Some Leap Day Quilts.
Posted on February 29, 2024 | 8 Comments
I had to write the date a couple of times today and it felt a bit different. Only another 4 years before I can do it again.
And Happy Birthday to all those Leap Year babies!!!
I have strayed from my blue quilts to make a collection of donation quilts – baby size.
I realised I have several sets of these panels and was able to make a start on some quilts.
The first one was easy. Just cut out the 4 panels, add sashing and a border.
With the next one, I started with the single panel, which is a square. I wanted to turn it into a rectangle. I found a free pattern on the Birch blog site called In The Woods by Plum and June. It has a guide for adding borders that gradually increase the length of the piece, while still looking balanced in each border round.
I was happy with this one, so went back for seconds.
I only had a few pieces from the original fabric range but I had plenty to add to the mix.
I picked up some backing fabrics in a recent sale.
Most of the quilting was straight lines or loops, but I did have a little play in some sections.
I will keep these until I have a few more, then I can donate them.
I also found another distraction. It has been a while since I have played with any book making. I found one book that I had started so made the effort to get it finished.
I found an old atlas that was falling apart and used the paper to make new pages. Once they were stitched together I made a cover using another find, an old map poster.
I will use it to collect travel memorabilia.
That’s it for me. Back to more stitching.
Cheers, Karen
Looks Like I Have The Blues, Again.
Posted on February 22, 2024 | 10 Comments
More blue fabric. More blue quilts.
This is one where the top was finished last year, then my machine stopped working. It was added to the pile waiting for a turn to be quilted. I am nearly caught up!
This was another exercise in using fabric from my stash. I had enough to make the small post and rail blocks which I then turned into nine large blocks. I then used one of the fabrics to run sashing between them and also create a border. By that stage I had used all of those fabrics up.
I didn’t have enough of any one particular fabric for the backing, so I chose two to go together. Instead of simply sewing them together in strips as I have done before, I chose to centre one and use the other as a border. It kept me on my toes making sure it sat evenly on the back of the quilt.
The picture above shows clearly how the centre fabric was framed, but the photo below is a better indication of the colours.
Bit tricky to take photos with all the plants in the way. Never mind.
I used the striped fabric from the backing for the binding as well.
The quilt has ended up at 70 X 70 inches. Definitely ready to go on a bed.
Lots of strange weather here at the moment. We had windstorms last week with the power off for 20 hours. But that was nothing compared to other areas and the damage that has occurred. And some still do not have power back more than a week later.
Today instead is really hot and I am glad to stay indoors for all of it. Tomorrow our temp is half what it is today. It never gets boring here.
Back to work and more blue quilts, maybe. Cheers, Karen.
More Blue And White.
Posted on February 3, 2024 | 8 Comments
There have been plenty of these Plus quilts around, but until now I didn’t have fabrics I wanted to use in one. Then I had a visit to Cutting Cloth and came home with a bundle. I combined it with the left overs from the previous blue quilt I had made with another bundle from Cutting Cloth.
And, yes, there are still some Christmas decorations on the fence. I always think I have put everything away, and then something like this is staring me in the face.
I made many of the blocks in one fabric each.
But then I also had a bit of fun with the centres of others.
That just shows that sometimes it is worth holding onto those smaller pieces.
I was able to use a lot of the lighter coloured pieces to make a small patchy border.
I had a piece of Tilda backing left over from another quilt. So two backings from one piece is a bonus.
I then found another piece from my stash for the binding.
I quilted a flower motif in each cross then did a looping meander in the white blocks.
I do like seeing quilts on beds. It ended up at just over 60 inches square.
Now that this one is done I am continuing on the scrappy blue and white blocks. I think I am at the halfway mark. I couldn’t resist having a play with the ones that are finished.
Unlike the rest of our country, we have had a very mild Summer. We are only getting a few hot days. It has meant that the garden and trees are doing extremely well, and the grass is still green. That is unheard of for us in February. We usually have brown grass and dirt.
Photos of blues skies, flowering gum and sunflowers.
We are very lucky to have them in our own backyard.
That’s it for now. Off to pick tomatoes and corn.
Enjoy your weekend.
Cheers, Karen
A Quiet Week.
Posted on January 26, 2024 | 7 Comments
A quiet week here on the sewing front, but extra busy with grandchildren staying over for several days.
I have been working on these blocks. Lots of pieces. I had to cut nearly 600 blues and 600 whites. That’s not bad for me as I am not always that patient. I admire those of you who make the gorgeous quilts with thousands of pieces.
In the week prior to the grandies visit I had a lengthy card making session with friends. I managed to finish these and only have the cut some shapes and stamp sentiments to make them ready to use.
Together with a group of friends I visited the McClelland Sculpture Park. We managed to catch a break in the weather to get outside and see many of the pieces.
I am ready to go back for a second visit on a fine day so I can take more time to look around.
It is the Australia Day holiday today and the men’s semi -finals are on for the Australian Open.
Plenty to see and do. Hope it’s the same for you.
Cheers, Karen
Sewing Some Storage.
Posted on January 12, 2024 | 5 Comments
Yes, sewing a few little projects for keeping bits and pieces.
I started with a small zipper pouch. It popped up on FB, so I had to watch it several times before I could remember all the steps. No link, I’m afraid. I forgot, then couldn’t find it again. Here is my first try.
It’s a small one, about 4 inches each way.
It has a bagged bottom.
So I figured I didn’t have to stick to the original measurements and found a piece of the Splash fabric – waterproof.
This is about 8 inches long. So now my head is trying to think of other ideas to go with these ones.
Then I was distracted by another design. This one comes from SewCanShe https://sewcanshe.com/the-best-square-basket-pattern-free-tutorial/CanShe. There are lots of patterns/designs on that site. This one is square basket with handles.
