Almost there..

I'm so pleased to say that I have nearly finished this quilt, I reckon I've been working on this on and off for 12 months, Its called Miss Millies Flower patch by the talented Bronwyn Hayes, I love her designs. I just have to stitch a butterfly in each corner. I'm so happy with my colours and I just love the burgandy border,
On Saturday I'm going to my first Australian quilt convention in Melbourne with my dear friends Cathy and Anna, the plane leaves at 7am so it will be an early start to the day, I can't wait. Only 4 more sleeps.

Another project underway

My new years resolution this year was to finish all the projects I have started so I am working through a few of them and making heaps of progress. I'm sure I'll start a few new ones along the way but thats half the fun of quilting don't you think. When we get new patterns come into the shop I say to Lillian oh I want to make that. I love my job.This pattern is Natalie Bird's design called From the Heart, I have used similar fabrics to the book and they are so pretty. 3 blocks down only 6 to go.

My new quilt

During the christmas holidays I made this quilt top, most of the fabrics are from the Chocoat range and I had been collecting them for ages, today I took it to work to practice my quilting. I was so pleased with it,

The pattern is from Leanne Beasley's book Romancing the Road Trip. I love her designs.

Fabric postcards

After showing you all the post cards I make and send over seas I thought I should show you some of the lovely ones I have received, Its amazing what some of them are made of, some have lace, stamps and even recycled materials. They really are fun to collect.

A quick project

Here is a project I started last week, it was in the Australian country threads magazine a couple of issues ago, its by Natalie Bird. I have blanket stitched all the design now I just need to put the borders on, today I started another small wall hanging out of the same issue by Sally Giblin, I haven't taken a photo yet but will show you soon, its so sweet. I finished another Sally Giblin cushion which is so pretty, its for a sample for Esme's where I work, I'll show you that next time.Now the weather has cooled down I'm ready to get back into my projects.

How do you keep cool??

After 4 days of temperatures between 38 and 40 degrees we were sick of the heat so on Saturday afternoon we went out and brought our boys a pool, its only a small one where they can sit and cool off but they have had lots of fun, I even got in myself.

Don't they look refreshed and happy. Jacob hasn't actually got all wet yet. It takes him awhile to get in completely, he's funny.

Nicky and Daniel nice and cool.

A little stitchery

For those of you who know me well you know how much I love doing stitcheries, most of my quilts have a stitchery in them. Here is a little project I made for the shop's display. Its a Rosalie Quinlan design, there are 6 in a set and each pattern comes with a little card of the same design, What a wonderful idea. Aren't they sweet.

Sorry this image is a bit blurry.

An award for me...

I have been nominated for an award from Ann thankyou you made my day,

I have had a great day today, I went to my friend Marina's for a sewing day, we had a beautiful lunch then sat in the loungeroom and did our stitching, we shared a bit of show and tell and talked about quilting and fabrics for ages. Having all boys in my household its nice to share my hobbie with another female, they completely understand my addiction to fabric.

Lazy days

Some days I just feel like doing nothing, today was one of those days, I pottered around in the garden for awhile and did some watering then thought about laying on the hammock and having a read but then the boys came outside to play so that was the end of that. I ended up doing some sewing and I started a new project, I'll show you a sneak peek tomorrow.

Look at this beautiful fushia, it really adds so much colour to our garden

A bag of a time

Like most women I love bags, here are 2 of them, This one my lovely friend Cathy made me, its called a pumpkin bag.

This bag I Made to put all my sewing things in, its only small but perfect to carry around.

These snowman are to show Ann over at A good yarn. I bought these when we went to Ross for our Tassie bloggers get together last year. Aren't they sweet. I collect snowmen so I just had to take them home with me.

Catch up time

I had the day at home today, it was a good chance to catch up on a few chores and do some stitching, I worked on my post card quilt and made 2 more blocks, I'm on the 2nd row now, and its looking so nice. I am using all autumn tones, they are my favourite colours, I also did some stitching for a new project for the shop, more on that later. Stay tuned.

