Sue's place in the sun

More blocks

2012-02-15T16:58:00.001+11:00

top for name game swap - still need to finish it

today's play block A1 from Dear Jane mine on the left, Clare's on the right.
Think mine needs a press and mine is the one sewn wrong.

Block from Margaret
block swap adventure

I spent yesterday sewing a geese in a ring as the main part of the name game swap for my partner, need to do her name,quilt and bind and have in the mail by 29th Feb. It is travelling across the ocean to the other side of the world.

The other week Berrima Patchwork had a sign up day, showing all the quilts that you could do there over the year. There was a Dear Jane quilt that Clare said I would love to do that! Well I have the book and the rulers so we decided to do it together, each Wednesday we are getting together and doing a couple of blocks and trying to do some in between as well. We will have some time apart as she goes to visit Jen in London but I still might spend Wednesday sewing, Dear Jane or something else.

My block for February for block swap adventure arrived from Margaret today in the mail, hers was posted to USA on Monday. This is the only regular swap I am doing for the early part of this year, having a break from the other 2 while I try and get my bee in oz quilt finished and do my swoon quilt.

A few blocks

2012-02-12T22:30:00.003+11:00

Block from Jolanda

Block for Margaret

Blocks for Waverlee

From the top my block from Jolanda arrived during the week, my block for Margaret for this month in the block swap adventure.
I joined a new group - Quilt club Australia on facebook. It is all Australian quilters and they had sign ups for a quilting bee, I'm in group2, you use your own fabric and make the block the person for the month wants. This month we are making 8" aqua and red string blocks for Waverlee in WA, fast easy and I made her 2 using fabric already in my stash. These will be posted tomorrow (Monday) as will Margarets block.

Block swap sewing

2012-01-26T17:52:00.002+11:00

Log cabin for Shirley in USA

Wonky Star for Jolanda in Portugal

Wonky Star for Natasha in Canada

I finished this months blocks yesterday and mailed them to their new owners.

Geese in a ring

2012-01-20T16:27:00.000+11:00

Geese in a ring swap

Back in September I signed up for a swap on flickr, I was part of group 2 and then resigned for group 6.
Group 2 colours were blue green and yellow, for group 6 I've gone for rainbow and they have to be made and sent to Ann by the beginning of March.

block from Shirley

2012-01-20T15:11:00.003+11:00

block from Shirley

My January block arrived today from Shirley in USA. I plan on getting some sewing done tonight and tomorrow sew I can post them on Monday.

last months block from Carmen

I hope I am right and this is the block Carmen sent me for December in the QBSA.

November block from Maria QBSA

OK so now I think I am up to date with all my block swaps photos,(if I got any wrong I apologies now) I am actually taking a break from one one swaps and doing a second geese in a ring swap and Samelia's mums name game swap, as well as want to make Swoon as part of the swoon a long

Block swaps

2012-01-14T17:11:00.002+11:00

QBSA block for Carmen

I took December off except for the Quilting Block Swap Australia where there had been some drama when Alex (group 2 coordinator) got sick and the group folded and joined with the originals in group 1. Anyway I had to make Carmen any star in dark green and maroon with cream. I'm sure I took a photo of the block Carmen sent me but cant find it on my computer so will take another one and put it up on here.

Bee in Oz block for Lisa

Now here we are in January and the Bee in Oz finishes with Lisa being the last one to have her blocks made. Drunk love in a Log cabin blocks, the fabric she sent was wonderful and I had a hard time working out what to do, finally this week I just started to sew and this is what I made for her. They are now on there way to rural Victoria and can't wait to see how they all come together. We are unlikely to do another round as we are all a little wary after we had trouble with mail in and out of India

My blocks from August are still sitting waiting to be put together as I can't decide how to and I still have to make another block after mine from India never arrived. This is not the first thing to go missing in the post to and from India - I was in a mug rug swap that my partner was in India, I have sent her emails to see if it arrived but have not heard back from her. It was sent in October so maybe it never arrived and so that swap was a no win for me as I never received a mug rug from my mystery partner.

Been a while

2012-01-08T21:33:00.000+11:00

Violet opening her first Christmas present from mummy and daddy

Charlotte opening her cabbage patch doll from her aunties and uncle

Karen (Graeme's mum), Lily and Violet Christmas Day at Kates

Christmas has come and gone, so has our 33rd wedding anniversary on 25th November, Steve's 56th and Joshua's 30th birthdays on the 9th December and Chris was 25 on 23rd December. Elizabeth flew up from Melbourne on 22nd December and was here until NYE. Stubbings family Christmas is Christmas Eve, so those with inlaws have the opportunity to spend time with them on Christmas day.
My sewing room became a dressing room for Elizabeth and the airbed was in the lounge room, so not a lot of sewing going on, tomorrow it is back to work for the boys and so I will start organising some sewing. I have the last Bee in Oz block to make and a couple of block swap blocks to make, there are some baprons to make for Violet who can take off her bibs, a quilt to be quilted for Charlotte on my Happy jack frame that was bought just before Christmas. What do you mean I haven't told you about this! I worked as a supervisor for the HSC, the exams finished 11th November but you don't get paid until about 16th December. The 4 weeks work paid just under $1000 and I was able to buy a second hand frame from the sewing machine warehouse in Penrith for $1100. I'm currently using my Janome 4900 as the machine and will eventually get a 10" throat machine from the guys where I bought the frame.

9pm fireworks from Observatory Hill

They were quite spectacular

Steve decided before we got too old we were going to go to the NYE fireworks in Sydney. We dropped Elizabeth off at the Sebel in Surry Hills, she was working NYE and NYD at ticketing for her work, went and found some parking, we parked in the domain carpark and walked down into the city, we shopped in David Jones and Myer and I bought a book in Dymocks to read while we waited for for the fireworks. We headed to Observatory Hill walking with the crowds that were also headed in the same direction. We sat and watched to sun go down and waited for the fireworks. After they had finished we walked down towards the Harbour - stupid idea, that's what everyone else was trying to do. We headed back up through the Rocks and up towards the Art Gallery of NSW where we waited for about 45min for the fireworks at midnight. They were stunning and would do it again sometime in the future.
The plan for Christmas 2012 is to be in Melbourne, go to the boxing day test match, have a holiday in Tasmania and be back in Melbourne for the Australian Open Tennis in the middle of January.

So tomorrow is the start of my sewing everyday, doing some hand sewing for my Some Kind of Wonderful stitchalong, making blocks and making sure I keep up with all that I have committed to this year.
Happy 2012 to all

a productive day

2011-11-24T16:11:00.001+11:00

my first 5 blocks ready for stitching

It has been raining here for the last couple of day, so after finally choosing my fabrics and choosing the quick blanket stitch applique I have all my first 5 block ready to stitch. A quick trip to Spotlight in Campbelltown to pick up the DMC cottons I don't have and an evening of sewing looks in order. Like Suzitee one of the other stitchers I have written Sue S on my luggage tag, because there is always more than one Sue. Some will notice that the handles are around the wrong way - not for me they aren't I'm left handed.

some kind of wonderful stitch-a-long

2011-11-24T12:16:00.001+11:00

my favourite thing fabric

I have been very slow to get organised, I wanted to use the Terrain layercake by Kate Spain for my blocks but finding someone who has yardage in Australia has been almost impossible. My Patch in Milton has some on ebay so I might try them. I have picked 3 creams to be the background, 2 charm packs of Central Park by Kate Spain for the smaller patchwork squares and 6 wonderful matching Kona solids fro the strips between the blocks.
I am now going to copy them onto the fabric and start stitching.

