Nearly Missed November!
Posted on November 21, 2021 | 7 Comments
November has been a very busy time here. The weather has made sure we are very busy in the garden. The plants are enjoying the Spring rain and sunshine, and the weeds are flourishing!!! Lots of strawberries have been picked and turned into jam. And I think the grass grows behind us as soon as we mow.
The other part of being busy is that our state has opened up after lock down and we are able to catch up with family and friends. Masks are off outside and most venues are now open. So we started with family visits on different days to children and grandies, sisters and mother. So good to see people in person. Our state hits 90% fully vaxed this weekend which is wonderful.
As a result of being out and about, sewing has taken a bit of a back seat. But some bits and pieces have been done.
I kept working on these blocks. I had to join this one to its neighbour as several pieces overlapped the two blocks.
I was then able to add the lighthouse and the whale.
The next block is the final one. I have managed to get it started.
Lots of leaves completed.
I am still finding excuses to make podlets. They are a great excuse to play with fun fabrics.
Now it seems that Christmas planning is taking over with last minute gifts being made as well as Christmas cards.
That almost feels like all is normal.
Now, just for something different. We spent some time with our family helping to clear fallen branches after a severe storm came through. We didn’t notice them at first due to their camouflague, but sitting nearby on a fallen branch were this pair – parent and young Tawny Frogmouth. We made sure they were not disturbed.
Enjoy the week ahead.
Cheers, Karen
A Spring Quilt.
Posted on October 17, 2021 | 12 Comments
Spring is a busy time, especially in the garden. This quilt has a definite garden theme to it.
The breeze make it a little tricky taking the photo but I managed in the end.
The fabric is a design by Leanne Beasley called Spring Mischief.
It is a simple design using square in square blocks alternating with four patch blocks.
I had fat quarters of the full range and selected all the softer shades from the pack. I also included a white on white spot to make up the yardage I needed.
I had a fun piece of fabric for the backing.
I had enough for the length but it was not wide enough, so the easy answer was to cut some of the white fabric into five inch strips and add them to the sides and centre of the backing.
As the photos already show , I kept to straight line quilting for this one. Tram tracks on each side of the main seams and then diagonal lines.
I used two of the darker pinks for the binding as I only had them as fat quarters and needed both.
So there we are – another finish!
Big news here as the end to lock down has been announced for this coming Friday. Very exciting. Apparently we have scored the title of the city with the most days in lock down since the pandemic began. I have been lucky enough to be able to book a haircut in the first week.
There are some downsides. We cannot visit our family yet as they are in a regional area. We have to wait another two weeks for that. And hubby was notified today that his foot surgery has been cancelled as the hospitals want as many beds as possible available over the next few weeks in case they are needed. We will have to be patient.
But we welcome the changes and will embrace them with caution at the start.
Cheers, Karen
Playing Catch-Up.
Posted on October 9, 2021 | 11 Comments
It is great to see another quilt from the pile finished. I am embarrassed to admit that this one has been sandwiched and pinned for at least two years. I know that having the pins in that long is not good for the quilt. At least I don’t feel guilty anymore now that it is finished.
This one was made from a selection of fabric bits and pieces. Not a lot of planning went into it until I realised I should have thought of the layout first. I had made it a bit tricky but in the end a way was found to put the blocks together.
I think the block is the disappearing 4 patch? But I am very happy to be corrected there.
I had this scissor fabric tucked away and this seemed suitable for the backing.
There was another fabric piece with just enough length for the binding.
Quilting was meandering with loops.
So there we go. Another one done and dusted.
Two more have been sandwiched and one more is waiting for me to cut out a backing.
Progress is being made.
Cheers, Karen
Too Much Cuteness.
Posted on October 5, 2021 | 8 Comments
I just had to finish off that koala I was knitting. But it didn’t stop with one. A bit like eating potato chips. So I ended up with three.
They are lovely to make – a little bit fiddly, but worth it. The hardest part was the faces and I am sure that they will get better the more I make.
