Christmas time saw me travelling to Caloundra to spend time with family (well, most of them anyway).  We had a marvellous time, although I must admit the weather was just a little too humid for my liking.  Just as well we had the benefit of a pool and beautiful covered area for outdoor eating.  This was my youngest grandson's first Christmas so it was very special.

 (Made my way back to Maitland for some baby sitting duties early in the new year.  Spent a lovely week with the next youngest grandchild - with the exception of the day he locked me out of the house.  Was not a happy Nanna.  I certainly earned my "cranky Nanna" title that day.  A first birthday meant another trip to Newcastle but just for the weekend.  Fabulous picnic area at Pelican Point provided a great venue for both adults and children.

Lots of sewing and quilting has been done as well.  Although my customers have been more prolific than I have, I have just included some of the quilts I have made in the last few months.  

At Easter the sewing group got together and had a day of sewing.  We used the Moda Cake Mix Recipe No 4.  We all chose different ranges and I am sure the results will be very different.  I added extra sashing to mine and it turned out very long.  I called it Geese in a Twirl.  One other quilt (from Lynda) is finished and quilted.  Difficult to believe both quilts are from the same pattern.This one was quilted with Featheration and I think it really suits the quilt.

Just quickly, here are some of my other finishes.  Postcard from Sweden was made quite quickly.  The hardest part was keeping all the fabrics orderly during the sewing process.  The kit was purchased over twelve months ago, but had been hanging out in the stash. I saw someone else finish and that motivated me.  I just love the bright colours in this quilt.

This little cutie was made to help me get my sewing mojo back after the holidays.  The pattern is called Chandelier and is made with Charm Packs.  It was a very quick quilt to make.  The fabrics are from Moda's Ahoy Me Hearties range.

The next quilt spent ages on my design wall.  It certainly tested my patience and perseverance.  I am very happy with the result and this quilt will be going into the caravan when we next get away.  The fabrics are from Moda's Figtree & Co - Coney Island.

Lastly was a pattern I have had my eye on for quite some time.  It is called Chain Log Cabin and is from the Moda All Stars book - Scraps Made Simple.  There was lots of sewing but the result is stunning.  The fabrics are from my stash and mostly from the Moda Black Tie Affair range by BasicGrey.

Well, that's me for now.  Hopefully it won't be another twelve months before the next post.

​Happy sewing all.

Well another six months has flown by and I have been very very remiss in not recording what I have been doing. It has been a very busy time.

First and foremost of course, my newest grandson was born in February.  Needless to say I have spent quite a few weeks visiting and helping out where possible.  He was a healthy 3600 g plus (8 lb) and 56 cm (22") long.  He certainly seemed to be all arms and legs. First photo is 3 days old, the second one is 4 months.

He has grown a lot (as they all do) and filled out quite a bit too.  So far he is a very happy fellow and quite the "chatterbox".  Missing him as I write this, so must be time for another visit.

You might think that with this distraction I haven't been doing much quilting, but that is definitely not the case.  Lots has been happening, but I will try to spread it out over time.

First up of course, is the quilt that I made when this little fellow was born.  I was visiting Quilt Essentials in Newcastle and just fell in love with the fabric from Moda's Darling Little Dickens range.

Sometimes you just see a pattern or fabric and it "speaks to you".  This was certainly the case when I saw Cottonways Summer Nights pattern. I knew it would be just the thing to team up the Figtree Black and White Dots and Black Tie Affair.  I was thrilled to pieces with this finish.  As someone said - it is a very elegant quilt.

Another long awaited finish was this Snippets quilt (another Cottonway pattern) made from a huge range of Figtree fabrics.  The piecing was started in February 2016 and the finished  blocks had sat in the cupboard just waiting to be sewn together.  This was a project commenced with my stitching partner Lynda and she finished her quilt top, thus encouraging me to complete mine.
This is another quilt I am thrilled to pieces with.  

Love too the Overlapping Crop Circles quilting.   I even had enough squares left over to make a smaller version (lap size).  

My customers have been busy too, but I will have to save their efforts for another time.  

Happy quilting.

There is nothing like a new baby due to arrive to get the creative juices flowing.  My daughter is due to have her first child early in February, so I have been doing just a little bit of "creating".  Thought I would share them with you.