more blocks

2011-11-22T19:27:00.001+11:00

Bee in Oz block for Anorina

QBSA block for Maria

Christmas block swap block for Maria

I have spent the afternoon sewing, I made the bee in oz block for Anorina her block is 16.5" and then adjusted the pattern/block size down to a 12.5" block and made the 2 Maria's their block. The blue yellow block is going to Canada and the Christmas block is off to Western Australia. Having 2 swap partners with same name has been interesting as I thanked Maria in Canada for my Christmas block instead of the Maria in WA.

stray stitches giveaway

2011-11-22T19:23:00.001+11:00

Linda is having a giveaway. Why not go have a look and enter. It's the same Linda that I made the bee in Oz block for October, picture at the top of my last post.

just a few blocks

2011-11-21T16:15:00.001+11:00

Linda's block for Bee in Oz in October

Kym's block to me for September

Jen's block to me Christmas block swap for October

My block to Jen

Block from Maria for November

block from Heather, but I don't know which swap it is for and maybe October

As I previous posted life has been busy, here are a few blocks that I have sent and received over the last 6 weeks

What a Month

2011-11-18T20:39:00.001+11:00

I was a supervisor for kids with a disability provision for the HSC (Higher School Certificate), the exams started 18th October and finished last Friday 11th November, it was fun but very exhausting time. I had to travel the 60km by train into Sydney because the school I was working at was St Andrews Cathedral School. I have done hardly any sewing but lots of knitting as the train trip took just over an hour each way. When I get a photo of the finished garment I made the lady Kina from Ravelry, I just need to sew the ends in and have started the kids size for Lily as she liked grandmas stripy cardigan.
They say I will get payed by the 16th December if the person doing the paper work gets it all right and you would hope so as she is a Maths teacher.

I am doing the next stitch a long, we are doing "My Favourite things" by Anni Downs out of her book Some Kind of Wonderful. I have a layer cake of Terrain by Kate Spain, 8 Kona solids and 2 charm packs of Central Park by Kate Spain and the applique is going to be done on white. Most people are using very country looking fabrics but that just doesn't suit me at the moment, I want something that was a bit brighter.

rainbow blocks

yellow orange and green, purple and blue green yellow

I did get my geese in a ring done and sent to Ann in Denmark. If you look closely at the one top left of the rainbow ones there is a little notch missing, somehow in my rush to get them finished I made a boo-boo, so it might be the one that comes back to me.

Next week I plan to get some more sewing done, a baby quilt for Charlotte, I've got blocks to make for a couple of swaps and Sameliasmum who is Queen Bee for Novembers Bee in Oz. I won a DVD from Anorina which I am looking forward to watching when it arrives.
I also won 4th prize in a giveaway on Possum Blossom Patchwork, I picked the red postage stamp.

We are going to see Mary Poppins next Friday our 33rd wedding anniversary and we are planning on spending the weekend together doing what we want.

Finally

2011-10-15T22:18:00.003+11:00

binding stitched

all done

Proof that this is finished. I sat the other Friday night and did it but it has taken me until following Wednesday to finally take some photos to show that it is done.

Tis' the Season done

2011-10-07T15:40:00.002+11:00

Tis the Season done

backing

ready for Christmas

My Tis' the Season only needs the binding hand stitched down - this will be done tonight watching TV, think it might be some sort of sport or a movie.
Now while I'm sewing I have to make a sit me up donut by Paula Storm for number 2 grand daughter who is 6 and half months old and a quilt for number 3 grand daughter who was born last Sunday. Her quilt is going to be a simple charm pack of Lollipop by Sandy Gervais sewn together

BINDING STITCHED DOWN

FRIENDS Swap

2011-10-07T14:09:00.002+11:00

a parcel from Norway

wrapped in pretty poka dot paper

inside was this gorgeous bag

F - Tilda fabric by a Norwegian designer

R - rose pincushion and a lovely card

I - items for my wellbeing, soap and hand cream

E - eight different colours of vintage buttons

N - notebook in hand sewn cover

D - drawstring bag

S - skinny scarf

surprise mohair wool, might become a pretty shawl

The doorbell rang, I was quilting my Tis the Season quilt, that stopped very quickly when the package was for me.
My parcel from Synnove from the FRIENDS swap organised by Khris has arrived from Norway, you have seen all the wonderful thing she sent me.

Now to go back and finish quilting my quilt so I join in the next stitch-a-long which is Anni Downs book Some kind of Wonderful. Chookyblue wont let us join in if the previous one isn't finished and she has been cracking the wip and pushing us along to have them done.

Why this name?

2011-10-04T19:50:00.000+11:00

Dawn has asked what your blog name is and why?
sues place in the sun is what I called my blog more because I love sitting in the sun on our back porch than any other reason.
When I started blogging all the sue names were taken so I went with something a little more out there than just sue sews and knits and ..........

NOW TO THE BIG NEWS

Grandma, daddy and Charlotte

Granddad and Charlotte

Charlotte Ophelia Melvie Stubbings was born at 2.55pm on Sunday 2nd October 2011. She weighed 3.68kg and was 52cm long. Parents Joshua and Jaclyn doing well. Grandma and granddad were at the NRL grand final while all this was happening and didn't meet her until the next day.We now have 3 beautiful granddaughters 2 of them born this year.

Mug rug swap

2011-09-27T14:34:00.002+10:00

mug rug swap

This is the second mug rug swap I have been part of. This one is wending its way overseas to India.

tis the season blocks

2011-09-27T11:56:00.000+10:00

last block finished

second last block sewn into quilt

the top finished

This morning I sewed the blocks together, I am still working out what to do next. I was thinking about sewing all the leftover stripy bits together and doing that as a skinny border. I have a dessert roll (5" by with of fabric)of this line - Glace by Moda it has the blue fabric that is used in the bottom right hand corner block as well it comes in green, cream and red.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S SWAP

2011-09-20T20:58:00.000+10:00

Favourite things a stitchery

Red hand knitted scarf and hat

Inspiration Homespun and Quilters Companion

Earrings bought at a local market from the maker

Nice, necessary bracelet

Densye Schmidt Winding Roads

Something special

Friends swap organised by Khris is to be posted by the end of the month, mine is ready to go to Synnove in Norway.

Favourite things stitchery by Christine Book, I have put some surprises in the package for Synnove, she can show you when she gets the parcel
Red Patons Feathers scarf and hat
Inspiration - Homespun and Quilters Companion, my favourite Australian magazines
Earrings green hand made from the local markets from the maker
Nice, necessary a green bracelet a Starfish creation
Densye Schmidt fat quarters Winding Roads only available here in Australia at Spotlight. Synnove favourite colours are red and lime green, the pink check is more red than the photo shows
Something special a handbag or craft bag it is an oversized Miranda Day bag by Lazy girl designs

A day with history

2011-09-17T16:09:00.002+10:00

the front with me

along the back porch

the front

looking at the
back of the house

Camden Park built by John and Elizabeth Macarthur and still in the family 7 generations later is open to the public one weekend every September. It is this weekend and what a wonderful spring day to go out for a day in the country. John Macarthur is the father of agriculture in Australia and at one point in the 1800's there were 800 people working this farm of 5000 acres, located on the Nepean river south of Camden this historic house is wonderful, the gardens are enormous and has the oldest known camellia bush in Australia. Staffed by many volunteers they are trying to bring the gardens back to what they were in the past. There was a list of some of the produce that they grew which included 40 varieties of apples, 30 of the orange family as they put it which included oranges, limes, mandarines, grapefruit, lemons, varieties of fruit and vegies that no longer are around.
Some pictures of the gardens,

Block sewing

2011-09-15T12:12:00.000+10:00

block going to Heidi
block swap adventure

block going to Kym
AQBS2

block going to Pat
Christmas block swap

block from Pat

Pat added a little mug rug with my block

my parcel arrive from Hancocks
included 2 new rulers

I've been cleaning my sewing room, rearranging the furniture, adding a new bookcase and refolding my fabric,I will add some pictures when the light is better.
I then got this months blocks made, two log cabins and a post and rail. This morning Pats block for the christmas swap arrived, she has made me a small christmas mug rug as well, thanks Pat.