It is a pattern by Little Cotton Rabbits and is available as a PDF. I am experimenting with yarns ( 8 and 10 ply) and needle sizes. It looks like both wool thicknesses work well as long as I use a small needle. There will definitely be more of these to go along as baby gifts.
And the cute little baskets they are sitting in are called Podlets. I saw them on Cheryll’s blog (Gone Stitchin‘) and had to try them.
These are also very addictive and I have plans for more. They are a Spencer Ogg Sewing pattern and this is the YouTube link. There is a FB page as well with lots of extras. They whip up in a very short time and are super easy. So pleased I saw them on Cheryll’s blog.
Lots of lovely things are happening in garden but I also enjoy seeing the potted plants come in to bloom. These Granny Bonnets have to be a favourite (aquilegias or columbines).
It has turned into quite a wet week here, but that is part of what to expect in Spring. Better than being dry.
Cheers, Karen
A Bit Of A Yarn.
Posted on October 1, 2021 | 7 Comments
Plenty of yarn being used in these projects. It’s a bit of a mixed bag. I have been making a few bits and pieces for gifts and have accumulated a little collection. Most will be baby gifts.
I am sure most of you have seen the octopus toy with the curly tentacles that bubs love hanging on to. I decided it was time to make a few.
These are great for using up yarn scraps and make up quickly.
It is a pattern from
crochet365knittoo.com/crochet-octopus-preemies
Then I had a go at making this fairy doll.
The original pattern is made as a flat body, but I changed it to be a stuffed body, so a few alterations were needed.
The hair is made as a wig and sewn onto the head. Then the flowers and vines are entwined in the hair.
Thankfully the facial features are kept to a minimum and are embroidered.
I made mine with 8 ply cotton.
The pattern is from mandmcrochet designs and is called a Melly Teddy Ragdoll Blossom Fairy or Snowfall Fairy.
And I am sure you can work out what this one will be.
I will add pattern details when it is finished.
Time to move away from yarn and on to my next block of my Over The Hill quilt. We are now under the sea.
I need to add a lighthouse and a whale but will have to wait until I join the next block as the pieces overlap the seam.
October has arrived in a rush. Lots happening in the garden with the lovely Spring weather. Thankfully plenty to do as we are still under lock down restrictions for a few more weeks. We even had an earthquake here as a distraction from Covid for a while – a decent one for our area – 5.9.
I hope your distractions are pleasant ones.
Cheers, Karen
Triangles Abound.
Posted on September 19, 2021 | 13 Comments
It is time for me to get a few quilts finished. Quite a few tops are done but of course they need sandwiching and quilting. I decided to start with the biggest one first.
This one ended up at 65 X 86 (inches). It is made from half square triangles made from a range of fabric packs including some batiks.
Then I had the crazy idea to quilt it myself. I usually get ones this size done by someone with a long arm machine, but lock down has limited that. So, no other choice but do it myself.
I started with straight lines each side of every seam.
And then I jumped in with lots of pebble quilting in the paler blue rounds, as well as the centre.
The backing was a fabric from a collection by Rosalie Quinlan.
The binding was a batik.
The quilt is a gift but I tried it out on one of our beds for a few photos.
I was pleased with the fabric mix in the packs and how well they worked together. Sad to say that I think these were sitting on my shelves for over ten years. Glad they have now turned into a special quilt.
Now I have to wait to see how long it will be until I can deliver it in person.
Looking forward to a good week ahead. I hope you are, too.
Cheers, Karen
A Little Crochet Project.
Posted on August 28, 2021 | 8 Comments
Sometimes it is good to have a yarn project on the go as well as stitching ones. This is a lap size crochet project that I have been working on when watch TV. I can’t seem to watch TV without having something like this on the go.
This has used the African flowers design in all the blocks and has been made using 8 ply cotton from Bendigo Woollen Mills.
I like the little star pattern that occurs when the blocks are joined.
I kept the edging simple. A couple of straight rows and then a small frill.
So that’s it! I think it will live in my sewing studio on the back of an old rocker.