While I was away, I stumbled across this gorgeous stitchery pattern and just couldn't resist it.  Not only did it keep me occupied when I couldn't get to the machine, but it has also finished as a simply gorgeous wall hanging.  I will be delivering it at Christmas time.

There was also a bit of knitting and crochet happening as well.  Being a summer baby, these are sized for a six to twelve month old.

Then, because it is a summer baby, I just couldn't resist doing these gorgeous thongs.  Again, I don't think the photo does them justice - they are just too cute.

I figure there might be some more of these being done - in a variety of colours.

Now if only I knew whether she was having a boy or a girl, I might be able to think creatively about a quilt, but we don't know, so I will just have to wait a little longer for that creative spark to materialise!!!!

Well, that's it for now.  Hope you are all coping with the hot weather and the holiday preparations.

Best intentions were misplaced yet again, so the new year will hold lots of last year quilts.

​Have a wonderful Christmas and may the new year provide lots of time for sewing.
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Well, despite my best intentions, circumstances ensured I would not manage to keep up to date with this blog.  Let's hope the next 12 months are not as incident filled.

So without dwelling on the past, I have managed to do some creating in the last few months and would love to share them with you.  They will not be in any particular order as I am not sure that I have managed to capture photos of everything I've done. 

First up are some of a girlfriend's quilts.  She is relatively new to quilting and sewing but manages to amaze me with how productive she is.  The pattern used in this first one is Persimmon from Coriander Quilts.  The quilting pattern is Crop Circles.

The next  was made using a wide variety of Australian fabrics.  Hmm looks like Crop Circles was a popular quilting design.  Looks great on this quilt too.

While on her travels she picked up a gorgeous panel fabric plus some coordinating fabrics.  She was amazed because the fabrics were so much more like the colours I would choose but she just fell in love with them as soon as she saw them.  I am sure you can all relate to the experience!!  They sat in the cupboard for some time while she hesitated over what to do with the panels. The finished quilt is just lovely (the photo really doesn't do it justice).  The quilting pattern is Baroque Swirls.

And finally this one was done just as a bit of fun.  She inherited some orphan blocks (yes, from me) and this is what she produced.  Such a bright and happy quilt.  The quilting pattern is Spilt Paint.

In the hope that I will do more posts if I keep them short, I will end this one here, but endeavour to get some more out to you before the holidays.

Happy sewing.
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First up is a gorgeous Japanese wall hanging.  The quilting pattern used is a clamshell design called Blowing Pampas.  Very appropriate design for the project. 

Must have been the time for smaller projects, as this lovely Christmas piece is going to be used on the table.  Again the quilting design was very appropriate - Christmas lights.  I am sure it will set the theme for a very special Christmas.

Glenda has been busy again.  This time her daughter is the proud owner of this gorgeous red and black beauty full of stars.  She is so clever - and to think she uses mostly scraps.  Must admit, some of them have been mine - I love to see them being used though.

Hearts and Flowers quilting pattern was used on this lovely lap quilt.  The quilt included some hand embroidered white squares.  The all over quilting did not interfere with the stitchery though.  I am sure the recipient will be very happy with this quilt.

Lastly is a cot quilt I made for my son's best friend (from school days). The quilt is called Best of Friends.  I was asked only to use bright primary colours and no indication of male or female.  I think I achieved the goal and I know that the new parents were thrilled with the quilt - almost as much as they are with their new baby girl.

I hope you will bear with me as I try to catch up.  Can't say I have been very good at keeping track, but I will continue to try to improve.

​Happy sewing all.

How is it that nearly two months has gone by so quickly.  I know I have been busy, but this is ridiculous.  Nearly have the year has gone already and it feels like Christmas was just a few weeks ago.  Oh dear - is that a sign of getting old(er).

Well I have been very busy.  Feel as though I have been sewing madly for the past few months.  We are hoping to get away in the caravan, so have to get as much done as I can while I'm at home.  Not sure I will be allowed to take my machine in the caravan!!!  I have been trying to get some things prepared, just in case.