On Tuesday my order from Hancocks arrived, minus one of the fabrics as they had sold out. I bought a layer cake of Terrain and yardage of Flurry all by Kate Spain. Also bought two new rulers, as a lefty lots of rulers don't work for me but the omnigrid rulers do, their marking are both directions and a straight 6", I bought a 6" square and a 24" x 6" for less than the cost of just one ruler here in oz.

I have 2 more commitments this month I join Khris's FRIENDS swap and have to send a parcel to Synnove by the end of the month, having lots of fun working out what 7 gifts to send her. I have also got a mug rug to make as part of the mug rug swap adventure 3, this is the second one that I have been part of and it is always fun.

11 blocks one to go

2011-09-07T12:41:00.002+10:00

11 blocks 1 to go

bee in oz August

today 2 more blocks arrived, only Shurti's block from India still to come. Yesterday I cut and added the setting triangles to a block, this morning Steve tells me he likes the way they interconnect with out the triangles, so maybe I will sit on it until Shurti's block arrives and then decide how to finish it. BUT WOW it looks wonderful and I am grateful to the ladies in the bee for making such a big block 22" finished 32" when the setting triangles are added. For those who want to know the pattern is interlocking seasons

adding sashing instead of setting triangles

Since putting on the floor and walking over and around them Steve has decided that he wants sashing, continuing the outside squares linking them to the next block with the cream and print.

Bee in Oz blocks

2011-09-06T15:50:00.000+10:00

bee in oz
September block

bee in oz
August block

today I have been sewing, I made Cherie's block for September bee in oz, we made mod mosaic blocks using just one fabric with many different black and white strips. I also started to sew the corner triangles on my blocks - I had to stand on a chair to get a photo, these blocks are 32" finished.

Blocks from and for Beth

2011-09-05T12:40:00.000+10:00

block going to Beth

not one but two blocks from Beth

quilting block swap Australia 2 August blocks, my partner Beth sent me two blocks made in the same design and I made for her a tic tac toe block in blue, green and white. Hope she likes it as much as I like mine.

Block from Bobbie

2011-08-31T16:51:00.001+10:00

Block from Bobbie

This block arrived yesterday from Bobbie for August. It is part of the block swap adventure, it goes soooooo well with my other blocks, my general request is for any block in autumn tones.

Blocks keep arriving

2011-08-29T12:43:00.001+10:00

Bee in Oz blocks

Seven blocks have arrived from overseas and Australia, plus the block I made that makes eight. That leaves four more to come, including one from India where Shruti lives but no one has heard from here for a while and her blog has gone, disappeared in blogsphere.
These blocks will be set on point with the cream Kona as setting triangles, I'm liking how this is turning out, it will be one big quilt.

Bee in Oz - August Queen Bee

2011-08-22T15:05:00.000+10:00

my bee in oz block

Christmas block swap block for Rosemary

I am Queen bee this month, I sent out 11 parcels and kept one lot for me - today I sewed my block together and received one in the mail from Kyishia.
I also got my christmas block swap block posted off to Rosemary, I was going to do this last weekend but life got in the way, this morning it got put in the post.

A few things

2011-08-13T15:23:00.000+10:00

Dr Seuss Pillows

story time, Lily wearing the scarf that goes with her cardigan

first two blocks for my Bee in Oz month

not one but two blocks from Rosemary

block from Ann in Nova Scotia

fabric from Cherie queen bee for September
we are making mod mosaic blocks

I remembered to take some photos of the cushions I made for Lily, Dr Seuss one side and yellow print the other. They are in front of her bookcase with the Dr Seuss collection clearly visible. Next we have granddad reading to Lil, she has the scarf made from the scraps left over from her stripy cardigan I made her.

The first two blocks arrived this week for my Bee in Oz month Linda's on the left and Cherie's on the right, when they all get here I will work out how to put them together, thinking of triangles and putting them on point which is the original design of the block. I have made the block bigger by using 2.5" instead of 1.25" wide fabric. This will eventually be a new quilt for my bed.

Next are my August and July Christmas block swap blocks. Rosemary sent me not one but two star blocks for August, her block is almost finished and when it is I will post a picture. Ann's lovely star block for July arrived also this week all the way from Nova Scotia.

Cherie is Queen Bee for September and she sent her fabric with my block, sew I will get some more sewing done next week and get it back to her asap.

Dr Seuss pillows

2011-08-01T20:49:00.000+10:00

I forgot to take pictures of them before they went home with Lily last Monday. The Dr Seuss fabric was made into 2 x 20" pillows, I used a yellow print fabric on the back so she had 2 very different pillows depending on which side was up.

Dr Seuss fabric

Mug rug from Michell

2011-08-01T20:38:00.000+10:00

My lovely mug rug and little extras

This is the lovely mug rug that traveled across the ditch from Michell. It arrived last week but I have been a bit slow getting a blog post about it.

Block for Bobbie

2011-07-28T23:02:00.000+10:00

block for Bobbie

This the block I have made for Bobbie my partner for August in the block swap adventure group. Bobbie asked for any fabric 9 patch, I've gone for the I Spy look kids block.
I hope she likes it.

July blocks for QBSA2

2011-07-28T22:48:00.000+10:00

block from Leena

My partner for July was Leena from group 1, my original partner went MIA, so the lovely Leena graciously made a beautiful block for me and I have made a spool block for her.

block going to Leena

It will be in the mail tomorrow, I hope she likes it.

Tis the Season July and more

2011-07-28T16:54:00.001+10:00

A partridge in a pear tree

Christmas joy

July block from Leena QBSA2

Lily's jacket

Lily in her jacket

I have finished stitching my Tis' the Season blocks for July. I have made Lily's little uptown girl jacket, fabric and pattern bought at the Sydney Quilt show last month.
A lovely squishy arrived from Leena from quilting block swap Australia 2.

Bee in Oz - August Queen Bee

2011-07-20T15:15:00.002+10:00

All the parcels ready to be posted

Kaffe Fasset jellyroll plus a few extras

the coordinating fabric
(photo is a bit fuzzy)

the block

August I am Queen bee in the Bee in Oz quilting bee. The block I am having made is being enlarged from the original. The bottom photo shows a quarter of the block in original and enlarged design. I have had the Kaffe Fasset jellyroll sitting in a draw for a while and decided to use it as the base for the block, originally I had picked a brown grey as one of the coordinating fabrics but it was just too dark, I replaced it with a Kona cream. I had to add a couple of strips from my stash as part of my Hancocks parcel is still missing, well not missing just not arrived yet, it is another jellyroll of Kaffe fabric and was posted 30th June so should be here already.