Mum's quilt

This quilt belongs to my mum, its a Bronwyn Hayes pattern, I forget the name of it. Mum spent many hours doing the stitcheries and putting the quilt together then she sent it to me to quilt for her, I have done a stipple all over except on the stitcheries, I think it turned out really well, I'll be posting it to you very soon mum. This block is my favourite,

Lots of sewing

I have been sewing up a storm today, I got some charm packs from my friend for christmas so I decided to make them into snowball blocks,the fabric is called Garden Inspriration by Kansas troubles, its my favourite. Its so easy and quick to do, most of the cutting has already been done, This is a quarter of the quilt, still lots more sewing to be done. This morning I whipped up a few postcards for my swaps I'm in, I love making these. Tomorrow they will be on their way to America.

I didn't make this bag today, I made it last week. I needed another bag as my others are full of my projects, I'm going to keep this one for my craft nights.

patchwork santa

Look at these little beauties, I bought these in the after christmas sales. They are Jim Shore figurines, I have admired them for a long time but the price always made me ask did i really need them, well after christmas we went away for a few days and while I was shopping there they were, crying out to me to buy them. How could I refuse those oh so serious but cute faces and their beautiful patchwork clothes. I have packed away all my christmas decorations but left these 2 out for a wee bit longer.

Look what I can do...

Here is my first attempt at quilting on the big quilt machine at the patchwork shop where I work, this is going to be my new job next year so I have been practicing on my own quilts, I don't think I did to bad for my first try. I enjoyed doing the stippling the best, it was easy to do once I got the hang of it. The quilt machine is beautiful to use and I can see I'm going to enjoy my new job ALOT. Who knows maybe one day I'll be quilting one of my Tassie blogger friends quilt.

Lucky me

Here are my beautiful gifts I received from Jacquie
I love these fabrics, they are my favourite colours,

Look at these fabrics cards, how cool are they. I love them

I just love this little quilt,

At the back of this photo is a beautiful table runner Jacquie made, I'll treasuure these always.

Thankyou Jacquie and thankyou chooky blue for organising this fun swap,

Christmas morning

It was an early start in our house on christmas morning, the boys were up at 5.30am to see what santa left for them, all you could here was the ripping of paper. Jacob got a basketball, he has wanted one for ages.

Nicky is a lego fan so he got star wars lego, he has the ship half built already

Daniel got an MP3 player, lego and lots of other things,

All my boys got lots of things, I'm sure it will keep them amused for a few weeks,

Santa was good to me and gave me a camera and part of season 3 of Little House on the prairie, thats my favourite show, I love to sit and watch these episodes by myself and do my quilting.

Paul got his BBQ so he's happy,

I have lots more to show but I'll save that for later.

Happy Boxing day everyone.

Christmas lights

Some houses in our street look so lovely at christmas time, here are a few at the end of our road,

Nicky and Jacob love christmas time, they never stopped talking when we were walking around the street looking at the lights, they were so excited. Thats what christmas is all about isn't it,

This house looked so pretty.

Merry Christmas

Gosh its been ages since my last blog, where has the month of Decembr gone. Its been so busy for me with end of year school functions and activities, finally its almost christmas. I have been busy doing lots of sewing but I'll save those pictures for after christmas when I take them with my new camera I hope santa is bringing me. My inlaws arrived from Victoria yesterday, they are spending 2 weeks with us which is lovely, we haven't seen them for 3 years. Today I have to work then tonight we have a christmas party so that will be fun, Tomorrow I will be preparing food for christmas day, I'm stuffing and cooking my very first Turkey so fingers crossed it turns out Ok, I'm not the best cook thats for sure, I'd much prefer to quilt than cook.
I wish you all a very happy christmas and a safe new year. Until next time take care and I hope santa brings you everything you wish for.

More finished projects

I love Anni Downs projects, here is a cushion I recently finished, I enjoyed making this. I think the ric rac around the edge really sets it off.