day, so here it is Wednesday morning and I finally have time to sit down a post a picture, the block is wonderful and goes really nicely with my other blocks. I had only ever posted a peek of the block I did her so thought that I would show you both April blocks.

What a weekend

Solomons Star block for Lynette

Huge gum in the back of Cobbity Public School

My Quilting block swap Australia partner for May is Lynette, she wanted a Solomons star in blue and white. It was finished and sent on Friday but it has been a crazy weekend so it has taken till now to find time to sit quietly and do a post.


















This huge gum is at the back of Cobbity Public school where markets are held the first Saturday of the month. We were there at 8am yesterday as I wanted to purchase some cotton perle from a guy who sells it cheap, he sells all things crafty. If you are in Sydney and have never been to Cobbity Markets you are missing one of the best markets on offer, I know stall holder travel from up the Mountains and the Northern beaches to be part of them. We had breakfast of Gosleme - spinach, feta and mince cooked as you waited for it, organic coffee and hot chocolate. 

People interested in Sports Chaplaincy

We headed to Lake Macquarie, where Steve ran an afternoon information session for people interested in Sports chaplaincy. Dinner at the service centre on the F3 at Wyong and home by 9.30pm.


Happy Mothers Day to all, I had phone calls from Melbourne and Mildura, lovely Pandora charms, Cat Empire gift box (bought at Borders for $27 instead of $99 as they are closing down and selling everything off) and wonderful photos of the girls taken by Kate and Graeme. Below is my photos of Violet with Granddad and daddy.

Granddad with Violet

Daddy and Violet asleep

Lily in her mummies sailor suit

Steve cooked BBQ for lunch, potato bake and salad was enjoyed in the backyard. While we were talking Kate asked about a sailor suit her grandma had bought her, I had kept it but had never got round to getting out for Lily. Well I had to go find it and Lily had to try it on, it only just fit her - the purple t-shirt underneath is a size 4 and she is not 3 yet and don't you love the purple tinkerbell socks that are just visible. I was a lovely lunch finished of with strawberry cheesecake, dark chocolate mint timtams and maltesers. I have no idea whats for dinner but don't really care had a lovely day and am ready for an early night, but wait no there is a F1 race on from Turkey tonight and the boys will be watching it.

Block for Wendy

Block swap adventure
Wendy's block sneak peak

Wendy's block

Bee in Oz fabric from Kyishia

It has been a cold couple of days here in Sydney (Australia), time to snuggle down under a quilt or two. I have spent the morning catching up on some sewing, here is a sneak peak for Wendy, won't get posted until tomorrow (Wednesday), hope you like it Wendy.

Isn't the fabric lovely, it arrived today in the mail from Kyishia for her Bee in Oz block for the month of May. It only had to travel across Sydney so arrived the day after she posted it. We are making a Jewelled square block or blocks as  Kyishia has given us options on the sizes she wants made. You can see some inspiration here, aren't they wonderful.

Now to go do some more sewing

Violet

Photos from hospital

Photos taken from Steve's phone

OPAM April

Baby quilt for Violet

The back

Wonderland by MoMo for Moda

This is the major project that I finished for April. I had thought to not need it until next month but with Violet arriving 4 weeks early it was a rush to finish it. The top had been finished forever waiting to work out what to do with it. I have another top finished and will finish it for Christmas for her.
Other finishes include Bee in Oz block, Block swaps and more hexies.