Bee in Oz - July

2011-07-20T14:50:00.000+10:00

bee in oz block for Kate

This is the block I made today for Kate, July is her month in the Bee in Oz quilting bee. It was a tutorial over on Samelia's Mum blog. Anorina is part of our bee so I think it is extra special for her to have this done as a bee block.

block from Marina

2011-07-20T14:27:00.001+10:00

block from Marina

This arrived in the mail today all the way from the Netherlands. Marina was my partner in the block swap adventure for July. It is hand foundation pieced and is wonderful.
Thanks so much fro my lovely block.

love wonky stars

2011-07-14T19:38:00.001+10:00

Christmas block swap

Block swap adventure

Tis the Season June blocks

Sewing has been happening, slowly, winter has hit me with a cold or flu. It has been nice to snuggle up on the lounge with a quilt and stitch. Today I did both the Christmas quilting block swap Australia and block swap adventure blocks for July. Both Ann in Nova Scotia and Marina in the Netherlands gave me the choice of what block to make, so I did wonky stars from here, I really like the way they turned out. I think they are my stable if you don't have a block you want made then I am going to make wonky stars.
I also managed to finish last months Tis the season blocks and have already done half of this months as well

Christmas quilting block swaps Australia - mug rug swap

2011-07-13T15:30:00.001+10:00

the mug rug

the front close up

the back

This is the mug rug I made for Michell, it was posted today, so it should be in New Zealand soon. I used this tutorial http://sew-fantastic.blogspot.com/2011/03/mug-rug-tutorial-scrappy-colorblock.html

This was was fun to make and hope Michell likes it. Now I need to make two blocks for this months partners and get it in the mail by Friday.

Mug rug adventure 2

2011-07-08T09:51:00.000+10:00

The whole package from Pat in Maine
for mug rug swap adventure 2

the mug rug

cute fabric in the crayon roll

This arrived yesterday, from Pat in Maine USA. I just love it that someone on the other side of the world can make and send such a sweet parcel. There is chocolate, notepad with magnet, postcards of where Pat lives, crayon roll and the mug rug.
I am so lucky to receive all these from my swap partner thanks Pat

A post that should of happened back in April

2011-07-04T21:07:00.000+10:00

March QBSA2 from Alex

Alex sent me this wonderful block for March and a little something else as her husband had promised to post it but didn't - excuse the toes, we have timber floorboards which are great to take photos on. Thanks Alex for this and a great swap.

QBSA2 for June

2011-07-04T12:28:00.002+10:00

Blocks from Sally

The block I sent to Sally

Look what arrived in the mail today, not one but two beautiful blocks from Sally in Victoria. While I posted a sneak peek of my block for Sally I forgot to post a picture of the whole block.

Cardigan for Lily

2011-07-02T08:56:00.003+10:00

Lily's cardigan

Lily's favourite colour is yellow, mine is red according to her, mummies is purple and daddies is blue. Grandma was asked to knit her a yellow cardigan - the wool in Patons Bluebell and most of it is over 30 years old. Only the darker yellow was bought new as I was unsure I had enough to get a whole cardigan out of what was left from other projects. The actual knitting of cardigan was finished and given to her on Thursday, we just had to pick the buttons which we did yesterday and I sewed them on last night. Lily is off to her first movie in a cinema today Cars 2 and uncle Chris is going too so when they come and pick him up I can hand her back her cardigan.
The next project is to make her the Make it Perfect, Little Uptown Girl jacket that we bought the pattern and fabric for at the quilt show.

spotty buttons that Lily picked

Postscript; I used the leftover wool and made her a scarf to go with this

BSA block for Karyli

2011-06-27T09:33:00.003+10:00

the sneak peak of the block

the whole block

I'm a couple of days late but it is finished and in the mail to Karyli in USA

Sydney Quilt show

2011-06-24T21:46:00.004+10:00

What I bought myself, no not fabric but a beautiful pendant

Dr Seuss fabric to make a pillow,
an owl pattern for the girls wall and
Make it Perfect pattern with fabric

Lisa Walton's quilt that is part of her exhibition

spending time reading, Stitch and 101 projects

Kathy Doughty's quilt, love her use of colour

Vignette and and postcards from some of the
stallholder, Make it Perfect, Saffron Craig
and Create

Yesterday we ventured into the city of Sydney for the Quilt show, Kate, Lily, Violet and grandma. We met Clare there and spent the day enjoying the show. We went to Make it Perfect, Toni Cowards talk at 10.30, she had made up from Tasmania by sharing a car from Melbourne with a total stranger. Ash cloud that had covered parts of south eastern Australian and cautious airlines made getting to the show a challenge. We made Lily try on the little uptown girl coat the Toni had as sample to see she wanted it or sprout. As you can see she chose uptown girl and grey with yellow and white butterflies on it for grandma to make, she also wanted Dr Seuss fabric, I bought half metre to make some cushions for her bedroom to sit and read her Dr Seuss books.
The next talks we went to were Reece Scannell and Kathy Doughty talking on Understanding Colour and Using it Effectively, they did this together sew we sat from 12.30 to 1.30 and listened and learnt that we all need to have lights, mediums and darks in our stashes, what a great excuse to go shopping. Kathy also did the 2pm floor walk of the quilts so we followed her around and learnt more from her as she showed us some of the wonderful quilts.
The photos of the two quilt are ones that I would love to make, I just love Lisa Walton and her quilts, she has a special exhibition of them as part of the show, the colours are wonderful and they are all hand dyed fabric by her and her husband Peter.
Kathy's quilt she used part of it in her talk, I will have to go through my stash, the only colours I think I am missing are a range of black and white fabrics.
Towards the end of the day we watched Liz DeLuca’ of Creative Arty Facts make glass beads, Lily was fascinated so she pointed us to her stall, Lily bought a clear glass bead with yellow stripes around it and grandma bought the beautiful pendant ($45 well spent)

As we drove home I checked my emails and got a surprise to find a Hancocks free shipping email, Kate who had only spent $50 of what had to spend so was happy to do an order as was I. Now I know buying local is important, but I bought a Kona fatquarter bundle for $37 and found a lovely print for the reverse of Lily's jacket at $5 a yard and a couple of others including these.

I have one block to finish and I have completed this months projects except my Tis' the Season blocks but I am off to a conference next week and plan to take them to stitch while I listen to the speakers and any free time I get, which means they might all be finished by the end of the month.

Been sewing again

2011-06-22T17:53:00.004+10:00

Christmas block swap from Fiona

Bee in Oz block for Munaiba

Block swap adventure block from Karyli
Arbor Window block

Star block for Sally
Quilting block swap Australia11

Christmas block swap
my block for Fiona

Mug rug swap side 1

Side 2

So I posted the photos but never really made any comments The top picture is of the block the Fiona made me for the Christmas block swap, I made a applique tree block the pattern came from the quilt Christmas cards by the Chook Shed Company. I made the quilt about 8 years ago as a BOM.
Next is my Bee in Oz block for Munaiba, the pattern is jeweled geese and was made out of Kaffe Fasset fabrics, my block for June from Karli for the block swap adventure arrive. Karli's block is the one that I have to finish over the weekend and post on Monday.
Sallys block is next she wanted any star block bright with black background, thanks to Jessica I had practice in March for her bee in oz block. It should be at her place by now.
Lastly there is the mug rug which is heading to USA, it is finished and ready to send just wanted to make one trip to the post office so will post it Monday with Karyli's block.

Go Baby!

2011-06-14T09:32:00.003+10:00

Samelia's Mum is having a giveaway here is what she says, I have entered how about you.
Would you like to win an AccuQuilt GO! Baby fabric cutter + 3 dies of your choice?