It uses two fat quarters and ends up at a good size. The base is an 8 inch square.
I put it to use immediately.
I had taken lots of black and white fabrics off the shelves. All the big pieces went back but I needed somewhere for all the small leftovers. Perfect solution.
This time of year is busy in the garden, but also very productive. The tomatoes have started to ripen.
Can’t complain about that!
Have a good weekend. Cheers, Karen.
Happy New January.
Posted on January 5, 2024 | 7 Comments
A new month, a New Year! Time to get into all the sewing projects.
I have a small quilt finish. It is about 45 inches, square.
This quilt was a very simple design at Cutting Cloth in Melbourne. I bought a selection of fabrics from them and came home to play.
I had forgotten how much preparation is involved in a small quilt like this, but I stuck with all the cutting out. Many of the fabrics are delightful.
The fabric combinations worked well together.
Every second block had simple running stitch done in perle cotton.
I found a soft green with white dots for the backing, and a blue gingham for the binding.
You can see the straight line stitching for the quilting.
It is lovely to have a finish early in the year. Let’s hope there are many more!
Happy New Year. Cheers, Karen
Merry Christmas.
Posted on December 23, 2023 | 3 Comments
This was not made as a Christmas quilt, but the colours do give it that sort of feel.
I had several pieces from the Under The Australian Sun range left over and wanted to use them in a simple quilt that focused on the reds and golds. A post and rail seemed the way to go.
The next picture gives a better sense of the true colours.
Thankfully I had enough to complete the quilt top.
I had a piece of cream fabric in my stash for the backing.
I used the red gum leaf fabric for the binding as well.
I am still working my way through the backlog of quilts that were waiting for my machine to be repaired. Quite a few still to go. Hopefully I can catch up in the New Year.
Everything here is ready for Christmas.
Christmas wishes to everyone.
Cheers, Karen
Merry December.
Posted on December 16, 2023 | 4 Comments
It has been a hectic time, but I am determined to do at least one December post!
Lots of shopping has happened, including these gorgeous biscuit tins. Love the way the bauble has been incorporated into the tin. And, yes, it spins!
The colour and the design on the tin could have easily fitted into my quilt. This is another panel being used and completed.
I have kept it simple with just a few borders added. Each of the squares have delightful images.
I found a lovely piece in my stash to use on the back.
The binding was a black with a small white spot.
The last few panel quilts I made have already been snapped up, so I am sure this one will be finding a home soon, too.
In between the busyness of Christmas we decided to visit a lovely home. This is the Bundoora Homestead which is located north of Melbourne. It was perfect weather to be out and about.
The rooms are being used as galleries for various artists. Great displays, but no photos allowed. The inside of the building was stunning and I could take photos of that.
This is a stained glass window in the ceiling.
Another ceiling.
Plenty of beautiful glass.
Something had us a bit stumped. What do you think this is for? I’d love to know.
The hand is holding a bar, so something could be tied around it. If it was near a window I would guess curtains. But they were in the corners of the room.
I found this fun pattern for Highland cattle, so of course, had to make one!
I finished all my little Santas to give away.
And to finish off, I am enjoying how well the garden is growing. Plenty of rain and not too hot – yet!
Not too many days left before Santa makes it here. Thankfully I am on top of most of the holiday preparations. I may even get to slow down a bit this week.
Hope all your plans are going well.
Cheers, Karen
Be Quick Before November Finishes.
Posted on November 24, 2023 | 8 Comments
Just a little bit busy here. Lots being done in November, but not all to do with sewing.
However, there have been a few small finishes. I have been asked to make some small panel quilts.
These small blocks came together easily with some red sashing.
I found a suitable Christmas backing.
Not a great photo for the colour, but the next photo shows it better along with the striped binding.
It was finished off with some simple tear drop quilting.
The next one was a simple flannel quilt. A few borders were added to reach the required size.
I think the backing may be a very old piece of a Thimbleberries design.
And then lots of outlining and swirly quilting.
I have been making more of these cheeky monkeys as quite a few friends have grand babies arriving soon. They are a lovely gift.
I am keeping busy with a lot of Christmas sewing, but none of that is finished yet.
The garden is loving the Spring weather. These pots and baskets are growing quickly.
The passionfruit vine is covered in hundreds of green fruits getting ready for Summer.
My weekend looks like being busy with visits to see family and trying to decorate the Christmas tree.
Good luck for your weekend. Cheers, Karen
Happiness
Posted on October 28, 2023 | 6 Comments
I am a very happy Vegemite. I have one of my machines back!!! Yay!
As soon as the call came I was off.
I put mine and the loan machine together. I really have appreciated having the spare one from a friend, But you can see why I was happy to have mine back.
There was a bonus after the wait, too. Bernina acknowledged that the problem with my machine was a recognised fault and replaced the parts at no cost. That is good service.
So, of course, as soon as the machine came home I pulled out one of the many quilts sandwiched and waiting to be quilted.. I chose a super easy donation quilt ad started with a simple loop pattern. I knew it would take a while to get my eye in after a long time away from quilting. I was surprised at how awkward I felt at the start. Thankfully I settled into a rhythm and it was completed in no time.
The main block was made up of five pieces which created a square. The block could then be rotated.
I felt the separating squares were a little bland so I added a circle of theme fabric to each.
I added a spotty binding.
And a fireworks backing.
It feels so good to be able to do all this again.
On a different note, it is Spring here, and the garden is loving the weather. And so are the pots and hanging baskets.
It won’t be long before the weather turns hot and everything dries out. I am going to enjoy the green while I can.
I hope your weekend is going well.
Cheers, Karen