When I finished my Fairy Floss Stars quilt (see the previous post), I still had heaps of pink fabrics left over, so decided to try and use them up. The result is called Tumultuous Star - the pattern I adapted from Bonnie Hunter's Tumelo Trail quilt.  This one is making it's way to my ex Mother in Law.  Unfortunately the delivery person has now gone on holidays so goodness knows when she will actually receive it.  Just hope she likes it.  She did say her bedroom was pink, but my son tells me it is more like peach.  These bright pinks might clash!!! I am sure she will appreciate the effort just the same.

And I still have pink fabrics left over.  If you would like them, just send me an email.  You will need to pay postage and a token price.  It will be interesting to see if anyone actually reads this blog!!!

Customer quilts have been varied.  The first is a beauty made from Bonnie & Camille fabrics.

One lucky customer has been to Hawaii recently and made this quilt as a memory.  It is quilted using a new pattern - Sea Foam.  I love it.

I have also resurrected a long standing UFO.  But, given it is going to be a birthday gift, should I share it.  Oh why not - I'm sure he doesn't read this.  It was started MANY years ago at a retreat held in Jamberoo.  I don't know exactly when, but I'm pretty sure it was before 1990.  The pattern of course is Ocean Waves and it was intended for my son who was very involved with Surf Club at the time.  All those half square triangles got the better of me - especially when I realised the machine I was using didn't have a 1/4" foot and all my seams were too wide.  I'm sure you will understand why it kept getting put back into the cupboard.  Well, this son turns 40 next month so I thought I would pull it out and see if I could get it finished.  To say I am thrilled with the finished product would be an understatement.  Surprisingly once I worked out what all the bits were, it went together relatively easily.  I even put the sawtooth border on - and didn't have to fudge any of the seams.  All that reverse sewing really was worth it!!!  Now I just hope he likes it!

Yes, there have been other things done, but I think that's enough reading for now.  Have to leave something for next months news!!!

​Happy sewing all.

What March already - I really can't believe the time has gone so quickly.  How are you coping with the heat (for those of you in Australia).  I have to admit it is taking it's toll on me.  That, together with health problems all around me have kept me off the air.  Even now I am sitting in front of the air conditioner trying to stay cool.

Okay, to recap the last three months.  Christmas went extremely well.  We had a very adult celebration, with grandchildren only arriving after Boxing Day.  Great having family who can look after themselves!!

There were a couple of customer quilts in the new year.  Amazing what beginner quilters can do.

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The plan was to spend the first week in February on a break in Coffs Harbour with some friends.  Unfortunately my Mum had a fall and ended up in hospital.  Luckily my brother was able to do carers duty so we could get away.  We managed to get about three days in (and visit the local quilt shop), but then I had to bring the man home to get to his doctor.

In the meantime, I have found solace in my quilting.  I find it relaxing when the world around me is chaotic.  I have managed to finish two quilts - just this week and have three new ones started.

The first i have called Fairy Floss Stars and was made using the Accuquilt Hunters Star die.  I am not a pink girl, but I am very pleased with how pretty this quilt looks.
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My other finish I have called Persimmon (based on the fabric range from Basic Grey for Moda).  I used Coriander Quilts Gingersnap quilt pattern - just made it a little larger.

So on that note, I will endeavour to be more timely in the next month - although Easter is coming soon isn't it.

​Happy sewing to you all.   

Well, Christmas is fast approaching and I actually think I am all organised.  The tree is up, the presents are wrapped, the house is clean (well reasonably at least) and most of the Christmas sewing is finished.  I actually have quite a few oven mitts and pot holders waiting to be sewn together, but I am sure I will get to them and if I don't they will still be good for next year.

First up was a challenge - my first attempt at foundation piecing.  Saw the pattern while on holidays in Brisbane and bought it and the fabrics on the spot. Must admit I hesitated to start, but once begun, it was relatively plain sailing - well except that I ran out of some of the original fabric, which meant I had to reorganise and purchase more.  Minor hiccup though and look at the finish.  Don't you just love it. I certainly do.

I don't have a pillow this size, so I am just trusting it will fit OK.  The pattern is  . Mini Mariner's Compass from Quiltsmart.  One gift down.

While sorting through my fabrics I came across some with a nautical theme, so put together this cute lap quilt for my youngest grandson.  There are seaside pictures, and the borders and posts are boats.  The quilting pattern has anchors, so the quilt is called Anchors Away.  Hope he will get lots of use out of it.  The good thing is this all came from my stash!!