May block from Wendy and a busy weekend

2011-06-14T09:22:00.006+10:00

Wendy's block

My block for May arrived Friday in the mail, I emailed Wendy and said when I got time I would post a picture. It is now Tuesday morning and it has taken me this long to get round to posting a picture and an explanation why it has taken so long. It has been a long weekend, Queens birthday weekend here in eastern Australia, which means yesterday was a public holiday.

Thursday night trip to airport to pick up DD2 who has come up for the weekend for Lily's party and see the rest of the family and friends. Hope she gets home to Melbourne, with all the problems with Volcanic ash affecting airports in Australia at the moment.

Lily and aunty Beth

Friday we went into Sydney to look at the lights of Vivid, Saturday was DGD Lily's 3rd birthday party, ended up going most of the day with a group of us doing dinner together, Sunday DH Steve did a baby dedication service for a young couple not part of our church but who wanted their little girl done! Last night I did baked dinner for 11, friends whose daughter is off to London UK to teach next month is friends with our daughter up from Melbourne so both families got together to have a last meal because Jennifer goes before Elizabeth is up again.

So now it is Tuesday morning and I am home alone, time to put my sewing room back from guest room and do some sewing, this months block is waiting to be done.

MCA where you could throw paint at the building

Sydney Opera House made out of solar lights

it had been overcast so the light weren't working

Quilted basket swap

2011-06-05T08:29:00.002+10:00

Basket I received from Antonia in Germany

The basket that I sent to Colleen in Canada

The quilted basket swap brought to us by Michele (aka Mishka) of The Quilting Gallery.
This was the second swap I participated in, the first being mug rug swap. This swap was to make a small bag/basket for Colleen and Antonia made mine for me, and someone else made one for Antonia and Colleen made hers for someone else. Lots of swaps all over the world and lots of fun.

OPAM for May

2011-06-05T08:12:00.001+10:00

For Violet

This is a little cardigan that I finished last month for Violet, I used left over pink from her mums jumper and added a green band in the middle. Easy as start and looks so cute, I found a couple of toggles to add to the front to keep it closed but it is already in the dirty clothes pile so will sew them on when clean. Made in Cleckheaton Country Silk. Big sister Lily wants a yellow cardigan for her birthday on Thursday, I'm using Patons Bluebell and hope to have it ready for her party on Saturday. I'll show you when its finished.
OPAM for May included finishing Violets quilt, block swaps, quilted bag swap, jumper for Kate, Bee in Oz block, Tis the Season blocks and a few more hexies

happy birthday Linda

2011-05-21T11:18:00.000+10:00

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

Block from Lynette

2011-05-21T11:11:00.000+10:00

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

2011-05-17T20:02:00.000+10:00

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

2011-05-16T17:22:00.000+10:00

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

2011-05-16T09:48:00.002+10:00

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

2011-05-15T16:21:00.001+10:00

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

2011-05-12T10:32:00.000+10:00

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

2011-05-11T13:24:00.000+10:00

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

2011-05-08T17:41:00.001+10:00

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

2011-05-03T15:25:00.000+10:00

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

2011-05-03T11:23:00.001+10:00

Photos from hospital

Photos taken from Steve's phone

OPAM April

2011-05-01T21:37:00.000+10:00

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.

A giveaway

2011-04-27T14:45:00.000+10:00

Should I tell you about a great give away? Or should I keep it to myself? Okay, okay... I'll share! Head over to Little Bluebell and enter to win a BUNDLE of Denyse Schmidt fabric! And if you win, you'll share with me, right? What, are you still here? Go now!!

2011-04-21T09:16:00.001+10:00

Violet Elizabeth Finn born 20/4/2011

Pinwheel block from Sue

Above is the reason it has taken me 3 days to post that Sues lovely block made it across the country. My new grand daughter arrived at 3.54am yesterday morning, weighing in at 2885g and 47cm long. She is a month early as her mum our daughter Kate had high blood pressure and liver function problems. Miss Violet was induced at 8.40pm on 19th and born before her daddy made it back to the hospital, I was on Lily watch at there place. When Lily woke at 6.30am to find no daddy but only grandma she was upset until I told her where her dad was, she then became quiet excited.

Thanks Sue for a great block and being my partner this month.

from Sue in South Australia - Christmas block swap

2011-04-15T11:05:00.004+10:00

Star block

A close up of the fabric

My beautiful block from Sue in SA arrived on Wednesday. I asked for any star block isn't a great use of the fabric. I'm sorry it has taken a couple of days to post but I do have a good excuse - minding almost 3 year old grand daughter for our daughter (and son in law) who has ended up in hospital at 35 weeks pregnant with high blood pressure and liver problems. Twitter and Facebook are great, I have just learnt that she is likely to be there for the weekend and have this baby sooner if things don't improve.

So today Lily has nana to look after her, sew I am sewing an baby quilt that needs to get finished, wish me luck it might be needed next week.

Sewing day

2011-04-11T21:04:00.003+10:00

Staci's log cabin

I've been sewing today, beside doing April's Bee in Oz block, I also did the various swap blocks for the groups that I have joined. Above is a red, white and blue log cabin that is heading to Staci in USA. I had the choice of making a log cabin, house or flag block. This is for the block swap adventure the first group I joined.

Sues Christmas log cabin

This is a Christmas log cabin and is going to Sue in South Australia as part of the Christmas block swap. Sue wanted red and green log cabin with a fussy cut centre. This is the last group I joined and am looking forward to having a unique Christmas quilt as I have asked for stars, cream background any colour, nothing is out of bounds.

Star block for Sue

Last is my block for Susan in Western Australia as part of the block swap Australia. She asked for a star block, bright with white background. I saw this block here and fell in love, easy to make and looks great. i hope Sue likes it.

Now to go finish stitching my April Tis the Season blocks, I've almost finished, maybe tomorrow I can show you those completed.

Bee sewing

2011-04-11T20:24:00.001+10:00

Bee in Oz block for April

The fabric April sent

This my block for April's Bee in Oz. It is heading to Canada for April (confused - April is the recipient of the block for the month of April). April asked us to make a 3" signature square and use Elizabeth Hartman's Mod Mosaic as the guide for her block

Tis the Season for a quilt top

2011-03-29T16:22:00.003+11:00

Tis the Season stitch a long

I decided to stitch all the borders onto my blocks to see how it would look. I think I like it. The fabric is Glace by Moda honey bun, there is brown as part of this collection but it just looked off. I did 6 each of red and green and 6 blue and cream, there is a block for the back and left over honey bun too.

The fabric for the Bee in Oz April block arrived from April in Canada today in the post, she wants mod mosaic blocks, Elizabeth Hartman's pillow we are making 12.5" blocks, will show you when I've played with the fabric.
Also my swap partners for April for the various swaps I am now are in my inbox, I'm making a Christmas log cabin in red and green, and a house or flag or log cabin in red, white and blue.

I have to now get moving on a baby quilt, new grand baby is due in about 8 weeks, I have a layer cake of Animal Alphabet and some plains and I am leaning towards making another of Elizabeth's quilts Mod sampler Quilt. I was going to make the same quilt as I made for Lily but have decided to do something different. Anyway back to sewing or at least cutting fabric to start this quilt.

Another swap group

2011-03-23T22:31:00.000+11:00

I love sewing and when I saw Linda of Stray Stitches was not only coordinating Block Swap Adventure was also part of Quilting block swap Australia 2 I went and investigated and joined. You will see the button on the right hand side of my blog, you might also notice that there is a Christmas block swap as well - I did say I like sewing. Add Bee in Oz quilting bee and by the end of the year I will have a couple of new quilts made by others, just as I am making them for others. The block below is for Alex who is coordinating the swap, I hope she likes it and I have asked for stars or pinwheels in autumn tones, cant wait to see what she makes.