It is a cold day outside but there is some beautiful sunshine and we are seeing the first signs of Spring with some blossom on our apricot tree. Plenty to keep us busy. Have a lovely weekend,
Cheers, Karen
Just Keep Going.
Posted on August 20, 2021 | 11 Comments
We are in lock down still. Apparently we hit 200 days of cumulative lock down since the start of the pandemic last year. So it really is a case of just keep going. So I did.
I finished putting together a quilt top that I had started last year. I had done two of the four panels, so completed to second set.
The fabrics are by Me and My Sister. I had several charm packs from different ranges, but because they always use similar colours, they all worked together. I think I only had to hunt for three pieces to complete the top.
I will sort out a backing and hopefully get it sandwiched soon.
I then started to cut out the pieces for my next quilt top. It is called The Avenue. I think there are 14 pieces in each block so i needed to do a bit of planning and preparation.
I thought it a good idea to do a test block to make sure I was on track.
The block is larger than you think – about 9 by 14 inches. I have completed the cutting for the tree top and now have to get all the background done. This is the pattern. I thin I have to make 25 blocks.
Well, that is what is going to keep me going for a while. The numbers in several states are rising so I can’t see an easy or early end to our lock down. All I can say is take care to everyone.
Cheers, Karen
Moving Along To August.
Posted on August 2, 2021 | 9 Comments
It has been cold, wet and miserable here – but it is Winter! But out of the blue we have had two lovely, sunny days. Not warm, but appreciated. And I think it turns back to Winter normal tomorrow. So obviously lots of inside time. Sewing has been done but with the Olympics in the background. We are in a very similar time zone to Tokyo which means we get to see a lot of the events live. Much better that having to get up in the middle of the night.
I have been going back to some of my Marg Low patterns to make some decorations. This one is Home For Christmas. I had made one of the three in the pattern previously, but for a gift. It is made flat at the start.
Then the side is stitched up and slipped over a foam cone.
In the original pattern the cones sit on a base, but I don’t have anything appropriate so I simply traced out a circle of felt to stitch to the base. It sits quite well like that. My plan is to make a few more as there are different sizes and designs.
Over The Hill by Wendy Williams has been stitched together and is now waiting for me to finish the third row.
I am very happy with how this is looking.
I also found a small pattern to try.
This is on a 10 inch block. I may turn it into a small pillow. The design is by Rusty Crow from 2015.
I have been putting blocks together for a quilt. At the moment I am playing with the layout.
This is range by Leanne Beasley called Spring Mischief. Very pretty and delicate.
Plenty to keep me going over the next few days when rain returns. I think I am ready for Spring.
We finally had our second vaccination last week. Good to be up to date with that one.
Hope the week goes well for everyone.
Cheers, Karen
A Finish For Round The Garden Path.
Posted on July 18, 2021 | 11 Comments
Finally after many months, maybe years, I have finished the embroideries and quilting for Round The Garden Path, a design by Fig,N,Berry.
Once the embroideries were complete and the blocks put together, I had a good play with the quilting.
Each of the eight outer blocks were quilted in a similar way.
I was able to pebble quilt inside the embroidery circle and inside the hexagon border.
This held the block securely and didn’t interfere with the embroidery.
I also didn’t want to take away from the embroidery outside the circle.
The centre block was a different matter.
Pebbles in the pathway. Clouds in the sky. Squiggles in the garden. I did a little bit of outlining in the houses hold the larger pieces firm and some cross hatching to let the roof sit flat.
In each of the house corners I overlapped loops to cover three of the four quarters.
Once that was done I added a mini hexagon where the blocks met.
I also repeated the loops around the border between each block. And finished each corner with squiggles.
I used a Liberty fabric for the binding. It was the same as one that was used in the hexagons.
The backing fabric was a bit of fun, too.
So there we go. Another quilt completed.
We are back into another (hopefully short) lock down here. No complaints from me as it looks like this delta variant spreads like wildfire. I get my second vaccine jab in two weeks so am not ready to be out in the middle of crowds just yet. It is cold and wet outside so I am happy to stay in.
It gives me plenty of time to decide what to do next.
Have a good week.
Cheers, Karen
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