There have also been a few customer quilt finishes.  Lynda has been busy again and these are her two final quilts for this year.  The first is a lovely cot quilt.  So appropriate for a little boy, don't you agree?

​​The second is a very large Shortcake (from Cluck Cluck Sew) quilt made from Figtree fabrics.  We used the same Filigree quilting pattern and it really looks great on this quilt.  Looks good on my bed too doesn't it?

My other gift finish is this gorgeous bed runner.  Did you know I was a Jinny Beyer fan?  Well I am - love the fabrics and the patterns are incredible.  This kit came from Jinny Beyer, so all I had to do was cut out and sew all those tiny, tiny pieces.  Absolutely love this.  It is quilted with wavy lines (called Troubled Seas) and the simplicity of the design just enhances the quilt.  I really must improve my photography skills.  I really don't think I am doing these quilts justice.  You will just have to trust me that they look fabulous.  Another gift done!!

Well, that's it for this month - except for those pot holders and mitts.  There are a couple of things all but done too though.  A really gorgeous pink Hunters Star quilt (see the sample below) which may go to a very special person.  All the blocks are done, just need to put it together and decide on the size.  The other job for the new year is a red and black Drunkards Path for a custom order.  All the bits are cut out, just have to start the sewing - after the holidays though I think. 

So to everyone reading this, I wish you all the very best for the Christmas holiday period and hope you have a fabulous New Year.  May 2016 be full of inspiration and lots of quilting.

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IFor anyone reading this who celebrates Thanksgiving - Happy Thanksgiving. For the rest of us, it's not long now to Christmas.  But before going there, here are some of the quilts I have been working on in November.

A little while ago I headed off to The Quilting Patch for an Accuquilt class and I am pleased to say that I have finished my quilt.  We used squares and triangles and although the organisation took a bit of doing, the actual quilt came together fairly quickly.  The challenge became what colour to quilt it in and I ended up using a dark purple. The quilting pattern is called Modern Twist - quite appropriate for my Twisted Ribbons quilt, I think.

Next to the machine were a couple of gorgeous customer quilts.  This first  one is a Log Cabin style and I have used Karlee Porter's Bangkok quilting design.  The customer was very pleased, especially given we had decided on something else and I suggested the change to this design.  Love it when it turns out right!! 

The second quilt delivered was Desert to the Sea.  The name very fitting with the colours in the quilt moving from yellow/brown (desert)  through to green (plains) and then to blue (coast). What better quilting design could there be than Aussie Wattle.  It looks really great, even on the back.

The other recent finish was a custom order.  The customer had bought fabrics some time ago to make a quilt, but . . . .  Well, you know how it is!  So my job was to make the quilt for her king size bed.  And the fabrics were furnishing fabrics.  Well, bit of a challenge never hurt anyone, so away I went.  The results are awesome.  Because of the textures in the fabrics, you can't help "touching" it.

The quilting design for this is Baroque Swirls and it blends really well with the fabrics.

Now it must be time to get stuck into those numerous Christmas projects.  Have a couple of really cool things coming up to show you - provided I get them finished in time.  

Until next month - happy quilting everyone.
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Some more finishes from last month and some new customer quilts to share with you.  Hope you enjoy.

First up was a customer's first sampler quilt.  She is fairly new to quilting, but has really been bitten by the bug.  The quilting design is a classic - Baptist Fan and I think it looks great on this quilt.  

And of course, you don't just do your first sampler, you also design your own quilt.  Great way to learn and I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Glenda too has been busy.  Her granddaughter chose the fabrics for this quilt herself.  She wanted something bright and cheerful.  Objective achieved.

The hearts in the fabric were carried through to the gorgeous quilting pattern.  Such a cheerful quilt.

And then there was this absolutely gorgeous bargello quilt.  I really love this and given the colours, how could it be quilted with anything but Gumnuts.  Even the border fabric was littered with gumnuts.  Shame it had to go home with the owner. Maybe I should add a bargello to my "To Do" list.

There have been some more finishes and some new starts, but unfortunately no photos ready just yet.  I promise they will be taken - as soon as the rain stops and I can get some sunny days and good lighting.

In the meantime, Christmas is fast approaching, so if you have any quilts to give as gifts, don't leave it to the last minute to drop them off.  

Happy sewing everyone - until next time.