Baby bunting block white and light purple

Block from Cathy.......

2011-03-23T12:25:00.000+11:00

arrived today

my block from Cathy

doesn't it play nicely with my other blocks

Tis the Season

2011-03-18T15:09:00.000+11:00

I've finished my 3 blocks for March

February Bee in Oz block

2011-03-18T15:05:00.000+11:00

Shruti fabric went MIA at the end of January, turns out that her hand written in ink with fountain pen addresses got washed off her parcels when the whole lot got wet. They had been sitting at the International mail sorting office in Mumbai. Shruti readdressed them and mine arrived yesterday, with patchwork on tonight today was a good time to make a block. We are all making a block from Elizabeth Hartman's Tokyo Subway. We were all sent a fat quarter to keep and strips of white for the block and use our scraps to make up the block, everyone was given a block to make, I made number 7 there are 25 blocks in the quilt and Shruti is in 2 bees so most of the blocks will get made.
With so many different fabrics (some washed other not) my block the pressure was on to match seams, I hope I did an OK job.
It will be fun to see what everyone else does.

see the seams in the bottom row are wonky,
maybe when it is all together they will sit better

Finished block

Block for Cathy........

2011-03-03T21:42:00.001+11:00

my partner in this months block swap adventure was Cathy from SA. Cathy wanted autumn tones log cabin, the last round are from my Japanese fabrics I liked the texture it added to the block. Colours aren't great in the photo, I finished the block just as the sun was going down, that's why I took the photo out on the grass.

Autumn tones

cream/neutrals

finished block on the grass

March already........

2011-03-01T16:19:00.000+11:00

for my February finishes I did my mug rug swap, Bee in Oz blocks, Block swap adventure blocks, knitted a Caressa express cardigan and a dozen or so hexagons. The fabric in the second photo came from a friend, Karen. She had cleaned her sewing room a had a pile of scrap fabric did I want it, who would say no. Anything that was cotton I cut into hexagon shapes, all the dress, fancy fabric I gave to Kate for playgroup, MOPS, or Girls Brigade to use.

The beginning of something, using up scraps, all the centres
are the same bone fabric from IKEA

This is all cut ready to sew, fabric from a friend

from this

to this

I knitted the first cardigan for Kate in 2008 and took it to London when we went to visited them. It came home never worn as I had forgotten to adjust the button holes for my 5' 11" (180cm) daughter. So last month we pulled it to pieces, unknitted it and re-knitted it into the second one. The colour of the wool is that of the first cardigan. When I can I will take a photo of Kate in the cardigan but given she is 3 months off having baby number 2 and it is still very warm that could be a while. I am very pleased with how it looks - just like the book.

Tis the Season........

2011-02-23T22:20:00.002+11:00

for stitching. I have joined the long list of ladies world wide stitching, Tis the Season by Natalie Bird, organised by the lovely Chookyblue.
Can't wait to start, picked my fabric - a honey bun of Glace by Moda, DMC stranded cottons 3857 to 3864, pattern from The Stitcher's Cupboard. Local for me so the pattern came postage free in fact delivered to the door, hows that for great service.

I've picked a simple white on white for the stitcheries, the pattern is hearts and stars.
This was posted a couple of days ago over on the Stitch- A-Long blog but I forgot to do it here

A road trip.....

2011-02-23T21:55:00.002+11:00

Miss Elizabeth singing

Sydney to Melbourne, Geelong, Mildura and home again. That was last week, we drove to Melbourne for Steve to go to a SCA state coordinators conference in Geelong. Elizabeth DD2 had made the final of Melbourne Fresh at Revolver on Tuesday night so we got to see her sing for the first time live. Chris DS2 came as well and spent the time with Elizabeth in Melbourne while Steve and I went to Geelong for his conference.
I spent time discovering Geelong, National Wool Museum, Westfield, local op-shops, relaxing by the pool and stitching hexies.
Chris caught the train to Geelong on Thursday afternoon from where we traveled to Mildura arriving about 11.30pm.
We spent Friday exploring while Josh DS1 was at school (he's a teacher), Saturday we went to the Farmers markets and Aroundagain think op shop on grand scale. We went for a drive on Saturday afternoon to Wentworth over the border in NSW where the Murray and Darling rivers meet, with all the rain that the area has seen the park was flooded, the river was running fast and the loch had water running freely through it.
Sunday after breakfast we left Josh and Jac to head home, we left about 8am and headed up through Hay, Wagga Wagga and up the Hume to home. A great week away, visiting the children and the kitten. Now for all the photos from the week

State Coordinators trying to
organise a photo shoot

Bollards on Geelong Beach

On the table - leave a chair out
and Franky climbs up

Franky getting ready to
climb the drawers

New outdoor stage in the park, this is where the Farmers
markets are held, Jaclyn and me

The boys Steve, Josh and Chris walking in the carpark
at Wentworth

Bus anyone! That's the river in front and
around the bus stop

Junction of the Murray and
Darling Rivers

Shelter shed

Swaps

2011-02-23T18:36:00.005+11:00

My block from Jodi

Block swap Adventure blocks for February. Jodi wanted Pinwheels in any colour, I asked for autumn tones any block.

My block to Jodi

Mug Rug swap
from Charlotte

Mug Rug swap
to Sharon

I joined a Mug Rug Swap, I sent two to Sharon and received 2 from Charlotte. It could make any design 10" x 6", no beads - I really wanted to add some to the Christmas tree, maybe Sharon could add some. I requested bright and bold, think Kaffe Fasset but necessary to be his fabrics. Didn't Charlotte do a great job.

Mug Rug swap to Sharon

Bee in Oz

2011-02-23T16:22:00.000+11:00

This is my March block for Bee in Oz, February's block went MIA. Shruti's fabric coming from India never arrived to anyone.
Jessica asked for Wonky Stars with the black star fabric as the background. I've pressed it, packed it and sent it on its way to Jessica. The edges seem a little wonky in the photo but it does measure 12.5"

OK so pinwheels are suppose to be easy.......

2011-02-01T20:25:00.001+11:00

A sneak peak of block 1

NOT! I joined the Block swap adventure and this months swap partner is Jodi, she asked for pinwheels. I found some fabric, Jodi didn't mind what colours so I went with green, purple and cream. I forgot to add seam allowances so ended up with 12" block. I know do the math, measure twice, cut once. My only excuse is that it was 41.3 deg C at Camden today, the air conditioner is still working overtime at 8.15pm Tuesday evening it is still 33 deg C. All temperatures taken from here

Finished first block

So TAKE 2, I went and found some new fabric in the same colour combination and started all over again. This time it worked much better. Jodi I hope you like your block it will be in the mail tomorrow. With another scorcher (only 38 predicted for tomorrow) on the way I will be out early to the post office.

Take 2

Giveaway

2011-01-31T10:37:00.000+11:00

Run don't walk over to Heather's blog alammodefabric where she is having a giveaway of lovely Sarah Fielke fabric. Hurry it finishes today 9pm PST.

OPAM

2011-01-27T16:32:00.000+11:00

I've again joined the One Project a Month hosted by Kris and Peg. If you haven't joined yet be quick they have a limit on how many can join.
OPAM keeps you on track in getting things finished, I am looking forward to a very productive year
Happy sewing

Australia Day

2011-01-27T16:22:00.002+11:00

AUSTRALIA DAY 2011

The Lighthorse led the way

Pipes and drums

Crazy guy on motorcylce

St Johns Anglican, Camden

Campbelltown and Camden Marching band

Old cars looking up the street after
they had passed

Camden show semi moved very slowly
up the street, displays, people and animals
on the back

Local butcher how they used to do deliveries

The END

Yesterday was Australia Day we spent the day out, firstly we went and watched the parade down the main street of Camden, local schools (still on holidays), bands, old cars, big trucks, old trucks, local churches, local business, all the local RFS tankers - boys and their toys seeing who could honk the horn, sirens going, flashing lights the longest and loudest.

It was very hot predicted to be very hot 40C, so what did we do but travel down to the Southern Highlands, Mittagong for fish and chips for lunch, then onto Berrima to find that the local park had become outdoor markets. Apparently they do this every year must remember this for next year. We left there about 4pm and headed home to watch tennis, Australian Open, cricket and football . ......... Melbourne Victory beat Nth Queensland Elizabeth will be happy

Moda's Fresh Fabric Treats

2011-01-23T08:18:00.000+11:00

Hi all have you seen or heard about the new book from Moda, Fresh Fabric Treats. They are doing a weeks worth of giveaways, here is a link to The Polka Dot Chair who is giving away a copy and some fabric.

Rain rain go away

2011-01-11T12:40:00.000+11:00

I'm sitting watching the rain here in sunroom, listening to it on the awning roof and wondering how I would cope with what is happening in Queensland. The pictures coming out of Toowoomba from yesterdays flash flood are scary to say the least. Kris one of the organisers of OPAM lives there and has shared photos of some of the devastation that happened in a very short time span yesterday.
Toni over at make it perfect has organised an auction starting next Monday 17th, now I'm no expert but I think I will have to join this and find some way of donating or buying something.

This is the block that Linda sent me from the Block swap adventure. Doesn't it look lovely against my timber floor, I am looking forward to this year of block swaps and Bees in Oz quilting bee.

Now to go sew and work out what I can do for those flood victims.

Blocks for Bee and Swap and a little more

2011-01-06T22:21:00.002+11:00

I have joined The block swap adventure and Bee in Oz quilting Bee. I have finished both and put them in the post today.

Linda was my block swap partner and wanted red, white and blue

Emma was the January Bee in Oz block and she sent me a selection of black, grey and red and white - I forgot to take a photo of just the fabric but here is the block.
Yes I know they are the same block spinning different directions thats the way it worked out.

What else has been happening!!!!!

Jaclyn's and my pincushions

Christmas came and went, we decided as a family to only spend $10 on everyone - 8 adults meant you only spent $70. Lily was the only exception however she did paintings for everyone. Handmade was encouraged and fun. I made Kate (no photo but I used this tutorial) and Jaclyn pincushions, a dress for Lily. The big pincushion was a class at the Sydney quilt show put on by Material Obsession with fabric from Cloth. I finished mine - it's huge and used the leftovers to make Jac's one.

Lily in her Christmas dress

DD2 Elizabeth who lives and works in Melbourne came home after Christmas as she had tickets to the cricket for Boxing day at the MCG, so we did Christmas dinner on the 29th December, roast pork, baked veggies and plum pudding with custard,cream and icecream for dessert. She flew home on Tuesday. DS1 Joshua and DDL Jaclyn came up from Mildura (western Victoria on the Murray River) where he is an English teacher at a Catholic High School. They also went earlier this week. I then got rearrange the home again so that my sewing has gone into the 4th bedroom, leaving a space is basically a TV room a space for Chris to set up his Wii etc and not have to pack it up when he has finished.
Next up is getting some more sewing done now that we have been at our new address for a month and everything is settling into routine.

A giveaway over at Stray Stitches

2010-11-29T20:57:00.002+11:00

Linda is having a give away, go have a look a complete Thimbleberries BOM.

On the move

2010-11-25T21:08:00.001+11:00

We are on the move, just down the road to Elderslie. The house we have lived in since March 2003 when Steve came here as the minister of Narellan Baptist Church has been sold and we move next weekend to a rental property. The reason for the sale was to release the equity of the house to put the services (water, electricity, etc) onto the block that the church owns in the middle of our community. The plan is to build a community type centre that we as Limetree can use along with the wider community of Narellan.
The packing is going slowly because life still needs to happen, this weekend we are at Sports Chaplaincy Australia training, this has been booked for 6 months and is the second half of the course, so I'll try not to worry too much. For those who haven't heard of SCA before they train people to be sport chaplains to high performance and local sporting organizations - Steve is the chaplain to Penrith Rugby League NRL team and has been since 1997 and is state co-ordinator. Most NRL, AFL, Cricket, Football (soccer to some) have chaplains.
A photo taken at our son and daughter in laws wedding September 2007, I tried to find one more recent but couldn't. The reason for the happy couple snap is today 32 years ago we got married, its much harder to just download something that old.

Look what arrived.....

2010-11-18T10:27:00.003+11:00

The fabric that I won as part of the blog hop for Elizabeth Hartmans book launch arrived this morning, isn't it lovely. Oranges and browns now for the book to arrive and I will make one of the quilts in the book with them.

Included mermaids and bees (sorry the bees just wouldn't beehave).
I bought from Borders with my 30% off "101 One Metre Wonders" last week, I plan on using some of my stash to make presents for the family but that will happen when we move house in 2 weeks time. We still haven't found somewhere to rent so things are getting desperate. There are lots of home in our area but generally we are one of a dozen other families looking for somewhere to rent, so if your the praying kind your prayers would be appreciated we need to move before 6th December as this is settlement date.

Give away over at retromummy

2010-11-12T14:44:00.001+11:00

Corrie over at retromummy is having a giveaway of lovely Sweet Broderie by Rosealie Quinlan you can go visit her blog and see the beautiful fabrics

OK so it has been a while

2010-11-09T14:16:00.000+11:00

Where to start, some crafting going on, hexies and knitting. I have finally succumbed to the world of hexagons, I have been doing them on and off over the last couple of months. I have also been knitting a jumper top down (this is so easy) for the first time for Kate DD1, we bought the wool on special and there were an odd number of balls and colours, so I am doing it stripped.
We've been sick, Steve and I, summer colds coughing and wheezing and I had a fight with a stormwater drain and lost - I have a very sore big left toe, grazed right knee and a sore right elbow, broke nothing but 2 weeks after I did it toe is still bruised and sore.
Our home has been sold or should I say the "manse" of the Baptist church Steve has been minister of for the past 7 almost 8 years. It has been sold so the church Limetree.org.au can start the process of building a community centre on the block of land they have owned for the last 10 years. We are staying in the area going to rent something and continue with Limetree while Steve works as an architect to feed and pay the bills.

I won I won

2010-11-09T11:44:00.000+11:00

Last week there was a blog hop to win a copy of Elizabeth Hartman book The Practical guide to Patchwork. Well over on Ambers blog I was the random number picked, so I am the lucky winner of the book and fabric to make one of these beautiful quilts

from little things

2010-09-17T20:33:00.002+10:00

From little things big things grow. I know you are all singing along - this is the name of the new fabric line designed by Sarah. She is having a giveaway to celebrate its arrival. Now it won't be in shops for a while so here is your chance to win some.

Not much

2010-09-07T21:03:00.002+10:00

I have hardly done anything crafty over the last couple of weeks - knitting a jumper for Kate but even that is going slowly. Over the next couple of weeks that will change as I have lots of sewing to do, as I make Harry Potter costumes for the 30th birthday/house warming at Kate and Graeme's. Also a new outfit for a wedding in early October.

Kate, Graeme and Lily finally moved into their new home at the end of August. Grandma has been doing lots of Lily looking after so mummy and daddy can unpack and go shopping for new appliances and furniture. I even had a phone call over the weekend to come round and play with playdough so that her parents could put some Ikea furniture together.

Our home is quiet with half as many people now living here, we are slowly reclaiming space with Steve still to move back into the study, Chris mostly moved back into his bedroom and me to finish sorting out my space in the rumpus room.

Where to start

2010-08-16T20:22:00.004+10:00

OK so it's been a while.

I have been crafting a little, stitching some, buying fabrics Patchwork Heart at Penrith had some lovely half price fabrics, but mainly not accomplishing anything major. Where to begin - after 14 months of having DD1 Kate, SIL Graeme and now 2 yo DGD Lily living with us they finally have keys to their new home and will move in over the next couple of weeks. I will miss the evening kiss and cuddle after she has had a bath and the grandma where is Big and Little Ted (my bears, as in Playschool bears).

I will have a sewing room again even if it is part of the rumpus room and space to leave tops on the floor as I piece them together.

So what have I been doing - Hunter Hill quilt show was on last weekend Di and Sarah both wrote about it. The Camden Quilt show was the first weekend of the month and it was up to its usual high standard. Munaiba wrote about it and has lovely pictures.

I do have photos somewhere but haven't downloaded them yet - told you I have been slack.

We drove to Melbourne in July down the coast, stayed in Eden on Thursday night and then drove onto Orbost, Lakes Entrance and finally reaching Melbourne to meet DD2 Elizabeth who lives down there as she finished work. We stayed at a wonderful serviced apartments on Punt Road, we went to TGIF for dinner in Chapel St and I was glad we had to walk back to the car I was full.

Penrith played Melbourne (rugby league) and the Quilt show was on what great timing. While Steve and Elizabeth spent Saturday morning doing father daughter stuff I spent 3 hours wandering around looking a Victorian Quilt Show - there were some lovely Winding Ways quilts that caught my fancy, they were stunning. I also took the finished bag (Rosies bag No1) that I bought the kit for at the Sydney quilt show, from Indgo Niche. It was the first time she had written a pattern so was please to see it turned out OK and was easy to follow.

We won't talk about the footy!!!!!! the stadium is cool.

Sunday we went to St Kilda markets, met Elizabeth after she was finished at church and had lunch in a really nice cafe in South Melbourne, wandered around the shops and headed back out to Docklands where church is held in the pub of an evening. Left Melbourne Monday morning driving through much of the country that was burnt on "Black Saturday" - I love the area around Kinglake, back roads and lunch at Beechworth at around 3pm is always the nicest possible way to drive back to Sydney.

In the middle of June, did you go to the Sydney quilt show - I did with my friend Clare. We both bought fabric and kits and admired the quilts, wondering if either of us would ever be THAT good. Saw my SIL Jo with her walking buddies.

So in my last post I showed you a couple of quilt tops, Lily got hers finished for her 2nd birthday, although I am still not sure there is enough quilting in it - I hand quilted it with yellow, purple and orange Cotton Perle.

I will download those photos and show you my finished projects and maybe even the fabrics I bought on special. I will try to blog more regularly and remember just what else I have been doing.

I know I did do quiet a bit of work May and June - in store demo work, but I've not had any the last month or so. I do need to go find something regular 20hrs a week.

Until next time

Sue

Some Quilts

2010-05-19T11:59:00.002+10:00

Some tops that I have pieced and just need to finish.

This is a close up of the front, the picture above is the back, a completely reversible quilt. This was last years class with Barbara Gower that I did for my beautiful darling grand daughter Lily. She will turn 2 in June and I really want to get it finished for her.

A picture of the front taken in the sun, just to show how bright it is, a stripy drunkards path.

A pattern out of Jelly roll quilts by Pam and Nicky Lintott. It is on the lounge room floor ready to be pin basted. The picture above is the corner turned over to show the back. This is a quilt top that has recently been finished and I would really like to get it completed.

I Won

2010-05-19T11:16:00.003+10:00

Kelly over at IHAN had a month of giveaways to celebrate. I won some beautiful pins from the Just another Button Company. Thanks Kelly for a great gift and a blog that is always fun to read.

Oh where has the time gone

2010-05-19T10:56:00.003+10:00

I'm so late where has the time gone.
I finished these last month for the OPAM that Peg and Kris are hosting. The cardigan was in an Australian Womens Weekly back in May 2004, I have actually knitted this up before and liked the way it looked. Why do you finish the back, a front and half a sleeve and then put it away?
If I knew the answer I would have no UFO's to finish.

The scarf was a new project with wool bought at Craftexpo when it was on at Homebush. The wool is from the girls at Lush Yarns it was in their $10 bin and there were 2 hanks. It was lovely to knit with and the pattern is a feather and fan variation found on Ravelry.

Finished cardigan and new quilt blocks

2010-04-02T13:37:00.003+11:00

The first 2 blocks of this years class.

This is the detail of the band which was knitted separately and then sewn on, the front band was also knitted separately. I was supposed to be pick up stitches on the cardigan and knitted sideways but I decided to do it the other way and yes they are three quarter sleeves, I think maybe they should have been slightly shorter but I still really like the way it turned out.

Sewing, knitting and work

2010-03-31T18:19:00.005+11:00

So it goes another month is near its end and what have I been doing. I've made Bella-boo for Lily for Easter even if she is already playing with her. She is in Melly and Me's book, Kaleidoscope bought at Craftexpo when it was on at Sydney Olympic Park Homebush. I have had an order put in for Bubbles the Unicorn from her mummy for her 30th birthday in August.

I've made BAGuette by Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches that was in Homespun 78. It just needs handles/straps I still can't decide what I want but the bag is finished. I think I want red leather ones like Natalie's one in Homespun. I used a variety of remnants bought from Craft Depot at Pennant Hills. I did the stitcheries in DMC linen threads, they are so nice to stitch with and were a present sent to me from DD Kate when she lived in London.

Drum roll the bargain buy of last winter was 20 balls of Patons Merino Deluxe DK for $20. I've knitted the fitted cardigan in Jo Sharps book Saturday. Oh did I say 20 balls I actually bought 50, 20 in colour 2 chestnut, 30 in colour 1 beige. That said the wool is selling at yarnsgalore for $7.60 a ball.

There will be a photo tomorrow when the sun comes out of the finished cardigan, I'm very pleased with it, if I do say so myself.

Have you seen advertised "Dynamo to go" it's a instant stain remover you can carry in your handbag. You know when you spill the last of that coffee on your nice cream shirt well this little pen will help you get through the day without looking a complete dag. Have picked up the sales pitch yet, this is the latest instore promotion that I am doing , mostly in south west and western Sydney, 3 hours spilling coffee and red wine on small white squares of fabric for people to try out the pens. Its interesting work and helps pay the bills but I would rather be sewing. Its a good thing that Supermarkets don't want you in there stores this week because of Easter, meant that I got more stitching and knitting finished that I had hoped for.

By the way must remember to show you the first 2 blocks of a quilt that I have just started, I do a class once a month with Barbara Gower and I am making her design called Steps and Ladders, it's in Batiks that I bought in London in 2008 at the Knitting and Stitching show.

Sew-Fantastic has a giveaway

2010-03-09T18:35:00.002+11:00

SewFantastic is having a Kona Colour Wheel Giveaway. Run don't walk....translated....click quick...clickity clack and enter so you too will have an opportunity to gaze upon these lucious fabrics in person. Good luck to you....I hope you win!!!